In the end, not only did they empty the elders' and the two disciples' pockets, but even Luo Yan's pocket was loosened to piece together something for Shi Chun.

Shi Chun, however, found something interesting from this. Even though Luo Yan contributed, the two Refining Heaven Sect disciples standing nearby remained indifferent, as if it had nothing to do with them.

He keenly realized that these two were not disciples of Refining Heaven Sect—they were likely from the Stargazing Pavilion.

There wasn't a specific or concrete basis for this judgment; it was purely an intuition and a feeling.

"Brother Nan," Shi Chun didn't accept the bag handed to him and instead gave a loud shout outward.

Young Master Nan came running in hastily, asking what was going on.

There wasn't much. Shi Chun simply told him that the bag contained collateral and suggested that Refining Heaven Sect assign a disciple to go with him and verify the contents. Later, it could be used to offset the debt owed to Young Master Nan.

What debt? As soon as Young Master Nan heard this, he understood. Clearly, this was Shi Chun profiting once again at the expense of Refining Heaven Sect. Afraid that Refining Heaven Sect might try to snatch it back forcibly, he, of course, played along.

At the same time, his heart sighed once more, marveling at how his brother's way of making money was entirely different from his own.

As soon as the two left, Luo Yan immediately asked, "Speak up—what's the secret technique for finding the Divine Fire?"

He seemed quite hurried, as the Stargazing Pavilion had also given a deadline.

Shi Chun didn't delay either, speaking simply and directly, "The reason we were able to quickly locate the Divine Fire was because of an incense called 'Fire God Incense.' When lit, if there's Divine Fire nearby, the scent of the incense will be drawn toward it. By following the direction in which the smoke drifts, you can find the Divine Fire's hiding place. That's the secret technique you wanted to know."

Such a thing exists in this world? The group from Refining Heaven Sect was startled, exchanging glances.

After a brief pause, Luo Yan frowned and asked, "And then?"

Shi Chun spread his hands. "That's all. I relied on this to find the Divine Fire."

Luo Yan pressed further, "Its origins? Without a clear source, how can we know if what you're saying is true?"

Shi Chun replied without hesitation, "I don't know the exact source either. The Fire God Incense was given to me by your sect elder Situ Gu. He asked me to take it into the Divine Fire Domain and give it a try."

"..."

Everyone present fell silent, visibly dumbfounded. They thought they might have misheard.

The nine hidden figures on the upper floor, although unable to see the reactions of those below, could easily imagine how shocked they must have been.

Luo Yan suddenly spoke in a deep voice, "Shi Chun, do you really think that just because you're clinging to Namo Yu's leg, I wouldn't dare touch you? How dare you spout nonsense and fool Refining Heaven Sect!"

Although he said this, his thoughts were in turmoil, and countless images surged through his mind—earlier scenes of Situ Gu actively interacting with Shi Chun. He had already found it strange before, but now those doubts burst into immense suspicion.

Shi Chun smiled bitterly. "Sect Master Luo, even if I were to lie to you, why would I fabricate something about Senior Situ? He's one of your own. If it's false, wouldn't it be exposed as soon as you ask him?"

Another elder shouted angrily, "Bullshit! If our Elder Situ truly possessed such a treasure, how could he give it to an outsider instead of to our sect's disciples?"

Shi Chun shrugged. "I'm just as puzzled. To this day, I can't figure it out. That's a question I can't answer for you. He didn't explain it to me either, and when I asked him, he refused to say anything. The truth is something you'll have to ask him yourselves."

The expressions of the Refining Heaven Sect group shifted unpredictably. Deep down, though, they were starting to believe it. After all, earlier interactions between Situ Gu and Shi Chun had indeed been highly unusual.

"Go and personally fetch Situ," Luo Yan abruptly commanded one of the elders nearby.

Naturally, they needed to confront him face-to-face.

"Understood," the elder replied hastily, rushing out quickly. He knew well that the Stargazing Pavilion's deadline was tight.

As the saying goes, timing is everything. The elder hadn't been gone long before he returned, announcing, "Elder Situ has arrived."

Luo Yan froze for a second, then walked a few steps toward the door. Sure enough, he saw Situ Gu entering from outside. No need to guess—he must have come looking for Shi Chun again. Luo Yan's face darkened as he called out, "Junior Brother, you've arrived at just the right time."

Nodding slightly in acknowledgment, Luo Yan gestured for him to come over.

Situ Gu likewise felt heavy-hearted, aware that the matter he had agreed on with Shi Chun could no longer be avoided. Crossing the courtyard, he glanced at Wu Jinliang, who had arrived earlier, then averted his gaze, walking straight up the steps and into the hall.

Luo Yan stood with his hands clasped behind his back in front of the main hall wall. After facing the wall in silence for a long moment, he turned to stare at Situ Gu and asked coldly, "Junior Brother, have you heard of Fire God Incense?"

Situ Gu looked toward Shi Chun.

