Wandering Swordsman |

After this brand-new Qi cultivation method had completed a full cycle within Shen Mo's body, the eastern horizon outside the window finally began to lighten with the first hint of dawn.

Shen Mo slowly opened his eyes.

In that instant, his eyes seemed to hold the swirling stars and the rising and falling of the sun and moon. They were not just a pair of eyes, but two profound universes, encompassing all the light and darkness of the world.

He didn't rush to get up, but quietly felt the new power within his body.

That power lay dormant in his dantian, like a sleeping giant, seemingly calm on the surface, but in reality containing terrifying power to destroy the world and reshape mountains and rivers.

He could clearly sense that his connection with this world had never been so close as it was at this moment.

He could feel the earth breathing beneath his feet, and he could feel the longing of the rosebuds outside the window to bloom.

This is a perception that transcends the mundane and is almost divine.

"This technique..." Shen Mo murmured to himself, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable authority, "It combines the domineering nature of the Heavenly Demon, the righteousness of the Divine Warrior, the indomitable spirit that defies the heavens, the compassion of Buddhism, and the spiritual energy of heaven and earth that Senior Xuan Yuanling comprehended. It is the culmination of my life's martial arts, the very foundation of my existence in this world, Shen Mo."

He slowly stood up and walked to the window.

At that moment, the first golden rays of the rising sun pierced through the clouds and shone upon the earth, landing precisely on his face and gilding his cool and aloof features with a sacred golden edge.

Shen Mo stretched out his hand, palm facing upward, as if to lift up the rising sun.

Shen Mo's gaze drifted into the distance, as if piercing through numerous obstacles, and he saw the towering mountain gate of the Heavenly Demon Sect, and the expectant faces of Murong Qing and Situ Meng far away in the Central Plains.

"Since it was created by me, Shen Mo, it belongs only to me."

"From this day forward, this martial art will be called—"

Shen Mo's voice suddenly rose, carrying a resolute and decisive quality, echoing in the morning breeze:

"The True Techniques of the Demon God!"

......

In the early morning in Marseille, a thin mist gently shrouds the cobblestone streets of this border town.

After having breakfast, Shen Mo stood under the porch of the Earl's mansion, feeling an unprecedented surge of power within his body.

He was no longer the Shen Mo of yesterday.

Last night, in that quiet guest room, he used the "Heavenly Demon Divine Skill" as a foundation, combined the strength of the "Divine Martial Return to Truth Technique" with the resilience of the "Heaven-Defying Divine Skill", and further blended the power of Buddhist relics with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. After a night of deduction, he finally created the all-encompassing "True Technique of the Demon God".

At this moment, the chaotic true energy was gently dormant in his dantian, seemingly calm on the outside, but in reality containing world-destroying power within.

He looked down at his palm, his five fingers slowly closing, as if he could grasp the very fabric of the world.

"Heavenly Demon God, the horses are ready."

A clear, cold voice sounded from my side.

Shen Mo glanced sideways and saw Alice standing in the morning mist. In her hands, she held a cold, shimmering silver noodle.

That was the shackles that bound her as "Faceless," and also the armor she had to wear to get closer to the truth.

Alice looked at the mask in her hand, her fingertips trembling slightly. These past few days in Marseille, she had shown her true face and felt a long-lost warmth and peace.

Shen Mo not only healed the scars on her face, but also healed the wounds in her heart.

But now, in order to return to the Vatican and uncover the truth of what happened back then, she must once again seal herself under this layer of cold iron.

Shen Mo looked at her, his gaze deep and unfathomable: "If you don't want to, you don't have to force yourself to wear it anymore."

Alice shook her head and gave a bitter smile. "No, this is my own choice. To find out the truth of what happened back then, I must go back."

As soon as she finished speaking, she no longer hesitated and slowly placed the silver mask over her exquisitely beautiful face.

With a soft "click," the mask snapped shut.

In an instant, the clear-eyed Alice vanished. In her place stood the inquisitor with empty, emotionless eyes—"Faceless."

The delicate, girlish aura emanating from her vanished instantly, replaced by a sharp, ruthless aura, like a peerless weapon sheathed.

"Let's go." Alice's voice came through the mask, flat and mechanical, as if devoid of any human emotion.

Shen Mo sighed inwardly as he observed her change. He knew that Alice was using indifference as a shield.

He nodded slightly, his dark robes fluttering gently in the morning breeze. The two mounted their horses and their figures quickly disappeared at the end of the official road outside Marseille.

......

The Holy Kingdom of the Vatican, Mount Vatican.

Here, towering into the clouds, the air is filled with deep and majestic hymns year-round, cleansing the souls of believers.

However, in the Pope's study at the very top of this sacred place, the atmosphere was not as calm as it appeared.

The Pope, dressed in a plain white robe, sat upright on a high chair. Before him, Cardinal Bruce was bowing and reporting the latest intelligence.

"Your Majesty, the Faceless Falcon has just arrived," Bruce's voice was respectful and humble. "She is now returning with the heretics."

The Pope paused slightly, then slowly opened his deep, ancient eyes, revealing a hint of unfathomable cold light.

Several days later, at the foot of the sacred mountain.

When Shen Mo and Alice appeared before the majestic holy gate, the guards didn't even dare to look up and meet the gaze of the silver mask.

"Faceless Lord!" The captain of the guard knelt on one knee, his voice filled with awe and fear, "His Holiness the Pope has been waiting for a long time."

Alice sat on her horse, her silver mask gleaming coldly in the sunlight. She glanced down at the guards, her eyes empty as if she were looking at a few stones.

"Lead the way." Her voice was mechanical, devoid of any emotion.

The group passed through seven corridors and three sacred gates, finally arriving at the stargazing terrace that symbolized the highest authority of the Papacy.

On the terrace, the Pope stood with his hands behind his back, his white robes fluttering in the wind. He turned around, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's as he looked at Alice and Shen Mo.

"Greetings, Your Holiness the Pope." Alice dismounted and knelt on one knee, her movements swift and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

She bowed her head, her silver mask pressed tightly to the ground, her posture as respectful as that of the most loyal servant.

Shen Mo stood half a step behind her, dressed in black, his hands behind his back, watching everything calmly.

The Pope's gaze lingered on Shen Mo for a moment.

He couldn't sense any martial arts aura from Shen Mo, which alarmed the Pope, but he remained outwardly calm. Because, given the Pope's perception, unless Shen Mo's cultivation level was far below his own, or Shen Mo's martial prowess was utterly insignificant, this situation would never occur.

"Faceless," the Pope began slowly, his voice carrying a scrutinizing tone, "You said in your letter that this person is not a heretic and intends to join my papacy?"

Alice slowly raised her head, her eyes beneath the mask empty and lifeless, like a stagnant pool.

"Yes, Your Majesty," she replied in her flat, mechanical voice. "I have observed this man for many days and have discovered that although he possesses extraordinary Eastern arts, he has no intention of blaspheming the doctrines of the Holy See. On the contrary, he has repeatedly expressed his longing for the Holy Light. Therefore, I have dared to bring him back to Your Majesty for your disposal."