"..."

The high-ranking members accompanying the various factions froze in place almost simultaneously, choking on their words. Realizing their lapse in composure, they stiffly followed along, each bearing an expression of confusion laced with hesitation, as though countless unspoken questions hung on the tips of their tongues.

Someone was dying to ask: just how could Shi Chun, that kind of figure, who was only recently released from Life Prison, have anything to do with the Demon Path?

They were unwilling to accept such a reality.

But since these words came from this particular person's mouth, it was difficult to question him. After all, much of this individual's responsibility lay precisely in dealing with the Demon Path.

The problem was that there was no room for doubt. Were you intending to argue based on the situation at hand, or claiming you had a deeper understanding of the Demon Path?

Whether it was the Heavenly Court or the Four Royal Courts, even if they couldn't see eye to eye on anything else, their stance on dealing with the Demon Path was unequivocally unified—it was a shared interest coalition that allowed no leniency.

Who could withstand the joint crackdown of the Heavenly Court and the Four Royal Courts?

Anyone caught up with the Demon Path would find no allies if this individual took action. Even the other sects in the Artifact Refining World would immediately distance themselves, cutting ties entirely, and leaving no association with the Artifact Refining World to linger.

This Xuanji Token Master, despite appearing as serene and elegant as a chrysanthemum, had a well-documented history of bloodily exterminating entire sects.

Word had spread that this person intended to take Shi Chun away. Everyone present instantly concocted a thousand reasons for refusal—it wouldn't do for just anyone to speak up. Yet for all their scheming, not one of them anticipated the matter to be connected to the Demon Path.

It felt like setting up for a strike, only to find yourself unable to throw the punch—it was utterly unbearable.

The sheer force of the Artifact Refining World could erupt at any moment, yet that single light remark effortlessly neutralized it, leaving everyone seething internally.

Perhaps they could negotiate—let them acquire what they needed first, and then he could take Shi Chun away. That wouldn't be too late.

More or less everyone entertained this thought.

The issue was, no one dared to say it out loud.

Because any suggestion of delay or obstruction could easily be interpreted as aligning with or assisting the Demon Path. If their interference somehow caused complications in Shi Chun being taken away, they'd never clear their names—even in a river's worth of water. The stigma of colluding with the Demon Path would loom over them like a curse.

When it came to matters involving the Demon Path, none of them dared to ask too many questions in front of outsiders, especially not in this Xuanji Token Master's presence.

But they couldn't just stay silent, either. Questions that needed asking still had to be asked. Luo Yan tentatively inquired, "Could it be that Shi Chun is connected to the Demon Path?"

Mulan Jin, hands clasped behind his back, replied slowly, "Not quite connected, but there are related clues we need to investigate with him."

Everyone exchanged glances. Did that mean it wasn't necessarily the Demon Path?

Even so, they had no grounds to block him.

Luo Yan, continuing to cooperate, said, "If that's the case, once he comes out, if the Token Master wishes to make this quieter, we can find a way to lead him aside."

Everyone gave slight nods of agreement, all displaying looks of willingness to cooperate.

Luo Yan calmly added, "I never said he was part of the Demon Path. It's just a matter of asking some questions—an insignificant affair. There's no need for secrecy. As I've said, it won't affect your competition. Once the competition is over, I'll take him away. What's more, this competition is a rare event. Since I'm already here, I might as well take the opportunity to broaden my horizons—consider it a slight abuse of my authority."

Having said so, Yanbao Sect Master Qu Wuming gathered his courage and asked, "Token Master, may I know how long it will take to question him?"

He quickly explained, "After all, he is currently a part of the Artifact Refining World. When the Mingshan Sect comes looking for explanations later, we want to be able to provide one."

In reality, they just wanted to detain Shi Chun themselves after the Stargazing Pavilion released him, continuing to enact their own plans.

All of the sects understood this implication and nodded in tacit agreement.

