Just as Grand Sect Leader Gu said, almost all the artifact refining sects in the cultivation world have gathered here. Some things may be difficult to gather, but artifact refining materials are hardly an issue; whatever is lacking can easily be borrowed by sending an elder on an errand.

After the materials were assembled, Gu Yanduo hesitated again. An elder beside him noticed his concern and said, "We don't know what the situation is at the Stargazing Pavilion. If it turns out they truly have ties to the Demon Cult, Sect Leader, you mustn't take risks. Let me go instead."

The hesitant Sect Leader Gu made up his mind due to these words, "He doesn't deserve for you to go personally. Lianni, go notify him that Shudao Mountain is willing to trade, and tell him to come and get it himself."

He still hoped to personally uncover the secret firsthand.

"Understood." Gu Lianni naturally accepted the task, and Yuan Yao followed as an errand hand.

The two of them arrived at the resting place of Mingshan Sect and explained the situation. Shi Chun responded without hesitation, with just one word, "Go!"

He didn't bring many people—just Wu Jinliang, Young Master Nan, and Tong Mingshan.

The lodging estate of Shudao Mountain was much larger than the one where Mingshan Sect resided. After all, the sect had over a hundred participants, so naturally, they were provided a bigger venue.

Within the courtyards and towers, the scattered lights formed a vivid contrast—elegant in bright spots and mysterious in the shadows.

Leading the way in front, Gu Lianni guided the group to the main reception hall. Both sides had seen each other before and recognized one another.

Of course, Shi Chun carried himself with a noticeably humble demeanor, nodding and bowing in greeting to everyone he met.

Biting into others' flesh—showing arrogance only invites future trouble. Shi Chun had always been a man with tact.

Observing from the sidelines, Young Master Nan had a mocking expression, though he had a begrudging respect for Shi Chun deep down.

Back at the Sky Rain Meteor Conference, he had seen the Heavenly Mirror projection. Shi Chun had shown no hesitation in killing before the Royal Court guards' eyes, proving that he harbored little fear of authority deep within. Young Master Nan doubted Shi Chun genuinely respected Shudao Mountain, yet his current demeanor was excessively courteous, revealing his adaptability and shrewdness.

As for Young Master Nan's presence, Shudao Mountain's party wasn't particularly surprised; the group knew his initial goal was to protect Shi Chun's faction.

However, considering Young Master Nan's status and position, his willingness to offer such close protection was still somewhat unexpected.

In their view, since Shi Chun and his group had been suppressed by the new rules and could no longer influence the betting stakes' outcomes, Shi Chun's utility value to Young Master Nan should have diminished greatly.

They found it hard to believe that someone of Young Master Nan's stature could genuinely share any meaningful rapport with Shi Chun, and assumed the relationship was purely one of mutual benefit.

After the usual exchange of pleasantries, Gu Yanduo gestured, "Hand over the items for them to verify."

Thus, an elder tossed a Qiankun Bag to Shi Chun.

Shi Chun caught it and briefly probed inside the bag before handing it to Tong Mingshan. "Sect Master, check it thoroughly."

Shi Chun didn't understand artifact refining materials. If given counterfeit goods, he wouldn't be able to detect them. Although Mingshan Sect claimed to be an artifact refining sect, the only one truly knowledgeable was the Sect Master, so naturally, verifying the items fell to Tong Mingshan.

The term 'Sect Master' drew curious glances from many. They noted that Tong Mingshan was highly peculiar for a Sect Master—pushed to the sidelines in his own sect, and relegated to following orders and performing errands.

This further validated their belief that the true decision-maker of Mingshan Sect was Shi Chun.

While the inventory was being checked, Gu Yanduo didn't idly wait. He asked, "After the transaction, how can I be assured you won't disclose the secret to others?"

This was a crucial matter that had to be addressed face-to-face.

Shi Chun, however, showed visible surprise. He glanced at Gu Lianni standing in the corner, then turned back and said, "Sect Leader Gu, is there some misunderstanding? Who said my secret was sold exclusively to Shudao Mountain?"

As those words fell, it was like a thunderclap. Tong Mingshan forgot his counting and looked up at him.

Young Master Nan stood flabbergasted, staring at Shi Chun as if he were an anomaly. Earlier, he had worried about Shi Chun being unable to deal with the fallout of selling the same secret to nine sects under scrutiny. But it seemed Shi Chun had never feared such a predicament—because he had never intended to hide it, and thus never needed to worry about any future repercussions.

If only he had said so sooner, he wouldn't have caused so much needless concern.

The Shudao Mountain faction was first stunned, then their faces filled with fury. Gu Lianni was the first to jump out, pointing at Shi Chun and shouting, "Shi Chun, what do you mean by this? Are you playing us?"

Seeing he had provoked widespread anger and that the entire Shudao Mountain seemed ready to act against him, Young Master Nan promptly stepped forward, cheerfully raising his hands. "Miss Gu, don't be so quick to anger. Business is business—buy and sell as one pleases; no need for such hostility."

"Lianni, step back!" Gu Yanduo barked.

Gu Lianni had no choice but to retreat with a sour expression, though her infuriated gaze remained locked on Shi Chun.

Wu Jinliang, on the other hand, let out a poorly timed chuckle.

Gu Yanduo's eyes fixed on Shi Chun yet again. "What do you mean by this?"

Shi Chun replied, "Let me clarify: I am not playing anyone. I never told your daughter that this secret would be sold exclusively to your sect. She misunderstood."

Gu Yanduo, expressionless, said, "If the secret isn't exclusive, do you think we have any reason to purchase it from you?"

Shi Chun turned back to look at Tong Mingshan with the bag in his hands, seeing him in a daze again. He immediately scolded, "Mind your own business and focus on your inventory!"

Alright then, Tong Mingshan had no choice but to bury his head back into checking the materials.

Shi Chun then pointed to the Qiankun Bag and said, "Sect Leader Gu, how many lives were lost across sects in the Divine Fire Domain for this secret? My own life was hanging by the knife's edge. To think you'd want to monopolize this secret for just these materials—it's far too cheap."

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