Listening to the questioning, Elder Li Qianqiu naturally understood the implications of an elder from another sect inquiring like this. Elders sent by each sect to oversee matters were there to protect their sect's interests and guard against violations or exploitation by other sects.

Upon hearing this, he also immediately recognized Li Hongjiu's intent in probing the whereabouts of the Yanbao Sect disciples. It was nothing more than an excuse to locate those four sects mentioned by Shi Chun and pinpoint the killers of Yanbao Sect disciples.

Major sects possess their unique sense of authority; who would dare recklessly harm their disciples, especially when he himself was stationed there? Any affront to his sect's disciples while he was present would directly tarnish his reputation. Given this, not only did Li Hongjiu have no intention of letting the killers get away, Elder Li Qianqiu also wanted to be able to return to face Yanbao Sect knowing he had captured the culprits, saying, "Though I failed at safeguarding the disciples, the murderers have been eliminated!"

When he cast a glance toward Li Hongjiu, there was an unmistakable sense of admiration in his gaze. This disciple's cleverness was beyond question, though his talents were often misapplied.

Gong Shixi, who was occasionally observing Li Hongjiu's movements, didn't suspect anything either. He had already been questioned by Li Hongjiu and understood what he was after. Yet, he couldn't help but marvel at the vast disparity between individuals—Li Hongjiu's cultivation talents were not only unparalleled within the Artifact Refining World but were among the best in the entire Cultivation World.

It was easy to foresee that once the Divine Fire Domain reopened, Li Hongjiu would become renowned across all realms.

Moreover, he hailed from a prestigious sect, was the closed-door disciple of the Sect Master, and possessed indisputable backing. His future was limitless, a source of envy for someone like Gong Shixi, whose own background was far more shadowy. After all, if given the choice, who wouldn't prefer an upright life to one of subterfuge?

At the exit area, Li Hongjiu searched high and low but didn't find any disciples from the Heavenly Furnace Sect, Fengluo Sect, Refining Castle, or Seven Star Island—not a single one. Judging by the situation at the scene, those groups hadn't arrived yet.

Having no choice, he returned to his spot, sat cross-legged, and resumed recovering from his injuries...

Shi Chun, who had been hiding in the shadows for a while, looked down at his masked attire before finally emerging. He climbed to a nearby hilltop, sat on a rock under the starlit sky, and gazed from afar toward the tallest peak near the exit.

After a long deliberation, the sound of footsteps made him turn his head. He saw Tong Mingshan and a few others climbing up as well. Though they were all dressed as masked men, Shi Chun recognized them instantly, not least because Wu Jinliang's physique made any disguise utterly pointless.

When this group finally approached him, they hesitated and seemed unsure of what to say, while Wu Jinliang chuckled sheepishly on the side.

Shi Chun asked curiously, "Something on your minds?"

As the group displayed an air of timidity, Wu Jinliang ended up speaking on their behalf. "Chun Tian, they want to remind you of something. After careful thought, they feel that the sects guarding the exit won't let us leave freely. If they do let us leave, it's likely because the sects have reached an agreement to escort us as prisoners."

Evidently, the group had first shared their concerns with Wu Jinliang.

Afterwards, the group nodded in agreement with this assessment. Only Zhener, hidden behind her mask, appeared lost in deep thought and remained silent.

Tong Mingshan chimed in, "Master, we know you have a good relationship with Young Master Nan, whose extensive network of connections is well-known. Once you get out, he would likely lend us his assistance. However, it's not just us who are aware of this; the major sects probably know it too, and might use some sort of eye-blocking skill for their own purposes in seeking the secret technique for finding Divine Fire."

Hao Ji responded, "Precisely. Both the entrance and exit are controlled by these major sects. They could completely block Young Master Nan from receiving any news about us leaving."

With a steely gaze, An Wuzhi added, "If the exit is declared closed and there's no trace of us leaving, it's clear they'd ensure we disappear entirely, preventing the knowledge about the secret technique for finding Divine Fire from spreading further."

The implicit meaning was simple and straightforward: they wouldn't leave them alive.

Zhu Xiangxin solemnly declared, "Master, you might not fully grasp the allure of the secret Divine Fire technique to those Artifact Refining sects. They absolutely can—and will—commit such acts."

"Agreed."

"Definitely."

Faced with their worried gazes, Shi Chun swept his gaze over each member of the group. He could fully understand their concerns—these were people with their own agendas. At such a crucial juncture in trying to get out, hesitation and worry were entirely normal.

Nonetheless, he couldn't help but smirk and tease, "Back when Li Hongjiu was captured and he offered conditions to help us leave, weren't you all advising me to cooperate with him? Now you've changed your minds?"

This remark embarrassed the group to varying degrees.

Before they could respond further, Shi Chun raised a hand to stop the conversation and said, "Relax. If I say you can get out, then you'll get out. As for how, I can't tell you now. It's because none of you can guarantee, in the face of unexpected circumstances, that you'd withstand the pressure and keep quiet. This secrecy is the key to ensuring we all make it out alive. Do you understand what I mean?"

The group exchanged glances and naturally understood his implication—success lay in keeping things confidential.

Since he confidently claimed to have a plan, they didn't press further. After all, they couldn't think of a better way to leave on their own.

"Alright, trust Master. If he says we can leave, then we absolutely can. All of us masked here together is too conspicuous," Wu Jinliang chuckled, waving everyone off.

He knew this was just how Chun Tian operated; even he wouldn't be told the truth, let alone anyone else.

