Wandering Swordsman |

Just as his thoughts were churning, a delicate fragrance suddenly wafted out, like a lotus blooming in an instant, or like blood staining the twilight.

The candlelight in the room suddenly dimmed, and a red figure appeared silently, as if stepping out of the void—it was the Crimson Lotus Demon.

"Brother Changkong, is there anything you don't understand?" The Red Lotus Demon's voice was low and soft, yet it carried an undeniable allure.

Situ Changkong was suddenly startled, almost dropping the manual from his hand. He quickly regained his composure and said coldly, "Honglian, when did you come in?!"

The Crimson Lotus Demon chuckled softly, her sleeves fluttering slightly. The candlelight flickered back, illuminating her beautiful yet somewhat wicked face. She tilted her head slightly, a hint of mockery in her eyes: "Brother Changkong, don't be alarmed. I just thought you were staring too intently, so I didn't disturb you."

Situ Changkong was startled, his gaze turning to the Red Lotus Demon with suspicion. His voice was low and suppressed: "Do you know where your leader obtained the copy of the *Wu Xiang Jing*?"

The Crimson Lotus Demon sat down unhurriedly, lightly tapping the table with her fingertips, producing a crisp sound: "Brother Changkong, this 'Formless Scripture' was naturally passed down by our Divine Emperor ancestor." She paused, a mysterious glint in her eyes: "According to the last words left by our Divine Emperor ancestor, the 'Formless Scripture,' when cultivated together with the 'Great Art of Expelling Power' and the 'Heavenly Void True Qi,' can be combined into a complete martial art—the number one divine skill in the Central Plains martial arts world: the 'Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique.'"

"The Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique?" Situ Changkong muttered to himself, as if struck by lightning. The name itself sounded extraordinary, as if it contained the ultimate truth of heaven and earth.

He recalled his master, Situ Dengfeng, saying that when martial arts are practiced to their ultimate level, one becomes one with heaven and earth, and the name "Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique" seemed to perfectly describe this state. His mind was filled with a roar, as if struck by a heavy hammer, as if a thunderbolt had cleaved through all the fog in his heart.

Seeing the change in Situ Changkong's expression, the Red Lotus Demon continued, "This is also the fundamental reason why we traveled thousands of miles to Yunnan, to bewitch the Black Wind Gang Leader into handing over the copy of 'Heavenly Void True Qi,' and to secretly communicate with the Diancang Sect to find the whereabouts of the Martial God's Tomb and the 'Great Art of Expelling Power.'"

Situ Changkong's heart skipped a beat, and his fingers unconsciously tightened around his sleeves. If he could truly master this "Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique," he could probably dominate the martial arts world. At that time, wouldn't figures like Guiguzi and the Divine Emperor be able to be trampled under his feet?

However, a question immediately arose in Situ Changkong's mind, and his voice carried a hint of confusion: "If it's so powerful, why don't we see Oda-sama practicing it, or any of you practicing this martial art?"

The Crimson Lotus Demon shook her head with a smile, a profound glint in her eyes: "To master the 'Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique,' two conditions must be met: First, one must have never practiced martial arts, or have crippled one's own martial arts; in short, there cannot be any internal energy from other martial arts within one's body. Second, one must cultivate three martial arts simultaneously; otherwise, one will never master the 'Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique.'"

She paused for a moment, her gaze sharp: "You must cultivate them simultaneously. Even if you acquire one martial art first, practice that one, and then abandon your own martial art to start over, you will absolutely never master the 'Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique.'"

Situ Changkong fell silent, the candlelight casting dappled shadows on his face. He recalled that he had practiced martial arts for many years and already possessed the internal energy of the Taiyi True Skill. To abandon his martial arts would be tantamount to severing his own foundation.

The Crimson Lotus Demon continued, "Grandma White Bone, Judge Blood Hand, and even I are naturally unwilling to give up the martial arts we've painstakingly cultivated over the years. Besides, even without mastering the 'Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique,' just practicing the 'Heavenly Void True Qi,' the 'Formless Scripture,' and the 'Great Art of Eliminating Power' would greatly enhance one's strength. So naturally, no one is willing to take the risk."

