Chapter 292: I Want to Exchange

Yuan Yao immediately turned and assigned people. Dozens of individuals swiftly fanned out to flank the area, seeking suitable locations to set up an ambush.

Once everything was prepared, the Azure Soul Refinement Sword, which had been on Gu Lianni’s back, suddenly transformed into a blue rainbow, soaring into the sky. Then, like a meteor, it slammed into the Iron Forest.

A thunderous roar echoed, the earth shook, the sky trembled, and dust shockwaves spread everywhere. That single sword strike seemed to pierce through the iron ground.

People on the ground vibrated and hummed, their steps and figures swaying as they looked around in panic.

Before long, Xu Anchang and others emerged from underground one after another, their expressions changed. Being caught off guard by the impact while underground, their ears had nearly been deafened.

Both the Four Cauldron Sect and Bright Mountain Sect members ascended into the air on their Wind Scales, looking around.

At first, Xu Anchang thought Wu Jinliang was causing trouble again because he saw him. But then he felt something was amiss; Wu Jinliang shouldn't be able to create such a large disturbance, especially since he also saw Wu Jinliang and his companions looking around in surprise and suspicion.

Soon, they saw a large pit blasted open in the iron ground.

Before they could fly closer to inspect it, a blue rainbow shot up from the ground, transforming into a streak of light that flew towards a mountain outside the Iron Forest.

Upon seeing this blue rainbow, most of the Bright Mountain Sect group's expressions changed drastically. Those who had witnessed it in the ice plain knew whose weapon it was, and their gaze followed the rainbow's trajectory.

An Wuzhi shouted, "Leader, it's Shudao Mountain! Quick, let's go!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Anchang and the others also changed color.

However, the group then saw Shi Chun with a joyous expression, showing no intention of fleeing.

Xu Anchang, who was about to signal his subordinates to flee quickly, saw this and asked in surprise and doubt, "Brother Chun, why are you laughing? Aren't you going to leave?"

Shi Chun chuckled, "I was just worrying about not being able to find them. They finally came. Not too stupid, after all."

It had an air of having been long awaited.

Xu Anchang asked, "What do you mean?"

Shi Chun replied, "They must have prepared themselves, which is why they openly stirred up trouble. It won't be easy to run away. Look, there are only a few people with her."

Everyone looked over, seeing only five people flying rapidly towards them, led by Gu Lianni. No one else was seen around them.

Shi Chun calmly landed, and seeing their leader so composed, the Bright Mountain Sect members also landed.

After exchanging glances, the Four Cauldron Sect members also returned to the ground.

The Bright Mountain Sect currently had seven people, and the Four Cauldron Sect had six.

Gu Lianni’s group, still airborne, also exchanged glances, wondering what Shi Chun’s group was up to, as they showed no intention of fleeing.

A signal arrow was launched from Yuan Yao's hand, a streak of light shooting into the sky.

Whoosh, bang!

After an explosive sound, dozens more people flew in from all directions, completely surrounding Shi Chun and his companions on the ground.

Only then did Gu Lianni’s group retract their Wind Scales and land.

The two groups who had scattered after the conflict in the ice plain finally met again.

As soon as she saw Shi Chun, Gu Lianni couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. She felt Shi Chun was mocking her because she saw him smiling, completely unaware of being surrounded or about to face consequences, showing no fear.

If it weren't for wanting to obtain what she desired, she would have liked to order an attack immediately.

Shi Chun tilted his head to look at Wu Jinliang. "They must have followed you here. Shudao Mountain has given us a heads-up; we'll have to be more careful from now on."

"Huh?" Wu Jinliang was stunned. He had observed carefully and found no one following them.

Shi Chun then looked at Gu Lianni and smiled, "I've been wanting to find you but couldn't. The fact that you found your way here suggests you've already returned to the ice plain."

"You would look for me?" Gu Lianni asked with a mocking expression.

Shi Chun replied, "Some misunderstandings need to be resolved. If we don't resolve them, we can't continue our cooperation."

"Misunderstandings?" Gu Lianni scoffed.

Shi Chun turned to the people beside him and said, "Brother Tong, Brother An, show Miss Gu the Iceflame Divine Fire you absorbed in the ice plain."

Tong Mingshan and An Wuzhi exchanged glances, then stepped forward one after another and extended their palms. Instantly, each released a faint silver-blue flame, effortlessly controlling its size.

This scene made everyone around, especially those cultivating fire-attribute techniques, feel a bit envious. Gu Lianni was no exception.

Shi Chun explained, "Everyone from Shudao Mountain must have seen the anomaly on the ice plain. Those continuous ice mountains were formed after the sudden death of that ice wyrm. These are the two Iceflames we obtained after its death. It's not just two; there are others who haven't arrived yet."

In front of Xu Anchang, he couldn't say he had obtained five of them, otherwise, he couldn't explain why he was hiding it from the Four Cauldron Sect. He believed the Shudao Mountain group would understand. Gu Lianni was stunned. Yuan Yao quickly reminded her from the side, "Junior Master, this scoundrel always deceives people. Don't fall for his tricks again."

Hearing this, Gu Lianni suddenly snapped back to reality. She thought, "That was close!" She almost fell into his trap again. She also thought: "Didn't I consider that the reason this scoundrel can deceive people is precisely because he makes them believe it's true? How else could he succeed time and again?"

