Chapter 470: Unwelcome Request

Tong Mingshan, who had re-entered the arena, reappeared in the mirror image, walking towards the three sect leaders who stood on the steps, holding the treasures.

From the side of the steps, the Lihuo Sect Leader gestured, guiding Tong Mingshan to approach.

All the artificers in the venue stared intently at Tong Mingshan, countless expressions of envy on their faces.

Gu Lianni, now awake, also watched, her heart filled with bitterness, and she was surprised by Tong Mingshan's white hair.

Luo Shengsheng, Mi Liangmeng, and others like them, were utterly convinced by their defeat and looked at him with respect.

Upon reaching the steps, Tong Mingshan bowed respectfully to the three sect leaders. His expression was serene, and his mind was remarkably unperturbed. He lacked the emotional capacity for any agitation, appearing neither humble nor arrogant.

If it had been his usual self, he would have been incredibly nervous upon seeing them.

Don't assume that his past visits to a few sects while selling secret techniques with Shi Chun made him accustomed to such figures. In truth, the supremes of these top sects are pre-eminent figures in the cultivation world, not easily encountered on a normal day. Most people might never even see one in their lifetime.

This was an exceptional occasion.

Regardless of whether they were rivals before, the three sect leaders now looked at Tong Mingshan with undisguised admiration.

All three were experts and noted that this individual, who had absorbed four divine flames, only used two for the decisive contest. They suspected this remarkable feat was related to an epiphany and desired to understand it better.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, with no need for pleasantries or small talk, Luo Yan, who was in the center, made a "please take" gesture. The 'True Fire Ruyi Pagoda,' which had been hovering before him, gently floated down towards Tong Mingshan.

This was a reward and a bestowal, once again drawing countless envious glances.

Tong Mingshan was not so rude as to refuse, reaching out with both hands to receive it. Just then, Luo Yan's voice transmission sounded in his ear, "Tong Mingshan, there is always a place for you in the Sky-Forging Sect."

Given his status, he said no more, but the meaning was clear. Anyone not foolish would understand the implication.

Tong Mingshan remained unperturbed, accepted the treasure, and bowed slightly in acknowledgment.

Immediately after, Gu Yanduo, the leader of the Summer Dao Mountain, pushed his palm forward, and the treasured orb containing the 'Remnant Dragon Artifact Spirit' also floated down towards Tong Mingshan.

Tong Mingshan, having received the pagoda, reached out with both hands again. Gu Yanduo's voice transmission echoed in his ear, "Summer Dao Mountain possesses countless secret techniques and truly needs a disciple like you to inherit them. I myself lack a direct disciple. You might want to consider this carefully."

Tong Mingshan, receiving the treasure with both hands, again bowed slightly in acknowledgment.

Finally, Su Qiao, the leader of the Extreme Fire Sect, pointed a finger, and the bow-shaped sharp blade slowly descended. He also sent a voice transmission, reminding him: "The Extreme Fire Sect also has human cultivators. If you are interested in the Extreme Fire Sect, you are welcome at any time. Should you ever need assistance from the Extreme Fire Sect, feel free to ask."

Tong Mingshan, receiving the treasure, remained calm and bowed slightly in acknowledgment.

Su Qiao was actually depressed seeing the treasure fall into someone else's hands, especially since the opponent had also killed Hei Hu. However, he looked up at the mirror image in the sky, and seeing himself presented alongside Luo Yan and Gu Yanduo, a sense of pleasure arose in his heart.

Without further ceremony, the Lihuo Sect Leader gestured for Tong Mingshan to exit the stage, then loudly and formally declared, "As long as the divine flame endures, the artificing world will shine brightly!"

"As long as the divine flame endures, the artificing world will shine brightly!"

All the artificing sects in the arena suddenly shouted in unison, with a touch of piety and solemnity. The sound echoed through the valley, reaching even far outside.

The sudden burst of shouts around them startled Shi Chun and his group, who were unprepared. After looking around, they too considered themselves part of the artificing world and joined in, clenching their fists and waving their hands while shouting a few times.

After this communal echoing, the Divine Flame Alliance event concluded.

The people in the valley began to disperse, and each sect prepared for their return journey.

