Blood Pagoda Army

When Hu Ma refused without hesitation, the Old Madam of the Li family let out a low sigh as well.

Hu Ma's expression was one of disbelief and exhaustion; the Old Madam of the Li family looked faintly disappointed.

After a long pause, she sighed softly. Her voice had lost the weight it had carried when she spoke of the Eight Scenes of the Yellow Springs. She said slowly, "To give you everything we've accumulated over twenty years, to help usher in a new age—that is already an enormous concession from the Ten Surnames..."

Hu Ma only sneered, not even bothering to reply.

Madam Li's gaze cooled slightly as she looked up at Hu Ma.

For the moment, she seemed less like the Old Madam of the Li family, old friends with the Hu family, and more like the ancient matriarch of the Unusual Li family. She slowly shook her head and said:

"The descendants of the Hu family, the wardens of the dead, are capable and talented. You've combined this world's body with the other world's methods to cultivate the abilities you have today. When you went to the capital, even the National Preceptor could do nothing to you. You could be called the foremost among the Ten Surnames..."

"But you're far too confident."

"I know where your confidence comes from: those people from the other world. There are indeed many capable people among them, and they've all crossed the bridge. But you must understand, they crossed it too late."

"..."

She looked at Hu Ma as though instructing a junior in the arts of magic. "To cross the bridge is to transcend."

"The path to transcendence is nothing more than returning to one's roots. Everyone has the ability to return home, and once they cross the bridge, they