Refining Heaven Sect's troops assembled, and there was no other business, just to set out and depart.

This matter had already been communicated by Zuo Zisheng with several key figures of the Refining Heaven Sect, so there wouldn't be any objections. As for the rest, they simply needed to follow orders.

The Artifact Refining sects that could come to the Divine Fire Domain basically all operated like this: the designated leaders chosen by the Sect possessed unquestionable authority, since what they were going to face was the highly enticing Divine Fire. Without conferring absolute authority, internal discord would surely arise.

This was a bloody lesson learned by the participants of past assemblies.

Although most people were just following orders, they all tasted something unusual. They hadn't even found the Divine Fire yet, and they were already giving up?

As for the reason for giving up, everyone had the same suspicion in their hearts—it must be related to that cloaked person.

After emerging from underground, Zuo Zisheng, who had discerned the direction, personally led the way, and they swiftly flew off.

The journey was relentless, and as they approached the location designated by Yan Ketao, Zuo Zisheng called a halt to the flight, going alone to the designated spot.

In no time, at the highest point of the designated place, he met Yan Ketao, who was waiting for him.

Such a meeting implied, without the need for words, that the people from Shudao Mountain must no longer be there.

No further discussion was needed; with a mere mention of heading to the exit, Yan Ketao left first. He wasn't yet ready to openly mix with people from the Refining Heaven Sect.

After he had departed for some time, Zuo Zisheng returned to his own troops and led them in a change of direction towards the departure point...

The ten elders sitting cross-legged on the summit of the mountain near the exit bore the hardship well, exposed to the wind and sun, motionless.

For ordinary people, enduring for a long time would be difficult, but for those who practiced Fire Attribute Skills, the fierce sun wasn't much, and it even offered some slight benefits to their cultivation.

Their skin had indeed darkened a bit.

Another figure descended from the sky, and as the ten elders focused their gaze, they noticed that this time it was just one person, not bearing any Divine Fire. They all recognized from the attire that it was a disciple from Shudao Mountain, though they did not know what he had come for.

The visitor was none other than Yan Ketao.

Elder Jin, Jin Guiqi, naturally recognized him, and seeing him come alone, was somewhat puzzled.

While in the air, Yan Ketao also hesitated, unsure whether to land there or not. After looking around and noticing no other figures, he braced himself, landed, and first saluted Jin Guiqi, "Disciple Yan Ketao, greets the elder."

He then politely bowed to the other elders, for though the sects were in competition, disciples from the Big Sects still had their upbringing.

Right beneath them, in a nearby hole, Wu Jinliang and Chu Jingtang exchanged glances. Yan Ketao? This was the very person the Master had warned them to beware of; unexpectedly, he had indeed come their way.

Jin Guiqi was unaware of what the disciple intended to do, and due to the rules, it also wasn't appropriate to inquire too much, so he asked indifferently, "What are you doing here all alone?"

He speculated internally—was this yet another gift-bearing visit?

Yan Ketao replied nervously, "While following the team, I accidentally lost my way. I've been unable to find our group, searched everywhere, and had no choice but to come here and wait for my sectmates."

To think he had gotten lost, the affair amused quite a few elders who couldn't help but smile.

Jin Guiqi was of course a bit embarrassed, but ultimately, this was a disciple from his own Sect, and in this place searching for the Divine Fire, having more people meant more strength. Being an elder, he couldn't just ignore the situation, even having a responsibility and duty to assist. So it seemed as if he waved his hand nonchalantly, "You scatterbrain, don't be an eyesore in front of me, go roll to the side!"

The direction pointed by his hand was where Lao Changtai and others had previously hidden.

He knew Shudao Mountain had colluded with Mingshan Sect and had people planted here to send signals. By directing the disciple that way, he would encounter his cohorts and naturally be guided back into the ranks.

Hidden in the cave and eavesdropping, Wu Jinliang couldn't see, but he heaved a sigh of relief, thinking to himself that Old Man Jin wasn't confused after all, and his tension gradually eased.

Yan Ketao didn't catch on to Jin Guiqi's good intentions. His visit was meant to probe the elders for confirmation of the situation. While hesitantly nodding, with a pained expression, he was about to beat around the bush to pass a message.

Before he could speak, Elder Jin, perceiving that he still hadn't grasped the situation, subtly nudged him again with his words, "Didn't you hear me tell you not to be an eyesore? This isn't a place for you to loiter aimlessly. Those who are idle and have nothing to do are all over there, go and honestly stay there!"

The phrase 'they're all over there' made Yan Ketao slightly startle. Following the direction pointed by the hand, he finally understood and hastily showed the obedience of one following orders, bowing and requesting to leave, then disappeared with a flash of movement.

Elder Jin Guiqi retracted his hand and stroked his beard, nodding inwardly, thinking to himself that the boy wasn't too dull after all.

Wu Jinliang, silently hiding in the cave, could not help but sneer, cursing the particular Old Man Jin for his foolishness.

Even though he couldn't see, his mind had already formed an image of Jin Guiqi's demeanor and the orientation of his gesturing hand.

Under the faint light seeping into the small hole, one could make out Wu Jinliang mouthing a swear word silently.

He cursed as a way of releasing his emotions but also knew that this incident couldn't be entirely blamed on Jin Guiqi; after all, communication on the other side was inconvenient. Given the limited information available to them, it was inevitable that such an error could occur during this event.

He prodded Chu Jingtang beside him and made a hand signal, indicating that they should leave together.

Chu Jingtang looked surprised at the gesture. Wasn't this the place where one must not leave anyone behind?

Having traveled back and forth to this spot multiple times, witnessing many instances of obtaining Divine Fire himself, he knew well that this was a key location for gaining clues to the Divine Fire. Normally, the rule was always to keep at least one person here.

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