Chapter 559: Divine Calculation

"The Axe Lord feels even better!" Hu Ling'er told Qin Mu with a serious expression. The little fox demon had just touched it a couple of times, noting its plush, fleshy texture.

Qin Mu was a bit worried that his senior brother couldn't control his appetite, having consumed too many Golden Water Primordial Pills and consequently gaining excess weight. However, Black Tiger God was his senior, the longest-serving follower of the Woodcutter Sage, and a deity of formidable reputation. As his junior brother, Qin Mu found it difficult to say anything. Even if he advised Black Tiger God to eat fewer Primordial Pills, his senior brother probably wouldn't listen. Nowadays, Black Tiger God listened more to Dragon Qilin. "Let the Woodcutter Sage worry about it," Qin Mu thought.

Qin Mu looked back. Behind them, streams of demonic energy shot straight into the sky. Some resembled lotus flowers, others took the shape of dark clouds, and still others looked like peacocks or demon gods. These always followed behind them, anomalies formed by the vital qi of numerous demonic experts. Those capable of creating such phenomena were all formidable experts at the Celestial Being realm or even stronger! Yet, these demonic powerhouses did not rush forward, as if waiting for something.

"A Divine Bridge expert has arrived!" Qin Mu stared intently. Suddenly, he saw a divine bridge spanning dozens of miles across the sky. A demon god's primordial spirit walked onto the bridge, and above the bridge was a demonic Heavenly Palace—this was the phenomenon of a Divine Bridge powerhouse.

In Eternal Peace, the Divine Bridge realm was once generally considered a Cult Master-level existence, incredibly powerful, but that was in the past. After Qin Mu spread the method for repairing the Divine Bridge, one had to enter the Heavenly Palace and become a deity to truly be considered a Cult Master-level expert. Still, Divine Bridge realm practitioners were extremely formidable. If these individuals pursued them, only Black Tiger God's intervention could protect them!

Then, he saw a second divine bridge, then a third, a fourth... More and more Divine Bridge experts appeared behind them. Various primordial spirits stood on the bridges, their positions indicating different levels of cultivation within the Divine Bridge realm. These primordial spirits looked at them from a distance, and streaks of demonic light constantly swept around them, utterly unbridled. Even with so many Divine Bridge powerhouses present, the demonic forces still did not attack.

"They are waiting for an even stronger being to arrive!" Qin Mu narrowed his eyes, withdrew his gaze, and thought to himself, "Stronger than Divine Bridge are only demon gods who have entered the Heavenly Palace! I just wonder if the demon god rushing here has already crossed the South Heavenly Gate..."

He looked at Black Tiger God, who was sprawled on the box with Dragon Qilin. Ever since Black Tiger God found common ground with Dragon Qilin, he had become just as lazy, always lying on the box, whispering something to Dragon Qilin. A bad feeling arose in his heart: "I hope the newcomer hasn't crossed the Heavenly Palace's South Heavenly Gate..."

Sang's face was filled with worry. She whispered, "Brother Cult Master, if we go much further, we'll soon reach the demon race's front line. There are many powerful experts there." Qin Mu's heart stirred slightly, and he immediately understood what these demonic experts were waiting for.

"With numerous powerhouses at the front line, plus the pursuers behind us, they'll sandwich us, making it impossible to defend both sides. It seems the pursuers aren't waiting for a demon god to arrive; rather, that demon god is already among them, waiting for us to walk into their trap!"

Qin Mu composed himself and approached the box. Black Tiger God and Dragon Qilin were whispering something, and upon seeing him, they quickly fell silent. Qin Mu shared his conjecture, stating gravely, "Brother Tiger, the closer we get to the front line, the more dangerous it becomes! At a certain distance, a demon god will surely lead a force to block our path ahead. And behind us, that demon god will block our retreat! Caught in a pincer attack, we'll be annihilated!"

