Shi Chun blinked and suddenly sighed, "Since you know 'an innocent man carrying a jade is guilt-prone,' you should understand that I just want to protect myself right now. Can your Shudao Mountain guarantee my safety?"

Gu Lianni thought about it for a moment and replied, "Did you know Stargazing Pavilion is looking for you?"

Shi Chun: "I know."

Gu Lianni: "Good, as long as you steer clear of the Demon Path and can pass Stargazing Pavilion's test, Shudao Mountain can protect you without issue."

Shi Chun: "How will you protect me?"

Gu Lianni spoke solemnly, "You can join my Shudao Mountain. As long as you become a disciple here and hide within Shudao Mountain, the other Artifact Refining sects won't be able to harm you."

As she said this, there was a faint yearning in her eyes. Having witnessed Shi Chun's abilities, she had long wished he were a disciple of Shudao Mountain. Her father was the Sect Leader, and having Shi Chun join would only strengthen their family's standing.

Shi Chun chuckled, "If you guys burn the bridge after crossing it, I won't be able to do anything about it either."

Gu Lianni: "What would make you feel assured?"

Shi Chun's eyes revealed a hint of provocation as he uttered something shocking, "Become my woman! Let's cook the rice before announcing it as done, and your Sect Leader can declare me his son-in-law. Only then would I feel assured. What do you think?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Lianni froze, and Yuan Yao was also stunned.

"Hehehehe." Wu Jinliang burst into laughter again, his gaze wandering back and forth over Gu Lianni.

Gu Lianni, still locking eyes with Shi Chun, gradually blushed, her teeth biting her lips as if suppressing an urge to curse. Finally, she averted her gaze and muttered sideways, "This is beyond my power."

Shi Chun curiously asked, "Then what's the point of you negotiating?"

Gu Lianni turned to Yuan Yao, "Go back and report, I'll await the reply."

"Hmm? Oh, okay." Yuan Yao, snapping out of his daze, immediately turned to leave.

Unexpectedly, before he had taken two steps, Shi Chun quickly reached out to stop him. "A joke, just a joke, don't take it seriously, Brother Yuan. I was just kidding."

He merely wanted to probe how much Shudao Mountain was willing to offer; he wasn't serious. Gu Lianni obviously understood his intention, and seeing her reaction clarified things for him. There was no way he'd actually marry Gu Lianni—it wasn't the right match socially, and he had no interest in taking on such trouble.

"Eh?" Yuan Yao halted, dumbfounded, wanting to ask, "What's going on with you? You think this is something suitable for joking?"

Gu Lianni tilted her mouth and chin slightly, revealing a faint sneer, her expression filled with shame and annoyance as she glared at Shi Chun.

Shi Chun hurriedly folded his hands in apology, then cleared his throat and reverted to a serious demeanor. "You two, please wait a moment. This isn't a decision I can make alone. I need to discuss with my comrades before giving you an answer. Just give me a moment, please."

With that, he quickly opened the door and left, almost fleeing—it couldn't be helped; Gu Lianni's piercing gaze felt like it could kill.

Out in the courtyard, the people there noticed something felt off. The Sect Leader's hurried and awkward demeanor seemed strange, and Wu Jinliang, trailing behind with a sly grin, whispered something clearly mischievous into the Sect Leader's ear.

"I think this woman's not bad either," Wu Jinliang's whispered comment.

Shi Chun snorted softly, "Get rich, and you can have any woman you want."

"That's true." Wu Jinliang agreed wholeheartedly.

Shi Chun strolled toward a side room, calling out to the group as he walked, "Sect Master, Brother Nan, come over for a moment."

Tong Mingshan immediately strode over, while Young Master Nan, who was bored, naturally followed as well.

Once they entered the room and shut the door, Shi Chun slapped ink, brush, and paper onto a table with a loud thud, saying to Tong Mingshan, "Take a look and list out everything you need to repair those Magical Treasures. Write down as much as necessary."

Tong Mingshan understood he was referring to the Magical Treasures damaged by lightning, and he grimaced, "With my skills, it would likely take a long time to research and figure out how to fix them."

Who had time to slowly study them? Shi Chun thought for a moment and changed his approach, "Alright then, think about what materials you'll need for Artifact Refining in the future—valuable ones, expensive ones—just write them down."

Since Tong Mingshan was willing to follow him, he couldn't let Tong Mingshan's absorbed Divine Fire go to waste. This was a good opportunity to secure enough Artifact Refining Materials for him.

Tong Mingshan looked utterly perplexed—this was so sudden, he had no idea where to start.

Wu Jinliang's grin practically reached his ears.

Shi Chun turned to Young Master Nan, "Brother Nan, we're not good at judging the value of things. You've seen the world; help us draft a list."

Young Master Nan spread his hands, "I don't know what's going on; I don't even know where to start. How am I supposed to help?"

Shi Chun bluntly explained, "Nothing major—those sects want the Secret Technique I have that can locate Divine Fire. I'm willing to share it, but not for free—they need to trade something for it. You help us estimate its value, calculate what those sects might be willing to offer—valuable enough but not excessive—and draft a list for negotiation."

Young Master Nan nodded in realization. "Oh… now I get it. Got it." He grinned, casting a sidelong glance at Shi Chun before stroking his whiskers thoughtfully. Soon, he turned to Tong Mingshan with a suggestion, "Come on, start jotting down the Artifact Refining Materials you need. Let's make a rough draft…"

Their discussion lasted quite a while. Meanwhile, outside in the main hall, Gu Lianni stood stiffly with a cold expression but seemed patient enough.

Yuan Yao paced up and down the steps with his head lowered.

After nearly half an incense stick's time, Tong Mingshan finally laid down the brush. Young Master Nan, who had been standing with one hand on his hip and the other resting on the table, also straightened up with a grin. "Alright, Chun Tian, this list should satisfy you and also make Shudao Mountain agreeable. Take a look if there's anything to add."

Shi Chun, arms crossed, paced back and forth. He hadn't missed their discussions while drafting the list and had already made his additions; his demands were all practical—just adding more money.

He waved dismissively, "This should do; no need to overdo it. If we make it too painful for them, they won't give willingly. Sect Master, make eight more copies of this list."

Tong Mingshan froze.

Young Master Nan was confused as well, "Why eight copies?"

Shi Chun: "Aren't there Ten Great Sects in the Artifact Refining World? They all have influence. Offering this to one sect but not the others wouldn't be proper."

Young Master Nan had guessed this but was still puzzled. "Right, there are Ten Great Sects, but copying it eight more times makes nine copies. Why?"

Shi Chun: "Leave Refining Heaven Sect out—they wouldn't give anything even if we sent it."

Wu Jinliang chuckled like a sly old fox.

"Ah, I see," Tong Mingshan understood and immediately started copying the list.

Young Master Nan muttered an "Oh" before shaking his head in amazement at Tong Mingshan's swift writing, muttering to Shi Chun, "Chun Tian, our ways of making money are worlds apart—totally different! I earn money people willingly offer, while you're practically coercing them. Selling one thing to nine families… you sure you can stomach it?"

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