The two of them landed right beside Duan Xiangmei, who, despite being small and delicate, had been vigilantly guarding in front of the array of Lifebound Lanterns, clearly worried about Wu Jinliang's safety.

The disturbance had not only reached Xiang Laner and Feng Chi. Initially, the crowd watching over the array had dwindled to just a few sect-related personnel due to boredom. But suddenly, like leaves swept up by a fierce wind, a large number of people appeared out of nowhere.

Soon, the crowd became so dense that people were bumping shoulders. Young Master Nan also emerged from somewhere, standing with his hands behind his back and looking on.

At this moment, saying that the lanterns were falling like rain would be an understatement. The continual dropping was already alarming, and sometimes many would fall at once.

Duan Xiangmei turned her gaze from the array to Xiang Laner and Feng Chi, asking somewhat nervously, "They won't be in trouble, will they?"

How could they be sure? Feng Chi could only comfort her by saying, "The thirteen lanterns of the Mingshan Sect are all steady. They should be fine."

Suddenly someone nearby pointed at the array and shouted, "Look, look! Another lantern from Shudao Mountain has dropped."

From the adjacent area came a response, "The Extreme Fire Sect has it worse; a whole bunch fell like a gust of wind, almost more than half are gone."

The onlookers' eyes darted across the sky like searching for stars, amidst a cacophony of whispered discussions.

Young Master Nan, surrounded by a few people, occasionally glanced towards the Mingshan Sect's Lifebound Lanterns.

At the peak of Qi Yun Valley, the crowd was also bustling. Sect Leaders from the various sects had hurried over upon hearing the news. Those who arrived first made way; the influential sect leaders naturally stood at the center and highest point.

Gradually, the continuous fall of the Lifebound Lanterns seemed to cease.

"Heh..."

Among the somber-looking Sect Leaders, Qu Sect Master Qu Wuming suddenly let out a laugh.

He saw the numerous lanterns of the Extreme Fire Sect dropping, while his own Yanbao Sect's remained unharmed. Glancing at the grim-faced Sect Master Su Qiao of Extreme Fire Sect, who seemed as if water could drip from his scowl, he could not help laughing at the thought of the other sect having sent so many to their deaths.

Many others understood his laughter. The Extreme Fire Sect had forced their way into the domain with a hefty toll of over a hundred people, and now more than fifty had died. If only twenty had entered, such drastic losses wouldn't have occurred. The misfortune of losing so many lives and then handing over the "Desolate Blade" to another was indeed a joke to them.

Sect Master Su Qiao of the Extreme Fire Sect glared coldly at Qu Sect Master Qu Wuming. He knew what the latter was laughing at, but without evidence to confront him, he had to hold back his fury to avoid being humiliated.

Sect Leader Gu Yanduo of Shudao Mountain also had an unsightly expression. Another dozen of his disciples' Lifebound Lanterns had dropped. Knowing his daughter was also inside, one could imagine his worry.

Qu Wuming, never one to avoid stirring the pot, teased, "Could it be that the disciples of Shudao Mountain and the Extreme Fire Sect started fighting over the Divine Fire?"

Sect Master Luo Yan of the Refining Heaven Sect spoke slowly, "That's unlikely. If the two sects were fighting over a cluster of Divine Fire, it wouldn't involve so many sects in the battle." He then turned and asked, "Xu Ao, has the casualty count been compiled yet?"

"Just a moment," replied the Sect Master of the Li Huo Sect from the back of the crowd, who was communicating with someone.

Soon after, he made his way through the crowd and reported to everyone, "In this recent period, lanterns from one hundred and fifteen sects have dropped, with a total of one thousand three hundred and thirty-seven casualties."

A collective gasp could be heard.

Qu Wuming's tone became more solemn, "With so many dead and injured at once, could something have happened? It's not possible that they encountered some ancient monster inside, is it?"

Luo Yan stroked his beard, pondering. "The people who entered did so separately, and meeting an old monster shouldn't lead to so many deaths so quickly. Could it be that they entered the Wuming Forbidden Land?"

This comment led to many exchanging glances. Someone muttered, "I've warned my disciples over and over not to go in there."

Another followed, "Don't underestimate the lure of the Divine Fire. Half the time's passed, and in desperation, anything could happen."

Standing behind Luo Yan, the somewhat lean Situ Gu pondered in silence, a man of few words.

Those wanting to ask his opinion hesitated and, in the end, chose not to speak.

Sect Leader Gu Yanduo of Shudao Mountain hesitantly said, "Even if a few daring ones entered the Forbidden Land, it's not possible that disciples from over a hundred sects would ignore warnings and go in, right?"

Having foreseen such a possibility due to earlier incidents involving his sect's disciples, his words struck a chord of practical reason, and many Sect Leaders nodded in agreement.

Sect Master Su Qiao of the Extreme Fire Sect stared at the array, demanding, "What exactly happened?"

Gu Yanduo quickly continued, "This year's Divine Fire Domain seems a bit abnormal. I suggest we make an exception and reopen the passage to send in a team to patrol and check."

Worried for his daughter's safety and having contemplated this proposal due to the early incidents involving his sect's disciples, Gu Yanduo had been holding back, knowing well that other sects wouldn't agree and speaking up would be in vain. But now, with so many sects involved, he seized the opportunity to clarify the situation before intervening, as a Sect Leader should always strive to aid his own.

As expected, no sooner had he made the suggestion than Sect Master Su Qiao of the Extreme Fire Sect immediately voiced his strong agreement, "That's right, there's definitely something abnormal with this edition of the Divine Fire Domain. We should indeed send a patrol to find out the situation."

