Chapter 160 : Old Friend

And so, the girls held hands and walked out of the forest under the sunlight, beginning a grand escape.

On that same day, after heated discussions, the major top-tier powers reached a preliminary consensus—

Matters concerning the Demon King’s reemergence were classified as top secret and not disclosed to the public.

Only families and powers that had reached a certain level of strength were qualified to access the relevant intelligence.

As for their stance toward Lu Mo—

Regardless of the cost, the newborn Demon King must be strangled in the cradle.

Even if this newborn Demon King was once the hero who killed the previous Demon King.

To that end, they offered an extremely generous bounty.

Any faction that found traces of Lu Mo would receive treasures and other rewards.

If they could confirm Lu Mo’s approximate location, they could freely select some secret techniques from the collections of the major top-tier powers.

The higher the level, the richer the reward.

And the requirement written on the top line of the bounty board was—

Imprison or kill Lu Mo.

Its reward…

Was the opportunity to step into the Stellar Sky Realm.

Such a reward was enough to make any top-tier power willing to pay any price to compete for it.

The news spread quickly.

The families and powers that received it immediately fell into unprecedented fervor.

Time passed.

In the blink of an eye, two months went by.

…

In a small town.

“Miss Lu Mo, I’m back!”

Cecilia pushed open the inn door, carrying several bags of snacks in her hands.

“I double-checked again. There are no suspicious people nearby. We should be able to stay here for a while longer.”

She removed her disguise, let down her long hair, and smiled at Lu Mo.

“I also bought a lot of delicious food.”

“You worked hard, Cecilia.”

Lu Mo smiled back.

She was still sitting at the desk, researching something.

The notebook was densely covered with writing.

[Eighth Fusion Sublimation Power, architecture attempt #1145: failed.]

[Architecture attempt #1146: failed.]

Even while temporarily staying in the town, she had never stopped her research on the path of Fusion Sublimation.

Or rather—

Precisely because she had been exposed, she could not afford to stop.

She had to race against time.

Before the end came, she had to complete the thing that absolutely must be done.

Although her power at the Demon King level had already been exposed, Lu Mo had no intention of becoming an enemy of the entire human world.

In these two months, she had never slaughtered humans.

She had always hidden her identity and power.

And this escape route had not been smooth sailing.

She had been discovered many times.

Those who chased her were all experts from top families and powers.

But the current Lu Mo could even solo the Priscian family.

These so-called experts naturally were not enough to pose a threat.

Often after just a few exchanges, she could easily defeat them.

She never delivered a killing blow.

Instead, she gave them a chance to live.

“Take one more step.”

“You will die.”

She was still human after all.

She would not kill her own kind without reason.

And in the vast majority of cases, the opponents wisely stopped.

During this period, they also encountered an encirclement by a team from the Holy Sanctuary.

Several Sacred Dragon Knights struck simultaneously.

But just a few minutes later—

The wings of several sacred dragons were pierced, their scales torn, and they collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

The Sacred Dragon Knights were also all heavily injured.

“Demon King Lu Mo…”

“Don’t think this is over…”

Only the strongest Sacred Dragon Knight was still standing.

He even planned to burn his life and soul to charge at Lu Mo once more.

He looked ready to die together.

“We will definitely crush your ambition in the end!”

“Rescue the Saintess from your side!”

“Justice will triumph!”

“Humanity must—”

Lu Mo looked at him.

Pondered for a moment.

Then she grabbed Cecilia and pressed a sword against her neck.

“Go ahead and try.”

She said coldly.

The Sacred Dragon Knight was taken aback on the spot.

Finally, he silently gave up the idea of fighting to the death, staring at her with extreme contempt.

“Demon King, you are despicable!”

Lu Mo then left with Cecilia

***

Afterward.

“Cecilia, I’m sorry.”

Lu Mo apologized earnestly.

No matter who it was, having a sword pressed against one’s neck wouldn’t be pleasant.

Of course.

Except for an idiot.

“It’s fine, Miss Lu Mo!”

Cecilia didn’t mind at all.

“If that can end the fight directly, please feel free to press the sword against my neck!”

“…”

Lu Mo looked at her speechlessly.

Finally, she couldn’t help but scold her:

“Idiot.”

“I’m not an idiot!”

Cecilia immediately retorted.

“Have you seen an idiot with acting skills as good as mine?”

Lu Mo couldn’t help but laugh.

In fact.

There was another layer to her using Cecilia as a human shield—

That was to shape Cecilia into a victim kidnapped by the Demon King.

She herself had no way to retreat.

But Cecilia was different.

She was still human.

Lu Mo hoped that one day Cecilia could return to the world that belonged to her.

As for herself…

It didn’t matter anymore.

***

As Cecilia returned to the room, Lu Mo finally closed her notebook, preparing to rest for a moment.

“Miss Lu Mo, ah—”

Just as she leaned back in her chair, she heard Cecilia’s voice.

The girl appeared in front of her, holding out a single french fry.

After a few seconds of silence.

Lu Mo still opened her mouth and accepted the feeding.

“How is it?”

“Not bad.”

“Right!”

Cecilia laughed happily.

“It was quite a long queue just now!”

Because there was an idiot like Cecilia around, this grand escape wasn’t boring at all.

Although they had been through many chases in the past two months.

Overall, it didn’t seem like that big a deal.

But Lu Mo knew.

This was just the beginning.

Those top powers had not yet truly revealed their trump cards.

“The previous encirclements should have all been tests.”

“And after these tests…”

“They’ve probably already guessed my route.”

Lu Mo said softly.

Those top powers had too many ancient methods.

They could truly threaten her.

Now, she was heading straight toward the Great Barrier Wall.

Compared to the human world.

The land beyond the barrier wall, eroded by the Demon Realm, was much safer.

There, human power would be suppressed.

Many methods would also become invalid.

She could gain enough time to complete the Eighth Fusion Sublimation Power.

But…

Once she reached the Great Barrier Wall.

What about Cecilia?

Take her along?

Or pretend to be defeated by the pursuers, injuring herself and leaving Cecilia behind?

After she truly mastered the Eighth Fusion Sublimation Power, she would return to solve the final problem?

Lu Mo thought.

Then she stretched.

She had been buried in research in her room all day.

It was time to go out and get some fresh air.

She changed into ordinary clothes, suppressing all her aura.

In this small town, she wasn’t worried about being discovered.

Even if she were truly discovered.

By the time the major powers arrived, she would have already left.

“Cecilia, I’m going out for a walk.”

“Then… together?”

“Yeah.”

So.

Cecilia happily followed.

Took Lu Mo’s hand.

***

Autumn was deepening.

The leaves on both sides of the street were withering.

The wind also carried a bit of bleakness.

The two walked side by side on the street.

No one recognized them.

The air was a bit chilly.

But they could still feel the warmth from each other’s palms.

They walked.

Laughed.

Their mood relaxed a lot.

Just then.

A woman’s voice came from behind.

“You two ladies, please wait a moment—”

The voice carried surprise.

Also a hint of nostalgia.

Lu Mo and Cecilia turned around at the same time.

They saw a woman walking quickly toward them.

She came up to them, lowered her voice, and asked respectfully:

“Excuse me…”

“Are you Miss Cecilia and Miss Lu Mo?”