Chapter 330: Suddenly Motivated Uncle Senior

The two landed directly beside Duan Xiangmei. The petite and delicate Duan Xiangmei had been continuously guarding the lamp formation, visibly concerned about Wu Jinliang's safety.

It wasn't only Xiang Lan'er and Feng Chi who were startled. The lamp formation, which had grown increasingly dull with only the assigned personnel remaining, suddenly saw a large crowd appear, as if a strong wind had scattered a multitude of leaves from an unknown source.

Soon, the crowd grew so dense that people were shoulder to shoulder. Even Young Master Nan emerged from an unknown place, observing with his hands clasped behind his back and his head held high.

While lamps weren't falling like rain, the continuous dropping of individual lamps was already alarming. The frequency of their descent was high, with multiple lamps sometimes falling at once.

Duan Xiangmei's gaze shifted from the lamp formation to Xiang Lan'er and Feng Chi. She asked with a hint of nervousness, "Our leader and the others will be alright, won't they?"

How could they be certain? Feng Chi could only offer reassurance, "The thirteen lamps of the Ming Mountain Sect are still burning steadily, so they should be fine."

Suddenly, someone nearby pointed at the lamp formation and exclaimed, "Look, look! A lamp from Summer Dao Mountain has fallen again."

Someone nearby responded, "The Blazing Fire Sect has lost far more; it's like a gust of wind, and nearly half of theirs are already gone."

Everyone's eyes searched the sky as if counting stars, and a cacophony of chattering discussions filled the air.

Young Master Nan, accompanied by several people, occasionally glanced at the Ming Mountain Sect's natal lamps.

The highest peak of Weapon Cloud Valley was also thronged with people. All the sect masters had rushed there upon hearing the news. Early arrivals found themselves pushed aside as smaller sects voluntarily made way, while the masters of the larger sects naturally positioned themselves at the highest and most central point.

Gradually, the continuous falling of the natal lamps seemed to subside.

"Heh..."

Among the grim-faced sect masters, Qu Wuming, the Sect Master of the Treasure Divination Sect, suddenly laughed aloud.

He saw a large number of the Blazing Fire Sect's natal lamps fall, while his own Treasure Divination Sect's lamps remained steady and unharmed. Witnessing Blazing Fire Sect Master Su Qiao's face, so grim it looked as though it might drip water, and realizing how many people the other had sent to their deaths, he truly couldn't contain his laughter.

Many sect masters understood the reason for his amusement. The Blazing Fire Sect had sent in hundreds of people at great cost, only for about fifty of them to die instantly. If only twenty had entered, the losses would not have been so severe. To suffer so many casualties and then hand over the 'Wilderness Shattering Blade' to someone else was indeed a complete joke.

The Blazing Fire Sect Master cast a cold glance at Qu Wuming, the Sect Master of the Treasure Divination Sect. He knew what the other was laughing about, but lacking evidence, he had to suppress his fury to avoid public humiliation.

The face of Gu Yanduo, the Master of Summer Dao Mountain, was also grim. Another ten natal lamps belonging to Summer Dao Mountain disciples had fallen. Knowing his daughter was inside, and unaware of the dangers she might have encountered, his distress was palpable.

Qu Wuming, never one to shy away from stirring up trouble, suddenly quipped, "Could it be that the disciples of Summer Dao Mountain and the Blazing Fire Sect are fighting over the divine flame?"

Luo Yan, the Sect Master of the Heaven Forging Sect, slowly stated, "That's unlikely. If two sects were fighting over a single divine flame, it wouldn't involve so many other sects simultaneously." He then turned his head and asked, "Xu Ao, have the casualty figures been compiled?"

"One moment," shouted the Sect Master of the Fire Parting Sect from behind the crowd, as he spoke with someone.

Soon after, he made his way through the crowd to the front and announced to everyone, "The natal lamps that fell during this recent period involved one hundred and fifteen sects, resulting in a total loss of one thousand three hundred and thirty-seven personnel."

