On the martial arena of Canglan Peak, a streak of sword light from the Grass Sword was as fast as lightning—wherever it passed, it left sword marks. Lin Mo and Zhu Shiyao were locked in an intense, evenly matched battle.

“As expected, the most exhilarating thing in this world is sparring swords with Fellow Daoist Lin Mo.” Watching the blue-robed young woman before him grow more and more frenzied, Lin Mo could only feel a splitting headache.

Zhu Shiyao was progressing far too quickly. Her progress was so uncanny that with each move exchanged, one could sense that she was constantly evolving. Even Lin Mo had to admit it. If this continued and his spiritual energy slowly depleted, unless he used demonic energy, he would definitely lose.

At this moment, the system spoke up:

[Host, you’re really kind of lame like this, you know. If you didn’t have me, the system, wouldn’t you have already been beaten off the stage?]

[This system already told you: if you can’t win, just show full Golden Core strength. There’s no shame in it.]

Lin Mo asked the system, “There’s something I just don’t understand—Is Zhu Shiyao really my destined woman?”

[This question, the system cannot answer you. If you think she is, then she is.]

[If this continues, within thirty moves, Host—you will definitely lose.]

[Though you possess the Sword Heart Clarity physique and the Sword Spiritual Root, in essence, your actual combat experience and innate battle talent are far inferior to the girl in front of you.]

[On the contrary, to her, you’re like a golden benchmark. Every time she spars with you, her combat experience skyrockets.]

[At her current level, she can face inner-heart trials without pressure. Even when challenging opponents above her stage, the experience gained is minimal.]

[If you can’t suppress her outright, then you’re just letting her grow unchecked.]

Alright, Lin Mo finally understood. Zhu Shiyao’s eagerness to fight him likely stemmed from her own awareness of this issue. So that’s what this sneaky system was aiming for—just trying to make him fight at full Golden Core power, huh?

Then he simply wouldn’t go full power. But wouldn’t that mean losing? If he lost to Zhu Shiyao, he’d no longer consider himself a man. Maybe if he lost, this girl would finally stop hunting him down to spar all the time.

At that thought, Lin Mo stopped stalling. Spiritual energy surged through his body—he planned to settle the match in the very next move.

Zhu Shiyao, seeing his stance, quickly understood his intent. Neither of them spoke a word. Seven streams of sword qi formed before Lin Mo. And at that same moment, Zhu Shiyao condensed a single, massive sword qi.

Zhu Shiyao’s sword swept out in the form of a blue dragon, and amidst its roar, it crashed into the seven streams of sword qi unleashed by Lin Mo. At that moment, the girl beside Ye Kai gave a flick of her sleeve—just as Lin Mo’s qi was about to surge outward in full force, a bean-sized demonic sigil silently pierced into Lin Mo’s body.

Then, with a trace of regret, she instructed Ye Kai once more: “Let me warn you again—don’t speak to me at all later. Lin Mo’s demonic cultivation will definitely be exposed.”

Meanwhile, as Lin Mo was controlling the Seven Kill Flowing Sword, he suddenly felt the demonic energy within his body rapidly swell.

“What’s going on? Why is the demonic energy in my body out of control?”

[What else? Host, you’ve been secretly ‘fostered’—that’s all.]

[But technically, it’s not full-on possession. Someone just installed a patch on you.]

Before Lin Mo could understand what the system meant, blood veins began to creep into his eyes, and the demonic energy within him grew violently unstable. He had already depleted his spiritual energy during the fight with Zhu Shiyao—his body was practically running on empty. At this moment, he simply couldn’t suppress the swelling tide of demonic energy.

As the demonic energy surged, Lin Mo suddenly broke through to the peak of the Golden Core stage. He was now just half a step away from the Nascent Soul stage. With this breakthrough, the demonic energy burst forth and actively replaced the last of his fading spiritual energy. The power of the Seven-Kill Flowing Sword Art surged explosively.

In one decisive move, he shattered the azure dragon formed by Zhu Shiyao’s sword qi. She was forced to retreat again and again—until she could no longer hold up against Lin Mo’s onslaught. A sweet taste rose in her throat, and she coughed up a mouthful of fresh blood.

She stared at Lin Mo—now shrouded in dark demonic aura—with an expression full of disbelief. Gritting her teeth, she asked softly, “Fellow Daoist Lin Mo, what are you—”

But before she could finish speaking, a figure swept toward Lin Mo and surrounded him completely. This sudden change caught everyone off guard. The disciples of Qingling Sect, who had just been convinced that Lin Mo had proven his innocence through strength, were stunned silent by what they saw.

The first to speak was still Master Rongyao, but unlike before, his voice was devoid of any mockery or amusement. His expression turned frosty and stern. “Demonic cultivator, your true identity has been revealed. At this point, what explanation could possibly save you?”

He wasn’t alone—every other peak master had also assumed defensive stances, staring at Lin Mo with harsh, even hostile eyes. Lin Mo knew all too well—this was once again the work of that demoness behind the scenes. His eyes bloodshot and body radiating demonic energy, he offered no explanation. He merely said, slowly:

“I never claimed I didn’t cultivate demonic arts. What I said was—I’ve never harmed my fellow disciples.”

“Save your bullsh*t.” Master Rongyao erupted with rage, glaring at Lin Mo with bulging eyes and flared brows. Lin Mo couldn’t help but wonder if this guy had a fire spiritual root—his temper certainly matched one. It was like he’d swallowed explosives—always one spark away from blowing up.

“You damn beast—so cunning, hiding this deeply all along. Now that the evidence is clear, it doesn’t matter how well you speak. You’re done.”

