The only two remaining members of the Four Cauldron Sect were here to listen to the plans of various sects concerning Shi Chun, and were silently worrying about the Mingshan Sect group. Their primary concern was Tong Mingshan encountering trouble.

Or rather, they were worried for themselves. If they merely stood by as onlookers and did nothing while watching Tong Mingshan get into trouble, they would surely not be able to explain themselves upon returning.

Tong Mingshan was very likely to seize the Desolate Broken Blade and emerge victorious. If those above found out that they failed to protect him, the miserable consequences were imaginable. Did they think the words "Demon Path" were spoken in jest?

But given their current situation, what could they do? They were being monitored, surrounded by a large crowd. If they wanted to force their way through, the only option was to put their lives on the line.

At this difficult juncture, they hadn't expected Shi Chun to also be here listening to the various sects' plans.

Though they didn't know how Yan Ketao recognized Shi Chun, it was certainly not a mistake; the two were stunned again and again.

They were astonished that Shi Chun was right beside them, disguising himself in this inconceivable manner to infiltrate. Even more shocking was Shi Chun's current actions—what was he trying to do? Kill Wu Shanshan?

They were unaware of Wu Shanshan's danger, so they could not comprehend Shi Chun's current behavior. Wasn't this reckless?

Gu Lianni and others widened their eyes, equally shocked. Why weren't you escaping while others hadn't recognized you yet? Acting now? Did you no longer care about your life or that magical treasure?

Like Yan Ketao, they were also familiar with the power of that treasure. Seeing it fall into someone else's hands would truly be a pity.

Their hearts collectively leaped to their throats. Seeing Shi Chun take action, they naturally hoped he would succeed.

The various sects' members were equally stunned by the scene before them. What was going on?

Gong Shixi jumped onto the back of his fellow disciple Zuo Zisheng when the latter shouted. Using his companion's shoulder as a foothold, he leapt into the air to get a better view in the gusting wind.

"Senior Sister!"

"Be careful!"

Jin Hao and Lin Yuefang shouted almost simultaneously, their cries laden with alarm—not just because they recognized the treasure in play, but because Jin Hao was all too familiar with it. The Immortal Strangling Silk was, after all, her own magical treasure.

Not only did the two urgently cry out, but they also instinctively drew their swords and slashed at the white-light net flying towards them.

The moment Jin Hao's sword was drawn, she seemed to realize something and quickly pulled back, deflecting the edge of her blade at the last second, causing the white light to graze past instead.

The reason for her restraint was immediately made apparent on the unprepared Lin Yuefang. The Immortal Strangling Silk was fifth-grade magical treasure; how could mere High Martial cultivation block it?

Bam! The sword in Lin Yuefang's hand was instantly sent flying. Her arm flung back uncontrollably, spinning her body several times in the air before being hurled aside, her arm left numb and her palm split open and dripping blood.

Wu Shanshan, whose eyes had lost their eerie red glow, also turned back in astonishment. She knew all too well the consequences of being ensnared by the Immortal Strangling Silk. Her toes pushed off the ground, propelling her into the air in urgent retreat.

But be it the speed of activating a fifth-grade treasure or Shi Chun's resolute intent to kill her, the magical treasure was already in play. How could he allow her to escape so easily? Driven by his will, the small net quickly exploded into a large net, enveloping Wu Shanshan before she could flee.

Jin Hao, having retracted her sword, knew exactly where the problem lay. Swiftly shifting her sword back into attack position, she darted toward Shi Chun in an aggressive onslaught.

Her intention was unmistakable—to emulate Wu Jinliang slaying the Black Tiger in a single stroke, decisively eliminate the person controlling the treasure, and perhaps rescue Wu Shanshan in the process.

The abrupt series of developments made Gu Lianni slightly part her lips in surprise. Even if she intended to intervene, it was now too late—Jin Hao's reaction was too swift.

Behind her, Yuan Yao and others immediately glanced toward Gu Lianni, their bodies tense and ready to act at her command. Even the three disciples from Shudao Mountain who had been sent earlier to assist Wu Shanshan turned back to her direction.

