Chapter 696: Blood Bridge

Upon hearing this, Yu Dahe's eyes bulged with rage, his voice trembling: "What did you say?"

Master She let out a cold, sinister laugh. "These two children—you cannot save them. Their souls have already been offered to the Divine Lord!"

Mo Hua feigned ignorance, his face full of confusion. "What's this 'Divine Lord' you speak of?"

Master She was slightly annoyed, silently cursing inside.

Ignorant brat, speaking so disrespectfully—how dare you desecrate the Divine Lord? You shall surely suffer divine punishment, unable to live, unable to die!

Yet he suppressed his anger, his voice cold, his expression reverent:

"The Divine Lord is the master of countless deities, the supreme sovereign ruling over all life!"

Mo Hua understood at once: this Master She was a half-baked fool.

He had no idea what the Divine Lord—the Lord of the Great Wasteland—actually was; he merely treated it as some lofty deity worthy of worship.

Mo Hua sneered. "Old fool, what nonsense are you spouting? Where is this so-called master of gods, this supreme sovereign?"

"Humans are the lords of all sentient beings. Where are these gods? I've never seen one."

Master She looked down at Mo Hua with contempt and sneered:

"Flesh-bound eyes cannot perceive the true nature of the world; you cannot comprehend the grandeur of the Divine Dao."

Mo Hua snorted. "Just putting on airs."

Master She found no merit in arguing with this brat, yet he studied Mo Hua closely—his mad eyes flickering with a hint of sharpness and doubt.

He had felt strange before.

Who exactly was this brat?

If his guess was right, this group must be Dao Ting Si's hounds.

But how had Dao Ting Si's curs—how had they caught wind of this, broken through countless obstacles, set an ambush, and captured his group?

Master She still couldn't figure it out.

But now that it had come to this, dwelling on it was pointless.

The urgent matter was escape.

Master She sized up the cultivators before him.

The most startling to him was this boy.

Why was there such a weakling among Dao Ting Si's cultivators—a brat with barely any blood qi, only Foundation Establishment early stage?

This was strange.

And judging by his appearance, this brat was pale and plump, arrogant and haughty—clearly raised in luxury, never known hardship.

The other Dao Ting Si cultivators also showed him considerable deference.

Could he be some scion of a great clan, sneaking into Dao Ting Si to rack up merit, to "gold-plate" himself for a glittering future?

The more Master She thought, the more it made sense—he sneered inwardly.

What a fool, seeking death!

He's come to this earthly hell just to collect merit?

He probably doesn't even know how many ways the word "death" can be written…

Master She watched Mo Hua silently, a flicker of cold malice passing through his eyes.

Mo Hua's spiritual sense stirred—he sensed that sliver of cold hatred. His brow twitched slightly, but his face remained expressionless, still radiating arrogance and insolence.

On the other side, upon hearing the children were beyond saving, Yu Dahe turned pale, his hands trembling as he held the two children.

Gu An saw this and kicked Master She, drawing his blade and pressing it to his throat. "Old fool, speak! How do we save these two children?"

Master She only emitted his repulsive chuckle, saying nothing.

Mo Hua, irritated by his sly, mocking demeanor, threatened fiercely:

"Old hairy bastard, if you don't talk, I'll burn off every strand of your hair, peel your skin off, and turn you into a naked 'beggar chicken.'"

Master She hissed coldly: "Boy, take my advice—you're young, don't be so headstrong."

Without hesitation, Mo Hua summoned a fireball and moved to set fire to Master She's hair—right there, a live "fire-roasted hairy chicken."

Master She's eyes widened in disbelief, his voice shrill:

Master She's eyes filled with disbelief, his voice turning shrill:

What kind of upbringing does this brat have? How does he act like this?

Mo Hua held the scorching fireball beside his hair and demanded:

Mo Hua clutched the scorching fireball in his small hand and held it beside his hair, demanding:

Master She was furious—but instantly calmed himself, speaking calmly:

"I can tell you, but you may not believe me."

Mo Hua said: "Start talking."

Master She shot Mo Hua a look filled with hatred, then sighed helplessly:

Master She cast a look of hatred at Mo Hua, then said with helpless resignation:

"The River God my lord requires offerings.

"I have already sacrificed the souls of these two little beasts—these two children—to the River God my lord.

"These two children are the offering, but offerings aren't limited to these two.

"As long as you choose two living people, bring them as new offerings, and deliver them personally to the 'Altar,' the souls of these two children can be reclaimed—they will naturally come back to life…"

"As long as you choose two living people, reestablish them as offerings, and personally deliver them to the 'Altar' to reclaim the spirits of these two children, they will naturally come back to life…"

Deliver… to the Altar?