Shi Chun, on the other hand, spread his hands with an air of helplessness. "Senior Situ, your esteemed sect's master has come knocking. I had no choice but to tell the truth."

Luo Yan's tone grew heavier. "Junior Brother, I ask again: have you heard of Fire God Incense?"

Situ Gu sighed lightly and said, "Since it's out in the open, there's nothing to hide. Yes, I gave the Fire God Incense to Shi Chun, and I personally crafted it."

Even though they had hypothesized as much, hearing Situ confirm it with his own words made the Refining Heaven Sect members gasp audibly.

Shi Chun glanced askew toward the upper floor, his thoughts boiling down to two words: mission accomplished.

Suppressing his mounting anger, Luo Yan asked, "When you possess such a treasure, why did you not give it to your own disciples but instead to an outsider?"

Situ Gu: "Using it within the Divine Fire Domain's environment might be toxic or have aftereffects."

An elder beside them couldn't help but clap his hands. "Junior Brother, what were you thinking? If you created such a thing, why didn't you inform the sect first?"

Situ Gu, already prepared with a pre-arranged response, retorted, "If I had notified the sect, you might not disclose the risks to our disciples. Even knowing it might be toxic, you'd still let some disciples use it instead of letting outsiders utilize it."

"..." Luo Yan and the elder were rendered speechless. Speaking of such matters openly in front of sect disciples only left them fuming with frustration.

The nine hidden figures on the upper floor were now entirely at ease, finding Situ Gu's words logical. If they were in his shoes, they would likely do the same—sacrificing a few sect disciples while ensuring no information leaked to outsiders.

Shi Chun sighed loudly, chiming in sarcastically, "I knew nothing good would fall into my lap; turns out I was merely a guinea pig to test poisons…"

The irritated elder interrupted, "Junior Brother, where did you learn the method to craft such a thing?"

This question made the nine on the upper floor immediately tense, straining to listen intently. This was what they truly cared about.

"Enough!" Luo Yan interjected urgently, cutting off the conversation. "We'll talk about this back at the sect. Let's go!"

Such critical secrets couldn't be revealed in front of outsiders.

With a flick of his broad sleeve, he stormed off, his face taut with anger.

Situ Gu glanced toward Shi Chun, but another elder tugged at his arm and snapped, "Let's go!"

Just as the group had exited, Shi Chun scuttled after them, calling out, "Sect Master Luo, regarding Stargazing Pavilion…"

Luo Yan, without turning his head, flung his sleeve into the air. "Using my Refining Heaven Sect's affairs to demand payment from my Refining Heaven Sect's assets—I've already been merciful not to hold you accountable. You're on your own now!"

The tone carried a trace of fury, essentially implying, "Go to hell."

It also served as an excuse to shirk responsibility.

Standing at the bottom of the steps, Shi Chun was momentarily stunned, watching as the group departed. Suddenly realizing something was amiss, he noticed everyone in the courtyard staring behind him. Turning around, he saw that the two suspicious Refining Heaven Sect disciples hadn't left; they were still standing behind him.

Politely, Shi Chun addressed them, "Gentlemen..."

Before he could finish, one of them pulled out a token and held it out in front of him.

Engraved with a pattern of stars and a crescent moon, the token radiated a brilliantly vivid hue, with an almost otherworldly allure wherever it caught the sunlight.

Shi Chun had never seen such a thing before, but he already had a hunch, which turned out to be correct.

The bearer announced, "Xuanji Token. By the order of Stargazing Pavilion, we request the Mingshan Sect to cooperate with our investigation!"

The courtyard fell silent, the astonishment clear on everyone's faces.

The nine hidden figures on the upper floor held themselves as still as statues, making no noise lest they draw attention.

Shi Chun sighed inwardly. No matter how things turned out, the matter of the Fire God Incense was no longer his burden. Situ Gu would have to deal with it now. As for those nine exalted figures hidden in the room, who knows if he would ever meet them again in the future? For now, there was no need for farewells—likely, they wouldn't welcome such gestures.

Out loud, he sighed again, "It has finally come to this." Then, pointing to the side room, he said, "Please wait a moment. I'll inform our sect master."

Without waiting for approval, he strode toward the side room, opened the door, and addressed Tong Mingshan, who was seated in a meditative pose, "Sect Master, it's time to stop cultivating. Stargazing Pavilion has sent people."

While speaking, he discreetly pulled out a Mother-child Talisman. With his back to the outside, he swiftly sent a message: Qingqing, your father's people have stopped me, and it seems they're about to take me away. I don't even know if I'll have the chance to see you again in this life. About that competition—we'll put it off until the next life.

After sending the message, he watched Tong Mingshan leisurely conclude his meditation. Shi Chun felt nervous, uncertain if Mulan Qingqing would see the message in time.

Fortunately, Mulan Qingqing responded quickly, asking: Where are you now?

Shi Chun hurriedly replied: Still within Qi Yun Valley.

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