Escape

"You're spreading lies to confuse people!" Flower Face immediately sneered.

Even Flower Face didn't know who would rule the Martial Forest in the future.

He didn't need to know.

The Hundred Flower Grave had no cohesion left to speak of; it might even have had less than none. Without the Life-Eroding Flower, these people would have fallen into chaos long ago.

So Flower Face didn't need to worry about the Hundred Flower Grave's future at all.

"I only want one thing: to make you Tianwu pay!" Flower Face knew that perfectly well.

He had never been driven by fame or fortune, but by a hatred that cut to the bone.

"Even if the Outer Realm Demon really does return, its cruelty will surely plunge the Martial Forest into suffering and disaster once more."

"Why not take this chance to wipe out its lackeys? That's the only way the Martial Forest might return to normal."

The meaning behind Flower Face's words was perfectly clear: you've already joined the rebellion, and it's too late to turn back now. If the Outer Realm Demon really returns, you'll be held to account. You can only go all the way down this road with us.

His words steadied the already shaky situation.

Still, some people had their doubts.

The lively public trial of Lu Bai gradually quieted down.

Often, it was the silent majority who mattered most. Yet most of the time, that majority was represented by a minority.

In other words, they supported whoever was winning, and whoever they supported would win.

Earlier, the Tianwu Holy Land had been retreating step by step, with little ability to fight back, while the Hundred Flower Grave had been enjoying the upper hand. Naturally, they had sided with the Hundred Flower Grave.

But now the Tianwu Holy Land had stepped forward. Their old fear of the Holy Land, along with the news that contact with the Outer Realm would soon be restored, made them stop in their tracks.

Lu Bai's position had become somewhat delicate.

When he was down and out, Lu Bai was an Outer Realm Demon. Once he had powerful backing, he became a Heaven's Being.

So the feud between Lu Bai and the Hundred Flower Grave had nothing to do with the "greater tide of events." It was just a personal grudge.

And if it was a personal grudge, they didn't want to get involved.

"Heh. Since that woman joined the Tianwu Demon Realm, her parents deserved to die!" Flower Face glanced contemptuously at the woman standing among the Phoenix Flying Ladies.

"You're using what might happen in the future to judge the crimes of the past. He Yi, you're awfully high-handed." Lu Bai didn't seem bothered.

Flower Face had become so obsessed with opposing the Holy Land that there was no reasoning with him. The only thing that mattered was making sure he didn't drag everyone around him into the fight.

"Either way, you won't be satisfied unless I kill your father, that lecher who fooled around with village women. In the end, we'll have to settle this with our fists." Lu Bai stretched his limbs. The cracked wounds on his body had finally stopped bleeding.

"I don't mind fighting another round." Lu Bai looked at Flower Face and noticed that his aura was much stronger than before.

That wasn't surprising. After becoming symbiotic with the Life-Eroding Flower and cultivating the Withered Glory Scripture through unorthodox methods, their growth was only a little slower than that of a Traveler like Lu Bai, who could directly use modules.

In some ways, Flower Face might even be stronger than Lin Haixian in pure combat ability.

In his current condition, if Lu Bai fought him again, there was a ninety percent chance he would die.

Yet Lu Bai's eyes were bright, as if he were waiting for Flower Face to accept.

"Of course I'll avenge my father, but not now."

"Men, surround the Phoenix Flying Ladies." As Flower Face gave the order, he turned to Lu Bai. "I'll deal with these despicable hags first. I'll come find you when the time is right."

"Better than having people accuse me of taking advantage of you while you're weakened."

Flower Face's gaze swept over Lin Haixian and the others, and resentment filled his heart.

He hated the Tianwu Holy Land most of all. Next came people like Lu Bai, followed by people like Lin Haixian, who wanted to maintain a balance.

If he could, he would wipe them all out.

But unfortunately, he wasn't strong enough yet, so he couldn't do whatever he pleased.

He could only focus on the side with the greatest animosity.

At Flower Face's command, many Hundred Flower Grave disciples and Martial Forest fighters closed in.

Just as Flower Face had said, after opposing the Holy Land, they had no choice but to go all the way down this road.

"Heh. Just be careful not to die before you get around to picking a fight with me." Lu Bai wasn't going to throw a tantrum and insist on fighting right away.

He wasn't the sort who went looking for death. If he couldn't avoid a fight, he would fight with all he had.

But if he could get away, Lu Bai would run as far as he could.

The Phoenix Flying Lady's appearance had taken the blow meant for Lu Bai.

Lu Bai nodded to Lin Haixian and the others, then turned and left. What came next was simply a battle between the orthodox and the demonic: whoever won would be righteous, and whoever lost would be demonic.

He wasn't in good shape, so it was best not to get involved right away.

There would be plenty of opportunities later. By Lu Bai's estimate, he could stay in this world for another ten days or half a month. Perhaps by then, the conflict between the Hundred Flower Grave and the Tianwu Holy Land would have reached its fiercest point.

Before long, someone came jogging over to escort Lu Bai away.

They arranged a small courtyard for him and called in several physicians, who prescribed a good number of medicines for his wounds and recovery.

Lu Bai didn't refuse. He settled in, ate well, and slowly began to heal.

He knew who had arranged all this.

Half a day later, news of the battle's aftermath arrived. Three Phoenix Flying Ladies had died.

Many disciples of the Hundred Flower Grave and other sects had also died. Another batch of blood debts had been added to the ledger.

Flower Face had suffered some injuries. Unable to catch up, he had let the remaining Phoenix Flying Ladies escape.

After night fell, Lu Bai heard plenty of activity outside the courtyard. Some people tried to investigate the situation, while others stopped them.

By then, Lu Bai's identity had been confirmed: he was from the Outer Realm. He could be called either a demon or a Heaven's Being.

The Tianwu Holy Land had begun with a shepherd girl. After receiving support from someone from the Outer Realm, she had founded it.

Back then, people from the Outer Realm were Heaven's Beings. The Heaven's Being had subdued everyone who resisted, and the shepherd girl had risen to a position of great power in the Martial Forest.

All she had done in return was invite the Heaven's Being to stay at her home for a night when they first met.

Lu Bai didn't have the power to subdue the world like that, but who knew what his status was in the upper realm?

No matter what, building a bond with him might bring rewards far beyond anyone's imagination.

Even if he couldn't match the Tianwu Holy Land, for now Lu Bai was still one of the Martial Forest's top experts.

Investing in a master like him could hardly be a loss.

As the night deepened, Lu Bai finished a bowl of medicine. A faint rustling came from the night sky.

Then two provocatively dressed Phoenix Flying Ladies flew in from outside and landed in the courtyard.

They were the Phoenix Flying Lady who had led them that day, and the woman Lu Bai had "rescued."

It seemed the night wasn't over yet.

First update.