svetikya Chapter 153 This is a Bodhisattva from Southeast Asia
Chapter 153 This is a Bodhisattva from Southeast Asia
Chapter 153 This is a Bodhisattva from Southeast Asia
The 30th day of the 12th month of the first year of the Tian Gong calendar, also known as the Lunar New Year's Eve.
Before dawn, Misty Peak was already bustling with activity as palace maids trudged through the thick snow and hung red lanterns under the eaves.
The stove in the kitchen was burning brightly, and white steam was billowing from the steamer. Some people were pasting paper-cut window decorations, some were hanging couplets, and some were squatting in the yard slaughtering chickens and geese. Laughter and voices mingled together, bringing a touch of human warmth to this usually quiet and cold heavenly palace.
The snow has been falling for many days, day and night, covering the entire Heavenly Palace with thick white snow.
In fact, with Russell's current level of cultivation, changing the celestial phenomena is an easy thing to do. With a thought, the snow can stop, and with a wave of his hand, the clouds can disperse.
He simply thought the snowy weather was more picturesque, so he didn't pay any attention to it. The disciples of the Heavenly Palace didn't feel that the continuous heavy snow had any impact on their lives either. Those who needed to cultivate continued to cultivate, and those who needed to work continued to work. Each of them had internal energy, so this bit of cold air couldn't get close to them at all.
Russell sat in the pavilion on the top floor of the main hall, leaning against the soft couch with his legs crossed. Xiao Bai knelt in front of the tea table to brew tea. She wore a moon-white jacket and skirt with white rabbit fur trim on the cuffs, which made her little face look even whiter.
Madam Wen sat by the window playing the zither, dressed in a blue robe with her long hair flowing over her shoulders. The music was gentle and captivating.
Mu Wanqing was performing a sword dance in the pavilion, still dressed in her black female warrior attire. Her sword moved like a shooting star, her main style being sharp and fierce. Luo Su leaned back on the soft couch, watching this scene, feeling incredibly comfortable.
Before he transmigrated, he was actually a loyal player of Miracle Nikki, and he personally matched the outfits of the three girls.
"Junior brother, you're living a truly carefree life." The old woman in red, who looked like a mature woman, stepped in from the stairs and couldn't help but tease Russell for his arrogant attitude.
Russell lazily took the grapes Xiaobai offered him and patted the soft couch beside him where there was still room: "If Senior Sister feels lonely, she is welcome to join us. Junior Brother will treat everyone equally and will never show favoritism."
The Child Granny: "————"
She knew exactly what Russell meant. He always meant what he said, and when he said he wanted her to join, it was a sincere invitation.
As for what would happen after joining in—Grandma Tong thought of the torture instruments in Mu Wanqing's room, of Madam Wen's amazing dress from a few days ago, and of Xiaobai's shrill scream when she was dragged into the inner room—and decisively changed the subject.
"Letters from Dali." She took two letters from her bosom and handed them to Russell: "One is for you, and the other is for Wanqing."
Russell took the envelope, and Mu Wanqing, curious, stopped dancing and knelt down beside him.
The two looked up and saw one addressed to "Brother Luo" and the other to "Wanqing".
The former's handwriting was neat and orderly, clearly written with care, exuding a scholarly air. Russell guessed it was written by Duan Yu. The latter's handwriting was more hasty, but the strokes were strong, unlike a woman's writing, but rather the handwriting of a martial artist. If there was no doubt, it should be written by Mu Wanqing's mother, his mother-in-law, Qin Hongmian.
Russell and Mu Wanqing each opened the letter and began to read it.
In his letter, Duan Yu first expressed his longing for Russell, saying that he looked forward to Russell's return to Dali every day so that he could take him to see the snow on Cangshan Mountain and the moon over Erhai Lake. He then complained about the difficulty of practicing martial arts, saying that he had finally reached the eighth rank before the end of the year after practicing the One-Finger Divine Skill. He then went on to describe how he was forced to get engaged to a girl he didn't know.
