Hinting at the Demon Path behind Gong Shixi's lineage.

Shi Chun sneered, "Is it wrong for me to snatch it from someone else? Don't even think I'll admit to killing Gong Shixi. Even if I did admit, so what? I'm not worried about other sects clinging onto their Magical Treasures. As for Qianyan Sect—a mere speck—do they dare come and argue with me? Or would the power behind them dare expose themselves?"

These words left Wu Jinliang speechless and visibly shaken. It suddenly dawned on him—they had actually reached the level where they no longer held sects like Qianyan Sect in their sights. Though it was a small sect, it was still a sect after all.

This realization opened their eyes to how much they had changed.

Of course, Shi Chun didn't toss aside Old Blade. He pulled it out of the stone and pocketed it casually. Cupping the Blood Soul Blade in his hand, he muttered as he walked away, "It's too flashy. I'll need a proper scabbard for it out there."

Wu Jinliang, hearing this, perked up immediately. Rolling his shoulders and bending his elbows, he marched energetically after him and thumped his chest, saying, "Leave it to me! I'll make sure to get you the perfect one."

Shi Chun waved dismissively without turning back. "Your work might fool others, but why lie to yourself? It won't do the Magical Treasure justice. I'll find someone else to handle it."

"..." Wu Jinliang froze in place, his face darkening with fury and grief. He wanted to take deep breaths of the toxic air.

Li Hongjiu, who had led people back near the exit, commanded the Yanbao Sect disciples to search around, eventually locating the Fengluo Sect disciples.

Seeing not five but seventeen people, Li Hongjiu was slightly taken aback. "You're back? Where's Feng Zuoyi? Where did he go?"

Xie Wanti exclaimed in surprise, "Weren't you the one who told our Senior Brother Feng to wait there for someone?"

"..." Li Hongjiu paused, then asked, "Didn't you all go together?"

Xie Wanti replied, "We did go together, but after waiting a long time without seeing the people you mentioned for a meet-up, Senior Brother feared the exit might open without us being informed in time, so he told us to come back first. He stayed behind with two others to continue waiting. Now that the exit's open, we urgently need to notify them."

"That's not right." Chi Anlan suddenly pointed at Guang Haoyou and the others. "Mr. Li, your people have already come back. Why hasn't my Senior Brother returned yet?"

According to what had been said earlier, the intention was for the Fengluo Sect disciples to meet up with the Yanbao Sect disciples.

"..." Li Hongjiu felt a sinking sensation in his chest, realizing something might have gone wrong. He personally visited the so-called rendezvous point, but Feng Zuoyi was nowhere to be seen.

This development, questioned so directly, left him scrambling for an explanation. He truly didn't know how to account for this to the Fengluo Sect disciples. Then again, he couldn't admit Shi Chun had prompted him to summon them there.

Unable to explain, and utterly tangled in uncertainty, even someone who considered himself clever felt perplexed and suspecting he'd been somehow ensnared in Shi Chun's ploy. Yet he couldn't determine exactly what had happened. By all logic, Shi Chun had no reason to orchestrate such chaos.

He'd even pondered whether Shi Chun intended to have Fengluo Sect send distress signals, but then dismissed the idea—who could they possibly signal? What good would it do?

In the end, he could only use his rank and status to reassure them, saying, "Don't worry. They will return."

He had no choice but to bluff his way through. Otherwise, what could he do? Argue on the spot and attract attention from other sects to investigate the matter?

After placating and sending the Fengluo Sect members off, Li Hongjiu simultaneously arranged for people to search the surroundings further while slipping into deep contemplation. In the end, he had no choice but to report the situation to Elder Li...

Li Huo Island was picturesque, and the number of visitors to the island had risen sharply.

The best guest room in the finest inn on the island had been reserved by an influential figure since before the Divine Fire Domain was set to open. Even though the guest had only stayed briefly for two days and left, the room remained untouched—ready for the VIP's return at any moment.

As the exit to the Divine Fire Domain approached its opening, the distinguished guests did indeed return: Lan Qiaoyan and her daughter, Miao Yilan, had arrived.

The influential figure who had reserved the room, Gong Shaoci, personally welcomed the mother-daughter pair and took great care, personally escorting them to their suite.

However, before long, the two sides hadn't exchanged more than a few polite pleasantries when Gong Shaoci's trusted subordinate interrupted them.

Frowning slightly in disapproval, Gong Shaoci cast him a sharp glance. But knowing such disturbances wouldn't arise without good reason, Gong Shaoci stepped aside to hear him out.

After whispering a few hurried words, Gong Shaoci's expression changed entirely—shock played across his face, and his gaze darted uncertainly towards the mother-daughter pair before hesitating.

Lan Qiaoyan, with a light chuckle and a casual glance, remarked, "We're aware of your good intentions. If you have matters to address, please go handle them. We're fine here; no need for your constant company."

Upon hearing this, Gong Shaoci decisively came forward, bowed, and said, "Very well. I do have some pressing business. I'll be back soon. Aunt Lan, do feel free to delegate tasks to the staff outside if you need anything."

With the mother-daughter's permission, he promptly bid farewell and hurried off.

Leaving the inn, Gong Shaoci didn't head elsewhere but instead flew straight across the sea, landing on the palace-like ship's deck.

On the ship's deck, Young Master Nan wore a rare expression of exhaustion, pacing back and forth with his hands behind his back, so distracted he barely noticed when someone landed nearby.

"Namo Yu, what the hell are you up to!" Gong Shaoci bellowed upon landing, his fury evident.

Startled, Young Master Nan turned his head, forcing a dry chuckle as he bowed, "Brother Gong, you have a fair beauty visiting—how do you even find the time to come here?"

Gong Shaoci had none of his usual composure. His face darkened with anger as he jabbed a finger at Young Master Nan's nose and rebuked, "Yesterday it was already decided—the Refining Heaven Sect's betting round must stop and no longer accept wagers. Why hasn't it been closed yet? Are you trying to court death?!"

The stakes that triggered his volatile reaction were undoubtedly tied closely to him. After all, this event took place on his faction's territory, casting him not just as a host but someone who must uphold appearances and dignity.

By "stopping the betting round," Gong Shaoci referred to the overwhelming odds favoring the Refining Heaven Sect based on the Lifebound Lotus Lamp outcomes. As the premier sect of the Artifact Refining World, their conference participants suffered hardly any losses, standing in stark contrast to the rival sects competing for the top prize.

Given the Refining Heaven Sect's ambition and caliber, they wouldn't be hiding in the shadows—they'd undeniably seize their advantage.

This dominance led to surging bets on the Refining Heaven Sect triumphing, with money pouring wildly into the gambling ring. This frightened the numerous wealthy and influential figures involved, leading to the collective decision to halt betting on the Refining Heaven Sect.

Such a move might seem unfair but was a necessary evil. Owing money to one or two individuals was manageable—but owing countless people? That was unimaginable.

Yet it seemed Young Master Nan had hesitated in executing the order. Grinding his teeth now, he explained, "Brother Gong, haven't you noticed this? Shi Chun's team has also sustained minimal losses. My thinking is—Shi Chun is a clever man. Given that I've pulled him into this, he must know what I expect from him and should act accordingly..."

"He's nothing! Paltry shrewdness is worthless against the tides of fate!" Gong Shaoci erupted with wrath, cutting him off sharply. Stepping closer, he jabbed a finger into Young Master Nan's chest, his voice grating with unrestrained anger, "Do you understand that even a moment's delay means immense sums flooding in? When the hole opens, who's going to pay—me or you? Let me tell you, if you can't plug this gap, no one will save you!"

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