Chapter 301: Strange Stone

Seeing the other person remained cautious, Shi Chun rolled his eyes. "Why do you always have preconceived notions about me? How could I deceive you? You absorbed a divine fire, and I absorbed one. It's genuine divine fire you've absorbed into your body; I can't just dig it out, can I?"

Gu Lianni considered it and agreed to the arrangement.

So, they immediately produced writing materials and each composed a letter.

Shi Chun finished first and crafted a simple stone 'lock' by hollowing out a palm-sized stone. He inserted the letter through a small opening, then sealed it, adding a mark understood only by him and Wu Jinliang. Afterward, he summoned Chu Jingting and Chen Wuji.

Handing the letter to Chu Jingting, he instructed them, "The two of you are to go to the exit. Try to avoid the gaze of the ten elders stationed there and deliver this letter to Wu Jinliang. Once Wu Jinliang has read it, you may read it yourselves, but you must not open or peek at it on the way; it has a special mark."

Sending two people to deliver one letter was a precaution. If anything unexpected happened, at least one person might escape to report back, preventing them from being completely unaware. With sufficient personnel, prioritizing stability was only natural. Otherwise, what was the point of bringing so many people along if they weren't going to be put to use?

"Understood," Chu Jingting and Chen Wuji replied. Before departing, they glanced at Gu Lianni, who was nearby, still contemplating with her pen, seemingly racking her brain.

Shortly after they left, a visibly relieved Gu Lianni put down her pen, picked up her letter, and handed it to Shi Chun. "Hey, is this acceptable?" she asked.

"It's not entirely... unsuitable," Shi Chun muttered, scrutinizing the letter. He found it difficult to comment; the writing seemed hesitant, perhaps overly cautious, not quite fitting for a matter of such importance. He looked up and asked, "Is this how you usually write to your elders?"

Gu Lianni replied helplessly, "Why would I write to an elder for no reason? I've never written a letter to an elder before."

"Alright," Shi Chun said, crumpling the letter into dust. He walked to the writing desk and began rewriting, explaining, "Just be simple and direct; state the facts clearly. An elder is an elder, and a matter is a matter. There's no need for endless hesitation or explanations, nor do you need to worry about their reaction. Your elders are intelligent; if you explain it clearly, they'll know exactly what to do."

He finished writing quickly and handed the letter to Gu Lianni.

Gu Lianni read it and had to admit it was far simpler, more direct, and clearer. Yet, she still remarked disdainfully, "Your handwriting is truly awful. Just as I'd expect from someone from the land of exile..."

Despite her words, she retrieved a jade slip and transcribed the letter's contents into it.

There was no alternative. Unlike with Wu Jinliang, Elder Jin couldn't openly read a paper letter among the other elders, as paper wasn't convenient for discreet magical scanning.

Afterward, Gu Lianni diligently searched the surrounding mountains, determined to find a somewhat presentable gift for her Elder Jin.

After observing for a while, Shi Chun couldn't help but scratch his head, thinking, "My dear girl, we still have pressing matters to handle."

Eventually, he couldn't take it anymore. He flew out and personally offered to help, casually picking up a medium-sized red stone. "Here," he called out, "I found it!"

Gu Lianni heard him and quickly flew over, her face full of curiosity. "Let me see," she said, "what kind is it?"

Shi Chun presented it with both hands. "See? It's quite good."

Gu Lianni took one look and was dumbfounded. She instinctively glanced at her feet; it was just an ordinary stone, found everywhere on the ground. Her mouth twitched as she said, "You're truly just trying to fool me, aren't you? You probably didn't even bother to choose; you just picked this up randomly. The elders from the various sects are watching. How can you possibly present this as a gift? Do you honestly think they're fools?"

