Eight Beasts of the Void stopped at different sides of the mountain. Teams after teams of immortals descended from the beasts and started to form layers of encirclement around the mountain. Though the mountain was huge, given the number of immortals, they could spread out and surround it easily.

Su Zixi and Lu Li were assigned to the same team. They were in charge of patrolling in an area. There were groups of two one third of a mile away from Lu Li and Su Zixi. The circle of defense was tight.

All the prefecture warriors had charged into the mountain. Only one prefecture warrior stayed in case the slaves would run away. That bird-eyed Li Qiang headed into the mountain as well. Everything seemed normal.

But it was not normal for Lu Li!

It was not bird-eyed that told them to stay where they were, but Lu Li and Su Zixi were in charge of an exit of a major path.

That was to say… when Followers of the Sect of Supernatural Beings rushed down, Lu Li and Su Zixi would bear the brunt of it.

How were two people supposed to guard a path nearly one thousand feet? This path seemed to be the main entrance. Clearly, this arrangement was not made randomly.

“Brother Su, I am sorry to drag you into this!”

Lu Li forced a smile and then whispered, “Later, when things go south, you step to the side. I will take care of it.”

“Ha, ha!”

Su Zixi smiled. Giving Lu Li a dissatisfied look and he said, “Brother Li, what do you think I am? You are insulting me.”

“No, I am not!”

Lu Li said solemnly, “The Followers will only be the first round of strikes. I believe there are more to come. Their target is me. It’s pointless for you to stay here. Besides… I have some special skills but I don’t feel comfortable using them with you here. Brother Su, you must know that you are only sacrificing your life for nothing when they attack.”

Su Zixi’s face was clouded. Lu Li was right. If it were just Followers, he and Lu Li would not be afraid.

However, there might be prefecture warriors attacking them, taking the cover of chaos. Every prefecture warrior was doughty. No matter how confident Su Zixi was, he knew he would be limited by his abilities and failed to defeat the prefecture warriors.

To ascend as an immortal was not easy. Nobody wanted to drop dead over nothing. Su Zixi acknowledged Lu Li as a friend, but they were not so close that he wanted to fight to death with Lu Li.

Su Zixi nodded. “Don’t worry, Brother Li. I will leave when things go south. Try your best to fight.”

Lu Li patted Su Zixi’s shoulder and moved closer to him. “Brother Su, I am sorry. My name is not Li Lu, but Lu Li. I am from the Heaven Reverse Universe. I did not tell you the truth because I had to. Please forgive me.”

“Hmm!”

Su Zixi was not surprised or angry at all. Instead, he smiled from ear to ear. Lu Li must have accepted his friendship or else he would not say his real name.

“Woo, woo~”

“Bang, bang, bang, bang!”

From the black smoke in the mountain came out some utter dreary cries and screams amid some muffled noises. Clearly, the battle had broken out. However, billowing smoke rose and psychic power was stopped. Nothing could be seen.

Lu Li and Su Zixi stopped talking. The former stopped by the path in dismay. His eyes flickered as he thought of different possibilities and the options he had.

What he felt fortunate about was that Yan Tiangang did not appear. If Yan Tiangang were here, he could have killed Lu Li easily or taken him away. Commander Ye would not offend a mighty warrior in the Divinity just over a new immortal.

Yan Tiangang did not come. Then, he must have sent someone to capture or kill Lu Li. The bird-eyed Li Qiang was one. There should be other prefecture warriors, but three at most, or else Yan Tianggang would have to pay and it was not worthwhile.

By the looks of it, Commander Ye was not involved. If he were, Lu Li would not be able to stand here in one piece. With Commander Ye’s consent, Li Qiang could have directly captured Lu Li and nobody else would say anything.

“Later, there will be many Followers rushing over. Bird-eyed and other prefecture warriors should be hiding nearby. They will secretly take me away or murder me directly!”

Lu Li cleared his thought. He used psychic power to check the surroundings to find a way out.

To fight against prefecture warriors publicly would not work. Once he struck prefecture warriors, then he would be faced with unimaginable consequences. The other prefecture warriors would join hands to execute him. But if he could not fight, was he expected to stand there while bird-eyed Li Qiang struck him?

After much thought!

Lu Li realized he only had three options. First, he could think of a way to run away. Second, he could escape while the situation became chaotic when the Followers rushed over. He would find a way to stay away from bird-eyed and others’ pursuit.

The third option was riskier…

After the time for half an incense stick to burn, the noise in the mountains grew louder. Fights were breaking out in many places. Lu Li could hear a large crowd coming this way. He made up his mind and was determined to go with the third option!

He threw a glance to the patrolling prefecture warriors and whispered to Su Zixi, “Brother Su, later, when someone asks you where I am, just tell them that I am hiding somewhere because I am afraid. Or, you can say we drift apart because of the crowd of Followers. When the crowd of Followers arrives, withdraw if you cannot defeat them.”

With that said, Lu Li rushed into the mountain along the path without hesitation. Soon, Lu Li disappeared into the black smoke…

“Well, taking the bull by the horns. Smart!”

Su Zixi’s eyes glowed as he thought about Lu Li’s decision. In the mountains were many infected demonists. The wicked air was thick in the mountain. Lu Li might be infected. The option was ridden with risks and yet, it was a way out.

If Lu Li were to run away, he would be wanted. From now on, he would be a junkyard dog, running away for his life. He would either be devoured by a wild beast or be killed by prefecture warriors.

On the other hand, he dashed into the mountains. As long as he could stay safe from pursuit by bird-eyed and other prefecture warriors, Lu Li could go back to the team publicly after the fight was over. Nobody could do anything to him or take petty actions in Commander Ye’s presence.

The mountain range was large. It would take some time for the bird-eyed prefecture warrior to find Lu Li. Maybe, by the time Lu Li was found, the mission would have been over. All the demonists would have been killed and the black smoke would disperse. How would the bird-eyed prefecture warrior dare to keep on chasing after Lu Li in broad daylight?

Therefore, Lu Li could survive and return to the Valley of Vicissitudes in safety as long as he could stay alive until the mission was accomplished.

With this mission accomplished, Lu Li would be exempted of one year’s service. When he went back to the Valley of Vicissitudes, he would gain freedom and the right to be a citizen. He could enjoy free access to the cities.

“Brother Lu, good luck! You have good fortunes. You will turn calamities into blessings and survive this.”

Su Zixi could not offer much help to Lu Li other than praying for him. It was fortunate that in the distance, the prefecture warrior was looking the other way and did not notice that one person was missing.

“Bang, bang, bang~”

From the mountain came many quick footsteps. From the black smoke, teams of warriors that had black airstream circulating around them and had red eyes.

“Okay~”

Su Zixi breathed in relief. Followers had come. At the moment, even prefecture warriors were to ask about Lu Li, he could easily find excuses for Lu Li.

“Charge—”

Su Zixi took out a beautiful cyan sword and he dashed toward the crowds of Followers head-on in a graceful manner.