**Chapter 10: Deep Connections**
"Let's keep moving. I can sense the destination is not far," the marionette said anxiously. "We're running out of time!"
"Alright," Lu Li agreed. Carrying the Buddha's head in one hand and the torch in the other, he followed the marionette's quickened pace. The head was heavy, but as he held it, he felt a protective force around him, diminishing the persistent malice from the surrounding darkness.
Time seemed to lose its meaning in this place. Lu Li couldn't gauge how long they'd been walking since finding the Buddha's head. Eventually, the marionette stopped, revealing a mountain before them. The mountain shone with a radiant light, linking heaven and earth, and at its peak sat a temple. The path to the temple was an endless staircase, with ghouls running up it, seemingly unaffected by the mountain's light.
"This mountain is an illusion," the marionette explained. "Or rather, it's a protective barrier. Normally, you'd walk forever and never reach the top because this is a conceptual representation. Unless you can break it, the mountain is infinitely tall."
"So, what do we do?" Lu Li asked straightforwardly.
"The key is connection. The Buddha guides those with a connection," the marionette explained mysteriously. "Most of those monsters were monks or devotees from the temple. Their connection allows them to approach the temple, turning the infinite distance into a finite one."
She pointed to the leading mutant ghoul. "That creature has a strong connection to something in the temple, allowing it to get so close. Those without such connections can't even approach without being burned by the protective light."
"You were initially unconnected," the marionette continued, looking at the Buddha's head in Lu Li's hands. "But now, you have several connections. First, you were at the temple in the real world. Second, as a living human, you're not repelled by the protective light. Third, you're carrying the Buddha's head, which is a strong connection."
"When we start climbing, we'll be separated based on our connections. Though I can ascend too, I might be slower. Please wait for me at the temple entrance. Be cautious of the leading mutant ghoul, and wait for my arrival."
"Alright, let's go," Lu Li said, intrigued by the mountain. If the marionette was correct, the mountain was tied to concepts of causality and connections. Strong connections made the ascent easier, while weak ones rendered it impossible, and ghosts were repelled by the light.
As soon as he stepped onto the stairs, the scenery changed. The ghouls vanished, and the marionette was no longer beside him, making him feel like he had entered a solo instance.
Holding the Buddha's head, Lu Li glanced at his nearly extinguished torch. He decided to keep it, despite its dwindling light, and began climbing the stairs. Each step felt effortless, but the malice from the temple became more pronounced.
"Could it be... that artifact?" Lu Li wondered aloud. "Don't worry, I'm not here to seal you again!"
The malice receded, replaced by a wave of goodwill. It felt like a plea, praising Lu Li and begging him to take it away, stirring his greed.
Climbing the stairs didn't even make Lu Li break a sweat. In what seemed like a few steps, he reached the final stair, finding the ascent disappointingly easy.
At the top, he saw the path behind him was clear, surrounded by the protective light. The ghouls were stuck outside, breathing heavily but unable to advance. The marionette was among them, moving closer with each step, while the mutant ghoul approached faster.
"What's that?" Lu Li spotted a ghoul shedding blood-red tears—its wrists adorned with a wooden prayer bead bracelet, and it wore tattered monk robes, a look of sorrow on its face. "He's crying..."
A monk unable to return to his temple, a being denied his home—such a tragic sight made Lu Li's heart ache. "You can't even go home... Let me help you."
Stepping forward, Lu Li clasped the ghoul's hand, ignoring the melting flesh and falling fingers. The ghoul's eyes turned from red to normal, and it smiled—a grotesque yet pure smile. Clasping its remaining hands together in prayer, the ghoul knelt before Lu Li, as if seeing the Buddha itself. Lu Li thought he heard, "Namo Amitabha."
The monk dissolved into a liquid, leaving behind a crystal. Picking it up, Lu Li saw a new prompt: **[Obtained Rule Module: Will]**
"I'll take this as your thanks," Lu Li said, waving the crystal, then moved toward the temple, noting it looked much newer than its real-world counterpart.
A roar behind him made Lu Li turn to see the mutant ghoul advancing, emitting smoke as its flesh melted and eyes dissolved, only to regenerate. Its worm-like tongue lashed out, revolting in its movements.
Noticing the marionette still some distance away, Lu Li smiled. Holding the almost burnt-out torch and the Buddha's head, he spread his arms as if welcoming the ghoul, which roared and charged at him.
"Muscle release: 40%, brain release: 10%," Lu Li muttered, his muscles bulging until he resembled a bodybuilder. "I have ten seconds before my muscles tear..."
As the ghoul pounced, Lu Li swung the torch, hitting its head and spraying blood. The blow barely fazed the ghoul, which lunged again. The Buddha's head in Lu Li's hand grew hot, and the ghoul's skin began smoking and melting, but it ignored the pain, slashing at Lu Li.
Ducking to avoid the attack, Lu Li felt the wind from its claws sting his scalp. He punched the ghoul's stomach, stopping its momentum, then slammed the Buddha's head into its torso. Increasing his brain release by 3%, he analyzed the ghoul's movements, knowing his muscle release had only three seconds left...
End of the chapter.