Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 987 537: Isn't That the Underworld? (High Intensity)

Even when considering Lu Dongliang, his withdrawal just now wasn't warranted.

"So what if it's him? Since you personally stepped in, are you worried you can't handle those two brothers?"

"The reason I don't act rashly is because there's a formidable Sound Cultivator among them."

"Those Sound Cultivation Techniques are nothing significant, merely tricks. From what I know, Lu Dongliang hasn't practiced Sound Cultivation. If it was truly him, his Sound Cultivation should originate from a Magical Treasure."

"Child, your thinking is too simplistic. If these are just tricks, why is your technique consistently disrupted by him?"

"It's because he's intimately familiar with my songs; each time, he coincidentally disrupts the melody."

"Child, there aren't that many coincidences. When coincidences repeat themselves, it indicates the opponent's mastery of Sound Cultivation significantly surpasses yours.

I offer support from behind, and Lu Dongliang might also have someone backing him. Until that individual reveals themselves, I cannot commit my full strength to the battle. Otherwise, we'll have no path for retreat."

"Retreat?" Chu Zikai managed a wry smile, "Considering my current financial state, do you believe I still possess a way to retreat?"

"Child, do not be so hasty. Your predicament isn't as dire as you perceive. I will also endeavor to secure more assistance for you. It's not worth gambling resources over trivial monetary matters."

His enunciation was remarkably precise, barely betraying his foreign origins.

However, his repeated use of the term 'child' to address Chu Zikai caused considerable resentment, though he dared not show it.

...

The fierce wind subsided, and Li Banfeng sought refuge in a dilapidated shed, observing the unfolding situation outside with keen awareness.

Danger loomed once more, not with the prior intensity, but imbued with a palpable malevolence that Li Banfeng sensed.

"Brother, is that you?" The malevolent presence emanated from Lu Dongjun, who had narrowly escaped the previous gale and was now emerging from the debris.

Employing the Golden Gaze Autumn Hair technique, Li Banfeng could discern the faint green flames surrounding Lu Dongjun. Indeed, Lu Dongjun was a Lost Soul, yet his soul possessed remarkable solidity, creating the illusion of tangible flesh and blood.

"Brother, did you save me just now?" Lu Dongjun inquired again.

Li Banfeng remained concealed within the shed, offering no response.

Lu Dongjun's assumption that Li Banfeng was Lu Dongliang was an understandable one. Besides Lu Dongliang, Lu Dongjun couldn't fathom any other high-level Traveling Cultivator who would intervene to save his life.

"Brother, where have you been all this time?"

Lu Dongjun pressed further, and Li Banfeng continued his silent vigil.

Lu Dongjun let out a profound sigh: "I understand; you must still harbor resentment towards me. Ever since that incident, I've been searching for you. My intention was never to cause you harm; I merely sought an opportunity for atonement.

Brother, I admit my mistakes. I was misled by Zhuo Yuling. Since that event, I have truly comprehended the depth of my error."

As he spoke, Lu Dongjun's voice wavered slightly, and his words conveyed a sense of genuine remorse.

Li Banfeng found himself at a loss for words, unable to adequately describe Lu Dongjun's peculiar shrewdness.

One might deem him not particularly intelligent, yet his battlefield strategies were astonishingly effective.

However, to label him intelligent? He could still utter such falsehoods in Li Banfeng's presence.

He had mistaken Li Banfeng for Lu Dongliang, a high-level Traveling Cultivator. In this precarious situation, Lu Dongjun's malice was evident, rendering any fabricated sincerity worthless, especially against Lu Dongliang's innate ability to Seek Fortune and Avoid Disaster.

Li Banfeng subtly shifted his toes, deliberately creating a soft sound.

Lu Dongjun, alerted by the noise, slowly approached the shed: "Brother, I've followed in your footsteps since childhood. Without your guidance, I am incapable, merely a failure,

I lost my way, believed Zhuo Yuling's deceitful words, and acted against you. Only when I bore the responsibility of the Lu Family on my own shoulders did I grasp its immense difficulty,

I journeyed to Hai Chi Ridge, aiming to forge my own renown, but I was betrayed by Wan Jinxian and manipulated by the He Family brothers. My end was tragically pathetic,

My initial desire was to reincarnate as a human, hoping to renew our brotherhood in the next life. I vowed to follow you devotedly, to face any hardship without regret,

Yet, I never foresaw that beings who have attained Cultivation have no subsequent life. I believed I had entered the Yellow Springs Road, only to discover I had arrived in the Inner State."

The Inner State?

What sort of circumstance was this?

Lu Dongjun's narrative completely overturned Li Banfeng's understanding of reality.

He had always held the conviction that only cultivators at the Tenth Layer, after shedding their mortal forms, could ascend to the Inner State for further cultivation.

But why, then, had Lu Dongjun also reached the Inner State?

Was it true that cultivators had no afterlife? Did that imply all cultivated souls were destined for the Inner State post-mortem?

Lu Dongjun's voice was laced with sorrow as he declared, "Brother, I endured immense suffering within the Inner State; it was all just retribution for my past deeds. Now that I have escaped, I never imagined that we brothers would have the chance to reunite in a place like this.

It takes unity to conquer a tiger. When you rescued me during that recent confrontation, I understood that the brotherhood between us remained unshaken. Brother, I confess my transgressions. If you can find it in your heart to forgive me this time, my life will forever be yours."

With a thunderous impact!

Lu Dongjun slammed into the shed, the ensuing explosion of fragments transforming into razor-sharp projectiles that sliced through the interior of the structure multiple times.

Had Li Banfeng not been anticipating an attack, he would have undoubtedly sustained injuries.

Despite successfully evading the ambush, Li Banfeng remained perplexed by Lu Dongjun's underlying motives for such an action.

His malevolent intent was barely concealed, yet he sought to deceive "Lu Dongliang," a contradiction that suggested a lack of astuteness.

However, "Lu Dongliang" had just come to his aid. In the present circumstances, "Lu Dongliang's" assistance was indeed crucial. Why then would he be so hasty to betray "Lu Dongliang"?