Shi Chun didn't know if they would be able to leave, as the Stargazing Pavilion was reportedly planning to apprehend them.

Regardless of whether they would be apprehended, Shi Chun figured they should get their hands on the item first. He winked at Wu Jinliang, who understood and immediately rushed off to the Lihuo Sect, which had hosted the event.

The process had a slight hitch: the item was not with the Lihuo Sect; it had been taken by the Grand Inscription Pavilion. Wu Jinliang didn't care about the details and directly approached the Grand Inscription Pavilion to demand it.

The Grand Inscription Pavilion harbored ill will towards the Bright Mountain Sect and also wanted to take the Exquisite Heart back for study. Thus, they feigned surprise, asking, "Who said the finished product refined during the competition belongs to the refiner?"

Wu Jinliang, too lazy to engage in lengthy arguments, simply raised his voice. With many people still milling about, he had no qualms, but the Grand Inscription Pavilion still cared about its reputation. So, they returned the item to him, making the process relatively smooth.

He easily retrieved the Exquisite Heart refined by Tong Mingshan and casually tossed it to Shi Chun.

Young Master Nan, from halfway up the mountain, also came down cheerfully. He found the group, offered repeated congratulations with cupped hands, and was so delighted his eyes and nose seemed to scrunch together in his joyous expression.

As figures milled about in confusion, Shi Chun exchanged glances with a few subtle gazes successively cast from the Ten Great Sects. He then turned to the Bright Mountain Sect group and said, "The Sect Leader is too tired. There's no rush to leave. Let's return to our temporary lodging first and allow the Sect Leader to rest."

"Aren't the Stargazing Pavilion people waiting for us? Can we really rest?" Chu Jingting and others exchanged worried glances.

Shi Chun made the decisive calls, a lesson learned from past experiences. When he said not to leave yet, the group followed him back to their lodging.

Young Master Nan also kept a few people with him and returned with Shi Chun's group.

The Ten Great Sects seemed to have no intention of lingering. Except for the Sky-Forging Sect, the people from the other nine sects greeted the Lihuo Sect Leader and then immediately left with their people.

At the temporary lodging of the Sky-Forging Sect, just as Luo Yan arrived, a disciple quickly ran up to him and reported in a low voice, "Sect Leader, all the people from the Nine Great Sects have left."

Luo Yan paused, "So quickly?"

The disciple affirmed, "Yes, they seemed to be in a hurry. They left immediately after the event concluded."

Luo Yan, standing at the courtyard gate on the mountainside, turned back and looked at the countless figures slowly dispersing within the valley. He said gravely, "It's no coincidence that all nine sects were in such a rush. It seems to be related to their prior collusions with Shi Chun." He then turned his head and asked, "What's the situation with Commander Xuanji?"

An elder beside him whispered, "He's still on the mountaintop, with no reaction so far."

Luo Yan pondered for a moment, "I'll go up the mountain to pay a visit. You all keep an eye on other matters."

"Yes," the accompanying individuals responded one after another.

Luo Yan then left, taking only one elder with him.

In the pavilion on the mountain, Mu Lanjin surveyed both sides of the peak: the gathering and dispersing crowds within the valley were visible to him on one side, and the bustling activity outside the valley, along with the vast, distant blue ocean, on the other.

Outside the pavilion, an attendant holding a communication talisman apparently contacted someone, then quickly entered the pavilion and reported, "All the Ten Great Sects, except for the Sky-Forging Sect, have left. However, a few of them have sent word that their leaders have departed."

Mu Lanjin slightly tilted his head in question, "The sects that sent messages, all their leaders have left?"

His subordinate replied, "Yes, looking at the compiled reports, it happened simultaneously. This is unlikely to be a coincidence. The departure of those nine sects might conceal something suspicious."

Mu Lanjin: "What about Shi Chun and his group?"

His subordinate said, "They're quite compliant; they haven't left and are returning to their lodging."

As he spoke, he pulled out another communication talisman, glanced at it, and said, "Commander, Luo Yan is coming up. He's likely looking for you."

Mu Lanjin paced a few steps, looking down the mountain, and already saw figures ascending.

Soon after, Luo Yan arrived at the mountaintop with an elder. He incidentally observed the situation outside the valley and glanced at the mirror image in the sky.

