The Monk That Wanted To Renounce Asceticism
chapter-1375

Chapter 1375: Lifespan

Fangzheng said, “We are a planet, not a piece of paper! Besides, there is a universe outside the planet!”

The System said, “That’s just what you think. It might not be true. What you view as the huge Earth might be only an atom in the eyes of others. The universe you find vast and endless might just be the cells on some leaf. A world in a grain of sand is not a simple divine power but a description of the world.”

Fangzheng was somewhat enlightened, but he said indignantly, “Then what does this have to do with the cause of the world destruction?”

The System continued, “That’s because the formation of the world doesn’t have any rules to speak of. The living beings in the world don’t know if they are truly boundless or so puny that an accident might destroy it. The world may seem mighty, but in reality, it’s extremely fragile.

“Perhaps a gust of wind might strip all moisture from the world, or perhaps an accidental kick by a creation… There are too many reasons for the destruction of the world. How do you expect me to help you guess? How do I use the elimination method?”

Fangzheng was left speechless.

The System’s words reminded Fangzheng of a story.

There were a bunch of chickens in the chicken farm which had lived there since they were young. They imagined that the chicken farm was the entire world, that this world was secure and reliable with abundant food. No enemy could threaten them! All the bugs were their food…

Until one day, the farm owner killed all the chickens during the new year.

None of the chickens knew how they died…

According to the System, mankind was like the chickens. Once the world was destroyed, there was no previews to serve as a warning. Things would just end…

However, Fangzheng did not give up and asked, “Is there nothing that can be done?”

The System said, “You can try to level up your Heavenly Eye. When the Heavenly Eye reaches level nine, you can see the future. You might be able to find the mystery through the Heavenly Eye.”

Fangzheng immediately rushed out when he heard that.

Ignoring Red Boy and company’s surprised looks, Fangzheng picked up the Merit Box and ran back.

Red Boy and company noticed that Fangzheng’s actions were odd. They also ran into the meditation room.

The moment Fangzheng entered, he poured the money out of the box…

Upon seeing Fangzheng do so, Red Boy shouted, “No!”

However, it was already too late. With a whoosh, Fangzheng failed to figure out the situation. Everything was pitch black!

The smell of paper inundated his olfactory senses, or perhaps, it could be said to be the smell of money…

Only then did Fangzheng understand why Red Boy said no. There was tons of money!

“Wow, so much money!” Squirrel appeared especially excited as he swam around in the pile of money.

Lone Wolf tried his best to pop his head out of the pile of money and sneezed. Then, a coin flew out.

Red Boy said helplessly, “Master, I told you not to pour it out. We are very rich now.”

Fangzheng was rendered speechless. He knew that he had money, but he never expected that there would be so much money!

Fangzheng did not investigate and directly asked the System, “System, how much is this? Is it enough to level up?”

The System said, “It’s enough to upgrade the Heavenly Eye to the highest level. Do you want to level it up?”

Fangzheng immediately said. “Level it up!”

The next moment, Fangzheng saw that most of the money he had yet to kiss was gone!

Following that, he felt a force suddenly enter his eyes from the void. His eyes burned with pain as though they were burning. Fangzheng could not help but rub his eyes. When he opened his eyes again, he felt that the entire world was weird. It was as though the entire world was spinning and changing. For example, the money in front of him had instantly turned to ashes!

Another example was looking at Squirrel. In the next moment, there was a pile of bones…

Looking at his bed, he realized that it had become a cultural relic in an instant…

Fangzheng immediately felt his scalp tingle. He knew that it wasn’t an illusion, but a future!

In the future, money would burn. Squirrel would grow old, and he would die as well. Then, his items would be put away as a cultural relic…

“Is this the outcome of the future? Isn’t it too tragic?” Fangzheng mumbled inwardly.

At the same time, Fangzheng subconsciously looked at Squirrel. He realized that Squirrel was emitting Buddhistic light, as though he had become Buddha! When he looked at the blanket, it looked brand new, with Buddhistic glow circling it…

Fangzheng was dumbfounded. What was happening?

The System said, “You have just upgraded the Heavenly Eye, so you are still not familiar with its powers. If you randomly activate it, your mind will be in a mess. There are endless possibilities in the future. The further the future is, the more changes there will be. No one can figure out everything of the future. What you see is only one of the thousands of futures.”

Only then did Fangzheng realize that he had been looking too far into the future.

“Master, what are you looking at? Why are your eyes glowing?” Squirrel asked out of curiosity.

Fangzheng shook his head. “It’s fine. Put away the money. I need some quiet time.”

The disciples were confused, but they did as instructed and left.

Fangzheng sat cross-legged on the brick bed and began studying the Heavenly Eye…

The Heavenly Eye was different from the Great Strength Vajra Palm. Back then, Fangzheng learned the Great Strength Vajra Palm in an instant and became proficient in it. He could do as he pleased.

However, Fangzheng found it difficult to use the Heavenly Eye. It was very troublesome to control it. To do as he wished, he needed to practice.

At that moment, the System said, “You should refrain from using the Heavenly Eye too much.”

Fangzheng asked perplexed, “Why?”

The System said, “You don’t have any Dharmic powers. The consequences are very serious if you randomly use potent divine powers. The ninth level Heavenly Eye is not an ordinary Heavenly Eye. The ordinary Heavenly Eye is like ordinary minor divine powers—it only consumes your mental strength. However, the ninth level Heavenly Eye can instantly drain all of your mental strength! Even if you have some Buddhistic powers, it will be a drop in the bucket. You won’t be able to use the divine power.”

Fangzheng was immediately amused when he heard that. “System Bro, are you kidding me? If I can’t cast a divine power, then what is the thing I’m using now?”

The System said, “If we were to forcefully use it, it would not be draining your mental strength but your life!”

Fangzheng’s heart palpitated when he heard that.

The System continued, “It consumes vitality, which is also your lifespan.”

Fangzheng hurriedly deactivated his Heavenly Eye and took a mirror to look into it. Others might not be able to tell, but Fangzheng could tell that there were signs of age on his face!

The System said, “Saw it? The Heavenly Eye you activated just now was activated subconsciously. You saw into the far future and the recent future, as well as use it on individual objects. Therefore, there wasn’t much consumption. Even so, you have already spent a year’s worth of lifespan. If you were to look at a bigger world, would you be willing to spend a year’s lifespan for a second?”

When Fangzheng heard that, he subconsciously swallowed his saliva and said, “W… Wouldn’t it mean that I’ll die after I’m done watching?”

The System said, “In fact, even if you have powerful Dharmic powers and divine powers, looking at the future is a form of theft. It’s inevitable that you’ll lose some of your lifespan. However, an immortal’s lifespan is long, so they don’t care about a thousand years or so.”