The Altar!

Altar!

It wasn't the unfinished altar inside Bishan Demon Temple, but an altar already built—and having functioned for hundreds of years!

Mo Hua's heart trembled, but his expression remained calm as he challenged:

"Old bastard, you're lying to me!"

"I'll temporarily believe you—that gods truly exist in this world. But earlier you said it was the Divine Lord, now you say it's the River God. You flip-flop endlessly—so which one is truly your old dog's master?"

Master She flew into a rage, wishing to carve Mo Hua into a thousand pieces, yet he forced himself to restrain himself and replied coldly:

"The River God is but one divine manifestation of my Divine Lord."

"The River God is equivalent to the Divine Lord himself appearing."

Mo Hua instantly understood, and combining this with some theological knowledge and his observations from the fishing village, he grasped the general truth.

The River God is the River God; the Great Wasteland Evil God is the Great Wasteland Evil God—they are entirely distinct.

But the Great Wasteland Evil God corrupted the former River God.

Thus, the current River God has become a manifestation of the Great Wasteland Evil God.

Of course, the specific process of corruption was undoubtedly complex.

I'm only making simple deductions for now.

As for how the Great Wasteland Evil God corrupted, parasitized, and perverted a god—these fall under the domain of 'Evil God Scholarship,' which I currently do not understand.

"Still not right!" Mo Hua thought again and said, "You performed the sacrifice in the alchemy chamber—so why must we go to that damn altar to change the offering?"

Master She longed to kill Mo Hua.

Where did this brat get so many nitpicking, hair-splitting questions?!

Yet under someone else's roof, one must bow—Master She forced himself to endure and said patiently:

"Because sacrifice is simple, but changing the offering requires the River God's approval."

"What if he doesn't approve?" Mo Hua asked.

Master She sneered, "Then I can do nothing. This is the only way to save these two children."

Mo Hua frowned, then quietly suppressed his inner excitement and asked casually:

"Where exactly is this altar you mentioned?"

A faint, almost imperceptible smile curled on Master She's lips.

This little fool has finally taken the bait.

"In the back village," Master She said.

"Back village?" Mo Hua blinked in surprise.

Master She's gaze turned dark and murky: "Within the fishing village's back village stands a sacred site specifically built to worship the River God."

"Really?" Mo Hua confirmed again.

Master She sneered in silence.

Gu An whispered, "Young Master, this evil alchemist is cunning—there may be a trap."

Mo Hua frowned in thought.

Seeing this, Master She sneered, "The back village is extremely dangerous—not even ordinary cultivators dare enter. If you lack courage and rely only on your family's name, I advise you not to risk it."

Mo Hua was indeed provoked: "Old bastard, you look down on me? Today I'll prove you wrong—I'm going in!"

"What River God, what divine pig—they're all bullshit!"

"I want to see what in this second-grade prefecture, with over a dozen battle-hardened Foundation Establishment cultivators beside me, could possibly harm me?"

Mo Hua wore an arrogant expression.

Master She's gaze darkened slightly.

Still just a greenhorn, unable to control his temper.

A dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators?

A dozen Foundation Establishment? Not even appetizers.

Ignorant fools, unaware of the true terrors of this world.

They've fallen into my trap and don't even realize it.

Master She secretly gloated.

Beside him, Gu An Gu Quan, knowing Mo Hua's nature, wore a subtle expression, his gaze toward Master She tinged with faint pity.

Mo Hua ordered arrogantly: "Old bastard, lead me to the back village."

Gu An Gu Quan remained silent, but the other Gu family cultivators whispered in warning: "Young Master, please reconsider—this rogue's words may not be trustworthy."

They did not wish Mo Hua to take the risk.

Mo Hua naturally showed a flicker of hesitation.

Master She grew impatient but feigned calmness, sneering:

"Whether you save them or not is your choice—but don't blame me if I didn't warn you: time is running out…"

"If the River God begins to feast on the offering, consumes these two children's divine souls…"

Master She's eyes turned cruel, "Within four or five days, you'll see these two children's bodies rotting away, bit by bit…"

Yu Dahe's face turned deathly pale.

Mo Hua's eyes revealed a glint of coldness.

Gu An and the others sighed faintly, realizing this journey was unavoidable—they drew their blades and pressed them against Master She's throat: "Lead the way."

Master She replied coldly: "I have conditions."

