Chapter 402: Celestial Confrontation
by xennovelCrack! Crack! Crack!!!
Above the vaulted heavens, the explosive aura of countless supreme masters sent shockwaves through the dark clouds, evoking countless flashes of ferocious lightning that intertwined and swirled.
Columns of vital energy and divine radiance pierced the skies, parting the swirling dark clouds into rippling layers.
It was as if the very heavens were being forced apart in every direction.
Ferocious winds howled as drifting flurries of snow melted into tiny droplets by overwhelming energy—even before reaching the ground, they evaporated into mist that obscured the world.
Lü Taibai’s aura spanned the skies; his sword energy blazed with resplendent light, shooting into the clouds.
Silver sword light burst forth, dazzling and monumental as surging sword qi coalesced around him.
Intertwined all around Lü Taibai, his silver hair and billowing wide sleeves fluttered; his eyes shone like molten silver as countless sword qi raged ceaselessly.
His aura clashed head-on with that of Ji Mo Li in midair.
Boom—an explosive collision!
It was as if innumerable electric currents suddenly appeared in the firmament, threatening to unleash thunderbolts from above!
Ji Mo Li, clad in clanging black armor and standing with his hands behind him, loomed like a demonic deity with a blood-red cape, his gaze cold and lethal.
On another front, Tian Can Di Que’s duo exchanged a glance as their auras seemed to meld into a fearsome pillar of light, as though a terrifying demonic god had emerged from the netherworld with eerie eyes and colossal, elephantine feet!
Rumble—BOOM!
Two bursts of near-divine energy crashed down, as if determined to completely shatter Lü Taibai’s aura!
In a one-on-one battle, Lü Taibai would hardly fear Tian Can Di Que—after all, their effects merely simulating a half-step divine calamity through secret martial arts.
But there was also Ji Mo Li.
This man was the real deal—a half-step divine calamity, having refined Netherfire to attain a powerful Netherfire Dao stage.
Thus, even Lü Taibai’s brilliant silver sword light seemed to dim, its brilliance completely suppressed!
Outside Daocheng City…
On board the Xuan Tie Lingmu Warship…
A feathered fan gently swayed as a plain-clothed figure stirred; Xie Yunshen narrowed his eyes.
He felt the scorching clash of energies rippling through the heavens.
A glimmer of unusual color flashed in Xie Yunshen’s eyes.
“Is this the pawn you left behind?”
“In the face of inevitable doom, you dare to challenge a great dragon?”
“How can a single Lü Taibai muster such boldness?”
“Are you relying on the Underworld?”
Xie Yunshen’s thoughts drifted to Li Che as his eyes shone with a ghostly gleam.
Although the Underworld Yama had slaughtered Qinglong, Baihu, and Vermilion Bird in the Divine Capital, he was only comparable to a half-step divine calamity.
That meant there were two half-step divine calamities in play—
And compared to the supreme masters, the other Underworld thugs were no threat.
Be it Ogre, Ma Mian, Li Che, Divine Monkey, or Thunder Dragon, none had the combat might of a top-tier divine expert.
So although the Underworld was both mysterious and formidable—
This time, however, it was different from the battles in the Divine Capital.
There was no Xuan Jiu Zhuan from Xuanfu Divine Sect, no Shi Jian from True Martial Divine Sect, none of these top-tier powerhouses—
Relying solely on one Underworld Yama just wouldn’t suffice!
A thick, oppressive black mist slowly began to rise, suffusing Daocheng City with a daylight-like glow from the surge of supreme energy.
The feathered fan in Xie Yunshen’s hand whirled faster and faster, its sound echoing wildly.
His brows furrowed in concern.
Was his pressure on them not sufficient?
He then glanced toward a distant ship.
There, at an unknown moment, a figure robed in saffron emerged—clad in a monk’s cassock, palms pressed together, with kindly brows and long, fluttering eyebrows swaying in the wind, standing on deck.
“Master, it’s time to act.”
Xie Yunshen’s eyes lifted to Huang Mei Great Master, his brows knitting slightly.
