"I guess I know the people from Shudao Mountain quite well. If it weren't for Shi Chun partnering with them, Shudao Mountain couldn't have come up with such a messy trick that even their own people couldn't understand. I still haven't figured out what's going on. The first place winner of the Sky Rain Meteor Conference really shouldn't be underestimated!"

"First place in the Sky Rain Meteor Conference..." Zuo Zisheng murmured, realizing that he hadn't really taken this so-called champion seriously before.

Even though the Sect had cautioned him to be wary of Shi Chun, it didn't change his opinion of Shi Chun at all. Coming from the Land of Exile, he was nothing but a riffraff, only capable of petty theft.

The reason he didn't take Shi Chun seriously was because he had the backing—from the most outstanding disciple among this generation from the first Refining Sect in the world. Otherwise, how could he have been the leader for such an important mission?

But now, it seemed he might have underestimated the situation. Finding so much Divine Fire couldn't just be explained by scams and deceptions.

Turning back, thinking once again about the reminders from the Sect, he finally became completely alert and asked, "Brother Yan, last time you couldn't conveniently disclose information, and the details were unclear. This time since you're here, could you please explain in detail the collaboration between Shudao Mountain and Mingshan Sect?"

"Of course." Yan Ketao would naturally not hide anything and promptly narrated everything he saw and knew in great detail.

Zuo Zisheng listened very carefully and attentively, occasionally interjecting questions during the conversation.

Appearing cloaked could mask one's appearance, but in this environment, it made one more noticeable. People searching back and forth in the underground space also noticed this mysterious figure.

Those intent on finding Divine Fire had slowed their pace noticeably, not straying far from the vicinity, lingering and observing.

After fully understanding the details of the collaboration between Mingshan Sect and Shudao Mountain, Zuo Zisheng pursed his lips, which sported a thin mustache, and fell into deep thought. He also didn't understand how this partnership quickly found Divine Fire.

Thinking it over again, he slowly said, "It seems the crux of the matter lies in those steps they had kept hidden."

Yan Ketao responded, "Indeed, I think so too. Those Mingshan Sect people who keep disappearing and reappearing probably provide clues to the Divine Fire. Most of the time, it's after these missing people reappear that we start heading to the next search site.

I'm just wondering how they, with just a few people, could find so many Divine Fire clues, plus the efficiency with which Shi Chun and Gu Lianni find Divine Fire—I don't understand it."

Zuo Zisheng's face emanated a fierce aura, glancing at his forearms peeking out from his rolled-up sleeves, "In other words, if we can figure out how those people from Mingshan Sect find Divine Fire clues, we might be able to solve the mystery of how they quickly find Divine Fire.

Or at least, by getting a grip on how they find clues, we can sabotage and force them to let us share in the spoils. The key issue is, how do we find those people? Would it be convenient for you to return to Shudao Mountain?"

He wasn't particularly interested in being first. Being first was good, but obtaining actual Divine Fire was more important. If Shudao Mountain was willing to share, he could give up first place.

Yan Ketao hesitated, "Do you mean to track the people from Mingshan Sect who come and go?"

Zuo Zisheng nodded, "We'll stay on the periphery of Shudao Mountain. Once you spot someone from Mingshan Sect, signal me, and I'll immediately send someone to follow and investigate."

Yan Ketao thought for a moment and said, "Going back to Shudao Mountain should not be a problem. With some mysterious anomalies happening in the Divine Fire Domain, any excuse like getting lost can be explained away, at most I'll get scolded. I know them; they are not overly suspicious to consider me spying for another house.

The problem is, it's been so long since I've been gone, if they have any Divine Fire clues, they probably won't wait for me at the same place. They might search for a bit, but won't delay searching for Divine Fire just for my sake. If they're not there, then I can only wait at the exit, and when we can meet up is uncertain.

By the way, I've always had a suspicion. The places where the people from Mingshan Sect keep going back and forth to might be near the exit. If I really go to the exit, I can take the opportunity to investigate and confirm this."