Mulan Jin swept an indifferent gaze across their reactions. How could he not know what they were planning? Since he had personally intervened, their opinions no longer mattered. "Rest assured, I won't let them trouble you. I'll take him away with me. When the questioning is complete, we'll see. As for the rest, it's best if you don't inquire further."

"Yes, yes, yes." Qu Wuming bobbed his head like a pecking bird and waved his hands. "We won't inquire, won't inquire. We were just concerned about being unable to account for it. Since you're taking everyone away, then naturally, the Token Master will provide them with justice."

The others promptly shut their mouths as well. But the collective mood was thoroughly deflated. All their efforts seemed wasted, and now, they didn't have so much as a platform to justify their grievances.

From atop the mountain, flame energy surged into the skies again, striking the stopped Divine Fire Spirit Gate. The radiance drew everyone's gaze upward...

Within the Divine Fire Domain, the 'Heaven Measuring Stick' standing atop the peak of the mountain began to hum once more. Its metallic rings trembled, jingling and jangling before floating and spinning anew.

People on the mountain looked skyward as expected, and there it was—a faint yellowish dot had once again appeared, gradually expanding into a vortex.

Refining Heaven Sect disciples, noticing the phenomenon, once more brought out the 'Rebirth Mirror.' But Situ Gu, upon spotting this, extended his hand to stop them, motioning for the disciple to hand over the Rebirth Mirror. Flipping it over in his palm, he then held onto it, showing no indication of returning it for the time being.

No one knew why he wanted the artifact. The disciple dared neither to ask nor to demand its return, standing awkwardly at the side.

Nearby, Shi Chun had noticed Situ Gu's peculiar actions but couldn't deduce their meaning—he didn't even know what the mirror was.

Had he known that Zhener's physique could not conceal itself within the Rebirth Mirror, he might have understood Situ Gu's intent.

But sometimes, even the most meticulous plans contain flaws. Success, after all, is often just a matter of patching leaks along the way.

Li Hongjiu, meanwhile, continued staring at Shi Chun, unable to shake his desire to talk with him. However, with so many people watching, he couldn't risk exposing his private dealings with Shi Chun to the other sects.

Gu Lianni, too, wanted to approach Shi Chun, but it was too late now. She already knew her sect's schemes and understood what was to come. As the daughter of Shudao Mountain's Sect Leader, she valued the larger picture above all else.

Young Master Nan also had much to say to Shi Chun, but this wasn't the time or place.

Shi Chun himself, keen to avoid unnecessary complications, had no desire to linger. Seeing the exit stabilizing, he cupped his fists toward Situ Gu and asked, "Senior Situ, may we take our leave now?"

There was no point in asking anyone else. Not one of those who could make decisions was inclined to side with him.

Situ Gu glanced at the phenomena above, observed the Heaven Measuring Stick, and lightly nodded. "Those who wish to leave may do so now."

Shi Chun bowed in gratitude. Noting Zhener's excited expression, he sympathized with her feelings. Just as he was about to gesture to his group to prepare for departure, someone suddenly flew in on a Wind Scale, landing amidst the crowd—a figure cloaked in a hooded cloak.

The newcomer raised their hand and pulled back their hood, revealing their face. It was none other than Shudao Mountain's infamous traitor, Yan Ketao.

Appearing now, Yan Ketao had clearly reached his breaking point. Seeing the exit open, he no longer dared to hide, driven by a survival instinct that pushed him to take a desperate gamble. If death was certain either way, he'd rather take a chance.

Upon seeing him, some Refining Heaven Sect members instinctively frowned.

Shi Chun's group was equally stunned—how could this man have the audacity?

The sight of this traitor provoked immediate fury from Shudao Mountain's representatives. Gu Lianni let out a sharp cry, "Yan Ketao, you dare show your face? Capture him!"

Yuan Yao and others immediately moved to encircle him, but Yan Ketao unsheathed his sword defensively, shouting, "Everyone, it wasn't my wish to betray Shudao Mountain, but the fact that Elder Jin Guiqi of Shudao Mountain manipulated the situation to help its disciples seize the Divine Fire is a grave violation! Originally of pure intentions, I could not condone such actions, forcing me to defect. I have come now to expose the truth at great personal risk!"

