Wandering Swordsman |

After Li Fanglin returned to the main hall with the overseas heretical cultivators, he respectfully reported to Ding Chengfeng, "Chief, Leader Oda has arrived."

Ding Chengfeng coldly sized up the man before him, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes: "Oda, I've come to you with an important task."

The leader of the overseas heretical cultivators bowed respectfully, his tone humble and courteous: "Chief, please speak freely."

Ding Chengfeng snorted: "Your mission this time is to create some big commotion near Dali to attract the attention of the Martial Arts Alliance. Understand?"

Oda replied respectfully, "Understood, lord. We will act according to your instructions and will not let you down."

Ding Chengfeng nodded in satisfaction: "Very good, you may all leave now."

Oda bowed again, then followed Reihou Rin out of the main hall. Throughout the entire process, he maintained a humble and polite attitude, showing absolutely no trace of the dignity expected of a master.

Hiding in the shadows, Shen Mo witnessed everything and pondered to himself, "Although this Oda appears extremely humble and polite on the surface, his strength far exceeds expectations. He deliberately concealed his inner strength cultivation, clearly to mislead others. If he truly obeys the Black Wind Gang's orders and creates a major disturbance in Dali, then the Martial Alliance's attention will indeed be diverted."

He continued to ponder, "It seems that the most urgent task at present is to find out what exactly the 'Tomb of the God of War' is."

The night was as dark as ink, and the wind whispered softly. Shen Mo quietly left the Black Wind Gang and embarked on his journey back to the Diancang Sect.

He traveled swiftly, his figure following him like a shadow. With the aid of the Heavenly Demon Qi, his lightness skill had surpassed the limits of martial arts. Even after traveling thousands of miles, he showed no signs of fatigue.

He knew in his heart that although his infiltration of the Black Wind Gang and tracking of Li Fanglin and the overseas evil cultivator leader had yielded considerable results, it was ultimately done behind the back of the Diancang Sect. If Duan Qianya realized that he was not at the Diancang Sect, he would probably become suspicious.

Half an hour later, when Shen Mo quietly scaled the wall and entered the Diancang Sect, the east was already turning a pale white. He skillfully bypassed the patrolling disciples and sneaked into his guest room. As soon as he pushed open the door, he sensed something was amiss inside.

"Young Master Shen, you did not return home last night. I wonder where you went? I am very worried about your safety." A deep and gentle voice came from inside the house.

Shen Mo felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly composed himself, turned around, and saw Duan Qianya sitting upright on a wooden chair in the room, dressed in a black robe. His expression was calm, but his gaze was sharp and scrutinizing.

The room was dimly lit, with flickering candlelight illuminating Duan Qianya's calm and deep face. Two disciples stood beside him, both formidable experts from the Diancang Sect, watching Shen Mo warily, as if they would intervene to subdue him at the slightest sign of trouble.

Shen Mo thought to himself, 'As expected, Duan Qianya had already noticed my absence, so he waited here on purpose. He's testing me.'

He showed no sign of panic, but instead smiled slightly and bowed, saying, "Sect Leader Duan, I was feeling unwell and couldn't sleep, so I went out alone to clear my head. I didn't mean to disturb you."

Duan Qianya stared at him silently, his gaze sharp as a knife, as if trying to see right through him. After a long while, he slowly nodded, his tone still gentle: "Young Master Shen is young and impetuous, and it's only natural that his mind is troubled. However, it's best not to go out alone in the dead of night unless there's something urgent. What if something unexpected happens? Wouldn't that cause us worry?"

Shen Mo's heart tightened. Duan Qianya's words, seemingly concerned, were actually a test. He quickly replied, "Sect Leader, you are too kind. This junior simply did not want to cause any more trouble for your sect. If I have caused Sect Leader Duan any worry, I will certainly remember this in the future. If I were to leave Diancang, I would give you prior notice."

Duan Qianya's lips curled slightly upward, a half-smile playing on his lips: "That's good then. Young Hero Shen, you have done a great service to Diancang and are an important member of the Martial Alliance sent to investigate overseas evil cultivators. I really don't want anything to happen to you in Diancang. If you have any worries, please speak frankly. The Diancang Sect is willing to do its best to help."

Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat. Duan Qianya's words were clearly a test to see if he knew any secrets. He replied calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader Duan. I have nothing else to say. I'm just new to Dali and am not used to the environment, so I went out for a walk."

Duan Qianya nodded, said no more, stood up, and nodded slightly to the disciples beside him: "You all wait outside Young Master Shen's room. If Young Master Shen has any orders, you must carry them out unconditionally."

The two disciples responded in unison and then withdrew. This action seemed to be for Shen Mo's sake, but anyone with discerning eyes could see that it was Sect Leader Duan arranging for someone to monitor Shen Mo.

Before leaving, Duan Qianya looked back at Shen Mo one last time, his gaze as deep as the sea, as if to say: What exactly did you do last night?

Shen Mo stood there until Duan Qianya was completely gone before slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air, but his heart felt as heavy as if a huge rock was pressing down on it.

He slowly walked to the window, pushed open the wooden pane, and felt the night breeze on his face, carrying a slight chill. He gazed at the waning moon outside the window, lost in thought.

Shen Mo thought to himself, 'Duan Qianya is indeed no pushover. Tonight's ordeal was a close call. But his probing also shows that his wariness of me hasn't lessened. It seems I can't stay at the Cang Sect for long.'

An hour later, Shen Mo pushed open the door, preparing to leave the room.

As he stepped out of the room, the two Diancang disciples guarding the door immediately came to greet him with polite smiles on their faces.

"Where is Young Master Shen headed?" one of the disciples asked. "Do you need our help?"

Shen Mo smiled slightly and said calmly, "I need to go to Dali City to inquire about the overseas evil cultivators. I've been thinking it over and over, and I feel that we can no longer let those overseas evil cultivators who are harming the martial world continue to do evil."

Upon hearing this, another disciple immediately said enthusiastically, "Young Master Shen is new here and unfamiliar with the place. Why don't we accompany you? It will be good to have someone to look after you on the way. Besides, we are quite familiar with Dali City, so we might be able to help."

Shen Mo naturally knew that these two were sent by Sect Leader Duan to monitor him, so he politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, but my mission to carry out the Martial Alliance's task is only one part of my job. The other part is a test from the Elite Academy. Therefore, in order to ensure the fairness and impartiality of the test, it is not appropriate for too many people to participate in my investigation of the overseas evil cultivators. I appreciate your kindness." After saying this, he cupped his hands in farewell and walked straight ahead.

Watching Shen Mo's departing figure, the two disciples exchanged a glance. One of them quickly turned around and went to report to Duan Qianya, while the other quietly followed him.