Huang Mei Great Master hailed from Xiao Lingyin Temple, distinct from those sects like Tian Dan Divine Sect and Seven Treasure Divine Sect who had pledged allegiance to the Imperial Court for peace and resources.
Thus, when the first wave of oppressive energy engulfed Daocheng City, Xie Yunshen held Huang Mei back from striking.
But now, Xie Yunshen felt it was time to add even more pressure on Daocheng City.
Hearing this, Huang Mei Great Master pressed his palms together in a kindly gesture.
“Amitabha.”
“State Mentor, I understand,” he replied.
Suddenly…
Xie Yunshen’s ever-shaking feathered fan abruptly halted.
“Something’s not right—something’s off!”
But what exactly was amiss?
“My Confinement Spirits—”
“Rise up!”
A deep, resonant voice boomed from beneath a masked Ma Mian.
One after another, twisted silhouettes emerged from the rooftops—like oozing black tar that bubbled and coalesced into distinct figures.
The churning black mist and surging energies intertwined chaotically, as if the realms of the nether and the living were merging.
One by one, the Confinement Spirits strolled into view, lazily stretching.
The sound of clattering bones echoed like thunder and firecrackers!
Han Sixi’s Confinement Spirit materialized, his face obscured by a black mask; he had shed his Purple-Clad Diao Si robes for the uniform hooded black robe of the Underworld Confinement Spirits.
The black robe and mask rendered his origins inscrutable as his chaotic aura defied discernment.
Amid swirling black energy, a respectful voice transmitted, “Lord!” to Li Che.
Sincere and emphatic in tone.
Han Sixi had long been at the Third Prince’s side.
Although Li Che had left the Divine Capital, his bond with the Confinement Spirits remained intact. Now, as his Unsullied Heart Dao Fruit evolved to LV6, the nature of his Confinement Spirits had transformed.
They could exist far longer and independently of Li Che.
Li Che’s Seven Aperture Luminous Heart constantly monitored their status.
Summoning them back was effortless—a mere thought and the Spirits would vanish from the Divine Capital, though precise timing was needed.
As soon as Han Sixi appeared, he knew exactly what he must do.
Having long mingled in the Divine Capital with the Purple-Clad Diao Si, he understood his master’s intentions all too well.
An explosive surge of vital energy erupted from him, sending torrents of qi waves rolling outward in a furious tide!
Columns of energy shot into the skies—dominant and awe-inspiring!
A supreme master in every sense!
At that moment, Lü Taibai, who had been struggling to hold on, suddenly turned around, his heart trembling.
His gaze fixed on the direction of the explosive energy—a mysterious, towering black-robed figure ascending, emanating powerful, blazing qi.
Though he couldn’t pinpoint its identity among the supreme masters,
in the Great Realm, there were only a few true top-tier experts—anyone of whom emerging on Daocheng’s side was enough!
“Ha ha ha ha!”
“Come on!”
Lü Taibai’s excitement soared as he gripped his silver Taibai Sword; with resounding sword qi he ascended step by step—his sword blossoming like a lotus—until he hovered above the city tower of Daocheng.
Amid the exhilaration of the Divine Guard Army protecting the city, he stood defiantly.
Han Sixi also advanced in step behind him,
while aside from Han Sixi, the Confinement Spirits of Qinglong, Vermilion Bird, and Baihu donned black masks and hooded black robes.
The three respectfully transmitted greetings to Li Che.
Then, all their auras exploded simultaneously!
Three streams of supreme energy transformed into steadfast light columns; in the faint glow, a black dragon soared and roared, as if leaping from the nether.
A jet-black bird spread its wings and shrieked, its crimson-black flames twisting the air!
And a fearsome black tiger, massive and dominating the skies—
Were these three all supreme masters?!
At that moment, even Lü Taibai was struck dumb; he spun around to see three distinct visions: a Black Dragon, a Black Bird, and a Black Tiger raging in the skies.
