"Escaped?" Wu Shanshan was very surprised, and looked at the multitude of sect members following in the air; could it really escape?

She could only think that Shudao Mountain, this second-ranked Artifact Refining Sect, truly lived up to its reputation. However, what she couldn't understand was why Yin Tianlu was boasting so much without such assurance.

Jin Hao, considering the face of the Extreme Fire Sect, whispered the true situation in Wu Shanshan's ear.

After listening, Wu Shanshan was speechless, realizing this was pretty much over. The matter basically could be stopped now. There were hidden experts in Shi Chun's group, and there was no way to continue; Shudao Mountain had been pressed by the Refining Heaven Sect and Yanbao Sect, and even the Extreme Fire Sect had to step aside quietly. How could they play anymore?

However, her speechlessness and helplessness were only on the surface. In her heart, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Well, it's really impossible to keep going, so when questioned from above, there would be something to explain.

On the side, Yin Tianlu, who listened to his fellow sect member's report, was also dumbfounded, or rather, felt like the sky had collapsed—Black Tiger was killed? What about the Extreme Fire Sect's victory? What about the Extreme Fire Sect's treasured Desolate Broken Blade?

Especially Yin Tianlu, who truly didn't know how to report back to the sect. He regretted sending Black Tiger to follow them, but wasn't it because he thought Black Tiger's sense of smell could come in handy?

The worst-case scenario was that Black Tiger could leave with all the Divine Fire absorbed on him; even that would count as a huge gain. Now what?

He even resented Black Tiger a little. Shi Chun's group had already stated the Divine Fire's Secret Technique and clarified they didn't have the Divine Fire Secret Technique; so why hurry to act? Couldn't they wait for confirmation? Couldn't they be more cautious, or wait for the main force to arrive before acting?

He truly couldn't figure out what Black Tiger was thinking.

Wu Shanshan also came up to him and consoled, "No one expected that Wu Jinliang would hide his abilities so deeply; there might be more to his cultivation and background."

Yin Tianlu, in a resolute tone, denied it, "Impossible. A cultivation breakthrough to the Human Immortal Realm couldn't bypass inspections to get in unnoticed."

Wu Shanshan had thought about this too, but still reminded, "I know it's impossible, but the fact is right before us. The magical treasure attack Black Tiger used at that time didn't even touch Shi Chun, yet it made Shi Chun vomit blood, showing its power. Still, Wu Jinliang managed to charge in against the tide and slashed Black Tiger with one blow. Even if other things can be faked, could Black Tiger being powerless and getting killed be fake? Black Tiger couldn't have gambled his own life to fake it, right?"

A newly returned disciple from the Extreme Fire Sect chimed in, "Yes, Senior Brother, just look at that large blade Wu Jinliang used; it wasn't even normal, not like a regular person's weapon."

Yin Tianlu furrowed his brows, unable to make sense of the situation.

Wu Shanshan, fearing he might rashly get them all involved, added, "Wu Jinliang himself also said that he had killed several in the Earth Immortal Realm and quite a few in the Human Immortal Realm..."

Yin Tianlu had already heard this from fellow sect members, along with something about eating meat; he raised a hand to stop it, "Precisely because he said such things, I find it even more suspicious. If he truly had that strength, would he need to announce it like that? If he truly had that strength, could you have escaped unharmed to report it back? How could he let you leave without silencing you?"

Actually, Wu Shanshan also felt it was suspicious, but seeing the terrifying power displayed by the other party in person, she asked, "Then what do you think the problem is? Do you want to personally go and confirm?"

Yin Tianlu tensed his face; doubts were doubts, but that didn't mean he would take the risk personally. One was the guess, while the other was the obvious fact. How could he lightly take the challenge when there's a chance it's true — it would be like delivering himself to death.

If he hadn't been this cautious, he would have already acted when surrounding Shudao Mountain.

He even thought of Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang coming from Wukang Mountain. Could it be some sort of immobilization charm? But according to the situation described by sect brothers at the scene, it seemed there was no use of such a charm.

Besides, an immobilization charm that could restrain the "Heaven, Earth and Human" magical treasure would have to be at least a fifth-grade immobilization charm, even one might not suffice; Black Tiger's magical treasure was equivalent to three fifth-grade magical treasures.

A fifth-grade immobilization charm is essentially the stuff of legends; it's questionable if Wukang Mountain even possesses one.

The point is, all the sect brothers witnessed it; no immobilization charm was used. Both sides just charged at each other, and then it was over in one slash, a stark contrast in power levels.

The crux was the Black Tiger's attack—a reactive counter from the opponent.

Faced with Wu Shanshan's question, Yin Tianlu was momentarily flustered; all he could think of was the senior management's confident farewell, with his sect mentors believing the Extreme Fire Sect's victory was all but certain this time.

If it weren't for the unexpected emergence of Shi Chun's group, the reality would have been just as the sect mentors predicted, the championship firmly in hand. By halfway, Black Tiger had already swallowed eight clusters of Divine Fire, and by the end, absorbing a dozen clusters was a certainty. In the artifact refining contest, who could rival that?