“Today, for Qingling Sect, for all the people of this world, we must execute you—this demonic fiend.”

The tides had once again turned. The Qingling Sect disciples, stirred by the declaration, began to rise and jeer once more.

“Slaying demonic cultivators is our sacred duty. Killing Lin Mo will bring peace to the world!” Perhaps emboldened by their peak masters, disciples from every peak stepped forward one by one, forming ranks behind their respective peak lords, adopting the posture of righteous defenders against evil.

On Qingzhu Peak’s side, no one knew what to do for a moment. Master Rongyao glanced coldly toward them and said, “With the situation as it is, do you still believe Lin Mo is innocent?”

The whispers began—some couldn’t bear the weight of public opinion. And they stepped into the camp standing against Lin Mo. After all, it was now a fact that Lin Mo practiced demonic cultivation. No matter how good Lin Mo had been to them before, a demonic cultivator could never be forgiven.

The only ones still standing by him were Duan Susu, Gu Qingxue, and Qu Ruyan. Gu Zi was still loyally watching over Lin Mo’s home. If he were here, he would definitely be standing on the same front line as Duan Susu.

Even if Lin Mo practiced demonic cultivation, Duan Susu believed there had to be a reason behind it. Her senior brother could never harm fellow disciples or kill the innocent. At that moment, she stepped forward, wanting to speak on Lin Mo’s behalf, but the shouts from the disciples of the other eleven peaks were far too overwhelming.

Gu Qingxue and Qu Ruyan had very simple reasoning: No matter where Lin Mo was, no matter what he did, they would be by his side. Whether or not he was a demonic cultivator who harmed others, Lin Mo had treated them well, and that was enough for them.

Hearing what this group of people said, Lin Mo didn’t think their concern was a kindness:

“I’ve never harmed the people of this world, nor have I killed the innocent. So why are you claiming you’re giving peace back to the people by killing me?”

Master Rongyao said coldly:

“Even if you haven’t done these things yet, that doesn’t mean you won’t do them in the future.”

Lin Mo laughed aloud and said:

“So what—you’re the Heavenly Dao now? You can see through my future?”

“Then why didn’t you cut me down with your sword the moment I joined the sect?”

Master Rongyao was momentarily silenced by the retort. He could only squeeze out a few words in frustration:

“No demonic cultivator is ever any good.”

At that moment, Zhu Shiyao stepped forward, still speaking up for Lin Mo:

“Everyone, there must be some kind of misunderstanding here.”

Zhu Shiyao had always communicated through the sword. Having practiced for many years, her heart was clear and discerning. She could tell what kind of person someone was. After many exchanges of swordplay with Lin Mo, she had come to understand his character. Even though Lin Mo now appeared like this, she still believed he was a good person.

Master Rongyao sternly warned:

“Zhu Shiyao, you are the top disciple of an elite sect. If you continue to protect this demonic cultivator, do you understand how much your Sword Sect’s reputation will suffer?”

Lin Mo said:

“Fellow Zhu, I appreciate your concern. Please leave this matter to me to handle myself.”

Lin Mo also understood that, at this moment, it was best to draw a clear line between himself and Zhu Shiyao. She already had her own responsibilities—there was no need for her to be dragged into this because of him.

“Besides, cultivating demonic arts—that part is indeed true. If there’s ever a chance, I’ll repay your kindness one day.”

Master Rongyao sneered coldly:

“Demonic cultivator, do you still think you can leave here alive?”

Lin Mo casually raised his hand, and a wave of demonic energy struck Master Rongyao right in the mouth:

“I wasn’t talking to you. Shut your damn mouth.”

Lin Mo’s move had been far too swift—so fast that Master Rongyao didn’t even have time to react. Publicly humiliated in front of everyone, he glared at Lin Mo, but didn’t dare strike back. He knew very well that he wasn’t Lin Mo’s match.

Among those present, Master Fengqing had the highest cultivation. And everyone deferred to Master Fengqing’s lead.

At this moment, Master Fengqing also spoke, the kindness from before gone from his face as he said coldly:

“Lin Mo, it is a fact that you practice demonic cultivation. Today, no one can protect you.”

Lin Mo’s impression of Master Fengqing had been fairly decent. He calmly asked:

“Master Fengqing, I have a question—would you care to explain it to me?”

Master Fengqing didn’t reply. Lin Mo took his silence as a sign of agreement:

“Earlier, Master Rongyao said that no demonic cultivator is any good. Do you agree with that?”

“Then tell me—if there were a demonic cultivator who had never harmed the innocent, and relied only on his own life, does he still deserve to die?”

“On the contrary,” Lin Mo continued, “there are countless cultivators in this world, and many of them engage in seduction, rape, plunder, arson, and murder—those so-called cultivators who take innocent lives. What should be done about them?”

Master Fengqing responded immediately:

“From ancient times, immortals and demons have never coexisted. Demonic cultivators and demons alike deserve death.”

“As for those who commit evil under false pretenses—they, too, deserve death. But that has nothing to do with you demonic cultivators.”

Lin Mo glanced at the expressions of the others. In their eyes, he saw the same resolute determination. Not one of them questioned what Master Fengqing had just said.

At this point, how could he not understand?

The moral values of this world were fundamentally different from those of a modern person like him. Even if it was once again clearly proven that he hadn’t harmed any fellow disciples, these people still wouldn’t believe it. Or rather, whether he had done it or not, he was already marked for death.

When facing anything labeled “demonic,” their tolerance was practically zero. Lin Mo looked up at the sky and let out a faint sigh. This battle was now unavoidable, no matter what.

What he felt most was helplessness… and dread. The greatest fear was being abandoned by all, with no one left who cared.