Chapter 327: Scold and Run Away

Seeing the Extreme Fire Sect's reaction, the hesitant sects felt a surge of excitement and immediately followed suit.

They had been following all along precisely for this reason. When major sects clashed, that was their opportunity. Otherwise, they knew they would never find the Divine Fire on their own, even if they died trying. They had learned this well from their initial experiences.

Although they knew this was extremely dangerous, the allure of the Divine Fire was simply too great for them, as artifact refiners.

Naturally, seeing the path lead deeper into the forbidden zone, the groups remained quite anxious. However, witnessing the Extreme Fire Sect's fearlessness, they clung to the hope that a taller figure would bear the brunt if disaster struck. Desire, like a demon, seemed to manifest as a multitude of demonic eyes in the starry night sky, gazing down upon all beings, their flickering light appearing to mock them.

You Mu, piloting a Wind Scale behind them, turned worriedly to Xu Anchang beside him. 'The dangers of the forbidden zone are no mere rumors,' he said. 'Diving in so deeply like this, we're bound to run into trouble sooner or later.'

Xu Anchang glanced back at his fellow disciples behind them and replied, 'Do we have a choice?'

You Mu understood his meaning. With Tong Mingshan now holding hope of victory, failing to assist would be impossible to explain to their superiors. Unless they silenced their current allies and also eliminated Shi Chun and his group, the consequences from the Demonic Path would undoubtedly be far more dreadful than anything in the forbidden zone. They would surely regret ever being born.

The crucial point was that silencing everyone was impossible. Too many people now knew of Shi Chun's group's potential for victory. The various factions lurking around had all come at the scent of this opportunity. Could they really eliminate everyone?

Therefore, they had no choice.

The Extreme Fire Sect, who were in close pursuit, were also quite worried. Gazing at the vibrant starry sky, then at the shadowy land below, Wu Xiao felt compelled to voice his concern. 'Brother Yin,' he said, 'they are heading deeper into the forbidden zone. The sect has always warned that the deeper one goes, the more dangerous it becomes.'

Black Tiger interjected, 'Are we afraid of danger, but Shi Chun and his group are not? Why aren't they afraid? It only further proves my judgment: that woman must understand the situation here; they have a certain level of confidence. As long as we stick close to them, there shouldn't be much of a problem.'

At this assertion, Wu Xiao's lips twitched slightly. He was half in agreement, half in disagreement. Who said that if the woman understood the situation here, sticking close to them would guarantee their safety? They could easily use the dangers of this place against us.

He glanced at Yin Tianlu, who showed no reaction, and so he cautioned again. 'If that woman is a fire spirit, she might be one of the terrifying entities in this place. We don't know her cultivation level; rushing in blindly would be courting death, wouldn't it?'

Yin Tianlu replied, 'This woman's cultivation level can't be very high.'

Wu Xiao was surprised. 'How can you tell?'

Yin Tianlu: 'Someone who can hug and kiss Shi Chun—how strong could she possibly be? The artifacts we possess are more than sufficient to handle her.'

Could it really be interpreted like that? Wu Xiao was stunned, but on second thought, it seemed to make a certain amount of sense.

Meanwhile, Pang Hou, piloting the Wind Scale, frequently glanced back at Shi Chun and Zhen'er behind him. Gu Lianni and Wu Jinliang were also watching them intently.

'Head that way, a little to the side, yes, straight ahead.'

Shi Chun and Zhen'er walked hand in hand, while Zhen'er directed their flight path. It was clear she was extremely familiar with the area.

However, Gu Lianni and her group's understanding of this situation differed from that of the Extreme Fire Sect's leaders. They had no idea about Zhen'er's true identity, still believing her to be a disciple from some sect who had stumbled into the forbidden zone and miraculously survived.

Having traversed it once, a certain familiarity with the place was understandable. However, this woman clearly had something wrong with her mind. Shi Chun was actually having everyone follow her directions! If they didn't know Shi Chun wasn't someone to act without reason, they would truly wonder if it was the woman who was mentally unsound, or Shi Chun himself.

Of course, when they first set out, Shi Chun had said, 'I have a plan,' which was why everyone had listened to him and followed.

Now, this 'plan' seemed rather terrifying.

Glancing back, they vaguely saw the Extreme Fire Sect also pursuing them from a distance. They weren't sure if the sect was truly unwilling to let them go, as Shi Chun claimed, or if there was another reason.

In any case, the Shudao Mountain group felt that things had been fine until then. After the usually quiet Shi Chun suddenly intervened, things had taken an odd turn, leaving everyone utterly bewildered. The most baffling part was that everyone had inexplicably followed along without seeking clarification.

This feeling was unsettling; it felt as though their trust was being exploited.