Black Tiger God stood up like a large cat and said sternly, "A good plan! But you underestimate me, Tiger Venerable! I followed my lord in campaigns north and south, experienced countless battles, and earned my mighty reputation through bloody fighting! After my lord became a silent fossil, I also fell into slumber. It seems these little demon brats have forgotten the might of your Tiger Grandpa! Don't be afraid. When we're still a thousand li from the front, just call me!"

Qin Mu opened his mouth but said nothing. Black Tiger God lay down again and looked up, saying, "Do you have any more spiritual medicines? The ones you gave me have been refined and eaten. Give me some more; I fight better when I'm full." Qin Mu took out some spiritual medicines from his Gluttony Pouch, prepared the right amount for a batch of spiritual pills, and handed them to him, saying, "Brother Tiger, don't eat too much, or you might end up as fat as Dragon."

Black Tiger God laughed heartily, quite self-confidently, "You underestimate me too much. Mere spiritual pills melt instantly when refined; they won't add half an ounce of flesh to me. I know my limits. Later, I'll show you my might!"

Qin Mu inquired, "Sister, how far are we from the front line now?" Sang took out a map, searched around, then took out a ruler and measured, saying, "This is... Caiyun Mountain. It's still four thousand li from the front line." Qin Mu looked at the map's scale, measured it himself, and shook his head, saying, "Four thousand two hundred and sixty-one li." Sang chuckled, "Why do you need to be so precise?" Qin Mu shook his head, thinking, "It's precisely because Taishang Heaven's arithmetic is so poor that even your sun is built crooked and unsightly." Of course, he couldn't say that aloud.

Sang was called over by Ling Yuxiu and Si Yunxiang. The three girls chattered excitedly, studying and discussing the divine arts and Dao methods of Taishang Heaven and Eternal Peace. Ling Yuxiu and Si Yunxiang humbly sought guidance on the cultivation methods of the young true gods, and Sang shared everything she knew. Sang also asked them about Eternal Peace's spells, and the two girls taught her the recently developed divine arts of Eternal Peace, as well as the 'Primordial Spirit Attraction' technique.

"Primordial Spirit Attraction requires dual cultivation," Sang said in surprise. "This cultivation method should only be for married couples." Ling Yuxiu laughed, "Nonsense! As long as primordial spirits can resonate, anyone can cultivate it. Many monks and Daoists in Eternal Peace have cultivated it!" Sang was dumbfounded. After a moment, she asked doubtfully, "Monks and Daoists can cultivate it? Have you two cultivated it too?"

"I cultivated it with the cowherd," Ling Yuxiu said. Sang felt a pang of disappointment and sourness in her heart. She looked at Si Yunxiang and asked, "What about Sister Xiang?" Si Yunxiang smiled, "I also cultivated it with the Cult Master. The Cult Master's primordial spirit is very strong, and dual cultivation with him makes one's primordial spirit improve rapidly!"

Sang's eyes widened, and she blurted out, "How can you... two... That's not right! Primordial spirit dual cultivation should only have one Dao companion!" She was almost frantic. Si Yunxiang tempted her, "Try dual cultivating with the Cult Master, and you'll know. The Cult Master's primordial spirit is very strong!"

Sang's face flushed crimson. She whispered, "Our rules for primordial spirit dual cultivation in Taishang Heaven are different from yours in Eternal Peace. Here, it's taboo. Only married couples can dual cultivate; even fiancés cannot." Ling Yuxiu and Si Yunxiang exchanged a knowing glance, understanding each other implicitly: "Taishang Heaven's rules are too outdated. But it's no surprise; every region has its own rules. For example, in the Western Land, women are 'little hussies.' The Imperial Preceptor opened up a path and brought thousands of female demonesses from the Western Land, which reportedly caused quite a stir!"

Qin Mu climbed to a high point and gazed into the distance. He saw surging, extremely dense demonic energy about a thousand li away, resembling a high wall stretching for ten thousand li. "The demon race's front-line encampment!" He observed with his Nine Heavens Divine Eye. Within the demonic energy, various vibrant and colorful phenomena appeared—these were the anomalies formed by experts of the Celestial Being, Life and Death, and Divine Bridge realms within the demon army!

