Create USB Boot drive for MacAir M2

If I used an external drive through Time Machine to mirror my SSD as a back up sounds like the backup would contain the very corrupted files/data I want to remove. I have little need for my personal files to be backed up regularly and USB drive used every few months does that fine. What I am after is the ability to erase a corrupted OS on the SSD then install a fresh copy, never used, of the OS. If that process removes my files, it is okay, I have them on USB. I have done this via a USB drive on an MS laptop.

What I would like to do:

Make a bootable USB drive by using my MacAir. That USB drive will have an OS copy on it that comes from the internet, not the MacAir, so it is a new, never used copy of the OS. That USB is used to start the computer. Once it has started up the computer, the new copy of the OS (made from online download) takes the place of the original OS that came with the computer. Next step is to set up the computer as if it were just delivered and update the OS to the most current version. If personal files are lost in the process, they can be loaded back from other USB drives.

You may be thinking of the process to take a PC back to a time point before an update or download of a driver. Yes, that is helpful, but not what I'm trying to do at present. I trying to make a USB drive with a copy of the Monterey OS, that will sit in a drawer until possibly needed to start over again with Monterey as if you just got a new computer.

What I am after possibly could be accomplished by just using the internet and Apple Support. I don't know. I have a USB drive sitting in a drawer right now, in case my PC gets bogged down with problems. I would like to have one for this new MacBook Air too. If I can make such a thing.

If using Erase All Content and Settings, takes the MacBook back to factory state, yet does not install a new copy of the OS, I take it that the Mac OS is incorruptible, that is, no virus or malware can invade the System Volume. The purpose of the MS USB boot and recovery drive is to format the entire SSD, then install a fresh new copy of the OS, then use other USB's to reinstall your personal files.

If I shut down the Mac, press and hold the start button, then follow instructions to install a new copy of the OS I take it the existing System Volume is erased/deleted and the new copy of the OS is installed in the previous contents of the System Volume, but if the System Volume never is changed by malware, then there would be no need to install a new copy of Monterey, etc. Why would getting a fresh copy of the Mac OS even be available if it does not fail?

So, after using Erase all Contents and Settings, is not the next step to use the internet to delete the contents of the System volume and install a new copy of the OS? I think once you sign in to do so the Apple system recognizes your computer and provides the correct version of your MacOS.

Where may I find the directions for Silicon Macs?

Please tell me the click path to get to what is shown in the above image. I have looked under the apple, screen preferences and can find nothing that looks like that on this MacBook Air 2022.