**Chapter 9: Filling in the Blanks**
During his previous trip to the dreamscape, Lu Li hadn't fully grasped the situation and had quickly encountered monsters. Now, as he examined the place more closely, he realized just how different it was from the real world.
The terrain here was flat, with no variations. The sky constantly released blood-red snowflakes, yet they vanished upon touching the ground, leaving no accumulation. The ground seemed like ordinary dirt, but Lu Li recalled how the marionette had previously thrown soil tainted by ghoul liquid into the fire, and now that area was smooth again. It hadn't been filled manually, indicating the dreamscape had self-repairing properties.
"This world, this dreamscape, feels... artificial," Lu Li concluded. Everything here seemed deliberate, projecting the real world without replicating its topography. Every element in this realm had significance, and the place seemed to have restorative capabilities. However, this was just his theory, considering it was only his second visit.
"Once we reach the temple, please open the doors, young master," the marionette said softly as she led the way. "Since I am considered a monster, I cannot enter places symbolizing safety. But you, being human, can."
"How do you know where the temple is?" Lu Li asked casually. The marionette's steps faltered slightly before she resumed walking. "We haven't encountered any ghouls along the way, which is unusual given their numbers. Earlier, the ghouls surrounded the temple, so I sensed their presence and followed it."
"You're very well-informed about the real world," Lu Li remarked with a smile. The marionette stopped again and turned to face him, her expression one of sorrow. "Young master, I may have hidden some truths from you, but for my master's sake, please forgive me. Once this is over, I will accept any punishment you deem fit."
"There's no need for that," Lu Li said, smiling brightly. "Let's keep going. I want to save the old man as much as you do."
The marionette hesitated but saw Lu Li's carefree expression and nodded, resuming their journey. The atmosphere remained tense until she suddenly stopped.
Lu Li approached and saw traces of something in the ground—a slightly raised mound with a skeletal hand sticking out. He didn't hesitate to dig, finding the soil remarkably soft. In no time, he unearthed most of the skeleton, noting the significance lay in what it held.
The skeleton lay on its back, staring at the sky, its mouth filled with dirt. Alongside it was a chisel and a small hammer, and in its arms was the head of the headless Buddha.
"This must be the thief who stole the Buddha's head but died here," Lu Li speculated. Perhaps he died in the real world, but the significance of his actions caused his remains to manifest in the dreamscape.
Lu Li picked up the Buddha's head, and a new prompt appeared:
**[Obtained Haunted Relic: Buddha's Head]**
**[Item Description: This is the essence of a ghostly entity, containing the faith of countless devotees. Although it's a ghostly object, it can suppress other ghosts.]**
**[Ability Description: It has the power to suppress ghosts and repel evil.]**
**[Usage: Just hold it. What else did you expect? Twist off your own head and attach it instead? Hey, that could work too!]**
Ignoring the sarcastic note, Lu Li glanced at the marionette, who showed no reaction. Strangely, she wasn't affected by the fire or the Buddha's head, both of which could subdue ghosts.
Shifting his focus from the marionette's peculiarity, Lu Li considered the significance of the skeleton. "This skeleton isn't just here to mark the Buddha's head. The artifact under the altar could revive the dead, and the Buddha's head, once stolen, weakened its power, causing its effects to leak and create ghouls. This likely led to the temple's downfall!"
Lu Li pieced together a possible scenario: Long ago, someone found an artifact that could resurrect the dead but feared its power. Unable to destroy it, they placed it under a Buddha statue to suppress it. However, a thief stole the Buddha's head, allowing the artifact's power to leak. Perhaps it tempted the thieves or caused infighting, resulting in the thief's death here. Others might have died, but the artifact's power wasn't fully unleashed until a body, infested with maggots, reanimated as a mutant ghoul, causing widespread destruction.
The marionette must have learned about the artifact and wished to use it to save the old man, reviving him even after death.
"Is that it?" Lu Li thought, considering the possibility. Although it might not be entirely accurate, the story made sense.
Turning back to the marionette, Lu Li smiled and said, "Shall we continue?"
End of the chapter.