The Heavenforging Sect's people assembled for no other purpose than to set off and leave.
Zuo Zisheng had already informed the Heavenforging Sect's key figures, so there would be no objections. Everyone else simply had to obey.
This was how most artifact-refining sects that entered the Divine Fire Domain operated. The leaders appointed by their sects possessed unquestionable authority. After all, they were dealing with something as irresistibly tempting as divine fire. Without absolute authority, internal strife was inevitable.
These were lessons paid for in blood, drawn from the experiences of past participants.
Although most merely followed orders, they all sensed something unusual. They had not even found the divine fire here yet, and they were giving up?
As for the reason, everyone harbored the same suspicion: it probably had something to do with that cloaked figure.
After emerging from underground and determining their bearings, Zuo Zisheng personally led the group as they flew swiftly away.
They traveled without stopping. Near the location Yan Ketao had specified, Zuo Zisheng halted the flying group again and went to the designated spot alone.
Before long, he found Yan Ketao waiting for him at the highest point there.
The fact that they could meet like this made one thing obvious: Summer Path Mountain's people were no longer there.
There was no need for lengthy discussion. After a simple instruction to head for the exit, Yan Ketao left first. He would not openly mingle with the Heavenforging Sect's people yet.
Only after Yan Ketao had been gone for a while did Zuo Zisheng return to his group and lead them off in a new direction...
The ten elders sitting cross-legged atop the highest peak near the exit had a hard time of it too. With no shelter from wind or sun, they remained immovable.