New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 33 It’s decided! Save the world
While the captain was questioning for information, Yuan Zhu had already come to Meng Xiyue's side and gently poked her backpack with his finger.

Noticing the slight sway of her backpack, Pink Hair turned her head and immediately smiled kindly upon seeing Yuan Zhu: "Brother Yuan, what can I do for you, sister?"

"Don't be ridiculous. We're the same age. Let me ask you, what is a [Buddha Cocoon]? You've read a lot, don't lie to me."

Hearing this, Mengxi tilted her head and looked him up and down, a layer of reflection on her glasses. Curiously, she asked, "You really haven't heard of it?"

Yuan Zhu thought about it and realized he had no memory of this, so he nodded seriously: "No, that's why I'm curious. Why, is this common sense that everyone should know?"

"Not really. There's no temple near your home. You've never come into contact with Buddhist monks since you were a child, and you don't go to temples to worship Buddha and pray?"

"???"

Travel?! Yuan Zhu was completely shocked. In this cannibalistic world, is it still possible to travel?

"I've never had any contact with Buddhism since I was a child. I think my family believes in Huang Tian... right? Anyway, my faith is tied to my health, work efficiency, discounts, extra annual leave... and it's adjusted according to the annual 'Faith Benefits Handbook'."

The people of Running are pragmatic. They have almost squeezed out the potential of the 11 faith application quotas.

At the end of every year, newspapers are filled with articles titled "The Most Powerful Faith Combination Guide for Next Year's Lucrative Lottos!" They offer specialized faith combinations tailored to women, men, different professions, and hobbies, even more mysterious than calculating lottery numbers using geoscience.

Therefore, Yuan Zhu really did not have the energy to believe in Buddhism and worship Buddha. It was because the nearest Buddhist temple was too far away, and not only did it not provide much welfare, but it was also a private temple that ordinary people could not enter.

"I understand," Mengxi nodded repeatedly. The list of beliefs she submitted to the school all related to passing exams, improving study efficiency, possessing a top student, skin care, and so on. To study, she even gave up her annual leave package.

"Then let me tell you something. Actually, if you live near a Buddhist temple, you'll notice that large and small knots often grow on the branches of nearby trees. As they age, these knots become more distinct, transforming into the shape of Buddha heads. And not only plants, but also incense burners, walls, stone pillars, and wooden beams that have been heavily infused with Buddhist incense will sprout Buddha heads made of various materials. These Buddha heads are collectively called 'Buddha cocoons' or 'Buddha head cocoons'."

Hearing this description, Yuan Zhu felt a chill run down his back and goose bumps appeared all over his body. "Are you saying that the walls of Buddhist temples will be covered with densely packed Buddha head cocoons?"

Meng Xiyue nodded as a matter of course. "Yes, a true century-old temple or a thousand-year-old famous temple must have its own unique heritage, such as the Thousand Buddha Wall and the Ten Thousand Buddha Wall. There are also large golden Buddha statues with dense natural Buddha head cocoons growing on their bodies. A small Buddha statue with seven or eight natural Buddha head cocoons is considered a Buddhist treasure blessed by the Dharma. It can be auctioned for a high price without the need for expert appraisal, and be bought home by wealthy people to be enshrined."

"hiss……!"

Yuan Zhu gasped. His previous life had never really understood Buddhism, only knowing it was accessible to the wealthy. The lower classes all believed in the free Twelve Gods of Destiny, or other cheap or discounted gods.

Buddhism, on the other hand, charges a fee and does not protect the poor. There is a saying that goes, "Buddha does not save the poor!"

Yuan Zhu: "So [Buddha Cocoon] is actually a good thing?"

"It's considered an auspicious object, and you can always find them near Buddhist temples. Stone Buddha cocoons grow on rocks, wooden Buddha cocoons grow on trees, and some animals, influenced by the Dharma, can even grow flesh Buddha cocoons. If you peel one and give it to someone, it's like giving someone a rat sachet during Chinese New Year. But there's one thing: a Buddha cocoon needs to be nurtured by the Dharma over a long period of time, otherwise it will wither and shrink from a Buddha head into a skinny skeleton. That wouldn't be a good sign... So if you don't believe in Buddhism, it's best to avoid giving Buddha cocoons to others. If you don't take good care of it, you'll offend them."

Yuan Zhu shook his head. Who the hell would give someone a 'Buddha Head Cocoon'? Giving someone a string of beads to hang around their neck would be like killing someone in the Flowing Sand River.

"What about this little monk? Is he okay? Is he wishing you good luck and happiness?"

Meng Xiyue shook her head. "I don't really understand. I've only been to temples for tourism, and haven't come across monks with magical powers. I heard that true monks all have 'true Buddha cocoons' on their bodies. That's the symbol of entering the Buddhist system, and it's also the organ that transforms 'Buddhist magical power'? It's said to be called... um... flesh relics?"

What the hell is going on here? Local Buddhism is so cultish. An animal covered in Buddha-like tumors, large and small, isn't monstrous or terrifying, but rather considered a sign of good fortune, like a bodhisattva's chariot descended to earth. It's so outrageous, wouldn't the bodhisattva find it offensive?

At this time, the captain had finished his questioning and summarized some useful information from the young monk's answers.

