Then, the voice from the fourth layer below buzzed through the water, carrying a hint of amusement, "You've never been to the outside world—how can you know who's the most handsome man alive?"

Zhener was already descending to the fourth layer and responded, "I can feel it."

By the time she reached the fifth layer, shadows flickered near a light resembling a cave entrance. A voice echoed from within, "Can you decide who's the most handsome just by feeling?"

Zhener replied, "'Su' said, the man who makes you feel the most comfortable is the best man."

As she passed the sixth layer, no voice emerged. Instead, the voice of the woman from the third layer above spoke again, "How comfortable? Bring him here so I can see."

Descending further, the layers became silent. Zhener too did not speak, her movements turned cautiously light as she floated down to the abyss's bottom.

Before her stood a tightly sealed massive door. Light flickered faintly through the carved windows, and the surrounding darkness felt as though it could swallow everything.

There was an eave above the door, and steps beneath the eave. The design and structure were coarse, yet towering and majestic, making her presence seem insignificant before it.

Zhener ascended the steps, her feet treading over muddy sludge where bubbles arose like pearls. The disturbed sludge revealed a metallic sheen underneath.

At the door, Zhener reached out to gently push it open. Instantly, flames of various colors flickered and floated unpredictably, gathering and dispersing like mischievous children playing tricks.

Behind the door, the space was spotless, emanating a dim metallic sheen. It wasn't big and stretched only about two zhang before a rugged metallic wall appeared—its uneven imprints resembled mountains, rivers, or perhaps star clouds. The exact design was indistinguishable.

In the center of the wall stood another tightly closed door, larger than the entrance door.

Before this second door was a stone stool that resembled a meditation cushion. An old man with hair and beard streaked yellow and white sat cross-legged atop it. Antlers like those of a stag adorned his head. His robe was pale as the moon's essence, and he slowly opened his closed eyes. His gaze was firm and profound, carrying a serene, stone-like stillness—an aura that felt impenetrably deep.

The flickering Divine Fire continued its playful chase, occasionally vanishing into the empty space to both sides. This circular room led to a larger column-shaped space behind the old man's wall-door.

The water stopped at the entrance. Zhener stepped out, her clothes untouched by moisture, and came to a halt about a zhang away from the old man, standing nervously with hands clasped. Softly, she called, "Sir."

The old man addressed as 'Sir' scrutinized her attire for a while before speaking in a calm, raspy voice, "Is someone asking for your hand in marriage?"

Zhener nodded, making a soft sound of acknowledgment.

Sir: "You cannot leave this place. Is he willing to stay here with you—forever?"

Zhener's gaze flickered briefly. She lightly bit her lip and nodded again.

Sir let out a gentle sigh, "Ah, so your destined one has finally appeared. You're quite fortunate—transforming into human form for the first time and already finding a soulmate among intruders. What is his name?"

Zhener: "Shi Chun. The 'Shi' for Master, the 'Chun' for springtime."

Sir: "Seems you've decided—you want to marry him?"

Zhener answered resolutely, "Yes, I want to marry him."

Sir: "Are you not afraid? You must know what we signify to those Artifact Refiners. Aren't you scared he'll devour you?"

Zhener said proudly, "He's not an Artifact Refiner, and he doesn't practice Fire Attribute Skills."

"Hmm?"

"Ah?"

"How is that possible?"

"Impossible."

"Did he deceive you?"

A cacophony of astonished voices reverberated throughout the space as if a crowd of unseen listeners had been eavesdropping—but no figures appeared in the surroundings.

"..." Sir's stone-like, serene expression displayed rare shock, equally stunned by Zhener's unexpected response.

After a long pause, he finally spoke slowly, "A person not cultivating Fire Attribute Skills entering here occurred solely during the period of our great suppression. Now, such a person has appeared again. Does it signify another upheaval, or has the world outside changed?"

Zhener looked confused, seemingly unable to comprehend. She shook her head lightly, "I don't know."

Sir: "Have many such individuals entered?"

Zhener: "Not many, just one sect's people. Only Four Cauldron Sect is an exception."

"Is that possible?"

A voice arose from the void, its speaker pondering with astonishment, surpassing their comprehension of past experiences.

Another voice scoffed, "For such an exception, it must be a large sect—one of those where a hundred members would enter."

Zhener: "No, their entire sect only has thirteen people, and only thirteen entered."

"..."

The crowd of voices fell silent.

Finally, Sir broke the quiet, "Shi Chun... He's neither an Artifact Refiner nor a Fire Attribute cultivator. Why has he come here?"

Zhener: "To help his sect's members search for Divine Fire."

Sir: "So, his fellow sect members still intend to absorb Divine Fire."

