Chapter 576: The Cult Leader's Eccentric Friends

Emerging from the light on the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, a young man with two deer legs looked around in utter astonishment. He murmured, "This world is far more magnificent than Yan Kang; gods and devils are everywhere... That rascal built this Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, a feat of incredible craftsmanship, allowing direct access to another world. He's always dabbling in various things, never focusing on cultivation. Building this bridge must have taken him an immense amount of time, yet his cultivation and strength have still improved so rapidly..."

"Leader!" a guard next to him whispered, nudging his superior. "Look at that deer-legged young man. Could he be the one from the painting Cult Master Qin gave us?"

The guard leader quickly pulled out Qin Mu's painting for comparison. His eyes lit up. "The appearance is identical!" he exclaimed. "But the young man in the painting only has one deer leg, while this one has two. Is it really him...?"

As he hesitated, the young man strode down the stone steps with his two deer legs and walked away.

"Capture him, no matter what!" the guard leader ordered, exchanging glances with the others. Understanding, they all soared into the air, unleashing their divine abilities and spiritual weapons. Sword pills, saber pills, miniature tall buildings, pagodas, and large cauldrons, among other swift spiritual artifacts, rained down with thunderous force, engulfing the deer-legged young man. Terrifying fluctuations radiated in all directions, gradually subsiding after a long while.

The Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge was of paramount importance, thus it was guarded mostly by masters, the weakest of whom were at the Life and Death realm, with several powerful cultivators at the Divine Bridge realm.

The guards retrieved their spiritual weapons and quickly moved to the edge of the platform to look down. All they saw was an empty, white expanse; the deer-legged young man was gone.

Shocked, they searched around, their eyes glowing, capable of seeing over a hundred *li*. Suddenly, the deer-legged young man reappeared a hundred *li* away, running nimbly forward on his two legs.

"Shoot him down with your divine eyes!" the guard leader shouted. The divine light in the guards' eyes swiftly condensed into astonishing beams, aiming at the deer-legged young man a hundred *li* away.

Just as their ocular abilities were about to strike him, the deer-legged young man suddenly vanished. When he reappeared, he was another hundred *li* away, roughly two hundred *li* from the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge.

As they prepared to manifest their ocular abilities again, the deer-legged young man vanished once more, disappearing from sight.

The guards exchanged bewildered glances, unsure what to do.

Just then, a tapping sound came from behind them. Another young man emerged from the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, followed by a large, legged box that clicked as it walked behind the handsome young man.

"It looks like Cult Master Qin's box, but this isn't Cult Master Qin..." the guards muttered, puzzled. The young man, whose eyes shone like stars and whose voice was pleasing, asked, "Is this the Supreme Emperor Heaven? Where can I find true devils?"

The guard politely replied, "Young sir, are you from Yan Kang? What are you looking for true devils for? If you're seeking demon lords, you'll have to go to the demon territories over there. The Yan Kang National Teacher is currently training soldiers in Li City; it might be more convenient for you to go to Li City and offer your assistance to the National Teacher first."

The young man shook his head. "I merely wish to collect the physical bodies and primordial spirits of some demon gods. Why would I seek out the Yan Kang National Teacher, who is but a junior? At his current stage, he's not even worth collecting."

As he was about to leave, an old man with a wrinkled face, carrying a large box and a big furnace on his back, cheerfully walked out of the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, a wide smile on his face.

"Why are all the people coming from Yan Kang today so peculiar?" the guards wondered. "First, a young man with two deer legs, then two strange individuals with boxes..."

The young man's expression drastically changed when he saw the old man with the furnace and box, becoming incredibly grim. "Mute, I've been searching for you for a long time!"

The old man's face also changed upon seeing him, and his smile froze. "Ah-ba, ah, ah!" he stammered.

"Indeed, it is I, Xing'an!" Xing'an's killing intent surged as he stated coldly, "Though you are no longer worth collecting, you trapped me for so long. This vendetta must be settled..."

"Mute, you run so fast!" The Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge shimmered with light as an incredibly burly man, cloaked and carrying a massive saber on his shoulder, emerged. He chuckled, "Your box is still excellent; turning into a boat and sprinting away made it impossible for me to catch you... Xing'an!"

"Heavenly Blade!" Xing'an's eye twitched. The box behind him suddenly retracted its legs and feet, hiding behind him, evidently remembering being dismembered by the Butcher.

Xing'an clasped his hands behind his back and said calmly, "You've also broken through the Divine Bridge and entered the Celestial Palace? A Mute, a Heavenly Blade – two deities, both my enemies! Heh heh, you can both come at me at once."

The Butcher's eyes gleamed as he burst into laughter. "Xing'an, I chased you for eighty thousand *li*, and you still managed to escape; you are truly impressive! That old geezer, Village Chief, said you were extraordinarily capable. It's a pity the Village Chief is dead, but you're still alive. I've been eager to meet you!"

Xing'an smiled faintly and said leisurely, "The Human Emperor Sword God? He's long since ceased to be my match. You all come at me together; once I've dealt with you, I still need to hunt demon gods to enrich my collection."

The Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge shimmered with light once more, and a slender old man in green robes emerged. He had an extraordinary demeanor, like a high-ranking prince. He touched his two iron ears, and finding them still there, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Was this bridge built by Mu'er?" he wondered aloud. "Mu'er is indeed becoming more capable... Xing'an!"

"Deaf," the Butcher bellowed, "that little brat Xing'an has cultivated into a deity! You're the weakest, so be careful!"

The Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge shimmered again, and everyone's eyes brightened as a peerless beauty emerged from the light. Her captivating gaze momentarily entranced everyone. "Xing'an?" she said, surprised. "Madam Si," the Butcher snapped, "try to look a bit older so I don't lose focus! Let's all go at him together and take this fellow down!"

Yet another short old man emerged from the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, carrying a black dragon spear on his back. He calmly said, "Xing'an, you talk a big game." Trailing behind him was a gaunt old man with a simple smile. Upon seeing Xing'an, his face changed dramatically, and he immediately turned to flee back into the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, but the old man with the black spear caught his sleeve, forcing him to remain.

Xing'an's gaze shifted from Madam Si's face to the Blind man, and he sneered, "All my old adversaries have arrived. Perfect, I'll send you all on your way together."

Just then, a burly man wearing a bronze mask stumbled out of the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, panting heavily. He gasped, "You all ran too fast. I practically sacrificed my old life just to barely catch up; I can't run any more... Huh? Xing'an is here too?"

Xing'an's expression changed dramatically. Grabbing his box, he fled into the distance. With a boom, his figure tore through the air, leaving a trail of mist. Before anyone could react, he was already a hundred *li* away, his speed astonishing.

The Apothecary touched the mask on his face, puzzled. "Why did he run so fast? I didn't even get a chance to make my move..."

"Teacher Heavenly Blade—" From the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge, a deep, booming voice from the Grand Ruins resonated, deafening: "I see you, don't run! Green Ox, run faster! Teacher, I have so much to tell you—to tell—to tell—"

The Butcher's face turned ashen. "Ba Shan is catching up," he said hurriedly, "let's go!" Madam Si and the others quickly departed. Moments later, a burly man, over ten *zhang* tall, descended from the sky, a peony in his mouth. His muscles rippled with excitement as he emerged from the light. This was followed by another burly man who stepped out, looked around, and joyfully declared, "Teacher's saber light is so distinctive, it can't escape my notice! Green Ox, reveal your true form!" The Green Ox strongman bellowed, transforming into a giant green ox over forty *zhang* long, covered in green fur and dragon scales. The burly man leaped onto its back, and the Green Ox soared away through the air.

The Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge guards exchanged bewildered glances. The leader let out a long sigh. "So many peculiar people have come today..." he mumbled.

Before he finished speaking, light suddenly pulsed, and an old monk accompanied by two young monks emerged from the Transfer Bridge's glow. The old monk possessed a dignified, venerable appearance, with twenty layers of heaven manifesting behind him. Within these heavens sat hundreds of high monks—of all ages, sizes, and races, both human and demon. One young monk had a face like a full moon and a similarly dignified demeanor, while the other was as robust as a black pagoda, wielding a Zen staff.

The old monk said, "Zhan Kong, ask for directions." The black, tower-like monk stepped forward, performing a single-handed bow, and asked the guard leader, "Path?" The leader, completely bewildered, tentatively asked, "Good? Or evil?" The black monk replied, "Good." "Then!" The guard leader raised his hand and pointed in the direction of Li City.

The old monk stepped off the Transfer Bridge, leading the two young monks. Ming Yue praised, "Tathagata, Senior Brother Zhan Kong's way of asking for directions was truly concise. With just two words, he pinpointed the path. Your disciple has learned much." Ma Rulai nodded. "He possesses great wisdom," he said.

The numerous guards stared blankly as the monks departed. Before they could fully recover, more figures emerged from the bridge: several old Taoist priests and old nuns, surrounding a young Taoist.

"Is this the Spirit Energy Transfer Bridge built by Old Demon Qin? Old Demon Qin's mastery of calculation arts has truly reached its peak!" the old Taoist priests and nuns exclaimed. Ignoring the guards, they pulled out various calculation tools and brazenly began measuring and calculating the numerous rune markings on the Transfer Bridge, exchanging excited comments.

The numerous guards exchanged bewildered glances. They were about to approach and question the young Taoist, but saw that he was even more excited than the older ones, measuring and calculating, muttering fervently as if entranced.

"Everyone from Yan Kang is peculiar!"

As these Taoists continued their measurements and calculations, several venerable old men with a scholarly air, accompanied by a few young men and women, approached. Seeing the scene, one chuckled, "Dao Master Lin Xuan, what are you doing?" "Oh, it's the seniors from Little Jade Capital, and Senior Brother Mu Ran!" Dao Master Lin Xuan looked up, excitedly replying, "Cult Master Qin's application of calculation arts on this bridge is truly astounding; we're currently measuring it!" Wang Muran smiled. "Dao Master," he said, "even if you calculate, you might not be able to decipher all the knowledge within. Why not simply ask Cult Master Qin to provide your Daoist sect with a blueprint?" Dao Master Lin Xuan suddenly understood. He called over the other Taoists and chuckled, "As soon as we saw this Transfer Bridge, we completely forgot there was a shortcut. By the way, has Senior Brother Xu Shenghua arrived?" Mu Qingdai replied, "After he returned from the Celestial Heavens, he went directly to the Supreme Emperor Heaven. He should have arrived long ago, most likely heading to the God-Suppressing Pagoda to see if he can pass the True God Youth trial." The crowd bustled, heading towards Li City. It was clear that some of their disciples had been here before and knew the way, leaving behind only the bewildered guards.

"Are all these people Cult Master Qin's friends? They're all so strange!" the guard leader mumbled. "How could Cult Master Qin, such a normal and good person, associate with such peculiar individuals?"