Chapter 372: Proposing Marriage

The facts were indeed as Shi Chun had expected: Wu Shanshan was leading her people to pursue them along their route.

As the various factions landed and realized they were back at the Sinkhole, there was a cacophony of murmurs. Some cursed Shi Chun for being cunning, while others argued it was normal, stating that Shi Chun was unfamiliar with the forbidden area and naturally tried to stick to familiar paths.

More people were astonished, wondering who, with nothing better to do, had filled such an enormous sinkhole.

The one responsible for that "good deed" seemed to hear nothing, simply pouring wine from a flask.

The Yanbao Sect contingent was also quiet, occasionally glancing at the one drinking. Everyone now understood that their Junior Martial Uncle's usual low-key demeanor was correct; indeed, being so low-key saved a lot of trouble.

Gu Lianni, looking around, seized the opportunity to motion Yuan Yao aside for a private conversation.

"Martial Aunt, what's wrong?" Yuan Yao asked, puzzled.

Gu Lianni whispered, "We didn't stick to our agreement with Shi Chun earlier; we broke our promise. He might resent us. Is there still a chance for us to get his secret method for finding divine fire?"

Yuan Yao thought for a moment, then replied softly, "The secret method for finding divine fire is no small matter. The ten elders guarding the entrance will surely be alerted. By then, rules won't mean anything. Shi Chun must be aware of this. If he wants our Shudaoshan to help them leave, he'll still have to come to us. Our role is just to take the lead; the rest is not up to us. With Elder Jin present, the sect can handle it. If there's a good outcome, we'll naturally be credited. If not, we won't be blamed."

That reasoning made sense, but Gu Lianni herself wanted to handle things properly. However, since matters had progressed this far, she could only follow Yuan Yao's advice.

She never imagined that she, as the sect leader's daughter, would one day act in a way that sought no merit but only avoided blame. She used to despise such disciples within the sect, only to discover, when push came to shove, that she was no different.

Unknown to them, Yin Tianlu of the Jihuo Sect was intermittently glancing their way.

After Black Tiger's incident, the news brought back by his fellow disciples stated that Shi Chun had given the secret method for finding divine fire to Shudaoshan. Yin Tianlu had not forgotten this, nor could he, and had been secretly calculating in his mind.

According to his fellow disciples' accounts of the Black Tiger incident, Shi Chun initially intended to resolve it peacefully and had no intention of fighting. It was Black Tiger and his group who attacked first, leading to the unforeseen consequences.

This meant that Shi Chun's claim of giving the secret method to Shudaoshan was very likely true given the circumstances.

Although the truth was unknown, it certainly needed verification.

There was no other option. Black Tiger, their hope for victory, was dead. The magic artifacts given by the sect were mostly destroyed, and the sect's most treasured artifact, the 'Ruined Blade,' had also been mortgaged. The entire sect was eagerly awaiting his return with achievements. If he left empty-handed, he wouldn't be able to account for himself to the sect, even in death.

Acquiring the secret method for finding divine fire became his only hope for redemption. If he could bring it back, it would be enough to atone for his mistakes, and his merits would even outweigh his faults.

Whether the secret method was exclusively theirs or shared by everyone would determine the magnitude of his contribution.

Therefore, he dared not publicize it and could only confirm it discreetly among his own people. This matter could not be revealed to other sects unless absolutely necessary; that was how one kept a monopoly.

If all else failed, it would be better than nothing to unite with other factions and pressure Shudaoshan; it wouldn't be too late then.

Unfortunately, the Shudaoshan people were almost constantly guarded by the Liantian Sect. He found no opportunity to intervene privately, so he had been observing and waiting for his chance.

Gong Shixi, on the edge of the crowd, was also scrutinizing a group of people. Stepping outside the immediate situation, he observed the various reactions of the different factions. He paid particular attention to several major sects beyond the four main ones of the Liantian Sect, noticing that people from Jinmaotang, Dongxiao Island, and Luoyan Mountain were clearly intermingled.

His junior disciples, Zhou Wudao and Xun Lishan, huddled together for a whispered conversation before approaching him.

After signaling other disciples to create some distance around them, Zhou Wudao whispered, "Senior Brother, I don't think there's anything to worry about anymore. Things have escalated to this point; those old fellows guarding the exit won't easily let them leave."

Gong Shixi glanced at him and said softly, "What if he offers the secret method as a trade, or directly publicizes the method for finding divine fire? They won't care about any secret method; they only care about winning this time. As long as they get that item, the secret method is insignificant to them and can be discarded at any time."

He then leaned slightly closer to the two of them, adding, "We cannot afford any mistakes this time. The Mingshan Sect group must die, preferably not a single one left. At the very least, the key figures who could influence our success or failure must not leave alive!"

Zhou Wudao and Xun Lishan's expressions both turned solemn upon hearing this.

Gong Shixi continued to instruct, "It's not good for us to act directly. You must ensure open communication with our informant on the Liantian Sect's side. At the critical moment, we will need him to influence events."

The two nodded slightly in response.

