Chapter 272: He Is Alone

Since it was reasonable and met everyone's needs, there was nothing left to debate.

They decided to follow Shi Chun's plan and split into two groups. The Four Cauldron Sect would continue searching in the Iron Forest, while the Bright Mountain Sect would head to the Ice Plain to lure away the Summer Dao Mountain sect – an act that could also be seen as an attempt to seize territory.

Comparatively, the Four Cauldron Sect's operations here would certainly be safer.

Therefore, Xu Anchang still admired Shi Chun's courage to take action. As they parted, he held Shi Chun's hand and said, "Please be extremely careful on this journey. If it proves too difficult, withdraw immediately. Don't take excessive risks!"

"Brother Xu, don't worry. I will certainly value my own life."

After some pleasantries, Shi Chun turned and left, immediately flying into the air on his Wind Scale beast to find his people.

On his way, he saw Hao Ji wandering in the Iron Forest. Hao Ji was to stay behind. After landing and giving some instructions, he asked, "Do you remember those two sects?"

Hao Ji was momentarily stunned, but then immediately understood. These were the two sects Wu Jinliang had tasked them with investigating when they first entered the Divine Fire Domain. When they were sent to track five sects that had moles, they had secretly received another mission: besides searching for Divine Fire clues, they were also to pay attention to the whereabouts of those two sects.

He immediately nodded and said, "Boss, don't worry, I haven't forgotten. If I come across any relevant information, I will inform you as soon as possible."

Shi Chun patted his shoulder. "You alone won't be able to find much. After you meet with Zhou Wuxian, you can find a way to have him use an excuse to tell the people of Red Cloud Fortress about those two sects. Use Red Cloud Fortress's numerical advantage to help keep an eye out."

Hao Ji said, "Okay. Boss, may I ask, why are we looking for those two sects? I haven't noticed anything special about them."

Shi Chun thought to himself, 'If even you could easily discern something, it would be too obvious.' He admonished, "Don't ask. You'll know when the time is right."

Indeed, some matters were inconvenient to disclose. He couldn't possibly tell them now that those two sects might represent the other two factions of the Demonic Path.

As they spoke, Wu Jinliang and Tong Mingshan arrived, bringing along Zhu Jingtang and An Wuzhi, whom they had found.

"Let's go," Shi Chun said after saying goodbye, flashing into the air.

Wu Jinliang's Wind Scale beast opened its maw, swallowing him whole, and then soared over the Iron Forest.

As for whether Zhu Xiangxin and Chen Wuji were later found and taken along, the Four Cauldron Sect's people didn't see.

Hao Ji hopped onto a slope and watched them go, muttering to himself, "They're really busy. They're not going to get first place again, are they..."

In the air, after confirming the location of the Ice Plain that Wu Hong had given them and adjusting their flight direction, Wu Jinliang finally couldn't help but ask, "Chun Tian, what's the situation with the Iron Forest?"

Shi Chun knew what he wanted to ask, but he was asking indirectly. He replied, "We've already secured the Divine Fire from the Iron Forest."

"Ah?" Tong Mingshan immediately looked around, wondering where it was and why he hadn't seen it. Seeing that two people were missing, he probably realized something.

Shi Chun scoffed, "What good fortune are you dreaming of? The benefits can't all go to you, can they? Zhu Xiangxin took it. You weren't aware, so let me inform you now: the Four Cauldron Sect can know about your absorption of the Divine Fire, but no one else."

Tong Mingshan was embarrassed, feeling that he had indeed been greedy. He quickly hummed his agreement, "Okay, I understand."

Within the vast Divine Fire Domain, the scenery was bizarre and colorful.

Although there were many suns in the sky, large and small, circling around and seemingly indicating the passage of day and night, they were actually very biased. Some places were always neglected, receiving only a tiny bit of sunlight for a very short time each day.

The Ice Plain was located at the boundary between darkness and light, with winding, perilous mountain ranges.

In some areas, blizzards swept through the gloom, leaving vast stretches of snow.

In other areas, the deep blue ice layers, under the distant, weak, slanting sunlight, still shone brightly.

Several people dressed in official green robes stood on the ice, gazing into the distance. They cupped their hands over their eyes to shield them from the sun while they looked. At the center, leading them, was a woman with very fair, almost pinkish-white skin.

Her skin tone was truly distinctive, porcelain-white with a hint of red. It was hard to imagine a tool refiner having such beautiful skin. Those in the know understood this was due to bloodline inheritance, as her father had the same complexion.

Her father was Gu Yanduo, the sect leader of Summer Dao Mountain. Her name was Gu Lianni, and she was the leader of this group.

She had a bright and delicate face, with clear eyes and graceful brows. Yet, she had a broad back, a slender waist, and long, strong limbs. Even in a dress, one could sense her robust physique. While her beauty might not be described as 'eclipsing the moon and shaming the flowers,' she possessed a unique charm. Such an athletic and beautiful woman was truly rare.

Indeed, it was rare for women to engage in the art of tool refining. How many ordinary women would choose to be blacksmiths? It was much the same principle, as a tool refiner's basic skills also began with forging iron in front of a furnace.

Her ability to enter this profession was naturally related to her family background. From birth, her father was the sect leader of a major tool-refining sect.

As they were surveying, two more Summer Dao Mountain disciples flew over, landing beside the group. One reported, "Mistress, our formation points are ready."

