After both sides temporarily laid down their arms, the leaders from Summer Path Mountain again asked Shi Chun to step aside for a private word.
There was no other reason; it was still about Divine Fire. For artifact refiners who had never tasted Divine Fire, that knot was not so easily untied.
Gu Liani did not beat around the bush at all. She stated her demand outright. "Shi Chun, give those two Ice Flames to Summer Path Mountain first."
Shi Chun's eyes widened. "Didn't we say that was behind us? Why are we back to this again?"
Gu Liani said, "I said give them to us first, not for free. Once we find more Divine Fire, we'll repay you before anything else."
Shi Chun looked puzzled. "Why make it so complicated?"
Naturally, she had prepared an excuse before making this demand. Gu Liani said, "Summer Path Mountain has suffered so many casualties cooperating with you. Without something to show for it, we can't answer to our people. Only when they see tangible benefits can this cooperation continue."
Shi Chun looked a little troubled. "I also have the Four Cauldron Sect on my side. They practice Fire-Attribute Techniques too. If they learn there are two extra Divine Fires, and I'd rather give them to outsiders than to them, I'll have trouble answering to them as well."
Yuan Yao interjected, "You just said 'if.' Does that mean they don't know yet?"
Shi Chun grunted in assent. "Earlier, I thought I'd wait until you came so I could explain things properly. I kept those two Divine Fires for you all along and didn't tell them, afraid they'd fight over them if they knew. But when I was trying to persuade you over at the Iron Forest, I already mentioned them. Naturally, they heard