On the eastern side of the Ice Field, within the coal-black terrain, Yan Ketao had located the area and searched thoroughly, yet he hadn't found a single soul.

He later sent out a signal and met up with Zuo Zisheng, who was waiting in the rear.

After confirming the situation, Zuo Zisheng gathered more people who were waiting and turned the area upside down, yet still, not a trace of anyone was found.

"No one, what's going on?"

Zuo Zisheng, having discovered nothing, approached Yan Ketao who was hiding in a dark corner to ask.

How would Yan Ketao know what was going on? He didn't think to suspect deception and could only wonder if the people had already been moved.

What to do if they were moved? Where should he look? His only option was to return to the entrance area to discuss with Wu Jinliang.

So, after much strenuous effort, he traveled back to the entrance area, tracked down Wu Jinliang's previous hiding place, and it was again Yan Ketao who approached alone.

He wanted to tell Wu Jinliang that there was no one there and inquire whether they had moved to another location.

What he found bewildered him; the cave where Wu Jinliang and others were hiding had collapsed. What had happened?

Had they moved as well? He faintly sensed something was amiss, yet he still refused to give up, searching around the entrance area until dusk, unable to find any possible hideouts.

Having no other choice, he proceeded to the mountaintop, paid his respects to the elders, and boldly asked Jin Guiqi, "Elder, what happened with the cave collapsing over there?"

He knew this was somewhat against protocol, as the elders stationed here didn't intervene in the competition, but he was out of options.

The other elders had already raised their eyebrows more or less, curious to see what Jin Guiqi would say; they adhere to the principle that those stationed here should not mix into the competition, curious to see if Jin Guiqi would pull any stunts.

Jin Guiqi's gaze towards Yan Ketao was meaningful, but he didn't exhibit any significant anomaly, calmly stating, "Don't ask me why that place collapsed, we do not interfere in the competition here. You all should depend on your own abilities, and you're also a disciple of Shudao Mountain. I should not say more as it may lead to misunderstandings; go tend to your business."

Yan Ketao hesitated to speak but stopped himself.

At that moment, Refining Heaven Sect's elder Qin Zhijiu slowly spoke up, "It was Wu Jinliang of the Mingshan Sect who destroyed it, mentioning something about a traitor within their group, who has already fled."

He didn't know why Yan Ketao was concerned about the collapsed cave, not knowing that Shudao Mountain and the Mingshan Sect had joined forces, but seeing his need, naturally added a bit to cooperate.

Upon hearing this, Yan Ketao was severely shocked, bowed to him in thanks, then bowed to Jin Guiqi as well, though his eyes darted around somewhat evasively towards Jin Guiqi before quickly flying away.

Understanding that inexplicable guiltiness in him, Jin Guiqi's eyes flashed fiercely, and his jaws clenched noticeably, but he said nothing and did nothing to stop him; he slowly turned his head to look at Qin Zhijiu of the Refining Heaven Sect, "You previously said I was meddling too much in guiding the disciples of Shudao Mountain, involving in the competition, how come you can't keep your own mouth shut?"

Qin Zhijiu responded with a light smile, "He is your Shudao Mountain disciple, not mine. It wasn't much more than a casual comment, hardly constitutes improper involvement, right? There's no rule here that says we can't speak when we see someone. Old Jin, I was just trying to help, why are you blaming me?"

Jin Guiqi tightened his cheeks but remained silent, having already guessed Yan Ketao's true identity as a traitor.

Avoiding their gaze, Yan Ketao met again with Zuo Zisheng, who was still waiting further away.

As soon as he landed, Zuo Zisheng noticed his distressed appearance and asked, "What's wrong?"

Yan Ketao's adam's apple bobbed as he spoke, "I may have been exposed..."

He detailed the recent events to him.

Zuo Zisheng was stunned, then asked abruptly, "How were you uncovered? Didn't you say the people of Shudao Mountain wouldn't suspect you?"

Yan Ketao struggled to say, "I don't know. I haven't even met the troops of Shudao Mountain; something might have slipped in front of Wu Jinliang. I've been very cautious. That big, simple-minded fellow with bushy eyebrows and eyes, who appears quite obtuse, could it be that he or the two people with him noticed something?"

Zuo Zisheng said gravely, "That also explains why there was no one in the coal-black mountain area; Wu Jinliang was clearly deceiving you, using you to lure our troops away, otherwise he couldn't have escaped so easily. It's like he treated us like fools, and you still dare to call him a big simpleton?"

Upon realizing the fault in their endeavor, a barely concealed anger emerged in his tone.

Yan Ketao's worry wasn't about this; what concerned him was, if he couldn't find Shudao Mountain's troops to negotiate a cooperation, to agree on terms, would Jin Guiqi, guarding the entrance, allow him, a traitor, to leave the Divine Fire Domain alive?

He was now somewhat panicked and suggested, "Since we already caught Jin Guiqi's vulnerability, why not expose this matter to the other elders and pin down Jin Guiqi first?"

Zuo Zisheng's mustache quivered on his lips and he retorted, "Wu Jinliang is clearly deceiving you, and you still believe his nonsense? Is that even a vulnerability? Who knows if it's true or false."

Yan Ketao responded, "If Wu Jinliang intended to deceive me, he should have concealed the matter of Jin Guiqi's personal involvement, so why would he disclose it?"

Zuo Zisheng heard this and also grew puzzled, instinctively plucking at his mustache, feeling perplexed from both sides, feeling it was irrational.

Yan Ketao continued, "The collaboration between Mingshan Sect and Shudao Mountain is an undeniable fact; there are absolutely no errors in that. It's very possible that he didn't initially notice my loophole, at least not when informing Jin Guiqi. It would not be till later that he realized something was amiss with me, probably because I kept trying to find out about Shi Chun and the others' whereabouts which alerted him."

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