Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups-Chapter 269 - 202: The Legend of Gufeng Temple

In the secluded and tranquil secret chamber, the thick darkness seemed capable of devouring everything.

Only two figures emitting a faint glow stood facing each other.

Although the light was dim, it outlined their blurry contours, creating a mysterious and eerie atmosphere.

"I believe that ghosts exist in this world."

Fang Cheng’s tone was filled with conviction as he answered.

Seeing the Smiling Demon appear somewhat surprised, he spread his hands which glowed with a flame-like radiance and said:

"Aren’t we two like ghosts right now? Situated within the world of consciousness, detached from reality, what’s the difference between our state and the ghosts of legends?"

The Smiling Demon shook his head slightly and said:

"It’s not the same."

He paused, as if pondering how to phrase his thoughts, and a moment later, he explained:

"We are only present in this special Spirit Space with our consciousness; our bodies still exist in the real world. It’s like having a lucid dream and waking up to be the same as before."

"Ghosts, according to the common conception, are completely detached from the physical body, a kind of supernatural spirit."

Fang Cheng nodded slightly, showing his agreement.

What he really wanted to say was that as a transmigrator, this secret was of course not suitable to share with others.

After thinking for a moment, he continued in a calm tone:

"I’ve never seen a ghost with my own eyes, but I believe that after death, the soul should continue, waiting to enter reincarnation and be reborn into the world."

"I’m not sure if common people have a continuing soul after death, and as for the concept of reincarnation, I’m afraid no one can confirm this."

The Smiling Demon commented a few words following Fang Cheng’s statement, then abruptly changed the topic:

"But I know, when a person’s Spiritual Energy reaches a certain extreme limit, their consciousness does not dissipate after death but seeks an object to reside in, burning the last of its faint light stubbornly like a candle in the wind."

He lifted his gaze, deep and profound, as if peering into the endless void seeing many twisted shadows hidden in the dark.

"There’s a legend in West Mountain, that an old monk from Gufeng Temple passed away and ever since then, every full moon night, sounds of chanting would emerge from the dry well in the monastery. The villagers say it’s because the monk’s attachment is too deep, his soul clings to the well water, reluctant to leave the mortal world." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

"Actually, there might be another possibility—that what’s attached to the well is not the soul of the deceased monk but rather spirits filled with resentment that have been trapped for a long time."

"They slaughtered living beings in their lifetimes, soaked in blood, and after death became a haunting and difficult-to-eradicate evil spirit, lingering in the gap between yin and yang. Thus, on every full moon night, the monks would collectively chant sutras, hoping to resolve the malicious aura and liberate their souls..."

As the Smiling Demon spoke, he drifted around the room.

The gloomy glow like ghost fire followed his figure, tracing ethereal paths.

Fang Cheng’s gaze flickered as he asked:

"What does this legend have to do with Jiang Chen?"

The Smiling Demon fell silent for a bit, then continued in a storytelling tone:

"Do you know that, two thousand years ago during the era of the ancient Yu Dynasty, Gufeng Temple was just like its name, a pearl lost to the world, perched atop the mist-shrouded perilous peaks."

"At that time, a massive anti-Buddhist purge suddenly emerged in the imperial court, Gufeng Temple had a renowned reputation and many followers, which also made it a thorn in the side of the court."

"Therefore, a warrior was ordered to lead an elite force to the remote mountain temple to subdue it."

"As the army approached, the temple doors were tightly shut, and even though the monks were unarmed, they showed no fear. They continued to sincerely chant sutras in front of the Buddha hall, seemingly using these sounds to confront the impending storm of bloodshed."

"But this could not stop the warrior’s determination to make his mark, as his troops rushed into the temple like a flood, screams and shouts of killing intertwined."

"The soldiers wielded sharp blades, slashing at whoever they saw, the monk robes instantly drenched red with blood. One by one, the Buddha statues toppled amidst the chaos, crashing to the ground in pieces."

"At first, the warrior may have still harbored a sliver of pity, but as the slaughter intensified, the slash of swords and the shadows of blades, the incessant blood splatter on his armor, and the pungent scent of blood all around subtly changed his disposition."

"Every slice of the sword, every scream, seemed to numb his conscience, as an inexplicable fervor and malice grew within him."

"The moment he stepped into the back hall of the temple, the stark contrast between the lingering incense inside and the stench of blood outside was eerily striking. Invisibly, a mysterious force whispered and beckoned to him."

"His eyes became hazy, his steps uncontrollably moved towards a forbidden area behind the hall. There, a mysterious and ancient artifact was concealed, rumored to hold a shocking secret that could overturn the entire Great Yu Dynasty, suppressed for hundreds of years by a Buddha statue dozens of meters high."

"At this point, the warrior was wholly driven by that inexplicable Strength, commanding his soldiers to chisel the statue and break the seal."

"Days and nights passed, and when the seal burst into a radiant light, it was as if a door to the Netherworld had been opened; an extremely cold black fog surged out, harboring malevolent spirits that seemed to have escaped from Avici Hell, instantly entwining themselves around the warrior and the surrounding soldiers, eroding their minds and bodies."

"The physically strongest warrior’s eyes turned as if there were ghost fires burning within, veins rose like earthworms under his skin, and his body uncontrollably twisted and convulsed. In an instant, he transformed into a horrifyingly deformed monster."