The group gradually dispersed down the mountain. Surprisingly, Zhener stayed behind, squeezed next to Shi Chun, hugged his arm, and rested her head on his shoulder.

Wu Jinliang didn't bother her but instead asked, "Chun Tian, when do you think Li Hongjiu will bring people here?"

Shi Chun answered indifferently, "It won't be anytime soon. He likely won't find the people until the last day or two—neither sect members nor hunters of the Divine Fire would be in a hurry to wrap up prematurely. They'd have to answer for it when they return."

"True. We'll have to wait a bit longer," Wu Jinliang muttered, glancing at the woman clinging to Shi Chun. He was contemplating something—how Shi Chun, who always claimed to love Xiang Laner to the death, could go through this trial and emerge with another woman?

He suspected that once Zhener was no longer useful, she'd likely be abandoned and handed over to Tong Mingshan's group, aligning with the Demon Path and giving Xiang Laner an explanation.

With these thoughts swirling, he chuckled and left.

The starlight, coupled with the undulating mountain silhouettes, painted a picture of light and shadow—an interplay of hope and obscurity.

Looking at the person beside him, Shi Chun asked, "Aren't you afraid we won't be able to leave?"

Zhener seemed utterly unconcerned. "You said we'll get out, so I'm not worried. Once we're out, we'll have children—how many do you want?"

Shi Chun was dumbfounded. Have children? Did she think she was laying eggs? Clearly, 'Su' hadn't told her yet that creatures like her—fire spirit monsters—couldn't have children with humans. So he casually replied, "You can have as many as you want."

Zhener immediately beamed with joy. "The more, the better…"

Shi Chun listened absentmindedly as she chattered about her bright future dreams.

The passage leading to the outside world would open on the final day and remain accessible for an entire day. As the last day approached, just as Shi Chun had anticipated, the various sect members began returning one after another. Li Hongjiu finally located the members of those four sects Shi Chun had mentioned.

Li Hongjiu found disciples from the Fengluo Sect, all twenty of them accounted for.

Rather than compare them to the other three sects, he directly began communicating with the Fengluo Sect.

The leader of the Fengluo Sect disciples, Feng Zuoyi, hadn't participated in the previous chase targeting Shi Chun but had heard tales from other sect members about Li Hongjiu's impressive deeds. Given his status and reputation, Feng Zuoyi agreed to lend a hand, glad to forge a friendship.

Regarding Li Hongjiu's promise of Divine Fire as gratitude, Feng Zuoyi was skeptical. Divine Fire wasn't something easily accessible, and he doubted Yanbao Sect had so much Divine Fire that they'd give it casually.

After expressing his thanks, as Feng Zuoyi was about to leave with his team, Li Hongjiu suddenly asked, "Brother Feng, are you familiar with Jieyun Mountain's people?"

Feng Zuoyi froze momentarily before denying, "I've heard of them, but I'm not familiar."

Li Hongjiu pressed further, "Before coming here, did Jieyun Mountain pass on any special instructions to your group?"

At this, Feng Zuoyi's expression darkened, alarmed internally. His sect had explicitly instructed him not to involve himself in certain matters, especially if someone proposed dealing with Shi Chun. His sect suspected some individuals were intentionally inciting chaos, as it seemed implausible to discover over a hundred Divine Fires.

This secrecy was supposed to be limited to him alone; even his fellow disciples weren't aware of it, making him wonder how Li Hongjiu had gotten wind of it.

He couldn't afford to admit the truth, so he feigned ignorance immediately. "Forgive my ignorance, but I don't know what you mean, Brother Li."

Seeing Feng Zuoyi's reaction, Li Hongjiu knew Shi Chun's claims were likely accurate.

He wasn't seeking confirmation but merely probing—especially since the Fengluo Sect's numbers were perfectly intact, unlike most others, sparking further suspicion. Besides, he distrusted Shi Chun and feared falling victim to deceit, making his test inevitable.

Switching to a friendly smile, he remarked, "Brother Feng, don't worry. I only heard rumors, nothing more. As you might know regarding my history with Shi Chun, trust me, I wouldn't have sought your assistance otherwise."

After considering these words carefully, Feng Zuoyi eased a bit despite his lingering wariness. Sparing more ambiguities, he replied, "We bear no grudges against Shi Chun. Such rumors are often misleading."

"Understandable, understandable," Li Hongjiu replied with a grin, clasping his hands. "My gratitude, Brother Feng."

With that, Feng Zuoyi led his people away.

Originally intending to take all his men along with him, Feng Zuoyi changed plans due to Li Hongjiu's probing, sensing unease. He instructed five people to stay behind, thinking that if anything went awry, they could deliver news to the sect for help.

Watching the group's departure, Li Hongjiu returned to his meditative spot and noticed Gong Shixi's group leaving, raising his eyebrows slightly.

Soon after, a disciple from another sect approached him to whisper, "Sir, as per your request, we've 'accidentally' leaked information for them to overhear."

Li Hongjiu didn't need the explanation to know the matter was settled. He nodded lightly in acknowledgment, gesturing a meaningful signal about keeping their arrangement strictly between them.

Given the Yanbao Sect's strong alliances with various sects, finding helpers wasn't difficult for Li Hongjiu.

Ensuring Gong Shixi's team had departed far enough, he wasted no time and stealthily slipped away while pretending to explore, heading toward Shi Chun to deliver a report.

If the plan was to expose the culprits, he insisted on being present to witness everything firsthand, refusing to leave anything up to hearsay—especially when dealing with the cunning Shi Chun.

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