At the end of the You hour, the sky was completely dark.
West of Pingtan County, aside from an official road winding between small hills, both sides were wild, barren mountains. Even with Lu Zheng’s keen observation, all he could see were shadowy shapes, faintly accompanied by the howls of wolves and cries of crows.
About seven or eight miles from the city’s west gate, a dirt path branched off from the official road, stretching north toward a mountain where the long-abandoned Jiming Temple lay, deserted for over a decade.
“The west city road takes a long detour. This path has an exit in the northwest, closer for townsfolk traveling to Pingtan County. The nearest point to Jiming Temple is less than two miles away, which is why so many people have been affected there,” Yuanjing explained.
The trio reached the fork and walked two miles along the dirt path. Soon, they could faintly see golden light emanating from the forest on the mountain ahead.
“Thus have I heard… the White Buddha spoke… unless there is thought…” Chanting voices echoed, seeping into their ears.
“Buddhist light, golden radiance, and scripture chants,” Lu Zheng said, his eyes flashing. He activated the *Nine Heavens Golden Palace True Transformation Method*, guarding his spirit platform to remain untainted by dust or evil thoughts.
Yuanjing shrouded himself in cloud energy, while Guangyue’s eyes gleamed with sharp light. Though silent, his lips moved slightly, likely reciting Buddhist scriptures to himself.
The three pressed forward without pause, soon entering the three-mile radius of Jiming Temple. As they rounded the mountain path, unobstructed by rocks or trees, the source of the golden light and chants came into view.
“Good grief!”
“Immeasurable Heavenly Venerable!”
“Amitabha!”
It was a magnificent temple with golden gates, golden walls, and golden halls, as if forged entirely from pure gold. Above the gate, a plaque read “Great Liuli Temple” in four characters. They could even see over the gate’s eaves to the three-tiered buildings within, the rearmost being the tallest, inscribed with “Great Hero Treasure Hall,” radiating golden light.
The entire temple glowed with golden Buddhist light, exuding peace and serenity. As they approached, the chants grew louder, not through their ears but resounding directly in their minds.
“What grandeur…” Lu Zheng remarked.
“Such audacity…” Yuanjing commented.
“Amitabha!”
“But it does carry the aura of Buddhism. I sense no demonic, ghostly, or netherworldly energy,” Lu Zheng said, rubbing his chin before turning to Guangyue. “Master, have you noticed anything?”
Guangyue said solemnly, “The Buddhist light is pure, the Liuli clear. It’s the light of the Liuli Medicine Buddha lineage.”
Oh? Even a professional monk didn’t sense anything amiss?
“I’ll test it,” Lu Zheng said, casually casting an exorcism spell at the temple gate.
“Buzz!”
The green light dissipated, and the Buddhist light flared brighter in an instant, the chants growing faster and heavier.
The next moment, the temple gates swung open, and a Buddhist proclamation resounded.
“Amitabha. The Great Liuli Temple of the Eastern Pure Liuli World opens its gates of convenience. Those fated may enter my Liuli World, ascend to the Pure Land of Bliss, worship the Liuli Buddha, pure and untainted, to be reborn in eternal peace. Amitabha!”
Then came a surge of chants, though the words were indistinct.
“Playing tricks!” Yuanjing sneered, casting a golden light spell on himself and shielding with cloud-gathering magic before striding forward.
Lu Zheng and Guangyue exchanged a glance and followed.
Entering the temple, Lu Zheng tested the ground with his foot. It was paved with bluestone, faintly glowing gold. Ornate railings lined the sides, shimmering with Buddhist light. The side halls were all shut, and it was unclear where the pervasive chants originated.
The trio walked together, noting the temple’s grandeur and brilliance but its utter lack of human presence.
They reached the Heavenly King Hall and looked up.
“Hm?” Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow. The hall was no different from the others, its plaque reading “Heavenly King Hall.” A divine seat stood in the main chamber, but uniquely, it bore no statue.
“Where’s the Buddha statue for the Heavenly King Hall?” Lu Zheng asked, turning to Guangyue. “Who’s usually enshrined here?”
Guangyue shook his head. “It varies by sect. It could be Fulong Veda, the Mountain-Protecting Heavenly King, or the Future Buddha. Given the name, it’s likely Fulong Veda or the Heavenly King.”
“How strange,” Lu Zheng said, shaking his head. The trio glanced at the hall but had no intention of entering, instead passing by on the left.
To the left stood a bell tower, to the right a drum tower. The golden bell and jade drum were inscribed with Sanskrit, shimmering as if breathing, with waves of Buddhist light rippling out, blending into the pervasive glow.
The Bodhisattva Hall and Arhat Hall on either side were closed. From the outside, they couldn’t tell if anyone was inside or if, like the Heavenly King Hall, they lacked statues.
The trio continued toward the second tier of halls.
“Sunlight Hall?” Lu Zheng read the name, glancing at Guangyue with a peculiar look.
“Amitabha!” Guangyue explained, “My Rizhao Temple draws its name from the Great Sun’s Illumination. This Sunlight Hall likely enshrines the Sunlight Bodhisattva.”
“But…” Lu Zheng looked toward the hall’s main chamber.
“Still nothing there…” Yuanjing added.
The divine seat in the Sunlight Hall’s main chamber was, once again, empty.
“A temple, Buddhist light, and chants, but no people, no ghosts, not even clay or wooden statues,” Lu Zheng said, rubbing his chin. He looked toward the rear, where three tiers of steps led to the Great Hero Treasure Hall, perched on a ten-meter-high platform.
“Let’s go!”
…
The three tiers of steps numbered twenty-two, thirty-three, and forty-four. They ascended and soon faced the Great Hero Treasure Hall, far taller than the other structures.
“Hiss—”
The hall’s gates stood wide open. At the main altar sat a Buddha, bald and ordained, clad in golden robes, chest bare, sitting cross-legged in meditation, eyes half-closed, chanting softly.
Indeed, this Buddha, glowing as if a golden statue, was reciting scriptures!
Flanking him were two Bodhisattvas: the one on the left, regal and adorned in splendid robes; the one on the right, serene and dressed plainly, also seated in meditation, chanting.
Though the trio couldn’t see the hall’s sides, the dense golden light and layered chants suggested more figures were present.
“Amitabha. Since you’ve entered the Pure Liuli Land, why not join my sect, hear the Buddha’s will, attain enlightenment in a single thought, and be reborn in bliss!” A majestic voice echoed in their minds. “The Liuli Buddha is here. Enter the hall to pay homage and pray sincerely. Amitabha!”
