https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-721-Reincarnates-Seize-the-Bridge/12919905/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-723-Malevolent-Spirits-Seeking-Revenge/12919907/
Chapter 722: Upper Rank Destiny
Chapter 722: Upper Rank Destiny
What is a bridge?
Those within the Ten Great Lineages, upon reaching a certain level of skill, would inevitably become aware of this concept.
However, unlike entering a manor, which could be documented, the method of crossing the bridge was not recorded in the Pacifying Book.
Ever since his entry into the manor, Hu Ma had sought answers from others, first from Miss Red Wine, and later from Erguotou. Through these inquiries, he gained a general understanding of the concept of the bridge.
The bridge was a process of transcending humanity, a process of "leaving the shore." This shore was the mortal realm, where humans lived, bound by the cycle of life, death, and the tribulations of fate, cause and effect, and karmic debts.
Crossing the bridge meant taking a step away from this shore, ascending to a higher place, where one could evade certain things and look back upon their mortal existence.
Crossing the bridge was a new technique.
In the past, there was no mention of crossing the bridge in this world. Those who cultivated within the Ten Great Lineages, upon reaching the point of entering a manor, were considered Grandmasters, having attained the pinnacle of their abilities.
Hu Ma, who had already opened the Three Fan Manor Gate, had theoretically reached the limit of the Year Guard technique within his lineage. As a human, his skills could only go so far.
However, the method of crossing the bridge went beyond the limits of human abilities, taking another step forward.
This step transcended humanity, and it was said that it was the arrival of the Purple Heavenly Stem that gave mortals a chance to take this step.
"No wonder it's called a 'bridge'..."
As these thoughts flashed through Hu Ma's mind, he borrowed Cui Ma Gu's Dharmakaya and gazed at the bridge's illusion behind her, a bridge that spanned the mortal realm and the netherworld, pointing directly into the depths of the unknown.
In theory, the bridge was just a path, transcending mortal abilities, and should not have a physical form.
But in the netherworld, nothing was set in stone, and through spiritual perception, he saw a shape that resembled a bridge.
Upon seeing this bridge, he knew that Miss Red Wine was about to make her move.
She would not let this opportunity pass her by.
As someone who had crossed the bridge early on, she understood it better than most. She had once said, "Once you cross the bridge, the Ten Surnames will send envoys to welcome you, congratulate your transcendence, and treat you as an honored guest!"
"But in reality, being an honored guest means becoming a servant of the Ten Surnames after crossing the bridge. You will have only one path to choose from."
"..."
Each of the Ten Great Lineages had its own method of transcendence, equivalent to ten bridges, and these ten bridges were all controlled by the Ten Surnames. Over the past twenty years, as the Ten Surnames grew in power, their control over the bridges became stronger.
Therefore, there were only three ways to cross the bridge:
The first was for those of lower rank destinies. Once they crossed, they would be welcomed by the Ten Surnames, treated as honored guests, and taught secrets not written down.
While the Ten Surnames would show respect, those within the lineages understood that this did not change their inherent servitude.
Despite having reached the pinnacle of their skills and taken a step towards transcendence, they could only serve the Ten Surnames in the end, a bone-deep tragedy that reincarnates would naturally look down upon.
The second way was for those of middle rank destinies. They were cloaked in purple qi, evading the prying eyes of the Ten Surnames, and managed to reach the bridge.
In this case, the Ten Surnames would sense someone crossing the bridge but would not know who it was, making it difficult to control them. However, if the Ten Surnames had the time and were thorough in their search, they might eventually find the person who crossed the bridge.
This method also carried significant risks.
The third way was for those of upper rank destinies, who were unconstrained, boldly crossing the bridge, experiencing transcendence, and seeking opportunities.
This was the true path to freedom for those within the lineages.
Miss Red Wine had once been of middle rank destiny. Although she didn't have the Purple Heavenly Stem, she was from the Playful Gate and used the Deception Technique to evade prying eyes and secretly reach the bridge. However, this also meant she endured hardships over the years.
So, when she realized that the Purple Heavenly Stem could grant reincarnates middle rank destiny, she felt both joy and a different thought.
With this opportunity, why not be bolder? The Purple Heavenly Stem could allow reincarnates to cross the bridge, becoming like her, stealthy and hidden.
But reincarnates had been stealthy for too long. Why not seize this moment and strive for upper rank destiny?
To achieve upper rank destiny, one must not only cross the bridge but also seize it. The Beggar Zhang Family had lost their Dragon Nest, and their dragon was slaughtered, leaving behind an unclaimed bridge, damaged and of poor quality.
The Hu Family's unclaimed bridge was hidden deep, shrouded in secrecy and danger.
Given this, Hu Ma chose the Meng Family's bridge for her and created an unprecedented opportunity!
This was an ambitious plan, and he never imagined it would come true...
...
...
"How... How could you do such a thing?"