“These… seem oddly familiar…”
Lü Taibai’s eyes narrowed as he recalled how these three resembled the fallen commanders of the Divine Capital’s Four Symbols, once led by the Underworld Yama.
Qinglong, Baihu, and Vermilion Bird?!
A half-step divine calamity accompanied by four supreme masters!
In an instant, the aura that Daocheng City had struggled to suppress under the Imperial Court’s siege began to recover!
The despair that had rendered resistance impossible evaporated!
Who knew Daocheng City harbored so many formidable warriors?!
Everyone was dumbfounded, utterly shocked, and left speechless!
In the Temple Guardian Division…
Feng Zhiqi and Yu Wen Wenlong exchanged impressed glances.
Is this the Underworld’s true strength?!
Li Che’s identity as the Underworld Ma Mian had long been relayed to Daocheng City, so they were aware of it.
Yet how could the Underworld Ma Mian rally so many top-tier experts and summon four supreme masters in one go?
This lineup might easily surpass the might of an entire great sect!
Fang Han Shu grinned broadly, his delight unrestrained!
Elsewhere, Gongshu Jingjun and Tang Xiejia relaxed slightly, exchanging resigned looks.
They realized that Li Che had already transcended anything they could have imagined.
However—
To their astonishment, another overwhelming surge of aura exploded—and this time, the identity of the one unleashing it was not hidden.
A chubby man with a goofy, lovable grin.
His rotund body trembled as it transformed into a torrent of vital energy!
Yue Huanglong!
Not only that—Yue Huanglong had reached the supreme aura level of a top-tier divine expert!
In addition to Yue Huanglong, Yan Jing—the Grand Marshal of Daocheng City’s Divine Guard Army—had also broken through to the Martial Saint Threefold realm!
Even Fang Han Shu was stunned.
Who would have thought these two previously doomed figures were still alive?
At that moment, Fang Han Shu couldn’t help but mutter, ‘Yue Weizheng… did he kill the wrong person?’
Yue Huanglong and Yan Jing, as official figures of the Great Jing Court, had not hidden their identities as Underworld warriors but openly revealed them to unsettle the Imperial Army preparing to attack.
After all, the Imperial Army’s pretext was that the Qianyuan Divine Sect had murdered the court’s officials.
Yue Huanglong’s presence nullified that excuse, naturally causing turmoil in the ranks.
Everyone’s eyes abruptly fixed in unison.
Above, a towering figure wearing a dual-toned mask of black and white stood with arms crossed, suspended in midair.
His eyes shone brilliantly, like galaxies swirling with starlight!
The Underworld Yama!
His vital energy erupted like cannon blasts, shattering the skies; a searing, infernal furnace materialized!
Li Che, wearing the Yama Mask, swapped identities with Ma Mian using the Painted Immortal clone.
For these miscreants who had disrupted XiXi’s seventh birthday, Li Che’s heart surged with murderous intent.
His daughter, just seven—
A birthday marking the transition from toddler to school age!
A milestone so important, and yet these fools dared to mess it up!
Tonight, Li Che’s desire to kill burned fiercely.
A standoff? No!
Does he want to sap the fighting spirit of Daocheng City’s cultivators?
Li Che wouldn’t stand for it!
Kill!
Fight!
This time—
He would terrify them to their core!
Below, the Painted Immortal clone-Ma Mian hurled a colossal half-step Mechanical Beast.
Little Yinglong King immediately spread his wings; Ma Mian leaped onto his back.
Whoosh—up they soared!
And in the blink of an eye, as Li Che’s mind surged forth, the Confinement Spirits burst forth, with four supreme masters plus Yue Huanglong—
Daocheng City’s overall combat might was now nearly equal to their foes’!
“Ha ha ha ha…”
Fang Han Shu laughed heartily as a dazzling Haoran River cascaded down behind him.
“Don’t forget me,” he announced.
A supreme deity indeed!
Fang Han Shu’s bursting aura was that of a top-tier divine god!
Taking a decisive step, he joined the fray.