Before Gu Lianni's group could turn their unease into a response, Zhen'er pointed diagonally towards the pitch-black ground beside Pang Hou. 'There's a cave opening; go through it.'

Pang Hou instinctively piloted his Wind Scale into a dive. The Shudao Mountain contingent and the Mingshan Sect group behind them swiftly followed suit.

Soon, a massive, pitch-black sinkhole gradually became clear in their view. The jagged rocks lining its rim exuded a menacing aura, interlocking like canine teeth, resembling a demonic lair.

The depths of the cave seemed to emanate a dangerous aura, especially in a forbidden zone like this. Gu Lianni had to be cautious and could not stand idly by while her fellow disciples' safety was at risk. She immediately cried out, 'Stop!'

Pang Hou naturally obeyed her. He swiftly guided the group to the edge of the sinkhole, retracted the Wind Scales, and his fellow disciples followed.

This halt allowed their pursuers to close in again. Most notably, the Extreme Fire Sect's group rapidly caught up.

Shi Chun, glancing back, felt a slight surge of anxiety. The distance they had painstakingly gained while the Extreme Fire Sect was caught off guard was now completely lost due to this delay.

However, he knew he couldn't blame Gu Lianni for this. If blame was to be cast, it was on himself for not explaining the situation clearly to Gu Lianni and her group.

But then again, as soon as he began to speak, Gu Lianni and her group would undoubtedly raise numerous questions and doubts. It wasn't something that could be cleared up in a few sentences. Moreover, he had discerned the Extreme Fire Sect's intention to make a move, and there was no time for explanations. He needed to find a nearby place to shake off their pursuers first.

The sinkhole directly below them was precisely the escape route Zhen'er had told him about.

The problem also lay in the word 'nearby'. The spot Zhen'er located was indeed very close; they reached it after only a brief flight, leaving him no time to explain the situation clearly to Gu Lianni and her group during the journey.

Personnel from the various factions moved aside to make way, yielding to the Extreme Fire Sect as they swept overhead.

Shi Chun, having anticipated the Extreme Fire Sect's intentions, felt an immediate sense of urgency. Now, there was even less time to explain things clearly to Gu Lianni and her group. He had previously warned them that the Extreme Fire Sect intended to make a move, but they had remained skeptical, unwilling to fully believe him. Now, he had even less chance to persuade them with a few words.

The Shudao Mountain sect's sense of superiority over the Extreme Fire Sect was not something he could easily dispel. To put it plainly, it was sheer arrogance.

The Extreme Fire Sect's willingness to participate in the Divine Fire Covenant at any cost meant the support provided to their participating disciples must be considerable. The very fact that the Extreme Fire Sect's group actively pressed towards the Shudao Mountain forces already revealed the situation. He also saw the Wangqing Valley group gathering close to the Extreme Fire Sect, the two sides appearing to be undefended against each other and huddling together, clearly having merged.

He had previously observed Wangqing Valley actively seeking out the Extreme Fire Sect. Although he didn't know how Wangqing Valley had managed to persuade the Extreme Fire Sect in such a short time, he felt he could already perceive the cold, mocking expression on Wu Shanshan's face.

Unable to explain clearly or persuade Gu Lianni's group at this moment, only decisive action could convey the truth.

Shi Chun made a snap decision, a Wind Scale materializing in his hand. He cursed, 'There's no reasoning with a bunch of idiots from Shudao Mountain! If you want to die, don't drag us into it. Mingshan Sect, follow me!'

Directly cursing was far more straightforward and forceful than roundabout explanations.

He hoped to shock these people into awareness. If they couldn't be jolted awake, then they would simply have to help cover their retreat. There was no other way; the Shudao Mountain group had brought this upon themselves.

When danger struck, he would certainly prioritize protecting his own people.

In the air, due to the close proximity of their flights, Wu Shanshan, who hadn't yet had a chance to discuss cooperation details, especially profit sharing, was just about to address Yin Tianlu. Yin Tianlu had already cast a spell and proclaimed loudly, 'Brother Chun, we agreed to cooperate! Why are you running? Are you perhaps not sincere in your co—'

His voice abruptly cut off, his eyes widening in shock. Shi Chun, utterly ignoring him and treating his words as nonsense, had simply pulled the woman beside him and plunged directly into the abyssal sinkhole.

Wu Jinliang, of course, needed no prompting; his trust in Shi Chun was absolute. Besides, Shi Chun had given such a clear signal. He immediately flashed forward and plunged after them. The Wind Scale unfurled in Shi Chun's hand, its rotating scales enveloping and absorbing him within.

Tong Mingshan and the others were momentarily stunned, but their first reaction was to leap down without hesitation. Two Wind Scales enveloped them, pursuing Shi Chun into the depths.