Mo Hua frowned, "You dare bargain?"

Master She sneered, "Who would do anything without conditions?"

Mo Hua thought for a moment, conceded the point, and asked: "What conditions?"

Master She grinned, "What other condition? Naturally, spare my life after the deed is done."

Mo Hua didn't hesitate, "I agree!"

Master She nodded, "Then it's settled."

Mo Hua eyed him suspiciously, "Aren't you afraid that after it's done, I'll change my mind and kill you?"

Master She replied calmly, "No worry. I dare make this deal precisely because I'm not afraid you'll betray me."

Mo Hua frowned.

This old bastard must still have a trick up his sleeve.

He turned to look at the two children, unconscious in Yu Dahe's arms, and sighed softly.

I hope this old bastard is telling the truth.

These two children still have a chance to be saved…

And the back village holds many secrets—I must go there, no matter what.

Mo Hua paused briefly, then gave orders:

"Get ready. We're leaving soon."

Gu An and Gu Quan looked startled.

What's there to prepare for?

Then they saw Mo Hua go alone to the edge of the big fishing house, avoiding everyone, frantically digging up the ground.

Gu An and Gu Quan found it strange and stepped forward, whispering:

"Young Master, what are you looking for?"

Mo Hua glanced toward Master She, then held up a stone slab in his hand and whispered to Gu An and Gu Quan:

"Help me find similar stone slabs—or any stones with array patterns on them, any pattern at all…"

"And check the surroundings for traces of sword qi…"

Gu An and Gu Quan were baffled.

"I have great use for them," Mo Hua said.

Gu An and Gu Quan nodded and did as Mo Hua instructed.

Mo Hua crouched on the ground like a squirrel digging for nuts, meticulously searching for array patterns and sword qi traces.

He suspected that this old bastard, Master She, harbored ill intent—and the back village held great danger.

So even if it was last-minute, he had to gather more divine array patterns or traces of spirit-natured sword formation—just in case they proved useful later.

After searching, they actually found some useful items.

Mo Hua acquired three more divine array patterns.

There were also two traces of sword qi, but these traces were ancient, their sword intent long faded, offering him no insight into his "Spirit-Natured Sword" technique.

Mo Hua felt disappointed.

He'd have to see what the back village held.

Mo Hua memorized the three new divine array patterns and prepared to depart.

First, he needed to assign personnel.

The black-robed group had nine members; two were dead, seven remained.

Of these seven, Mo Hua selected two mid-Foundation Establishment black-robed men to serve as "sacrificial substitutes" for Yu Dahe's two sons.

Master She would lead the way.

Four others remained: Guo Jiang Long and the head black-robed man—some had to be kept under watch.

Their dantians had been destroyed; they couldn't cause much trouble.

Still, for safety's sake, Mo Hua left six behind.

The remaining four Gu family cultivators would accompany Mo Hua to the back village.

Since it was a "replacement" sacrifice, the two unconscious children had to be brought along—so Yu Dahe came too.

Mo Hua instructed Yu Dahe: "You needn't do anything—just protect your two sons."

Yu Dahe felt deep gratitude.

He hadn't expected this young master, a stranger he'd met only a few times, would go to such lengths to save his children.

"Young Master, rest assured—I'll follow your orders," Yu Dahe said solemnly.

Mo Hua nodded.

With personnel arranged, the group set out.

Gu Quan guarded Master She; Gu An protected Mo Hua; the tall Yu Dahe carried the two children; the other four Gu family cultivators escorted the two black-robed traffickers chosen as "sacrifices"—and they set off toward the back village.

Along the way, the sky hung dark and heavy; ruined fishing huts lined the path, radiating stillness and oppression.

After walking for a stick of incense, the surroundings grew desolate—the fishing huts vanished, leaving only a stone arch bridge ahead.

The arch bridge was crude and ancient in design.

Beyond the bridge lay an even thicker veil of blood mist.

Master She told Mo Hua: "I must be unsealed to cross the bridge."

Mo Hua remembered the array pattern Guo Jiang Long had drawn at Jingkou and nodded. "Alright."

Gu An undid the Spirit-Binding Chains on Master She's wrists.

Master She stretched his wrists, walked to the bridge, patted his waist—and realized his storage bag was gone. He remembered it had been confiscated and said:

"I need blood."

Master She's storage bag was in Gu An's possession, for it contained only demonic alchemical herbs and formulas, so it had never passed through Mo Hua's hands.

Gu An rummaged through Master She's storage bag, pulled out a white vial, and tossed it to Master She.

