Chapter 18:Trap

Lu Fan had already left Lianhua City behind, the dim lights of the city's towering structures fading into the distance as he ventured deeper into the wilderness. The night was thick with silence, broken only by the distant calls of nocturnal creatures. His heart still raced from the close encounter with the Mo Family's cultivators, but his instincts had guided him well, leading him to safety—at least for now.

The escape had been a blur of calculated movements, each step driven by necessity. After fleeing the city's walls, he took a hidden route through the nearby mountains, far from the main paths where he could easily be tracked. Lu Fan had always been cautious, prepared for the worst, and tonight was no different. He relied on his knowledge of the area to guide him, avoiding the roads where scouts from the Mo Family could be searching.

As he trudged through the dense underbrush, his thoughts were still on the fight. The ambush had come suddenly—cultivators from the Mo Family, no doubt alerted to his escape. They had surrounded him with expert precision, their attacks swift and coordinated. But Lu Fan had anticipated the danger and was quick to react. Using his prior preparation, he activated his escape route explosives, creating a burst of force that sent the Mo Family's pursuers scattering. It was a desperate move, but it bought him just enough time to make his getaway.

Though his heart still pounded from the adrenaline, Lu Fan knew that the fight wasn't over. He had taken trophies from his attackers—tokens to sell or use, signs of his victory. But there was no time to rest. The Mo Family would have sensed his escape by now and would be scrambling to track him. Lu Fan was certain they wouldn't give up easily, not with their foundation building expert still alive and their resources vast.

The night air carried a crisp chill, and Lu Fan tightened his cloak around his shoulders as he pushed forward. His escape wasn't just a physical one—it was a shift in his journey. Lianhua City had been a trap, a place where he had felt the looming pressure of the Mo Family's influence. Now, out here, in the vastness of the wilderness, he was free. But he knew it wouldn't last long. The Mo Family's reach extended far beyond the city, and he needed to move quickly, far from their grasp.

"I can't stay here long," he muttered to himself. "I'll need to find a safer place… a place to cultivate and grow stronger, away from their prying eyes." The thought of his next steps kept him focused. He wasn't just running—he was planning.

Lu Fan carefully examined the trophies he had collected from the Mo Family cultivators—severed limbs, pieces of clothing, and insignia. He didn't know if these items had any tracking markers or spiritual energy signatures that could lead the Mo Family to him, but he wasn't taking any chances. He had to act quickly.

He arranged the items in a secluded cave he had found during his escape, placing them in a manner that seemed natural, almost like a decoy. His heart raced as he activated the trap he had carefully prepared. Hidden explosives lined the entrance, ready to detonate the moment someone ventured inside. If they were following him, they would be eager to collect their "trophies" back. He just needed to lure them in.

Lu Fan settled himself into a hidden corner of the cave, staying completely still, his senses heightened. His pulse quickened as he waited. Hours passed, but his patience paid off. From a distance, he could hear the faint rustling of footsteps—cultivators, no doubt, their movements heavy with purpose.

The Mo Family had come.

They entered the cave cautiously, their eyes scanning the surroundings, searching for their missing cultivators or any signs of their prey. It was exactly what Lu Fan had anticipated. He could hear the voices now, low murmurs of confusion and frustration. They were getting closer.

As soon as the first cultivator crossed the threshold, Lu Fan activated the trap. A powerful explosion rang through the cave, shaking the ground beneath his feet. The force of the blast was overwhelming, sending shockwaves through the air, and a fiery eruption followed, tearing through the Mo Family cultivators as they were caught in the blast. The cave was filled with the sounds of destruction—the guttural cries of the cultivators were drowned out by the deafening boom.

When the dust settled, the cave was eerily quiet. The Mo Family cultivators had been blown to pieces, their remains scattered across the cavern's floor, a grim reminder of Lu Fan's quick thinking and resourcefulness.

He moved carefully through the wreckage, collecting more trophies—pieces of armor, weapons, and insignia. This would serve as more than just a reminder; it was a clear message. Lu Fan was no longer the hunted—he was the hunter. With the immediate threat behind him, he gathered what he could and prepared to move again, knowing that the Mo Family would soon regroup and come after him once more.

But for now, he had bought himself some time.

Lu Fan carefully gathered all the remains and trophies from the Mo Family cultivators and stored them into his storage space. He knew this was a necessary precaution. Cultivators had methods of tracking people, even through the items they possessed. Tracking marks could be embedded in the materials or blood of those they targeted, making it possible for enemies to track them even if the items were placed in a standard storage bag.

However, Lu Fan's system space was different. It was a unique storage dimension, one that could sever the connection between the physical world and any possible tracking methods. By placing the trophies in his system space, he effectively disconnected any possible tracking markers from the real world. It was the safest option, ensuring that the Mo Family would be unable to trace his movements through their cultivated tracking spells.

With the trophies safely hidden away, he knew his position remained secure—at least for now. But the encounter had confirmed one thing: the Mo Family would stop at nothing to hunt him down, and their pursuit would only grow more intense.

Lu Fan took a moment to breathe, the tension from his escape still lingering. His mind raced as he considered his next move. He had effectively evaded the Mo Family for now, but he knew this was only a temporary victory. The Mo Family's reach was vast, and sooner or later, they'd send more cultivators after him. He needed to leave the area and find a place where he could further hone his strength, away from the dangers of Lianhua City.

He carefully examined his storage space, checking the contents for any potential threats or items that could be tracked. Satisfied that he was clear, he decided to head deeper into the wilderness. There, he could continue his cultivation in peace, away from the prying eyes of those who sought to hunt him.

But as he gathered his things and prepared to leave, a nagging feeling in the back of his mind wouldn't let go. The Mo Family was more dangerous than he had realized, and the trap he set might not be enough to deter them for long. They would learn from this and adapt.

Lu Fan tightened his grip on the hilt of his weapon, steeling himself for what was to come. It was time to disappear into the unknown, find a place where his cultivation could flourish, and prepare for the inevitable conflict with the Mo Family. He had no intention of being hunted down again. This time, he'd be ready.