New concept of the mysterious way to ascend to immortality

Chapter 165 Strange Tales of the Bus?

Boarding the train, Yuan Zhu glanced towards the back and noticed that two-thirds of the seats in both carriages were already occupied. He hadn't expected that even though he'd arrived early, there were still quite a few people catching the first train.

Then, he noticed something interesting. The bus had an aisle in the middle, with three rows of seats on each side. Most passengers chose seats further away from the windows, closer to the aisle.

Furthermore, most passengers remained remarkably quiet; some wore eye masks and closed their eyes to rest, while others read magazines or novels under the roof lights. A very small minority were wearing high-end devices resembling portable music players (headphones) and listening to music.

Is the technology of the Dulings really that advanced?

After scanning the carriages, he chose an empty seat on the left-hand side near the window in the first carriage. To his right sat a middle-aged man in a suit.

Seeing Yuan Zhu approach, he nodded politely, then stood up to offer his seat, displaying excellent manners. However, the car remained silent throughout, with no indication that the other party intended to speak.

So Yuan Zhu didn't start a conversation, but instead slightly lifted the curtain covering the window and looked outside. In the spacious station square, cars of varying lengths were parked. Not far away, lines of passengers were orderly queuing to board the trains.

About 10 minutes later, the two carriages where Yuan Zhu was located were almost full. After a few passengers boarded, they found that the middle seats were already taken and, unwilling to sit by the window, got off the bus to transfer, looking annoyed.

At this moment, a short man, only 1.4 meters tall and carrying a thermos, struggled to step onto the bus stairs and nodded to the ticket inspector, who had her eyes bandaged, arms crossed, and remained motionless.

Then, looking at all the passengers, he said, "Hello everyone, I am the driver of this bus. I have a few words to say to you. Whether you have taken a bus to Taixi before or not, please remember the following: First, during the journey, opening any windows is strictly prohibited. There is a ventilation system on the roof, so opening the windows for ventilation is strictly forbidden. If it is not necessary, please do not pull back the curtains to look out after entering the mountainous area. There is no scenery in the foggy area; on the contrary, it is easy to attract bad luck."

Yuan Zhu: "!!!"

The young man from the mountainous area, full of anticipation to broaden his horizons in a big city, was surprised to find himself facing some bizarre rules on his very first long-distance bus ride. How could there be such terrifying rules on a bus in our peaceful and harmonious city?
The short driver saw that everyone's reaction was lukewarm, which meant they were all aware of the common sense about this, but due to work rules, he had no choice but to continue reading from the script without any emotion.

"Secondly, during the journey, please refrain from making loud noises or shouting that may disturb others' rest. If you absolutely must speak, please call the flight attendant directly."

As he spoke, he pointed his palm at the broad and steady figure behind him, quite politely.

"During the journey, passengers may experience different things. Some people will not feel anything unusual at all, while others may hear singing, cries for help, laughter, or conversations between relatives... In short, do not believe, do not become obsessed, do not respond, and do not be afraid. If you are worried about your self-control, don't worry. This train offers free bandaging and a one-time paid gag service. Those who need it can contact the crew."

Yuan Zhu: "???"

What kind of weird training-themed supernatural rules are these? You even have to pay to have a gag in your mouth?

Then, the short driver held up three fingers: "Thirdly, during the trip, do not try to interfere with my work. After the vehicle starts, you are not allowed to leave your seat, ask to go to the toilet, or ask to stop the vehicle midway... You'd better hold it in if you need to poop or pee. There are three rest stops on this trip, about once every two hours. You can get off the vehicle to relieve yourself or buy lunch."

"Finally, a friendly reminder. On every train journey, there are always a few passengers who lack self-control and, affected by the environment of the Misty Mountains, cause inconvenience to other passengers. In such cases, the train staff will perform adjustments and maintenance. Please do not be nervous, panicked, or surprised. The train staff's actions are all normal... Please take it in stride!"

"Hmm... let me add something. The songs, laughter, incomprehensible murmurs, secrets revealed by relatives and friends, and even predictions about lotteries and horse racing that you hear during your journey... are all normal phenomena. You will still remember them clearly after leaving the foggy area, so please don't take them seriously. However! If any of you hear unfamiliar voices imparting or instilling certain knowledge in you, and the impression is exceptionally deep and clear, please don't take it for granted and think that you have encountered a miracle, and keep it to yourself."

"Please contact the station immediately after you get off the train. If you don't trust the station, you can go to the hospital on your own and seek treatment at the [Holy Light Exorcism Clinic]. Of course, if you insist on believing the 'knowledge' you hear on the train, then I can only wish you all the best. Now that I've finished speaking, please fasten your seatbelts and call the crew if you need anything."

