Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 1172 583: Out Selling Yourself Again? (Part 3)

Path-breaking Technique can open paths, but can also sever them.

A mud wall wasn't much of a challenge for Tang Shijiang; he directly crashed through it and continued the pursuit.

However, when more than twenty Coachmen exerted their strength together, a total of more than twenty mud walls appeared in front of him. By the time Tang Shijiang crashed through the tenth wall, his speed started to slow down.

Driver Leader rushed outward using Unimpeded, shaking off Tang Shijiang behind him.

He fought for a chance to escape, but paid a heavy price for it.

The remaining more than twenty Coachmen using their Technique at the spot essentially offered themselves to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng certainly was not courteous, left none alive, killed all the Coachmen, then turned to pursue Driver Leader.

Driver Leader charged out of the coal yard, gathered the five Coachmen patrolling outside together, and fled with all his might.

The group of Coachmen was reduced to these five men; they, along with himself, became the sole hope for this mission.

Not far from their escape, they were suddenly confronted by a bamboo forest blocking their path.

Where did this bamboo forest come from?

These bamboos grew densely, creating no significant obstacle for a Traveling Cultivator, who could assault through with several Short Steps.

But for this group of Coachmen, the bamboo forest posed a dilemma because they could pass through it, but the carriages couldn't.

Xiao Chuanzi and Xiao Genzi hid within the bamboo forest, watching the movements outside.

Chuanzi whispered: "Root, who taught you this technique? What level is your cultivation now?"

Xiao Genzi chuckled: "We both entered the Taoist Sect together, don't you already know my cultivation level?"

Back then, because of creating a home projector, Xiao Chuanzi's Craftsmanship Method gained widespread recognition in Puluo State, causing his cultivation level to surge. Additionally, with elixirs occasionally awarded by Li Banfeng, he had already reached Fourth Layer Craftsman Cultivation.

He assumed Xiao Genzi's cultivation level was surely inferior to his, at most around Third Layer.

Yet tonight, Xiao Chuanzi realized he had underestimated Root; with a bag of seeds and a bucket of Golden Juice, Xiao Genzi planted a bamboo forest in just a few minutes, a tactic that greatly amazed Ma Wu.

Amazement aside, it wasn't the time for idle chatter.

"Get ready, they are entering the forest!"

Driver Leader initially considered bypassing the bamboo forest, but upon closer observation, found it was too large.

Li Banfeng would catch up soon, they couldn't bypass it, and thus were forced to use Path-breaking Technique to proceed.

Ma Wu and Root shielded Xiao Chuanzi, laying traps along the path. Even with Fourth Layer Craftsman Cultivation, their tactics were limited in the face of Cultivator Above the Clouds.

But Xiao Chuanzi was well-prepared, many of the traps were ready-made, taking root instantly.

The state of affairs for Driver Leader wasn't ideal, as he forcefully blocked the steam ducts, but the steam pressure was nearly exhausted, and his physical strength was largely depleted.

As they traversed the bamboo forest briefly, one Coachman fell into a pitfall, and Ma Wu employed the Lust Cultivation Technique to induce extreme anxiety, causing the Coachman's blood vessels to rupture.

Another Coachman was struck by scattered stones; before he could rise, Root poured a bucket of Golden Juice on him, corroding both him and his carriage, quickly ending his life.

Li Banfeng chased into the bamboo forest, first slaying two Coachmen, then pursued Driver Leader outside the forest.

Driver Leader ceased his escape.

He turned his carriage, using it as a shield, his eyes intently fixed on Li Banfeng.

He intended to engage in a decisive battle with Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng waved to Ma Wu and the others, signaling them to retreat into invisible spots, where neither they could see any Coachmen nor Coachmen could see them; otherwise, Passing Glance might inadvertently affect them.

Driver Leader looked at Li Banfeng and said: "Brother, I never imagined we'd end up here today."

Li Qi sighed: "I also don't want it to end here. How about this—you leave the carriage, release Miss Qin, and let this be over."

Driver Leader laughed: "Brother, I've been through a lot in Jianghu, don't take me for a novice. If I leave the carriage now, can you ensure my life is spared?"

Li Banfeng also laughed: "You don't let go of the carriage, and I can't spare your life. Do you take me for a novice? Who do you call brother? Do I know you?"

Driver Leader knew he couldn't keep up the act; if he delayed any longer, Tang Shijiang would arrive, and then there would be no chance of escape.

"Let's have a duel here, with just one move, no tricks. We'll use Passing Glance.

We're locked onto each other right now; soon, we'll move simultaneously to see whose feet are faster and who can claim their life first."

This was the rule set by Driver Leader, both parties locking their gaze onto each other, then acting simultaneously. The quicker action would disappear from the opponent's sight first, triggering Passing Glance, thus exterminating the other.

Li Banfeng truly had no need to gamble this way; his condition was far better than Driver Leader's.

Yet he agreed.

"We're all fine sons of the Traveling Cultivator faction," Li Banfeng said, fixing his gaze on Driver Leader, "Let's battle openly and fearlessly today!"

Driver Leader nodded: "A gentleman's word, swift as a whip; we fight fairly, life or death, no regrets!"

The two men squared off, standing face to face.

A cold wind blew, lifting dust; neither blinked.

Driver Leader's eye twitched, his right foot raised.

Li Banfeng's toes touched the ground, initiating action first.

He would soon leave Driver Leader's line of sight, unsuspecting that Driver Leader would remain stationary, suddenly squatting, hiding behind the carriage top.

This move was insidious, rendering Li Banfeng unable to see him.

Being unseen meant the gaze couldn't be locked; Li Banfeng couldn't activate Passing Glance Technique now.