Chapter 54

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 54: Compared to Asking the Buddha for Children, I Choose the Stick!

If one truly wants to pursue the path of religious divinity, the core idea lies in totems. If your totem can inspire belief in others, the more people who believe in it, the more well-known and revered it becomes. The faster the belief grows, the stronger it becomes, enhancing everyone in the religion.

In fact, when it comes down to it, just like a normal Buddhist temple honoring Sakyamuni and other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, this might be better. These are totems widely recognized by people on Earth. Compared to the unique Great Sage Equal to Heaven, they are not as flashy, making them easier to hide in the early stages.

However, after careful consideration, Bai Qige still chose not to honor famous Buddhas like the Tathagata as totems. The reason is simple: the awe and faith that people have in the Tathagata are too complicated, which would interfere with the birth of Gang Talent.

For example, people hold great reverence for the Tathagata, and if this reverence turns into a higher-level talent called "Light of the Tathagata," with attributes such as enhanced attack power, all-around upgrades, and attack damage coupled with Buddha light, that would indeed be amazing.

But the problem is that people nowadays use the Tathagata like a wish-granting machine, asking for children, wealth, or love. If that belief feedback were to give Bai Qige a talent like "Fertility Buddha," where just a glaring look could make someone pregnant or a gaze causes a miscarriage, what would he do? Well, in a way, that talent is impressive, but it doesn’t meet Bai Qige’s needs.

Belief has impurities, leading to strange and random talents. This is much less effective than focusing on deeds and actions to gain prestige within a gang, where talents are more directed, like the "Gang Authority" and "Kung Fu Basketball" First Level Talent. If Bai Qige follows this path, the levels of these two talents should be higher, and more corresponding talents would arise, such as "Gang Warfare," which enhances attack power during fights with other gangs.

Therefore, Bai Qige ultimately decided to honor the Great Sage Equal to Heaven as his totem. This figure comes from the classic novel "Journey to the West" and is widely known, meeting the basic requirements for a totem. More importantly, in the word-of-mouth reputation and understanding of the public, the abilities of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven definitely do not include asking for children, wealth, or love. An intelligent person wouldn’t make such requests!

Focusing on combat is what gives the Great Sage Equal to Heaven its reputation and respect. Understanding this can help reduce the chances of getting the unfortunate Gang Talent, and the truth has shown that Bai Qige has good judgment.

The Will of the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and the Somersault Cloud are both excellent guild talents, while the Battle Buddha is not very strong, but still useful. The talent called Bald Donkey is clearly a poor talent, so let’s not mention it. Overall, it is quite good and not far from Bai Qige’s expectations. He thought he would surely get a mastery of stick weapons, but he did not.

When establishing a new sect, planting the Fate Interface Rules totems will collect reputation and faith. When this is converted into Gang Prestige Value, there will be a loss of luck energy, which is very beneficial for the person founding the sect.

[Congratulations! Your Dragon-slaying Alliance Basic Heart Sutra has reached level 16, completing the Third Level of Heart Sutra and advancing to the Fourth Level. True Qi Value +50, gaining an increase of +5 to all attributes, with a current actual increase of 20%.]

If one wants to fully complete the Third Level of Heart Sutra and advance to the Fourth Level of Heart Sutra through regular hard training without using Experience Points, it would take at least two to three years of hard work. But Bai Qige was able to achieve this in one go, and he felt great joy. He understood why even slightly skilled and ambitious people in Middle-earth were all eager to establish their own sects; taking that first step could change everything.

After leaving the Zen room, it was already midnight. Bai Qige called for Long Aotian and the others. His abilities had improved tremendously, and his mental attribute had soared to 57 points. His mind had become much stronger, and he was no longer very afraid of Long Aotian’s Imbecility Aura; at least, he could last a little longer before losing his senses.

After the grand ceremony for establishing the sect during the day, everyone looked at Bai Qige with uncertainty and complicated feelings, their gazes shifting from thinking he might be an Evil Monk to wondering if he might be a demon.

"Disciples, now you should know that the source and founder of Lanruo Temple is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. In the future, praying regularly will be your task; it must not be overlooked. Then, you should attend lessons when it’s time, and come here to practice your martial arts during your free time! Recite the classics and cultivate the Battle Buddha path of our Lanruo Temple!"

After planning the future activities for everyone, Bai Qige led them to the Qi Tian Hall, where the Great Sage Equal to Heaven is worshiped. He said, "First, let’s pray. Have you memorized the prayer? There must be no mistakes. This is your first prayer, so be sincere. If the Great Sage is pleased, He will grant you a blessing and formally recognize you!"

"O my lord, you are the supreme ruler among demons, you are the true spirit of every warrior’s will, you are the carefree sage who understands the essence of emptiness, you are the source of all methods for those who seek the truth, you are the unbeatable achiever of the outer path of Buddhism, you are the guiding light of countless enlightened ones, you are the holy spirit of the Trinity, you are the ultimate embodiment of freedom, your power shatters all chains, your glory is eternal and undying, your loyal followers here chant your name and build you a holy temple on earth, may your glory and renown last forever, now and in the past!"

Long Aotian, Mugang Xian, Shan Jingshou, Mugong Yan, and Gongcheng Liang knelt before Bai Qige on cushions, reciting this prayer that made them feel oddly amused, but after they bowed three times and finished their chant, a strange warmth flowed through them, filling their bodies instantly. They all felt a bit stronger and more energized, and the sudden boost made them clearly recognize their change.

"Disciples, congratulations! You have been fully recognized by the Great Sage, and now you can proudly declare that you are the heirs of the Great Sage!"

Feeling the undeniable miracle, the doubt on the faces of the five transformed into sincere devotion; in fact, it was not a miracle, but just a normal guild talent sharing.

As the guild leader, Bai Qige enjoyed the full benefits of the guild talents, and for those below him, he could set the enhancements through the guild construction interface in the Fate Interface. Bai Qige had just set it up, and now Long Aotian and his group were all receiving one-tenth of the Gang Talent bonus.

2 points to all attributes, 2 points to attack and defense, 2 points to movement speed, 1 point to the attribute of Buddhist authority, an extra 1 point of authority when negotiating with the underworld figures, and a 1% boost to combat power when picking up a basketball. Although these attributes seemed numerous, they could not be compared to Bai Qige’s, but together, they clearly showed significant improvement, especially the increase in all attributes.

It’s not that Bai Qige is stingy; this is just a common practice in the Middle-earth World. Guild talents do not come from nowhere; they continuously consume Prestige Value.

First Level Talent costs 10 Prestige Value per day, the second level costs 20, the third level 30, and beyond the fourth level, it suddenly jumps to 80 Prestige Value per day.

Just for the talents at Lanruo Temple, it costs 180 Prestige Value every day, which is a fixed loss. Currently, Bai Qige has a total of 13,000 Gang Prestige Value; if he does nothing, it will last only about two months. Moreover, sharing guild talents with the members also costs Prestige Value; the one-tenth bonus costs each person 18 points, totaling 90 points for five people, which is not a small number.

So, if you haven’t done anything and only want to enjoy the big rewards, dream on!