Chapter 404: Rumors Are Untrustworthy

Elder Li Qianqiu, overhearing the interrogation, naturally understood why elders from other factions were asking such questions. The purpose of the elders stationed by each sect was, after all, to protect their own sect's interests and prevent others from gaining undue advantage through rule violations.

Upon hearing this, he also understood Li Hongjiu's motive for inquiring about the whereabouts of the Yanbao Sect disciples. It was simply an attempt to locate the four sects Shi Chun had mentioned, thereby tracking down the murderer of the Yanbao Sect disciples.

A major sect commands its own prestige. How could its disciples be casually attacked? Especially with him personally overseeing matters, if any random person dared to harm his sect's disciples, it would be a direct insult to him. Beyond Li Hongjiu's determination to catch the culprit, he also wanted to provide an explanation to the Yanbao Sect upon his return: while he hadn't fully protected their disciple, the murderer had been apprehended!

His gaze at Li Hongjiu's figure was filled with approval. There was no questioning this disciple's intelligence; it was simply that he usually didn't apply it appropriately.

Gong Shixi, who intermittently observed Li Hongjiu, harbored no extra suspicion. He had already been questioned by Li Hongjiu and knew what he was investigating. He merely felt a pang of emotion, realizing the vast difference between individuals. This fellow's cultivation talent, even beyond the artifact refining world, was among the absolute top tier in the entire cultivation realm.

It was clear that once the exit of the Divine Fire Domain opened, this individual would become renowned across all realms.

Moreover, coming from a renowned and upright sect, and being the personal disciple of the sect leader with solid backing, his future was truly boundless. This was deeply envied by someone from a shadowy background like himself; who would choose to live furtively if they could live openly and honorably?

Li Hongjiu searched around the exit area but found no disciples from the Heavenly Furnace Sect, Fengluo Cult, Spirit Refining Fortress, or Seven Star Island. He didn't find a single one. Observing the scene, he concluded they likely hadn't arrived yet.

He had no choice but to return to his spot and continue his healing meditation.

Shi Chun, who had been hiding for a while, looked at his masked attire, then finally emerged and climbed to a nearby hilltop. Under the vast starlit sky, he found a rock to sit on, gazing from afar at the highest peak in the direction of the exit.

After a long period of contemplation, footsteps made him turn his head. He saw Tong Mingshan and the others climbing up as well. Although they were all masked, he recognized them instantly, especially Wu Jinliang, whose physique made his mask seem like a mere decoration.

The group approached him, hesitant and unsure what to say. Wu Jinliang chuckled beside them.

Shi Chun asked curiously, "Is something the matter?"

Seeing the group's unassertive demeanor, Wu Jinliang eventually spoke up. "Chuntian," he began, "they want to warn you. They've thought it through carefully and believe the sects guarding the exit won't let us leave. If we do manage to get out, it'll probably be because all the sects have agreed to escort us away."

Clearly, the group had discussed this with Wu Jinliang beforehand.

The group nodded in agreement, indicating that was precisely their point, while Zhen'er, behind her mask, remained silent in contemplation.

Tong Mingshan chimed in, "Leader, we know you have a good relationship with Young Master Nan, and we also know he has extensive connections. Once you're out, Young Master Nan will likely lend a hand. But this might not be a secret only to us; the major sects could also be well aware of it. To obtain the secret method for finding divine fire, might they resort to some deceptive tactic?"

Hao Ji added, "Exactly. The entrance and exit are controlled by those major sects. They could easily prevent Young Master Nan from knowing we've left."

An Wuzhi's gaze was solemn as he stated, "The narrative after the exit closes will naturally be that we weren't seen leaving. This means they won't allow us to reappear, nor will they permit the secret method for finding divine fire to become more widely known."

The implication was simple and understandable to anyone: they would not be left alive.

Zhu Xiangxin also stated gravely, "Leader, you might not comprehend the immense temptation the secret method for finding divine fire holds for those artifact refining sects. They are absolutely capable of such actions."

"That's right."

"Indeed, they would."

Facing a group of worried gazes, Shi Chun scanned each person individually. He fully understood their concerns; they were all people with their own minds. At this most critical moment of exiting, it would be abnormal not to overthink or worry.

However, he still chuckled and teased, "When Li Hongjiu was captured earlier and offered to help us escape, you weren't saying this. Each of you urged me to cooperate with him. What, have you finally seen the light now?"

His words caused the group some embarrassment.

Before they could say more, Shi Chun waved a hand, stopping them. "Don't worry, if I say we can get out, we naturally will. As for how, I can't tell you now, because I can't guarantee that if something goes wrong, everyone will be able to keep silent. This is crucial for us all to get out alive. Do you understand what I mean?"

The group exchanged glances, naturally understanding the importance of secrecy for success.

Since he clearly had a plan, they stopped pressing the matter, as they themselves couldn't conceive of a proper escape method.

"Alright, relax. If the leader says we can get out, we definitely will. A group of masked people gathered here is too conspicuous." Wu Jinliang chuckled and waved them away.

He knew this was how it would be. If Chuntian didn't want to reveal something, he would keep it from even him, let alone others.

So everyone descended the mountain. Zhen'er, however, didn't leave; instead, she squeezed in beside Shi Chun and sat down, hugging his arm and resting her head on his shoulder.

Wu Jinliang, ignoring her, asked, "Chuntian, when do you think Li Hongjiu will bring those people?"

