111: Bald donkey and old Taoist priest!

“My guess was indeed correct!”

Imperial Capital, Research Institute.

Although Professor Xia Xinyu was in the Imperial Capital, he had been keeping track of the situation in various places through surveillance footage. Now, seeing the anomaly descend upon Tai Xu Mountain, causing various fierce beasts to stir, he couldn't help but reveal a look of understanding. He murmured, “Many things appearing now are related to ancient myths.”

“If that’s truly the case, then the bell on Tai Xu Mountain, could it be the eastern emperor bell?”

This was a divine weapon from ancient mythology, wielded by a powerful demon, possessing heaven-shaking and earth-shattering power.

If such a divine weapon were to fall into the hands of fierce beasts, the future struggle between humans and fierce beasts would likely become even more difficult, and this was absolutely not a sight he wished to see.

Therefore, Professor Xia Xinyu intended to immediately contact various prominent figures within the country, and even enlist the help of ancient artifact families, to obtain the eastern emperor bell.

However, just as this thought arose, a leader appeared.

After exchanging greetings, Professor Xia Xinyu heard the other party say in a serious tone, “There are no powerful fierce beasts near Tai Xu Mountain, and we have already secured the area, so there shouldn't be a major problem.”

“You are right, but to ensure foolproof safety…”

Professor Xia Xinyu hesitated, but the leader waved his hand, full of confidence, “Professor Xia, you can rest assured.”

“This time, Shaolin and Wudang, two ancient martial arts sects with long traditions, have dispatched their strongest experts to Tai Xu Mountain. With them there, they will certainly be able to acquire this divine weapon!”

Hearing this, Professor Xia Xinyu finally breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze once again falling on the surveillance footage… at the foot of Tai Xu Mountain.

The area was still controlled by human soldiers. Unless one held a high position or had permission, no unauthorized personnel were allowed up the mountain.

At this moment, a corpulent, middle-aged monk in a monastic robe strode forward, his arrogant eyes barely acknowledging anyone else.

If it were just that, it would be fine, but behind this middle-aged monk followed several novices, each holding items, walking with their heads bowed. Such a grand procession caused even the army to make way for him.

“amitābha!”

Arriving before the soldiers blocking the road, the middle-aged monk pressed his palms together in greeting, then his gaze suddenly became resolute, “This divine object appearing now has a strong affinity with this humble monk.”

“Today, this humble monk shall, on behalf of the Buddha, claim this supreme treasure for our Buddhist sect!”

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of the soldiers varied, but a quick-witted one immediately ran to a guard post nearby, preparing to contact his superiors.

However, before the call could connect, another voice, seemingly descending from the sky, full of mockery towards the middle-aged monk, echoed, “Heh heh, this is clearly a supreme treasure of my Daoist sect. When did it become affiliated with your Buddha?”

Everyone looked up and saw that it was a Daoist priest, arriving on clouds. His simple robe, especially his ethereal aura, made people involuntarily feel admiration.

Someone recognized the identities of the middle-aged monk and the Daoist priest, and instantly exclaimed, “Oh my god, isn't that Warrior Monk Erlong from Shaolin Temple? How did he get here?”

“And that one… is that Master Zhang from Wudang Mountain?”

Buddhism and Daoism have always been mysterious existences in people's minds. Now, with famous figures representing their respective factions appearing, the surrounding crowd instantly gasped in surprise, “Are they all here for the treasure on Tai Xu Mountain?”

“It must be. If they didn't come for such a commotion, how could they be called renowned sects?”

“Baldy! Stinky Old Daoist!”

Amidst the exclamations of the crowd, another voice emerged, directly offending these enlightened masters from Shaolin Temple and Wudang Mountain.

For a moment, everyone's hearts were filled with excitement, but even more so with curiosity, “Who is this person?”

“He looks tall, but it seems… I've never heard of such a person!”

“Could he also be a representative of some hidden power? Or… is he a hidden master?”

Everyone's gaze fell upon a man over two meters tall, looking very lean, who let out a disdainful sneer, “You, too, wish to come here and contend with me for the exotic treasure?”

“Heh heh, truly overestimating yourselves!”

Such a boastful tone made the onlookers curious, and they all speculated about who this person could be.

Warrior Monk Erlong and Master Zhang, however, both changed their expressions upon seeing the newcomer. Erlong almost blurted out a curse word but ultimately held back.

This man, over two meters tall, was the Monkey King, who possessed the 72 Transformations bloodline ability.

He had rushed here as quickly as possible and genuinely disliked humans. Therefore, upon seeing these people, he directly mocked them, “You are so weak, yet you dare to come and contend for the exotic treasure?”

“Even if this King doesn't make things difficult for you, it's impossible for you to succeed!”

Hearing this, Erlong and Master Zhang's expressions changed again, but they ultimately said nothing more.

After all, if they were to fall out with the other party at this moment, it would ultimately affect the ordinary people nearby, possibly even leading to bloodshed.

Seeing their reaction, the Monkey King also felt somewhat bored. He merely snorted coldly before looking towards Tai Xu Mountain.

“Dong!”

Just then, a clear and melodious bell rang from the mountain, and then a gigantic Pangolin instantly stopped in its tracks. It seemed to have suffered a tremendous blow to its body because of this, and its face showed an expression of extreme pain.

It swayed, and after steadying itself, it looked around and realized that it had indeed used its burrowing ability to directly break through the human defenses and enter the halfway point of Tai Xu Mountain. It couldn't help but become even more confused, “The location is correct, and the divine weapon is nearby, so why can't I get through?”

The Pangolin's impact caused the ground to tremble continuously; even those at the foot of the mountain felt it.

For a moment, almost everyone's attention was drawn to it.

“This idiot!”

Seeing this, the Monkey King's eyes were filled with disdain and mockery for the Pangolin, “The divine weapon has clearly not fully emerged yet, and he already wants to take it. Isn't that seeking death?”

Although the surrounding people didn't speak, they all nodded in agreement.

Even though some still didn't understand, the fact that even Erlong and Master Zhang didn't immediately ascend the mountain indicated that it wasn't yet time to retrieve the treasure, making the Pangolin's actions indeed reckless and foolish.

Not far away, the colossal Xia Fan was slowly riding the clouds, heading towards Tai Xu Mountain.

When the Pangolin suddenly crashed, he wasn't far from there, but the mist shrouding Tai Xu Mountain temporarily obscured his vision, preventing him from seeing the situation clearly.

However, that melodious bell sound had indeed reached him.

“Hmm? Did some idiot lose patience?”

Xia Fan knew the exact time the divine weapon would appear, which was why he was so calm.

He wasn't worried that the divine weapon would be snatched by humans or other fierce beasts after he arrived: “However… it seems that this situation is becoming more and more interesting.”