Wandering Swordsman |

After Duan Qianya entered the room, he quickly closed the door and said in a low voice, "Lord Xuanwu, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

The man slowly turned around, revealing a familiar yet unfamiliar face—it was none other than Li Fanglin, the Xuanwu Saint Lord of the Black Wind Gang.

Five years have passed, and the bookish young man of the past has vanished, replaced by a man with a weathered face and resolute eyes. Time has etched deep marks on his face, each wrinkle telling a story of countless trials and tribulations, while his deep eyes reveal a composure and stoicism born of worldly experience.

"Sect Leader Duan," Li Fanglin's voice was low and calm, as if discussing something insignificant, "The Martial Alliance has already sent people here. The strange occurrences at the Diancang Sect should have attracted their attention. We must expedite the search for the 'Tomb of the Martial God'!"

Duan Qianya frowned slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes: "Lord Xuanwu, we've almost searched the entire Cangshan Mountain, but we still haven't found any clues about the Martial God's Tomb. Is the information brought by the overseas heretical cultivators truly reliable?"

Li Fanglin remained expressionless, his tone still calm: "Sect Leader Duan, those overseas martial artists even have copies of the 'Formless Scripture.' They wouldn't lie to us about a mutually beneficial deal like finding the 'Martial God's Tomb.'"

He paused, then continued, "Furthermore, without the secret support of the Diancang Sect and the Black Wind Gang for those overseas martial artists, how could they have remained safe and sound in the Central Plains?"

Duan Qianya nodded, but still hesitated: "Even so, we must be wary of those overseas martial artists. After all, those who are not of our kind are bound to have different intentions."

"Also, we need to be careful with the people the Martial Alliance sent this time, in case they discover our plan..."

Li Fanglin smiled slightly, a cold smirk playing on his lips: "Sect Leader Duan need not worry too much. As long as we act cautiously and do not give ourselves away, everything will proceed according to plan."

Duan Qianya frowned. He turned around and looked at Li Fanglin with a firm gaze: "Xuanwu Saint Lord, we need to get those overseas martial artists out and about to divert the attention of the Martial Alliance, so that they don't discover that I'm cooperating with your gang to find the Tomb of the Martial God."

Li Fanglin nodded slightly, a cold glint in his eyes: "Sect Leader Duan is right. The appearance of those overseas martial artists is our best cover. As soon as they make a move, the Martial Alliance's attention will be drawn to them, giving us more time."

Duan Qianya continued, "But we need to make sure their actions are eye-catching enough, preferably by creating some big commotion. This way, the Martial Alliance can achieve its goal of coming to Dali to investigate overseas evil cultivators, and the Martial Alliance won't have the mind to pay attention to the other movements of the Diancang Sect."

Li Fanglin's lips curled into a cold smile: "Sect Leader Duan, rest assured, I will personally arrange this matter. Although those overseas martial artists are cunning, they are currently hiding in the Black Wind Gang, so they would never dare to refuse us."

Duan Qianya nodded in satisfaction after hearing this: "Then I'll leave it to you, Xuanwu Saint Lord. Time is of the essence, we must act as soon as possible."

Li Fanglin straightened his sleeves, his tone calm yet firm: "Sect Leader Duan, I will return to the Black Wind Gang now to arrange this matter. You must also intensify your search here; we cannot let any clue slip through our fingers."

Duan Qianya cupped his hands and said, "Lord Xuanwu, I entrust everything to you."

Li Fanglin turned and left, his steps steady and powerful, as if each step carried an unwavering determination.

At this moment, Shen Mo was lying on the roof, eyes closed, focusing his mind and using his demonic energy to enhance his hearing. His ears were like sensitive radar, capturing every subtle sound inside the room. Despite the birdsong and fragrant flowers all around, and the many other noises, Shen Mo, with his profound skill, heard the conversation between the two just now clearly.

As Li Fanglin left Duan Qianya's room, Shen Mo quickly got up and leaped off the roof as lightly as a swallow.

Using his exceptional lightness skill, he followed silently. Each step seemed to tread on empty air, making no sound whatsoever, his figure appearing to blend seamlessly with his surroundings.

Shen Mo pondered to himself, "It seems that the leader of the Diancang Sect is not only connected with the Black Wind Gang, but is also joining forces with overseas evil cultivators to search for the so-called 'Tomb of the Martial God.' I must find out what exactly this 'Tomb of the Martial God' they are talking about is."

......

A gentle night breeze brought a touch of coolness, and Shen Mo's figure appeared and disappeared in the moonlight, like a black lightning bolt.

He followed closely behind Li Fanglin, maintaining a suitable distance so that Li Fanglin wouldn't notice him, but he wouldn't lose sight of his target.

Cangshan is 600 li away from Black Wind Mountain. Li Fanglin traveled day and night at full speed and finally arrived at the Black Wind Gang at the hour of Yin.

Although the distance wasn't far, and Li Fanglin was on horseback, Shen Mo, with his superb martial arts skills, kept close behind. Every leap and turn he made was as natural as flowing water, as if he were one with his surroundings, leaving no trace. Whether the mountain path was rugged or the forest dense, Shen Mo could follow swiftly with extremely advanced agility, never being detected by Li Fanglin.

As Li Fanglin entered the Black Wind Gang's gate, Shen Mo had already silently leaped onto the wall. He landed on the rooftop as lightly as a swallow, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. The Black Wind Gang's interior was brightly lit and heavily guarded, with a faint smell of blood in the air that sent a chill down one's spine.

Shen Mo was secretly on guard: "Compared to many years ago, the Black Wind Gang is not only more heavily guarded, but it is obviously deliberately protecting something." He paused on the rooftop for a while, carefully observing the surrounding environment.

Suddenly, Shen Mo sensed powerful auras emanating from the northwest corner of the Black Wind Gang. These auras lacked the ferocity of demonic energy; instead, they exuded a chilling aura. Judging from their intensity, they were comparable to the leaders of the Nine Sects. Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat: "Could they be evil cultivators from overseas?"

However, as Li Fanglin continued forward, Shen Mo ignored the repulsive aura emanating from him and focused on tracking Li Fanglin.

With his exceptionally advanced movement skills, Shen Mo moved through the Black Wind Gang as if it were empty. Like a ghost, he darted between the buildings, avoiding the patrolling guards, and silently followed Li Fanglin to the top of the main hall.

"Greetings, Chief!" Li Fanglin said in a low voice, his tone carrying a hint of reverence.

Ding Chengfeng nodded slightly, a cold glint in his eyes: "Rise, Xuanwu Saint Lord. Seeing you return to the sect in such a hurry, is there something important to report?"

Li Fanglin stood up, his tone calm and serious: "Chief, the Martial Alliance has sent people to the Diancang Sect to investigate the overseas evil cultivators. To prevent the Diancang Sect's cooperation with the Black Wind Gang in searching for the 'Martial God's Tomb' from being exposed, we need to have those overseas martial artists operate near Dali to attract the Martial Alliance's attention."