Eldritch Horror Theatre

The speed at which the mission objective appeared this time was quite gratifying.

Even if the details sounded a little far-fetched.

As the youngest member, his very first objective was to see through samsara and achieve shattering the void?

Although Fu Qian had always possessed a certain spiritual aptitude, wasn’t this a bit too grand an ambition?

It made him wonder just how much guidance this mentor he had chosen could actually provide in that regard.

Fu Qian’s gaze finally settled on Caco. He studied her graceful figure, lost in thought.

”It goes far beyond this kind of mortal joy, of course.”

Faced with this finally somewhat normal reaction, Caco’s demeanor grew even more serene and natural.

”It is an indescribable liberation and clarity. Compared to it, all the worldly things that intoxicate people are not worth mentioning.”

She displayed herself without any hesitation, allowing her beauty to bloom to its fullest. Her soft skin even pressed a little closer.As her robes fluttered, however, the words she spoke remained humble.

”This is the meaning behind what those women in the city do.

”To experience and transcend, to seek that faint guiding light from within—that is why they are needed... and paying the price for that pursuit is a necessary part of it.”

Was she directly pointing out a path for him?

He could deeply feel Caco’s yearning for a higher layer of bliss, and her subsequent explanation confirmed the existence of a certain traditional industry while also clarifying its true purpose.

So they were actually providing a cultivation assistance service? Helping people temper and transcend their mortal desires.

Combined with Ms. Caco’s highly transcendental description of the Upper Heaven, this explanation made perfect sense.

It was just that, at this rate, he wouldn’t be surprised if they walked into the city later and stumbled upon a snow-white church.

...

Fu Qian was naturally thinking of the White-Headed Church.

Although its reputation had always leaned negative, giving it some careful thought, the appearance of such a symbol of ultimate pleasure in this realm of bliss wasn’t actually all that out of place.

Not to mention that the path of transcendence these people had figured out faintly mirrored Brother Honma’s style of restraint.

But if that was the case, what this mysterious Realm of Bliss actually represented, and what position it held within Transcendent Tier authority, was truly intriguing.

”Then if paying a fee is also part of the experience, why don’t you require one?”

While pondering, Fu Qian didn’t miss a beat. He shifted his gaze to Caco’s face to learn more about this path of transcendence.

”It is very simple. I am not helping others; they are helping me.”

Caco’s tone remained calm, her expression clear as glass.

”To experience and transcend—in my view, blind restraint actually ruins this.”

”Desire is still better the more scorching it is, whether it belongs to others or to myself.”

As she spoke, she cast another lingering glance his way. For a brief moment, her features—so holy they seemed almost translucent—somehow coalesced into an expression of ultimate heat and obscenity.

...

Impressive. It wasn’t even acting; it was all pure emotion.

Even though her hand had already let go, for that brief second, Fu Qian still seemed to feel the heat radiating from the body right next to him.

And for a moment, he gained a deeper understanding of the culture in this Realm of Bliss.

Truly, one could never judge things by their surface. When he had first climbed out of the coffin and looked around, the impression he got was that this place looked more like a human town than some blissful afterlife.

Now, he had reached the point where a mountain was once again just a mountain.

No matter how things functioned on the surface, the core driving these individuals was entirely different.

And the primal driving force behind that core was nothing less than bliss without death.

The town they were about to reach, and even the spectators who had clapped for him today, were fundamentally different from what they appeared to be.

”Don’t be impatient, we’ll be there soon.”

The expression vanished in a flash. Caco had already reverted to her untouchable holiness, offering the soft comfort between gentle breaths.

The two of them had nearly reached the edge of the graveyard. The spectators from earlier had long since scattered, leaving only a few lingering figures who occasionally cast glances their way.

After their conversation, Fu Qian could now read more into the subtle expressions on those faces—they were deeply regretful that he had chosen to assist in Caco’s cultivation.

At the same time, it made him wonder what kind of cultivation path lay buried beneath their ”clear” gazes.

”Come up.”

Having spotted Godot in the crowd and shared a final, smiling nod, Caco’s voice called out once more.

She had actually led him to a carriage and was now inviting Fu Qian to sit inside with her.

...

Tall, handsome, and robust—the horse was naturally a fine steed, and the carriage itself was so exquisitely bright it hardly seemed like something from the mortal world.

Still marveling at the sight, Fu Qian climbed aboard. Caco was already leaning against the narrow seat, leaving him an equally cramped space as she casually drew the rich brocade curtain shut.

”I thought animals would be a bit more carefree in a place like this. So, is it doing this for cultivation too?”

Fu Qian naturally didn’t mind the tight quarters. Once he leaned back and settled in, his first reaction was to express curiosity about the horse up front.

”Of course not. Animals cannot reach this place to begin with.”

Watching Fu Qian’s movements, Caco revealed a smile brimming with wisdom the next second and pointed toward the graveyard outside.

”...So they are actually human? Is this also a part of samsara?”

Following her gesture, Fu Qian quickly came to a realization.

”Exactly. Those whose hearts are gripped by delusions and who commit evil deeds not only cannot transcend to a higher tier, but they will also endure suffering within samsara until the next time.”

Seeming somewhat appreciative of Fu Qian’s perception, Caco confirmed his guess.

”That sounds perfectly reasonable.”

Despite this slightly horrifying twist to the World of Ultimate Bliss, Fu Qian still didn’t show much of a reaction.

He nodded thoughtfully as the unnaturally smooth carriage rapidly closed the distance to the already nearby town.

”But I am a bit curious. Is the scope of these evil deeds the same as in the human world, or does it have its own special definition here?”

Without sparing a single glance at the body pressed tight against his own, Fu Qian kept his eyes firmly ahead, suddenly asking the question after a brief silence.

”It has a very clever definition. You will slowly come to understand it during the wonderful times ahead. Of course, many vile acts are indeed universal.”

Caco maintained her gentle tone, not showing any displeasure at Fu Qian’s lack of fiery passion.

Screech—

In the very next second, however, she could no longer maintain that graceful demeanor.

The originally smooth-running carriage suddenly swerved. Amidst the ear-piercing sound, she was nearly thrown from her seat.

At the same time, a person could be seen throwing themselves flat on the ground directly in the carriage’s original path.

Some things were indeed universal. To think that the World of Ultimate Bliss actually had people running injury scams.

Having preemptively grabbed hold of the seat beside him, Fu Qian marveled inwardly.