Chapter 294: Forcing Others to Reason

"This means we're going to join forces against Shudao Mountain," Gong Shixi thought, a slight smirk playing on his lips. He had long heard of the reputation of the top individual at the Heavenly Rain Meteorite Convention, but he never expected to meet him under such circumstances.

Being asked to risk his life alongside Shudao Mountain's forces right after meeting was, of course, not something he was keen on.

Yet, having been confronted in such a manner, did he truly have a choice?

What shocked him most at that moment was how Shi Chun had uncovered their hidden identities.

For Shi Chun to confront them so directly, he certainly wasn't bluffing.

Not only him, but his four companions also grew serious, clearly understanding the implications of Shi Chun's words.

Xu Anchang's group also understood. Having already known Qianyan Sect's identity, anyone would grasp the meaning of such words being uttered in Qianyan Sect's presence in this situation. Shi Chun intended to join forces with another faction of the Demonic Path to attack Shudao Mountain.

Cornered in this manner, the other party likely had no option but to comply for their own self-preservation.

With the signal to act now given, the Four Cauldrons Sect quietly went on high alert.

The Mingshan Sect also caught on, realizing that the story about their sacred fire-seeking artifact being stolen was a fabrication. Hearing the current conversation, their hearts pounded, and they instinctively adopted a defensive posture.

Even the Shudao Mountain faction sensed that something was amiss in the cryptic exchange, and they, too, grew wary.

"Shi Chun, you'd better not try anything with me!" Gu Lianni snapped, her voice sharp.

"Shhh... *clap, clap!*"

Suddenly, Gong Shixi let out a piercing whistle through an enchantment, then clapped his hands forcefully.

Immediately, people emerged from the ground both near and far. Following Gong Shixi's hand gestures, a group of twenty individuals remarkably formed a besieging formation against Shudao Mountain's fifty-odd members.

Shudao Mountain's forces swiftly adjusted, some turning to face the new threat, while others maintained their encirclement of Shi Chun's group.

*Swish!* Shi Chun drew his saber.

This was the signal. Wu Jinliang brought out his large saber, the nervous Mingshan Sect members also displayed their weapons, and the Four Cauldrons Sect naturally followed suit.

Seeing no more individuals emerge, Gu Lianni felt somewhat relieved, yet a sense of unease lingered. For twenty people to dare counter-surround them, especially facing Shudao Mountain — what ordinary artifact-forging sect would possess such audacity? This level of courage was certainly uncommon.

At the same time, there was a hint of disdain, a mix of annoyance and amusement. With only about thirty people in total, where did they find the courage to clash head-on with fifty-odd?

Still, it was genuinely surprising. She hadn't expected Shi Chun could, with just a few words, rally an entire sect's forces to fight so desperately against them. This was truly unforeseen; even her Shudao Mountain would find it difficult to command such obedience from other sects.

It was precisely because of this that she hadn't anticipated such a move from their opponents.

What truly infuriated her was that the other party had deceived her yet again. She was angry at herself for falling for their lies, despite having clearly told herself not to believe a single word they uttered.

She sneered repeatedly, "Shi Chun, it seems you are truly determined to court death!"

Shi Chun retorted, "Do you believe your fifty-odd people hold an advantage over our thirty-odd? Do you think simply possessing powerful artifacts gives you the upper hand?"

He then turned his head slightly to Xu Anchang and said, "Brother Xu, things have come to this; we can no longer hold back. Bring out your artifact and let Shudao Mountain witness its power."

Xu Anchang shot him a sideways glance, cursing under his breath. This fellow was actually trying to order him around.

However, at this juncture, it was unwise to openly display discord. Moreover, given Shudao Mountain's defiant stance, failing to demonstrate their strength would make it impossible to deter them.

Thus, he could only slap his Qiankun pouch, pulling out a black banner. He thrust it into the ground; its fabric was a profound, deep black, and as it swayed gently, it shimmered with the luster of rippling water.

Everyone's gaze immediately fell upon the banner, unsure of what kind of treasure it was, but certain that anything produced at such a critical moment must be extraordinary.

Shi Chun himself didn't know what kind of treasure it was, but he pointed first at Xu Anchang, then at Gong Shixi. "Gu Lianni," he declared, "don't be so dismissive. You can pick either of these two for a one-on-one fight; I guarantee they are both stronger than you. If a true battle breaks out between our two sides, even if yours manages to win, few of you would survive. Perhaps none of you would leave alive!"

"You've repeatedly tricked me and even killed my Shudao Mountain disciples!" Gu Lianni shrieked. "Even if it means a pyrrhic victory, I will never let you go!"

"Didn't *you* lie to me?" Shi Chun loudly retorted. "Do you truly think we're fools? The Lock-Essence Array artifacts clearly disintegrated into nothingness in the ice plains; how could they possibly be so easy to find? If you have the ability, bring out the remaining Lock-Essence Array artifacts and show them to me! If you can, we will immediately surrender!"

These words truly struck a nerve, making Gu Lianni's face flush then pale with acute embarrassment.

It wasn't just her; the expressions of the Shudao Mountain members also betrayed their guilt. Wu Jinliang chuckled, his saber resting on his shoulder, and the mouth of the gourd on his back already open, poised for action.

Gu Lianni retorted with forced bravado, "If there was any deceit, *you* deceived me first! If you don't hand over what you took today, don't even dream of leaving here alive!"