Shi Chun countered, "Aren't you worrying a bit too much? Are you genuinely treating this as a proper gift for your elder? What if the other elders see it? Who knows what your elder truly likes? If you claim your elder has a fondness for this, outsiders can only believe you; there's no way to verify it. The 'trick' is already set; what can they do even if they figure it out? Are you afraid they'll go out and verify it later? Listen to me, my dear girl. Just give something simple and unassuming, say, 'Elder, you like this,' and don't say anything else. Your elder will immediately understand there's a hidden meaning in this gift. Also, aren't you afraid they'll take the divine fire away if you keep dragging this out? Just quickly make a base and hide the jade slip inside."

It seemed quite reasonable, and Gu Lianni hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that the chosen gift was perhaps a bit too crude.

Shi Chun couldn't be bothered arguing with her and decided to take matters into his own hands. He turned and squatted on the ground, placing the stone down. He then drew his dagger and, with a series of quick cuts, carved a base from another rock. He repeatedly fitted and refined both pieces until they matched perfectly. Putting away his dagger, he picked up the completed stone set and practically dumped it into Gu Lianni's arms.

He then picked up the stone again and gestured toward the base's hollowed slot. "Alright," he said, "just put the jade slip in there."

Gu Lianni sighed and finally retrieved the jade slip, placing it inside. Shi Chun immediately put the top stone back on, securing it.

With the matter settled, they each gathered their respective groups. Gu Lianni still needed to prepare; at the very least, she had to brief Yuan Yao and the others again.

Shi Chun, on his part, had little to prepare. The Four Cauldrons Sect had returned to the Iron Forest to search for divine fire at their leisure. He could use them as he pleased or disregard them if he wished. While the Bright Mountain Sect had a sect leader, the leader effectively deferred to him, making Shi Chun the ultimate authority. To some extent, he had now consolidated all forces under his command.

Soon, both groups departed together...

Near the exit, Chu Jingting and Chen Wuji located the hiding spot of Wu Jinliang and his companions.

Wu Jinliang, having heard the summons, slid down from the passage above. Seeing the two, he chuckled, "Hey, what brings you here? Is something wrong?"

He presumed Shi Chun had sent them with instructions, which made him wonder why he hadn't been informed directly beforehand, requiring these two to make a special trip.

Chu Jingting immediately handed him the stone. "It's a letter from the boss."

Upon receiving the stone, Wu Jinliang immediately examined its surface for marks. This action caused Chu Jingting and Chen Wuji to exchange glances, confirming that the boss hadn't misled them; he had indeed placed a secret mark.

After confirming the stone hadn't been secretly opened, Wu Jinliang used a spell to examine its contents. Discovering paper inside, he promptly crushed the stone, *crack*, pulled out the paper, and unfolded it to read. He recognized Shi Chun's distinct handwriting immediately; everyone's penmanship was quite unique.

After reading the letter, he understood why Shi Chun hadn't informed him earlier: Xiao Sheng and Wu Hong hadn't yet returned with new information about the divine fire. The timing for executing this phase of the plan was uncertain, and other tasks might have needed completion first.

After a moment of thought, he told them, "The boss said they've already moved from their original location. He wants you to stay here for now, and when Gu Lianni and her group arrive, you'll leave with them."

As he spoke, he handed them the letter. Lao Changtai also leaned in to read, while Fang Zicheng remained above, observing, not yet descending.

The contents left them somewhat bewildered, a mix of comprehension and profound doubt.

Just then, Fang Zicheng's voice suddenly echoed from the passage above, "Someone's coming! It looks like people from the Qianyan Sect are here again."

Wu Jinliang immediately snatched the letter, crumpled it into ashes, and swiftly moved to the cave entrance to discreetly observe outside.

On the highest peak of the mountain range, the ten elders meditating cross-legged watched as two blue-clad figures descended, each holding a divine fire. Their expressions darkened. It was these two again, whom they had encountered before, and now they had returned.

What's going on? Are they going to appear even more frequently than the Bright Mountain Sect disciples?

The ten elders then glanced at the pursuing disciples in the air, from an unknown sect, who all looked furious but dared not speak.

