The Buddha Needs to Be Plated in Gold

The builders of the pagoda had managed to ensure that this tower would not fall for a thousand years, and even after suffering such a calamity, it could still guarantee the safety of those inside for a short time.

But now, the superb skills of a thousand years ago could no longer stop the combined invasion of time and the Honkai. The final collapse had begun.

No matter how unwilling Durandal was, the resolute attitude of the others and the external factors made her understand that a child who always wanted everything had to start making choices.

Choice has always been the right of an adult, and also a curse that only an adult can bear.

"Tch..." This was probably the dirtiest word Durandal had ever said. She took a deep breath, holding Xuanhui, and turned to rush towards the already collapsing gate of the pagoda.

But the speed of the pagoda's collapse was simply too fast. Durandal had only run a few steps when the already cracked load-bearing beam of the pagoda gate could no longer withstand the pressure and broke in the middle.

Almost half of the pagoda collapsed in an instant. The building debris fell to the ground like rain pouring from the sky.

It's too late! At this speed of descent, even I can't run out! Unless I throw away Xuanhui...

I've already abandoned so many people! Do I have to abandon the last person I could have saved?!

Durandal was unwilling, even more so, she was not reconciled! She felt that she could do it!

But... but it was really too late...

In a mad dash, Durandal looked at the space in front of her, which was now only a person's height. Durandal's hand, which was tightly gripping Xuanhui, couldn't help but loosen.

As long as she let go of Xuanhui, at this distance... she could rush out.

But what she was letting go of was a living life... she didn't know... didn't know what to do...

["You know what to do..."]

Otto's cold voice seemed to come from far, far away, like a蛊虫 [gǔchóng - a legendary venomous insect from Chinese folklore] that had bitten through Durandal's psychological defenses and drilled into her most chaotic and fragile place.

What should she do...

Durandal's hand loosened a little more.

["You should prioritize your own safety."]

Her breathing became difficult, as if a hand was covering her mouth and nose, trying to drag her into a cage, a cage she could never escape from, could never break free from...

Should she let go? Should she ensure her own safety?

Whose life should take priority? Should she protect others at all costs, or should she do as much as possible while ensuring her own safety?

Should she be a good person... or a saint?

...

"She"... should be a saint...

But I'm not "her"... I can't become "her"...

I'm not the [Durandal] in everyone's hearts.

I am...

K...

"Lady Durandal!"

An urgent cry suddenly came. Durandal suddenly came to her senses. Outside the pagoda, Rita and Li Sushang were also rushing towards her.

And looking down, Durandal found that her hand, which should have been almost completely loose, was still the same as before, still holding onto Xuanhui tightly, without a trace of letting go.

She... hadn't let go?

But it was too late. Whether it was her, Rita, or Li Sushang... it was too late...

BANG—!

A dull sound suddenly rang out. Durandal only felt a golden afterimage quickly pass by her, rushing to the front of her.

At the very last moment, that thing landed under the gate of the pagoda, using itself to support the collapsing Buddhist gate, creating a tiny gap!

There's time!!

Durandal was stunned for a moment. Looking over, she found that the thing that had created a path of life for her and Xuanhui was actually the golden Buddha that should have been placed on the lotus platform to receive offerings!

Only a golden body is immortal and can resist the collapse of the Buddhist gate!

"The Daoist Three Pure Ones are made of clay, poor and free... but the Buddha needs to be plated in gold... haha..." On the original lotus platform, one of the old monk's hands hung by his side, and strands of blood continuously flowed from his withered arm.

"A clay statue can't support a piece of the sky like this, right?"

He sat down cross-legged, exhausted. He looked at Durandal's back, laughed one last time, and raised his one movable hand.

"Amitabha... my Buddha is merciful..."

Durandal didn't even have time to look back. This chance of escape was fleeting. Durandal immediately charged forward, fell backward, and used her inertia to slide directly out of the small gap supported by the golden Buddha.

As she passed by the golden Buddha, Durandal's peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the shining golden Buddha statue.

A crack appeared on the peaceful mouth of the Buddha statue, curling slightly upwards, as if the Buddha was showing a faint smile.

The pagoda collapsed. On its thousandth birthday, it turned into ruins. In the pagoda were buried seven Buddhist disciples and a golden Buddha.

Durandal lay on the ground, not getting up immediately. It was the anxious Rita and Li Sushang who helped her up.

She had made a choice... and that old monk had, at that moment, guaranteed her right to choose.

Durandal looked back deeply at the pagoda, took a deep breath, and when she opened her eyes again, Rita suddenly felt that something about Durandal had changed.

"Let's go, Rita. Let's go complete the commission," Durandal said, picking up her weapon, her voice heavy. "Rita, I need a plan."

Rita was stunned for a moment. Durandal had said [commission], not [mission].

What was their commission?

To take the survivors here and leave.

"Understood, Lady Durandal." Rita knew this wasn't a good choice, nor was it the "knowing what to do" that Otto had instructed her.

But a slight smile appeared on her face as she looked at Durandal's back, who was already heading towards the mountainside.

"This is Lady Durandal... a person like a saint..."

"Lady Durandal, the plan is actually very simple." Rita caught up with Li Sushang, who was still a little confused. "According to the known intelligence, the Honkai Beast will drive away the Deadwalkers around it.

"Now that the Emperor-class Honkai Beast is approaching us, its appearance and proximity will cause the zombies and Deadwalkers at the foot of the mountain to flee to other places. So the only threat we will encounter when we go down the mountain now is that Honkai Beast.

"If we go down the mountain fast enough, we can leave with everyone in the time between the horde's departure and the Honkai Beast's arrival."

"And that time is probably..." Durandal lowered her head and pondered for a moment before giving a rough answer. "Looking at the Honkai Beast's speed, it should be between ten and thirty minutes from now.

"If we delay any longer, we will have to face that Emperor-class Honkai Beast head-on."