As Hu Ma's heart filled with genuine joy, borrowing Cui Ma Gu's Dharmakaya to gaze upon the bridge, Cui Ma Gu's perception became even more acute.
With her back to the bridge, she saw it more clearly than Hu Ma. She noticed vague shadows on the bridge, all of whom were guests of honor, revered by Tong Yin Meng over the years. They were preparing to perform one last service for the Meng Family.
The entire Hu family paid their respects, exhausting their blessings and altering their fate.
This was originally the young master of the Meng family, staking the family's last trump card, a desperate move to survive.
The chances of success for this move were already slim, and it was more likely to result in mutual destruction.
But she never imagined that this move would become a laughingstock.
As she watched the guests on the bridge raise their incense, preparing to pay respects to Hu Ma, a shadowy figure suddenly emerged, cautiously observing the scene before bursting into laughter and leaping out. Then, with long strides, he began running...
The shadows on the bridge were all left dumbfounded.
It was unclear why, at this critical moment when the Meng family was in danger, a master from the Negative Spirit Sect had suddenly appeared on the bridge.
Usually, the Meng family strictly controlled the situation, and such an unexpected person should not have appeared.
However, this person's appearance also blocked them, preventing them from completing their act of respect. Just as they were about to demand an explanation, the person suddenly charged forward and kicked their opponent, sending them flying.
Then, he raised his hand high and shouted loudly, "Brothers, it's true, there's not even a guard on the Meng family's bridge..."
"Let's go, follow me and charge!"
"..."
The next moment, a scene unfolded that was so insane it defied comprehension, so eerie it brought despair. Countless shadows appeared on the bridge.
Those who could cross the bridge were undoubtedly those who had mastered the skills of the mortal realm to the extreme, seeking transcendence and standing out from the crowd.
Such individuals, even after decades of meticulous cultivation, might not produce a single one.
But now, they seemed to be appearing in droves?
With a thunderous roar, they were like madmen, or rather, locusts, as they rushed onto the bridge, occupying every advantageous position. Each of them was surrounded by purple qi, making it difficult to discern their features, as if they were masked intruders invading someone else's home.
Robbers! That's what they were!
But no matter how hard Cui Ma Gu racked her brains, she couldn't understand why such a crazy scene was unfolding.
"Pfft..."
At that moment, countless masters from the Negative Spirit Sect, most of whom were gathered near Salt Province, coughed up blood.
One of them sat motionless in a mansion overgrown with weeds, with a paper-made bridge in front of him. He stood lightly on the bridge, eyes closed, holding a bundle of incense.
His disciples surrounded him, watching anxiously, all aware of their master's recent instructions. He had said that he would do one last thing for the Meng family, and once it was done, their sect would be free and unconstrained, living a carefree life from then on.
But no one expected that halfway through the ritual, the paper bridge beneath his feet would suddenly catch fire.
The master fell from the paper bridge, dazed and disoriented. The moment he opened his eyes, he cried out,
"Ghosts! Ghosts!"
"..."
"It's ruined!"
The one who reacted the fastest was Meng Siliang, the eldest young master of the Meng family. He closed the hall door, leaving himself alone in the spacious yet dark mansion, sitting in silence.
All he could hear were the incessant calls from outside the paper-covered windows, calling his name. Occasionally, when he opened his eyes, he saw faces plastered on the windows, staring intently into the hall.
They were shadows of calamitous spirits, eager to collect their debts and take him away.
The nail in his heart kept him pinned to the mortal realm, preventing him from being summoned by the creatures outside.
But he was anxious, unsure if Cui Ma Gu had reached Old Yin Mountain and started the important task.
Although he could use the nail to keep himself in the mortal realm, the others living in the Meng family mansion were not so fortunate.
Listening to the incessant calls outside the window, seeing the shadows impatiently waiting outside, one person sat in the room, suppressing their tears for a long time. Finally, when the voices outside reached a crescendo, they cried out in a sobbing voice,
"Don't rush me, don't rush me, I'll go with you..."
"..."
Amidst the cries, a white silk rope emerged from under the bed, slowly being tied to the beam.
"Damn you, Meng Siliang, it's all your fault, all the trouble you've caused..."
Someone finally lost control and rushed out of the room, intending to confront Meng Siliang.
But as soon as they stepped out, they were surrounded by countless shadows, lifting them off the ground and swiftly floating out of the mansion.
When they came to their senses and turned around, they realized they were kneeling in the courtyard, silent.
Meng Siliang covered his ears, blocking out the calls from the creatures outside and the intermittent cries and roars from the courtyard. He clenched his teeth, convinced, "I won't die, as long as these people are dead, I absolutely won't die..."
"There must be a survivor from the Meng family bloodline, they... they dare not let me die..."
"..."
But as these thoughts filled his mind, a sudden roar echoed, and the vision before him blurred.
Only endless despair remained, flooding his heart. His voice turned hoarse and distorted as he shouted, "That... that's the Meng family's bridge!"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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