The handwriting on the letter was noticeably heavier here, showing how much resentment the young man harbored. Although the Gao family's daughter was quite pretty, he didn't want to get married so early. He wanted to go out and see the world, to go to Tianshan to drink with Russell, and to see the Central Plains. He didn't want to be tied down in Dali.
But his father disagreed, his mother disagreed, and even his aunts agreed. He couldn't go against the whole family's wishes alone, so he had no choice but to accept it.
Oh, and he also said that he sent someone to visit Sun Ping and Madam Su. Sun Ping recovered very well and rejoined the Chamber of Commerce early on. His business is even bigger than before. Madam Su has also opened a silk shop and is doing better and better. He sent someone to deliver some gifts to them as a token of his appreciation on behalf of Russell.
Finally, he said that he would come soon with his father, mother, and two aunts, and asked Russell to wait for him to have a drink together.
After reading the letter, Russell smiled and shook his head. Duan Yu, that kid, hasn't changed at all after all this time.
On the other side, Mu Wanqing looked at the letter, a smile playing on her lips, her eyes and brows brimming with undisguised joy.
Russell leaned closer and asked, "Is your mother-in-law coming to see you?"
Mu Wanqing nodded emphatically, her voice filled with excitement: "They have already set off. Judging by the time, they should be able to reach Misty Peak in about five or six days."
"Oh, so we're almost at the Western Regions." Russell nodded, took the letter from Mu Wanqing, and glanced at it.
Tsk, no wonder Duan Yu wanted to come too.
The letter was indeed written by Qin Hongmian, but it wasn't just Qin Hongmian; his mother-in-law was at the Zhennan Prince's Mansion when she received the news.
She originally intended to come alone and sneak around, but our Prince Duan was so eloquent that he quickly revealed her secret. Afterwards, Duan Zhengchun informed Ruan Xingzhu about A'Zhu's situation, and the three of them decided to come together to recognize their relatives.
Since Duan Zhengchun was traveling with Qin Hongmian and Ruan Xingzhu, Dao Baifeng naturally couldn't just stand by and watch. If her husband went out to see his old flame, it would be foolish for her to stay at home. So she packed her bags and said she wanted to go to Tianshan to see the scenery.
After a while, a large group of people set off for the Tianshan Mountains.
Russell looked at the densely packed names on the letter: Duan Zhengchun, Dao Baifeng, Qin Hongmian, Ruan Xingzhu, Duan Yu, and a few other names he didn't recognize, and couldn't help but click his tongue.
This isn't a family reunion; it's clearly Duan Zhengchun bringing his harem for a team-building event.
"Is there anything we need to arrange in advance?" Granny Tong asked, after all, they were Mu Wanqing's parents and relatives, which, in other words, meant they were the main family members of the Xiaoyao Heavenly Palace.
Russell waved his hand: "No need for special preparations, just do it the way it is."
Just kidding, they're here on their honeymoon, what's with all this arranging and planning?
Moreover, from Duan Zhengchun to Duan Yu to Qin Hongmian and others, they were not characters who cared about appearances.
Xiao Bai had just finished brewing the tea. Carrying the purple clay teapot, he poured a cup for everyone present. Then, resting his chin on his hands, he said with a sigh, "Mortals are really interesting. Their lifespans are already short, yet they like to waste time on these useless things, like celebrating the New Year, putting up Spring Festival couplets, and setting off firecrackers. What's the point of all this fuss?"
Russell picked up his teacup, swirled it, and watched the tea rise and fall. He slowly said, "Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand. This is called style. You country bumpkin, do you even know what a sense of ritual is?"
Xiao Bai pouted, about to retort, when suddenly she remembered something, and the expression on her face subtly changed.
She shuddered as she recalled the tricks Russell had used on them the night before, muttering under her breath, "Humans really know how to play tricks."
The group chatted for a while, and then went about their own business.
Russell leaned back on the soft couch, dozing with his eyes half-closed. The snow was still falling silently outside, while the charcoal fire burned brightly in the warm chamber, making him feel drowsy.
