Gong Shixi's mindset on this trip was different from that of people from other sects.

He had scouted the area with his group before, confirmed there was no real danger, and the fear of visiting the same place had already dissipated. This time, his emotions were calmer.

The other sects, however, were heaping blame on each other.

The terrifying presence here had already made a move, and none of them had any magical treasures left. It was time to call it quits.

If they retreated at this point, their sects wouldn't criticize them—after all, their own sects had warned them that this was a forbidden land.

But to someone of Zuo Zisheng's level, Li Hongjiu was just a nuisance. Why couldn't he just go die?

Li Hongjiu claimed he'd go alone, but was that really a personal matter? He wasn't just representing himself; he was representing the entire Yanbao Sect. If Yanbao Sect kept pressing forward, wouldn't that put the top-ranked sect headed by Zuo Zisheng in a bind?

If Refining Heaven Sect backed out due to fear and allowed Yanbao Sect to reap the rewards, how would their disciples ever face others again? It would be a disgrace they couldn't scrub off for life—a stain their rival sect members could jab at them with whenever they felt like it.

If Yanbao Sect actually managed to secretly master the secret technique for finding Divine Fire, quietly accumulated strength, and rose to prominence, overtaking Refining Heaven Sect as the top sect, then everyone here would be considered traitors in Refining Heaven Sect's history.

Gu Lianni and Yuan Yao's decision to follow suit was driven by the same reasoning. Shudao Mountain ranked second; would it be acceptable for them to be overtaken by the third-ranked Yanbao Sect?

Yin Tianlu of Extreme Fire Sect was slightly less concerned; he was more focused on Shudao Mountain's group. If Shudao Mountain backed off, then Shi Chun's claims that the secret technique was in Shudao Mountain's possession would gain more credence.

But when sects of that level pressed forward, what options did those of slightly lower stature have?

Did they think the disciples of Golden Appearance Hall and East Cloud Island had no ambition and were content to remain beneath others?

Even the lower-level sects had followed blindly to this point. These people lacked awareness and discernment, blindly assuming that the more powerful individuals knew more. "If they dare proceed, we can just follow at a safe distance."

The truly courageous and wise ones who recognized the danger and turned back at the right time had now become incredibly rare. People are strange creatures; upon reaching this stage, it's as if they've fallen under a spell. Their thoughts are no longer guided by rational judgment.

They soon located the area where Wu Shanshan had gone missing. At the scene, they found shattered chunks of flesh, remnants of disciples from the Four Great Sects, and personal belongings left behind. Strangely, there were no signs of a battle.

To extinguish lives so effortlessly only heightened the fear in everyone's hearts, deepening resentment toward Li Hongjiu, the troublemaker.

Having shaken off the burden of his fellow sect disciples, Li Hongjiu moved with greater freedom and ease. His gaze turned sharper, clearly revealing murderous intent.

Among the dead disciples from the Four Great Sects, one was from Yanbao Sect—meaning he couldn't ensure that all his sect's disciples returned alive!

This was his failure and he blamed himself for leading others into danger, knowing the risks.

As he took a swig from his wine gourd, he firmly fastened the lid and coldly said to Gong Shixi, "There's nothing worth watching here. Lead the way!"

Seeing no objections from the others, Gong Shixi reluctantly continued...

Shi Chun held the 'Three Corpses Mirror' in one hand and the 'Soul-breaking Bell' in the other, casually testing and playing around while personally keeping guard of the surroundings.

Before long, Wu Shanshan, her hair streaked with frost and her body ravaged, was dragged back in front of Shi Chun. She had been tortured to the point of being unrecognizable and had fainted yet again.

She's back already? Was there a result? Shi Chun gave Wu Jinliang an inquiring look.

Wu Jinliang shook his head, indicating no progress. "Keep her alive for now."

Shi Chun immediately understood—some people simply cannot be persuaded or made to talk, rendering further efforts pointless.

Looking at the mutilated Wu Shanshan, Shi Chun seemed somewhat surprised. "That stubborn?"

To him, people who could endure such suffering were incredibly rare. He and Wu Jinliang, for example, wouldn't be able to withstand it themselves.

Upon hearing this, Xu Anzhang glanced discreetly at the disciples from Mingshan Sect and spoke in a low, indirect tone: "Those sent to handle major tasks are usually restrained by their superiors with weaknesses first. She knows she won't survive, so rather than endure the torture, she simply bit off her own tongue."

When he spoke of 'superiors,' those who understood naturally understood.

As he spoke, he pried open Wu Shanshan's bloodied mouth to show Shi Chun. Indeed, half her tongue was missing.

You Mu chimed in, "She's useless now."

His implication was that she could be disposed of, no need for further trouble. While speaking, he held the Ice Sheep near Wu Shanshan's nose and mouth to keep her breathing steady.

Wu Jinliang chuckled darkly.

Shi Chun, however, calmly declared, "As long as she's alive, she still has her uses. You keep an eye on her. She cannot die, nor can she be lost. Otherwise, I'll hold you accountable. I'm not joking."

He truly didn't have the time to absorb Wu Shanshan's Demon Essence at the moment—she would have to be kept alive.

Xu Anzhang wasn't sure what Shi Chun planned to use her for. Regardless, since Shi Chun said so, he quickly pulled out high-grade healing medicine, poured it into Wu Shanshan's mouth, and performed techniques to help treat her injuries.

Soon after, Shi Chun, gazing in the direction they came, suddenly called out, "Everyone, gather here. Those bastards are coming."

The Mingshan Sect group immediately moved to his side, preparing for combat.

