The underground cave illuminated by Sandal Gold Fla Energy cast a deep and captivating glint in Zhener's eyes.
It wasn't the kind of depth that hinted at scheming, but rather the kind that evoked the vastness of cosmic exploration, with her gaze toward Shi Chun full of tranquil curiosity. It made her dark pupils especially srizing.
But Shi Chun found it troubleso. Initially, he had valued Zhener's cultivation and planned to leverage her strength to deal with Wu Shanshan and the others. Who would have thought that Zhener hadn't taken a single life before? Well, it turned out she had hardly even seen many people.
In short, she possessed impressive cultivation but had never been in a fight. Even she wasn't sure how strong she actually was.
Shi Chun knew all too well the disparity between a novice and a seasoned fighter. In life-and-death combat, such differences could be as vast as heaven and earth.
The problem was, he didn't have ti to gradually train Zhener or teach her how to fight. Ti was running out; if he delayed too long, and the main forces of the Extre Fire Sect arrived, he wouldn't even know who would have the upper hand at that point.
That said, brute strength could overwhelm finesse. Using Human Immortal Realm cultivation to crush those in the High Martial Realm should theoretically pose no problem.
The real trouble lay in the fact that most Artifact Refining Sects ca equipped with Magical Treasures. In contrast, their newly ford Mingshan Sect didn't even have the capability to forge treasures. The two Magical Treasures they currently possessed had been traded with the use of Divine Fire from Wu Shanshan—exploiting her urgency at the ti.
Not knowing how many Magical Treasures the opposing side had or what they were capable of made any reckless conflict unwise.
Shi Chun stepped away from the group to the cave entrance, deep in thought. Wu Jinliang, standing nearby, asked, "What's the plan?"
A longti partner, Wu Jinliang already understood Shi Chun's original intentions. Zhener's cultivation had been a trendous advantage, akin to a flexible tool, but that edge was now blunted. Facing off against Artifact Refining Sects in a contest of Magical Treasures left them feeling uneasy.
Since they hadn't reached a point of no return, diving headfirst into a fight felt unnecessary.
Shi Chun said nothing, shaking his head slightly, still ruminating.
Wu Jinliang glanced behind him and then leaned closer to whisper, "How about we exploit Wu Shanshan's Demon Path identity to sow discord, letting them slaughter each other?"
Shi Chun shot him a glare. "That's a double-edged sword. If we use it, it must be done in the shadows without any ties to us. If anyone connects it to us, the consequences would be catastrophic. The Heavenly Court would track us down the mont we leave. Just explaining how we got the information would be enough to kill us. Get involved with this ss, and not even Young Master Nan would dare touch us. When Gong Shixi was scheming against us, did he use this to backstab us? No, right?"
"Fair enough..." Wu Jinliang muttered, then suddenly rembered sothing. "Back at Wukang Mountain, the issue with Bian Que and the Demon Path—soone managed to suppress all the news. The demon who frad Bian Que must hold considerable standing in either the Royal Court or the Immortal Court."
"Still have the ti to think about those things? You must be idle." Shi Chun sneered at him in disdain, then added, "That Demon Path detail about Wu Shanshan isn't entirely useless. Dare to co along with alone?"
As he spoke, he added, "Originally, Zhener would've been the best person to bring along. Alas, her brain isn't the most useful, and on top of that, she can't fight. How she even cultivated to this realm is beyond ."
"What is there to be afraid of!" Wu Jinliang slapped the gourd strapped to his back before pulling a large blade from his Qiankun Bag and hoisting it onto his shoulder. "My blade has long been thirsty."
Shi Chun disregarded his bravado and reminded him, "The immobilization skill is useless against Demonic Qi and people who have absorbed Divine Fire. They can break free with a spell, so rember—speed is crucial!"
The real key to victory ironically depended on the Magical Treasures they carried—specifically the gourds capable of immobilizing targets. Without these treasures, Shi Chun wouldn't dare confront their opponents head-on.
Wu Jinliang chuckled. "Got it, got it."
Shi Chun knew his courage was mostly talk; in reality, Wu Jinliang was also a cautious man afraid of dying.
Years of brotherhood, growing up together in the Land of Exile, had forged a bond where they often watched out for each other's safety. While others might not notice, Shi Chun knew that every ti Wu Jinliang shouted the loudest to charge, he was actually the last to act, prioritizing safety over recklessness.
Then again, who wasn't afraid of death?
Shi Chun was aware of his partner's cautious nature. Even agreeing to accompany him on such a risky endeavor, without overthinking or hesitating, was comndable enough.
That settled, Shi Chun said no more.
As for coordination during combat, it wasn't sothing they needed to discuss. Over the years, they had mastered silent collaboration—a single glance or gesture sufficed.
With their decision made, the two returned to the cave and announced their plan to act.
This ti, they instructed everyone to be ready to provide backup.
Should a fight break out and the odds favor them, they were tasked with intercepting and hindering anyone trying to escape. The main targets were Wu Shanshan and Black Tiger.
If the battle turned sour, Shi Chun told them to flee first. He claid to have ways to ensure his own survival and reassured them not to worry. They also agreed on a rendezvous point in case they got separated.
Most people wore worried expressions. Chu Jingtang glanced around at their reactions and couldn't help but say, "Master, I'm not opposed to your decision, but do we really stand a chance? If not, there's no need to take unnecessary risks."
