The sound of footsteps faded away, and Li Hongjiu, who was sitting cross-legged, fell into deep thought. He was pondering a question: someone like him, who considers himself aloof, actually spends most of his time in mountain retreats, rarely descending to avoid the chaos. But now thinking about it, the probability seems quite high that every time he goes down the mountain, something goes wrong.

Especially in the past twenty years, he seems to have only gone out five or six times in total, and the result...

Encountering danger in the Divine Fire Domain once, almost got beaten to death.

Encountering danger in Juku State once, almost got beaten to death.

This time participating in the Battle of Great Pardon, encountered danger again, almost got poisoned to death.

Everyone says he's quite capable, even the sect thinks so, and he also feels he's not bad. But why does he always end up in trouble, almost getting beaten to death whenever something happens?

He introspected, thinking that anyone slightly smarter should start reflecting on themselves...

After exiting the cave, he looked at the vast and gloomy world outside, Wu Jinliang glanced back at the cave entrance and said softly, "What if he recovers and wants to return to the Nanshan Team?"

Shi Chun: "We can't just bind him up or place restrictions on him. If he really wants to go back out of a guilty conscience, there's nothing we can do. With the Sky Splitting Sword gained for the team, it should offset his mistakes, and with Mulan Jin helping to put in a good word, Manxi shouldn't pursue it excessively."

Wu Jinliang: "That's not what I mean. I just feel like his...," pointing to his head, "he always gets into trouble. If he goes back and fights again, what if he ends up in a bad situation again?"

Shi Chun sighed: "What can be done, if it comes to that point, we can't just stand by and watch. If we can save him, we will. Alright, go and renovate this cave so that Old Huang can cultivate and keep an eye on him. If anything happens, have Old Huang notify us promptly."

"Alright, I'll give Old Huang a Mother-child Talisman later." Wu Jinliang said with a nod, glancing around, whispering, "Chun Tian, did you notice, Tong Mingshan and An Wuzhi seem quite capable. Shall we give it a try first? If it's suitable, we'll continue; if not, we can hide afterward."

Shi Chun gazed into the distance with a self-deprecating tone: "That's what I initially thought too. Who would've known Li Hongjiu would end up in such a situation. Now we've gone to the extreme, unless we keep out of sight, if we get discovered, those families will definitely destroy us.

Luckily, Li Hongjiu is fine now, let's go have some fun with the Demon Path. Locked up for twenty years, my cultivation being less than yours seems inappropriate, but with Li Hongjiu here, surely the Demon Path has sent plenty of people? The Demon Path holds this trip in high regard, and here is the Demon Realm, it shouldn't be a coincidence, surely there's something significant happening, I'm curious to see what they're up to."

Upon a slightly snowy mountain peak, a man stood at the summit, dressed in white underneath and covered by a black cloak, his clothes fluttering, hair flowing, handsome face, sword-like eyebrows, thin lips, eyes revealing a dominating expression, clean and refreshed, starkly different from his nearby comrades donning Beiju Battle Armor.

No need for armor protection, revealing self-confidence.

The man was none other than Su Jikuan, considered a pillar by the Beiju Team, at the Earth Immortal Great Success realm, associated with Divine Sect disciples, and the Divine Sect is regarded as the third major sect in the Cultivation World.

After communicating with the Command Center using the token in his hand, he gazed into the distance and murmured softly, "Shi Chun…"

His gaze flickered uneasily.

Previously, he had only received a message from above, saying Shi Chun exploited an opportunity to take Li Hongjiu and the Sky Splitting Sword away, but he didn't take it seriously, because he never considered Shi Chun noteworthy, let alone Li Hongjiu, once called the top rookie of his time, he also didn't consider noteworthy.

In his early years, he too was once called the top rookie.

From his cultivation years, Li Hongjiu is his junior, and moreover, Li Hongjiu's cultivation has halted at the Earth Immortal Small Achievement Realm for a long time, according to well-informed sources, it's likely because the Divine Fire Power, which once allowed rapid cultivation growth, has been exhausted.

Anyone with cultivation talent reaching a certain level knows, rapid growth in cultivation, if one's character doesn't keep up, may not be beneficial.

And Heavenly Immortal cultivators who died at the hands of Su Jikuan are countless on two hands, he certainly wouldn't consider someone like Li Hongjiu, whose cultivation level is far below his, seriously.

In his view, this battle only has a handful of people qualified to compete with him.

But after communicating with the Command Center this time, he truly remembered the name 'Shi Chun'.

This time the Command Center mentioned Shi Chun again, warning about Shi Chun's false actions, also seriously detailing the escape process when Shi Chun rescued Li Hongjiu.

Anyone knowing the details of this rescue process, given the disparity of power between enemies and allies, wouldn't underestimate it, Su Jikuan included, he felt a small shock internally as well.

Several battle teams were fooled by that Shi Chun, that guy not only could but dared!

Despite his confidence, he isn't stupid, understanding that in this kind of battle scenario, it's not a one-on-one fight that decides the victor; in the token-snatching matter, brainwork might yield as much as brute strength.

Furthermore, the Command Center mentioned Shi Chun winning first place at the Sky Rain Meteor Conference and first place in the Divine Fire Covenant in the Artifact Refining World.

Might he also take first in this Battle of Great Pardon?

Just seeing that previous rescuing act, who can guarantee Shi Chun wouldn't recreate his past records in the Battle of Great Pardon?

Su Jikuan also felt he might have encountered a strong contender for the title, not worried about open confrontation, it's someone like him playing tricks that's feared, many battle teams are caught off guard.

Moreover, the Command Center casually mentioned that the Commander thinks Shi Chun is the standout of this battle.

