Shi Chun returned to his room to find a group of people waiting in their own quarters.
Wu Jinliang sat in the corner, toying with his gourd with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
He was just as bored; Shi Chun had similarly banned him from going out, saying his tall stature was too conspicuous and made it easy for him to be recognized.
Fine, let's stay in with the picturesque views outside and plenty of beauties visiting, I won't go out, I'll suffocate indoors, how about that? Even if I stay in, isn't my identity already exposed?
He now looked like soone who was just waiting to watch the excitent unfold.
"Master," they greeted upon seeing Shi Chun enter and close the door. Eating and using soone else's resources, they had to show the basic courtesy.
Before they could speak, Shi Chun was all smiles, "So, you all know already?"
As he spoke, he scanned the reactions of everyone present. As expected, Tong Mingshan, An Wuzhi, and Zhu Xiangxin seed quite eager, while Chu Jingtang and the others were visibly worried.
Chu Jingtang tentatively confird, "Master, there's a rumor outside saying that we've established a new sect and joined the Divine Fire Covenant, intending to enter the Divine Fire Domain. Is it true?"
Shi Chun nodded toward Tong Mingshan, "Didn't you say that opportunities are rare? Weren't you all eager to go and have a look? So, shouldn't I figure out a way to fulfill your wishes? Otherwise, wouldn't I, as Master, fail to et everyone's expectations?"
Standing to the side, Feng Chi and Xiang Laner exchanged quiet glances, understanding each other's thoughts. They knew this guy would say sothing like that.
Duan Xiangi was also there to join the fun, standing behind Wu Jinliang who was playing with his gourd; she drew circles behind his back with her finger, actually listening to the conversation.
Having spent so much ti together, she naturally also understood what kind of people Chu Jingtang and the others were—they were the ones who had followed the Master at the Sky Rain teor Conference, fought the world, and after being expelled from their original sects, ended up mixing with the Master again.
Wu Jinliang's vague storytelling made her sowhat admire the Master's charisma. To continue following soone after being deceived, if not for charisma, then what?
She thought Wu Jinliang was quite smart and with a tall figure and bold features, he had a true man's spirit which she deeply admired. Considering that even Wu Jinliang completely respected the Master, it goes without saying the Master's charisma is unquestionable.
Of course, after spending a few days on the island, she also clearly understood what this Divine Fire Covenant was all about.
Initially, hearing everyone's discussion, she was not sure, but now that the Master himself had confird it, she was definitely impressed, thinking how incredible it was that the Master could make the Divine Fire Covenant make an exception; she had no idea how he had managed it.
Anyway, she thought it wasn't her place to speak up, so she quietly listened and observed.
Hearing this from Shi Chun, Chu Jingtang and the others were at a loss whether to laugh or cry, realizing that indeed, a casual chat while arriving on the island had led to this result by the Master's hand.
Previously, so of them had just gone out for a breather and heard similar discussions; thinking they had misheard, but after inquiring, they were greatly shocked. They hurriedly returned to inform everyone, prompting everyone to go out and investigate. Well, it turned out to be true.
And that led to the current situation.
Xiao Sheng expressed his concern, "Master, the Divine Fire Domain is nothing like the Sky Rain teor Conference. It's an actual Exotic Realm, and I've heard that many places have extrely harsh environnts. Moreover, those Artifact Refining Sects are good at refining treasures; many of the attending disciples have Magical Treasures in hand. The number of participants is far less than the Sky Rain teor Conference, but their lethality is much greater. Isn't it too dangerous for us to venture in?"
Shi Chun replied, "You are worrying too much. We're just going in to walk around, look around, see what's there. If there's an opportunity, we'll seize it. If not, we'll stay out of the way, and at worst, we'll hide until it ends and then co out."
Similarly worried, Shen Moming said, "Master, we've heard that when those Artifact Refining Sects found out we were participating, they reacted as if their nest had been stirred, claiming we broke the rules. With such resentnt, once we enter, won't those Artifact Refiners refuse to let us off easily?"
The implication was clear, once inside, finding a place to hide might not be so easy.
Tong Mingshan voiced his thoughts, "Brother Shen, you worry too much. The situation inside the Divine Fire Domain is different from the Sky Rain teor Conference. Insect Extre Crystals can be snatched from others, but once soone absorbs the Divine Fire, it can't be snatched away. If there's any snatching to be done, it would be before the Divine Fire is absorbed by anyone.
They may be upset, they might make a fuss, but it's only agitation on the outside. Once the Divine Fire Domain opens, its available ti is limited, and once they're in, they won't waste ti chasing us down. As soon as they enter, they'll forget about us, becoming fully absorbed in seeking the Divine Fire."
Although a woman, Zhu Xiangxin spoke with an impassioned tone, "Everyone, the chance to enter the Divine Fire Domain is not available to just anyone, especially for those outside the Artifact Refining circle. It's a once-in-a-lifeti opportunity, how can we miss it!"
She was truly excited, never in her dreams had she imagined that as an alchemist, she would actually have the chance to enter the Divine Fire Domain. If anyone present dared to block her, she wouldn't mind making a scene like a shrew.
An Wuzhi said, "Indeed, an opportunity that only cos once every two to three hundred years, the vast majority of people never know what the Divine Fire Domain looks like in their entire lives. Even if there's a risk, it's worth it to get in once. If you get in, it's worth talking about for a lifeti."