But ironically, the unexpected appearance of the Mingshan Sect did happen, leading to this unexpected result.

He tried to calm himself down and laid out the options before him: revenge, swallow the humiliation and accept defeat, or continue on the path to victory.

In the current situation, these were the only three possibilities.

He almost didn't need to consider further to eliminate the second option; swallowing the humiliation and accepting defeat was something he couldn't bear upon returning to the sect. Not only would his future prospects be affected, but he also wouldn't be able to hold his head up high.

As for the first option, of course, he wished for revenge, but he simply couldn't figure out the enemy's depth. Having already paid a bloody price, recklessly charging in again would mean the sect had truly chosen a pig for a leader.

After much thought, without discussing with other sect members (for Black Tiger's death made him more decisive), he told Wu Shanshan, "Can you find them again?"

"This..." Wu Shanshan hesitated, full of doubt and wanting to ask, go back again to die?

Seeing her attitude, Yin Tianlu understood the answer and ordered with unquestionable tone, "Turn around immediately and follow them again."

Wu Shanshan wasn't pleased to hear this, "If you want to follow, you go. Forget Love Valley has only a few sisters left, and we don't claim to have that capability."

Yin Tianlu gestured to the various sect members in the sky, "I'm not asking you to act; just find where Shi Chun and his group are. Whether that Wu Jinliang is a problem, let those persistent guys go test and find out."

Wu Shanshan understood his intention and realized, indeed, she couldn't bear to let go of that fifth-grade Spirit Venerate magical treasure. Besides, she did feel there was something amiss with the previous defeat.

She immediately nodded in agreement, and after conspiring with Yin Tianlu over the details, she set off once more.

This time, not letting Wu Shanshan venture alone was to reassure her. Yin Tianlu led others to accompany her.

The various sect members at the rear followed again, and looking back, Yin Tianlu sneered.

On the ground, the Qianyan Sect, hiding far behind, didn't immediately follow. Gong Shixi waved his hand to signal a few scouts to go first. He needed confirmation step by step before he would risk going over.

The same idea lingered: he could hide behind the scenes to deal with Shi Chun but could never jump to the forefront. Once Shi Chun realized it, even burning the bridges wouldn't prevent him from getting dragged in.

Yet, obstacles always exist, and following old paths often leads to encountering similar hurdles.

Suddenly, a group of people flew rapidly from the sky. They had been hard to detect while hiding underground, but the scouts they sent out were unfortunately spotted.

Furthermore, the incoming group was large. Conveniently, a team was dispatched down to check, perhaps finding it related to Shi Chun's group—who knew?

Because the newcomers weren't just anyone; Gu Lianni's group from Shudao Mountain was there, accompanied by a large group from the Refining Heaven Sect, alongside Yanbao Sect's Li Hongjiu's group.

Gu Lianni suggested the Divine Fire Secret Technique was with Shi Chun, so they needed to come validate.

"Here!" A shout from the searchers below rang out, invoking magic.

The three parties in the air exchanged glances, quickly diving down to surround the Qianyan Sect group hiding in a corner.

A few bits of Sandalwood Gold were shot out, revealing the Qianyan Sect group clearly.

The exposed Gong Shixi felt rather uncomfortable, as if he was caught naked, glancing around to see it's You Mu's group, and was startled for a moment, thinking how he encountered this guy again?

Previously drawn out by the other, making him quite unsettled.

Refining Heaven Sect's leader, Zuo Zisheng, gave a glance, recognizing old acquaintances, frowned, and demanded, "What are you ambushing here for?"

Such a meeting couldn't be coincidental; they had friendly sects marking paths for them.

Ambush? Ambush who? Gong Shixi had no intention to bear this accusation and quickly explained, "Brother Zuo misunderstands; I was on the run and got a bit tired, just pausing to rest."

Xu Anzhang and You Mu, tangled with the Refining Heaven Sect's group, eyed this fellow closely. They already knew of Gong Shixi's identity related to the Demon Path. Besides, they knew this whole incident had Gong Shixi fanning the flames behind the scenes. Who would believe that his hiding on this path was just for rest?

Yet the two couldn't openly say much as they didn't want to make it too obvious and reveal to Gong Shixi that they too were part of the Demon Path.

Resting? Zuo Zisheng also sensed something peculiar about the Qianyan Sect group; they seemed uninterested in pursuing Shi Chun but were on this route—what were they up to?

With slight contemplation, he gestured, "I think you've had enough rest. Let's go, let's all get moving on this path. The Forbidden Land is full of dangers, and we could look out for each other."

The looking out was just talk; he felt there was something odd about them anyway. If something went wrong, they could be used as stepping stones.

Gong Shixi hastily declined, "Thank you, Brother Zuo, for the offer. We really have no confidence in moving forward and are planning to return."

Originally thinking Zuo Zisheng was wasting time with idle talk, Li Hongjiu couldn't help but blink, now giving Gong Shixi a proper scrutiny.

Zuo Zisheng raised an eyebrow, "Brother Gong, do you think I'm blind? You're planning to return yet you're sending scouts forward?"

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