Wandering Swordsman |

Shen Mo's face was ashen, his breathing weak, but he still managed a weak smile, trying to comfort Xie Xin: "I'm fine, don't worry..." Before he could finish speaking, a sharp pain struck, causing him to wince. Seeing this, Xie Xin gritted her teeth, suppressing her grief, and said softly, "Don't speak anymore, I'll take you back to your room first."

At this moment, Xie Xin's heart was filled with gratitude and heartache for Shen Mo. The scene just now, where Shen Mo disregarded his own safety and insisted that she go first, deeply moved her with his selfless character.

The air seemed to freeze, a gentle breeze carrying a chill. Faint footsteps echoed in the distance, foreshadowing impending danger. Yet, at this moment, Xie Xin had only one thought: she must protect Shen Mo. She carefully adjusted her position, trying to make Shen Mo more comfortable nestled beside her.

"It's time to go, the wedding banquet is about to begin!" Li Yonghuan's voice was cold and ruthless, carrying an unquestionable tone of command. However, Xie Xin remained unmoved by his urging; her gaze was fixed intently on the injured Shen Mo in front of her. Her hands gripped Shen Mo tightly, as if he were her only support in the world.

Seeing that Xie Xin didn't respond, Li Yonghuan frowned slightly, a hint of impatience flashing in his eyes. He grabbed Xie Xin's arm and forcefully pulled her away from Shen Mo. "Get out of here!" His voice was full of threat and anger.

Without Xie Xin's support, Shen Mo's body collapsed weakly to the ground, and blood slowly flowed from the corner of his mouth again.

He watched Xie Xin being forcibly dragged away by Li Yonghuan, a surge of uncontrollable pain and despair welling up inside him. Li Yonghuan coldly looked at Shen Mo, a mocking smile playing on his lips, and said contemptuously, "Kid, with your meager strength, who do you think you can protect? You can't protect anything!"

These words pierced Shen Mo's heart like a sharp blade, sending a shiver down his spine. Past dangers stemming from his own lack of strength flooded back: the helplessness he felt facing powerful enemies, the powerlessness he felt watching those around him in peril—all of these now ignited a fire within him. That fire burned fiercely, driving him to make his final decision.

Shen Mo's gaze hardened, an unprecedented resolve taking root in his heart. He knew he couldn't let this feeling of powerlessness continue. He would change everything, even at the cost of his own life.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and began to concentrate, thinking about how to resolve his current predicament.

At that moment, the "Nine Revolutions of Yin and Yang" suddenly flashed through his mind. This demonic art was very suitable for the current situation, but its side effects were also extremely severe: according to the description in the manual: the first revolution severs injury, the second revolution severs pain, the third revolution severs flesh, the fourth revolution severs intestines, the fifth revolution severs bones, the sixth revolution severs hearing, the seventh revolution severs sight, the eighth revolution severs intention, and the ninth revolution severs life.

The first four advancements won't damage your fundamental strength; with each advancement, your power doubles. However, the side effects are enough to require ten days to half a month of bed rest to recover from. But if your internal energy is strong enough, you can ignore these side effects.

However, with each of the last four advancements, one's strength doubles. But if one doesn't reach a specific martial arts level to use the last four advancements, the side effect will be irreversible damage.

The final strike increases power tenfold. Unless one has reached the pinnacle of martial arts, using this move will inevitably result in death. This technique should only be used when one is determined to perish together with the enemy.

Shen Mo has only mastered the first four stages of the transformation. Although the unknown side effects might leave him extremely weak and in danger, Shen Mo has decided to fight to the death. He doesn't want to let the past repeat itself because he's not strong enough.

At this moment, the surrounding air seemed to freeze, and a gentle spring breeze brought a touch of coolness. Sunlight shone on his face, illuminating his resolute expression. Shen Mo closed his eyes tightly, his muscles gradually tensing, and veins bulging on his forehead.

He knew that once he started operating the "Nine Revolutions of Yin and Yang," it meant embarking on a path of no return, but facing Li Yonghuan, who was several times stronger than him, he had no other choice.

"Wait!" Shen Mo whispered, his voice filled with unwavering determination. As he finished speaking, he slowly raised his hand, silently reciting the incantation of the "Nine Revolutions of Yin and Yang." An invisible force began to surge within him, like a long-dormant beast finally awakened.

At first, the power seemed weak and gentle, flowing like a trickle through his meridians. However, as Shen Mo deepened his breathing, the power rapidly grew stronger, transforming into a surging river. Every strand of internal energy accelerated its circulation, as if trying to break through all obstacles. Shen Mo, lying on the ground, grew increasingly pale, but the determination in his eyes remained undiminished.

As he initiated the first rotation, a sharp pain suddenly struck, as if countless sharp needles were piercing his body. Despite the unbearable agony, Shen Mo gritted his teeth and persevered, sweat pouring down his forehead like raindrops. Every breath was accompanied by intense pain, but he knew this was a necessary process. Only by enduring this pain could he gain enough strength to fight against Li Yonghuan.

As time passed, Shen Mo's body gradually adapted to this powerful force. He felt his strength multiplying, and his previously weakened body began to regain its vitality. Although the injuries inflicted by Li Yonghuan's attack remained, under the influence of the "Nine Revolutions of Yin and Yang," they seemed less fatal. Shen Mo understood that this was only a temporary relief; the real test was yet to come.

Li Yonghuan, who was pulling Xie Xin away, seemed to hear Shen Mo's shout, or perhaps sensed a sudden surge in Shen Mo's aura. He abruptly turned around. In the moonlight, Shen Mo had already stood up, his figure as straight as a pine tree, as if he had never been seriously injured. A look of astonishment flashed in Li Yonghuan's eyes. He stared at Shen Mo in disbelief, thinking to himself: How is this possible? I clearly inflicted serious damage on him just now, so why does he seem completely unharmed now?

"Demonic energy!" Li Yonghuan's heart skipped a beat, and the thought flashed through his mind. Could it be that Fu Sheng had taught Shen Mo demonic arts? But he immediately dismissed the idea, because the foundation for practicing demonic arts was to first abandon orthodox martial arts, while Shen Mo had clearly used orthodox martial arts when he fought him just now. All of this puzzled him, but in any case, Li Yonghuan knew that the aura emanating from Shen Mo was no longer that of a minor character who could be easily dealt with before.

Despite his many questions, Li Yonghuan decided to step forward quickly, intending to stop Shen Mo. He knew that once Shen Mo became fully familiar with the demonic arts, he would pose a significant threat to him. Therefore, he quickly adjusted his stance, preparing to launch a new attack.