Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 912 - 520: Green Flower, Farewell! (Part 2)

The fabric, once soft, became as hard as stone, striking Li Banfeng’s head with significant force.

This time, Green Flower was certain he would shatter Li Banfeng’s skull.

However, Li Banfeng’s head remained intact, though blood started to trickle down his forehead.

Green Flower was taken aback; how could a mere Traveling Cultivator withstand such an impact? He suspected some kind of Spiritual Object was concealed within Li Banfeng’s hair!

There were no Spiritual Objects; Li Banfeng had actually used the Benevolent and Righteous Technique to absorb the blow!

Grasping the clothes, Green Flower’s fingers trembled as the fabric softened once more, encasing Li Banfeng like a zongzi leaf.

Li Banfeng lost consciousness. Yet, in his dazed state, he sensed imminent danger. Utilizing his still-functioning legs, he quickly activated Short Step, escaping the confining clothes unimpeded.

The Greenwater Beggar retrieved the tattered garments and suddenly found himself amidst a desolate mountain landscape.

What mountain was this? Why was it covered only in wild grass and scattered stones?

Li Banfeng suddenly spoke, his voice clear: "Senior, I hold you in high regard."

What could this mean?

Bang!

The ground beneath Green Flower erupted, forcing him to swiftly evade the explosion.

Li Banfeng continued, "Senior, even if you are defeated today, I will show you mercy and not kill you."

Rumble!

A nearby cliff face disintegrated, and the resulting shrapnel left bloody gashes across Green Flower’s body.

Green Flower finally grasped his surroundings.

He was on Bloody Fang Mountain.

Li Banfeng had employed the Mind Traverse Thousand Mountains Technique to transport Bloody Fang Mountain to this location.

Green Flower attempted a diversionary tactic, trying to detonate a section of the mountain. However, the Mind Traverse Thousand Mountains Technique’s effect was brief, and Bloody Fang Mountain vanished as quickly as it had appeared.

Green Flower scrambled to gather the scattered remnants, pouring wine from his Gourd, igniting a fire with his Gloves, and collecting the ashes with the Projector. Meanwhile, Li Banfeng circled Green Flower relentlessly, continuously activating Trample Over Thousands of Rivers.

Relentlessly wearing him down, Li Banfeng intended to exhaust Green Flower to his death, offering no chance for recovery.

While defending against the onslaught, Green Flower found himself increasingly bewildered. He had never encountered such a frenzied Traveling Cultivator. Most conventional cultivators balanced offense with strategic retreats, employing various tactics. This opponent, however, pressed the attack relentlessly, showing no regard for caution or potential consequences.

Sensing the tide turning against him, Green Flower held his ground instead of fleeing. He stood firm until Li Banfeng executed a movement that lacked any discernible technique.

Was he exhausted?

Not entirely; Li Banfeng still possessed considerable stamina.

Proximity to his Portable Residence granted high-level Home Cultivation practitioners a distinct advantage in stamina compared to cultivators of the same level near their own abodes.

An obstruction prevented him from executing his technique; it felt like a worm wriggling in his nose, provoking an intense urge to sneeze.

"My lord, you must not sneeze!" Tang Sword exclaimed, remembering something vital. "A sneeze will cost you your sight!"

This was a consequence of the curse inflicted by Green Flower.

When did this affliction occur?

Could it have been when he was struck by those tattered clothes?

Li Banfeng’s suspicion was correct; Green Flower’s methods were not limited to sheer force. The attack from the clothing had been potent, carrying numerous cursed points.

Weighed down by these cursed points, Li Banfeng struggled to maintain focus. Green Flower swiftly closed the distance and expelled a thick glob of phlegm.

Li Banfeng narrowly dodged; the phlegm struck a concrete wall, leaving a hole the size of a fist.

The Greenwater Beggar then hurled a handful of snot. This snot sprouted wings, morphing into a translucent bird that relentlessly pursued Li Banfeng.

Now, Li Banfeng could no longer confront Green Flower directly. The persistent discomfort in his nose clouded his thoughts, causing tears to stream uncontrollably and severely impairing his vision.

Under Green Flower’s relentless assault, Li Banfeng retreated erratically.

This was the type of Traveling Cultivator Green Flower was accustomed to dealing with, possessing numerous methods to counter them.

...Chuuni heard the continuous detonations echoing from further down the path and turned towards the warning perimeter.

"We ought to investigate; Lady Straw Moth is formidable, and Bureau Chief Li may not be able to handle such a powerful foe alone. At the very least, we can offer some support."

Light Bulb, however, shook his head. "Brother, if you have visited Puluo State, you would understand: never involve yourself in conflicts that do not concern you. Intervening there would only invite chaos and could even endanger Seventh Master!"

As they conversed, a figure hurried towards them from a distance.

Light Bulb immediately stood, intercepting the approaching individual. "What are you doing here?"

Despite the midsummer heat, the man was clad in a high-collared coat that concealed his face, topped with a mountaineering hat.

Upon closer examination, it was apparent that his face was heavily bandaged.

The man cast a glance at Light Bulb and stated, "I am new to this area, here to offer my assistance."

"New in town?" Light Bulb was momentarily taken aback. "I don’t recall seeing you around before."

"The way you put it," the bandaged man responded with a hint of bewilderment, "if you had seen me, would I still be considered new?"

Light Bulb considered this carefully; it did, in fact, hold a certain logic!

Before he could probe further, the bandaged individual had already crossed the designated warning line, stepping onto Sui Chen Road.

Light Bulb’s eyes widened in surprise. "Didn’t Chief Li explicitly instruct us not to cross that line without his authorization? This fellow has just defied a direct order."

Dumpling chimed in, "When Chief Li issued those orders earlier, this person hadn’t arrived yet; he likely didn’t hear the command. Therefore, it can’t truly be classified as disobedience, can it?"

Light Bulb, however, remained unconvinced, shaking his head. "Chief Li’s directives weren’t solely for the three of us; they were for the entire team. The Public Security Team, and indeed the entire Dark Star Bureau, are bound to follow Chief Li’s commands."

While Light Bulb and Dumpling were engrossed in their debate regarding the scope and validity of the order, Chuuni was the first to regain clarity. "Why are we all assuming this individual belongs to the Public Security Team?"

Light Bulb blinked, replying, "He stated it himself; he's new here."

Chuuni expressed his surprise. "So you’re just taking his word for it? He didn’t even present any identification!"

...Li Banfeng found himself still engaged in maneuvers with Green Flower, or perhaps, he wasn't entirely certain if his actions could even be termed 'maneuvers'.