According to the rules, the ten elders watched with detached expressions, neither speaking nor intervening. However, they all vaguely sensed that the Divine Fire Alliance in this realm seemed to be operating unusually.

The elders who had been stationed here in previous years were primarily from their own sects, and they had never heard of such a situation occurring.

There was nothing to be done. The group in the air eventually had to depart, vanishing from everyone's sight.

However, they did not disappear from Wu Jinliang's sight. He pursued them.

Once he was far enough to avoid detection from the main peak, he once again cast a spell and shouted, "Please, gentlemen, slow down, stay your steps..."

After the frustrated individuals halted, Wu Jinliang approached, introduced himself, and offered greetings. The process was identical to last time, except that his accomplice was different this time; he had brought Fang Zicheng to gain practical experience.

This was typical of how Dong Jiuyuan trained new recruits.

Indeed, some experiences needed to be directly taught and passed on. Only through personal experience and feeling the effects firsthand could one become proficient and natural in their application.

The results were positive; they successfully obtained new divine fire location clues.

After bidding farewell to the disgruntled group, Wu Jinliang didn't rush to find Shi Chun this time. Instead, he returned to the previous cave to wait.

He knew rushing was futile. Shi Chun's letter had explicitly stated that they had left their original position, implying no trail was left, making it impossible to find them. He could only wait passively...

In a land of towering cliffs and flowing magma, two figures soared from the molten rock. One was a masked man with his head and face covered, holding a ball of fiery red flame. Accompanying him was a disheveled woman. As the crimson light appeared, it stood out strikingly, even within the already fiery red environment.

Among the search parties scattered throughout the area, someone immediately spotted them.

"Divine fire! It's the divine fire!" someone shouted.

"Someone stole our divine fire!" another roared.

*Boom boom*, someone struck the mountain to sound an alarm, rousing the nearby personnel who then launched into the air in pursuit.

Fleeing swiftly on wind scales, the disheveled woman frequently glanced back; it was indeed Gu Lianni, in disguise.

The masked man beside her was Tong Mingshan. They concealed their appearances to avoid being recognized, neither by their pursuers nor by the elders at the exit.

Initially, Shi Chun hadn't planned to deploy his own people, intending for Gu Lianni to tempt others by carrying the divine fire herself. However, considering the magma environment, he thought it might be more reliable to have Tong Mingshan's Crimson Flame attract attention.

If conditions aren't ideal, one adapts; if they are, it's naturally better to proceed cautiously.

Gu Lianni, however, was indifferent. She reasoned, if she could be possessed enough to chase a Crimson Flame in the ice plains, wouldn't it be perfectly normal to pursue an Ice Flame in this magma region? Who could claim absolute certainty about anything within the Divine Fire Domain?

On the other hand, after the role reversal, she found the sensation of being chased, of playing the thief, quite exhilarating. Her spirits soared, and her face lit up.

Meanwhile, in the now-empty, cliff-filled area, another group descended: disciples from Shu Dao Mountain and the Bright Mountain Sect appeared.

The Bright Mountain Sect disciples were unfazed; they had long been accustomed to this tactic.

The Shu Dao Mountain disciples, however, felt distinctly different. This was also the sensation of a role reversal, especially since the very people who had previously tricked them were now their accomplices. Still, there was no denying that playing the 'bad guy' felt uniquely stimulating.

With a command from their respective leaders, both groups immediately fanned out to search.

With no one else nearby, Yuan Yao and Pang Hou exchanged glances, then turned to Shi Chun. "Now it's all up to you," Yuan Yao said.

Before Gu Lianni departed, she had informed these two about Shi Chun's secret art and entrusted them with the task of using the Soul-Locking Array to help Shi Chun capture divine fire.

Naturally, this secret was not to be widely disseminated; they were informed because they were trustworthy.

Shi Chun surveyed his surroundings, then lit an incense stick. He murmured to the two, "You wait here. I'll scout ahead."