Hence, his impression of Shi Chun grows deeper.

"Su."

A voice called, bringing him back to focus.

An armored soldier landed at the mountain top, an older half-aged man with a smiley face and a cloud on his belt. He was also a Centurion named Chang Shifei.

With the cultivation of Earth Immortal Great Success Realm, he was assigned by Beiju Team as assistance to Su Jikuan before entering, and once inside, the two teams immediately merged, with Chang Shifei willingly serving as Su Jikuan's deputy.

He's also here to ring the warning bell for Su Jikuan.

Su Jikuan is capable in combat, but overly arrogant, making him easily manipulated into pitfalls, hence Beiju Team provided him with a mature and steady assistant.

The team has now rapidly gathered over three thousand people.

The two already knew each other well, so Chang Shifei didn't waste words, addressing directly, "The Command Center just asked about the number of tokens we have, saying we can encompass another squad and has designated a team to rendezvous with us, instructing us to be ready to receive them."

Su Jikuan nonchalantly said, "I've said, for such small matters, handle them yourself, no need to tell me."

Chang Shifei said, "No, it was specially instructed from above, there is someone special in this squad who needs exceptional care."

Su Jikuan frowned, "With me, no one gets special care. If exceptional care is needed, let the Command Center handle it themselves."

Chang Shifei smiled bitterly, thinking that Su Jikuan had received quite a lot of exceptional care from the Command Center, like firsthand enemy intel and various coordination always given to him at first notice.

Of course, he didn't fuss on the surface, addressing issues directly, "It's not the kind of care you're thinking. This person is indeed different. She is Situ Gu's disciple from the Artifact Refining World, named Shitou Zhen. That's not the point, the point is she might be Shi Chun's lover. As you know, Shi Chun just caused a major incident and disappeared without a trace, the superior is both furious and worried others might trace Shi Chun through this woman. Only by handling her ourselves can safety be ensured."

"Situ Gu's disciple, Shi Chun's lover…" Su Jikuan murmured and then said indifferently, "You handle it."

"Alright, I'll go contact and coordinate then." After greeting, Chang Shifei left promptly.

Inside a mountain cave, Situ Gu's female disciple also wasn't wearing battle armor, dressed in a black gown, her long hair reaching her hips, with a graceful figure and a beautiful face. Her eyes were deep and serene like cold stars, facing an armored soldier kneeling in front of her, panting heavily.

Zhener suddenly raised her hand, and a few strands of red light threads flew out from her fingertips, dancing around the soldier's head, drilling into his eyes, ears, mouth, and nose. Soon, a red glow appeared at the center of his brows.

The soldier sat on the ground, repeatedly backing away while kicking, screaming, "What did you do to me again? I already agreed to help you lure people, ah..."

Suddenly, he collapsed, clutching his head, rolling over and wailing, and when the screams ceased, he was lying limp and sweating profusely.

Zhener calmly said, "Nothing, just letting you understand what it's like if you dare to pretend to comply without really doing so."

The frightened eyes of the man on the ground were fixed on her.

Just then, a figure appeared at the cave entrance: an old man wearing battle armor stood there, his hair and beard already grey, it was Duan Jie, the Centurion of Beiju 236 Squad, under whom Zhener served.

Knowing something was up, Zhener floated out swiftly and landed at the cave entrance.

Duan Jie lowered his voice, "Holy Lady, trouble's here. The Command Center has ordered our squad to be placed under Su Jikuan's command and instructed us to rendezvous immediately, specifically mentioning you, saying all the teams might be looking for you, requiring an escort to ensure your safety."

Zhener's calm and deep gaze revealed a flash of helplessness, "Lan She brought me in as a contingency against Shi Chun, initially thinking Shi Chun's purpose was simple, wouldn't cause trouble, he ended up causing an incident right upon entry, chased by several factions upon entry.

Being chased is one thing, but as a person from the Land of Exile, speaking of loyalty, what's he up to? Perhaps my understanding of the Land of Exile is mistaken.

The matter escalated, and I'm now worried, fearing exactly what this would lead to. Originally, Lan She intended to use me, now all the teams have set their sights on me, staying cautious isn't enough to avoid misfortune, it does feel a bit unjust."

Duan Jie said, "Indeed quite troublesome, should we go or not?"

Zhener said, "The matter isn't complete yet, and Refining Heaven Sect can't be ignored, so I still need to go."

Duan Jie asked, "What about the matter in the Land of Extreme Abyss?"

Zhener replied, "They seek me only to find Shi Chun. As long as Shi Chun is handed over or dies, there will naturally be no reason to target me any longer."

Duan Jie asked, "Didn't you say you couldn't contact Shi Chun?"

Zhener said, "I can't contact him, never intended to, but Mulan Jin's side surely can."

Duan Jie smiled bitterly, "Mulan Jin is our nemesis, might not assist us in such matters."

Zhener said, "I'm talking about his daughter."

"Mulan Qingqing? Shi Chun surely parted from her before taking such risks, finding her mightn't be easy."

"Mulan Jin wouldn't let his daughter venture alone, surely someone is accompanying Mulan Qingqing. Contact her companions, and naturally, we can find Mulan Qingqing, finding her allows contacting Shi Chun, which can draw Shi Chun out."

"That, it mightn't be easy to identify who accompanies Mulan Qingqing, it's hard to even figure out their team's roster..."

"If Shi Chun is alive, his token's location remains, finding the token reveals their team's roster status, those protecting Mulan Qingqing are surely experts, easily distinguishable. Acquire the token, identify those beside Mulan Qingqing, amongst so many so-called experts participating, no one can reach him? Let the outside investigate thoroughly and find their entry point."

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