Think back to the way this group was loudly shouting together earlier—many sects have now recognized a crucial problem: the reason why the people of the Mingshan Sect were expelled from their sect back then wasn't without cause.

The Master spoke up, and Chu Jingtang quickly reached over to tug Wu Jinliang's wrist, signaling for him to stop causing trouble, and whispered, "Don't stir things up, don't ruin the Sect Master's competition."

He reminded him to prioritize the bigger picture and avoid getting their competition qualification revoked because of this.

Wu Jinliang chuckled twice and whispered back, "Relax, the Li Huo Sect doesn't wield that kind of authority. The Li Huo Sect has to act according to the face of the Ten Great Sects, and those sects now have to act according to the Master's face. Talking back to them a bit won't amount to much."

The other members of the Mingshan Sect seemed slightly puzzled, and Shi Chun turned around to glare at Wu Jinliang. Wu Jinliang forced an awkward laugh and closed his mouth.

The presiding elder, who was publicly contradicted, turned back to look at the Sect Master of the Li Huo Sect. However, the latter was closely observing the reactions of the Ten Great Sects. Seeing no sign of reprimand toward the Mingshan Sect, his curiosity deepened. Weren't they looking for an excuse to kick the Mingshan group out of the competition?

His thoughts shifted to Shi Chun's subtle interactions with the Ten Great Sects, noticing that some had even approached him to borrow artifact refining materials. What kind of secret schemes might they be planning behind the scenes?

Shi Chun's connection to Young Master Nan also came to mind. The Li Huo Sect hadn't yet reached the level where they could completely disregard Young Master Nan.

After weighing the situation repeatedly, the Sect Master cast a spell and declared loudly, "Any further violations will result in immediate expulsion from the competition grounds!"

He didn't specify what would count as a violation—just uttered a warning to save face. Either way, the issue defused itself without much ado.

Since the Sect Master had spoken, the elder presiding over the competition had no choice but to act as though nothing had happened.

Young Master Nan, who had already stood up, sighed in relief. He thought he might have to clean up Wu Hehe's mess again, but fortunately, nothing had happened. He slowly sat back down.

In truth, Luo Yan, the Sect Master of the Refining Heaven Sect, had intended to take this opportunity to reprimand the Mingshan Sect. However, his gaze flickered toward Situ Gu and her disciple, then toward Mulan Jin atop the mountain. Realizing he might still need to extract the secret of the Divine Fire from Shi Chun, he decided to hold back.

Another matter that left him unsettled was Situ Gu's female disciple's relationship with Shi Chun. How come he'd heard rumors about them hugging and kissing? His disciples hesitated to report the situation to Elder Situ and weren't sure if they should make a complaint.

Meanwhile, the disciples competing in the arena remained completely focused and unaffected by the outer circumstances.

In the mirror-like image visible to the audience outside, only the visuals could be seen, with no sound transmitted.

However, Bian Weiyin knew Tong Mingshan. When he saw Tong Mingshan had completed his first round, he immediately introduced him to Wei Mo, who looked slightly bored: "Domain Master, that is the Sect Master of the Mingshan Sect, Tong Mingshan."

Upon hearing this, Wei Mo became more attentive toward the image of Tong Mingshan. Unable to resist a small smile, he already knew, with his information-gathering abilities, that the Sect Master of the Mingshan Sect was merely a figurehead—the real leader was Shi Chun.

Nevertheless, he nodded slightly, indicating his approval. "Having absorbed four Divine Fires, advancing his cultivation to the Human Immortal Realm would be effortless. It wouldn't be impossible to break into the Earth Immortal Realm within a short time. If all goes well, his potential achievements will be remarkable. This boy encountered Shi Chun and turned misfortune into fortune—for if he had remained in the Hundred Refinement Sect, he might never have achieved at such heights. There are two other Mingshan disciples practicing fire attribute techniques—they may achieve notable gains in the Divine Fire Domain as well."