They wouldn't act on their own; they needed Gu Lianni's signal.

Gu Lianni did not notice the reactions of Yuan Yao and the others behind her, but she observed the response of the three Shudao Mountain disciples ahead. They were waiting for her directive.

She wished to signal for action but forcibly suppressed the impulse.

Firstly, Jin Hao's reaction was so swift that even if she signaled, the Shudao Mountain disciples wouldn't have time to react.

Secondly, Gu Lianni was acutely aware of Shi Chun's cultivation level and Jin Hao's as well. The latter had reached Great Success within the same realm. The stark disparity between Upper Realm cultivation and Great Success in the realm was too significant. How could Shi Chun possibly hold his ground?

Under circumstances where rescue was impossible and Shi Chun couldn't fend off the attack, her intervention wouldn't amount to much and would unnecessarily expose their side. It wasn't worth it.

Judging by Jin Hao's assault, she clearly intended to deliver a killing blow.

At this moment, Gu Lianni found herself in two conflicting states of mind: she hoped Shi Chun could escape peril and survive, yet wished he would meet his demise under Jin Hao's sword to prevent further complications.

Escaping seemed improbable now, so perhaps it was best if this all came to an end.

If she couldn't obtain the Secret Technique to locate the Divine Fire, she'd rather no other sect acquire it either.

Should Shi Chun fall into the hands of the various sects and reveal everything, letting them uncover her nefarious meddling, Shudao Mountain wouldn't stand a chance at procuring the Divine Fire Secret Technique. Furthermore, the exposure of Elder Jin's actions during the prior Divine Fire Covenant might disqualify Shudao Mountain disciples from participating in the next round.

Weighing the pros and cons, Gu Lianni violated her promise to Shi Chun—that she would act to help him escape if combat ensued.

Still, she didn't feel she was wrong. It was Shi Chun who recklessly caused all this mayhem. Was this supposed to be an assassination attempt? He triggered everyone's attention before striking, and the various sects were clearly already preparing for confrontation.

The crux of the matter was that Shi Chun's usage of the magical treasure had already exposed his identity. If Shudao Mountain were to intervene, it wouldn't be possible to cover up the aftermath.

If Shudao Mountain helped Shi Chun escape, how would their numerous disciples fare? Should they become surrounded by other sects, how many could make it out alive?

Admittedly, she now held Shi Chun in high regard and even viewed him differently, but when it came to emotional factors in this moment, sacrificing Shi Chun or sacrificing her sect's disciples—she chose the former.

Seeing her still unresponsive, Yuan Yao hesitated in confusion. However, he immediately grasped the situation when Pang Hou urgently tugged at his sleeve. Reflexively, Yuan Yao grabbed Pang Hou's wrist, squeezing it to signal stability.

The disciples from Shudao Mountain, who had been poised to act, were now caught in a moment of doubt, uncertain how to proceed.

But Wu Shanshan, ensnared in the net, reacted quickly. The instant the net reached her body, she was both shocked and furious, pulling out a three-dimensional triangular metal frame seemingly from thin air. As she flipped herself into the frame, the net wrapped both the frame and her within it.

Who would have thought that her Qiankun Bag contained such an item? It appeared simple but was actually the perfect countermeasure against the Immortal Strangling Silk. The fact that she could retrieve it in haste proved it wasn't some improvised solution.

In truth, this was a self-defense contraption she had secretly crafted for this exact purpose—to counter the Immortal Strangling Silk.

The contraption wasn't something she manufactured after the Immortal Strangling Silk fell into Shi Chun's hands. It was made before entering the Divine Fire Domain. From the moment she saw the Immortal Strangling Silk handed to Jin Hao, she had prepared for this eventuality.

Normally, there hadn't been major conflict between them. But the frightening intensity of women's hysterics—perhaps only women themselves could comprehend.

She hadn't expected this iron frame to come into play while targeting Shi Chun.