This bubble world is small, consisting of a small city called Naye Buddha Kingdom. Its social civilization is still in the backward ancient feudal era, and its religious system is even more backward. However, due to its small size and small population, it is caught in a vicious cycle.

Until a power reminiscent of the Yellow Springs disrupted the balance. Yes, the Yellow Springs truly existed on the Duling Planet. It was a special dimension of death, distinct from the Spirit Realm. Different religions and cultures in the modern world each had their own unique concept of Hell.

These private hells are manifestations of different aspects of Huangquan.

Death is everywhere, and the destination of death is always [Yellow Spring].

Therefore, after death, the souls of the creatures in this bubble world also dissolve and return to the Yellow Spring. It is quite reasonable that the Yellow Spring penetrates the already fragile small world, infusing the Yellow Spring's death energy in reverse and giving rise to ghosts and undead spirits.

This tiny bubble world, with only one Buddhist kingdom, wasn't a spirit that had confronted eight external universes head-on, not only remaining unscathed but also finding the time to weave a [Spiritual Realm] cushion for itself. Being pierced by [Yellow Springs] was perfectly normal.

The captain then added a few words of reflection, "The bubble world connected to the Gods' Space will always experience various forms of erosion, so everyone should get used to it. However, this time, the [Yellow Springs erosion] has no benefit to [Happy Home]. We need a rich world with abundant natural resources and a stable environment. The infiltration of [Yellow Springs] will only accelerate the downfall of this world, transforming it into a 'death form.' This doesn't mean that this world has no value. After exploring and marking it, we can resell the intelligence and coordinates to other teams that favor the death attribute and the [Yellow Springs] system."

Yuan Zhu: "I've learned a lot!"

Zhou Chu, who was walking in front of him, suddenly turned around, glared at him, and said, "We should do our best to rescue the local residents and try to save the world! If we block the infiltration of the death energy of [Yellow Springs], then the environment of this world should be suitable for growing raw materials for [Mao Mao Wang], right? The Buddhist people here are gentle and obedient, and they would also be good employees. We can provide more advanced farming techniques and grain seeds, and engage in trade and cooperation."

As a "modern person," the Security Bureau investigator possesses integrity, good character, and ideals, and is happy to lend a hand to the backward natives of the bubble world. This, too, is a manifestation of his own "rules."

The captain smiled and nodded. "It's worth a try. I support your idea. How about you lead this mission and do your best to help the indigenous people and save their world? If you fail, you can learn from the experience and it will be a good experience."

Zhou Chu nodded readily: "Okay. I'll accept this mission! Everyone, listen to my orders. Little monk Kucao, take us to where you used to live. I want to save people!"

"Thank you all, benefactors! May the Buddha bless you with a long life." The little monk was instantly excited. He was saved! He had finally found his savior. It was obvious at first glance that these people were extraordinary, like the extraordinary beings from outer space that the adults had talked about in their casual conversations.

Meng Xiyue quickly waved her hands: "Stop, stop, stop, no, no, no! I don't want to live a hundred years. My lifespan is guaranteed to be over 300 years old. Don't curse me."

"Ah?!" The little monk looked at the beautiful older sister in front of him in shock. Yes, she was indeed an extraordinary person from outer space!
"Huh?!" Lu Rang, who thought the other person was just an ordinary person like him, was stunned. Are the Taixi people's lifespans so long? I want to immigrate too.

"Ah?! How do you think you can live so long?!" This is the unconvinced Yuan Zhu, "Little elf, tell me loudly, as a [Tiger Demon], how many years can I live?"

"I don't know! You're one of the first guinea pigs. How long can you live? Only then can your lifespan be used as a reference and shouted out by others. So, Lao Da, you have to work hard. Set a small goal first. Live longer than this pink-haired guy, and then live to be... 301 years old?"

Taking over the command of the team, Zhou Chu directly raised the gun, checked it skillfully, and after confirming that it was correct, he said: "Everyone raise your guns and be alert! Little monk, you come and lead this sheep and lead the way for us."

She called Yuan Zhu and Meng Xiyue to her side and led the way. The old lady and the bread girl were in the middle of the group, protected. The black butcher and Lu Rang followed at the end.

Yuan Zhu, who had suddenly felt relied upon, wanted to play it safe and hide. "Do you want me to switch positions with Lu Rang? I'm afraid he'll shoot us from behind and wipe out our entire team."

Of the seven members of the team, Zhou Chu had the strongest feelings for Yuan Zhu, who had the most clean temperament. He didn't want him to die early on the mission, so he decisively refused and kept him by his side. (As a fellow member of the Security Bureau, a certain Han targeted him everywhere. Such is the nature of big city people!)

"No need. You have sharp perceptions, and trekking through the deep forest is easy. So just follow me. As for Lü Rang's hidden gunfire, aren't you wearing any clothes?"

"what?"

"Although the [Furry King] is an untrustworthy anti-law demon, the clothes she provides have strong defensive power and are not afraid of bullets."

Lu Rang then loudly expressed his determination: "Don't worry, everyone, I won't shoot randomly again!"

　Please read it... What the hell, get up and read it every day! Otherwise, I will bless you with all my strength.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)