The two acknowledged him, their eyes fixed on the incense stick in Shi Chun's hand, as if trying to discern something extraordinary from it. Gu Lianni's description had simply been too miraculous.

Shi Chun then soared into the air on his wind scales, activating his right eye's special ability to scan the surroundings.

It didn't take long before he discovered something unusual beneath a patch of magma. After pinpointing its location, Shi Chun returned, led Yuan Yao and the other person there, and indicated the precise spot and approximate depth.

Yuan Yao immediately summoned twelve Shu Dao Mountain disciples. He handed each of them one of the twelve iron pagodas, instructing them to descend into the magma together. Pang Hou followed.

When Pang Hou re-emerged from the magma and called out that it was done, Yuan Yao immediately activated the compass in his hand.

The Soul-Locking Array quickly locked onto a small area, leaving the anomaly underground with virtually no room to evade or maneuver. The Shu Dao Mountain disciples proved fierce indeed; after a brief rumble beneath the magma, the task was complete.

When Pang Hou re-emerged from the magma, he was already holding a fiery red flame, identical to the one Tong Mingshan carried.

Pang Hou was both excited and slightly resentful in his gaze towards Shi Chun. According to their previously agreed-upon distribution, not only this flame but also the next two were to go to the Bright Mountain Sect's group, before they reverted to the usual "one for you, one for me" allocation.

Shi Chun understood and smiled subtly.

Yuan Yao was also very excited, having personally experienced the striking efficiency of their joint operation. Finding divine fire had become incredibly easy, almost beyond imagination. If this continued, would they ever need to worry about locating divine fire again?

Naturally, he also desired this divine fire, but he no longer cared if this specific one went to Shi Chun. He now felt that this collaboration was entirely worthwhile and was relieved that Shi Chun had remained firm in his resolve to work with them.

Only then did he truly believe that Shi Chun's earlier claims of cooperation were not a deception; the ice dragon incident truly was an accident.

He felt that Shu Dao Mountain was poised for an unprecedented harvest this time.

Yuan Yao's compass spun as he deactivated the Soul-Locking Array. Once all twelve disciples who had set up the formation beneath the magma returned with their magical artifacts, a genuine smile appeared on his face for Shi Chun for the first time. "Brother Chun," he said, "this place is not suitable for a long stay. Let's proceed to the next location and try to clear out the next spot before my martial uncle finds us."

Shi Chun nodded, a faint smile on his face. "Alright."

He made no mention of asking the other party to hand over the divine fire.

However, when they paused to rest and confirm their direction, he seized the opportunity to whisper to Pang Hou, "I know you desire this divine fire... It's peculiar, but among all the disciples of Shu Dao Mountain, only Brother Pang gives me a feeling of instant kinship. For Brother Pang's sake, we can postpone our claim on this divine fire that is due to us and let Shu Dao Mountain have it first."

Pang Hou's eyes suddenly lit up, and his hand couldn't help but tremble. The clod of earth he was holding felt as if it might crack.

Shi Chun added, "While I've shown Brother Pang respect, whether Shu Dao Mountain will actually give you this divine fire is not something I can decide."

At these words, Pang Hou deflated slightly again and pleaded in a low voice, "My martial uncle has returned. Could you perhaps specify that it's meant for me?"

Shi Chun shook his head. "There's no such clause in our cooperation agreement. I don't interfere with your sect's internal affairs, and you shouldn't interfere with ours. Otherwise, you might damage your own harmony later and then accuse me of stirring up trouble. That woman Gu Lianni already holds a deep prejudice against me."

In front of Pang Hou, he spoke disrespectfully of Gu Lianni.

Pang Hou merely let out a soft sigh.

The group rested for a while. After the scouts returned and indicated the direction, everyone set off again together...

On the highest peak of the mountain range near the exit, the ten elders meditating cross-legged beneath the Great Pestle suddenly opened their eyes one after another and turned to look. They saw two more figures descending from the sky, each holding a divine fire.

