Wandering Swordsman |

Then, Oda slowly looked around, his gaze finally landing on Shen Mo and the bookworm. He smiled warmly, "Now that the six divine weapons are gathered, we only need to work together to lure and kill the three crocodiles to cross the river safely."

Before he finished speaking, a glint of light flashed in Ding Chengfeng's eyes—he was just worried about having no way out, and now that Oda had taken the initiative to propose "cooperation" and specified that he needed "six divine weapons," wasn't this exactly what he wanted? Just as he was about to agree, he saw Shen Mo suddenly take a step forward, his figure as steadfast as a pine tree on a cliff, blocking the bookworm's path.

"Chief Oda is absolutely right." Shen Mo's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, like metal striking the ground, echoing on the desolate riverbank. "Gathering the six divine weapons to kill Xuan Lin is indeed feasible."

He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning, staring directly at Oda: "But right now, Brother Shu exhausted his inner strength to obtain the God of War Hammer, and his power is almost gone. How can he possibly fight the giant crocodile again?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound—and saw the bookworm barely supporting himself on his knees, cold sweat pouring down his forehead, his clothes soaked and clinging to his body as if he had just been pulled out of ice water. Although he was struggling to stay upright, his slightly trembling fingertips and rapid breathing indicated that his internal energy was almost completely depleted.

Shen Mo continued, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable sharpness: "Since all six divine weapons are indispensable, why not ask Oda-sama to have your experts wielding the five weapons cross the river first, lure the crocodile out of the abyss, and then join forces to kill it?"

His words caused the entire room to fall silent.

Ding Chengfeng's pupils contracted slightly, and he secretly praised: Brilliant! Shen Mo's move not only avoided the opportunity of their own weakness, but also pushed the overseas evil cultivators to the front line. If they were injured or killed, the Black Wind Gang would reap the benefits; if they succeeded, their side could also cross the river safely—killing two birds with one stone!

The smile on Oda's face froze for a moment.

A shadow crossed his eyes, but it was quickly covered by his gentle, jade-like mask. He shook his head slightly, as if sighing, "Young Master Shen's words... are somewhat inappropriate. Although our five experts wield divine weapons, without the resonance of a sixth weapon, the power of those weapons cannot be fully activated. If we attack rashly, we may be devoured instead."

His tone was sincere, as if he genuinely cared about everyone's safety, but in reality, every word he uttered was a shirking of responsibility, unwilling to let his own side be the first to face danger.

Shen Mo remained unmoved, a slight smile playing on his lips, and countered, "Then, according to Chief Oda, should we wait a day to recuperate before crossing the river?"

"Wait another day?" Oda sneered inwardly. Wait another day? If all the masters from other sects in the Central Plains gather here, wouldn't all our years of planning be in vain?

In that split second, a brilliant idea flashed through Oda's mind, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips—a plan formed in his mind.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze turning to Shen Mo, his tone gentle yet brooking no refusal: "Since the book-obsessed young hero is unable to move easily, why don't you wield the Martial God Hammer and join forces with our five experts, including the Three-Handed Sword Demon and the Blood-Handed Judge, to lure the crocodile out of the abyss and kill it together? With all six weapons gathered, their divine power will be revealed; how could we possibly fail?"

As he finished speaking, a barely concealed greed flashed in his eyes—not a desire for victory, but an extreme covetousness for the combined power of the six divine weapons. If he could witness the resonance of the six divine weapons firsthand, or even… if he could quietly take control of the Martial God Hammer during the fierce battle, his side would be like a tiger with wings. Even after leaving the Martial God's Tomb, facing the pursuit of the entire Central Plains martial arts world would be nothing to fear!

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo frowned slightly, his gaze as calm as a deep pool.

He did not immediately agree. His mind raced: if he were to fight with the hammer, the Bookworm would be left alone on the shore, his inner strength nearly exhausted. If Ding Chengfeng or Oda harbored ill intentions, the Bookworm would be in grave danger.

Just as he hesitated, Oda spoke again, his voice even more "sincere": "If Young Hero Shen also has difficulties... why not lend me the God of War Hammer temporarily, so that I can personally wield it and fight the giant crocodile alongside the Three-Handed Sword Demon and the others? Once the crocodile's corpse sinks into the abyss, the divine weapon will be returned, and I will never go back on my word."

He raised his hands slightly, palms facing upwards, with a humble posture, as if he were truly a righteous man devoted to the public good.

But in his heart, a cold smile already burned like a knife. "As long as the Martial God Hammer falls into my hands, even for a moment, I can take advantage of the resonance of the six weapons to glimpse its essence and completely control it! At that time, the power of the six gods united will be at my disposal!"

His gaze was fixed intently on Shen Mo, waiting for the moment he would relent.

At that very moment—

"Wait a minute!"

A deep shout, like a thunderclap, rang out. Ding Chengfeng suddenly stepped forward, his figure as imposing as a mountain between Shen Mo and Oda. His gaze, sharp as an eagle's, coldly swept over Oda, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Chief Oda, you are mistaken. If all your men were to fight, wouldn't it be said that our vast Central Plains is devoid of talent? If someone were to truly wield a hammer..."

He paused, his gaze shifting to Shen Mo, his tone suddenly changing, carrying a hint of "heroism": "How about I, Ding, take on this task! Though I am not talented, for the sake of the greater good, I am willing to wield the Martial God Hammer and join your five in slaying the giant crocodile!"

Upon hearing this, a cold glint flashed in Oda's eyes. He was furious, but had to suppress his anger. He knew that if he turned hostile now, a three-way standoff would only allow Shen Mo and the Bookworm to reap the benefits. Ding Chengfeng's actions clearly showed that he had seen through his scheme and was deliberately preventing him from succeeding!

Shen Mo did not respond immediately. He slowly turned around and looked at the bookworm.

The bookworm's face remained pale, and his breathing was weak, but when he felt Shen Mo's gaze, he forced himself to stand up straight. He didn't speak, but slowly raised his weak hands and gently handed the Martial God Hammer to Shen Mo.

The movement was extremely slow, yet extremely steady.

His eyes were as clear as an ancient well, without a trace of hesitation or doubt, only a trust that was almost like faith.

"Brother Shen..." The bookworm's voice was hoarse, yet it carried a hint of a smile, as if that smile was a light forced out under immense pressure. "Who gets the hammer is up to you..."

The moment he handed over the Martial God Hammer, his fingertips trembled slightly, yet his resolve remained as firm as a rock. His gaze was clear and calm, like a still well reflecting Shen Mo's figure, as if saying: Whatever choice you make, I believe in you.

At that moment, a warm current seemed to surge from Shen Mo's chest, dispelling all his worries.

He slowly reached out, his palm touching the heavy, dark hammer. In an instant, a strange warmth spread from his palm, as if the sleeping soul within the hammer gently responded to his touch.

Shen Mo looked up, his gaze like a cold, sharp sword, piercing directly at Oda and Ding Chengfeng. His voice was low, yet as firm as a rock, each word ringing out: "Chief Ding, take this!"

Oda's pupils contracted sharply, and his fingers, hidden in his sleeve, almost snapped his palm bones, but he could only suppress his anger and force a stiff smile at the corner of his mouth.

Ding Chengfeng—his eyes gleamed with barely concealed elation.

"Young Master Shen, your righteousness is boundless!" He laughed loudly, his voice booming, as if truly moved. He strode forward, extending his hands respectfully, his posture almost humble: "Rest assured, I, Ding Chengfeng, guarantee with the reputation of the Black Wind Gang that this hammer will be returned intact!"