Saying this, he turned to scrutinize the group from Wukang Mountain. "If the Mingshan Sect can continue to grow without disbanding, given its current foundation, it might potentially transform into a prominent sect. Their future achievements may not fall short of your Wukang Mountain's. Shi Chun's influence reaches too far—even I suffered a needless setback from him. Considering his capable disciples, you should never have exiled him."

The group from Wukang Mountain didn't catch all of Wei Mo's words; they were only shocked that even he had been affected.

Bian Weiyin hesitantly asked, "Did Shi Chun cause trouble for the Domain Master?"

Wei Mo replied, "Did I not mention it? Sheng Province may soon have to change leadership."

The trio from Wukang Mountain exchanged puzzled glances and looked visibly confused. Bian Weiyin probed again, "Does this have to do with Shi Chun?"

Wei Mo cast them a glance, recalling their limited access to information. So, he explained, "In the Divine Fire Domain, Shi Chun disguised himself as a masked assassin and attempted an open assassination, which led to counterattacks by various sects. Mysteriously, he managed to immobilize a fifth-grade Magical Treasure in public and escaped unscathed. No one knows what method he used."

When the trio heard this, they were shocked, finally understanding why the Domain Master was investigating the issue of fifth-grade immobilization charms. An item capable of immobilizing the attack of a fifth-grade Magical Treasure could only be a fifth-grade immobilization charm.

Indeed, Wei Mo elaborated further: "Some speculated it was a fifth-grade immobilization charm. Considering Shi Chun's origin in Wukang Mountain, naturally, some assumed the technique was inherited from your sect. At first, I believed this as well, which is why I summoned you for inquiry.

"Think carefully—assuming you're not deceiving me, Wukang Mountains were never capable of creating fifth-grade immobilization charms. If they were, they wouldn't have suffered the previous disasters. Bian Que and the others would have been able to protect themselves. Facing humiliation from Jieyun Mountain, you'd have resisted. So who knows what kind of trick Shi Chun played?

Nonetheless, some matters cannot be clarified with mere explanations; others won't believe it unless they personally investigate. Thus, they find me a nuisance and will go to great lengths to force me to vacate my position."

The trio from Wukang Mountain instantly understood—they finally pieced the puzzle together.

Elder Yi Huachun couldn't help but voice her curiosity, saying, "Even if there are suspicions Shi Chun possesses a fifth-grade immobilization charm, and the Domain Master has helped rule that out, why haven't those concerned gone directly to Shi Chun to investigate its origins?"

Wei Mo snorted, "You've hit the crux. This is precisely why I cannot be certain and have only said that it 'might' lead to me being displaced. If someone wants to remove me, it isn't as simple as pushing me aside—they will pay a price. Right now, the root of the problem lies with Shi Chun.

"That fellow has been targeted by the Stargazing Pavilion, and even the Xuanji Token Master, Mulan Jin, has stepped in personally. Rumors suggest a possible connection to the Demon Path. Now, Mulan Jin has stationed herself within the Mirage imagery at Qi Yun Valley."

These words caused the group from Wukang Mountain to audibly gasp—having the Xuanji Token Master personally intervene while involving the Demon Path indeed unnerved them, worrying whether this matter might implicate Wukang Mountain.

"The relationship between the Royal Court and Heavenly Court is no secret to you. With Shi Chun in Mulan Jin's grasp, who dares rescue him? If Demon Path involvement is suspected, anyone rescuing him will be seen as connected to the Demon Path.

"In matters involving the Demon Path, even the Saint King shows no leniency. The Royal Court has been heavily afflicted by the Demon Path, and the Saint King loathes them intensely. He'd stop at nothing to eradicate them swiftly! Concerning such issues, the Royal Court will stand by Heavenly Court without hesitation.

"This means, if Shi Chun can successfully pass Mulan Jin's scrutiny, some will shift their focus directly to him. It won't be worth paying a heavy price to displace me. When I'm in my position, some can't openly act against you.