He honestly couldn't see any way to victory. First, they didn't know Zhener's actual capabilities—her cultivation level was a mystery, as Shi Chun had deliberately avoided the topic in their discussions.
Moreover, only three of them, who had absorbed Divine Fire, had broken through to the Great Achievent Realm. On the other side, everyone was at the High Martial Great Success Realm, and that was excluding their Magical Treasures. Factoring in the treasures made their situation even worse.
Not to ntion, the two Magical Treasures from Wu Shanshan hardly inspired confidence. Even Shi Chun believed Wu Shanshan wouldn't have traded them unless she had stronger ones in reserve. Plus, the Artifact Refining Sect's forces from the Extre Fire Sect likely carried formidable treasures of their own.
Finally, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were the only ones attending the eting. Everyone knew their cultivation levels.
Shi Chun said calmly, "So risks must be taken. Don't worry—I wouldn't go without so assurance of success."
There were so things he couldn't share with the others. His Secret Technique for locating Divine Fire was too important to fall into anyone else's hands. It concerned his fate and was sothing he had no choice but to fight for. If there was even a small chance of avoiding capture, he had to seize it.
One could say he was dragging everyone into danger for his own selfish reasons.
Faced with his resolve, the group had no objections. This Master's abilities often exceeded their understanding, and his persistence seed to have so sound reasoning behind it.
Zhu Xiangxin glanced at Zhener, noticing her indifference. Despite how well Shi Chun treated her, she didn't appear concerned about his safety at all.
Unbeknownst to her, Zhener simply didn't understand the concept of "worry." Her heart remained untouched by worldly desires or fears. Without such burdens, she had fewer troubles. Whatever Shi Chun said, she believed without question. If he said he was confident, why should she worry?
Her primary focus was tilting her head slightly, trying hard to comprehend what everyone was saying, clearly intent on learning from them.
And so, the plan was settled.
Everyone departed together.
After leaving the cave, they gradually spaced themselves out. Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang led the way, while the others shadowed them, ready to provide support at any mont.
With Shi Chun's right-eye superpower guiding their direction, they made a straight line toward the pursuers' hideout.
Putting other factors aside, the troop sizes of the Extre Fire Sect and Forget Love Valley matched the numbers of Mingshan Sect fairly evenly.
Forget Love Valley had only seven mbers left, with two stationed with the Extre Fire Sect as lookouts to prevent deceit.
The Extre Fire Sect itself didn't have many people left, as they were also engaged with the Shudao Mountain forces. Black Tiger, including himself, only brought ten people.
Altogether, the two groups totaled fifteen mbers.
Mingshan Sect had thirteen mbers, bolstered to fourteen with Zhener included.
Peering out from behind the rocks, Wu Shanshan continued her vigilant lookout, unable to rest. Only her Demon Eye could confirm whether or not Shi Chun's group had left, so her personal involvent was necessary. Without her, they'd risk losing track of him.
Suddenly, she spoke: "They've erged. They're heading our way."
Her words instantly put everyone on alert, with their party swiftly moving into position, ready to ambush.
In the howling wind, Shi Chun raised his hand to stop Wu Jinliang in his tracks.
Wu Jinliang turned to him. "What's wrong?"
The mont they halted, the group trailing them imdiately stopped as well, staying alert.
"They've reacted. They're on the move, and they're directing themselves toward us. They must've seen us. As expected, there's sothing unusual about them—soone among them likely has eyes similar to mine. Damn it, even my right eye can't track soone after they've completely fled without leaving traces. Their eye-related superpower must be stronger than mine," Shi Chun muttered, irritated and a bit envious.
Wu Jinliang glanced behind him. "So, the people trailing us won't be able to stay hidden either."
What now? Their backup ambush had already been noticed. Far from deceiving the opponents, it would only make them more cautious. Honesty appeared to be the best option left.
Wu Jinliang moved to summon the rest of their group.
Not long after, the silhouettes of their team erged into Wu Shanshan and Black Tiger's line of sight, confirming their approach.
"What's going on? Why are they doubling back? Should we avoid them?" Black Tiger asked the woman beside him.
Doubling back referred to Shi Chun's group retracing its route toward them.
Wu Shanshan, who had wrapped her head in a scarf to obscure her use of the Demon Eye, looked closely at the approaching figures now visible to the naked eye. After observing for a mont, she dispelled the power of her Demon Eye and replied, "Let's retreat."
Just as they prepared to move, Shi Chun, having noticed their intention, imdiately activated a spell and shouted, "Don't bother hiding—we know you're here."
He had no choice but to call this out. If they successfully retreated and he pursued them only afterward, they'd inevitably deduce that his eyesight had so unusual capabilities.
Adaptability sotis required quick decisions like this.
The crouching figures froze instantly, exchanging glances in the dim starlight and roaring wind.
"How did they spot us?" Black Tiger asked.
Wu Shanshan shook her head. "I don't know. That was Shi Chun's voice. This proves that he isn't a simple character. He dares to approach us head-on, so everyone must remain alert."
Her words made it clear they no longer intended to evade.
One after another, they erged, standing on the elevated edge of a hollow, watching as the Mingshan Sect moved closer. The weight of Shi Chun's na and presence bore down on them heavily, amplifying the tension.
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