Wandering Swordsman |

"Shen Mo..." Yue Linglong called softly, her voice filled with despair and worry.

However, Shen Mo did not respond to her question. His gaze swept over the crowd, his eyes revealing a strange and cold aura. It was as if the person standing before them was no longer the familiar Shen Mo, but an existence completely consumed by the aura of the Heavenly Demon.

Shen Mo then turned to look at Yue Linglong, who had called him, a strange smile appearing on his lips. He then immediately flashed in front of Yue Linglong, preparing to confront her.

However, his attack suddenly stopped. A hint of doubt flashed in his dark eyes, as if he were engaged in a fierce internal struggle with some unseen force. Then, he closed his eyes and stood there motionless, as if possessed. Yue Linglong and Lü Yan were overjoyed at the sight, believing it to be a golden opportunity, but unfortunately, their bodies were still bound by the pressure of the Heavenly Demon Qi, and they could not move an inch.

......

At the same time, the scene shifts to a dark and lightless world—Shen Mo's inner world. Here, all around is emptiness, with only Shen Mo standing alone in the center, looking around, trying to find a way out. Just then, a black flame emerges from the void, condensing into a figure that slowly appears before Shen Mo.

"I didn't expect you to still be conscious." The voice of the black-flame figure was deep and hoarse, carrying an indescribable ancient aura. "However, that doesn't matter, because I will completely erase your consciousness."

Upon hearing this, a resolute glint flashed in Shen Mo's eyes. He knew that his presence here was most likely the work of that black-flame figure, and that only by fighting with all his might could he possibly escape his predicament.

"If you want to fight, then come on!" he said in a low voice, then quickly activated the "Tiger-Breaking Heart Technique," thrusting his palms forward with tremendous force, the Thunder Palm striking the black-flame figure. However, after only three moves, the black-flame figure easily deflected his attack and knocked him back with a counter-attack.

Not to be outdone, Shen Mo quickly adjusted his state, circulating the "Heart-Clearing Technique" to calm his inner turmoil. He then unleashed the "Heavenly Gang Sword Technique," his sword flashing like the wind, each strike containing all his inner strength. Even so, he couldn't withstand five moves from the black-flame figure. Subsequently, he tried a combination of attacks using the "Moonlit Night Divine Skill," the "Turtle Breathing Technique," and the "Iron Shirt Technique," but each was easily countered.

Seeing no effect, Shen Mo decided to switch to demonic arts. He unleashed the Blood Fiend Demon Art, the Nine Revolutions of Yin and Yang, the Blood Shadow Technique, and the Heaven-Defying Divine Art in turn, each displaying astonishing power. However, they all proved utterly ineffective against the black-flame figure. After a maximum of ten moves, Shen Mo was defeated once again.

The figure in black flames said dismissively, "The 'Heaven-Defying Divine Skill' was taught to that brat who founded the Heavenly Demon God Sect back then. You actually think you can defeat me with it? Show me what other martial arts you have."

Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat, realizing that the enemy before him was far beyond that of an ordinary expert. He took a deep breath and decided to try out these two martial arts techniques that were not considered trump cards for Shen Mo—the "Formless Scripture" and the "Heavenly Void True Qi".

Although he didn't have high hopes, something miraculous happened when he started practicing these two martial arts: in this inner world, Shen Mo felt as if he were in his own water, with his inner strength surging continuously, and the enormous power he unleashed surprised even himself.

The figure in black flames, realizing the martial arts Shen Mo had used, showed a surprised expression and sighed, "You actually know Confucius's martial arts!"

Shen Mo ignored the unfamiliar name "Kong Qiu." He knew this wasn't the time to delve into such matters; he had to fight with all his might to have a chance of survival. Without hesitation, Shen Mo launched a full-force attack. The Heavenly Void True Qi flowed throughout his body, instantly forming powerful shields and attack waves. Simultaneously, the various transformations of the Formless Scripture were displayed to their fullest extent in his hands, each attack containing boundless variations and power. The effects of these two martial arts were almost unbelievable to Shen Mo himself; it was as if this inner world had granted him unprecedented freedom and power.

However, despite the immense power of the "Formless Scripture" and the "Heavenly Void True Qi" within his inner world, Shen Mo still couldn't withstand more than a hundred moves against the black-flame figure. Each exchange unleashed a dazzling light, but Shen Mo gradually felt his strength waning; although his attacks were sharp, he was unable to break through his opponent's defenses.

"What a pity. What use are the 'Formless Scripture' and 'Heavenly Void True Qi' if you only know them? Since you don't know Confucius's 'Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique,' then obediently disappear." The black-flame figure said coldly. Then, during his exchange with Shen Mo, the black-flame figure quickened his movements, as if he had already grown tired of the game. Suddenly, in a gap in Shen Mo's attack, the black-flame figure reached out and pierced through Shen Mo's body.

Because this was in his inner world, Shen Mo couldn't feel any pain, but he saw his body being slowly spread by black energy from the hole in it. If this continued, he would be completely swallowed up in no time.

At this crucial moment, Shen Mo suddenly remembered the martial arts recorded on the Heavenly Demon Totem. Although there were only 107 sentences so far, and he was still missing the last one, Shen Mo couldn't care less about that now. At this moment, he just wanted to try, even if there was only a sliver of hope.

As Shen Mo began to circulate the incantation recorded on the Heavenly Demon Totem, an aura of the Demon-Refining Beast King instantly erupted from his body. This aura swept over like a violent storm, enveloping his entire inner world. Sensing the immense aura of the Demon-Refining Beast King, the black-flame figure hurriedly retreated, as if afraid of being tainted by it.

Although the expression on the black-flame figure's face could not be seen, it was easy to guess from his rapid retreat that he harbored a deep-seated aversion to the aura of the Demon-Refining Beast King. His figure appeared unusually flustered in the darkness, as if this aura posed an unprecedented threat to him.

However, to Shen Mo's surprise, although the black-flame figure retreated, the black aura continued to spread across his body, showing no sign of stopping. That icy yet scorching sensation coiled around every inch of his skin like a venomous snake, slowly eroding his consciousness.

The black-flame figure in the distance suddenly burst into laughter, "It's useless. Once you're tainted by the Heavenly Demon Qi, even if you have Soul Devouring Qi, it's all in vain." His voice was deep and hoarse, carrying a chilling mockery.

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo's heart sank. Although he didn't want to believe it, it was indeed true. He felt his consciousness slowly fading away, like a leaf gradually losing its vitality in a storm.