Wanqing nestled in Luo Su's arms, clutching her big-eared hat and watching the show. The fluffy little creature had been hatched from its egg for some time now. It was pure white, with two big, drooping ears that looked like two fluffy leaves. Xiaobai was also watching the show, but she preferred domineering CEOs and modern romance dramas, which were completely unrelated to the historical dramas that Mu Wanqing liked.
Lady Wen and Granny Tong sat by the window at a small table, spreading out a sheet of Xuan paper, discussing various matters concerning the Xiaoyao Heavenly Palace for the coming year.
Madam Wen wrote down the details, while Granny Tong dictated them, listing them one by one, including the allocation of spiritual fields, the storage of elixirs, the assessment of disciples, and the revision of palace rules. The two spoke earnestly, occasionally stopping to discuss their differing opinions before continuing to write after reaching a consensus.
And so, the days passed peacefully, until night fell and the distant sound of a bell tolled.
The bell tolled melodiously and solemnly, one sound after another, neither hurried nor slow, echoing above the palaces and among the towering mountains.
Immediately afterwards, fireworks shot into the sky and exploded.
The light from the fireworks reflected on the snow, turning the entire celestial palace into a kaleidoscope of colors.
Russell and the others got up and went to the railing to look down at the entire Heavenly Palace.
The snow stopped sometime ago, the clouds dispersed, revealing a sky full of stars, and the moonlight shone on the snow, making it a silvery white expanse.
The old year has passed, and the new year has arrived.
Standing beside Russell, the Old Woman Tong smiled and said, "The auspicious hour has arrived, the New Year is here. Junior Brother, do you have any powerful magical treasures to celebrate the start of the New Year for the Heavenly Palace?"
She was just being cheeky and saying it offhand, but to everyone's surprise, Russell nodded very seriously after hearing her words.
The old woman turned her head in surprise: "I was just saying, you've done enough for the Heavenly Palace."
Russell laughed and patted her on the shoulder: "New year, new beginnings, let's just say it's for good luck in the new year."
The arrival of A Zhu and Wang Yuyan brought him four more lottery draws, one white and one green.
He has now completed 25 white-level lottery draws alone.
Since the old woman had spoken, he simply took out ten of them as prizes and drew them out.
Anyway, I've already drawn lots for the group members a few times before, and the girls present are all my own people, so there's nothing wrong with it.
As usual, it was the selection process. Tong Lao took number one without hesitation, Mu Wanqing chose the highest number ten, and Xiao Bai and Madam Wen chose number three and number seven respectively.
"Is it confirmed? No changes?" Russell asked one last time.
After receiving affirmative answers from the four women, he opened the lottery wheel on the system panel.
"System, white lottery draw, ten times."
【Item Card - White: West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce (The most essential flavor; West Lake is West Lake, vinegar is vinegar, and fish is fish)】
[Item Card - White: Shanghai Auntie - Mango Pomelo Sago (Shanghai housewife!)]
[Item Card - White: Mixue Ice Cream Lemonade (Snow King!)]
[Skill Card - Azure: Snowflakes Falling on Earth (Have you ever seen snowflakes falling on earth? Source: The World's Number One)]
[Item Card - White: Golden Fried Rice (Have you ever seen fried rice that glows? Yes, I added white phosphorus.)]
[Item Card - Green: Sunflower Manual (To practice this skill, one must castrate oneself. Source: The Smiling, Proud Wanderer)]
【Item Card - White: Sweet Flower-Stuffed Chicken (Central Plains Offal, Delicious and Affordable)】
[Item Card - Blue: Peerless Sword Box (Gentlemen, listen to the sword's song. Source: The Young Swordsman)]
[Item Card - White: Revitalizing Chicken Cutlet - Full Set (In the battle between Snow King and Luckin Coffee, you can always find a chicken in some hidden corner)]
[Item Card - White: Luckin Coffee Classic Latte (Less Ice! Less Ice! Less Ice!)]
Six white, three green, and one blue.
