Chapter 58

By the way, Ms. Beverly, I actually came here to offer you some help."

"What?"

Beverly turned around, puzzled.

Randy smiled and asked, "Do you have a flower pot? Something about the size of a head will do."

"Let me find one for you. I should have one."

After wiping her hands clean, Beverly hurried back to the living room and found a brown ceramic pot.

"Will this work?"

"It's perfect."

Randy reached into his pocket and, pulling out a seed, tossed it into the pot.

"This is a lotus seed I specially bought. With proper care, it will quickly grow into a very beautiful flower. The lotus has a calming effect; you can share your worries with it. The flower is very willing to listen."

Randy picked up the pot and turned on the faucet to fill it with water.

"Believe me, Ms. Beverly, there were many times when I was at my lowest and thought of ending it all. It was these thriving flowers that kept me going. Observing its changes will help you find inner peace and make you love life more."

"Thank you, Randy. I'll take good care of it."

Beverly was touched. This was a special gift for her. "So, what should I keep in mind? Do I need to change the water?"

"No, no, no. Just spend time with it, care for it, and talk to it."

Randy answered with a smile.

The medium for absorbing faith can vary; in Caurea, it can be a pickle jar or a watermelon rind. Now that Randy is the lotus itself, he naturally chose the lotus as the medium for absorbing faith.

He could clearly perceive the state of the seed he left behind—when it would bloom and when it could be harvested.

Cultivating the lotus of faith requires no nutrients, only human will, emotions, and desires.

The stronger the emotions provided, the faster the lotus blooms, and the person's heart gradually becomes entrapped. Eventually, the faith can be harvested and refined.

Of course, this kind of faith, proven in previous lives, is particularly chaotic. So, this lotus left at Beverly's home is different.

Randy decided to use this lotus as the primary plant. Once it grows seeds, he would spread them around. The faith collected by the seedlings would be fed back to the primary plant, and when the seedlings mature and produce seeds, they would spread further…

In this way, Beverly would be the agent collecting faith, then a first-level follower, and eventually a higher-level believer…

Randy only needed to focus on this one plant.

He wasn't worried about Beverly turning against him midway, because once the lotus seed begins to sprout, his fervent seeds would also start to grow.

Later, Beverly brought out some of Carl's belongings and gave them to Randy, asking about his recent situation with concern. Randy smiled and responded to each question.

After helping Beverly set up the lotus, Randy tentatively asked, "By the way, Ms. Beverly, do you have time tonight?"

"What?"

Beverly looked confused, thinking she might have misheard.

Randy explained, "Officer Jackson… wants to invite you to dinner."

Beverly then relaxed, quickly adjusting her hair. Her mood was somewhat displeased. She was well aware of Jackson's intentions, but didn't expect him to be so impatient.

"I have plans to meet some old friends tonight. Also, please tell Officer Jackson that I'm not in the mood for anything else right now."

It seemed the plot hadn't changed; their gathering would still be at the town's Chinese restaurant. Tonight, Randy planned to stake out nearby.

However, he first needed to justify himself.

"Alright, I'm really sorry, but Officer Jackson has always taken good care of me. I couldn't refuse his request…"

After all, Jackson indeed had feelings for Beverly and wanted Randy to help. Taking the blame wasn't unreasonable.

Beverly shouldn't have men around her right now; she needed to immerse herself in her grief.

"It's not your fault."

Beverly offered comfort, feeling that Randy was truly kind and didn't understand how to refuse others.

After helping Beverly place the lotus pot properly, Randy got up to leave.

"Now, just wait for Pennywise to show up tonight."

However, Randy had another important task: to create his own domain centered around Derry.

He needed to spread his exclusive seeds around Derry, making every part of the town bloom with fresh lotuses. These seeds would also assimilate surrounding plants, turning the whole town into his territory.

Not only did he need to monitor every action in town, but he also had to find out where Pennywise's friends were hiding!

And that company spreading the cursed lights.

There could only be one cult in the town, and that would be my Lotus Cult!

From now on, this place would no longer be under God's control, so it would be renamed "New Derry"!

Randy needed to eliminate or control all potential evils, with Pennywise being the first target.

…

Many police officers were woken up early in the morning by a phone call.

There had been three consecutive cases of child abuse in the eastern suburbs of the town!

This was a more heinous event than a disappearance case!

The chief was extremely angry and ordered the mobilization of all on-duty officers and auxiliary police, and also recalled retired officers and military personnel.

In addition to necessary clue searches, a city-wide search and patrol were to be conducted!

Mike and Jackson were currently in the eastern suburbs, registering at the last victim's home.

A distraught mother recounted the morning's experience:

"I called my child to come downstairs for breakfast, but there was no response. So, I went upstairs, and when I opened the door to the room, I found him dead on the bed, his body gutted and his limbs twisted…"

Mike frowned and asked, "Was there anything unusual about his behavior last night? For example, did he see any strange people?"

The mother continued, "No, last night around nine or ten, I read him a bedtime story. And I'm sure all the windows were locked at that time."

"Ah."

Jackson sighed, "Don't be too upset, ma'am. At least your child lived through the holidays before he died."

The mother looked incredulous, "What are you saying?"

Jackson, realizing he might have said the wrong thing, quickly added, "I mean, there are three more unfortunate kids who disappeared right after school on Friday, not even getting to enjoy their holiday. Compared to them…"

Seeing the mother about to lose her temper, Mike quickly interrupted Jackson.

"Enough, Jackson, you go wait in the car."

"Alright."

Jackson had no choice but to leave dejectedly.

Mike sincerely apologized, "I'm sorry, ma'am. I understand your feelings, and we will do our best to find the culprit…"

"And what good will that do? My child won't come back. This town needs someone who can truly protect us…"

Mike was at a loss for words.

There were Native Americans who could deal with Pennywise, but unfortunately, they only appeared in the history books of Derry. All that remained was a skull, preserved in the local museum.

Pennywise was an evil spirit not under God's control.

(I'll clarify again, I've modified the clown's setting. In the original work, it's an alien monster and a Cthulhu-like deity. Here, I've set it as a powerful evil spirit.)