What's going on? The Mingshan Sect group was dumbfounded, especially Shi Chun, who found that the situation differed from what he had imagined. Had Shudao Mountain not intercepted the Extreme Fire Sect or engaged in conflict with them?
Moreover, Zhener had previously told him that the disturbance caused by the Wind Scales would alarm the Fire Bats in the underground tunnel, leading to their attack.
The situation did seem to have startled the Fire Bats and prompted an attack, but his understanding appeared flawed. Moving faster with the Wind Scales should have allowed them to keep ahead of the "tide."
Had he known this earlier, there was no need for Shudao Mountain to cover their retreat—he could have flown over by himself, and the Fire Bats would have naturally taken care of the rear.