No sooner had he finished speaking than the crowd stirred again. Wu Shanshan, leading the search, set off once more with several major sects.

Consequently, people from the various factions began to follow.

After following for a while, everyone noticed something amiss. Shi Chun's group's previous route had suggested they were leaving the forbidden area the way they came, but now they had veered off, seemingly heading towards the central region of the forbidden area.

That place seemed to offer no chance of luck; should they continue to follow?

A few individual sects, seeing the situation, felt they couldn't afford to play along and, gritting their teeth, withdrew.

In such sects, the leaders actually wanted to keep trying, but the opposition mainly came from disciples who felt they wouldn't benefit even if advantages were gained. With widespread opposition that the leaders couldn't suppress, they had no choice but to give up.

Once one sect led the way, others followed suit.

After much commotion, a dozen small sects withdrew, nearly a hundred people in total, intending to leave the forbidden area and try their luck elsewhere within the remaining time.

The unusual starlit sky glittered, while the dim outlines of the earth remained eerily still. A group of shadowy figures descended from the sky—it was Shi Chun's party.

Shi Chun once again pulled Zhen'er aside for a private conversation. After an embrace, they parted ways.

Shi Chun waved, watching Zhen'er ascend into the sky.

Behind the mountains where Zhen'er was headed lay the Earth Heart Pagoda.

Shi Chun didn't know what the Earth Heart Pagoda looked like, as he had never seen it. But Zhen'er had told him that, true to its name, it was a pagoda located underground, crafted by the ancient Fire Gods.

The two were being so secretive that Wu Jinliang couldn't hold back. He ran over and, making an excuse, asked, "Where did she go? Everyone's asking; they all want to know what we're doing."

Shi Chun, pulling out the Ice Goat to breathe, simply replied, "Proposing."

Others might not have understood what that meant, but Wu Jinliang was different. He had been one of the people present when Zhen'er first mentioned the proposal, listening in and even interjecting with detailed questions. Naturally, he understood immediately.

He immediately widened his eyes, "Chuntian, don't scare me. This isn't funny; it's too dangerous."

He didn't believe Shi Chun could marry Zhen'er, an elven entity that was neither human nor ghost.

Shi Chun knew he wouldn't believe him and didn't hide anything, stating simply and directly, "I know it's dangerous, so I'm letting Zhen'er go communicate first to see how things are. If communication is successful, we can approach the Earth Heart Pagoda under the guise of 'proposing.' We'll only get close, not go inside, and wait for those guys behind us to catch up."

He then tilted his head, looking at Wu Jinliang, and said meaningfully, "For those who receive permission, approaching should be safe."

Wu Jinliang instantly grasped the implication: conversely, those pursuing them would suffer greatly.

This plan was to use the old monsters from the Earth Heart Pagoda to deal with the persistent pursuers.

However, he couldn't help but worry about one thing: "Those old monsters have the ability to attack from a distance. Can we escape safely afterward?"

Shi Chun replied, "I'll have Zhen'er keep those old monsters placated. If we can leave directly, we will. If not, we can say that with no more pursuit, we need to go prepare items for the proposal. Didn't that 'great-uncle' want to see what a proper proposal from the outside world looks like? They've never seen one. If necessary, we'll have Xu Anchang and You Mu stay on the 'bride's' side to act as representatives for the 'groom.'"

Wu Jinliang grinned wryly. "Sounds good," he thought, "but 'representation'? It's clearly just about reassuring those old monsters by holding Xu and You as hostages."

Shi Chun didn't care about their fate, and Wu Jinliang cared even less.

So, the plan was already set. Hearing this, he felt relieved, but still blinked curiously and asked, "And then?"

Shi Chun replied, "What 'then'? Naturally, we'll quickly run out of the forbidden area. The monsters inside can't leave anyway, so once we're out, they can't harm us. After that, we just need to hide until the Divine Fire Domain's exit opens and then leave. With Wu Shanshan and her people gone, no one will know where we're hiding."

Wu Jinliang chuckled, "I was talking about that silly girl who's so chummy with you. She's quite pretty and completely devoted. Honestly, such simple, pure people are rare; you probably won't find another like her outside. It would be a pity to lose her. She also can't cross the forbidden area's boundary. What if she gets desperate and tries to force her way out? *Bang!* She'd just explode. No, wait, she might not even get a chance to reach the boundary; those old monsters, once they realize they've been tricked, probably won't let her go."

Shi Chun glanced at him, his expression blank. "Once we separate, we won't see each other again. As for her future, it's not for you or me to worry about. To her, we are just fleeting passersby. Even if we didn't deceive her, she wouldn't be able to leave. If she learns to stop fantasizing, she might live a better life later."

Everyone has a compassionate heart, whether they're realistic or not. Wu Jinliang shook his head slightly and sighed, "If she can really help us escape this predicament, I hope she manages to save her life from those old monsters. I hope she can live the way you described. This girl is truly unlucky, first deceived by Situ Gu, and now meeting us... Still, you're quite something. You've hugged her, touched her, kissed her, and you didn't do anything else behind my back, did you? Hmm, I guess you didn't have the time or opportunity."