He sought to incite the other sects to unite against Shudao Mountain, hoping to secure his own escape.

This revelation left the Refining Heaven Sect unsurprised—they had already been informed of these claims. They could only wonder why Yan Ketao would choose to dig his own grave. They had reasons for not acting on this information; Yan Ketao must have lost his mind.

Hearing this, Shi Chun couldn't help but smirk. He knew exactly what this fool was about to say—it was a trap he had set as a contingency back then when he wanted to align with Shudao Mountain, using it as a means to ensure his safe departure. However, strategies change with circumstances, and he had adapted as needed.

He thought that matter was long buried. Who would have guessed Yan Ketao would leap into the pit now?

Furious, Yuan Yao charged, unwilling to let Yan Ketao utter more nonsense.

But someone immediately intervened—concerned that Shudao Mountain had absorbed too much Divine Fire and could claim victory.

Yanbao Sect's Elder Li swept his large sleeve, sending Yuan Yao tumbling to the ground from a distance. Though uninjured, the elder himself then flashed to Yan Ketao's side, gently soothing him, "Don't be afraid. Justice resides in people's hearts. With us here, no one can act recklessly. Take your time and speak."

Yuan Yao glanced toward his sect's senior, Elder Jin Guiqi, who stood expressionless, unresponsive. With no options, Yuan Yao begrudgingly held back.

"Indeed, justice resides in people's hearts—we're not just here for show."

Other sect elders chimed in, stepping forward to intervene.

Yan Ketao nearly shed tears of gratitude. Believing he had seized a lifeline, he cupped his fists in thanks before boldly declaring, "The reason Shi Chun and Shudao Mountain's group were able to locate the Divine Fire so quickly was not only due to secret techniques but also because they were receiving clues provided by someone behind the scenes. Do the elders know how Shi Chun's group managed to pinpoint the location of the Divine Fire so swiftly?"

These words immediately caused the senior members of other factions to perk up—breaking the secret techniques behind the Divine Fire would certainly be a remarkable breakthrough.

Yanbao Sect Elder Li immediately said in a stern tone, "We're listening. Speak."

"Tell us. Speak freely."

"We're here—no one can harm you."

The other elders chimed in, egging him on. When there was potential gain, everyone wanted a piece.

The leaders of Shudao Mountain, however, remained indifferent, showing no reaction.

Instead, it was the disciples of Shudao Mountain attending the competition who appeared uneasy. Most of them had no knowledge of the underhanded tactics at play during those events.

The Refining Heaven Sect's stationed elder had already shut his eyes and chosen to remain silent.

What was going on? Seeing Shi Chun implicated, even Young Master Nan grew curious about the truth. Observing Shi Chun, he noticed the latter looking at Yan Ketao as if he were the world's biggest fool. Meanwhile, Giant Wu was smirking with amusement, leading Young Master Nan to suspect there was more to the story.

The next moment, emboldened by the encouragement and assurances, Yan Ketao raised his hand and pointed directly at Shi Chun. "After finding the Divine Fire, Shi Chun's group didn't bother further searching. Instead, they used the Divine Fire in their possession as bait to cheat the other factions' participating disciples…"

He spilled the details, revealing how Shi Chun's group tricked other sect disciples into straying off course, only to claim the Divine Fire they had painstakingly located. His accusations poured out like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

Young Master Nan's mouth twitched slightly. He noticed the various factions' attention shifting onto Shi Chun, leaving him suddenly unsure about whether it was wise to remain near Shi Chun. He instinctively considered edging away.

"Despite having such a method of stealing, Shi Chun, that villain, wasn't satisfied. He found it too slow and went so far as to package this method of locating Divine Fire into false information. He deliberately leaked it to other factions, prompting them to replicate the process, while he shadowed them to ambush and intercept their findings…"

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