After saying that, the short driver climbed over a raised device and onto the driver's seat. He took out a shoebox-thick soft cushion from under the seat, placed it in the cushion, and then laboriously sat up high to make sure he could see the scenery outside the window.

Then, he bent down and put on a prosthetic leg, which was similar to a stilt, on his right foot to ensure that his short leg could step on the pedals in time.

These scenes made Yuan Zhu's eyes twitch.

"Tiaotiao, did we choose the wrong car? A seat cushion plus fake legs, driving on mountain roads, it's going to be a nightmare!"

Spicy Strips retorted, "I have a different opinion! The fact that the long-distance bus station can let someone with such short legs be a driver shows they're capable. Being able to stand out from a group of tall, normal-looking drivers means their driving skills are even more superb!"

"Right!"

The vehicle started, roared, and vibrated; whether Yuan Zhu regretted it or not, it was too late. The vehicle slowly drove off towards the street outside the gate.

At this moment, Yuan Zhu keenly noticed a significant energy reaction in the 'bus's' power system. He was very familiar with this 'pollution fluctuation,' recognizing it as the [industrial element device] he had encountered in the lighting factory and the counterfeit liquor he had bought for No. 3.

Spicy Strips also pointed out, "Boss, I have a keen sense that something's off about this car and the 'fake leg' that's driving it."

Yuan Zhu: "What's wrong? Is there some kind of conspiracy on this train? Am I just that unlucky?"

"No, that's not it. I just noticed that the 'driver' and the 'car' have some kind of hidden connection, not like a normal driving relationship, but rather with a 'professional' feel to it. Do you think this 'long-distance driver' could also be a kind of 'pollution system'? It's just that the (pollution) feeling he gives me isn't strong, and the 'extraordinary modifications' to this car aren't many either, only accounting for 1/20 of the entire car."

Yuan Zhu also analyzed the situation based on his understanding of the Spirit World: "I think this isn't some kind of systematic [supernatural system]. But the driver must have received limited pollution modification and training, and... perhaps he was even blessed by some kind of [drifting god, mountain road god]?"

As a prospective [Anti-Herrscher], he often puts himself into the role beforehand, imagining what he would do after unlocking the [Anti-Herrscher].

If he intends to expand and strengthen the White Feather Society and transform it into a legitimate organization, then he will inevitably need to cultivate a group of core members and bestow upon them 'extraordinary power'.

This blessing is more powerful than the [Holy Cough], and its effects are continuous and effective. However, it is not as formal as the [Holy Mark], which directly elevates one to the 'Transcendent System'.

Only by possessing limited extraordinary power, gaining a sense of superiority among ordinary people, and being able to manifest divine abilities with certain effects, can one obtain satisfaction and vanity. This driver's condition fits his expectations. First, he has rich work experience; second, his skills have been honed to a level beyond that of ordinary humans, spontaneously developing 'extraordinary driving skills'? But it doesn't reach the level of a 'seed,' not constituting a systematic upgrade path, but it's more than enough to traverse the dangerous Misty Mountains.

...

The vehicle quickly drove away from the city, and vegetation and trees gradually appeared on both sides of the road. As they got closer to the foot of the mountain, the vegetation on both sides of the road became more lush and taller.

Because it has been neglected for years, coupled with a year-round suitable temperature (no distinct seasons) and abundant rainfall, the large trees on both sides of the road have intertwined and blocked out the entire road, creating a gloomy, desolate, damp, and eerie atmosphere...

Yuan Zhu sat in the first carriage, looking out the windshield. He could clearly see wisps of white mist gradually emerging ahead of the dim, dark green road. The ground was damp, and he could even hear the croaking of toads rushing past the window.

At this point, several passengers who were not mentally prepared or who were prone to motion sickness and whose faces had turned pale began to speak in hushed tones, calling for the flight attendants.

Sitting motionless at the front of the train, like an indestructible, fleshy Barbie doll, the flight attendant's ears twitched slightly, and she clearly heard the faint call from the second carriage.

Standing up, turning around, and steadily stepping onto the corridor, she walked briskly to the second section. Then came a series of efficient and swift packing movements, using a rope to tie the passenger to the seat, while simultaneously raising two fingers and swiftly striking the other person in the abdomen.

The passenger, who had been pale, let out a painful groan from his mouth and nose. Then, his face quickly regained color, and his body, which had been convulsing in pain, showed a slightly comfortable and relaxed expression.