Wu Jinliang, snickering all the while, first stabbed his exaggeratedly large blade into the ground, then pulled out three matching golden metal mats. He activated them with techniques, and intricate metallic threads began to weave and rise, forming three imposing Dharma Aspects wielding a blade, a spear, and a sword.

After deploying the treasure to safeguard the group, he hefted the blade onto his shoulder with delight.

Shi Chun wasn't idle either. This time, he openly unleashed his magical treasure 'Black Lotus.' Its Dharma Aspect exuded majesty, standing tall amidst the group with sword drawn.

The Forget Love Valley disciples were almost entirely wiped out, and Wu Shanshan was utterly broken. Shi Chun reckoned there was now no one left in the Divine Fire Domain who could exploit a flaw in this treasure.

To solidify their defense, Shi Chun held 'Immortal Strangling Silk' in his right hand and 'Three Corpses Mirror' in his left.

His strategy was already planned. If a fight broke out again, he'd use the mirror's eerie light to disorient opponents before employing the Immortal Strangling Silk to kill them. Among the participating disciples in the Divine Fire Domain, who could possibly stand against this combination?

He felt these treasures were perfectly complementary.

He even suspected that the Demon Path intentionally provided these magical treasures to Forget Love Valley precisely for this type of configuration.

The Mingshan Sect disciples were also aware that Shi Chun carried additional treasures yet to be revealed. Most importantly, one shake of the bell and even they couldn't withstand its effects. Apart from Shi Chun, no one else among them could control the bell.

If the bell rang, they'd lose their minds and souls—how could they wield it?

Just the sight of this treasure ensemble gave Mingshan Sect a newfound confidence, filling them with a powerful sense of security.

They truly hadn't expected to collect so many valuable treasures on this trip. These treasures were far from ordinary—powerful fifth-grade magical treasures. To them, these treasures seemed insanely overpowered.

Wu Jinliang's single treasure was effectively equivalent to three fifth-grade magical treasures, backed by three Earth Immortal-level warriors as protectors. How could they not be dominating?

With this lineup, they would emerge far stronger than before. Unless they faced opponents of significantly higher stature, Mingshan Sect could practically swagger through the cultivation world—who would dare mock their fledgling sect as a mere ramshackle operation?

Even they felt as though they were living in a dream. Despite being relentlessly pursued and humiliated like stray dogs earlier, they were now sitting on a veritable fortune—how had this reversal even happened?

It defied comprehension, an unsettling realization that the current way of life somehow felt wrong.

Wu Jinliang glanced at the array of treasures Shi Chun had just revealed and beamed with exhilaration. He hadn't realized it earlier, but now that the lineup was assembled, his thoughts mirrored those of his brother.

Wow, have we really become this absurdly extravagant?

He felt like if either brother couldn't produce at least two magical treasures each, they'd be too embarrassed to face anyone.

Let's not forget—they were both wearing treasure robes too.

Thinking back to the humiliations they endured at Wukang Mountain—fetching water for others, being jailed whenever someone felt like it—if they had these treasures then, the two brothers might've razed Wukang Mountain to the ground, even made the Wu Kang Mountain Sect Master's wife wash their clothes.

On second thought, considering the current entanglement between the Sect Master and Chun Tian, there was no way to settle that old resentment. Better to let it go. A true man knows when to endure.

These were precisely the reasons Shi Chun felt confident remaining here!

It couldn't be helped—this place was entirely unlike the outside Cultivation World. Here, sects specializing in artifact refining dominated, and even something as valuable as Wind Scale was as commonplace as dirt. Fights weren't proper combat anymore; everything boiled down to flinging magical treasures at each other. The abundance of high-level treasures seen here was unparalleled, unimaginable anywhere else.

During this excursion, Shi Chun had truly broadened his horizons. Without a few decent magical treasures at hand, there was genuinely no way to confront these artifact-refining sects.

Damn it, even he cursed to himself—this experience had elevated his combat style to a whole new level.

If he made it out alive, with these treasures in hand, there'd be no sense in recklessly rushing into direct combat again. Wouldn't it be far simpler to use the treasures to obliterate his enemies from a distance?

He felt his past approach—leaping into battles without fear of death—had become outdated.

Swish, swish, swish.

A group riding Wind Scale raced over, quickly surveying the scene from above to confirm it was Shi Chun's group, then descended to encircle them.

Upon seeing the treasures Shi Chun's group had unveiled, most of the sects—whose own treasures were heavily damaged—felt their confidence waning and silently cursed in fear.

The weaker sects had already begun shifting their formation to retreat to the back.

Most of them were unaware of the origins of Shi Chun's treasures. At first glance, they wouldn't have guessed that Mingshan Sect had grown so powerful.

Yin Tianlu's group from Extreme Fire Sect, however, immediately turned livid, their eyes locked on Wu Jinliang's three-in-one treasure. That was supposed to be their sect's most prized treasure, meant for Black Tiger—the strongest magical artifact they had brought on this expedition!

Clearly, it was stolen after Black Tiger was killed. This hatred—how could it be resolved?

Gu Lianni and Yuan Yao exchanged glances again, inwardly marveling. This group truly grew stronger with every fight. Facing such a massive encirclement, they showed no sign of fear, each exuding steady composure. This sheer presence made Mingshan Sect seem like it was filled with heroes.

Gong Shixi descended with a grim expression, unable to hide his disbelief. His gaze locked onto Shi Chun, his eyes widening as if they might melt and stream out of their sockets. His thoughts were filled with curses directed at Shi Chun's ancestors. The worst part? Wu Shanshan was clearly right there with Shi Chun's group—what kind of person would commit such atrocities?

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