The Treasure-Evolving Sect's party had just descended the mountain and returned to their lodgings when a disciple hurried up to Sect Master Qu Wuming and whispered a few words to him.
Qu Wuming abruptly halted his brisk stride and turned his head to confirm, "There were people from the Fengluo Cult among those who abandoned the competition and left the valley?"
Earlier, when he met Qian She at the valley entrance and heard him mention learning of Shi Chun's situation in the Divine Fire Domain, he had found it rather strange. Had word reached him that quickly?
He wanted to know which artifact-refining school had tipped him off. To curry favor with Qian She, they had actually stopped watching this year's artifact-refining competition. He wanted to take note of them so he would know what to expect next time.
But the news brought to him now came as something of a shock. The Fengluo Cult's name was actually among the string of schools found to have left.
Before this, he had not even known what the Fengluo Cult was. He had only learned of its existence from the message Li Hongjiu had sent out through Guang Haoyou.
Li Hongjiu had also put the ugly truth up front, saying he might have made another mistake and that the Fengluo Cult might demand an explanation from the sect.
On the one hand, he was warning the sect so they could prepare themselves. On the other, Qu Wuming knew his disciple's habits all too well. This was a roundabout way of saying, I really didn't do it on purpose this time, with a hint of Please calm down first.
He had also intended to speak with the Fengluo Cult. However much he resented his disciple's failure to live up to expectations, he still