MTLNOVEL Chapter 441: Merit Model?
Entering the Wanfo Temple, it was indeed as crowded as Old Qin described—people were everywhere.
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Most of the countrymen have this mentality: whenever they see temples or Taoist temples, whether they believe or not, they worship first—the more the merrier!
If things go well, it was their own effort; if not, it was God's lack of blessing. Either way, they always justify standing on their own side.
"Mr. Song, there are a lot of people here. Do you need us to clear a path for you?"
Huang Baoding came over and asked softly.
"No issue, today's main goal is to relax. Since it's impossible to enter the main hall to offer incense, doing it outside will be just the same."
Song Yun said with a smile.
Huang Baoding nodded and left. Song Yun guarded Ye Qingqing as they went to the incense burner outside the hall, lit the incense given by Old Qin, made a wish, and inserted it.
"Ding! Detecting host is at Magic Capital's Wanfo Temple, would you like to sign in?"
The system's voice jolted Song Yun, right! He seemed to have never signed in at a temple before!
What reward might the sign-in system give him?
Song Yun couldn't wait to use his intention to click the sign-in button.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for signing in successfully!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Buddhist Heart!"
"Note: Possessing a Buddhist Heart can double your spiritual power and comes with a passive skill, unflustered even if Mount Tai crumbles in front of you!"
"Ding! Detecting the host has the True Meaning of the Daoist in their body!"
"Ding! Integration of Buddhism and Daoism, Merit Mode activated!"
"Note: Do not refrain from doing good even if it seems minor, do not commit evil even if it seems minor. The way of heaven is clear; there are divine beings three feet above your head. Every action you take will be recorded, as the saying goes, 'The way of heaven is the cycle of karma, it's not that it won't be repaid, the time just hasn't come yet!'"
"Note: The host will gain Goodwill Points for future good deeds and Malice Points for bad deeds. Once Malice Points exceed a certain threshold, misfortune will follow!"
"Note: Goodwill Points can be used to purchase items in the system shop or to exchange for shop credits!"
"Note: One Goodwill Point is equivalent to one hundred shop credits!"
Seeing a series of notes from the system, Song Yun felt his brain couldn't keep up.
Fuck!!!
What is this???
Merit???
Wasn't this something only gods and Buddhas were concerned with???
How did it end up in the system!!!
With confusion, Song Yun opened Merit Mode and found his Goodwill Points at 0 and Malice Points also at 0.
That meant his previous actions weren't recorded, and only those from the moment Merit Mode was activated would count!
He then opened the shop, finding the now divided sections could be switched at will.
Opening the Merit Shop, he saw items like Reincarnation Pills and Health Pills, things one would only see in novels!
However, these items were priced incredibly high.
For a Reincarnation Pill, which could provide a glimmer of life if taken within twenty-four hours of accidental death, the exchange required ten thousand Goodwill Points!
This...
Must be some kind of joke the system is playing on him.
It always bloody shows him so many nice things, but doesn't give any!
And the exchange conditions are ridiculously high!
What kind of scam is this!!!
"Husband?"
Ye Qingqing shook Song Yun's arm.
Song Yun snapped back abruptly and asked blankly, "What's up?"
"You see how those monks are looking at us."
Ye Qingqing whispered.
Song Yun glanced over and realized the monks weren't looking at them but were staring intently at the incense stick belonging to Old Qin that was stuck in the censer!
Could it be that this thing has a significant background?
Song Yun approached a monk with Ye Qingqing, pressed their palms together in a gesture of respect, and asked, "May I know if the master has any teachings for us?"
"Ah?"
The monk jolted, then blurted out, "No, no, there's nothing. I just feel that the incense stick is quite unusual. Where did you two get such a treasure?"
"It was given to us by Old Qin at the entrance."
Ye Qingqing, always quick to speak her mind, said, "He said we were fated, so he gifted us this stick of incense."
"I see."
The monk said slowly with his eyes closed, "Amitabha, this is indeed your chance! This incense is also known as 'Merit Incense', not something ordinary individuals can possess. Even this humble monk has heard the abbot mention it. Offering such incense to the gods and Buddhas often leads to the fulfillment of wishes."
"Ah?"
Ye Qingqing's eyes widened as she said, "Does that mean the others won't work? The gods and Buddhas are quite greedy, huh!"
"Mind your speech!"
This remark startled the monk, who quickly opened his eyes. If it weren't for Ye Qingqing being such an innocent and adorable girl, he would have covered her mouth already!
"It's not what you think; let me give you an analogy. Do you play games?"
The monk's words instantly made Song Yun feel out of place, ha-ha-ha, what the heck! Dammit, was this monk about to share some game strategies???
"Taking games as an example, you have an equipment piece you wish to enhance, but the chance of success is only ten percent! This is like using ordinary offerings to pray to the Buddha."
"But this stick of incense acts like an item that boosts your odds, from ten percent to fifty percent, or even higher! Would you say this incense is precious now?"
"Hearing this, it does sound quite impressive."
Ye Qingqing blinked as she spoke.
She might not understand it completely, but the awe was enough!
"Moreover, not everyone can have Merit Incense. It needs to be crafted by a person of great virtue, infused with the merits accumulated throughout their life. It takes no less than ten years to produce a single stick!"
"Holy crap!"
Song Yun was shocked by this revelation. The item Old Qin gave them was so precious!
"We know of Old Qin, but had no idea that a wandering yin-yang master could possess such a sacred object. Admirable indeed!"
The monk sighed and said, "You two have probably had some good karma with him; Buddhism talks about cause and effect, and I hope that if Old Qin is in trouble in the future, you can offer a helping hand."
"Absolutely, absolutely!"
"The scenery of Wanfo Temple is also quite worth seeing; I shall not disturb your enjoyment any further. Farewell!"
After the monk had spoken, he gave Song Yun and Ye Qingqing a respectful bow and left.
"Husband, what wish did you make just now?"
Now that her wish stood a good chance of being granted, Ye Qingqing was curious.
"Of course, it was about our family's well-being and the like."
"Hehe, me too~ This is like having double insurance, isn't it! I hope the gods and Buddhas give us strength and protect our family from calamities!"
"Definitely."
Wanfo Temple was not only a place for worshipping gods and Buddhas; its backyard boasted a sea of flowers that looked particularly delicate under the sunlight.
The place attracted many tourists for photo sessions.
Even Ye Qingqing couldn't resist the trend and had Song Yun take more than a dozen pictures of her before she was satisfied.
After touring the temple, the couple looked around for Old Qin outside but couldn't find any trace of him.
Song Yun, out of curiosity, asked the first vendor who had sold him incense and candles, only to learn that Old Qin had gone to assist a local family with funeral arrangements due to the death of an elder.
It seemed they were not fated to meet again this time. Song Yun instructed Huang Baoding to gather more information about Old Qin when he got back; if Old Qin ever encountered difficulties, he would certainly help!