Master She took the blade, dipped his finger in blood, and began drawing the sealing-breaking array pattern on the stone bricks before the bridge.

Mo Hua leaned forward, watching from the side.

As Master She drew halfway, he looked up and saw Mo Hua's intense expression, the solemn air he carried, and sneered:

"What? Young Master also understands array patterns?"

Mo Hua snorted. "Of course. Among fellow disciples, if my array skills are second, no one dares call himself first."

Master She made no effort to hide his work; he openly displayed the array pattern he had drawn and smiled:

"Then tell me, Young Master—what array is this?"

Mo Hua stared for a moment, then stammered:

"What else could it be? It's just… the Five Elements, the Eight Trigrams… the sealing-breaking array, obviously."

At this, Master She knew the young master was a fraud.

Pretending to know what he didn't, and fond of boasting.

Master She sneered inwardly, and from then on drew the full array pattern without restraint.

As he drew, Mo Hua silently memorized every line in his mind.

When Master She finished, Mo Hua added casually:

"I thought it was some profound array—turns out it's nothing special. Honestly, I've studied this one before, but it's inferior to my family's array. I wouldn't bother learning it…"

Master She cursed inwardly:

"Brat, you have no idea what you're talking about—arrogant and narrow-minded. You don't even realize how advanced this array truly is…"

Master She let out a cold snort.

Mo Hua stole a glance at Master She, his thoughts stirring.

He realized: this Master She wasn't just a demonic alchemist—he was also a demonic array master!

Just now, when drawing the pattern, his brushwork was as if guided by divine force—far more refined than Guo Jiang Long's. Clearly, he was deeply skilled, having drawn countless arrays.

Mo Hua could tell at a glance: his foundation as an array master was formidable.

"Good. This old bastard is hiding quite a bit…"

Mo Hua kept his face blank, muttering silently to himself.

But thanks to this, he had now memorized a more complete sealing array pattern.

This Master She was still useful.

Master She, dipped in human blood, finished the pattern. The lines dissolved like bloodwater, seeping into the bridge's surface.

Then he stood and said: "The back village's gate is open."

Everyone frowned.

They sensed no difference whatsoever.

Only Mo Hua's gaze sharpened.

He clearly saw a faint light veil across the bridge's surface, splitting open down the middle to form an entrance.

The entrance trembled slightly, like a sinister eye.

The entire stone bridge had turned into a blood bridge.

But Gu An and the others could not see it.

Gu An glanced at Mo Hua; Mo Hua nodded. "Let's go."

Gu An then re-secured the chains around Master She's hands and, leading the way, marched toward the arched bridge.

The others followed closely behind.

Thus, the group stepped across the pale stone bricks, crossed the blood-red arched bridge, and entered the forbidden back village.

The moment they stepped inside, the atmosphere changed abruptly.

Mo Hua saw the blood mist in the air, thick enough to drip blood.

Even Gu An and the others felt the air oppressively heavy; their spiritual sense grew drowsy, as if veiled in shadow.

The soil beneath their feet smelled of blood and felt soft as human flesh.

Yu Dahe's eyes widened in horror as he whispered: "This place… is truly that fishing village…"

Gu Quan froze. "What fishing village?"

Yu Dahe's voice trembled. "The one… the old fish-cultivators nearby whisper about—the village that angered the River God, suffered divine punishment, and was wiped out entirely…"

Everyone's expression turned solemn.

In their understanding, they had come only to capture these human traffickers and rescue the two children.

But now, the situation grew stranger by the moment.

Gu An's gaze suddenly turned icy as he fixed it on Master She: "Were the people in this fishing village also slaughtered by you traffickers?"

"Impossible," Master She sneered. "That happened hundreds of years ago. What does it have to do with me?"

Yet his smile was forced, hiding an unreadable undertone.

Mo Hua gave him a look full of implication.

This Master She's secrets were likely far deeper than he'd thought…

After that, Master She continued leading the way.

The group trudged forward over the blood-soaked ground, but as they walked, Mo Hua suddenly looked up toward the village's depths.

Simultaneously, a longing stirred within him.

As if something deep in the village was luring him.

Mo Hua frowned slightly.

Longing?

What exactly am I longing for?

Mo Hua pondered for a moment, unable to make sense of it, so he subtly shifted his intent and performed a divination.

The karmic threads in his heart rose and sank, hazy and indistinct, revealing a vague impression.

Mo Hua was not skilled in the Heavenly Mechanism Calculation Method and could not yet discern what it was, yet his gaze gradually grew expectant…

(End of Chapter)