Someone was pacing back and forth, muttering to themselves, "To think there exists a secret technique for locating the Divine Fire. Where on earth did Shi Chun get such a thing? He doesn't cultivate a Fire Attribute Skill, nor have I heard of any connection between him and the Divine Fire Domain."

An elder standing with hands clasped in front of his stomach lamented, "What a pity. If it hadn't been for that traitor, this secret would have remained known only to us. We would have had ample time and opportunities to unearth it. Now, with people from all Ten Great Sects blocking the way, the chance to monopolize it is gone. Alas, once everyone masters the secret technique for locating the Divine Fire, it will cease to be an advantage. That traitor must not be spared!"

The pacing elder replied, "Of course the traitor cannot be forgiven, but for now, we can set that aside. The real pity is that we can't get in touch with Shi Chun. That girl and her group are still on cooperative terms with Shi Chun. Neither side has had a falling out, and the trust built from their partnership remains intact. Shi Chun initially made it clear he wanted to use our Shudao Mountain's resources to break free. He's very likely still counting on us. Would Shi Chun attempt to contact that girl? Has Elder Jin overlooked this possibility, or is it something else? We should send her group out to search rather than standing idly by. I'd really love to go in and give Elder Jin a wake-up call myself."

Sect Master Gu Yanduo interjected, "Did Yuan Yao not explain it very clearly? The Extreme Fire Sect, East Cloud Island, Fall Flame Mountain, and Golden Appearance Hall are all keeping close watch on them, trailing them wherever they go. Perhaps that's why they're stuck waiting there—they truly have no other options. I wonder, could it be that Shi Chun can't surface to contact them precisely because that girl's team is being tailed constantly?"

The gathered elders appeared contemplative at his words; some nodded slightly, expressing agreement.

Gu Yanduo then sighed regretfully, "Even if we manage to contact him, what good would it do? Refining Heaven Sect has brought out the 'Rebirth Mirror.' With Elder Jin's forces over there unsupported and under the scrutiny of nine other factions, it'll be exceedingly difficult to extract Shi Chun."

The pacing elder spread his hands helplessly, "It's a shame we can't get inside, leaving us powerless. Even if we wanted to help, we couldn't."

An elder with a slightly protruding belly stroked his beard, speaking slowly, "No matter the circumstances, while our Shudao Mountain may have suffered heavy losses this time, we've also reaped exceptional rewards. That girl alone managed to absorb seven Divine Fires—this is even one more than Situ Gu back in his day! Sect Master, we ought to celebrate."

The pacing elder immediately exclaimed with excitement, "So, does this mean our Shudao Mountain may have another Situ Gu on the rise? No—her absorption surpasses his! Our Shudao Mountain will soon boast someone who exceeds Situ Gu himself! Incredible, truly incredible. Sect Master, congratulations to you indeed!"

Gu Yanduo's lips curled into a faint smile at this, although he tried his best to keep a composed, stern expression, waving his hand dismissively: "Absorbing many Divine Fires doesn't necessarily mean her artifact refining skills will surpass Situ Gu's. In this world, who dares to claim greater natural talent in refining artifacts than Situ Gu?"

The elder with hands clasped before him suddenly pondered aloud: "According to Yuan Yao, that Tong Mingshan may have absorbed more than ten Divine Fires. Have you considered something? Shi Chun dared to infiltrate the factions alone, masked, to carry out assassinations, and managed to escape unscathed—he's clearly not a man resigned to fate. If they've found another way out, and if Tong Mingshan brings his advantage of more than ten Divine Fires into the competition, he might overshadow that girl and potentially claim first place from our Shudao Mountain."

"Hmph." Gu Yanduo let out a scornful and ruthless snort. "Let's not even discuss whether they can easily escape; even if they could and joined the competition, the first place wouldn't have anything to do with them. We can amend the rules at the last moment, barring anyone who absorbed more than ten Divine Fires from participating in the competition. There are plenty of reasons we could cite."

"Allowing them entry in the first place was already a huge favor to them. How could we let them take away what doesn't rightfully belong to them? The other sects will naturally cooperate with us. Shudao Mountain sacrificed so many disciples to secure this opportunity; how could we possibly hand it over so easily to others?"

The elders all nodded in unison, their expressions revealing unanimous approval: it was only appropriate.

In the borrowed courtyard of Yanbao Sect, the doors to the main hall stood open. Guang Haoyou, accompanied by two junior disciples, exited the hall. Hearing the sound of the doors closing behind him, he let out a deep breath—it was quite stressful answering the inquiries of so many bigwigs.

Meanwhile, inside the now-closed hall, an elder of Yanbao Sect marveled aloud, "Li Hongjiu's capability has reached such heights? Not only can he summon countless Heavenly Thunder, but he can single-handedly withstand several fifth-grade Magical Treasures. And to think he showed no trace of these abilities before! Sect Master, he's hidden this from us exceptionally well!"

The other elders likewise nodded in awe.

Sect Master Qu Wuming, slightly dazed from the remarks, couldn't resist a bitter smile. "That man has kept me in the dark as well."

He spoke candidly, though whether everyone trusted his words was another matter. But worrying about their belief wasn't his concern—his focus pivoted to the more urgent issue at hand, and he changed the subject abruptly: "Alright, alright, we've reached a deal, so why can't we locate Shi Chun?"

An elder opined, "I'm not too worried about not finding him—it's likely that he's temporarily afraid to surface and is hiding. Sooner or later, he'll have to come out, as he'll need allies when he does. Ultimately, I believe he'll get in touch with Li Hongjiu."

"The biggest problem right now remains that 'Rebirth Mirror.' With that thing in play and all the sects watching closely, it'll be nearly impossible for Elder Li to escort him out without assistance. By their plans, even if Li Hongjiu captures Shi Chun, it's improbable he'll be able to coerce him into revealing anything. Shi Chun isn't foolish—he clearly understands the consequences of divulging his trump card as a bargaining chip for survival, and he'd likely rather die than confess. Delivered right into our hands, yet we can't consume it alone—we have to put it on a platter for the other sects to share. What a ridiculous situation."

Shaking his head in frustration, his own words seemed to plunge him into deeper regret, prompting another long sigh.

Qu Wuming and the gathered elders displayed similarly conflicted expressions, utterly powerless in the situation—they were unable to intervene.

At the temporary residence of Refining Heaven Sect, the hall doors swung open as Sect Master Luo Yan led the top members of their sect out. Among them, prominently standing out was Situ Gu in his distinct greenish-black robes—especially notable against the deep red attire worn by the others.

Situ Gu's unique choice of clothing arose from his self-professed discomfort with the color during artifact refining. Consequently, the sect honored this preference and allowed him to wear his favored shade.

The mood within Refining Heaven Sect was comparatively relaxed—they had little to do with Shi Chun's group, and thus felt less invested in the stakes. After gathering the necessary intel, each dispersed to their own tasks, and the matter was largely closed for them.

Still, most members headed toward the mountain peak to observe how the remaining parties would emerge.

Situ Gu had just descended the steps and was striding forward when a familiar voice called out from the courtyard's side. "Elder."

Situ Gu paused, turning his head to see his personal disciple hurrying over. He stopped in his tracks, his expression shifting to one of inquiry, as if asking what had transpired.

The disciple approached with small, quick steps, ensuring the departing senior members were out of earshot before bowing slightly and quietly reporting, "Elder, someone seeks an audience with you."

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