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

Qu Wuming's tone also turned serious. "For so many to die or be injured at once, something must have happened. Could they have encountered some ancient monster inside?"

Luo Yan stroked his beard and mused, "Those who entered were scattered. Even if they encountered an ancient monster, it shouldn't have caused so many deaths simultaneously. Could they have entered the 'Forbidden Land of Ignorance'?"

At his words, many exchanged glances, and someone muttered, "I repeatedly instructed my disciples not to enter."

Another person added, "Don't underestimate the allure of the divine flame. Half the time has passed, and when people get desperate, anything can happen."

Standing behind Luo Yan, the slender Sima Gu lowered his head in contemplation. He was always a man of few words.

Those who wished to ask for his opinion hesitated, ultimately holding their tongues.

Gu Yanduo, the Master of Summer Dao Mountain, hesitated, "Even if a few daring individuals entered the forbidden land, it's inconceivable that a hundred sects would ignore the warnings and rush in, is it?"

Since his disciples had encountered trouble early, he had long contemplated this matter, making his words practical and reasonable. Many sect masters secretly nodded in agreement upon hearing him.

The Blazing Fire Sect Master Su Qiao stared at the lamp formation and said in a deep voice, "What exactly happened?"

Gu Yanduo immediately responded, "This year's Divine Flame Domain appears somewhat abnormal. My suggestion is to make an exception, reopen the passage, and send in a group of inspection personnel."

Since his Summer Dao Mountain disciples had encountered trouble early, and due to his concern for his daughter's safety, he had long wished to propose this. However, he knew other sects would certainly not agree, making it pointless to speak up, so he had held back until now.

Now, with so many sects involved, the situation was different. This was an opportunity. Only by understanding the circumstances could they effectively intervene. As a sect master, he naturally felt compelled to do everything possible to aid his disciples.

As expected, the Blazing Fire Sect Master Su Qiao immediately voiced his strong agreement, "Exactly. The situation in this year's Divine Flame Domain is indeed abnormal. We should send a group of inspection personnel to investigate."

Sect Master Qu of the Treasure Divination Sect scoffed, "What's so abnormal about sudden misfortune? I think what's truly abnormal is your Blazing Fire Sect. Sending so many people in all at once, perhaps the culprits behind the heavy casualties suffered by various sects are your own disciples."

Whether his words made sense or not, they certainly diverted some people's thoughts to a new line of inquiry. Could it truly be related to the Blazing Fire Sect?

Su Qiao immediately retorted with an angry glare, "Nonsense!"

Just as an insult was uttered and the two sides were on the verge of arguing, Master Gu of Summer Dao Mountain raised a hand to halt them. "If you want to argue, take it elsewhere. My intention is to send a group of people in merely to ascertain the situation inside, to supervise each other, and to refrain from interfering with any sect's disciples in their search for the divine flame."

Su Qiao immediately responded, "That makes sense."

"Exactly."

"I agree as well."

Other affected sects gradually voiced their agreement, all of them having been impacted by the recent falling of natal lamps.

Sect Master Qu of the Treasure Divination Sect scoffed. If people actually entered, whether they interfered or not would depend on the circumstances. He didn't believe these individuals were genuinely eager for the common good.

He glanced around and saw that the majority of people present did not agree with the proposal. He understood their stance, as unaffected sects naturally wished to maintain their advantage. He immediately looked at Luo Yan of the Heaven Forging Sect and called out, "Sect Master Luo, you are a reasonable person. Please offer your opinion."

Everyone's gaze immediately turned to Luo Yan.

After a brief deliberation, Luo Yan softly delivered his verdict: "Rules are rules and should not be easily altered. Let's observe for a while longer."

His words were masterful: he neither agreed nor refused, yet he upheld his own interests without burning bridges, leaving both disputing parties with nothing further to say.

Gu Yanduo and Su Qiao exchanged glances, both falling silent with grim expressions.

The crowd observing from the base of the mountain, seeing that the natal lamp array had stabilized once more, gradually dispersed after a prolonged period without further abnormalities.

