Wandering Swordsman |

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was slightly taken aback, their gazes shifting between Duan Qianya and Shen Mo. They knew perfectly well that Duan Qianya's actions, ostensibly for Shen Mo's benefit, were actually intended to provoke him and get him involved in the matter, thus diverting Shen Mo's attention from the Diancang Sect's true objective—the search for the 'Martial God's Tomb'.

Shen Mo sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm. Shen Mo naturally knew that this was definitely an incident created by evil cultivators overseas, with the aim of attracting the attention of the Martial Alliance.

He smiled slightly, his tone firm and solemn: "Sect Leader Duan, you are mistaken. Although I am a member of the Martial Alliance, I am also a member of the martial world. How can I stand idly by when the martial world is in trouble? Moreover, as a member of the Martial Alliance's Elite Academy, if I do not participate in the investigation, how can I explain myself to the Martial Alliance when I return to Nanjing?"

He paused, his gaze sharpening, his tone growing increasingly impassioned: "If Sect Leader Duan doesn't mind, I, Shen, am willing to travel to Dali with the disciples of Diancang to uncover the truth and punish the villains!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of "gratified" smile flashed in Duan Qianya's eyes. He sighed softly and said with feigned emotion, "Young Hero Shen truly has a heart for the martial world, which is admirable. In that case, I'll trouble you to travel with my Diancang disciples, but... please follow Diancang's arrangements in all matters."

Shen Mo clasped his hands and said loudly, "That's only right. Please rest assured, Sect Leader Duan, I will not cause any trouble. I only wish to do my part for the martial world."

Duan Qianya nodded in satisfaction. Although he looked worried, he was actually very happy. With Shen Mo gone, he would inevitably be held back by the chaos in Dali City. Diancang would no longer have to worry about being discovered by the Martial Alliance when searching for the 'Tomb of the Martial God'.

The mountain wind howled, and as noon approached, Shen Mo stepped into Dali City, greeted by the pervasive smell of burning and a faint stench of blood.

Although the fire last night has been extinguished, traces of embers can still be seen among the ruins, and wisps of black smoke rise and mingle with the morning mist, casting a gloomy veil over this once bustling city.

Along the streets, people were either weeping softly or silently cleaning up the ruins. Deep fear and unease were evident in everyone's eyes, as if their world had been ruthlessly torn apart overnight.

Looking at the scene before him, Shen Mo was filled with rage. "To attract my attention, they actually hurt innocent people!"

After a moment, Shen Mo suppressed the turmoil in his heart and calmly began to follow the Diancang Sect disciples to investigate the truth behind last night's tragedy.

As he was carefully examining the remains of a burned-down house, a dark shadow flashed past him like a ghost, moving so fast that it was almost imperceptible.

"Hmph, judging by that swaying movement, it seems like they're deliberately trying to lure me there." Shen Mo's heart stirred, and he immediately understood the other party's intention. However, he did not rush to chase after them. Instead, he quietly watched the direction in which the figure disappeared, a barely perceptible sneer flashing in his eyes.

"That fleeting glimpse just now looked like a human figure!" someone among the Diancang disciples shouted.

Immediately following were shouts of "Chase after him!" The crowd surged toward the direction where the figure had disappeared, but Shen Mo frowned slightly, lightly touched the ground with his toes, and went in the opposite direction.

'The figure actually fled in the opposite direction. The Diancang disciples' martial arts are still too low; they were actually led by the nose by that figure.' Shen Mo thought to himself. His figure moved like a ghost, silently moving in the opposite direction from where the figure disappeared. Every step seemed to be stepping on empty air, without making a sound. His movements were smooth and natural, as if he had become one with his surroundings.

However, Shen Mo was unaware that the dark figure was none other than the overseas evil cultivator known as the "Soul-Severing Blade Demon".

Just last night, Duan Qianya, the leader of Diancang Sect, secretly contacted Oda, instructing him to send someone to distract Shen Mo and make him aware of the appearance of the overseas evil cultivators. Therefore, "Soul-Severing Blade Demon" deliberately lingered in front of Shen Mo, intending to attract his attention.

However, "Soul-Severing Blade Demon" never expected that Shen Mo would not be easily shaken off, but instead, like a lurking cheetah, would maintain the same speed as him and follow closely behind.

"Where exactly does this 'Soul-Severing Blade Demon' want to take me?" Shen Mo wondered, but he was not in a hurry to stop the other party. Instead, he chose to continue following, wanting to see what this evil cultivator was up to.

Finally, in a desolate outskirts, "Soul-Severing Blade Demon" stopped, seemingly convinced that it had successfully lured Shen Mo here.

He turned around, a ferocious smile on his face: "Kid, I didn't expect you to fall for it so easily!" With that, he gripped his long sword tightly with both hands, the blade gleaming with a cold light, and a chilling killing intent swept over you.

Shen Mo's lips curled into a slight, disdainful smile: "You think you can do anything to me?" Before he finished speaking, "Soul-Severing Blade Demon" roared and swung his blade at Shen Mo, attempting to cripple him in one fell swoop. However, just as the blade was about to touch Shen Mo, his figure suddenly vanished.

"What?!" Duanhun Daosha stared in horror, his eyes wide. Before he could react, he felt a powerful force attacking him from behind.

Shen Mo appeared behind him like a ghost, and with just one palm strike, sent "Soul-Severing Blade Demon" flying several feet away, crashing heavily to the ground. At this moment, "Soul-Severing Blade Demon's" eyes were filled with fear and disbelief. The opponent he thought he could easily subdue actually possessed such terrifying strength.

Shen Mo stood still, his robes fluttering, like a demon emerging from the underworld, his eyes cold as frost, reflecting the fallen figure of the Soul-Severing Blade Demon.

With great difficulty, Duanhun Daosha propped himself up, kneeling on the ground, blood continuously spilling from his mouth. His internal organs felt as if they had been shattered by a heavy hammer, the pain almost causing him to faint. He raised his head, his eyes filled with horror and disbelief, his voice hoarse as a broken string: "Impossible... How can you be so strong at such a young age?!" He muttered to himself, as if asking Shen Mo, but more like asking fate.

He had always thought himself powerful enough, with sharp swordsmanship and ruthless cruelty, making him one of Oda's most capable assassins. But now, facing this young man who was not yet twenty, yet as unshakeable as a god, he couldn't even withstand a single palm strike.

Shen Mo approached slowly, his steps so light they seemed to tread on clouds, yet each step caused the earth to tremble slightly. His eyes were icy, so deep they seemed capable of freezing the soul, and a cold, almost cruel smile curved his lips: "You overseas evil cultivators, relying on your wicked skills, think you can wreak havoc on the Central Plains? Did you hear the tragedy in Dali City last night, the cries of innocent people?"