Instantly—
The pressure over Daocheng City’s skies, once suppressed by the Imperial Army, dissipated into clarity!
The noble families and cultivators in the city felt the oppressive force vanish, their breaths steady and unburdened.
Excitement, fighting spirit, and determination surged beyond all measure!
Whether it was the Divine Guard Army, the Temple Guardians, or the assembled elite, their martial spirit soared to unprecedented heights—it was as if they’d been ignited by a raging inferno!
Qianyuan Divine Sect.
The Outer Sect, the Elders’ Court.
XiXi couldn’t sleep at all; she clutched Zhang Ya and leaped onto the rooftop, looking toward Daocheng from mid-mountain.
Goldmane and Jin Taisui vigilantly guarded the mother and daughter.
“Wow! Wow! Wow!!!”
“Father striding atop Little Yinglong King—the half-step Mechanical Beast—is just so cool!”
XiXi was exhilarated, watching how the momentum of Daocheng City turned the tide, even suppressing the Imperial Court’s offensive forces.
Her excitement knew no bounds.
Seeing the Underworld Confinement Spirits slicing through the air, XiXi hopped along the black-tiled rooftop, only lamenting that her age prevented her from joining the battle.
Zhang Ya, by her side, shared her sparkling eyes.
And in the Outer Elders’ Courtyard,
Elder Jiao Shaoqiu had long donned his military attire, polishing his long sword as Outer Sect disciples stood ready, resolute in the face of death.
Elder Jiao Shaoqiu had devoted his life to Qianyuan Divine Sect.
Thus, his life was inseparable from the sect’s fate!
If the sect perished, so would its people!
A single roar of killing shattered the air in an instant!
Outside Daocheng City, the clashing energies surged wildly!
Even Gu Changqing and other sect leaders paled, almost ready to curse out loud!
“Damn it! Why has a battle erupted?!”
“Didn’t Xie Yunshen say we were only here to suppress Daocheng City with our aura? Just break their morale, right?”
“Then why are there so many supreme masters appearing in Daocheng City?”
The sect leaders wore expressions of horror.
But they weren’t given any chance to escape.
Han Sixi let out a blood-curdling yell—a voice so shrill it broke all semblance of pitch—
charging headlong at Gu Changqing with murderous intent.
Qinglong targeted Seven Treasure Divine Sect’s leader Ning Caishen; Vermilion Bird went after Gu Cheng; Baihu opposed Zhao Chunqiu.
Meanwhile, Fang Han Shu advanced, stomping through the roaring Haoran River to confront Bai Buyi, the head of Haoran Academy, who had also deployed his Haoran River technique!
“Traitor!”
Bai Buyi’s finely tailored robes fluttered as he snapped his fingers—the long rope transformed into a battle-whip, lashing out like a teacher’s cane.
Crack! The whip shattered the air, aimed squarely at Fang Han Shu.
Fang Han Shu merely smiled serenely, flicking a page from his Sage Book that blocked the whip and sliced through it like a blade.
“Amitabha!”
Onboard the warship, Huang Mei Great Master ascended into the air, radiating Buddha Light, as a giant Buddha hand slapped out fiercely!
“Old baldy! I knew your arrogance in Daocheng City would be your downfall! Today, I will end you!”
At that, Yue Huanglong’s eyes lit up; his whole body trembled as he surged toward Huang Mei Great Master!
Huang Mei Great Master, with kindly brows, engaged in a brutal duel with Yue Huanglong!
It was a fierce, desperate skirmish—both being Confinement Spirits, fearless of death!
They even dared to sustain minor injuries to deliver a more authentic performance!
Boom—rumble!
The entire sky suddenly burst into blinding light!
The clash among these top-tier supreme masters erupted in an instant!
Elsewhere, Lü Taibai let out a hearty laugh skyward; as his sword qi roared, he swept forward toward Ji Mo Li.
One mastered the power of the Tao Calamity Sword, the other the might of Tao Calamity Fire.
Netherfire clashed with the Tao Calamity Sword’s might high above, locked in a relentless duel!
