The two were not worried that Gong Shixi would expose their alliance with Shi Chun.

According to Shi Chun's speculation, this disaster was orchestrated by Gong Shixi behind the scenes, but unfortunately, there was no evidence.

If Gong Shixi dared to openly provoke or do anything against Shi Chun in public, there were too many people to silence, and it would expose his violation of the Three Sects Alliance to the Demon Path — a price he could not afford.

The fear was that this guy wouldn't stir up trouble directly but would incite from behind without leaving any evidence.

That seemed to be the case; scanning the scene quickly, Gong Shixi immediately noticed the two, as the Magical Treasures they were handling were too conspicuous to miss.

Seeing these two present, Gong Shixi showed a slight hesitation in his eyes, uncertain if they were aware of his and Shi Chun's connection to the Demon Path.

Regardless, he did not move forward but signaled his entourage to stop, allowing other sects to pass and surround them, effectively hiding in the back.

Several sects had come along this time, many of whom had suffered losses to the Fire Bat previously.

Zuo Zisheng, the leader of the Refining Heaven Sect, looked around at the various sects rushing forward. Outwardly calm, he felt a sense of annoyance inside, uncomfortable with his unintended role as the group leader.

Of course, he did not doubt his qualification. Refining Heaven Sect was the largest in the Artifact Refining World, essentially a leader among the sects.

However, he did not wish to lead. After Shudao Mountain suffered a significant loss, with the Refining Heaven Sect strong enough on its own, there was no need to join these motley groups for shared benefits.

Traveling with a group naturally meant sharing the spoils.

It was said that some bastard blew a bewitching wind to the sects, claiming that when successful, there would only be one Divine Fire per sect to split, favoring those who contributed more.

Though it was just one, he knew how tempting it was to most sects. These sects were merely trying their luck, often unable to find even one by the end unless they were fortunate.

Now, with the chance to benefit effortlessly, they naturally rushed in.

Faced with demands for profit-sharing upon meeting these sects, Zuo Zisheng, overwhelmed by public opinion, did not agree but also did not publicly refuse, as offending so many sects was unwise even for the formidable Refining Heaven Sect.

Thus, he didn't want to join these people at all, yet was forced by circumstances beyond his control.

These sects included allies of the Refining Heaven Sect, who left markers on the way, but those clues only went as far as the filled Sky Pit. Beyond that, without a direction, wander aimlessly? Even a sect as mighty as Refining Heaven would not dare to blunder through the Wuming Forbidden Land.

The dangers of the Forbidden Land had been reiterated by the sect elders, even personally by Elder Situ Gu, who warned them not to enter rashly.

Yet they ventured forth boldly; their pride as disciples of the top sect was at stake. How could they accept having their achievements trampled upon?

This was a burden of being first.

Hence, inevitably, they met various sects defeated by the Sky Pit incident.

They struggled to shake off the crowd and move forward as they knew not their destination, hesitant to backtrack and resign, unsure what could be done.

According to the sects, Li Hongjiu of the Yanbao Sect continued bravely and boldly on, heading where even the sect's high-ranking elders dared not tread.

He had kept an eye on Li Hongjiu since entering the Divine Fire Domain, viewing him as unreliable and suspecting the real leader to be Guang Haoyou.

He paid particular attention because the sect had specifically instructed him to do so.

It was rumored that this person, the closed-door disciple of Yanbao Sect Leader Qu Wuming, was extraordinarily talented in cultivation and formidable in combat, allegedly having faced off against those in the Human Immortal Realm without losing despite his High Martial cultivation.

Though unverified, this person was known as a slacker in Yanbao Sect, somewhat aimless. Yet, after suffering a silent setback at the hands of Extreme Fire Sect, Yanbao Sect surprisingly sent Li Hongjiu, indicating the gravity of the matter and necessitating extra caution in future confrontations.

Amidst the stalemate, more sects trickled in, and then, suddenly, members of the Extreme Fire Sect arrived, claiming they had discovered Shi Chun's group's whereabouts and beckoning everyone to follow.

At that, the Yanbao Sect group could only helplessly follow suit, Zuo Zisheng included, unable to shake off the other sects as the notice was public, leaving no choice but to accompany everyone like a leader.

All along, he wondered why the Extreme Fire Sect, after taking out the Desolate Broken Blade to rally so many people, seemed geared for victory, yet now shared so generously.

Their actions seemed abnormal.

Were they afraid of being unable to defeat Shudao Mountain and sought support, or were they aiming to win hearts and strive for dominance in the Artifact Refining World?

Suddenly, he focused his gaze and saw that deceitful instigator, Yin Tianlu of the Extreme Fire Sect.