Qu Sect Master Qu Wuming chuckled, "Matters of fortune and calamity—what could be so abnormal? I think what's truly abnormal is your Extreme Fire Sect. Suddenly, so many entered; perhaps the primary cause of the heavy casualties is your disciples."

No matter if it made sense or not, these words indeed led some people to associative thoughts. Could it really be related to the Extreme Fire Sect?

Su Qiao immediately retorted with anger in his eyes, "Nonsense!"

As soon as the insult was uttered, when both sides were about to start quarreling, the former Sect Leader of Shudao Mountain raised his hand to stop them, "If you want to argue, roll aside and take your time. What I mean is, let's send a group in to simply understand the situation inside, to monitor each other, without interfering in the disciples of various sects searching for the Divine Fire."

Su Qiao immediately responded, "That's the reasoning."

"That's right."

"I also agree."

One after another, other related sects joined in the shouting, all of which were sects involved in the recent drop of their Lifebound Lanterns.

Qu Sect Master of the Yanbao Sect scoffed. Once people really went in, whether they intervened or not depended on the situation. He certainly didn't believe that this group was eager to do what was best for everyone.

He looked around and saw that most of the people who did not echo his sentiment were in the majority. He could understand that sects that were not involved would naturally want to maintain their advantage. He immediately looked towards Luo Yan from the Refining Heaven Sect and called out, "Sect Master Luo, you are a sensible person. Say a word."

All eyes immediately turned to Luo Yan.

After pondering for a moment, Luo Yan spoke softly and made a conclusion, "Rules are rules, and should not be changed lightly. Let's wait and see."

These words were measured, neither agreeing nor refusing, but insisting on their own interests without cutting off possibilities, and also blocking both contentious sides from further argument.

Gu Yanduo and Su Qiao looked at each other, both with faces darkened in silence.

The crowd at the foot of the mountain, seeing the Lifebound Lantern array stabilize again, and after watching for a long time without any anomalies, most people began to disperse one after another.

Those, who left like Xiang Laner and Feng Chi, didn't call for Duan Xiangmei, knowing it would be useless. That woman was not going to leave easily.

Even as a monk, Duan Xiangmei looked haggard after these days and nights of constant vigilance.

The betting area became lively again, attracting more people to the palatial ship buildings on the sea.

Young Master Nan, who was watching from the coast, turned back to look at the floating array of lanterns and seeing Shi Chun's lantern still steady, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon, a person flew over and came to whisper a report to Young Master Nan, informing him of the discussion between the Sect Leaders on the mountain previously.

After speaking, the person raised a possible concern, "Young Master, could this anomaly have anything to do with Shi Chun?"

He knew what Young Master Nan was hoping for. To throw Shi Chun into the mix was meant to create chaos, for only with an outcome beyond everyone's expectations could they make a fortune.

Young Master Nan smiled at the thought, "Who knows? I do hope it's the case. There are a few who practice Fire Attribute Skills around me. I suppose they can't stand being idle."

He recalled the acting Shi Chun had him stage at the sects of Tong Mingshan, Zhu Xiangxin, and An Wuzhi who were expelled. One could imagine, Shi Chun would not be busy for nothing on this trip into the Divine Fire Domain; that rascal must have plans before entering and likely wouldn't be content without biting into a chunk of meat.

With this in mind, he strolled on the beach with his hands behind his back, issuing a mocking sigh, "The Land of Exile is truly a wonderful place!"

Back inside the house, Xiang Laner and Feng Chi stood by the window again.

Gazing at the distant floating array of lanterns, Xiang Laner said thoughtfully, "Too bad Mr. Qing refuses to tell us which sect to contact Shi Chun and our group through."

Feng Chi understood her meaning. Knowing which sect it was, and observing whether Lifebound Lanterns were dropping, they could roughly assess the situation of Shi Chun and their group. She smiled and said, "No worries. Everyone from the Mingshan Sect is fine; the Master surely won't be in any trouble!"

Seeing her still so confident in Shi Chun, Xiang Laner couldn't help but shake her head slightly, reflecting, "It's a pity that the 'Celestial Body' created by the body is too conspicuous and can't pass the vetting. Otherwise, sending in some who have concealed their cultivation could have been a great help."

Feng Chi, however, wasn't dwelling on that. She reminded with a smile, "Miss, first stabilize the realm you've just broken through. I need to report your early breakthrough so that the Holy Master can be pleased. The Holy Master looks at you differently now, which is good for all of us."

Having said that, she turned and left with a sway of her hips.

In the Wuming Forbidden Land, under the dim starlit sky, the group from Yanbao Sect, having rushed at full speed, landed amidst a crowd who, after a disheveled escape, were now gathered together trying to catch their breath.

Even the third-ranked sect of the Artifact Refining World couldn't persuade the nearly thousand survivors to stand up and show respect; after their escape, they were too exhausted, some even wounded.

Li Hongjiu, with his wide robes and big sleeves at the forefront, swept his gaze over them and called out loudly, "What happened? Have someone who can breathe and talk explain."

Looking energetic, he really seemed like the leader of a Yanbao Sect expedition at that moment.

Guang Haoyou, who had actually been leading the group all the way, was very speechless. His lazy uncle, who never cared for absorbing the Divine Fire, suddenly perked up at the mention of Shi Chun's group entering the Wuming Forbidden Land he longed for, leading everyone there with loud cries.

This made Guang Haoyou worry, but his uncle claimed he came to rob Shi Chun's group of the Secret Technique for finding the Divine Fire. Could that be believed?

Not just him, but the entire Yanbao Sect, watching the suddenly so energetic Uncle Li Hongjiu, all had eyes full of concern.

An uncle suddenly striving for better was supposed to be a good thing, but everyone really couldn't bring themselves to be happy about it.

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