The probe stopped, increased its altitude, and like an arrow released from a bow, pointed eastward.
My gaze swept rapidly across the barren land and the withered trees.
A dozen minutes later.
A winding ribbon reflecting the dim moonlight came into view!
river!
Although the water level was very low, large areas of the riverbed were exposed, and there was silt everywhere, the detector clearly captured the reflection of the water in several low-lying river bends!
The amount of water is small, but it exists!
This is it!
Jiang Chan's heart skipped a beat.
The water purification system in the space is sufficient to filter this muddy water into drinkable clean water.
As long as there is water, it would be much safer to take Xiaotao to a secluded spot by the river to settle down temporarily than to follow Liushutun or be trapped in this man-eating temple!
After circling a few times and marking the best water intake point and several nearby river bends where it could be easily concealed, the probe quickly returned to port.
Jiang Chan leaned against the cold wall, her eyes sharp as an eagle's in the darkness.
I have to leave tomorrow!
As for those fake monks and the deceived disaster victims... let them be.
This messed-up world, everyone has their own fate.
She only walks her own path and lives her own life!
As dawn broke, the courtyard gate was pushed open.
"Esteemed benefactors, it is time for morning prayers. Please follow me. After the prayers, you may receive some porridge..."
The people of Liushutun and dozens of other newly arrived disaster victims were led through the silent corridors to a larger courtyard that resembled a lecture hall.
A number of people had gathered in the courtyard, mostly disaster victims who had registered as "Buddhist disciples" in the square yesterday. They sat cross-legged on the ground, their eyes empty yet filled with a numb expectation.
On the high platform, there was still that same ruddy-faced old monk.
"Dear benefactors, you are burdened by karma, adrift in the sea of suffering. Yesterday's events were all causes. Today's events will surely bear fruit. If you do not repent, your karmic obstacles will manifest, turning into illness and calamities, tormenting your body and mind..."
Before he finished speaking, the "Buddhist disciples" in the front row of the audience stood up excitedly.
“Master is right! Absolutely right!” The man was thin, but his eyes shone with a fanatical devotion. “Before, I was unbearably itchy all over! I scratched myself raw! This is karmic illness! Later, I chanted scriptures every day, knelt before the Bodhisattva, and drank the holy water that had been offered to me…”
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his arms, "Look! It's completely healed! It doesn't itch at all anymore! This is the compassion of Buddha and Bodhisattva, which has eliminated the karma on my body!"
His words were incredibly moving.
Another woman quickly added, “Me too! Before, my karma manifested, and my whole body felt like it was being gnawed by insects, unbearably itchy. But later, after frequently listening to Master's sermons and drinking the holy water offered before the Bodhisattva, my health improved very quickly! All the karma from my past lives has been eliminated! Thank you, Master! Thank you, Buddha! Thank you, Bodhisattva! Amitabha!”
The Buddhist disciples' personal accounts caused a stir among the newcomers in the audience.
Many people subconsciously scratched their arms, seemingly feeling a strange itch.
Fear was reignited—could being burdened by karma really bring about such a strange illness?
The old monk listened with satisfaction to the "testimonies" of the "Buddhist disciples." When the noise subsided, he smiled slightly, his voice carrying a mysterious quality: "Karma is formless, yet it can bring about all kinds of suffering. However, the Buddha's teachings are boundless, possessing inconceivable divine power. Today, I invite you all to witness the Arhatship attained by our temple's Zen Master 'Huiming'! He is impervious to water and fire, and untouched by karma!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd parted to make way.
A tall, thin monk with exceptionally clear eyes walked slowly towards them.
He wore a faded old cassock and walked with a leisurely gait, giving him a somewhat detached air.
Jiang Chan raised an eyebrow. Wasn't this one of the "high monks" gnawing on bones that the detector had captured last night?!
At the same time, several monks carried a huge iron pot up to the platform and poured in a large amount of murky oil.
A fire was set up below the stage, and the flames licked the bottom of the pot.
"What are they doing?"
"A frying pan?"
"My God! Boiling oil!"
The crowd gasped and retreated hastily, afraid of being splashed.
The oil temperature rose rapidly, thick smoke billowed out, and a pungent smell filled the air.
The oil surface was churning violently!
Everyone could feel the surging heat!
At this moment, a ragged man, inconspicuous among the disaster victims, shouted: "Master, are you going to put your hand into the boiling oil to test your immunity to water and fire? Buddha above! Who dares to put their hand in? Wouldn't that flesh and blood be scalded to death?!"
All eyes immediately focused on Zen Master Huiming.
The Zen master's expression remained calm as he slowly removed his old kasaya, revealing the monk's robe underneath.
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his thin but bony arms.
Then, amidst the horrified, doubtful, and expectant gazes of everyone, he walked step by step toward the iron pot bubbling with hot oil!
"don't want!"
"Master!"
Someone couldn't help but scream!
The people of Liushutun stared wide-eyed and held their breath.
Zen Master Huiming stopped by the pot, the scalding steam rising from his face.
He actually slowly raised his right hand and plunged it into the violently boiling oil without hesitation!
"ah--!"
A chorus of terrified screams!
Time seemed to stand still!
The next second, the Zen master pulled his hand out of the oil pan!
Two copper coins were clearly held between his fingers!
His arm skin was completely undamaged, not even red!
The Zen master gently placed the copper coin on the tray, his voice calm and undisturbed, "Amitabha. What ordinary people see with their physical eyes is all illusion. If you sincerely worship the Three Jewels and your heart is free from dust, you will naturally have Vajra protection and will not be burned by the fires of karma."
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