After the two bowed, the accompanying elder remained outside the pavilion, while Luo Yan entered. He expressed some dissatisfaction, "That Young Master Nan acts recklessly, relying on his background; it's truly outrageous."

Mu Lanjin, standing with his hands behind his back, merely glanced at him, not deigning to respond to such nonsense, as it wasn't worth his pretense.

Failing to initiate a conversation, Luo Yan didn't show embarrassment. Knowing Mu Lanjin's displeasure, he decided not to beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "May I ask, Commander, when do you intend to take away the Bright Mountain Sect group?"

Mu Lanjin said indifferently, "Are you suggesting I need your instruction on when to take them away?"

Luo Yan quickly cupped his hands and bowed, "Commander, you overstate. I have an impertinent request, and I hope you can grant it."

Mu Lanjin glanced back at him again, offering no reply.

Luo Yan had no choice but to be more direct, "Commander, could you please delay taking them for half an hour, to allow my Sky-Forging Sect to speak with Shi Chun?"

Mu Lanjin looked into the distance, lost in thought.

Luo Yan, maintaining a polite demeanor, waited silently, watching his back as he stood with hands clasped behind him.

Suddenly, Mu Lanjin spoke, startling Luo Yan: "Do you intend to silence them?"

Luo Yan's expression stiffened, but as the leader of the foremost sect in the artificing world, he wasn't easily intimidated. He quickly apologized, "Commander, you overstate. There's no talk of silencing anyone. My Sky-Forging Sect is only interested in the secret technique Shi Chun possesses for finding divine flames. Before the competition, the other nine sects colluded with Shi Chun, and now they have all left in a hurry. It is likely those nine have already grasped the secret. How can my Sky-Forging Sect be content to fall behind?"

Mu Lanjin: "What does that have to do with me? Or do you think matters between your sects are more important than those of the Heavenly Court?"

Luo Yan frowned slightly but remained respectful. He cupped his hands again, speaking with extreme sincerity, "Just half an hour. After half an hour, regardless of whether my sect gets the desired result, we will immediately withdraw. As for the batch of magical artifacts being rushed for the Heavenly Court, I will personally ensure they exert their full effort. Please, Commander, grant my request."

Mu Lanjin tilted his head, gazing at him sideways with a profound look.

Luo Yan remained bowed with cupped hands, slow to straighten up.

After a period of stalemate and silence, Mu Lanjin suddenly said, "Are you certain Shi Chun will tell you?"

Luo Yan: "If we can try, we must."

Mu Lanjin slowly turned his head and said to a subordinate nearby, "Shi Chun isn't familiar with the people from the Sky-Forging Sect. Arrange for two people, dressed as Sky-Forging Sect disciples, to accompany Sect Leader Luo. Sect Leader Luo, I'm also interested in that secret technique; you don't mind, do you?"

Luo Yan froze for a moment, then gave a bitter smile: "If those nine sects already know, it won't matter if one more person, the Commander, also knows."

Upon their slow return to the Bright Mountain Sect's temporary lodging, Shi Chun first signaled to close the doors to guests. He then settled Tong Mingshan in a side room to rest and prevented others from going to the main hall, instead telling everyone, including Young Master Nan's group, to rest in the courtyard.

Young Master Nan was puzzled, realizing how often this fellow acted sneakily. However, thinking that Shi Chun had helped him make another fortune, he couldn't be bothered to interfere. He pulled out a communication talisman to contact his external staff, inquiring about the preparations for cashing in the bets.

Wu Jinliang, however, followed Shi Chun up the steps directly towards the main hall. Upon reaching the entrance, Shi Chun gave him a look, and Wu Jinliang immediately stopped. After Shi Chun entered alone, Wu Jinliang promptly closed the large door and stood guard across the entrance.

As the door closed, the light inside the hall dimmed. Shi Chun glanced around, walked to the door of a side room, placed his hand on it, and slowly pushed it open. Peering inside, he saw several figures turn their heads to look at him one by one.

The light inside was also poor and dim, though the light filtering through the transom window allowed one to vaguely discern the faces of the few people within.

There were nine people, none other than the leaders of the Nine Great Sects who had supposedly already departed. They had arrived at some unknown time, all showing signs of disguise and having changed their clothes.