The messenger left, and before long, he brought with him a person cloaked in a black robe.

The newcomer's half face was hidden under the hood, making it impossible to discern their features. Standing in front of Zuo Zisheng, they lifted their face and slightly raised the hood, allowing Zuo Zisheng to see their countenance clearly.

The visitor was none other than Yan Ketao, the one who had gone missing from Shudao Mountain.

Upon seeing it was him, Zuo Zisheng's mouth curled into a smile with his small mustache. He waved his hand, signaling the messenger to leave, and then spoke seriously, "What urgent matter brings you here in person?"

In this world, it was not only the Demon Path that would plant moles in other sects. Refining Heaven Sect also employed this tactic, though they did not have the grand resources and capabilities to create as big a spectacle as the Demon Path. If it wasn't for the fact that hundreds of people from Shudao Mountain had entered, it was doubtful that this mole from Refining Heaven Sect would have had the opportunity to enter the Divine Fire Domain.

Despite only a single mole from Shudao Mountain being fortunate enough to enter, they had played a major role at a critical moment.

In the previous incident with the Ice Field's Ice Jiao, Shudao Mountain believed they had been deceived by Shi Chun. Therefore, they used the trick of Shi Chun's five Divine Flames to deceive Refining Heaven Sect, tricking them into a joint venture to exterminate the Ice Jiao on the Ice Field.

The real reason Refining Heaven Sect impatiently withdrew from the venture wasn't that they couldn't find the Ice Jiao in time.

Five Divine Flames, all at once! What harm could there be in a little more patience to search a little longer?

The true reason for withdrawal was because of Yan Ketao. This mole had actively reached out to Zuo Zisheng, and secretly informed him of the truth. Upon learning that they had been played by Shudao Mountain, Zuo Zisheng decided to pull out with his men.

If it weren't for fear of exposing Yan Ketao, Zuo Zisheng would have certainly taught Shudao Mountain a lesson. But considering Yan Ketao's safety, he swallowed his pride and left with just a few words of complaint.

Initially, he didn't even know who the mole from Shudao Mountain was. Before entering, the Sect had only informed him that there was a mole on their side within Shudao Mountain, and instructed him only to activate this asset when absolutely necessary, to save them for a crucial moment.

The Sect had made it clear that disciples chosen by Shudao Mountain to enter the Divine Fire Domain were promising ones, whose future roles could be more significant, and they instructed not to expose them rashly.

Now that the mole had approached him on his own, it was clear the matter was no small issue.

Yan Ketao whispered, "After the Ice Field incident, Shudao Mountain and Mingshan Sect collaborated once again."

Zuo Zisheng was taken aback, "Weren't they double-crossed and had a falling out? They could still collaborate after so many deaths?"

Yan Ketao said, "Apparently it was a misunderstanding that was resolved. Afterwards, Shudao Mountain got their hands on two Ice Flames, which I personally witnessed. That's not important, what's important is the collaboration that followed. I can't quite make sense of it—their constant hustling doesn't seem like the usual search for Divine Fire. But I can tell that both sides are very pleased with the cooperation.

Gu Lianni and the others were extremely compliant and cooperative with Shi Chun's arrangements, to the extent that such satisfaction from both sides could only mean one thing—Divine Fire.

From my observations, after every location they search for Divine Fire, it seems there is always someone entering seclusion. I suspect they are absorbing Divine Fire.

They have always been very secretive; I wasn't sure before. Recently, on the side of Shudao Mountain, aside from Gu Lianni, Yuan Yao, and Pang Hou, other people have also begun to absorb Divine Fire Red Flame. What does this imply? It means that they have accumulated so much of the same type of Divine Flame that it has begun to spill over.

On the side of Shudao Mountain, if Gu Lianni and three others had not absorbed Divine Fire, it wouldn't have likely reached the other disciples.

Mingshan Sect also has three individuals cultivating Fire Attribute Skills. With both sides collaborating, if those three haven't absorbed Divine Fire, it is also unlikely to overflow to other disciples of Shudao Mountain.

This means my judgment is correct—the collaboration between the two sides has accumulated enough Divine Fire to the point of spilling over.

I'm not very clear about other matters, but I can be sure, just by the number of times Gu Lianni has entered seclusion, she must have absorbed as many as five Divine Flames!"

"Five Divine Flames?" Zuo Zisheng exclaimed in shock. He thought he was accomplished enough, having absorbed only two himself.

Yan Ketao produced a stone and pointed at the marks on it, "Just from what I've noticed being off and recorded, the times of seclusion from both sides add up to thirteen. And that doesn't include the times I didn't record. I suspect they might have found as many as twenty Divine Flames!"

"What?" Zuo Zisheng's face turned ashen with alarm, and he couldn't help but reach for the stone to inspect it. It was just an ordinary stone from the Divine Fire Domain, marked with some scores—thirteen exactly, matching the claim. Holding the stone, he said solemnly, "Brother Yan, twenty Divine Flames, do you realize what this implies? How is this possible! Think again, are you sure you haven't mistaken something?"

Yan Ketao asserted, "When I first saw the seclusion, I suspected it was Divine Fire, but the speed at which they were being obtained was hard for me to believe. Just like you're struggling to believe it now. That's why I refrained from reacting until I saw Divine Fire overflow onto other disciples of Shudao Mountain. That's when I knew my suspicions were correct. If it weren't for such a grave matter that required me to make a decision, why would I sneak out from there and come directly to you?"

It made sense, and Zuo Zisheng was filled with doubt and astonishment. "Twenty Divine Flames... if Gu Lianni didn't have a powerful father, she might not have had the chance to enter the Divine Fire Domain. Could it be that I've underestimated her capabilities?"

Yan Ketao sighed and said, "Brother Zuo, it's quite clear. It's not about Gu Lianni's capabilities; it's primarily about the skills of Shi Chun."

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.