Yin Tianlu, seeing a thousand-strong crowd approaching, grinned and slowly turned to look at the sullen Gu Lianni and others.

The bustling scene quieted ominously.

In the Yanbao Sect crowd, a cloaked and hooded figure, their face and form concealed, whispered to Zuo Zisheng after passing through the disciples, "Those two wielding Magical Treasures are Xu Anzhang and Youu Mu of the Four Cauldron Sect, Shi Chun's allies."

This person was none other than Yan Ketao, the Shudao Mountain traitor, currently disguised to avoid direct confrontation with Shudao Mountain members.

Not only now, but he would strive to avoid them in the future.

He knew Shudao Mountain wouldn't label him merely as an informant, but brand 'traitor' on him. Betraying the sect warranted rightful sect cleansing, a matter beyond dispute.

Zuo Zisheng nodded slightly, acknowledging, and after assessing Xu Anzhang and Youu Mu, he turned back to look for Gong Shixi's group, only to find them surprisingly missing from where they had been moments ago.

Scanning around and behind, he saw Gong Shixi's group seemingly hidden at the very back, raising a subtle eyebrow.

Gong Shixi's group had been led alongside him by his invitation, Gong Shixi reluctantly agreeing due to refusal being impossible.

The reason lay with the Shudao Mountain insider Yan Ketao, who had informed them of the encirclement situations involving Shudao Mountain, Mingshan Sect, and Qianyan Sect.

Beyond just the siege on Qianyan Sect, Yan Ketao also reported on matters regarding Forget Love Valley.

Thus, Zuo Zisheng intended to learn from Gong Shixi what discussions transpired with Shi Chun's group during their encirclement. Conveniently, the Extreme Fire Sect's message about Shi Chun's whereabouts came, urging them to set off, granting Zuo Zisheng the opportunity to converse with Gong Shixi on the way.

Hiding at the back, Gong Shixi felt a growing unease, as if things were spinning out of control and getting chaotic.

Having been seen by Shi Chun's people pushing forward, he was uncertain if Zuo Zisheng would believe his earlier explanations, as he certainly wouldn't reveal his and Shi Chun's affiliation with the Demon Path nor had they discussed matters relating to it, merely fabricating lies.

Importantly, he dared not openly betray Shi Chun.

Concerned with Zuo Zisheng's side, he glanced over, only to find Zuo Zisheng staring back at him, infusing him with discomfort.

He didn't wish to mingle with Zuo Zisheng or the crowd, preferring to work from the shadows.

He thought he was staying back and moving at a slow pace, maintaining distance from the tracking sects to avoid exposing himself, but to his surprise, a group awaited ahead.

He inadvertently fell into the crowd, awkwardly and naturally becoming part of the group.

He was incensed, questioning the scouts about their routes.

The scouts were baffled, claiming they had definitely seen the sects' main forces pass and continue far ahead, so why were they back?

The answer was evident from the injuries and damages suffered by the sects on-site; having encountered attacks from Strange Bats, they had no choice but to retreat along the used path.

Gong Shixi realized the two rotating scouts likely wouldn't return, given the sects' casualties—they probably wouldn't come back.

Had they united this way, seen by the Refining Heaven Sect, things unfolded as such.

He was somewhat melancholic and disheartened.

At this moment, Yin Tianlu of the Extreme Fire Sect, unwilling to be neglected, surveyed the silent crowd with a smile and spoke, "Does everyone just plan to watch?"

He was reminding the sects that only those who exert effort would receive Divine Fire; merely observing wouldn't earn any.

Thus, nearly a thousand people ignored Shudao Mountain and surrounded it proactively.

Gong Shixi seized the chaos to lead Qianyan Sect's members to hide behind a hillside, opting not to personally partake in the confrontation, while Xu Anzhang kept an eye on their whereabouts.

The Extreme Fire Sect and a few major factions remained inactive, coldly watching the encirclement unfold.

Gu Lianni's expression grew unprecedentedly grave, dismissing her earlier underestimation of the Extreme Fire Sect, acknowledging the grave situation was upon Shudao Mountain and regretting not heeding Shi Chun's advice.

Yet she knew if given another choice, she wouldn't abandon her fellow disciples and escape alone.

Shudao Mountain's people were tense, standing back to back, weapons in hand, facing outward in a defensive posture.

Yuan Yao regretted not heeding Shi Chun's advice, yet now could only think of ways to preserve themselves, whispering to Gu Lianni, "If things become irretrievable, betraying Shi Chun and them might be the only option."

Gu Lianni nodded subtly, understanding his implication, acknowledging that if forced, preserving Shudao Mountain's forces was paramount.

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