Situ Changkong's heart surged with emotion. He recalled his past ambitions and his growth experience in Jingtian Pavilion. He closed his eyes, and countless images flashed through his mind... Finally, the image of Shen Mo holding Situ Meng and sitting in the position of martial arts alliance leader suddenly flashed into his mind.

He opened his eyes, his gaze unwavering, as if he had made a firm decision.

He took a deep breath, his voice calm yet undeniably firm: "I understand."

A hint of approval flashed in the eyes of the Crimson Lotus Demon: "Brother Changkong, it's good that you understand. Just focus on your dual cultivation with me and don't think about anything else. After the Divine Emperor conquers the Central Plains martial arts world, we'll return to Japan and dominate the region."

Situ Changkong stood up, walked to the window, gazed at the bright moon outside, and said in a calm but powerful voice, "Even with the powerful 'Taiyi True Skill,' I still feel it's not enough. I will master the 'Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique' and personally reclaim everything that belongs to me from Shen Mo."

He turned around, his gaze piercing, and stared directly at the Crimson Lotus Demon: "I have decided to cripple my martial arts and cultivate the 'Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique'."

The flickering candlelight illuminated Situ Changkong's resolute face.

He knew in his heart that this step meant giving up the past, but he was willing to give up everything in order to take back everything that Shen Mo had taken away.

The Crimson Lotus Demon smiled slightly: "Alright, Brother Changkong, since you've made up your mind, I support you."

......

Nanjing Wulin Alliance.

The twilight, as red as blood, dyed the last wisp of clouds on the horizon. The wind swept across the training ground, swirling a few withered leaves across the bluestone slabs, as if playing a prelude to the storm to come.

Eight figures stood in the arena, their clothes fluttering in the wind, their swords already cleaving the air before they were drawn—they were the "Azure Edge Team," young elites carefully selected and trained by the Martial Alliance. They came from prestigious and righteous families, each possessing unique skills and unyielding pride, and were the direct subordinates of the Martial Alliance Leader.

At this moment, one of the eight figures was holding a knife, facing a young man who was walking slowly towards them—Shen Mo.

He wore a plain robe, without any patterns or decorations, so simple that it was almost shabby; carrying two swords on his back, one a Tai'a and the other wrapped in cloth, the young man was as silent as an abyss; his aura was restrained, and not even a trace of true energy fluctuation could be detected, as if he were just an ordinary person who had accidentally wandered into this place.

"So you're the captain of our Azure Vanguard team appointed by the Alliance Leader?" A young man in a dark blue brocade robe sneered, lightly flicking the jade pendant at his waist with his fingertips. His clear voice sounded mocking. "I can't even sense a trace of true energy fluctuation. You're probably just a mascot sent by the Alliance Leader, aren't you?"

"I heard you're only in your early twenties, younger than us," another woman sneered, her hand on her sword hilt, her eyes like frost. "I never imagined the Alliance Leader ordered us back just to make fun of us."

The crowd laughed and joked, some crossing their arms and glancing sideways, others shaking their heads with cold smiles. Their gazes were like knives, all fixed on Shen Mo, as if they wanted to nail him to this shameful place.

Shen Mo did not stop walking, his expression as calm as a still well, as if the eight sarcastic remarks were nothing more than a gentle breeze, not even causing a ripple on his clothes.

But in his heart, a raging storm was brewing—before the opening of the Demon Refining Mountain, the 368 members of the Moon Demon Pavilion had also looked down on me in the same way. At that time, Linglong was seriously injured, and no one believed me. When the Moon Demon Lord appointed me as the captain of the Moon Demon Pavilion, I was also doubted for my lack of ability... But what happened in the end? I became the Heavenly Demon God and led them out of the perilous Demon Refining Mountain.

History always repeats itself... It's as if the experience at the Moon Demon Pavilion is being repeated again. The only difference is that Shen Mo is now the Heavenly Demon God of the Heavenly Demon God Sect, and his martial arts have long surpassed the limits of humanity.