Little Thunderclap Temple is located in the far west of the Purple Thorn State in the Immortal Spirit Realm—the Blissful Plateau.
The Blissful Plateau is at an extremely high altitude, vast and boundless, shrouded in mist and adorned with flying colorful clouds year-round. Its dreamlike and illusory environment easily ensnares those who enter, making it difficult to extricate oneself.
Once one steps onto the Blissful Plateau, many worries are forgotten, and a sense of peace pervades the body and mind. One can even faintly hear ethereal Buddhist chants.
This place is imbued with a magical aura, even referred to by those in the lower realms as the Pure Land, a paradise yearned for in their hearts.
After many days of arduous travel, Ji Mo, riding his Four Unlikeable backwards, finally arrived at the Blissful Plateau.
Four Unlikeable had harbored a doubt for a long time. Seeing that they were nearing their destination, it couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Ji, why have you been riding me backwards all this way? Is there some profound meaning to it?"
Ji Mo's face twitched. He really wanted to say, "Don't you have any self-awareness?"
He looked at other people's mounts—majestic, robust, and extraordinary steeds that exuded an impressive presence when ridden.
As for himself, a handsome individual, riding a foolish donkey was utterly embarrassing.
Therefore, he could only ride backwards to avoid enduring the ridicule and disdain of others; it was too awkward.
Of course, he couldn't reveal his true thoughts, lest he hurt Four Unlikeable's fragile feelings.
Ji Hanhan feigned profundity and said, "By observing the receding scenery and the drifting dust, one can profoundly grasp the philosophy of life and the true meaning of existence..."
However, before he could finish his act, mocking voices erupted from all around.
"Quick, look! There's a big fool riding a donkey backwards."
"What a waste of such a handsome face. This kid must have a screw loose. Who in their right mind rides a mount backwards?"
...
The people around them sneered, pointing and gesturing at Ji Mo.
Ji Mo's peculiar actions were simply too unconventional, drawing widespread mockery.
Four Unlikeable bared its teeth, its temper about to flare. These ants dared to mock it as a donkey; it was unforgivable.
Ji Mo restrained it, sensing something unusual. This was, after all, a sacred Buddhist land. Why were the surrounding people so ill-mannered, laughing at him like this?
Of course, low-mannered beings were not rare, but when so many people were behaving this way, it was definitely not right.
"Strange, these ants harbor resentment in their hearts. Something is wrong."
Four Unlikeable also sensed the abnormality.
The Blissful Plateau was permeated with Buddhist resonance. Those who entered should have a peaceful state of mind and be filled with good intentions. Why was it the exact opposite?
Ji Mo gazed into the distance, feeling that the problem likely originated from the depths of the Blissful Plateau, where Little Thunderclap Temple was located.
He ignored the public's ridicule and led Four Unlikeable forward.
The Blissful Plateau was incredibly prosperous. People came and went, Buddhist temples and ancient monasteries were seen everywhere, and devout believers were encountered at every turn.
There were also cultivators from various regions living here, using the Buddhist resonance to cultivate and temper their Dao hearts.
Naturally, most people dared not venture deep into the heart of the Blissful Plateau, nor approach Little Thunderclap Temple too closely, fearing that the terrifying Buddhist resonance might influence them, leading them to convert to Buddhism.
Ji Mo proceeded, observing all sorts of beings from different walks of life.
Most of them had come with a purpose. Some suffered from incurable diseases and sought medical treatment at the local temples.
Others encountered problems in their cultivation and came seeking enlightenment from eminent monks.
There were also arrogant prodigies and masters who specifically sought out the eminent monks here for Buddhist debates, hoping to achieve fame.
Of course, these unlucky individuals ultimately never returned, their heads shaved and turned into monks.
"Master, why do you save him but not my son?"
A mournful voice filled with despair rang out, capturing Ji Mo's attention.
Not far ahead stood a temple, with numerous male and female devotees kneeling at the entrance.
Many of the people appeared sickly, yet they still dragged their weakened bodies, performing three kowtows and offering incense with devout sincerity.
Ji Mo inquired from a passerby, learning that the eminent monk in this temple was a medical sage, possessing extraordinary skills and a compassionate heart, who treated one devotee for a serious illness free of charge every day.
A compassionate heart?
Free of charge?
Ji Mo narrowed his eyes. This was not what he was seeing.
A young woman with a gaunt face held a child with a sallow complexion in her arms. She knelt on the ground, helplessly tugging at a monk's robe, sobbing continuously.
The monk, expressionless, directly shook off the woman's hand and gestured for the richly dressed man before him to follow him into the temple for treatment.
Ji Mo clearly saw the monk quietly accept a storage bag secretly handed over by the man in fine clothes, and then, satisfied, tuck it into his own robes.
"Master, show mercy! You cannot stand idly by. I have been kneeling here begging for three months. Why do you choose to treat this newcomer instead of saving my son?"
The woman wailed, her emotions on the verge of collapse.
She had knelt and offered incense daily for three months, yet the master always chose others and ignored her.
After so much delay, her child was critically ill and on the brink of death.
At this point, it was too late to seek treatment from other physicians. She truly could not bear to watch her child die in her arms.
"Benefactor, Buddha saves those who are fated. This male benefactor shares a karmic affinity with my Buddha, hence the priority in treatment. Please return tomorrow."
The monk remained impassive, his eyes devoid of any compassion, even showing a hint of impatience.
"But my child may not last until tomorrow."
The woman no longer believed the monk's words. Three months ago, he had given her the same excuse, and besides, her child truly could not hold on any longer.
"Life and death are determined by fate; all things are preordained."
The monk paid the woman no further mind and strode away.
His gaze was cold; he did not regard a life that was about to fade away at all.
The man in fine clothes looked smug. He whispered mockingly into the woman's ear, "Beggarly wretch, you want the master to treat you for free without money? What a pipe dream."
With that, he arrogantly followed the monk's footsteps into the temple.
The woman's emotions were almost shattered. She tightly hugged the child in her arms, tears flowing incessantly.
Just then, a flippant voice rang out, "Tsk tsk... little lady, why cry so sadly? You just want the master here to treat your child, what's the big deal? As long as you yield to me and serve me comfortably, I guarantee I'll make the master save your child."
A lecherous old man with a goatee sauntered over to the young woman, staring intently at her face, which, though haggard, was still exceptionally beautiful.
His gaze moved, sweeping across her fair neck, and settled on her astonishingly ample bosom. He swallowed hard, saliva pooling in his mouth.
"I have a husband, and this condition is absolutely unacceptable."
The woman shook her head, intuitively believing the old man's words to be untrustworthy. However, at this moment, she could only grasp at this straw of hope and pleaded, "As long as you can save my child, I am willing to be your beast of burden, to repay your kindness with every effort."
"I only want your body. Just serve me well for one night. Hurry and decide, your child probably doesn't have much time left."
The old man with the goatee chuckled sinisterly, confident that the woman would yield.
Indeed, the woman's eyes welled with tears. She looked at the child in her arms and gritted her teeth, nodding her head.
"Haha, then what are you waiting for? Hurry and come with me to the inn, let me have a good time."
The old man with the goatee laughed triumphantly and reached out to pull the woman.
"Perhaps I'll let you have a good time right now."
A foot shot towards the old man's crotch, delivering a fierce kick.