Again? The previous group hadn't departed that long ago, had they?

What is this? Is everyone starting to play this game? What do they think this place is?

The ten elders' faces were all grim. Some had flashes of anger in their eyes, even appearing on the verge of an outburst.

The one most inclined to lash out was none other than Elder Jin Guiqi of Shu Dao Mountain. The reason for his impatience was that his own Shu Dao Mountain disciples had already fallen victim to this very trick. While others could enjoy the spectacle, he was repeatedly having his wounds reopened, essentially being provoked over and over again.

One shouldn't provoke people in such a manner.

Just as he was about to reprimand the newcomers, he noticed that one of the figures, with long, flowing hair, was a woman. Female participants were quite rare in these gatherings, and she even looked somewhat familiar.

Once they landed, he fixed his gaze on them, his mouth slightly agape and speechless. He was all too familiar with this disheveled woman: it was Gu Lianni, the daughter of their Shu Dao Mountain sect leader.

What on earth? Elder Jin Guiqi's eyes widened in bewilderment. He then looked at the masked figure beside Gu Lianni, who held the crimson divine fire, and a look of stunned uncertainty began to creep into his gaze. So, our Shu Dao Mountain has also started playing this game?

They learned quickly!

If that were the case, then condemnation would be difficult. It made no sense to sabotage one's own efforts.

When he was a disciple, he had participated in the Divine Fire Alliance and deeply understood the immense difficulty disciples faced scrambling and competing here. As an elder, even if he couldn't offer much help, he certainly couldn't hinder his own disciples. The sect hadn't sent him here to play such a role.

The surge of anger he had felt immediately vanished without a trace.

Unable to discern any expression on Gu Lianni's face, he then scrutinized the person beside her. "Who is this? Which disciple is so heavily masked? You might as well block the two holes for your eyes too."

He didn't understand what there was to be afraid of. He had seen several such groups before, and no other sect was as timid as Shu Dao Mountain; even Gu Lianni was in disguise, causing him to almost not recognize her.

Feeling that it slightly diminished Shu Dao Mountain's prestige, he was a little displeased.

Of course, overall he was still pleased. What did that fiery red divine fire signify? It indicated that Shu Dao Mountain disciples had already found divine fire.

The divine fire found by Shu Dao Mountain on this trip was prioritized for Gu Lianni. Now that even the disciple next to her possessed divine fire, it was clear Gu Lianni had acquired one as well.

This meant their harvest was considerable!

He stroked his beard. He had been somewhat worried about letting this girl lead the team, but now it seemed she was performing better than he had anticipated.

He then cast a sideways glance at the furious pursuers in the air, his eyebrow slightly raised. In this situation, he was even less likely to permit anyone to engage in combat here. If anyone dared to cause trouble, he wouldn't hesitate to personally teach them a lesson!

In such circumstances, he would certainly back his own people.

The other elders were also scrutinizing Gu Lianni. They could barely recognize all the disciples from their own sects, let alone those from Shu Dao Mountain. However, they had an impression of the Shu Dao Mountain sect leader's daughter; some had even seen her multiple times.

Their thoughts were a bit simpler and more direct than Elder Jin Guiqi's: This girl seems to have gained experience from being deceived and has started playing the same trick. It looks like quite a harvest; even her companion has divine fire, so Shu Dao Mountain must have acquired at least two divine fires, right?

One by one, their eyes held an unreadable mix of admiration, envy, confusion, and worry. It hadn't been long since they entered, yet Shu Dao Mountain had already secured at least two divine fires, which was astonishingly fast.

The group in the air, eager to rush down and seize the fire, waited impatiently for a while. Their frustration was futile; they couldn't afford to waste their limited time here. In the end, they could only depart resentfully.

Once they had all vanished, Gu Lianni formally bowed and greeted, "Disciple greets Elder Jin."

She then bowed to the other elders, saying, "Gu Lianni greets all of you, esteemed elders."

