Always Ending Up as an Animal Cub

The voice of the Great He Guangming Bodhisattva was so loud that even Chen Yanli, who was performing a scene with the abbot in the back mountains, could hear it clearly.

Yu Tong hid in Chen Ge's arms, straining his ears to eavesdrop on the sounds from outside.
The system seemed a bit anxious. "What does 'Great He Guangming' mean? Is he going to war with the government?"
"Xiao Yu Yu, why aren't you speaking? What are you thinking about?"

"I’m wondering how many visitors are here today."
In the morning, Chen Yanli went to the temple gate, and Yu Tong was hidden in his arms. Along the way, they saw many people.
He roughly recalled, "There were about two to three thousand people this morning."

The system nodded.
The Great He Guangming Temple wasn’t just a temple; it was also a tourist attraction with many facilities at the foot of the mountain.
A few thousand people weren't a lot for the temple.

"The Great He Guangming Temple doesn't have any famous sunrise views. Visitors come here mainly to pray for blessings. By noon and in the afternoon, the number of visitors will only increase."
Yu Tong glanced at the time. It was 4:40 PM, and some of the visitors should have left by now.
"Conservatively estimating, there are probably around four thousand people trapped in the temple right now."

At first, the system didn't understand why Xiao Yu was calculating this.
It thought for a long time before its eyes widened. "What the hell, are they forcibly imprisoning over four thousand people??? This isn't even the apocalypse, and Da Ming Guang is daring enough to imprison over four thousand people all at once?!"
"Great He Guangming."

"I don't care what he's called, Big guts! He's declaring war on this country!"
Yu Tong pressed his lips together, remaining silent.
Earlier, when he and Chen Ge were discussing their plan, they never expected things would turn out this way.

This was too absurd.
This world created by the novel wasn't a chaotic apocalyptic one.
The government wasn’t corrupt, and the police weren’t just for show.
Buddhism and Taoism were widespread, along with shamanism, immortal sects, and many foreign missionaries.

In such an environment, Great He Guangming Bodhisattva shouldn't have the guts to make things escalate.
Once the massive entity of the state got into motion, it would only take a few days to wipe out a fixed cult organization.
Chen Yanli chose not to act against Fa Se and the others at night because, during the day, the number of visitors was large, and the people in the temple dared not kill so many visitors.

Officer Liu and Lu Yuanyou could take advantage of the chaos to rescue people from the practitioners' dormitory and then blend into the crowd to escape.
The Great He Guangming Temple had been around for so many years because it had some risk resistance.
The six dust formations had been broken, which would only add some trouble to Great He Guangming, but it wouldn't push him to desperation.

Yu Tong never imagined that this evil thing, after just a little stimulus, would go mad and imprison more than four thousand tourists in one go.
The problem was, what good was imprisoning them when everyone had mobile phones?
Among so many people, there must be some who are good-hearted. It’s likely that when the chaos first occurred, someone recorded a video and sent it out.

Even if Great He Guangming was lucky and the visitors hadn’t had the chance to spread the news, the temple could block signals.
With so many people going missing at the same time, the people outside couldn’t possibly not react.
After this ends, how will they deal with the four thousand people trapped inside?

Let them go?
The matter would still be exposed, and they would be completely targeted for illegal imprisonment.
Kill them?

In peaceful times, would so many people just be killed on a whim? Wouldn't that be courting death?
This move by Great He Guangming had completely confused Yu Tong.
Chen Yanli was leaning on his phone, typing, and describing the events in the back mountains to the abbot.

His face was expressionless, as if he hadn’t heard the words just now.
However, Yu Tong felt his confusion through the spiritual connection tool.
Chen Ge also hadn’t figured out what Great He Guangming was trying to do.

An ominous feeling rose in Yu Tong’s heart.
Especially when he saw the old monk holding his phone, making a voice call to other monks in the temple, the feeling became overwhelming.
"Ba Ge, something’s wrong. The monks can still make calls. Great He Guangming hasn’t blocked the signals."

"Huh?"
"This means that imprisoning the tourists isn’t to block the information."
"What... then what is it for?"

Yu Tong pursed his lips. "I’m not sure. I hope he’s not planning to use these people for a live sacrifice."
"???"
————

There were still more than ten years before the original plot started.
Chen Yanli hadn’t yet become the ruthless villain he was in the original story.
The biggest antagonist they faced was the Great He Guangming Bodhisattva, who didn’t appear in the book.

But one thing in this world wouldn’t be affected by the original timeline.
That was the ancient sacrificial rituals passed down.
In the original story, the big villain, Chen Yanli, planned to use the cruelest methods to live-sacrifice three hundred children born with "pure" innocence to become an evil god.

Such rituals certainly existed in this world, too.
Yu Tong didn’t know if there were three hundred children in the four thousand tourists trapped in the temple.
What he did know was that, given the current situation, there was a ninety percent chance that Great He Guangming Bodhisattva planned to live-sacrifice these tourists.