"Stop trying to scare me!" Shi Chun scoffed, waving his hand dismissively. "What is the true purpose of every sect coming here? It's all for the divine fire; that's the ultimate goal. As long as enough divine fire can be obtained, which sect isn't prepared to pay the price? I don't believe you, Gu Lianni, can act so recklessly!" He then gestured towards the combined forces of their three sects. "You have no idea of our true strength. I'm betting today that you won't dare to make a move!"

Gu Lianni's face was contorted with fury. Before she could even speak, Pang Hou, beside himself with rage, burst out, "You dog thief..."

"You shut up!" Shi Chun cut him off sharply, waving a finger at the Shudao Mountain group. "You imbeciles! If you hadn't pushed me to my breaking point, I wouldn't have resorted to such drastic measures! Unless I demonstrate some strength, there's clearly no way to have a proper discussion with you.

I've told you repeatedly that it was a misunderstanding, yet you stubbornly refuse to listen, refusing to believe a single damn word. You wouldn't even give me a chance to explain properly; speak one more word, and you start clamoring for a fight.

I ask you, are your brains addled? We already reached a cooperation agreement in the ice plains, and you had already agreed to the final concessions. Why would I deceive you? Unless I was certain I could eliminate every one of you, wouldn't the plan at the exit point be utterly ruined?

And consider this: if I had known that ice pillar concealed something terrifying, would I have dared to touch it? I was the very first person to hack at it with my saber!

I knew perfectly well that you had discovered my 'lure the tiger from its mountain' tactic, yet I still continued with that very act at the exit. Why? Was it so you could come and capture me?

When I saw you appear, did I attempt to flee? No! I was waiting for you, wanting to clarify the misunderstanding and continue our previous cooperation. But you behaved like rabid dogs, refusing to listen to any explanation whatsoever.

I had no other choice. I had to lead you here, and only by demonstrating this opposing strength could I force you to calm down and listen.

My sole purpose is to give you an opportunity to prove that it was a misunderstanding. This is because I wish to continue our previous cooperation, because we fundamentally have no grievances, and because I want to demonstrate that the misunderstanding was a result of your own impulsiveness.

Now, I will send one of my people away. All you need to do is send a trustworthy individual to accompany them, allowing your person to see and personally verify whether the evidence I provide proves that you misunderstood me.

If it cannot be proven, if it fails to convince you, then it will not be too late for us to begin hostilities. However, if it proves to be a misunderstanding caused by your rash judgment, then you must apologize to me — not based on anything else, but on the venomous oath you, Gu Lianni, swore!"

Without giving anyone a chance to breathe, Shi Chun, after his rapid-fire declaration, turned his head and said, "Jinliang, you go personally and show their representative."

"Alright," Wu Jinliang chuckled.

Shi Chun then lifted his chin towards Gu Lianni. "Hurry up, send someone out. Who will go to verify?"

After his rapid-fire speech, the Shudao Mountain faction was still processing, still trying to untangle the logic of his words, and Gu Lianni's face still showed clear signs of doubt.

After a brief pause, Shi Chun grew impatient. "Stop trying to act profound with me!" he snapped. "I told you, our forces are arrayed right here, and that is our confidence. You have no idea of our true strength, so you dare not make a rash move. The way to minimize your losses is to send someone to go with my man and see for themselves. What, has Shudao Mountain become effeminate under a woman's leadership? Is there no man with courage among you to step forward?"

Wu Jinliang let out another chuckle.

Pang Hou disliked those words, and declared loudly, "Martial Uncle, I will go with him to see."

Gu Lianni subconsciously glanced at Yuan Yao. Seeing his hesitation, she took a deep breath and said, "Alright, be careful."

Shi Chun immediately tilted his head, gesturing to Wu Jinliang.

Wu Jinliang immediately leaped into the air, riding the Wind Scales as he departed.

Since the arrangement had been made, no one from Shudao Mountain attempted to stop him, allowing him to leave freely.

Pang Hou, gathering his courage, also darted after him. Accompanying that large man required a certain bravery, as his fellow disciples had mentioned that the man was a highly skilled individual who kept his abilities hidden.

Gong Shixi, who had observed the entire spectacle, didn't grasp the precise meaning of everything, but he understood the general situation. It dawned on him that his Qianyan Sect had simply stumbled into an unforeseen calamity, now serving as mere cannon fodder to bolster the presence of some inexplicable group. Why should they?

Yet, non-cooperation was not an option. The other party knew their secrets, and once those were exposed, any thought of divine fire would become irrelevant. They would certainly be unable to pass through the exit, nor would they dare to even attempt it, almost certainly doomed to be trapped and perish in the Divine Fire Domain.

Still, they couldn't simply play the fool. Gong Shixi was compelled to speak up: "Brother Shi Chun, what exactly is the meaning of all this?"

Shi Chun, holding his saber downwards, cupped his hand towards Gong Shixi. "Brother Gong, please wait. Once our man returns, I will naturally provide you with a satisfactory explanation."

Gong Shixi seemed about to speak but then hesitated. He was separated from Shi Chun by the Shudao Mountain forces, making a private conversation impossible. It was clear that the Shudao Mountain members would not easily allow Shi Chun to escape their encirclement, and some topics between them were not meant for others to hear.

Listening in, it became clear that the Shudao Mountain faction was still unaware of the connection to the Demonic Path; otherwise, it would have escalated into a deadly battle long ago, not this tense standoff.