"Sister Hong, another anonymous person has sent you a letter."

At the top floor of Zhu Lang Pavilion, amidst the pavilions in the wind and moonlight, the second steward Tian Shen presented a letter to the landlady Yin Xu.

Yin Xu opened it and, as expected, found it was again about something being completed and asking her to contact Shi Chun.

After having Tian Shen leave, she rubbed the letter into ash that scattered in the wind, then turned to take out a Mother-child Talisman to contact Shi Chun directly.

However, this time, it was unfortunate; Shi Chun did not respond for a long time, so she had to give up and planned to contact again at intervals.

In reality, Shi Chun was aware a message had come from her, but being occupied with both hands, he could only put it aside for now, intending to contact her later…

At the desk with a pile of bottles concocting fragrances, Lan occasionally glanced at the nearby arrayed Mother-child Talismans, checking the incoming messages before sending a reply message, appearing serene and self-composed.

Having surveyed information from various sides, she then approached the red-clothed woman reading books, compiling the report: "Tracking went smoothly on the Demon Eye's side; we can't confirm yet if the target being tracked is the right one. The Spirit Building Sect's product made in the desert was transferred to the inn we're watching, where a person connected to Granny Qi on the Divine Mountain met with Yin Fei, then sent someone to that inn…"

The red-clothed woman looking up from her book asked, "Wasn't Feng Xi supposed to have sealed the mountain?"

Lan: "Granny Qi is said to have a liking for the food and drink down the mountain, so they showed some leniency. After that, a person sent by Yin Fei secretly delivered a letter to Zhu Lang Pavilion, which was handed to landlady Yin Xu. After purchasing food and drink at the inn, someone from there rushed to Shelter Slope outside the city and buried an item under a large stone, likely the finished 'Death Refusing Incense' as we speculated, seemingly in order to make a delivery, and we've dispatched experts adept at stealth to surveil it."

The red-clothed woman muttered, seemingly having heard of it before: "Landlady of Zhu Lang Pavilion…"

Lan knew she didn't often remember those minor figures, and even if she had reported before, it might not have stuck, so she immediately supplemented: "She's the lover of the West Emperor, Han State Domain Master, the fox demon who runs an inn at the base of the Divine Mountain, and she's said to be acquainted with Shi Chun."

The red-clothed woman put the book down from her face, "So she might be the one notifying Shi Chun to collect the goods?"

Lan: "Very possible."

Red-clothed Woman: "In other words, she maintains quite a close relationship with Shi Chun?"

Lan: "We're already working on placing informants around her to keep an eye on things."

The red-clothed woman said nothing further, picking up her book again.

Lan bowed slightly, and upon returning to the desk, saw a Mother-child Talisman light up once more, examined the content, and reported from a bit of a distance: "Madam, a message from the exit of Xun Gate says Situ Gu has already left."

The red-clothed woman, her face hidden behind the book, sighed with some relief, feeling it was good he was gone; otherwise, she'd have to keep hiding outside, afraid to return to the library. She replied blandly: "It's uncertain if what happened at the Refining Heaven Sect is related to the Demon Path. As for Mo Shiliu, you don't need to track him for too long; he's adept at evasion and may notice if kept track for too long. If there's no contact with him in three days, prepare for capture. Our surroundings might not be clean either. Capture him and interrogate him in secrecy if caught."

"Understood," Lan responded.

In the central formation of Xun Gate at the Western Ox King City, Situ Gu reemerged, only to plunge into another Xun Gate, soon appearing in the central formation of the Beijulu Royal City, then took a direct path through the Xun Gate to Yan State, revealing himself before heading straight to the Xun Gate leading to the Refining Heaven Sect.

To him, the only real distance on this journey was the flight from Dazhi City to Juku State's Xun Gate; other legs were covered in a blink.

Back at the sect, he headed directly to his Two Hills residence but did not find Zhener; upon asking the new gatekeeping disciple, he learned that Zhener and Ju Shihong were still detained by the sect, undergoing questioning.

To release them, he needed to see the Sect Master, so he went straight to Luo Yan to request their release.

Releasing them was a minor matter. Between the pavilions, Luo Yan gestured for him to sit first, asking, "Not long ago we got word that Zhener's release was because you went to the Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain in Juku State, captured someone from the Phoenix Clan as leverage, and forced the mastermind to release them. Is this true?"

Situ Gu paused, then finally nodded to admit, "That's how it went."

Luo Yan further inquired, "Could the mastermind be the Phoenix Clan?"

Situ Gu shook his head, "It should be the Demon Path."

"..."

Upon learning it involved the Demon Path, even Luo Yan fell silent. After a long pause, he asked, "Is it for the Secret Technique for finding the Divine Fire?"

The search for the Divine Fire Secret Technique was something the Refining Heaven Sect was not particularly anxious about nor overly concerned with, as Situ Gu being one of theirs meant the technique was within their sect. They were content to see it perfected, according to Situ Gu's claims of ongoing refinement.

Situ Gu: "Aside from that, there's likely no other reason."

Luo Yan's expression was heavy as he asked, "How do you know the mastermind is the Demon Path?"

Situ Gu immediately relayed the response Shi Chun provided, "Shi Chun informed me. He had been pursued by the Demon Path and accidentally discovered some of their plans, which he traded with me…"

He then recounted the matter of taking students at the library in Dazhi City, something he felt needed to be explained to the sect.

Including capturing someone at the Phoenix Clan's Divine Mountain and grabbing the Demon Path, it wasn't something he intended to hide, although Shi Chun had become anxious after inquiring.

