Ten Thousand Soul Banner: Deceased, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?-Chapter 1005 - 1001: The Loudspeaker

After bidding farewell to the herdsmen, they continued on their journey from Gulong Village to Bala Shengdu Village. The villages along the way were scattered between grasslands and river valleys, and the red walls and dark tiles of the Tibetan-style houses stood out against the backdrop of green trees.

On the meadow beside the village, herdsmen were driving cattle and sheep to graze, children ran and played on the grass, and occasionally you could see women in Tibetan clothing carrying baskets, picking wild vegetables from the prairie, presenting a serene and idyllic pastoral scene.

After going over mountains and wading through rivers, a wide river finally appeared before them, it was the Xianshui River.

The waters of the Xianshui River surged ceaselessly, its turquoise waves lapping at the riverbank, sending up fine sprays of water. The river wind carried moist vapor, tinged with the unique freshness and woody fragrance of the grasslands. Shen Siyuan stood on the riverbank with the children, looking into the distance where the mountain ranges undulated, the sky was clear and blue, and clouds drifted leisurely, reflecting in the river water like a magnificent moving painting.

At that moment, Dou Dou suddenly pointed to the hillside on the other side of the river and shouted, "Potato, look over there, there’s an old man."

"Speak with more respect," Shen Siyuan gently tapped her head.

"Then what should I call him?"

"Of course, it’s grandpa," said Duoduo.

Shen Siyuan also saw the person from afar and judging by the attire, it should be a lama.

"He seems to be waiting for us," Xiao Yue said with a look of confusion.

They said this because when they looked over there, the other person was also looking at them.

"Not seems, he is waiting for us. Let’s go," Shen Siyuan led the way down the slope.

"His hat is strange, like a rooster’s comb."

As soon as Duoduo said this, Dou Dou couldn’t help but laugh, and it was a kind of laughter she couldn’t stop.

Then Xiao Yue and Duoduo were influenced by her and also started laughing.

Shen Siyuan’s mouth twitched slightly and he explained, "That’s a lama, that’s his unique monk hat."

"Laba? Does that mean his voice is very loud?" Dou Dou asked curiously, then laughed again.

This time, Shen Siyuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud because, in Zone Z, a lama’s voice was indeed very loud.

As Shen Siyuan and the others approached, the lama actively came to greet them.

From afar, he greeted them loudly.

"Master Shen, I’ve been waiting for a long time," the old lama spoke with an aged but deep voice that had a peculiar penetrating power. Although his Mandarin was not fluent, his enunciation was clear.

Shen Siyuan was slightly startled, not expecting the old lama to know him and address him so respectfully.

He clasped his hands in a gesture of respect and replied: "Master, you are too courteous. May I know how Master recognizes me?"

The old lama smiled and shook the Buddha beads in his hand, glancing over Dou Dou, Xiao Yue, and Duoduo with a hint of approval in his eyes: "I have been cultivating here for many years and can sense the movements of nature’s spiritual energy. As you and your companions journey westward, your souls are clear, and your energy abundant, resonating with the world around. Naturally, I knew a person of the way was visiting."

He paused and then extended an inviting gesture: "The wind is strong here; there is an ancient temple across the Xianshui River cradled in the hillside, called the Pure Water Temple. It is where I cultivate. Though the temple is humble, it is peaceful. I would like to invite you and the young benefactors to rest for a while, have some butter tea to warm up."

Shen Siyuan saw the old lama’s clear eyes and harmonious aura, devoid of any malice, so he smiled and accepted, "Thank you, Master, for the generosity, and sorry for the trouble."

"No trouble at all. Buddhist law emphasizes connections. Your presence here signifies a bond with Pure Water Temple," the old lama smiled and turned to lead the way.

Walking along the path by the riverbank, with soft grass and scattered pebbles underfoot, the rushing Xianshui River beside them, and the mountain ranges stretching afar. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

The old lama introduced softly while walking: "This Pure Water Temple has been here for several centuries. Built alongside the Xianshui River, the water is clear and pure, capable of cleansing the soul, hence its name. Although not renowned, there is a steady flow of worshippers, mostly herdsmen from nearby coming to pray for blessings."

Along the way, Dou Dou curiously asked, "Big Lama, your voice isn’t loud at all."

Shen Siyuan wanted to stop her, but it was too late.

The old lama was initially stunned upon hearing this, and then burst into laughter, his voice resonating around.

Dou Dou nodded earnestly, "Hmm, now the voice is loud, no wonder you’re called Big Lama."

The old lama put his hands together and laughed, "Thank you, Zhu Gu Ma, for the praise."

Dou Dou scratched her little head, not understanding why he was thanking Zhu Gu Ma and who Zhu Gu Ma was.

But Shen Siyuan understood, thinking, Your Buddhist sect isn’t even pretending anymore, directly calling out Zhu Gu Ma.

Because "Zhu Gu" is the core term in Tibetan for "Living Buddha," meaning "reincarnated one."

It is used specifically for identifying reincarnated cultivators with authentic Buddhist heritage.

"Ma" is the feminine suffix indicating gender, meaning "female Living Buddha" or "reincarnated female saint."

It seems Shen Siyuan’s previous guess was correct, and Dou Dou is indeed the reincarnation of some great Buddhist power.

However, Shen Siyuan remained calm and did not treat her differently because of her identity, especially since there was still Duoduo beside him, not to mention an even more enigmatic Tang Tang.

The old lama continued leading the way ahead, smiling as he introduced his temple to everyone.

"The temple enshrines the Three Lives Buddha. The statues are sculpted by craftsmen of the past; although they are clay, they embody Buddhist principles and Zen insights. With a sincere heart, they respond."

Xiao Yue walked alongside, her gaze falling on the old lama, feeling amazed by the calm and harmonious aura he exuded.

Duoduo stayed closely by Shen Siyuan’s side, curiously observing the surroundings, occasionally bending down to pick up a peculiar little stone.

As they went deeper into the hillside, an ancient temple gradually came into view.

Pure Water Temple was not large in scale but nestled by the mountain and river with a clever layout.

The temple gate was made of wood, carved with ornate patterns of lotuses and scriptures, showing traces of age yet exuding the essence of time.

The courtyard inside the temple was clean and tidy, paved with stone slabs, and a few old cypress trees stood lush, casting dappled shadows.

The red walls and golden roofs of the main hall gleamed softly under the sunlight, with the faint sound of chanting coming from within, ethereal and distant.

The old lama led them into the main hall where the light was slightly dim, and the air was filled with the mixed aroma of butter and sandalwood.

The statues of the Three Lives Buddha sat on the altar, though not tall, they were exquisitely crafted, with dignified and compassionate expressions, their eyes seeming to contain endless Zen intent.

Butter lamps were placed before the altar, their flickering flames making the outlines of the Buddha statues even clearer.

"Master, please have a seat."

The old lama gestured for them to sit on the prayer mats by the side of the hall, then asked a young lama from the temple to bring butter tea and barley cakes.

The warm butter tea was rich and fragrant, the barley cakes had a slight wheat aroma, dispelling the dust and coldness from the journey.

Shen Siyuan held the tea bowl, looking at the Buddha statues and the chanting lamas in the hall, listening to the wind and river sounds outside, feeling a deep sense of tranquility.

As for Dou Dou and the others, they started wandering around the temple.