Wandering Swordsman |

Inside the stone chamber, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

Situ Changkong sneered and said to the Red Lotus Demon beside him, "Miss Wei, look, for a woman, he actually gave up the Martial God's ultimate technique. It's clear that Shen Mo is nothing but a lovesick fool."

However, the Crimson Lotus Demon did not respond.

She just stared blankly in the direction where Shen Mo disappeared, her pale fingers gently stroking her sleeve, as if the warmth of the battle just now still lingered.

Her eyes, which always held a mocking and sinister glint, now flickered with a faint ripple, like a wave rippling across the depths of a cold pool.

"To give up the martial arts for a woman?" she murmured to herself, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible. "But if it were me... who would turn away for me?"

She still had a smile on her lips, but for the first time, that smile seemed somewhat empty.

Inside the stone chamber, before the dust had even settled, Shen Mo and the bookworm had already disappeared into the darkness at the end of the stairs.

However, no one pursued them—the remaining five manuals, like five stars suspended above an abyss, drew the greedy gazes of everyone.

Ding Chengfeng moved with incredible speed, snatching the "Martial God Saber Technique" into his robes. Holding the sword horizontally across his chest, he coldly surveyed the crowd: "Anyone who dares to take another step closer, don't blame this gang leader for being merciless!"

Before he finished speaking, Oda smiled gently, a smile as warm as a spring breeze, yet concealing a bottomless abyss.

"Chief Ding," he slowly stepped forward, his voice gentle and refined, "if you don't have the corresponding strength, I advise you to put down the manual and leave as soon as possible."

Before he finished speaking, his body suddenly shot up!

It was as fast as a ghost moving through the forest, so fast that even Ding Chengfeng only saw a fleeting afterimage!

Upon seeing this, the four Holy Lords of the Black Wind Gang immediately moved to stand in front of Ding Chengfeng, forming a human wall.

Oda's palms flew, creating a tidal wave of wind, actually using his bare hands to withstand the combined attack of the four Holy Lords of the Black Wind Gang!

"What?!" Ding Chengfeng's pupils shrank sharply. He hadn't expected Oda's martial arts skills to be so high.

Ding Chengfeng's voice trembled, and shock and regret finally surfaced in his eyes, "So, you've been hiding your strength all along."

Oda slowly turned around, the humble and gentle mask on his face finally completely peeling away. His eyes were like an eagle's, and his aura was as deep and boundless as the sea. If Shen Mo were still here, he would have discovered that Oda's strength was actually on par with Juechenzi of the Heavenly Demon God Sect, or even... a step above!

"Not bad." Oda chuckled, his voice as deep as an owl's. "I've been lying low in the Black Wind Gang for months, bowing and scraping before you for so long, all for this day."

With a wave of his hand, the Three-Handed Sword Demon, the Blood-Handed Judge, and the White Bone Granny immediately took all the manuals—the "Great Art of Expelling Power," the "Martial God Spear Technique," the "Martial God Staff Technique," and the "Martial God Whip Technique"—and respectfully presented them to him.

Oda took the "Great Art of Dispelling Power," his fingertips lightly tracing the cover, a glint of fanaticism flashing in his eyes: "This technique... can dispel the power of all the masters in the world, and can also be refined for one's own use. Most importantly, this technique, combined with the 'Heavenly Void True Qi' and the 'Formless Scripture,' is actually the true inheritance of the Martial God. I suppose you cooperated with us because you knew this."

Ding Chengfeng's face was deathly pale, and his hand holding the knife trembled slightly.

He once thought Oda was just a barbarian from overseas who was willing to submit to the Black Wind Gang, but little did he know that the other party had already manipulated him.

"I...I was so blind! I actually believed your promises." Ding Chengfeng looked up at the sky and sighed, his voice as mournful as a lone wolf.

Oda looked at him coldly, his voice as cold as ice: "Chief Ding, hand over the 'Martial God Sword Technique,' and I may let you leave."

Ding Chengfeng gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with anger, yet he was helpless. All four Holy Monarchs were wounded and unable to fight any longer.

