Chapter 331: Disaster

Everyone understood the reason behind Shishu’s sudden burst of enthusiasm: he merely sought an excuse to enter the forbidden area. Yet, they found themselves unable to refuse Shishu’s pretext.

Once inside the Divine Fire Domain, with the opportunity to acquire divine fire, who wouldn’t desire it? Who could possibly resist such a temptation? Previously, they could still prevent Shishu from entering the Nameless Forbidden Area. However, now that Shi Chun’s group, who held the secret method for finding divine fire, had already entered, and Shishu declared his intention to seize that method, how could they possibly stop him?

Although Shishu’s primary interest lay in the forbidden area itself, there was one thing everyone fully trusted him on: if he said he would help them acquire the secret method from Shi Chun’s group, he would certainly secure that benefit for them. Shishu might not necessarily pursue matters that only benefited himself, but when it came to things advantageous for the disciples of the Yanbao Sect, he would grudgingly act, even if he initially didn’t want to, especially concerning promises he had made. In this respect, Shishu’s character was beyond reproach; he did not tarnish the reputation of his master, the sect leader.

Their swift arrival was also inextricably linked to Shishu’s wish to enter the Nameless Forbidden Area. Earlier, while searching for divine fire, Shishu constantly tried various roundabout methods to approach the forbidden area, his clear intention being to seize an opportunity. This meant they were never far from the forbidden area, so upon hearing the news, they arrived very quickly.

Naturally, everyone found it difficult to adjust to Shishu’s swift and decisive demeanor. Nevertheless, individuals from other sects, those particularly friendly with the Yanbao Sect, approached to explain the situation, recounting the general course of events.

After bowing in thanks, Li Hongjiu turned to face everyone, his expression solemn. “You have all seen and heard,” he began, “that scoundrel Shi Chun is truly despicable, cunningly using the dangers of this place against all of us. Given the peril of this forbidden area, I suggest everyone find a safe spot to take shelter for now. Allow me to go ahead and scout the situation; we can discuss further after I assess it.”

This was, in fact, his consistent stance throughout their journey. While he did wish to enter the forbidden area, he absolutely did not want his fellow disciples to follow him into such danger. As expected, the disciples’ attitude was equally consistent. Guang Haoyou, their usual de facto leader, likewise assumed a serious expression and declared, “Absolutely not. If anyone is to scout, it must be us. How could juniors ever send Shishu to run errands? There’s no such logic in the world. Shishu, simply tell us how you wish to proceed, and we shall do it.”

“Exactly, Shishu, you only need to command us.”

“Indeed, Shishu, rest assured, we will exert our utmost effort.”

The other disciples echoed the same sentiment, their voices rising and falling in chorus. They knew Shishu far too well. If they didn’t rein him in and allowed him to roam freely, he would simply indulge his whims, and who knew when they would ever see him again.

Li Hongjiu raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on them with clear displeasure. Yet, the disciples met his gaze with an air of righteous defiance, entirely undaunted, regardless of his status as Shishu. The internal politicking among this sect’s members differed slightly from that of other sects; in reality, they were compelled into it. When the wrong time, wrong place, and wrong people converged, things inexplicably unfolded as they did.

Alright, Li Hongjiu eventually conceded. Since his intimidating glare failed to deter anyone, he simply unfastened the wine gourd from his waist, took a few sips while gazing at the stars, and finally sighed, “Fine, let’s go together. We can look out for one another.” Conceding was inevitable. He could indeed escape alone, but what would be the consequences? This group of disciples would undoubtedly search for him throughout the forbidden area, and given their strength against the inherent dangers, the outcome was entirely predictable. He feared he wouldn’t be able to account for it to his master if anything went wrong.

“Shishu is brilliant!”

Guang Haoyou and the other disciples cupped their hands in unison, praising him. Their synchronized movements were as if perfectly rehearsed. This spectacle left the disciples from other sects dumbfounded, as they had not expected such meticulousness from the Yanbao Sect disciples.

“Brilliant, my foot…” Li Hongjiu muttered something barely audible even to himself.

He then re-attached his wine gourd, asked someone for the precise direction, and led the group towards the site of the incident. The observers from various sects were unsure whether to commend the Yanbao Sect members for their grand demeanor or to deem them foolhardy, given that they knew the dangers of the site, and that even the Extreme Fire Sect had suffered losses, yet still dared to venture in.

A disciple from a friendly sect called out a loud warning: “Mr. Li, it’s truly dangerous over there; even the Extreme Fire Sect suffered losses!” Given Li Hongjiu’s seniority, the disciple found it inappropriate to address him as “Brother Li” in front of the Yanbao Sect disciples, as it might suggest he was trying to gain an advantage.

Without turning back, Li Hongjiu waved a hand in thanks and chuckled in response, “That’s why the Extreme Fire Sect ranks only fourth in the artifact refining world.” The implication was clear: he was mocking the Extreme Fire Sect, suggesting their inferiority to the Yanbao Sect, and that their opportunistic approach was useless, no matter how many people they sent in. Just as his master outside exchanged barbs with the Extreme Fire Sect Leader, he, the apprentice, was equally unreserved with his words. Truly, like master, like disciple. The accompanying Yanbao Sect disciples couldn’t help but crack a smile.

Upon hearing this, some sects exchanged glances. Those with good ties to the Extreme Fire Sect had a glint in their eyes, ready to report back and say, “Let’s see you be so boastful then.”

The danger was secondary; the Yanbao Sect group realized they were in for some trouble. The individuals from other sects, who had been tangled with them, were now blocked, and no one would leave them any more markers. From now on, they would have to rely on themselves to search blindly.