Xiang Lan'er and Feng Chi, as they departed, did not call out to Duan Xiangmei, knowing it would be futile; she would not leave easily.

Even as a cultivator, Duan Xiangmei had grown considerably gaunt from enduring days and nights of constant waiting.

The betting area, however, became lively once more, with an increased number of people heading to the palatial ship-building on the sea.

Young Master Nan, observing from the coast, turned to look at the floating lamp formation once more. He sighed in relief upon seeing that Shi Chun's lamp remained steadily in place.

Soon, someone flew over and whispered a report to Young Master Nan, informing him of the discussions that had taken place among the sect masters on the mountain earlier.

After his report, the person raised a potential question: "Young Master, could this anomaly be related to Shi Chun?"

He knew what Young Master Nan was hoping for. Sending Shi Chun in was originally intended to disrupt the situation, as only an outcome that defied everyone's expectations would allow them to reap great profits.

Young Master Nan chuckled at the words. "Who knows? I rather hope it is. There are a few cultivators of fire-attributed techniques around; they probably can't stand to be idle."

He recalled how Shi Chun had orchestrated events at the three sects from which Tong Mingshan, Zhu Xiangxin, and An Wuzhi had been expelled. It was clear that Shi Chun wouldn't have entered in vain this time. That fellow had already made plans before entering the Divine Flame Domain; he likely wouldn't be satisfied until he had secured a substantial gain.

With this thought, he paced along the beach with his hands clasped behind his back, letting out a wry sigh: "The Land of Exile truly is a remarkable place!"

Back inside, Xiang Lan'er and Feng Chi stood by the window once more.

Observing the floating lamp formation from afar, Xiang Lan'er mused, "It's a pity that Master Qing refuses to tell us which sect Shi Chun and his group are connected with."

Feng Chi understood her meaning: knowing the sect and checking for any fallen natal lamps would provide some insight into Shi Chun's situation. She smiled faintly and said, "It doesn't matter. Everyone from the Ming Mountain Sect is fine, so our leader Shi will certainly be alright!"

Seeing her unwavering confidence in Shi Chun, Xiang Lan'er couldn't help but shake her head slightly, sighing, "It's a pity that the physical body forged into an 'Immortal Physique' is too conspicuous; it wouldn't pass the inspection. Otherwise, sending in some cultivators with concealed powers would certainly be a great help."

Feng Chi, however, wasn't dwelling on that. She smiled and reminded her, "Miss, you should first consolidate the realm you just broke through. I need to report your early breakthrough to please the Saint. If the Saint views you favorably, it will benefit us all."

With that, she turned and walked away, swaying her waist.

In the Forbidden Land of Ignorance, beneath the dim starry sky, a dust-covered group from the Treasure Divination Sect, having rushed there at full speed, arrived before a weary crowd who had fled in disarray and were now gathered, panting and resting.

Even the third-ranked sect in the artifact refining world couldn't compel the nearly thousand survivors to stand in reverence; they were exhausted from their escape, and some bore injuries.

Li Hongjiu, in his wide robes and long sleeves, rushed to the front and swept his gaze over everyone. He loudly exclaimed, "What happened? Someone who can still breathe and speak, tell me!"

Given his energetic demeanor, he genuinely appeared to be the leader of the Treasure Divination Sect's team at that moment.

Guang Haoyou, who had been the actual leader throughout the journey, was speechless. His lazy uncle, the one who had been indifferent even to absorbing divine flame, suddenly became energetic upon hearing that Shi Chun's group had entered the Forbidden Land of Ignorance, a place he yearned for. He eagerly led everyone towards it, shouting with excitement.

This greatly worried Guang Haoyou. Yet, his uncle claimed they were there to seize the secret method for finding divine flame from Shi Chun's group. Could such a claim be believed?

Not only Guang Haoyou, but all the disciples of the Treasure Divination Sect, looking at the suddenly enthusiastic Uncle Li Hongjiu, had eyes filled with profound worry.

His uncle's sudden diligence was, in theory, a good thing, but no one could truly feel happy about it.