He was excited too, even though he knew that even if he got in, the chances of obtaining the Divine Fire weren't high. But he was still excited, because what if?
What if he obtained a strand of Divine Fire? Then the fire attribute skill he cultivated would expand to another realm, or lead to so other possibility. What exactly that possibility might be, no one knew, because there were thirty-six types of Divine Fire, and each type, combined with the characteristics of one's own fire attribute skill, could lead to a different potentiality.
Moreover, it was an excellent chance to enhance one's cultivation. It was a true gift of divine abilities from heaven. Now that the qualifications to enter had been secured, how could he miss it?
Zhu Xiangxin continued, "An opportunity that cos once every two to three hundred years - how long can we live? Nobody knows. This may be our only chance in this lifeti."
Tong Mingshan said, "It's not a 'maybe,' but a certainty! If we really lived until the next opening, by then our cultivation would have broken through to the Human Immortal Realm. By that ti, we would already have forged an Immortal body, with extraordinary flesh, set attributes. Even if we encountered Divine Fire then, absorbing it would actually destroy our own Fire Elent and ruin our cultivation, killing us. What would be the point of going in then?"
This is what's called a stance; it's three individuals with related talents, who had cultivated fire attribute skills, enthusiastically stating their case, having an impassioned debate.
Shi Chun, who stood to the side, was spared the need to speak. So argunts he had prepared earlier were temporarily unnecessary, as he watched the three argue with Chu Jingtang's eight n.
Chu Jingtang's eight seed overwheld by the three.
The eight only talked about various potential dangers that could occur after entering, without any other persuasive argunts, while Zhu Xiangxin and the other two were emotionally charged. Not only did they vehently berate the eight n with their spit and fury, but they also seed ready to resort to physical confrontation, as if they were saying, "Dare not go, and I'll hit you."
Alright, Shi Chun figured it out. Even if they entered, with those three present, there was no need to worry about persuading everyone to search for the Divine Fire.
After the debate got too heated, Zhu Xiangxin suddenly waved his hand, "If you're too scared to go in, just forget it. We'll go in by ourselves!"
Tong Mingshan and An Wuzhi were of the sa mind.
Chu Jingtang's eight went silent at once. It was clear they were resigned to let them do as they wished, which suited them just fine.
This won't do. Shi Chun finally spoke up again, "We either enter together or none of us go at all. We are all in this together; there is no reason for so to go in while others stay out. Alright, enough arguing. Everyone will go in and have a look. Like I said before, if there's an advantage to be taken, we'll take it; otherwise, we'll just hide until we can leave. That's the decision."
"Master is wise!" Zhu Xiangxin saluted with fists clasped, his voice ringing clear.
Tong Mingshan and An Wuzhi hurriedly echoed, clasping their fists in unison, "Master is wise!"
They were able to flatter so naturally and without any discomfort, a skill they had learnt from being around Wu Jinliang.
Chu Jingtang was getting anxious, "Master, not to ntion the threats posed by people wielding Magical Treasures, but I've heard that in the history of the Divine Fire Domain, there have been cases of the exit closing up after it ends, trapping people inside to die. Accidents like this have apparently happened more than once."
The three who were about to retort, were preempted by Shi Chun, who stared at Chu Jingtang, confronting him, "Then why didn't you say this earlier? When we landed on the island and I suggested finding a way, why didn't you speak up then? Now, after I've made the arrangents, you're telling this, what are you trying to say? Are you playing a waiting ga with ? We're all just a handful of people here, united because we were expelled from our sects. We've co this far, and yet you don't want to work together, what are you up to?"
Chu Jingtang was at a loss for words, hurriedly waving his hands, "Master, that's not what I ant. I just think it's dangerous. I'm also thinking of everyone..."
Shi Chun cut him off short, "Dangerous? Are you aware of how much trouble has been caused for this, and how much effort Young Master Nan and the others put into it? Now you're saying no go, are you playing with people? Do you think everyone can be toyed with at your whim? Try playing those people and see, I guarantee it'll be more dangerous than entering the Divine Fire Domain!"
"..." Those with objections were completely silenced, as it was more dangerous than entering the Divine Fire Domain - there was no point in opposing now.
The matter was settled swiftly; Feng Chi secretly clicked his tongue a few tis, his elbow subtly nudging Xiang Laner as a signal.
Shi Chun then looked around at everyone, pointing to his chest, "I won't just talk the talk. Dangerous or not, I'll lead the way in! Of course, I won't force anyone. The path is wide open to heaven, and everyone has their own will. Before the Divine Fire Domain opens, you're free to drop out anyti! That's settled, go about your business."
Wu Jin, grinning, stood up with his gourd, "Alright, that's the end of that." He openly put his arm around Duan Xiangi's waist and led her away in front of everyone, "Let's go find a secluded spot by the sea to get cozy."
That was unabashed flirting that embarrassed Duan Xiangi enough to shake him off and run out the door first.
As the group dispersed, so were full of ambition, while others hung their heads in defeat.
Down the hallway, a woman who had been peeking in front of each door turned her head to look at these people. When she spotted Zhu Xiangxin, her eyes lit up and she called out, "Senior Sister."
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