Staring directly at the ancient gods for a whole year

#1989 - Mathematical Bliss (XXVIII)

As the Grave Keeper had said, the local customs were indeed different.

Although somewhat surprised by the suggestion, the former fully demonstrated the open-mindedness of those who had come ashore, leading the way without questioning the purpose.

As they gradually went deeper, Fu Qian noted that they had indeed not encountered any more roadside scams, bandits, or flesh offerings.

At the same time, the expressions on the faces of the passersby were no longer neurotic. Most of them, like the Grave Keeper, seemed like normal people who were content with their lives.

Of course, the population density was also much lower, and the hustle and bustle of the City of Sin was gone.

Reflecting the surrounding crystal-clear light, the magnificent gold and white buildings were devoid of people as they walked along.

No wonder it was difficult to form a group. For those who loved excitement, it would be a lonely torment in this Land of Bliss if they didn't find some fun.

"To be honest, isn't this place a little too deserted?"

Not hesitating to ask when he didn't understand, Fu Qian immediately consulted the Grave Keeper.

Although during their conversation he had learned that this title wasn't standard.

There were too few people here to warrant a dedicated Grave Keeper. This person was more of a volunteer who occasionally visited.

Today he had just happened to visit and had conveniently closed the lid of his coffin.

One could only say that the great power behind this was truly amazing.

Of course, given that the two of them still hadn't exchanged names, Fu Qian decided to continue using this title.

"There's no helping it. It's very difficult for someone who has experienced death to embrace darkness again."

"Some of the people in the graveyard have been asleep for far too long... After I came here, I tried various methods to notify them, but in the end, it seems that only the lotus is a viable way to enlighten them."

With a sigh, the Grave Keeper didn't continue to despise the people in the City of Sin, even feeling compelled to defend them.

"Isn't she just sunbathing? Although there's no sun."

The Grave Keeper's words clearly had a hidden meaning.

Fu Qian followed his gaze, sizing up an elderly woman in plain clothes.

"Wrong, she is experiencing Bliss."

The Grave Keeper shook his head.

"'Bliss' is actually a specific term?"

Fu Qian feigned shock in cooperation.

"Of course it is, but I can't describe it."

Extending his hand and removing his snow-white hood for the first time, the Grave Keeper's dark skin was bathed in the crystal-clear light, his face showing intoxication.

"In short, it's a pure, unadulterated, ultimate joy. Any words used to describe it would only be a distortion. You can't imagine it without experiencing it firsthand."

It seemed like he was getting more and more mystical.

"Then how can I experience it?"

Noticing no overly otherworldly expression on the old woman's face, Fu Qian finally turned his gaze back.

"The word 'how' shouldn't even be associated with it. At least, in my opinion, there's no way. It just appears suddenly, surpassing anything you've ever experienced, making you involuntarily intoxicated..."

The Grave Keeper had simply stopped walking, and it seemed that merely reminiscing about Bliss was making it difficult for him to extricate himself.

"Of course, some people don't think so, so they go to church to pray, although in my opinion that's useless."

"In that sense, you might be very lucky to be associated with Bliss, because you actually wanted to come to the church right away."

Fortunately, he finally answered the question and even gave Fu Qian a good review.

"I just wanted to see what the difference was, but after you said that, I'm indeed a little more curious."

Fu Qian wasn't proud because of this.

"Don't worry, you'll soon be able to satisfy your curiosity. You'll be there after you pass through here."

The Grave Keeper smiled and pointed ahead.

"I hope you won't be disappointed."

…

He really wasn't disappointed.

The Grave Keeper's directions were very accurate. Soon, the two of them were standing in front of a unique small church.

Looking at the familiar shape, Fu Qian sighed in his heart even before entering the door.

It wasn't because the replica in the City of Sin was too good, but because the church in front of him had something more.

It was an almost circular emblem, formed by slender, elongated lines resembling finger bones.

The Finger Sphere, a research project involving the 'Ecstasy' transcendent item, conducted in cooperation with the Night Watch as a professor at the Academy.

Unlike the color scheme of the small church in the City of Sin, the building in front of him was pure white from beginning to end…

There was a reason for choosing this place as the first stop.

When he first visited that small church, he regretted that the church in the 'City of Bliss' wasn't the White-Headed Sanctuary.

After learning that it was just a virtual projection of a certain prototype, how could he not come and observe it properly?

The facts proved that the original was indeed a white church with a Finger Sphere emblem.

Without even needing to enter, he could see from this position that the interior arrangement was somewhat different from the one in the City of Sin, that familiar long table…

As the saying goes, perseverance pays off. In the end, he had found the White-Headed Sanctuary one step ahead of the Night Watch?

However, although its appearance in the Land of Bliss was fitting, the meaning behind it was clearly not simple.

At the very least, the danger level of this mission had to be increased.

"How is it? It's open all day, you can stay as long as you want."

At this time, the Grave Keeper beside him had already taken the initiative to ask about his feelings.

"Not disappointed at all."

Naturally, nothing could be seen on Fu Qian's face, and with a slight nod, he continued forward and entered the White-Headed Sanctuary.

…

Long table, seats, altar, emblem… and the ubiquitous silky curtains hanging from above.

It was indeed the exact same arrangement, the place he had rated as having great commercial potential.

And it was more tolerant than he had imagined, not showing any unfriendly reaction to someone who had once blasted its projection to smithereens.

"So, whose church is this?"

Without turning around, Fu Qian knew that the Grave Keeper had followed him in.

"Is there even a need to ask? Of course, it symbolizes pure Bliss."

The Grave Keeper seemed puzzled.

"It has never been the church of any god. It has been here for thousands of years."