"Good," Gu Lianni nodded, her voice clear and crisp. She placed her hands on her hips, making her belted waist appear even more slender, seemingly small enough to be encircled by one hand.

The men to her left and right, one with a bronze complexion, the other with a dark red one, were both powerfully built. The former was burly and broad-shouldered with a square face and large ears, while the latter was robust and strong with a spirited, long face.

The former was named Pang Hou, the latter Yuan Yao. Both were elites among Summer Dao Mountain's highly skilled disciples.

Both men believed Gu Lianni's beauty was true beauty. Furthermore, as the sect leader's daughter, many disciples who came here were interested in Gu Lianni. However, they were all of a different generation. Regardless of Gu Lianni's age or cultivation level, she was destined from birth to be only one generation lower than her father.

Therefore, the group of young men could only wish for something unattainable; the sect would never allow them to marry their martial aunt.

Of course, putting aside the generational difference, they had all grown up together since childhood.

After a while, two more arrived, one reporting, "Mistress, our side is ready."

"Good," Gu Lianni said, full of confidence, looking left and right. "Once two more formation points are complete, we can activate the 'Essence Lock Array' to completely seal off this area."

Pang Hou assented, "As long as the Fire Spirit is trapped here and can't escape, we can take our time searching for it."

Yuan Yao said, "We should be as quick as possible. If we consider the time outside, almost a full day has passed, and we haven't found anything yet. Also, we can't be sure that Divine Fire is definitely here."

Gu Lianni said, "There shouldn't be any mistake. Didn't Zhuo Zi see light flowing under the ice layers here before? We also truly sensed the aura of Divine Fire here, just as our masters taught us to recognize. With both observations confirming each other, the Divine Fire should be hidden in this area beneath our feet."

Pang Hou remarked with emotion, "To be able to find the Divine Fire's location so quickly, we must still thank the ancestors of Summer Dao Mountain. Without the records and legacy passed down by our ancestors, how would we have known to come here to investigate immediately after seeing this area?"

As they spoke, the people on the Ice Plain successively looked up. They saw a streak of light pass through the sky. They initially thought it had flown past, but to their surprise, it circled back and even lowered its altitude.

Seeing that the passing Wind Scale beast seemed to carry only one person, Gu Lianni said gravely, "Stop them and see who it is."

Immediately, four people leaped into the air. Each summoned their Wind Scale beast, using them to intercept and stop the visitor in mid-air.

The visitor was none other than Shi Chun. The others were waiting for his news somewhere on the Ice Plain.

The reason he was alone was that it was useless for others to scout in the sky. A Wind Scale beast carrying more people consumed more magical energy to control. Furthermore, it was easier for him to observe alone using his right eye's special ability, to avoid his companions noticing anything unusual.

Indeed, as he passed by this area, the reason he turned back was that he had discovered something under the ice layers. It seemed there was something alive moving beneath the still, heavy ice.

Before he could get closer to investigate, he was intercepted. Four people on Wind Scale beasts surrounded him from four directions.

Shi Chun, who had already circled this vast Ice Plain, was secretly surprised. These people appearing here was certainly no coincidence. In such a vast place, to be able to quickly pinpoint a target area, these major sects were indeed not simple.

Of course, the four people who stopped him also found Shi Chun familiar.

Pang Hou, who was leading them, cast a spell and shouted, "Get down!"

Shi Chun glanced at the number of people below. He didn't resist at all, simply recalling his Wind Scale beast in mid-air and floating down.

The four who had surrounded him followed him down.

After they all landed, Shi Chun immediately recognized Gu Lianni as the leader. He was somewhat surprised; it was rare for a woman to enter the tool-refining profession, and even more so to be a team leader.

A thought crossed his mind, and he guessed her identity. Her information was among the list of attendees provided by Young Master Nan. Although he hadn't read through the entire list, he had paid some attention to the major sects.

Gu Lianni also found Shi Chun familiar. Pang Hou, who had landed, quickly approached her and reminded her, "He seems to be that Shi Chun."

Yuan Yao immediately took out a scroll from his Qiankun Pouch. Upon unrolling it, Shi Chun's likeness was clearly visible on it, drawn with lifelike precision.

Major sects were indeed major sects; they even had this. It was obvious how thoroughly prepared they were.

He showed it to Gu Lianni and whispered, "That's right, it's him."

Shi Chun was momentarily stunned. Although he hadn't seen the drawing, he had already guessed what it was. 'What was the meaning of this? Had they actually drawn a portrait of me? Was it really necessary?' he thought.

Gu Lianni looked at Shi Chun as if he were a rare animal, scrutinizing him from head to toe. She asked, "Are you Shi Chun?"

Shi Chun hummed in affirmation, feigning ignorance as he said, "May I ask which sect and what esteemed individuals you noble warriors belong to?"

Gu Lianni said, "We are disciples of Summer Dao Mountain. What are you doing here?"

Shi Chun said, "Just wandering around, taking a look. Is there a problem?"

Gu Lianni put her hands on her hips and said, "Summer Dao Mountain is conducting business here. Uninvolved parties should stay away. Do you understand what I mean?"

Shi Chun smiled and said, "I understand. So, may I leave now?"

Yuan Yao slightly turned his head and reminded Gu Lianni, "Mistress, the sect has given instructions: this person is cunning and must be guarded against. He appeared here and says he's just looking around. Do you think that's normal? If we let him go, there might be future trouble. He's alone!"