The order of reactions often depends on whether the matter relates to oneself.

Of course, the Four Great Sects sent people to accompany Wu Shanshan first as pathfinders, and their decision not to assist immediately was because they were unclear about the identity of the masked man.

From the masked man's behavior, Li Hongjiu and others deduced that he was not one of the Four Great Sects, but the dispatched personnel were uncertain. Moreover, seeing the masked man effortlessly defeat Jin Hao with exceptional strength, they chose to observe their respective leaders' reactions.

The three sent by Shudao Mountain likewise awaited a decision from their leader before deciding whether to aid Shi Chun.

Yet neither Gu Lianni nor Zuo Zisheng showed any reaction at the moment.

Gu Lianni broke her promise because she felt Shi Chun's actions disregarded the predicament of Shudao Mountain's forces, blaming Shi Chun for exposing his identity first.

Meanwhile, Zuo Zisheng and his peers refrained after noticing Forget Love Valley reveal its impressive array of Magical Treasures of varying attributes.

They wanted to assess the powers of those treasures and probe the true capabilities of Forget Love Valley. It's natural to be cautious when someone conceals their strength while staying close by.

At the moment the bell rang, Shi Chun heard it too. The sound penetrated the howling winds clearly, instantly raising his suspicion.

Yet, he did not experience the dizziness or vertigo expected, though he felt unusual fluctuations in the protective azure aura generated by his Demon Skill.

The bell's influence did not affect him; tense yet unbothered, he split a portion of his focus to guard against Lin Yuefang, while keeping an eye on members of other sects nearby who might intervene.

Despite dividing his attention among multiple threats, a surge of anger burned within him. Seeing no action from Shudao Mountain's people, he realized Gu Lianni was prioritizing self-preservation.

Clearly engaged in a confrontation with formidable rivals, aiming for gains coveted by the entire Artifact Refining World, gains desired by Shudao Mountain, yet that woman chose self-preservation. Shi Chun couldn't fathom Gu Lianni's reasoning—what was she even doing leading a team into the Divine Fire Domain?

His outrage boiled over—she cherishes herself while pursuing great ambitions, truly unworthy of cooperation!

But what could he do? Should he halt and argue with Gu Lianni, or flip out and turn a potential ally into another enemy?

If a woman like her could be self-serving amidst such stakes, confronting her might provoke her to act even more ruthlessly to distance herself.

Despite countless thoughts flashing through his mind, the immediate reality before him demanded his attention.

Having chosen to act recklessly, now—even if it were poison—he would have to grit his teeth and swallow it.

With this mindset, he gave it his all.

Compared to Gu Lianni's hesitation, Shi Chun was far more resolute.

As he swung his blade at Jin Hao's head, he didn't idle his other hand—it had already activated the Qiankun Bracelet on his wrist. His eyes also caught the sword light Lin Yuefang sent his way, and from his bracelet shot forth a swiftly launched object.

Other sects might possess Magical Treasures, but he hadn't come to the Divine Fire Domain empty-handed. Without some reliance, how could he dare stand out under such circumstances?

Bang! The moment the blade clashed with the sword, an abnormal explosion echoed.

This time, Lin Yuefang felt the peculiar explosive force.

That said, she managed to successfully deflect Shi Chun's strike aimed at Jin Hao, saving Jin Hao's life. She then swung her sword towards the somersaulting Shi Chun.

At the same time, Shi Chun felt his heart sink—an abrupt twist of events unfolded. Suddenly, his vision went pitch black; his left eye lost sight entirely. No stars in the sky, no figures or terrain around him—nothing was visible.

The darkness was absolute, frighteningly pure.

Not only had his vision failed, but not even the sound of the wind could be heard. Despite feeling the gale whip against his ears, no sound was audible.

Had he breathed the air in this space, he'd have lost his sense of smell too.

All these changes came after the dark light emitted from the copper mirror held by a Forget Love Valley disciple wielding Demon Essence engulfed him.

The mirror, named the 'Three Corpses Mirror,' could sever a person's three senses—sight, sound, and smell would cease to function within its domain.

Lin Yuefang, engaged in combat with Shi Chun, was also enveloped by the dark light owing to proximity. She knew of ways to resolve it and quickly dispelled the senses-trapping effect, her vision clearing immediately.

Still, fear flashed in her wide-open eyes. Though freed from the three-sense restriction, she encountered a new predicament.

As she swung her sword towards the airborne masked man again, she abruptly felt a force hindering her motion—a void-like resistance rapidly escalated to immobilize her sword entirely. It wasn't just the sword; her entire body was immobilized.

The bell she held ceased ringing at this moment.

As Shi Chun flipped midair over her, his blade missed Jin Hao's head but targeted this immobilized woman instead.

Indeed, he'd lost the normal perception of his three senses. Still, his right eye's unique vision remained unaffected.

Had it been anyone else, they might've been thrown into confusion, unable to locate their opponent's position.

Yet, in Shi Chun's right-eye view, Lin Yuefang was still visible—albeit in a misty, white-shrouded form. Her posture and outline were recognizable at close range.

Seeing her sudden rigidity, Shi Chun understood the situation—aware that she could escape shortly, he wouldn't waste this fleeting opportunity.

His blade cascaded down like a waterfall.

Lin Yuefang, staring in terror, couldn't believe the fluidity of the masked man's attack. She realized her senior sister's 'Soul-breaking Bell' had no effect on him.

From his precise and unhindered blade strokes, she deduced her senior sister's 'Three Corpses Mirror' also failed to affect this person.

Why was this happening? Who was this opponent?

Panic overwhelmed her, leaving no room to ponder the force binding her limbs or a strategy for escape. Before she could react further, the blade's icy glint arrived—a momentary flash ending her frenzy.

