Amitābha Online: The Monk Who Greets Death

The sky above the monastery was red.

Not sunset-red.

Not spirit-clouds-floating-gently red.

It was burning.

And that was never a good sign before breakfast.

Shen burst into Mu's room without knocking. "Mu! Wake up! Something's wrong with the sky! It's on fire again!"

Mu, already sitting cross-legged with tea in hand, simply nodded. "Yes. The clouds are upset."

"Clouds don't get upset!"

"Then someone lit them."

They both paused as thunder rumbled—not from the heavens, but from the Sect Master's private chamber.

"Come," Mu said calmly, sipping. "We're being summoned."

> [+1]

---

⚠️ Emergency Sect Meeting: Featuring Tea and Terror

The hall was packed.

Monks, elders, visiting guests from the Wandering Sword Sect—all present.

Mu entered, bowed.

> "Amitābha."

> [+1]

Even the flames licking the window frame seemed to pause in respect.

The Sect Master stood before a projection scroll showing a vast canyon—its rocks bleeding light, its winds humming with chaotic qi.

"This is the Void Howl Ravine," the Head Monk began. "A forbidden zone."

Master Yolk-san, seated on a golden perch, clucked softly.

Mu listened, silent.

"A relic has awakened there," the Sect Master continued. "Something... ancient. Dangerous. And unfortunately, loud. It's disrupting spiritual lines across the region."

Shen raised a hand. "Why not send someone strong?"

An elder coughed. "All our strongest are still... healing. From the chicken duel."

Heads turned.

The chicken blinked. Didn't deny it.

"So," the Sect Master concluded, "We are sending... Mu."

---

🧳 Mission Preparation: Now With Portable Chicken

"Why do I feel like I'm being punished?" Mu asked as Shen helped him pack.

"You're not. You're being entrusted. There's a difference."

Mu raised an eyebrow. "Is it the kind of difference that comes with life insurance?"

"No."

Mu looked at Master Yolk-san. "Coming with?"

The bird flew into his sleeve pocket and sat.

"Assumed yes," Mu said, adjusting the robe.

Shen handed him a new scroll.

> [Item Acquired: Minor Reality Map Scroll – Updates itself unless insulted]

Mu sipped tea and nodded. "Let's go greet the ravine."

---

🌪️ The Road to the Ravine

The world outside the monastery changed.

Mountains twisted in odd directions. Trees hummed. Rocks sometimes rolled themselves uphill.

Mu walked calmly, offering greetings to passing spirit deer, levitating lotus fish, and even a confused cloud that hovered too low.

> "Amitābha." [+1]

The system dinged occasionally.

> [You have calmed a minor wind god.]

[You have accidentally converted a cursed boulder.]

Shen, following behind from a safe distance, muttered, "I think the lower realm is adapting to him."

They camped near a spirit pond that giggled when touched.

Master Yolk-san meditated while spinning slowly.

---

🪨 The Ravine and the Man in Grey

The Void Howl Ravine was exactly as unpleasant as its name.

Dead silent.

Stones floated. Time ticked sideways.

And a man stood at the edge, wearing tattered grey robes and a blindfold that wrapped around his head twice.

Mu approached, calm.

"Greetings," he said. "Amitābha."

> [+1]

The man did not move.

Shen whispered, "He's a Spirit Echo Cultivator. They see with sound."

"Then I'll speak clearly."

Mu stepped forward.

> "Amitābha."

The ground cracked.

The man turned his head, slowly. "You're the one they sent? The boy with the bird?"

The wind stopped.

"I greet many things," Mu replied. "But yes, I also make tea."

The man raised a finger. "Enter the ravine. Prove you can walk its spine without blinking."

Mu blinked immediately.

Then stepped forward.

---

🌀 Inside the Howl

The ravine wasn't a place. It was a presence.

Every step buzzed with regret.

Mu saw memories that weren't his.

A girl falling.

A blade cracking.

A cup of tea—spilled.

> [Mental Resistance Check Passed.]

Master Yolk-san hopped onto his shoulder and began singing a low, guttural hymn.

Each note cleared the fog.

Each beat pushed the voices back.

Mu walked.

He saw a gate.

---

🚪 The Core and the Offer

Beyond the gate stood an orb—floating, pulsing, golden-black.

The voice echoed: "Take it. Accept power. Burn your weakness."

Mu held up a tea cup.

> "Amitābha."

> [+1]

The orb cracked.

It whimpered.

It turned into a duck.

Master Yolk-san pecked it.

The duck vanished.

> [Forbidden Relic Purified. You now own: Tranquil Duck Feather of Pacification.]

Shen caught up, panting. "What happened?!"

Mu held up the feather. "We said hello. It said goodbye."

---

🏡 Return and Revelation

Back at the monastery, they were met with stares.

"You cleansed it?" the Sect Master asked.

"Greeted it. Same thing."

The scrolls updated themselves that night.

> [New Title Acquired: Monk Who Pacified a Ravine]

> [Bonus: Chaotic zones hesitate to form in your presence. Ducks are now loyal.]

Master Yolk-san laid another humming egg.

Mu watched the stars.

"Do you think all realms can be greeted?" Shen asked.

Mu smiled.

> "We'll find out."

> [+1]