Shino hummed a little tune as he left the area with light steps.
He stood by the roadside, patiently waiting for the bus.
"The places where rich people live are truly different. Shady trees, fresh air, just like a large park."
Shino sighed inwardly, filled with anticipation for his future life.
The bus slowly approached, and he paid the fare and boarded.
There were quite a few passengers inside the bus, mostly exhausted office workers, all looking listless.
Shino found a window seat and enjoyed the street view flashing quickly outside.
Compared to this place, where he lived was worlds apart.
The place Shino lived was Tokyo's infamous slum, with dilapidated apartment buildings huddled together like rows of tottering building blocks.
The people living there were a mixed bag, a blend of all sorts of characters.
There were idle delinquents, shut-in perverts, and otaku who never left their rooms.
Shino chose to live here out of necessity, as he was short on cash.
Downstairs from the apartment building, several strangely dressed delinquents were gathered, puffing smoke.
Seeing Shino, one of the guys with dyed yellow hair whistled.
"Yo, isn't this the 'Venerable Monk'? Going out to 'save all sentient beings' again?"
Shino ignored them and walked straight into the apartment building.
In the hallway, a musty, old stench assaulted him, making him nauseous.
The walls were plastered with various small advertisements, most of them indecent.
Shino's room was at the end of the third-floor corridor.
The room was pitifully small, less than ten square meters.
But Shino kept the room meticulously tidy.
A bed, a table, and a simple wardrobe were all his worldly possessions.
Although the wallpaper was peeling, Shino had carefully covered it with old newspapers, giving the room a unique "flavor."
After entering the room, Shino carefully arranged his ritual implements one by one.
The vajra bell, Buddhist scroll painting, mandala. These were his bread and butter, and they could not be damaged in the slightest.
He took out the envelope Mitsuko had given him from the sleeve of his monk's robe.
Opening it, he found a thick stack of ten-thousand-yen notes.
Shino counted them carefully, note by note.
"Ten thousand... twenty thousand... one hundred thousand!"
"A full one hundred thousand yen!"
Shino's eyes lit up, unable to hide his excitement.
One hundred thousand yen. This was no small sum.
"Money still comes fast this way!"
Shino grinned, revealing his white teeth.
"Half a month's living expenses, easily sorted!"
He clapped his hands, feeling delighted.
"In this day and age, you still have to trust 'Science'!"
Shino muttered to himself.
If anyone nearby heard that, they would probably faint on the spot.
A monk who relies on feudal superstition to swindle people actually has the nerve to mention "Science"? His audacity was off the charts.
But then again, in a place like Japan, feudal superstition is indeed deeply ingrained.
Various shrines and temples are scattered everywhere, and people constantly flock to worship gods and seek Buddha.
It was no wonder Shino's set of cons could succeed repeatedly.
In Japan, monks and temples enjoy high social status and are very wealthy. Marrying a rich and beautiful woman and reaching the pinnacle of life is not a dream at all.
Shino carefully put the money away. This was the guarantee for his future life, and there could be absolutely no mistakes.
"Now, it's time to handle the real business!"
Shino rubbed his hands together, his face full of anticipation.
"Activate the Novice Gift Pack!"
He chanted silently in his heart, unable to wait.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra!"
"Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Acala Honored Deity Visualization Method!"
"Congratulations, Host, you have obtained: Ritual Implement: forehead bone rosary beads!"
The system notification sound rang clearly in Shino's mind.
Immediately afterward, three spheres of light, shining with different colors, appeared out of thin air before Shino.
Inside the first sphere of light were six golden Sanskrit characters, radiating brilliance, solemn and sacred.
Inside the second sphere of light was the Dharma Form of a Bright King with three heads and six arms, immensely mighty and imposing.
Inside the third sphere of light was a string of prayer beads made of eighteen skull brow bones, emitting a faint, mysterious glow.
Shino reached out and gently touched the first sphere of light.
"Om Mani Padme Hum..."
Instantly, solemn and sacred Buddhist chants echoed in his mind.
Shino unconsciously began to chant along.
"Om..."
Thunderous sounds burst forth from his tongue, and faint golden Buddhist light began to appear around him.
"Ma..."
The Buddhist light grew brighter.
"Ni..."
"Pad..."
"Me..."
"Hum..."
With every word chanted, Shino felt a subtle change occurring in his body.
After completing one round of the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra, Shino felt refreshed and invigorated.
"This feeling is truly wonderful!"
He let out a long breath.
"All those distracting thoughts have completely vanished!"
Shino felt an unprecedented stability in his mind and a profound inner peace.
He picked up the forehead bone rosary beads that emitted a faint glow.
They felt warm and smooth to the touch, carrying a slight coolness that brought tranquility to his mind.
Shino gently touched the second sphere of light.
The Honored Deity Dharma Form of Acala instantly appeared clearly in his mind.
That Dharma Form had wide, wrathful eyes, held various ritual implements, and was immensely mighty, inspiring awe.
Shino began chanting the Six-Syllable Great Bright Mantra while visualizing the Honored Deity Acala.
At the same time, he slowly rotated the forehead bone rosary beads in his hand.
Gradually, Shino's body became enveloped in a faint layer of golden Buddhist light.
The Buddhist light grew brighter and more dazzling, illuminating the entire cramped room.
Suddenly, Shino felt a surge of fiery energy in his lower abdomen.
"This is..."
Shino was startled and slightly confused.
Immediately afterward, the hot current rapidly spread upward along his spine.
Wherever it passed, his bones made faint cracking sounds, and his muscles slightly trembled.
Shino clearly felt that his body was undergoing earth-shattering changes.
This was the legendary Bone Cleansing and Marrow Purification.
Shino's consciousness was completely immersed in cultivation, oblivious to everything external.
After an unknown amount of time passed, Shino suddenly opened his eyes.
"Holy cow, what is that smell?"
He was nearly overwhelmed by the pungent odor.
He saw that his body was covered in a thick layer of black grime, sticky and emitting a nauseating stench.
"This... this is too exaggerated!"
Shino pinched his nose, his face showing disgust.
He quickly rushed out of the room and ran toward the apartment's communal bathroom.
Shino burst into the bathroom and turned on the faucet.
Cold, clear water poured down, washing over his body and carrying away the grime.
He lowered his head and carefully examined his body.
His formerly somewhat thin physique had become firm and well-proportioned, brimming with power.
His skin was fair and delicate, glowing with a faint, healthy luster.
Six clearly defined abdominal muscles were visible, full of masculine charm.
"This effect is absolutely miraculous!"
Shino could not help but exclaim.
"It's practically a complete transformation!"
He looked in the mirror and rubbed his chin.
"Hmm, I'm even more handsome than before!"
Shino grinned, revealing his white teeth.
Now, he had even more capital to "save all sentient beings"!
...
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