Xu Anchang and his group, watching from a distance, were somewhat dumbfounded. What should they do?

They didn't know what to do. Jumping down and following them now was clearly not an option.

What on earth? Gu Lianni and the others were also somewhat bewildered. Shi Chun's group had actually abandoned them and fled?

They had naturally heard Shi Chun's curses, and taken them to heart. Many quickly looked up again at the Extreme Fire Sect group in the air, all wondering, could the Extreme Fire Sect truly dare to make a move against their Shudao Mountain?

At the same time, they hesitated whether to follow the Mingshan Sect group and jump down.

Seeing Shi Chun and his group escape right before their eyes, Yin Tianlu, his expression shaken, immediately wanted to rally his forces for pursuit. However, the Shudao Mountain cultivators were standing guard at the edge of the sinkhole below, watching them intently. His Extreme Fire Sect was not yet arrogant enough to completely disregard Shudao Mountain.

They were effectively deterred by the Shudao Mountain group. If they wanted to pursue Shi Chun's group, they would certainly have to contend with Shudao Mountain first.

Meanwhile, Wu Shanshan cast a spell and shouted loudly from the side, 'Brother Yin, don't let them get away! Chase them quickly!'

She didn't believe she could help them achieve victory on her own, but she needed to at least appear to be doing her utmost.

Yin Tianlu shot her a cold side glance, thinking to himself, 'I'm not blind; I don't need you to spout such nonsense. If your Wangqing Valley has the capability, why don't you go down and chase them first!'

Wu Shanshan's shout effectively jolted the Shudao Mountain group into awareness. So Shi Chun had been right all along; these people from the Extreme Fire Sect truly had ill intentions!

Gu Lianni immediately pointed a finger skyward and sternly demanded, 'Yin Tianlu, what are you trying to do?'

Yin Tianlu retorted loudly, 'Gu Lianni, can't you see it yet? Shi Chun and his group ran off! Not only were we played, but you were tricked by them too.'

'Nonsense!' Gu Lianni was about to retort further, but Yuan Yao, standing beside her, whispered a reminder. 'Auntie, listen to Shi Chun. Let's go now; we might still be able to catch up to them.'

Yes, Gu Lianni acknowledged inwardly. All doubt vanished; she now knew Shi Chun had been right. She realized her group had been muddle-headed and slow-witted while Shi Chun, clear-headed, had already fled.

She also recognized her own mistake, that her delay had created this standoff.

It would be a lie to say she had no regrets.

Without further delay, and choosing the path of wisdom, she immediately waved her hand and shouted, 'Go!'

Leading the way, she leaped into the bottomless sinkhole. The Shudao Mountain group instantly flashed and plunged in after her. During their descent, they divided into groups of three to five, each within a Wind Scale, some piloting, others keeping watch.

Wu Shanshan was greatly startled upon seeing this. 'Brother Yin, aren't you going to—'

Without needing her instruction, Yin Tianlu had already waved his hand and shouted, 'Chase!'

He was somewhat surprised; he hadn't expected the second-ranked Shudao Mountain to flee when confronted by his fourth-ranked Extreme Fire Sect. This was hardly characteristic of the Shudao Mountain's proud sect leader's daughter.

As he led his followers into the abyss, he also issued a formal proclamation to the various factions, his voice echoing loudly. 'I understand the intentions of each faction. After this is done, there will be no excess. One Divine Fire per family, distributed according to merit, until all are given out. I swear upon the reputation of the Extreme Fire Sect!'

The figures had already vanished into the abyss, but their voices continued to reverberate from its depths.

He wasn't fooling anyone. If they truly succeeded, he would indeed have to distribute the Divine Fire to the various factions as promised, because his objective was no longer merely the Divine Fire. Now, his primary goal was to prevent Shi Chun's group from achieving victory.

If he truly intended to deceive them, he wouldn't have sworn upon his sect's reputation in public. Given the Extreme Fire Sect's prestige and standing, it would be difficult to break his word without being scorned by all.

It was precisely for this reason that the various surrounding factions responded with a resounding roar. They swiftly ascended and followed, their intent to offer assistance clearly evident.

Helping the Extreme Fire Sect defeat Shi Chun's group and then waiting for the sect to fulfill its promise was one option. Alternatively, forcing Shi Chun's group into a corner and then promising them rewards was also viable. This was the true benefit of major sects contending.

In short, the scenario that various factions had long anticipated finally materialized. They didn't expect to secure multiple Divine Fires. Obtaining even a single one, leveraging their sect's full strength on this expedition, would be sufficient.

An alliance instantly took shape. The various factions surged into the abyss, cheering loudly and bolstering their momentum. Xu Anchang's group from the Four Tripod Sect was also swept along with them.