He didn't know that Wu Jinliang and his group were scouting for Divine Fire clues at the exit since they hadn't exposed themselves to the Shudao Mountain side.

Gu Lianni and the group knew about it, but it was a highly classified secret. Additionally, since Shi Chun had instructed that way, they didn't disclose to their subordinates that Wu Jinliang and his group had been hiding at the exit. Even when they played diversions at the exit, the people from Wu Jinliang's group weren't seen by anyone from Shudao Mountain.

Those elders knew a thing or two, but even they hadn't shared this information with others.

"Exit?" Zuo Zisheng expressed some confusion. Could there be Divine Fire clues at the exit? He asked, "Why do you suspect that?"

Yan Ketao: "Judging from the movements of some people from the Mingshan Sect, everyone has been running around abruptly, and those of us below have long been confused and lost our way. The only constant is the direction of the sunrise and sunset used as a reference. When the Mingshan Sect personnel change shifts, the newcomers seem to always give directions to those who are leaving, and the direction they head towards seems to be the same, as if it were the exit. Of course, this is just my guess."

Zuo Zisheng nodded, "Whether it is or isn't, let's verify it as you suggested. First, go back and check if they are still there and if not, then head to the exit. If that fails, I will spread out my men to help you find the people from Shudao Mountain."

"Then what about this place?" Yan Ketao looked around the underground space. "With such a search, you must have found something, right?"

Zuo Zisheng: "Half the time has passed, and we have only found two Divine Fires. You said they found twenty. Do you think the discoveries here are still important?"

Indeed, Yan Ketao thought and nodded slightly. If not, he wouldn't have come himself.

The two then clarified the previous location of Shudao Mountain, and Zuo Zisheng told Yan Ketao to go back first. After assembling their troops, they would follow the plan they had just agreed upon.

Yan Ketao adjusted the brim of his hat and turned to leave. After a few flashes in the underground space, he found a narrow tunnel passage, which was the only way.

Just as he entered the tunnel, he was blocked by two disciples of the Refining Heaven Sect coming towards him. The tunnel was narrow, so he immediately stepped aside to let them pass.

Unexpectedly, as one of them passed by, he suddenly reached out and pulled off Yan Ketao's hood, laughing, "Who is it, hiding your face like that?"

Yan Ketao stiffened, somewhat stunned by the encounter; he hadn't expected this.

Before he could cover his face again, someone had already drawn a blade and held it to his neck. "You're not one of us, who are you?" he even specifically pulled out some Sandalwood Gold and shone it on his face. "Hey, why do you look familiar?"

Yan Ketao, rather speechless, knew it wasn't possible to fight back, he reluctantly said, "Please ask Senior Brother Zuo Zisheng to come here."

While he was speaking, two more people entered the tunnel, one of them, a thin man, demanded, "What are you doing? Let go, he is a guest of Senior Brother Zuo."

After being released, Yan Ketao quickly put on his hat and left without a word, turning swiftly to leave.

After he disappeared, the one who had drawn the blade muttered, "Don't you think he looks familiar?"

Someone replied, "Familiar? We saw him before at the Ice Field, a man from Shudao Mountain."

The man beside him wondered, "What's a man from Shudao Mountain doing looking for Senior Brother Zuo?"

The thin man blinked and said, "Probably the same as before, discussing cooperation. Alright, let's get back to work."

The one who had drawn the blade, while sheathing his blade, reminded him, "It was you who prompted me to reveal his face. If he complains later, you guys need to back me up."

"Alright, alright, I get it, it was just a misunderstanding, he wouldn't complain, let's go," the thin man waved and turned around.

Just as they left the tunnel, another smiling disciple of the Refining Heaven Sect blocked their way, asking, "What's going on, who is that guy covering his face?"

The thin man vaguely replied, "Nothing, never mind who he is."

The one who had drawn the blade, however, blurted out, "A man from Shudao Mountain."

The thin man immediately turned back and glared at him, and just like that, the group hurriedly departed.

The smiling man watched them go, then looked towards the tunnel, frowning in thought. Right then, a sharp whistle sounded, and he quickly darted towards the source to gather...

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.