Soon, several more passengers willingly accepted these strange services. Some even volunteered to be bound, specifically requesting that the straps be wrapped around their abdomens several times and tightened. Others called for a "punching service," as if the flight attendant's "pressure point attack" had the therapeutic effects of acupuncture?
Fortunately, no one chose the 'paid gag ball' service, otherwise it would have been too weird! In addition, the opaque windows on both sides of the car were covered by curtains, giving people the feeling that they had gotten on the wrong car and that something big was about to happen.

...

The flight attendant remained silent, only attacking and tying up passengers. Only after no one called for her did she return to her seat, leaving everyone with a broad, steady, and reliable figure.

These seemingly mute-like scenes made Yuan Zhu seriously suspect that this woman might be practicing the "Way of Strength"? Was she secretly training her muscles every day after get off work? She was both strong and reliable.

Little Spicy Strip retorted, "It doesn't seem like it! Although I haven't officially come into contact with and recorded the polluted aura of the [Path of Power], the other party doesn't give me the feeling of being a [Frog God] follower. This 'flight attendant giant mom' looks strong, but the terrifying and powerful physical body doesn't seem to be cultivated later, but rather innate divine power. The aura within her body is very restrained and low-key, and orderly and steady, like the [Earth], inclusive and stable. It makes people feel very... good!"

Hearing the description of the spicy snack, Yuan Zhu couldn't help but nod in agreement. This "giant mom's" back view looked as solid and reliable as a mountain. Just like in everyday life, although she was frighteningly large and her face wasn't particularly kind or gentle, she was surprisingly dependable and trustworthy.

...

As the vehicle entered the winding mountain road of the Misty Mountains, constantly spinning, turning, and drifting in large loops, Yuan Zhu, who was pressed against the window, had nothing to do. Seeing that no one took the initiative to talk to him, he couldn't help but quietly untie a corner of the curtain and peer into the window to observe the outside world.

At this point, the bus had not yet entered the dangerous 'fog zone,' so theoretically, taking a few more glances wouldn't be dangerous.

In the distance, towering mountains stretched endlessly, steep and imposing, like barriers reaching to the sky, exceeding the upper limit of the view from the car window. The mountains were not only steep but also lush and verdant with vegetation, shrouded in layers of mist, creating a breathtakingly picturesque scene, as if one were traveling through the clouds.

However, his actions drew dissatisfaction from many passengers around him. Several passengers near him frequently turned to look at him, showing impatience, hoping that he would consciously close the window and not recklessly violate the rules of the train.

But Yuan Zhu didn't turn around at all, ignoring the gaze behind him, and continued to watch curiously.

Finally, a fat man couldn't help but speak up: "Hey! Kid, didn't you hear the previous instructions? Don't touch the curtains like that, close them properly!"

Then someone else spoke up: "Flight attendant, aren't you going to keep an eye on this kid? If he delays the trip, it won't be good for anyone."

Upon hearing this, Bandaged Barbie's ears twitched slightly. She stood up again and turned to look at where Yuan Zhu was.

Despite the lack of sight, everyone felt that the other's eyes were precisely locked onto Yuan Zhu's location, and their bodies exuded a suppressive aura, silently pressuring and warning him.

This indicates that passengers should not challenge the authority of the crew while the train is in motion.

Yuan Zhu simply raised a finger, and the aura of [Holy Light] flashed by, dispelling the cold, damp, and misty atmosphere that was gradually gathering in the carriage.

The surrounding passengers immediately fell silent and showed expressions of surprise.

Great! It's a holy monk, we're saved!!
On the contrary, after sensing the 'holy light,' the flight attendant actively dispelled the silent and oppressive force and nodded slightly to Yuan Zhu, indicating her approval.

This time, Yuan Zhu didn't foolishly untie the curtains. Instead, he chose to cover his head with the curtains, so as not to disturb the rest of the surrounding passengers, and to 100% foolishly look directly at the scenery outside the window.

The winding mountain road in the Misty Mountains is exceptionally steep. Every time you make a sharp turn, you have the illusion of being suspended in mid-air, about to be thrown off a cliff and fall to your death.

In fact, he was truly flying out at that moment, suspended in mid-air outside the cliff. However, due to the strange structure of the two carriages, it created a state of 'folding and drifting'.

Fold your arms over and place your fists against your chest. Now, your fists are the front of the first carriage, your shoulders are the rear of the second carriage, and your elbows are dangling over the edge of the cliff.

What else could Yuan Zhu say?
This scene, defying all common sense, is simply astonishing. The construction of this dilapidated car is incomprehensible, and the driver's skill level is even more baffling; it's all an effect of 'extraordinary driving skills'.

My C1 license was wasted; this is the real driving god.

(End of this chapter)