Zhener responded with a soft "yes," adding, "Among them, three practice Fire Attribute Skills."

A sigh floated through the void, "If his sect intends to consume you, he won't be able to stop them."

Zhener lifted her gaze toward the Four Emptiness and said firmly, "They won't. I deceived them into thinking I belonged to another sect. Only Chun Tian and Jinliang know my true identity."

A woman's voice emerged from the void, "Oh my! You're capable of deception. Who are Chun Tian and Jinliang?"

Zhener: "Chun Tian is Shi Chun, Jinliang is his brother, whose name is Wu Jinliang. Neither of them practices Fire Attribute Skills."

Muttered voices from the void commented, "Goodness! She even came up with nicknames."

The woman's voice chimed in again, "What if his fellow sect members find out? Aren't you afraid?"

Clenching her fists, Zhener stood her ground, "I'm not. Chun Tian will never agree to it; he'll certainly stop them."

She resembled an obstinate daughter refusing her parents' advice and determined to elope with her lover—stubborn and unwavering in her belief.

Sir asked, "Is he the Sect Leader?"

Zhener: "No, the Sect Leader is Tong Mingshan."

A light chuckle echoed from the void, seemingly mocking Zhener's naivety, "Then what makes him capable of stopping them?"

Zhener argued, "He's the Master of the Four Cauldron Sect."

"..."

Silence fell once more.

After a while, murmurs began again in the void, "Wait—'Master' isn't on the same level as 'Sect Master' or 'Sect Leader?'"

Another perplexed voice added, "It can't be. We've coexisted with those people for over a century, observed their ways, even captured some for amusement. It should mean the same thing, no?"

Zhener shouted, "You're all wrong! 'Master' is greater than both 'Sect Master' and 'Sect Leader.' Even the Sect Master listens to the Master. Whatever Chun Tian says, Tong Mingshan has to obey. He's the true leader of the Four Cauldron Sect."

"..."

Silence enveloped the scene once again.

After another pause, murmurs resumed, "So that's it, huh? The extra 'Great' does imply something larger."

Another voice chimed in, "That must be it. Think about it—they have 'elders' and 'Great Elders.' When one earns the title of 'Great Elder,' their status clearly surpasses that of an ordinary elder. It must follow the same principle."

A sigh sounded from the void: "They say humans have a saying, 'Live and learn.' Today, we've learned something new."

Among the scattered whispers, Sir spoke up, "If he's here to propose marriage, why didn't he come with you?"

Zhener: "He's afraid of causing trouble for you all, scared of misunderstandings. He asked me to come first and explain."

Sir was puzzled, "Misunderstandings? What kind of misunderstandings could occur from a marriage proposal? Afraid we won't like him?"

Zhener: "No, they're being pursued. Chun Tian said he wanted to avoid attracting a crowd of fighters, fearing it might seem suspicious to you. So, he sent me ahead to clear things up and prevent misunderstandings."

"Being pursued?"

A peculiar voice floated from the void, "Who's chasing them?"

Zhener: "Other sects. It's hard to explain. There are many people—anyone who sees them is chasing them."

The woman's voice interjected, "Everyone's chasing them? That sounds like they're universally hated."

Zhener: "No, it's jealousy. Chun Tian discovered a faster way to locate Divine Fire, and the other sects want to steal it."

The seated Sir spoke, "Zhener, explain everything clearly."

Zhener then recounted the details of what she knew. Intermittent questions from the void arose—most serious in tone. However, the woman's voice occasionally asked irreverent questions, such as how they kissed, the taste, and how they embraced.

In truth, Zhener couldn't provide a complete story as Shi Chun had too many experiences she wasn't privy to. Most importantly, she firmly believed in their love-at-first-sight encounter.

When she finally finished speaking, the room fell into a brief silence before Sir stated, "Go and tell him we understand. There will be no misunderstandings. He can come ahead boldly for the proposal."

Delighted by the approval, Zhener nodded repeatedly and dashed off.

Sir watched her disappearing figure with an unusually complex expression etched onto his stone-like face.

When Zhener was far away, chuckles and teasing remarks emerged from the void, "Who would've thought? Someone really dares to propose marriage."

"If they're stronger than us, it's probably ill intent."

"She said he's young—youngsters likely don't possess deep powers."

"Some disguise themselves well; Nine doesn't look young either."

"Cultivators come in myriad forms; there's no telling what they intend. Let's watch and wait."

"Those who dare show up are either deeply skilled—a herald of doom for us—or maybe, this girl really met her destined one."

The void filled with intertwined chatter as they debated.

In the end, Sir settled the room with a definitive statement, "We'll see when he arrives."

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