Shi Chun replied blandly, "It probably won't be that quick. He might not find anyone until the last day or two. Regardless of whether they find divine fire or not, the various factions likely won't be able to withdraw too early, as it might be difficult to explain their return."

"True, we'll have to wait," Wu Jinliang said, glancing at the woman nestled against Shi Chun. He pondered how Chuntian would explain this woman to Xiang Lan'er once they were out. He had always claimed to love Xiang Lan'er fiercely, and now he brings this back from a single expedition?

He speculated that once Zhen'er was out and no longer useful, she would very likely be forced back into her original form and absorbed by Tong Mingshan and the others. This would also provide an explanation to the Demonic Path and Xiang Lan'er.

With this thought, he chuckled and turned to leave.

Starlight and the faintly discernible undulating mountains depicted the interplay of light and shadow.

Shi Chun looked at the person beside him and asked, "Aren't you afraid we won't make it out?"

Zhen'er looked quite reassured. "If you say we can get out, I'm not scared. After we're out, we'll have children. How many do you want?"

Shi Chun was speechless. Was she laying eggs? He guessed 'Su' hadn't told her that a fire spirit like her couldn't have children with a human. He replied dismissively, "However many you want to have."

Zhen'er immediately replied happily, "The more, the better..."

Shi Chun listened somewhat absently to her incessant chatter about a beautiful future.

The passage to the outside world would open on the final day, remaining accessible for an entire day. As that last day approached, just as Shi Chun had predicted, the forces of the various sects began to return. Li Hongjiu also finally located the members of the four sects Shi Chun had mentioned.

He found the disciples of the Fengluo Cult; their numbers were complete, not a single person missing, still a full twenty individuals.

Li Hongjiu didn't bother comparing them with the other three sects. Once he found the Fengluo Cult, he communicated directly.

The leader of the Fengluo Cult disciples was named Feng Zhuoyi. Although he hadn't led his team to join the other sects' previous entanglements with Shi Chun, he had heard about Li Hongjiu's impressive exploits from other factions. Given Li Hongjiu's status, when he asked for a small favor, Feng Zhuoyi readily agreed, eager to forge this connection.

As for Li Hongjiu's promise of a divine fire as a reward, he was half-believing, half-doubting. How could divine fire be given away so easily? He didn't believe the Yanbao Sect possessed such an abundance of divine fire that they could simply hand it out to outsiders.

After Li Hongjiu offered his thanks, just as the other party was about to turn and lead his people away, he suddenly asked, "Brother Feng, are you familiar with the people from Jieyun Mountain?"

At this, Feng Zhuoyi paused slightly, then denied, "I know of them, but we're not close."

Li Hongjiu pressed, "Before you came in, did Jieyun Mountain give you any particular instructions?"

At this, Feng Zhuoyi's expression instantly changed, and he was secretly alarmed. His sect couldn't possibly be spreading that information, and they had specifically warned him not to get involved easily if anyone tried to rope him into that matter. It was precisely because of this instruction from his sect that he hadn't intervened when he heard the various sects were pursuing Shi Chun.

He suspected it was just as his sect had suggested: someone was deliberately instigating trouble to harm Shi Chun. Otherwise, how could hundreds of divine fires have been found?

His sect had only secretly instructed him on this, not even informing other disciples. He had no idea how Li Hongjiu knew.

He couldn't possibly admit it so easily. He immediately feigned ignorance, saying, "Forgive my foolishness, Brother Li, but I don't understand what you mean."

Seeing his instant change in expression, Li Hongjiu knew that what Shi Chun had said was likely true.

He was merely testing him, having noticed that the Fengluo Cult's numbers were surprisingly intact, which didn't align with pursuing Shi Chun. Besides, he was already wary of Shi Chun, concerned about deception and being exploited, so a test was inevitable.

Seeing this, he put on a smile. "Brother Feng, don't be nervous. I merely heard a rumor, nothing more. I presume you've also heard about the animosity between Shi Chun and me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have confidently sought your help, Brother Feng."

Feng Zhuoyi considered this, and although he didn't know where the other party had heard such a thing, he finally relaxed. "We hold no grudge against Shi Chun," he stated vaguely, "and rumors cannot be trusted."

"Understood, understood," Li Hongjiu said with a smile, cupping his hands. "Then I'll trouble you."

With that, Feng Zhuoyi led his people away.

Originally, he had planned to take everyone with him. However, Li Hongjiu's probing made him uneasy, prompting him to instruct five individuals to remain behind. This way, should anything change, there would be someone to widely disseminate the news and inform the sect.

After watching the group depart, Li Hongjiu had just returned to his cross-legged meditation spot when he noticed Gong Shixi's group leaving, his brow slightly raised.

Soon, a disciple from another sect approached him and whispered, "Sir, as you instructed, we've inadvertently let them overhear the news."

Li Hongjiu knew without needing to be told that the task was complete. He nodded slightly in thanks, then gestured between them, indicating a mutual understanding that the information was to remain confidential.

Many sect members had returned, and quite a few sects were on good terms with the Yanbao Sect. It was easy for Li Hongjiu to find someone to help with a small favor.

After confirming that Gong Shixi's group was far away, he didn't linger. Seizing the opportunity to wander, he quietly departed to find Shi Chun and deliver the news.

Since the goal was to make the murderer reveal themselves, he absolutely had to witness and hear it firsthand. He couldn't simply rely on others' accounts, especially not from that cunning Shi Chun.