Wandering Swordsman |

"What's going on?" Lu Yan asked in surprise, his eyes filled with doubt.

"Could it be because of the aura of the Demon-Refining Beast King that has merged into my body?" Shen Mo guessed, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. The others nodded in agreement, after all, Shen Mo had indeed displayed extraordinary power after absorbing the aura of the Demon-Refining Beast King.

Before long, Shen Mo led everyone back to the No. 2 totem, which served as their stronghold.

The stronghold was now taking shape, with simple wooden huts scattered around the totem. Although these huts were not aesthetically pleasing, hastily built with rough wood and rudimentary tools, they provided shelter from the wind and rain for those in the Demon Refining Mountain.

Each log cabin is supported by several thick tree trunks, and its roof is covered with a thick layer of leaves and thatch to protect it from the rain. The doors are made of simple planks pieced together; though not airtight, they are enough to keep out the cold wind. Inside, there are several simple beds covered with hay; though simple, they give a feeling of warmth. Some basic tools and weapons hang on the walls, as if ready to face any unknown danger.

Hearing the commotion outside, Yue Linglong emerged from one of the wooden houses, her gaze tender as she watched Shen Mo and Xie Xin return safely. A barely perceptible joy flickered in her eyes, and her heart was filled with boundless care for Shen Mo.

After spending the past six months together, Yue Linglong's feelings for Shen Mo had deepened. "Shen Mo, you're finally back. Did you make any new discoveries in the valley?" Yue Linglong's voice was soft and full of concern, and her face was filled with a sincere smile. Although she still maintained her strength and confidence in front of others, she seemed to have become much softer in front of Shen Mo, no longer like that powerful and fearless girl.

In fact, everyone except Yue Linglong herself noticed the change in her attitude. She treated Shen Mo with more care, her words were full of concern, and her eyes often revealed a special light.

Especially after being separated from Shen Mo for several hours, she was always the first to step forward and inquire about Shen Mo's condition. Her thoughtfulness and consideration were truly astonishing.

Shen Mo responded with a smile, "The operation went fairly smoothly. We discovered a new Heavenly Demon Totem and a circular plaza in that valley."

After exchanging a few words with Yue Linglong, Lü Yan retrieved the map of the Demon Refining Mountain that was being drawn and placed it on the simple wooden table.

Everyone looked at the map, and Lü Yan marked the location of the totem they had previously discovered in the passage. At this point, the number of Heavenly Demon Totems on this simple map had reached eighty, with only twenty-six totems remaining to be discovered.

Tu Yuliang looked at the gradually improving map, a hint of anticipation in his voice: "At this rate, we'll be able to complete the map of the entire Demon Refining Mountain in no time."

After listening, Shen Mo carefully examined the location of each mark, his finger lightly tracing over the totem points that had already been found. He said in a deep voice, "But the remaining twenty-six totems are in that area where demonic beasts frequently appear, so we need to be even more cautious when we explore further."

After Shen Mo finished speaking, Lü Yan and Tu Yuliang immediately nodded in agreement. This action made Yue Linglong feel a little strange. She wondered to herself: When did the two of them become so supportive of Shen Mo?

It wasn't until Lü Yan and Tu Yuliang left with the people from the Flame Demon Pavilion and the Blood Demon Pavilion respectively that their conversation revealed the whole truth.

Lu Yan first bowed and said, "My lord, we shall return now to prepare for our next exploration."

Tu Yuliang echoed, "My lord, please let us know if you need anything. We are always ready to serve."

Shen Mo smiled slightly and calmly replied, "Brother Lü, Brother Tu, you two don't need to be so reserved. After a while, we'll choose another place to gather everyone together, so we won't have to go our separate ways."

After Lü Yan and Tu Yuliang left with their respective teams, Yue Linglong could no longer contain her doubts. She walked up to Shen Mo, her eyes filled with questions: "Shen Mo, what exactly happened? Why did they call you 'Lord'?"

Seeing this, Xie Xin explained softly, "Senior Sister Linglong, this is what happened in the circular plaza not long ago..." Xie Xin told Yue Linglong the details, including the details of Shen Mo defeating the Demon Beast King, recounting every single thing.

Upon hearing this, Yue Linglong was deeply conflicted. After all, the Flame Demon Pavilion and the Blood Demon Pavilion had already pledged their allegiance to Shen Mo.

As a representative of the Moon Demon Pavilion, should she also pledge allegiance to Shen Mo? Thinking of this, she couldn't help but worry: if she swore allegiance to Shen Mo, she would become his subordinate and unable to develop a closer relationship.

Torn by these conflicting emotions, Yue Linglong finally found Xie Xin that evening. Night had fallen, and moonlight streamed through the window, adding a touch of tranquility to the room. Yue Linglong gently knocked on Xie Xin's door.

"Come in." Xie Xin's voice came from inside the house. She opened the door and found Yue Linglong standing outside, a hint of unease in her eyes. "Senior Sister Linglong, what's wrong? You seem a little off."

Yue Linglong walked into the room, slowly sat down, and sighed: "Xie Xin, there's something that's been bothering me."

Xie Xin noticed Yue Linglong's emotional change and asked with concern, "Senior Sister Linglong, is there anything you can tell me? Maybe I can help you."

After hesitating for a moment, Yue Linglong finally spoke, "Xie Xin, although you call me senior sister, you are older than me, so you should think more and see more than me. Right now, there is something I don't know what to do."

Xie Xin nodded: "Senior Sister Linglong, please speak, I will do my best to help you."

Xie Xin's attitude moved Yue Linglong, and she continued, "Now that Lü Yan and Tu Yuliang have both pledged their allegiance to Shen Mo, as a representative of the Moon Demon Pavilion, I am also considering whether to pledge my allegiance to Shen Mo as well."

Hearing this, Xie Xin felt that this shouldn't be the main point. Sure enough, after a pause, Yue Linglong's cheeks turned red, and she continued in a low voice, somewhat embarrassed, "But, if I really do that, we'll become superior and subordinate, and then it will be very difficult for him and me to develop a closer relationship."

Xie Xin listened quietly, a complex expression flashing across her face, before she breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out that what seemed like a trivial matter had become a major problem because it troubled Yue Linglong's mind. The saying "the onlooker sees more of the game than the player" seemed to resonate deeply with Xie Xin at this moment.

After a moment of silence, she laughed self-deprecatingly: "Actually, I also have feelings for Shen Mo."