Shi Chun thought he wasn't good with words, and thus proactively arranged certain things to help him keep the event's essence intact while covering Shi Chun's secrets, for Shi Chun's being chased by Mo Shiliu in the Book Collection Pavilion wasn't a secret to some.

Luo Yan stroked his beard thoughtfully. Taking on disciples was a minor matter, and his junior brother had full authority to make decisions. Later, he would just help smooth things over. As for other matters, after careful consideration, he said gravely, "Junior brother, according to reports from some of our disciples working in the Heavenly Court and the four Royal Courts, there are many unclear aspects to the situation. It's hard to say! In short, the Demon Path is full of deep waters, and we shouldn't wade in lightly, as it could bring endless troubles."

Situ Gu: "I have no intention of provoking the Demon Path. Just let the person go."

Luo Yan nodded, "That's right, that's the principle."

The matter was thus resolved, and after some polite exchanges, Situ Gu left.

Of course, he went to the place where Zhener was being held and took her away.

Returning to Two Hills and back to the Iron Cell, Situ Gu suddenly turned around and examined the disciple standing quietly, sensing something off about her.

She had suddenly become quiet, standing there gracefully, no longer shouting or making a scene, with a deep look in her eyes.

If he couldn't sense that this disciple was still the same Fire Spirit, he might have thought someone was impersonating her, as her quiet demeanor was somewhat disconcerting.

"Are you alright? Not hurt, are you?" Situ Gu asked with concern.

Zhener: "All's well that ends well, nothing serious."

"That's good." Situ Gu nodded, then hesitated for a moment, but still tried to discuss, "I promised you last time that after returning from the Heavenly Palace, I would take you to find Shi Chun, but I'm afraid we'll have to postpone that. Can we discuss it after some time?"

Speaking of this matter, he felt a bit apprehensive, fearing she would raise a fuss again. But Shi Chun was playing hide-and-seek like a thief, so it was indeed inconvenient to entrust her there for now. It would be best to wait until Shi Chun was through this period, though he didn't know if Shi Chun would make it, so he had to stall for a bit longer.

Zhener calmly replied, "Master, the matter with Shi Chun is in the past. I won't mention those absurd words in the future. I assure you, I won't cause trouble again and will cultivate diligently by your side."

There were some things she needed to clarify in advance, else she wouldn't be able to say anything about having a child with Shi Chun, viewing it as beneath her to even act it out.

In her eyes, someone like Shi Chun, who was cunning and roguish, was not fit to entangle with her.

She also had no interest in Shi Chun. Previously, her line sought Shi Chun mainly to find the Secret Technique of Divine Fire. Now she was with the person who possessed the Secret Technique, so why would she need Shi Chun anymore?

Lowering herself? Would be crazy to do so.

Staying by the side of the Cultivation World's top artifact refining expert was clearly the best and most convenient option.

"Uh..." Situ Gu was taken aback, feeling this disciple had changed significantly, as if she were a whole different person, which caused him some concern: "Zhener, are you sure you're okay?"

Zhener could understand his doubts, replying, "Master, don't worry. From this incident, I've learned some lessons: if I can't even protect myself, I have no right to pursue anything else. Cultivating diligently is the best course of action."

"That's the principle..." Situ Gu nodded in agreement, somewhat skeptically.

Jieluo Sea, a vast ocean in Juku State.

A streak of light zoomed from high in the sky over the coastline, crashing towards the morning glow in the sky, eventually settling as an arc that descended into the sea.

The streak of light did not descend into the waves; instead, it shifted to reveal two figures gracefully landing on a small island reef—it was Shi Chun and Li Hongjiu, observing the crashing white waves around them.

Amidst the roaring waves, Shi Chun took off his bamboo hat, now far from the Divine Mountain region, where he could reveal his face without worry.

He gestured with the bamboo hat at the surging waves around them and asked, "Brother Jiu, is this sea sufficient for you to condense the Thunder Sword?"

Li Hongjiu surveyed the surroundings, saying, "It's enough, but I'm not sure if this place is convenient. Wouldn't be good if the commotion is too large and someone notices, right?"

After all, too many sects' Magical Treasures had been destroyed in the Divine Fire Domain; handling lightning and thunder wasn't something he wanted discovered.

The sky over Dazhi City was still pitch black, and in this area and two-hour period, the dawn couldn't be seen.

Inside the inn, Wei Mo, Young Master Nan, and the others stared wide-eyed at the person who removed the bamboo hat in the mirror image, using the light from the dawn in the mirror to observe, but it didn't look much like Shi Chun.

There wasn't any other way; Shi Chun had disguised himself, and the light wasn't good, so they couldn't see clearly.

Still, those who knew somewhat suspected that he was in disguise; any fool would know that Shi Chun wouldn't dare to appear boldly now. So Wei Mo asked, "Is it him?"

Young Master Nan restrained the gesture of lifting a hand to his forehead. Having interacted with Shi Chun in his natural state so often, he had recognized him from the coachman's habitual movements, but still hesitantly said, "Can't see too clearly."

Wei Mo immediately tapped the table, indicating the Mother-child Talisman, saying, "Try contacting him again."

Young Master Nan's heart dropped, but he still feigned nonchalance as he picked up the Mother-child Talisman and sent a message.

Standing on the island, Shi Chun, sensing it, casually pulled out the Mother-child Talisman to check the message, clearly visible in the Heavenly Mirror's reflection.

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