This was also a way to solve the temple’s problem, but it was the dumbest and most dangerous way.
If the ritual succeeded, Great He Guangming might become the most powerful evil god, just like the original story described.
At that point, no one in the world could deal with him.

If the ritual failed or took too long, then he would have to rely on his own ability to escape or hope that the police's external reinforcements were stronger.
A reckless move.
If it worked, he would become the final boss; if it failed, he would simply face his doom.

Hearing Yu Tong’s words, the system ball was dumbfounded.
It mumbled, "Four thousand people? There are elderly and children among them. Is he really that cruel?"
"Look at what he did to the people in the practitioners' dormitory. Do you think he cares about lives?"

The system realized the situation and hugged itself, trembling.
Yu Tong took a deep breath, his soul entering the system space, and he irritably lit a cigarette.
"Ugh, something’s off."

"Who would’ve thought he’d just kill four thousand people like that!"
"It’s not this that’s off. He doesn’t need to give up on the Great He Guangming Temple. His handling of this is too extreme."
Yu Tong exhaled a puff of smoke, his brows furrowed tightly.

"No, he has a better way to handle this. Why is he doing this?"
The system didn’t understand.
"Xiao Yu Yu, what do you plan to do?"

"If he really intends to live-sacrifice them, we definitely have to stop him."
"Great He Guangming likes Chen Ge's face and wants to possess his body. The stronger he gets, the more dangerous Chen Ge becomes."
Just as the system was a little happy hearing that Xiao Yu was starting to care about human lives, it sighed deeply when it heard the rest.

Yu Tong, as always, only cared about his Chen Ge.
 
The system was starting to realize the gravity of the situation.

"Wait... are you saying, even if we stop him now, he’ll still go after Chen Ge and the others? Even if we somehow manage to prevent him from performing this ritual, it’s not going to end there?"
Yu Tong nodded, his eyes still fixed on the unfolding chaos around him. "Exactly. The only reason he’s doing this now is that his main goal is to get stronger by absorbing the energy of those tourists. But Chen Ge is a bigger threat to him."
"Wait," the system interrupted, its voice trembling. "Are you saying we can’t just stop him from doing the ritual? There’s more to this?"

Yu Tong took another drag from his cigarette. "It’s not just about the ritual. He’s been planning this for much longer than we thought. All these visitors are just a distraction. He plans to use them as pawns to spread his influence, and then—he’ll manipulate the situation to make himself even more powerful."
The system paused, trying to process this new information. "So, we’re dealing with a cult leader disguised as a bodhisattva, and he wants to infect these tourists with his power... and then what? They spread it outside?"
"Exactly," Yu Tong said grimly. "He’s not just using them for a live sacrifice. He wants to make them carriers. The tourists will return to the outside world, spreading his influence wherever they go. The power he gives them will spread like a virus."

There was a heavy silence between them as they thought about the implications. The plan wasn’t just about chaos; it was about creating a web of control that would extend far beyond the temple.
"I didn’t think he’d take this route," Yu Tong continued. "He’s been hiding in plain sight for so long, pretending to be a simple religious figure. But in reality, he’s been manipulating people, preparing for something much bigger."
As the minutes passed, the urgency of the situation began to sink in. Yu Tong knew they had to act quickly, but the risks were mounting. The temple had become a ticking time bomb, and every moment they waited made the situation more volatile.

Outside, the chaos in the temple had intensified. The tourists, trapped and terrified, were now beginning to fight back against their captors. Some were trying to escape, while others had started to panic.
But Great He Guangming was still in control.
He hovered above the crowd, his voice booming across the temple grounds, as he demanded the tourists do his bidding. The black ink that leaked from his robes dripped onto the ground, poisoning everything it touched.

"You think you can escape? No one leaves until I’ve gotten what I want!" he shouted, his anger rising.
The tourists screamed in fear, but no one dared move. The weight of his presence, combined with his supernatural power, kept them frozen in place.
Chen Yanli, now fully ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ aware of what was happening, looked down at the scene below. His face was impassive, but his mind raced.

This was not just a battle for survival anymore. It was a battle for control over the very fabric of this world. Great He Guangming wasn’t just a villain—they were dealing with an entity that had the potential to reshape everything.
Yu Tong stood up and glanced at Chen Yanli, who was still staring at the chaotic scene. He felt a strange sense of urgency, his thoughts racing as he tried to formulate a plan.
"We need to stop him," Yu Tong muttered. "And we need to do it before his power spreads any further."

Chen Yanli gave a short nod, his expression still unreadable. "How do we stop him?"
"We’ll have to weaken him first," Yu Tong said. "But we can’t let him perform the ritual. If he succeeds, there’s no turning back."
As they prepared to make their move, the system voiced one last concern. "Wait. You’re not thinking of going in alone, are you?"

Yu Tong gave a smirk. "Of course not. I’ve got backup."
And with that, they set off to confront the greatest threat this world had ever seen.
 