Before they had gone far, Guang Haoyou leaned closer to Li Hongjiu and whispered, “Shishu, to find people, you need more individuals, more eyes, and more legwork. These scattered remnants, if we offer them some benefits and gently incite them, might prove useful to us. Yin Tianlu of the Extreme Fire Sect employs this very tactic.”

Li Hongjiu glanced back at the scattered remnants of various sects sprawled on the ground. “There’s no need for that, is there?” he said. “We should only take on what we can handle. Involving ourselves with too many diverse elements might not lead to a good outcome.” He then turned to Guang Haoyou, scrutinizing him from head to toe, and with a hand on his chin, nodded, “I hadn’t realized you possess the potential to be a sect leader.”

Guang Haoyou, typically so composed, promptly rolled his eyes. This was not the way to offer praise. If the sect leader’s apprentice uttered such words, it could easily be misinterpreted by others as the sect leader’s true intention. Would he still find peace within the sect in the future? And besides, was this a compliment to him or an insult to the sect leader? He decided to act as if he had said nothing, deliberately putting distance between himself and Shishu, and no longer brought up the idea of using disciples from other sects as pawns.

The group ascended to the ridge, surveyed their surroundings, and then, at Li Hongjiu’s command, departed, each aboard one of four Wind Scales. The night wind was chilling, yet the starry sky of the Land of Eternal Night shone with an eternal brilliance. Propelled by the enhanced speed of the Wind Scales, it wasn’t long before the Yanbao Sect group located the previous incident site; they could see it even before approaching.

The recently awakened Fire Bats were in no hurry to return to sleep. Instead, they soared through the sky around the sinkhole, creating a rather spectacular area of swirling, luminous streams when viewed from a distance. Just as Guang Haoyou was about to signal everyone to land to avoid detection, Li Hongjiu, with an expression of curiosity, urged, “Quick, let’s go closer and take a look.” The disciples sharing a Wind Scale were startled and collectively turned to Guang Haoyou.

Guang Haoyou’s face tightened. “Shishu, please don’t be reckless. They’ve made it quite clear: while these strange bats aren’t individually powerful, when gathered, they are more than enough to deal with people of our cultivation level. The liquid released after their bodies explode can penetrate protective aura, and neither Wind Scales nor magical artifacts can withstand its corrosive effects. So many from the Extreme Fire Sect suffered significant losses.”

Li Hongjiu readily adjusted his stance. “Alright, you all wait here. I’ll go take a look.” He then raised his chin, signaling for them to allow him to go alone. “Open a passage with the Wind Scale.” The disciple controlling the Wind Scale dared not make the decision himself and instead waited for Guang Haoyou’s instruction. Guang Haoyou immediately commanded, “Land and retreat.”

Li Hongjiu glanced back at his defiant martial nephew, and seeing the Wind Scale pilot obey the nephew instead of him by descending to the ground, he couldn’t help but shake his head slightly. “Guang Haoyou,” he said, “are you the leader, or am I?”

Guang Haoyou retorted, “Shishu, now you recall you’re the leader? You certainly didn’t say that when you were lounging around drinking, unwilling to do any work.”

Li Hongjiu was momentarily speechless, having no temper to spare, given how many weaknesses he had left for them to exploit. Another disciple added, “Shishu, the sect leader instructed us to keep an eye on you, and that when you act recklessly, we are to follow Senior Brother Guang’s lead.”

Li Hongjiu shook his head like a lion, seemingly pondering to himself, “Should I listen, or not?” His final decision was abrupt: with a sudden flick of his finger, the Wind Scale, which had been steadily supporting them, immediately went awry, causing everyone inside to sway violently. From within the rapidly spinning scales of the Wind Scale, an opening surprisingly spun and expanded. Li Hongjiu gracefully slipped out, his wide, purplish-red sleeves flaring as he displayed a contented smile, as if at ease with the world. He then glided on air from high above, heading directly towards the area where blue and red streams of light danced. Since he had already come this far, how could he not go and see for himself?

The moment he departed, the Wind Scale returned to normal. The few individuals inside were stunned, as if in a dream, bewildered by how Shishu had managed it. Upon looking again, they saw that Shishu had indeed gone alone. Guang Haoyou was instantly alarmed and shouted, “Quick, go after Shishu and bring him back!”

“Ugh!” someone complained, stomping their foot in the air. “The sect leader is truly something. He clearly knows Shishu is unreliable, yet he allowed him in, even claiming that because fewer people entered this time, Shishu was sent to assist us. Is this assistance? This is a menace! Wouldn’t it be better to just let him continue drinking and idling away his days in the back mountains?” Someone else joined in the complaint, “Exactly! The sect leader brought out such a menace as if he were unearthing a treasure.”

Despite their complaints, they still had to rescue him. Not only due to his seniority, but because he was the sect leader’s personal and last disciple. If they stood by and watched him perish, how would they ever be able to face anyone in the sect afterward?

Li Hongjiu, gliding on air high above, had initially intended to charge directly into the area swarming with Fire Bats. However, he glanced back, saw those annoying individuals following him, and immediately sighed. While he would be fine entering alone, he couldn’t drag these companions into such danger, fearing that any lapse in vigilance would lead to disaster. Consequently, he fixed his gaze on a nearby hilltop, adjusted his glide angle, and plunged directly downwards. The group behind chased after him, each person inside their Wind Scale muttering curses.

And then, their fears materialized: as they drew nearer to the swarm of Fire Bats, they were discovered, and countless flying streams of light began to converge on them. Li Hongjiu had already landed on the hilltop and was observing. From the few Wind Scales hovering after their arrival, Guang Haoyou urgently cast a spell and shouted, “Shishu, get up here quickly! Let’s go!” Seeing Li Hongjiu remain unmoving, everyone grew anxious and shouted, “Shishu, quick, let’s go! Get up here!”