Witnessing this firsthand, Shi Chun hadn't anticipated this cunning woman carrying such an item either. It was like his experience with the Black Lotus treasure, having misunderstood its role as the reason she dared to exchange the Immortal Strangling Silk with him.

Inwardly, Shi Chun was already cursing Wu Shanshan's mother, enraged by this femme fatale full of schemes. She was outrageously difficult to kill.

But he understood the binding power of the Immortal Strangling Silk. As long as the treasure remained under his control, he wouldn't let Wu Shanshan escape easily.

A ferocious determination surfaced in his gaze. He suddenly drew a blade seemingly out of nowhere, then dashed out like an arrow, advancing head-on toward the charging Jin Hao in counterattack.

With his other hand, he brandished the Black Lotus magical treasure, casting it into the air.

He didn't mind sacrificing one treasure—or even two—as long as he could take Wu Shanshan's life.

Shi Chun knew the Black Lotus had vulnerabilities against Forget Love Valley cultivators. Tossing it out might end up wasted, yet he couldn't afford to hesitate. Even if it earned him a fleeting opportunity to strike, it was worth it.

The Black Lotus expanded rapidly in midair, blooming brilliantly with gleaming radiance.

Jin Hao naturally recognized the treasure but was also aware of its flaws. Unlike the Immortal Strangling Silk, which was an offensive weapon immediately upon release, the Black Lotus required a brief awakening period.

Although this process was incredibly fast, it wasn't swift enough for the current confrontation. Jin Hao wouldn't give Shi Chun the opportunity.

Confidently, she felt she had plenty of time to strike down Shi Chun first.

Taking him out would bring her relief—no longer needing to go through exhausting efforts to seize victory. The circumstances forcing her to kill Shi Chun were evident to all, including those above. They wouldn't blame her.

But as her pupils slightly contracted, she saw the masked Shi Chun make no effort to dodge her incoming sword. Instead, he raised his blade and swung it violently toward her head.

This was undoubtedly a desperate "life-for-life" strategy.

The three Shudao Mountain disciples nearby turned their heads in shock upon witnessing this. They hadn't expected Shi Chun to be so reckless.

The corner of Jin Hao's mouth curved into a cold smirk. Such a life-for-life method depended entirely on the opponent—but against someone who was an entire realm above in cultivation, it was futile.

Her other hand wasn't idle—it delivered a palm strike across the air, surging with force to the extent that roaring winds seemed to cry out.

Shi Chun still did not waver. His blade fell unabated, his charging figure steadfast and unmoved.

Protected by the Treasure Robe he obtained from Zhener was one reason, but the critical factor was that his cultivation had reached the Upper Realm within High Martial.

At the Small Success level of High Martial cultivation, he had mastered the No Demon Blade. But after ascending to the Upper Realm, the Green Wave Energy that once only imbued his blade now suffused his entire body. Furthermore, its potency and density far exceeded the Small Success stage—finally embodying the essence of Bath Demon Skill.

Shi Chun's understanding of this Demon Skill was that he had achieved the initial stage of Demon Power Protection.

If he lacked sufficient skill, how could he dare to risk everything on such a perilous assassination?

Thus, the impact of Jin Hao's airborne palm strike landed squarely on his chest and abdomen.

Boom! The collision erupted with a deafening detonation.

The fierce energy blasted outward but shockingly failed to shake Shi Chun's form in the slightest.

Taking the blow head-on, Shi Chun's blade continued its unwavering descent toward Jin Hao's head.

Jin Hao was aghast, exclaiming half a sentence, "You're not Shi Chun..."

She had no time for further words; the impending strike was sure to take her life. There was no way she could trade lives. Her sword fiercely whipped upward to intercept.

Crash! The blade and sword collided, emitting another distinct explosion.

Jin Hao felt the explosive force from the opponent's blade overpower her sword's attack. Still, she managed to deflect the fatal strike.

With no room for additional maneuvers, the instant their weapons rebounded, their bodies became poised to collide.

Almost simultaneously, they both struck with their palms.

Shi Chun still refrained from dodging, enduring it head-on, as his Demon Dispel Hand met her attack with equal intensity.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.