"Simply put, out of the four temples, two were beneficial, and two were minefields."
"Burning incense represented a choice. Once you entered, you couldn't leave or change your decision."
Ji Yan spoke in a low voice.
Using the [Eye of Exploits], he had performed a statistical data analysis. Choosing the eastern and western temples most likely meant praying for "wealth" and "health."
At the very bottom of the side quest rules, there was also an additional hint—
"[The Buddha has no form; one borrows false appearances to cultivate the truth.]
Or perhaps, [Gods have no form, yet possess countless forms.]"
What did these two sentences mean?
There were twenty minutes in total to choose a temple, burn incense, and make a wish.
Once time was up, all four lacquered doors would close at once.
"Remember! You must stay inside the temple. Under no circumstances may you come out!"
At that moment, all the players closed their game panels. After a brief exchange and some thought, they began arriving one after another to take sandalwood incense from the burners.
Because the doors to all four temples were open.
They could see half of the bronze Buddha statues enshrined inside. Most players began moving around, trying to distinguish "benevolent Buddhas" from "evil Buddhas" by their appearances.
Ji Yan had never been lucky.
But [Omniscient Understanding] could always help him turn danger into safety.
Like the other players, Ji Yan passed by each side temple, his gaze fixed on every half-visible Buddha statue at the entrances.
Each statue seemed to be veiled in mystery. [Omniscient Understanding] tore away that veil and peered within.
"Joy, anger, sorrow, happiness... every Buddha statue has its own expression."
"The first stage may seem like nothing more than a choice, but it concerns the second and third stages."