"But if Shi Chun fails Stargazing Pavilion's investigation, the likelihood of my displacement rises. With Wukang Mountain unable to move away, you're better off preparing to present yourselves appropriately to my successor."

Upon hearing these words, the Wukang Mountain group naturally wished no harm upon Shi Chun, even those holding grudges like Elder Yi Huachun.

Bian Weiyin worried aloud, "Shi Chun only recently left the Land of Exile. How could he possibly have ties to the Demon Path?"

Wei Mo replied, "Just as I said before, there's still a chance it might be true. That fellow stirs trouble wherever he goes. If someone claimed Demon Path support was involved, it wouldn't be entirely implausible. However, if Demon Path was indeed backing him up, it wouldn't fit their usual style—the Demon Path tends not to act so overtly! Mulan Jin hasn't taken direct action either, and if it really has nothing to do with the Demon Path, then Mulan Jin wouldn't intervene without substantial evidence. So, can such allegations be made on mere whim?"

As they spoke, sensing something out of place, Wei Mo suddenly turned his head to look.

Bian Weiyin's trio also followed his gaze, where they saw a lavishly dressed man sauntering leisurely through the pavilions.

Wei Mo murmured softly, "He's here. If someone's taking over Sheng Province, it might be him. I'll introduce him to you all as a formality—and to signal to him that you are my people. Any excessive treatment toward you is an offense to me."

Bian Weiyin's trio could no longer remain seated. Filled with apprehension, they quickly stood up…

On the veranda, Gong Shaoci pointed at the person who appeared in the mirror, introducing him to his father: "Father, that's Tong Mingshan of the Mingshan Sect."

Lan Qiaoyan and her daughter had seen members of the Mingshan Sect earlier in the Sky Rain Meteor Conference's Heavenly Mirror projection, but they couldn't distinguish who was who. At this moment, upon hearing this, they scrutinized carefully.

Fixating on the person in the mirror for a while, Gong Yuanzhi suddenly turned to Lan Qiaoyan with a faint smile and said, "Not long ago, I heard some reports from inside the Divine Fire Domain—rumors that Shi Chun possesses a fifth-grade immobilization charm capable of defending against fifth-grade Magical Treasure attacks, allowing him to escape encirclement from various sects."

Lan Qiaoyan paused, astonished. "Where would he get such an item? Could it have come from Wukang Mountain? Is Wukang Mountain capable of creating fifth-grade immobilization charms?"

Beside her, Gong Shaoci had an odd feeling: was it just him, or did his father seem particularly attentive to Lan Qiaoyan's reactions as he questioned her?

Gong Yuanzhi chuckled and said, "The ability to craft fifth-grade charms exists in only two sects across the entire Cultivation World. I've never heard of Wukang Mountain being among them. Could it be something brought back from the Land of Exile? Mrs. Miao, who spent considerable time there, should know Shi Chun's situation quite well."

Lan Qiaoyan gave a thoughtful shake of her head. "If he truly had access to such methods in the Land of Exile, he'd have been unstoppable long ago. Why would he remain trapped for so many years?"

Gong Yuanzhi uttered a soft "Oh," finally shifting his gaze away from her face. He agreed with a slight nod. "Valid point from Mrs. Miao. That suggests it's more likely from Wukang Mountain, as you said."

Lan Qiaoyan remained pensive, muttering to herself, "If Wukang Mountain truly had that capability, wouldn't they have already achieved widespread fame, dominating some regions? How could they have remained dormant all this time?"

Inside the mirror, the flames in Li Hongjiu's hands extinguished, revealing a newly-forged fiery-red iron sphere he carried toward the judges.

"Excellent!"

"Well done, Senior Uncle!"

A sudden cheer erupted from the Yanbao Sect, almost instinctively and unabashedly.

This display caused the Sect Master of Li Huo Sect, who had just declared strict rules, to feel utterly humiliated. Barely concealing his embarrassment, he froze his expression and pretended as if nothing had occurred.

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