Tong Mingshan remained silent, merely nodding and bowing. He had visited the elders more than once or twice, and he worried that if he showed his face again, he might be beaten. It was better to remain discreet and low-key.

In the past, he would never have dreamed of doing something so audacious. Daring to trick a group of elders from major artifact-refining sects, who were figures even the Hundred Refinements Sect Leader wouldn't dare offend, was truly insane.

One elder slowly remarked, "Young Gu, you've learned some mischievous ways."

Jin Guiqi immediately interjected, "I'm not being partial to my own sect's disciples. If other sects are allowed to do it and we haven't intervened, then naturally, we treat everyone equally."

The other elders either snorted or offered ambiguous smiles.

Jin Guiqi's gaze fell on Tong Mingshan, and he was about to ask who he was, but Gu Lianni's next action caught his attention. He watched as she produced a red stone with a base. What was she planning?

Gu Lianni quickly made her way to the mountaintop, knelt on one knee, and respectfully presented the decorative stone with both hands. "Disciple knows Elder has a fondness for such items," she said, "so upon encountering this unique stone, I promptly collected it. As I was passing through, I brought it along as a small token of my regard. I hope Elder won't despise it."

Jin Guiqi's eyelids twitched several times.

The other elders' gazes also settled on the stone.

An elder exclaimed, "Oh? Jin Guiqi, you have such a hobby?"

Another person reached out, saying, "Come, let me see what's so unique about this stone."

"A bunch of uncultured boors who can't appreciate fine things; don't ruin it."

Jin Guiqi barked, snatching the item and holding it firmly, making it clear he wouldn't let anyone else see it.

It was impossible to let others see it, for he knew very well that as an artifact refiner who had melted countless stones, he had absolutely no sentimental attachment to any "unique stones," let alone a hobby for them.

This girl suddenly fabricating such a peculiar hobby for him certainly wasn't without purpose.

Such a subtle hint indicated that this stone surely held a secret. Whatever information this girl was trying to convey to him, he naturally had to accept it quickly.

Pressing his hand on it and casting a brief investigative spell, he immediately detected something else inside the base. Indeed, there was a hidden meaning.

The other elders, however, scoffed. They truly disdained the idea of treating a mere stone as a treasure, and it was the first time they had learned of Jin Guiqi's supposed hobby.

On another peak, Wu Jinliang, observing from a hole, vaguely witnessed the gift exchange. He suddenly realized something and couldn't help but let out a strange cry, "Damn it, that woman is Gu Lianni! Why would she change her disguise like that? I almost didn't recognize her!"

He immediately turned and called out to Chu Jingting and Chen Wuji, "You two, they're here! Get ready. We'll catch up to them later and then go find the boss."

On the peak, Jin Guiqi, still meditating cross-legged, patted the stone he held, signaling to Gu Lianni that he understood.

"Elder, this disciple still has matters to attend to, so I will take my leave."

As Gu Lianni stood up, bowed, and took a few steps back to bid farewell, her hand movement shifted, and she presented a faint silver-blue flame on her open palm.

Performing this just before leaving had no other purpose than to show off, specifically to Elder Jin. Shi Chun had also repeatedly instructed her to do this, saying it was to give Elder Jin a clear account.

They had indeed acquired divine fire! Jin Guiqi's eyebrow twitched slightly.

He unconsciously stroked his beard, his eyes crinkling in a smile, and his gaze towards the girl before him was filled with undisguised admiration. With his other hand, he unconsciously caressed the newly acquired stone. He realized he had truly underestimated this girl; she was no mere pampered "canary." She simply hadn't been given the opportunity before, but now, released from her cage, she was soaring. Remarkable, truly remarkable; indeed, a dragon begets a dragon, and a phoenix begets a phoenix. Just consider the cunning way she presented this "unique stone" — her method was wildly audacious, daring to openly treat the elders of various sects as blind. She truly had the courage to conceive and execute such a plan. Shu Dao Mountain now has a worthy successor!