Chapter 144

Gu Qingan was prepared to accompany Shen Tang, but he was rejected.

"I'll accompany you to the entrance."

After hesitating for a moment, Shen Tang agreed.

She felt that her health was not good, and it would be bad if she encountered any problems.

The two of them took a car to the Big Buddha Temple, which was a particularly spiritual temple nearby. The incense was strong, and many tourists from other places came here.

It wasn't until they reached the foot of the mountain that Shen Tang understood what it meant to be truly "busy."

Indeed, there were just too many people here, crowded with adults, children, and the elderly, all walking up the mountain.

Yes, there were no other paths to ascend the mountain, only these 999 steps.

Shen Tang had no choice but to abandon the car and walk. She said to Gu Qingan, "You wait for me in the car."

"I'll go with you."

"No, there are too many people here, and it's not dangerous. Just wait for me here."

After some persuasion, Shen Tang ended up walking up the mountain alone.

Although people were coming and going around her, and it was very crowded, she was immersed in her own world.

If this place was really spiritual, then she hoped Gu Huai'an would recover quickly, that her family and friends would be healthy and safe.

She also hoped that the other "Shen Tang" could be happy.

Perhaps because she had something on her mind, climbing the stairs was not too tiring.

She didn't know how long it took, but Shen Tang suddenly realized that she had reached the mountaintop.

It was truly a famous Big Buddha Temple, solemn and dignified, just looking at it made people feel respectful and dare not act recklessly.

Shen Tang bowed to the central Buddha and then asked the little monk next to her, "Excuse me, is Master Zang here?"

The little monk smiled and shook his head, "Sorry, there is no Master Zang with that surname here."

Shen Tang frowned. Gu Huai'an's information couldn't be false. Could it be that the master had already left?

Thinking that someone was watching him here, Shen Tang hurriedly asked Gu Huai'an and learned that Master Zang had indeed entered the Big Buddha Temple and hadn't come out. Only then did Shen Tang feel relieved.

As long as he was here, she would find him sooner or later.

Maybe this little monk was not aware, she thought.

With so many people here now, and not in a hurry anyway, Shen Tang began to wander around the Big Buddha Temple.

The scenery here was picturesque, the air exceptionally fresh, making people feel relaxed and happy. Even the gloom in her heart was washed away, and the problems that had been bothering her seemed to be resolved.

Shen Tang closed her eyes and took a deep breath, only to hear a crisp male voice, "Sorry, I couldn't help but take a picture of you when I saw you looking up at the scenery. Let me give you the photo." Shen Tang turned her head and saw a young, handsome man with long hair speaking. He looked to be in his twenties or thirties, a bit shy and bashful.

Shen Tang nodded and said, "Sure."

After the man saw Shen Tang's face clearly, his expression suddenly changed. "You... I'm afraid you're not from here, right?"

At first, Shen Tang didn't understand what he meant. "I'm indeed not a local."

The man awkwardly began to explain, "No, what I mean is..."

He glanced at the people nearby and quickly stopped talking.

He approached Shen Tang and whispered, "What I mean is, you're not from this world, right?"

Shen Tang's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained expressionless. "Oh? Why do you say that?"

Could it be that he was not from this world either? Did he know the original owner of her body? Or did he know her?

In that instant, countless thoughts raced through Shen Tang's mind.

The man sighed, "I'm not sure either. I heard it from my master."

"Who is your master?"

"My master is called Zang Tianyi."

Shen Tang raised her head abruptly, "You said your master is who?"

"Zang Tianyi?"

How extraordinary, truly extraordinary.

She never expected that when all seemed lost and she had no way out, she would encounter Zang Tianyi's disciple here, without any effort at all.

However, Shen Tang was not someone who easily trusted others. She casually asked, "Since your master is Master Zang, why did you learn this?"

Shen Tang pointed to the camera in the man's hand.

"It's just a personal hobby of mine. Since you know my master, you must know that he loves traveling far and wide, there are so many beautiful sceneries. I just want to capture them."

Shen Tang nodded in understanding. She also enjoyed capturing beautiful sceneries.

Although she used a phone, hahaha.

"May I request your help in introducing me to Master Zang? I have something important to discuss with him."

"You don't have to say it, I also wanted to bring you to meet my master, regarding you... this matter."

Shen Tang felt extremely anxious. She never expected that even Zang Tianyi's disciple could tell that she was not from this world. Then, how formidable must Zang Tianyi himself be?

Would he pose a threat to her?

But looking at Zang Tianyi's disciple, he seemed like a good person, not very clever and quite innocent.

Shen Tang pondered all the way until a voice came from ahead, "We've arrived."

She looked up and saw tall trees surrounding the area, with fallen leaves covering the ground below while the trees on the mountain remained lush.

This was a row of wooden rooms, with wind chimes hanging under the eaves, swaying in the wind and emitting a crisp sound.

Shen Tang's previously tense heart suddenly relaxed.

At this point, thinking about all those irrelevant matters was meaningless.

A voice from inside the room said, "A guest from a distant place, please come in." Shen Tang took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

Inside the room, there was a faint smell of sandalwood, which was pleasant and calming.

An old man with white hair sat on a cushion, smiling as he looked over.

"Please have a seat, young friend."

Shen Tang sat on the cushion opposite Master Zang.

"Master, I have come to request something."

Master Zang made a gesture, urging her to remain calm. "Young friend, you came from a different realm. Have you decided to stay here?"

"Is Master implying that I can still go back?" Shen Tang asked.

Master Zang didn't speak, he just smiled and looked at Shen Tang.

After a moment's hesitation, Shen Tang replied with determination, "Here, I have people who love me and people whom I love. I want to stay here."

Here, she had more than just friends; she had family and loved ones, a feeling she couldn't experience in that other world.

Once she had experienced the utmost warmth, it was difficult to accept the lonely life she had before.

Eating, sleeping, working alone, even falling sick alone.

Although she had friends, they had their own lives and couldn't revolve around her.

Shen Tang didn't want to live that kind of life anymore.

Master Zang stroked his long beard and smiled. "Don't worry, young friend. The problem that troubles you will soon be resolved smoothly."

"How can it be resolved?" Shen Tang, who usually understood things quickly, couldn't catch on this time. "How can it be reconciled?"

"Well..." Master Zang's expression turned slightly awkward. "If you don't understand, you can search online for some courses to learn about it."

Shen Tang was about to search on her phone when she suddenly realized something, and her face instantly turned red.

Oh my, what kind of embarrassing question did she just ask!

But Master Zang, true to his title, quickly adjusted. "Ahem, do you have any other concerns, young friend?"

After giving it some thought, Shen Tang asked, "I want to know, where did the original Shen Tang go?"

Master Zang smiled and looked at her. "Far away, yet right before your eyes."

Shen Tang's heart seemed to skip a beat. "What do you mean by that, Master?"

Could it be that she is the Shen Tang from this place? Are they actually the same person?

"I believe you already have the answer in your heart," Master Zang replied.

"But why? I don't quite understand," Shen Tang said.

Master Zang didn't explain but poured a cup of tea and handed it to her. "Care for a taste?"

To be honest, Shen Tang wasn't in the mood for tea at the moment, but Master Zang must have had his reasons.

Shen Tang lifted the tea and drank it all in one go, but as she was about to speak, she suddenly felt dizzy and lost consciousness.

Oh my, it's poisoned!

That was her last thought before she passed out.