"Sister, give me the map!" Sang brought the map. Qin Mu used vital qi as a ruler and measured precisely. He then looked back at the pursuers, where the demonic energy was also growing denser. His eyes flickered. "Still one thousand one hundred li. Brother Tiger told me to call him at a thousand li, but he seems to have gained some weight recently."

Qin Mu turned to Black Tiger God on the box and said gravely, "Brother Tiger, we are only a thousand li from the front line." The little black tiger leaped off the box and laughed heartily, "You all stay here and watch my skills!" With that, he charged furiously towards the pursuers behind them.

Qin Mu watched Black Tiger God. The little black tiger ran faster and faster, his body transforming as he ran. In less than a breath's time, he had already changed from a foot-tall small black tiger into a colossal, mountain-like behemoth, majestic and awe-inspiring, though his belly seemed somewhat large. As Black Tiger God ran, he shifted from running on all fours to propelling himself with his two hind legs. Various runic marks spread across his body, like armor covering him entirely. With a heavy clench of his two front paws, two large hammers appeared in his hands.

In the time it took Qin Mu to breathe, Black Tiger God had already collided with the pursuers. Countless demonic experts had their bones broken and tendons snapped, their bodies flipping through the air before falling helplessly. A demon god was indeed hidden there. A battle-halberd shot into the sky, meeting Black Tiger God's two great hammers. Black Tiger God was incredibly valiant, and that demon god was no weaker. The moment they clashed, Qin Mu immediately saw a mountain peak suddenly float flatly into the air.

"Let's go quickly!" Qin Mu said rapidly, "Advance a hundred li! Dragon Fatty, jump off the box!" Sang didn't understand why, but she still followed him, carrying the box forward. Dragon Qilin also quickly jumped off the box and hurried to catch up with them.

Behind them, many demonic experts who hadn't died at Black Tiger God's hands immediately abandoned him and pursued Qin Mu and his group. Meanwhile, in the demon race's main encampment ahead, the fluctuations from Black Tiger God's battle with the demon god alarmed the demonic experts there. Demonic energy immediately separated from the demonic qi above the camp, rolling towards Qin Mu and the others. This was likely demonic powerhouses coming to intercept them, forming a pincer attack.

Qin Mu led the group for a hundred li and then shouted, "Stop!" Behind them, an earth-shaking roar suddenly erupted. Black Tiger God had slain the demon god and was roaring towards them. A tiger's roar startled the forest, causing mountains, plants, and trees to be thrown into the air, and loose rocks to fly skyward. Black Tiger God arrived in a furious surge, his two great hammers striking the pursuers of Qin Mu and his group, killing them one after another.

Seeing this, Qin Mu immediately said, "Retreat a hundred li." Sang, Ling Yuxiu, and the others didn't understand his reasoning but still obeyed and ran back. Black Tiger God, having killed the pursuers, leaped over their heads and confronted the many demonic experts rushing from the front. Those demonic experts were also led by a demon god. Black Tiger God broke through their battle formation, and as the two deities fought, the other demonic experts bypassed their battlefield and rushed towards Qin Mu and his group.

Qin Mu led the group back a hundred li, stopped, and said gravely, "It should be safe now." A moment later, in front of them, the primordial spirits of several demonic powerhouses arrived, their divine arts barraging them from afar. Everyone's expressions shifted slightly. Suddenly, a giant hammer flew through the air, crushing the divine arts and primordial spirits of those demonic powerhouses!

Black Tiger God's figure appeared. He grabbed the great hammer that had flown towards the group, shook it vigorously, and laughed heartily, "Fortunately, I didn't fail my mission! Everyone, get on my back! Let's charge into the enemy camp! I'll take you back to Li City!" Qin Mu also sighed in relief, thinking, "Brother Tiger really has gained a lot of weight in the past two days. His increased weight reduced his speed by a tenth, which is why I left a hundred li margin. It seems I calculated correctly!"