With this thought, her resolve immediately firmed. "Let the winds blow from all directions, I shall stand firm," she thought, then spoke out firmly, "Well then, congratulations to you. I came here for no other reason than to know how you can quickly find the divine fire. Hand over the method, and I will spare your life."

Shi Chun replied, "The fact that you found your way here, don't you already know?"

Gu Lianni said, "Don't beat around the bush with me. What I mean is, after you find the hidden location of the divine fire, how are you able to quickly capture it there?"

Shi Chun couldn't tell her about his right eye's special ability. "This is the basis for me to be qualified to cooperate with you all. If I reveal this secret, how can we still cooperate?"

Xu Anchang thought he was talking nonsense. If he could truly find divine fire, why couldn't they find the divine fire in this Iron Forest even now?

Gu Lianni immediately threatened, "I'll ask you one thing: will you hand it over or not?"

Shi Chun said, "I also know the whereabouts of two more Iceflames. So, to show my sincerity in cooperation and dispel your doubts, I am willing to take you to find them."

Gu Lianni said coldly, "Thanks, I appreciate the offer. You've already led us to find it once; we don't want to search a second time. I'll say it again: hand over the method for quickly finding divine fire."

Shi Chun took another step back and said, "Miss Gu, I know the misunderstanding runs deep. How about this: I'll find those two Iceflames and give them to you. Surely this will make you believe me?"

Gu Lianni said, "I might as well tell you: every word you say, I consider to be nonsense. I won't believe a single word. One last time: hand over the method for quickly finding divine fire! Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!"

With the conversation reaching this point, Xu Anchang's face darkened, and he secretly complained about Shi Chun. He had told him long ago not to provoke Shudao Mountain, but he insisted on doing so. Now look what happened.

Shi Chun gazed at Gu Lianni, utterly speechless. Was Shudao Mountain a group of blind people? Couldn't they see the anomaly on the ice plain?

The two divine fires he had prepared were specifically for presenting to Shudao Mountain to resolve the misunderstanding. But this woman couldn't tell good from bad and was completely unyielding. Nothing he said seemed to work. How was he supposed to deal with this? Another word, and they would attack.

As for fighting, he wasn't particularly afraid. Judging by Xu Anchang's demeanor, he also didn't seem flustered, and could probably even fight against Gu Lianni's magical artifact.

The problem was that the strength of his Bright Mountain Sect's people was relatively low, and the other side outnumbered them and were powerful. If a fight truly broke out, there would likely be significant casualties. As the leader, he had to consider his subordinates.

After much deliberation, he slowly said, "If I give you my method for quickly finding the divine fire, what will become of us?"

Yuan Yao scoffed coldly, "Do you have a choice?"

Shi Chun immediately seized on the loophole and countered, "What a joke! If I had no choice, if both paths led to a dead end, do you think I would still let you obtain my method?"

Gu Lianni’s group's expressions instantly darkened.

Shi Chun then promptly added, "I want to trade!"

"Trade?" Gu Lianni was puzzled. "Trade what?"

Shi Chun explained, "If I give you our method for quick searching, how will we find it afterward? We can't have come here for nothing. Although we don't think much of your searching method, since you're using your power to bully us, we have no choice. But we must leave ourselves a way out. We can give you our method, but we need your method in exchange. I want your set of formation artifacts!"

The Shudao Mountain members exchanged glances. If they had that set of artifacts, would they need to go to such lengths to find them?

An Wuzhi and others couldn't help but exchange glances as well. Those who knew were aware that the Shudao Mountain's set of artifacts had already been picked up by them afterward, hadn't it?

Of course, it also seemed incomplete; it appeared the activating artifact was still in Gu Lianni's hands.

Unlike their reactions, Wu Jinliang was expressionless.

Just as Gu Lianni was about to refuse, Shi Chun added, "First, use one piece as collateral! Our artifacts aren't on us, as you can see. Our manpower isn't complete; that artifact is currently being used by someone else. After we lead you to obtain our artifacts, it won't be too late for you to give us the remaining artifacts. However, Miss Gu also needs to swear another venomous oath, similar to last time, by your esteemed father's safety, guaranteeing that you will fulfill your promise after obtaining the items, that you will give us the remaining artifacts, and that you will spare us and not harm us. Only then can this transaction proceed."

After her eyes flickered for a moment, Gu Lianni suddenly became more agreeable. "If you go back on your word again, I will certainly not spare you!"

Not only her, but Yuan Yao also showed no intention of stopping her. The Shudao Mountain group all suddenly fell silent.

They probably all understood their junior martial uncle's intention: without the rest of the artifacts, that formation compass would be useless. Might as well let it play a role now.

When it truly came time for them to fulfill the oath, they would give the remaining artifacts to Shi Chun and his group, tell them the location, and let them retrieve them themselves. If they couldn't retrieve it themselves, then it wasn't their fault; they would neither refuse to give it nor offer any obstruction.

If the other party broke their word, then the venomous oath naturally wouldn't matter either.

So, they wouldn't lose anything either way. It wouldn't hurt to try.

Shi Chun said, "I said I didn't break my word last time, it was a misunderstanding, but if you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do. We are surrounded by you. If we truly had the ability to break our word, do you think we would still need to beat around the bush with you?"

Yuan Yao suddenly spoke up, "Since you believe a venomous oath can guarantee your safety, then swearing it should be enough. Why do you still need an artifact as collateral?"

He had repeatedly reviewed the entire exchange condition and only found this point suspicious.