"Alright." He finally spoke, his voice hoarse, "But I have one condition—I'll hand over the manual after I leave the stone steps."

Oda hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Chief Ding, of course. After all, the Black Wind Gang has protected us for so long, so this request is certainly within our capabilities."

Ding Chengfeng said no more, leaned against the stone wall, and slowly retreated, with the four Holy Monarchs following closely behind, each step as if walking on thin ice.

Oda did not pursue, but stood quietly in the center of the stone chamber, his figure like a demon sculpted from cold jade. He stood with his hands behind his back, his robes motionless, only his eyes, like those of a hawk, were fixed on the yellowed "Martial God Sword Technique" in Ding Chengfeng's hand. His gaze was not filled with anger, but it was more scorching than flames, as if he already regarded the manual as his own possession, just waiting for his prey to hand it over.

Finally, Ding Chengfeng retreated to the entrance of the stairs. His steps were heavy, each one feeling as if he were treading on a knife's edge. The auras of the four Holy Monarchs around him were chaotic; the White Tiger Holy Monarch's battle robe was stained with blood on his shoulder, the Vermilion Bird Holy Monarch's knuckles were white, the Azure Dragon Holy Monarch's eyes were as heavy as iron, and the Black Tortoise Holy Monarch was extremely nervous, guarding against Oda and the others. All five knew that this retreat meant they would be completely cut off from the secrets of the Martial God's Tomb.

At this moment, Ding Chengfeng stood with his back to the abyss-like staircase, his chest heaving violently.

"Catch!" he roared, his arm suddenly swung up, and the manual shot through the air like a yellow shadow, heading straight for Oda's face!

"Retreat immediately!" The moment the manual left his hand, Ding Chengfeng gritted his teeth and his voice was like tearing silk as he immediately gave the order.

Oda raised his hand, his five fingers lightly picking up the cover, and caught it steadily. His fingertips traced the cover, and a cold smile slowly curved his lips, like a venomous snake finally swallowing its prey.

Before he finished speaking, his eyes turned cold, and he coldly ordered, "Three-Handed Sword Demon, Blood-Handed Judge—you two go after them! Leave no survivors."

"Yes!" Two dark figures darted out like ghosts, lightly touching the stone wall with their toes, their figures as swift as smoke, and instantly followed.

......

Before long, Ding Chengfeng and his four companions rushed out of the steps inside the stone gate with the character "儒" (Confucianism) on it, and before them lay the firefly river, thirty feet wide. The afterimages of the stone beams appeared and disappeared in the dark green water, like a floating bridge leading to a way out.

"Quick! Cross the river before they arrive!" Ding Chengfeng roared. The five of them simultaneously gathered their energy, used their lightness skills, and with their toes touching the half-submerged stone beams, they sped across like swallows skimming the water.

In an instant, five figures rose into the air, their robes fluttering, like five night birds crossing an abyss.

Ding Chengfeng was in the center, with the Azure Dragon Saint Lord guarding the left, the White Tiger and Vermilion Bird bringing up the rear, and the Black Tortoise bringing up the rear. Their figures cast long shadows in the firefly light, like five lonely, fleeing souls, hanging on the brink of life and death.

However, just as they were taking off—

"Splash—!!!"

The calm river surface suddenly exploded! A massive, mountain-like black shadow burst out of the water, a foul stench filled the air, its gaping maw was like an abyss, and its fangs were like a forest of swords, lunging straight at Ding Chengfeng's right arm!

"No!" Azure Dragon Saint Lord roared sharply, trying to throw his weapon, but it was too late!

"Click—!"

The giant crocodile's jaws snapped shut like a guillotine, biting down on Ding Chengfeng's right arm! Blood gushed out instantly, staining the air crimson!

"Ah—!!!" Ding Chengfeng let out a heart-wrenching scream, and suddenly drew his sword with his left hand, slashing fiercely at the crocodile's mouth!

"clang--!"

The sword struck the jet-black scales as if cutting through iron, leaving not even a tiny mark! The recoil caused his hand to crack and the sword to nearly slip from his grasp!