Chapter 553: Belief Is a Kind of Strength

The sheer impact was worldview-shattering, overturning all the myths and legends they had grown up hearing. They couldn't help but collect their thoughts.

Buddhism: a radiation source system, essentially light?Taoism: a primordial energy system, essentially qi?Ancient people?Light and qi?

Buddhist light is real radiation.True qi is real qi.

"This is simply too realistic!"

At this moment, many were profoundly shaken and overjoyed! The ancients hadn't deceived us at all! It was all literal. We simply couldn't understand ancient myths before, but now we realize the language in those myths was straightforward and easy to grasp!

"The truth of Chinese historical myths."

This short passage already held immense weight in the eyes of most people.

Someone suddenly recalled their early childhood, the myths they yearned for: Nezha Conquering the Dragon King, The Monkey King's Havoc in Heaven... They had worshipped these tales, even pestering for a Golden Cudgel as children and waving it around awkwardly. But as they grew up, countless elders told them these were just hoaxes, ridiculous stories.

Adults told them:In reality, even in ancient times, there was never anything supernatural.Myths were superstitions.

Yet, at this moment, a soft voice seemed to whisper gently in their ears, rekindling their initial impulses and dreams:

"You don't need to give up... those passionate myths and legends, they once existed in history."

Just this one sentence. This single sentence was enough.

Many looked at the screenshot—the blurry "Jizo" plaque of the ancient temple, and the desiccated, ancient monk's skeleton—and felt a surge of emotion, a yearning for historical glory, falling silent.

King Jizo."If the Hells are not empty, I will not attain Buddhahood!"

"This was an ancient Chinese hero from the Tang Dynasty a thousand years ago, a deity from our Eastern pantheon, flesh and blood. We must inherit his will."

Weren't they deeply immersed in fantasy Wuxia online games and dazzling fantasy worlds precisely to compensate for inner regrets?

But at this moment, whether this was real history or just an online game, the world view presented before them, merging ancient myths with reality, created a powerful sense of immersion.

"It successfully captured my attention."

More people sat in front of their computers, breathing rapidly. Previously, some had resisted, finding it too hardcore and not wanting to endure it, but now they couldn't help but want to jump in.

The mechanisms of Buddhist and Taoist cultivation had been revealed; the two largest schools of ancient myth had unveiled their greatest secrets! Whether it was true or false was up to individual perception.

At this point, someone finally couldn't resist analyzing:

"So, from this perspective, the monks and nuns we know weren't just Buddhist practitioners cultivating radiation... but also Taoist cultivators practicing internal qi? Were they... dual cultivators of both Buddhism and Taoism? Was Buddhism originally Taoism?"

Everyone immediately recalled the mysterious tree-like men and women, feeling a rush of blood to their heads, their minds buzzing. It was bizarre, as if they had uncovered a terrifying, incredible ancient history.

"Was it a conflict between Buddhism and Taoism?"

"But essentially, was it a conflict of concepts between light and qi? Ancient myths are incredible!"

"Then why do these remaining beings in this land cultivate both Buddhist and Taoist paths? Who taught them? Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha?"

"No, according to ancient records, the underworld was jointly governed by both Buddhist and Taoist entities, not just Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, but also Yama from Taoism, Judge Cui..."

"No wonder these beings practice both Buddhist and Taoist cultivation."

"Furthermore, through this ancient temple deep within the region, we've actually grasped the principles of the cultivation system, and might even be able to rediscover and restore the glory of China's five-thousand-year mythical era!"

"Yes, it was possible in ancient times! We can cultivate again in modern times!"

Everyone discussed future possibilities, and some even made bold, somewhat childish suggestions, implying they no longer saw it merely as a game. They felt this "Six Paths of Reincarnation" game was truly too mysterious and terrifying.

"Ahem, ahem, ahem!"

At this moment, Autumn Mountain Speed cleared his throat twice and spoke, "Everyone, don't get too excited. The possibility of supernatural phenomena re-emerging is low! After all, this is just a virtual game."

Some believed these words, others didn't. But Autumn Mountain Speed couldn't be bothered with their reactions and continued:

"Although someone previously mentioned that the supernatural powers occurring inside are very realistic and intricate, theoretically possible to achieve in reality, it's merely a possibility... Based on Ksitigarbha's current historical setting, he likely conducted similar experiments in the Tang Dynasty a thousand years ago. On Earth, he couldn't successfully make people cultivate his radiation method. Instead, he left behind legends of miracles, qi practitioners, and Buddhist relics. And his attempts to make some ancients cultivate led to the preservation of some traditions and even his own story... I estimate that it wasn't just Ksitigarbha; other mythical figures, after ascending, would also return to ancient times and try to make ordinary ancients cultivate. They just weren't successful, but instead left behind various tales of their divine deeds and traditions..."

The netizens were stunned after hearing this and some began to believe it.

This setting is perfect! This completely explained some baffling ancient mythical phenomena, like seeing immortals flying and escaping underground, yet no one could successfully cultivate or pass it on. When ancient relics of Buddhism and Taoism were excavated, no supernatural phenomena were found.

"Holy cow, this explanation completely fills the gaps and connects perfectly with real history!" countless people exclaimed.

Meanwhile, Alchemist Emperor, Moe Girl, and others found this very significant.

Moe Girl suddenly perked up: "So, King Jizo from a thousand years ago, wasn't he like us? We also returned to the mortal world after ascending, secretly researching cultivation methods in reality and trying to get others to cultivate... Especially Alchemist Emperor, isn't he already doing that now? Making some people try body cultivation!"

Alchemist Emperor: "There's an 80-90% chance that these ancient mythical figures did the same thing as us, trying to get people to cultivate!"

Balloon Fish: "It's not 80-90%, they definitely did it that way, which is why some traditions were left behind... yet no matter how much archaeological digging is done, no traces of supernatural power are found!"

These people discussed amongst themselves in private groups, silently biting their lips. All of this perfectly explained the ancient mythical phenomena, making them increasingly believe that there was a mythical Chinese history in antiquity and that they were absolutely not the first to enter! Because it was too similar.

Yet at this very moment, Autumn Mountain Speed continued, "Ha! Although cultivation is impossible in reality, this game is becoming more and more fun! It's very immersive! Perhaps we can research the lost ancient civilizations, the Taoist cultivation system, and the Buddhist cultivation system within the game!"

"Yes, research it in the game now, and if we figure it out, we can think about applying it in reality later!"

The online discussion immediately grew more fervent and lively; clearly, they hadn't given up hope.

"Very good." Xu Zhi nodded, quietly taking notes. "Perhaps these guys can research and develop the Chinese mythical system: the Taoist primordial energy system and the ancient Buddhist radiation source system."

If it could be realized, it would form the foundation of a brand new grand world. Even just one of these two systems felt comparable to the Wizard system or the Inner World system, with even greater potential.

"The more they talked, the more it felt as if these systems had truly existed, belonging to a kind of cosmic cultivation system... incredibly powerful and ancient. They talked so convincingly that even I started to believe it."