The air inside the temple felt thick with tension. Every corner seemed to echo with the muffled sounds of panic, as the trapped visitors pushed against the barriers that kept them confined. Even with their growing fear, they knew there was no easy escape from the grip of Great He Guangming.
Yu Tong and Chen Yanli moved swiftly through the temple halls, their footsteps barely making a sound. The atmosphere was oppressive, each turn they took only bringing them closer to the heart of the madness that was unfolding.
"This isn’t just about stopping the ritual anymore," Yu Tong said, his voice low but determined. "It's about saving everyone here before it's too late. If we let him finish what he's started, no one will be able to stop him."

Chen Yanli didn’t respond immediately, his mind working through the strategy. They couldn’t afford to waste any time—every second brought them closer to disaster. But the weight of their task was daunting, especially considering how unpredictable Great He Guangming’s actions had become.
"We need to find a way to disrupt the ritual without alerting him to our presence," Chen Yanli finally said, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding them.
Yu Tong nodded in agreement. "We need to destroy the source of his power. Without that, his plans will crumble."

As they neared the inner sanctum, the familiar presence of black ink dripping down from the robes of Great He Guangming grew stronger. The power he exuded was nearly suffocating, making it difficult for them to think clearly.
Meanwhile, the tourists outside had become restless. The few who dared speak out now shouted at the monks, demanding their release, but their voices were drowned out by the overwhelming presence of Great He Guangming’s commands.
"You think you can defy me?" the bodhisattva's voice boomed, resonating through the temple like a thunderclap. "The price for disobedience will be severe!"

The black ink that flowed from his robes now began to seep into the ground, forming dark tendrils that reached out to claim the people around him. The tourists who had tried to resist found themselves immobilized, unable to move as the ink wrapped around their legs.
"No one leaves until I have what I want!" Great He Guangming shouted again, his voice tinged with madness.
The tourists, some of whom had already begun to scream in fear, fell silent, realizing they had no hope of escaping unless they did as instructed.

Back inside the temple, Yu Tong and Chen Yanli made their way toward the central chamber, where Great He Guangming was performing the ritual. The sight that greeted them made their blood run cold.
The Great He Guangming Bodhisattva hovered in the air, his form towering over the gathered monks and tourists. The black ink poured from his robes, flooding the space around him. His eyes were glowing with an unnatural light, and his smile was both serene and terrifying.
The ritual was already underway.

Yu Tong’s heart pounded as he saw the tourists lined up in front of the altar, looking dazed and disconnected from reality. Some of them were already showing signs of the ink’s influence, their eyes glazed over as if they were no longer in control of their own bodies.
"We need to stop him now!" Yu Tong whispered urgently to Chen Yanli.
Chen Yanli nodded, his expression hardening. He knew there was no more time to waste. If they didn’t act quickly, the consequences would be catastrophic.

They moved forward, carefully stepping over the dark ink that pooled on the floor, their eyes fixed on the Bodhisattva. The tension in the air was unbearable, but they couldn’t let fear take hold. They had come this far; they had to finish this.
As they neared the altar, Yu Tong’s mind raced. He had seen the rituals before, but nothing had ever felt as dangerous as this. Great He Guangming was using these people as pawns—his power was growing with each passing moment. And once the ritual was completed, he would be unstoppable.
Chen Yanli’s eyes narrowed as he observed the situation. "I’m going to need a distraction," he said, his voice calm and measured.

Yu Tong didn’t hesitate. "I’ll provide it. Just make sure you disrupt the ritual."
With that, Yu Tong took a deep breath, his body tensing as he prepared to make his move.
"Enough!" Yu Tong shouted, stepping into the center of the ritual circle.

The Bodhisattva’s head turned sharply, his eyes narrowing with a menacing glare. "You dare defy me?"
Yu Tong stood firm, his gaze unwavering. "I won’t let you continue this madness."
Great He Guangming's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Foolish mortal. You think you can stop me? I am beyond your reach."

With a flick of his hand, the Bodhisattva sent a wave of dark energy toward Yu Tong. The power was overwhelming, and for a moment, Yu Tong thought he might not be able to withstand it. But then, the strength of his resolve kicked in.
"Chen Ge, now!" Yu Tong shouted.
Without hesitation, Chen Yanli sprang into action, stepping forward and using his own power to disrupt the flow of energy. The dark ink around them began to ripple, destabilizing the ritual.

Great He Guangming’s face twisted in fury. "You will regret this!"
But it was too late. The ritual was broken, and the black ink began to dissipate.
The tourists, once under the Bodhisattva’s control, began to stir, slowly regaining their awareness. The ink that had entrapped them was fading away, and they looked around in confusion, unsure of what had just happened.

Yu Tong turned to Chen Yanli, a mix of exhaustion and relief on his face. "We did it."
But even as they celebrated their victory, the danger was far from over. Great He Guangming, though weakened, was still dangerous. He had only been stopped temporarily.
"You think this is over?" the Bodhisattva’s voice echoed, low and menacing. "This is just the beginning."

The battle was far from finished, and both Yu Tong and Chen Yanli knew that. But for now, they had succeeded in preventing the ritual from being completed.
The real fight was only beginning.