The Forest of a Thousand Deaths

Julius's words and apology to the villagers were warmly received. Everyone present felt relieved and confident that Julius wouldn't harm them. Now it was Starfall's family waiting to see what the young man would do to them. They resigned themselves to whatever might happen because it was impossible to resist Julius with his abilities.

"Starting today, the leadership of Luminae city will be returned to the Tiberius family, and I myself will lead it. In my absence, Uncle Miller will represent me. Anyone who opposes will face severe punishment."

"Long live Young Master! Long live Young Master!"

Cheers erupted from the residents of Luminae city as Julius took over the leadership of the city again. Fundamentally, they preferred the Tiberius family over the Starfall family. Under Starfall's leadership, the city's residents would be heavily taxed, especially those with businesses.

"For anyone from the Starfall family involved in the massacre of my family, I expect an investigation and appropriate punishment for them. For those who are innocent, let them go and allow them to stay in this house because it's their right," Julius said.

Immediately, some members of the Starfall family knelt down and expressed their gratitude for the leniency shown by Julius. Only a few looked reluctantly compliant. Julius could guess that they were the ones involved in the attack on his family. But he didn't want to act directly; instead, he entrusted Miller to handle it.

"Unexpectedly, it was the son of the Tiberius family who eliminated the Right-Wing Commander."

From a distance, a man dressed all in red stood on a tree, observing all the events at the Starfall family's residence. It seemed like he had been there for a while, monitoring the Starfall family's house. His relaxed stance on the leaves indicated he was either a skilled individual or a high-level practitioner. At least he had entered the realm of spiritual beings. Only after everyone dispersed from the place did he leave his observation point.

For three days, Julius stayed in Luminae city, taking care of all matters there. On the fourth day, Julius left Luminae city to continue his journey towards the fire Mountain. The young man resumed his journey on horseback, a horse specially given by Master Lin Duano during his time at the Academy of the God's Tower.

He traveled on horseback for quite a while without passing through any village or town where he could rest. As night approached, his journey led him into the forest area. However, this didn't make him afraid to enter or even spend the night there. He intended to spend the night in the forest while filling his stomach with wild animals he could catch.

Julius and his horse slowly made their way into the forest path. When they reached a slightly open area, they rested there. Julius lit a campfire for illumination in the very dark place. Occasionally, he sharpened his senses to assess the situation in the forest and moved if he sensed any movement of wild animals that he could eat.

Not long after, he managed to catch three wild rabbits, ready to be his meal. After slaughtering the rabbits, Julius roasted them. The young man had a considerable appetite as he devoured the three rabbits alone. This might be because he had been traveling for quite a while without rest for food and drink.

After finishing two rabbits and saving the rest for his next journey, Julius rested, preparing to sleep. He lay not far from the campfire he had lit. Not long after, he fell asleep.

Julius had been asleep for quite some time when he was awakened by the sound of galloping horses chasing each other. Julius guessed there were about eight of them. A group of people consisted of six horses, while two horses were slightly ahead. Julius speculated that the two horses in the front were being pursued by the people on the six horses behind. Initially, Julius intended to hide, but he abandoned that plan to find out what these people were doing upon discovering another person in the forest.

Not long after, two horsemen appeared, consisting of a pair of teenagers around the same age as Julius. Seeing someone in the vicinity, they, appearing weary, immediately dismounted and approached Julius.

"Sir, please help us from the pursuit of the demons!" the teenage boy said after dismounting from his horse.

In truth, the two teenagers sought help from Julius without knowing anything about the young man's abilities. They were simply desperate because they were being chased by members of the demon sect. Seeing someone there, they quickly dismounted and asked for his help. After realizing that the person was just a young man their age, they seemed disappointed. However, there was no chance to leave anymore, as six people chasing them had already appeared at the scene.

"You'd better surrender to us, we guarantee your safety," shouted one of the six horsemen who had just arrived.

"How can we believe that you will bring us safely? You are the ones who slaughtered our family and friends. I'm sure you want to capture us so that our parents will surrender to you. We won't fall for your deception," the teenage boy retorted loudly.

"Do you think you can escape and evade our pursuit? Go ahead, enter the forest there. I'm sure you won't come out of this forest alive. Don't you know what kind of forest this is?" said the leader of the pursuers, dressed in black with a golden headband as a sign of leadership within the group from the demon sect of the Flame Star.

The two teenagers fell silent. They knew they had made a mistake by fleeing into the forest and unknowingly entering a forbidden forest called the Forest of a Thousand Deaths.