Looking at the list displayed on the screen in front of him, Russell remained silent for a long time before taking a deep breath and taking out the prizes one by one from the system space and placing them on the table in front of him.
The drop rate is ridiculously low.
He missed the days when there were no clear ranking system and the pool was mixed, so even the most ordinary draws had a chance to get a golden legendary item.
"Why are they all just food and drinks?" Granny Tong asked curiously as Russell silently produced one item after another from the void. "Where's the treasure you promised?"
"This is the treasure you pulled out." Russell tore off a chicken leg expressionlessly and took a bite.
The taste is quite good.
Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, juicy and flavorful, with a perfect balance of chili powder and cumin. The chicken that was found "in the battle between Snow King and Luckin Coffee" certainly lived up to its mission.
But Russell was still unconvinced.
He, the dignified Master Luo, a rising star in the lottery world, couldn't even win the guaranteed prize?
This unscientific.
This is not reasonable.
This does not conform to probability theory.
He must have opened it incorrectly.
The saying goes, "Ten consecutive losses lead to certain defeat, but a single pull brings a miracle." During those ten pulls, he wasn't sincere, his hands were unsteady, and his attitude wasn't right, so he didn't get anything good. Now, he's going to use a devout, focused, and single-minded pull to prove that his luck is still there.
Russell put down the chicken leg, wiped his hands, sat up straight, and as his thoughts raced, he drew in the chilling air, and ice sculptures of gods materialized before him.
Initially, there were the three deities: Yuqing Yuanshi Tianzun, Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun, and Taiqing Daode Tianzun. The three statues stood side by side, with solemn and dignified appearances, and a faint aura of purity swirling around them.
Then there was the Jade Emperor, wearing a twelve-tassel crown and a black robe, looking solemn and dignified.
Shakyamuni sat on a lotus throne, cross-legged, with one hand in the abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness) and the other in the varada mudra (gesture of granting wishes).
Guanyin of the South Sea stands on a lotus flower, holding a willow branch and a vase, with a kind and benevolent expression.
Confucius stood with his hands clasped, wearing a wide robe and long sleeves, his face gentle.
With his phoenix eyes and silkworm eyebrows, Guan Yu held the Green Dragon Crescent Blade, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.
Russell bowed to each of them in turn.
This book takes into account both ancient and modern times, as well as Chinese and foreign perspectives, aiming for a comprehensive and complete approach.
Russell respectfully bowed to each of them one by one, going through the whole process with even more seriousness than during morning prayers.
Sitting beside her, the old woman watched Russell respectfully bow to the row of statues and couldn't help but laugh out loud: "Junior brother, your beliefs are a bit mixed up, huh?"
She lived for over ninety years and traveled extensively in her youth, gaining a wide range of knowledge and experience, having met all kinds of believers.
Some believe in Taoism but not Buddhism, some believe in Buddhism but not Taoism, some only worship Guan Yu, and some only worship Confucius.
But some people, like Bertrand Russell, worship the Three Pure Ones, Buddha, Guanyin, Haotian, Confucius, and Guan Yu.
It's rare to see someone offer prayers to seven or eight people in one go, without any dietary restrictions, and accepting all comers.
The old woman's gaze swept over the row of statues and suddenly stopped on the last one.
It was a strange creature with a round head, large eyes, and many long tentacles extending from its body, resembling both an octopus and a squid; it was hard to tell exactly what it was. It sat there upright, its expression neither compassionate nor...
His imposing manner seemed more like... being in a daze?
"Which deity is this?" the old woman asked curiously, pointing to the octopus statue.
"A bodhisattva from Southeast Asia," Russell said without changing his expression.
The old woman said "Oh," and nodded as if she understood, saying that this Bodhisattva was indeed unique in appearance.
Russell offered no further explanation. He took a deep breath and turned his gaze to the enormous rotating disc in the void.
"Single draw, blue draw."
The turntable began to spin slowly in his mind.
The next moment, a golden light suddenly entered Russell's field of vision.
Holy crap! I got my money!
>