The Qingji Plateau, the largest plateau in the federation, has an average altitude exceeding four thousand meters.
It was named the Qingji Plateau because it is perpetually covered by vast green grasslands and is also the roof of the world.
The entire Qingji Plateau spans an enormous area, covering one-fifth of the size of the Huafu Metropolitan Area, comparable to the land area of several provinces.
However, due to its sparse population and low population density, the entire Qingji Plateau is designated as a single province, Qingji Province.
Despite its small population, Qingji Province boasts numerous temples.
Several large temples are renowned ancient structures throughout the entire federation, making Qingji Province a tourist destination.
However, the temples in Qingji Province are not actually Buddhist monasteries, nor are they owned by Buddhist monks from the south.
In the beginning, the Qingji Plateau was indeed dominated by Buddhist faith, but later Buddhism declined, and its adherents abandoned the region.
The local people took over the Buddhist heritage and established a sect called the Mingwang Esoteric Buddhism.
In name, the Mingwang Esoteric Buddhism is a branch of Buddhism, but its sole object of worship is the Great Buddha Mingwang. The various legends about this Buddha Mingwang are fundamentally different from the Buddha in the Buddhist sense.
In Mingwang Esoteric Buddhist mythology, the world was created in the dream of the Great Buddha Mingwang, and the world would face destruction once the Great Buddha Mingwang awoke.
Besides these, there are also various profound and esoteric boasts. In the scriptures of the Mingwang Esoteric Buddhism, creator gods are considered junior deities, and the Buddhas of Buddhism are even lesser than juniors.
For a thousand years, the Mingwang Esoteric Buddhism has wielded significant influence around the Qingji Plateau, becoming an integral part of the lives of the local residents.
The Creator Church also attempted to spread its teachings here, but the local residents would not listen to its doctrines.
They would stubbornly say, "My Buddha Mingwang is more powerful than your creator, so I do not believe in your creator!"
"If you don't believe it, then have your creator come out and fight our Buddha Mingwang. If you can't, then our Buddha Mingwang is more powerful…"
Because of this, the Qingji Plateau nearly experienced a large-scale bloodshed at that time.
Later, the Creator Church realized that in these sparsely populated areas, a single church could not reach enough followers, and evangelization was difficult. Even if they occupied the region, the gains would not outweigh the losses, so they abandoned it.
However, the Mingwang Esoteric Buddhism does more than just boast of its power; it possesses some genuine capabilities.
In the areas most severely affected by the undead disaster, only the monasteries of the Mingwang Esoteric Buddhism could ensure a certain degree of safety.
At this moment, outside the gate of one of the monasteries on the Qingji Plateau, stood a young man and a young woman, both looking apprehensive.
The man was named Su Nuo, and the woman was Qin Shuhe. Their clothes were tattered, and their faces were dirty, clearly having not been cleaned for a long time.
Looking at the monastery, the two of them could not help but show smiles. After much hardship, they had finally arrived alive.
They had originally come to the Qingji Plateau for tourism, but suddenly, so many terrifying monsters had appeared.
Those monsters were hideous in appearance, deriving pleasure from slaughtering humans. Furthermore, bullets could not kill them, and humans could only flee in panic.
What was most despairing was that after the appearance of those monsters, the rules of the world had subtly changed.
Telephones could not connect to the outside world. Televisions and computers could be turned on but had no signal. Cars could not start. Humanity seemed to have suddenly entered primitive society and collapsed in the face of those monsters.
Fortunately, firearms still worked. So, Su Nuo, relying on two guns and a bit of luck, managed to escape the hellish town with Qin Shuhe and hide in the wilderness for several days.
While escaping, Su Nuo encountered a local who told him that in such situations, the safest place was the monasteries of the Mingwang Esoteric Buddhism. This was why Su Nuo had brought Qin Shuhe here.
"A'nuo, is it really safe here?"
Qin Shuhe clutched Su Nuo's arm, feeling a hint of fear towards the tall monastery.
"Don't worry, I heard that the monks of the Mingwang Esoteric Buddhism have real abilities."
Actually, Su Nuo himself was not entirely confident, but he could only believe that this place was safe, as it was their only hope.
Su Nuo had only three bullets left, and they had not eaten for a day. If they didn't find a stable place soon, the two of them might become roadside skeletons the next day.
The monastery before them was called Gan Zhe Monastery, and it resembled a fortified castle more than a temple.
The monastery's main gate was completely sealed, and sharp wooden stakes were piled outside the gate, clearly intended to ward off something.
"Is anyone there? Help us…"
Su Nuo shouted towards the monastery. After a few calls, a monk wearing a dark red robe and a hat resembling chicken claws opened a window and looked at Su Nuo and Qin Shuhe.
A moment later, a small knife was thrown down.
"Cut open your palm. I need to confirm you are human."
Su Nuo and Qin Shuhe exchanged glances and, without hesitation, cut their palms. Fresh red blood flowed down.
Upon seeing this, the monk immediately threw down a large basket and said,
"Quick, get in. We'll pull you up. The fresh smell of blood might attract monsters!"
The only entrance to the monastery was a window at a height of the third floor. All other entrances were sealed and inscribed with runes in the style of the Mingwang Esoteric Buddhism.
Su Nuo and Qin Shuhe did not waste any time, sitting in the large basket one after another. They were pulled up to the third floor and entered the monastery.
As soon as they entered, they heard cheers. More than a dozen people surrounded them, applauding.
"Congratulations, you are now safe. Those monsters cannot enter here," said a tall man with a smile. "My name is Lu Qiyou."
"My name is… Su Nuo."
Having just experienced over ten terrifying days, Su Nuo was not accustomed to such enthusiasm from others.
However, the people here all seemed so relaxed. They must have escaped from danger.
The monk who received them did not say much to the two, merely escorting them to their assigned rooms, explaining where to get water, where the restrooms were, and the mealtimes.
After the monk left, Lu Qiyou knocked on the door and entered their room, enthusiastically introducing them to everything.
Through Lu Qiyou, the two finally gained some understanding of the place.
This Gan Zhe Monastery was the safest place in the vicinity. Once, a monster had invaded the monastery and was personally killed by the abbot, Master Dashan.
To prove his words, Lu Qiyou also showed Su Nuo a black long horn.
This black long horn was a part of that monster. Many people had picked up a long horn as a defensive weapon.