The chilling sensation let her comprehend the situation. However, instead of pain, she felt her inner energy leaking away following this strike.

Those who recovered from the bell's influence saw Shi Chun slice through Lin Yuefang. Already mid-somersault, he stretched out an arm to snatch Lin Yuefang's bell, quickly taking possession of it.

Lin Yuefang, remaining motionless in her spot, left observers doubtful about her condition—as if stubbornly holding her ground.

Most sect members failed to clearly witness the sudden events under the bell's influence. Only the Forget Love Valley disciple wielding the 'Three Corpses Mirror' saw the situation clearly. Lin Yuefang hadn't failed to evade due to Shi Chun's swift attack—she hadn't moved at all, standing still to endure the masked man's strike.

Why did this happen? She suspected her Three Corpses Mirror might have caught Lin Yuefang off guard, impairing her reactions.

Even Wu Shanshan, bound by the Immortal Strangling Silk and glancing back, had similar doubts. Witnessing her junior sister's life end under the blade, she stared with wide eyes—her unconscious grip on the sharp threads causing blood to seep from her hands.

Gu Lianni slightly parted her lips; she hadn't expected Shi Chun to be so ferocious.

All were stunned by the mere outcome, shocked not only by the masked man's ability to dispose of another opponent so swiftly.

Having taken Lin Yuefang's bell, Shi Chun soared onward.

Determined to slay Wu Shanshan, he didn't linger between Jin Hao and Lin Yuefang. Yet, he summoned a sword from thin air, and as he turned back, he hurled it fiercely toward Jin Hao.

Though already moving forward, he ensured to deliver a fatal follow-up.

A hand emerged from the void just then, yanking Jin Hao's arm and pulling her to turn abruptly in defense.

Wide-eyed Jin Hao forcibly held her stance while glimpsing the waters ahead—the motionless Lin Yuefang and Wu Shanshan bound by the silk.

She assumed Wu Shanshan had fallen victim as well, but unexpectedly, Wu Shanshan was alive.

The triangular frame supporting the Immortal Strangling Silk revealed an expression of deep resentment on Jin Hao's face—even venomous hatred glinted in her gaze. She immediately recognized that the triangular frame was designed to counter her treasure, the Immortal Strangling Silk.

This was undoubtedly correct. It was indeed intended as a countermeasure against her.

Nonetheless, in Jin Hao's mind, she interpreted it as targeted specifically at her, implying her senior sister might have planned to eliminate her within the Divine Fire Domain.

And now, she had risked her life trying to save her sister.

She felt bitter, frustrated beyond relief.

At this moment, Jin Hao didn't harbor hatred for her masked killer; instead, her grudge was directed entirely at Wu Shanshan.

"Pfft…" Unable to endure, she spat a mouthful of blood into the storm winds, her eyes rolling back as her wrath took hold, extinguishing the last bit of life she wrestled to preserve.

Her figure slumped powerlessly, dragged away into the void by that hand.

Having cast his sword at Jin Hao, Shi Chun saw all this as he turned back briefly. While he hadn't noticed Forget Love Valley people using their invisibility treasure before, his abnormal vision revealed the hidden figure who had drawn Jin Hao into the shadow-like mirage.

But he couldn't afford to turn around again now; landing lightly, he kicked off once more, redirecting his airborne assault toward Wu Shanshan.

He also noted, curiously, that while Shudao Mountain hadn't assisted him, the other sects didn't move to help Wu Shanshan either. Weren't they allies?

This realization deepened his view that those outside these lands were no different from the factions within the Land of Exile—group loyalty counted for nothing when push came to shove.

From this observation, he formed a new decisive plan.

Seeing that the 'Three Corpses Mirror' failed to affect the masked man, the Forget Love Valley disciple holding it couldn't remain idle and immediately withdrew the treasure before diving in to attack.

Shi Chun, having broken free from the dark light, reached the tangled Immortal Strangling Silk framework, plunging his blade brutally through the web.

"Who are you? What grudge do we share to warrant this?"

Wu Shanshan's angry shout didn't signal surrender; instead, she launched a strike from afar with palm power.

The force shattered through the net and impacted Shi Chun, yet it only resulted in an explosive sound with no real effect on his thrusting blade.

However, her swift action allowed her to clamp down on the incoming blade's spine with her hand, firmly halting its movement.

In this raw clash of strength, Wu Shanshan immediately realized Shi Chun's cultivation level was significantly lower than hers. Momentarily stunned, she scrutinized Shi Chun's stance and features, her mind swirling with suspicion—was this person really Shi Chun?

Only now did she understand the exceptional prowess of the top contender from the Sky Rain Meteor Conference!

She also noticed the seemingly harmless flicking gesture Shi Chun made with his other hand.

It didn't take her long to understand the intention behind that gesture—she suddenly found herself immobilized, consumed by sheer alarm.

Still, her internal mana and cultivation remained intact, enabling her to grasp the blade tightly regardless.

Yet she was acutely aware that Shi Chun, with another move, could easily end her life. Her panic was palpable.

But Shi Chun didn't do this—instead, he maintained the performance of actively pressing against Wu Shanshan, feigning physical resistance.

His goal was clear—to force Wu Shanshan to employ her Demonic Qi to break the immobilization skill, revealing her Demon Path identity.

If Wu Shanshan exposed herself as a Demon Path practitioner, she couldn't blame him, and Shi Chun intended to see how many people would still dare aid Wu Shanshan against him.

Had he not made this sudden decision, the black lotus Magical Treasure he had deployed in mid-air could've helped him strike Wu Shanshan down with a single sword strike.

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