Li Che’s body radiated brilliant golden energy, rocketing like a cannonball as he charged toward Tian Can Di Que!
Even if the combined techniques of Tian Can Di Que unleashed near half-step Martial Saint power, Li Che showed no fear—in fact, his fighting spirit soared even higher!
The night sky was instantly bathed in daylight.
The Grand Canal roiled with surging waves, a torrent of raging water!
Aboard the Xuan Tie Lingmu Warship,
Xie Yunshen’s brows furrowed as he watched the sudden outbreak of battle, clearly unprepared.
He had intended merely to play a game of chess.
But Daocheng City had snatched the chessboard and hurled it their way!
“State Mentor, be careful!”
Ning An, the loyal bodyguard clad in a blade at his side, drew his long knife, his face grave.
Boom! With a deafening roar, the river exploded as serpentine dragon shadows surged upward.
Then, they took the shape of three distinct figures.
The Dragon God Clan had recently lost too many strong warriors—even their last Titled Old Dragon King had fallen, marking a severe blow to their vigor.
Thus, in this chaotic melee, they dared not intervene.
Xie Yunshen gently shook his feathered fan, knowing that tonight’s premature battle was inevitable.
Yet, judging by the evenly matched lineup, he wasn’t too worried.
Tonight’s battle might just be a preliminary skirmish, but it unveiled Daocheng City’s trump card; Xie Yunshen was confident.
After tonight’s clash, when troops withdrew and formations were set against Daocheng City, he would slowly grind them down with the resources at his disposal.
“No… something’s not right!”
Suddenly,
Xie Yunshen’s hairs stood on end.
He looked toward the sky where the battle raged.
He watched as Han Sixi, Qinglong, Vermilion Bird, Baihu and other mysterious warriors exploded into action—each one triggering the detonation of three Divine Seeds without hesitation…
Xie Yunshen finally realized what was wrong!
“They… they are not afraid to die!”
Boom!!!
A terrifying collision erupted—vital energy clashing with divine essence!
The chaotic outpouring of qi and divine nature battered outward like billowing winds and tidal waves!
Gu Changqing, the head of Tian Dan Divine Sect, wore an expression of utter dismay!
He was fuming inside—cursing endlessly!
And naturally, his curses were aimed at Xie Yunshen!
They had promised a mere display—to subdue Daocheng City by breaking its will!
Yet now, they were forced into a do-or-die situation!
This shrill, reckless man seemed hell-bent on courting death at every blow!
Each clash was accompanied by a piercing scream, like a madwoman’s, yet his attacks were utterly frenzied—trading injury for injury!
Who would willingly exchange blows at the cost of their life?
Gu Changqing was convinced that beneath that hooded, mysterious aura was definitely a woman!
A crazy old crone!
Bam!!!
Han Sixi’s exhilaration reached its peak—here was his chance to shine before his lord!
Kill, kill, kill!
As a devoted Confinement Spirit, Han Sixi could sense his master’s murderous intent—he was ready to slaughter!
“Come on—let them die for me!”
From behind him, three Divine Seeds whirled into a vortex, exploding in a blaze of crimson energy!
Although Han Sixi was merely a gatekeeper at Heavenly Gate, triggering the detonation of three Qimen Divine Seeds propelled his cultivation into the top ten of Heavenly Gate!
Pfft!
Even Gu Changqing was forced to risk everything—in one powerful counterattack, he coughed up blood.
Thrusting through the air, Gu Changqing dangled as pill after pill of elixirs was stuffed into his mouth.
Cursing bitterly.
Suddenly, he caught sight of Huang Mei dueling Yue Huanglong; as they clashed, they steadily closed in on his position.
Seeing Huang Mei completely overpowering Yue Huanglong, Gu Changqing’s eyes lit up!
He shot off in the direction of Huang Mei.
“Great Master, let’s swap targets!”
“If he detonates a Divine Seed, I won’t stand a chance! If I fall, our forces will crumble!”
Gu Changqing shouted.
Huang Mei slapped out with a Buddha hand, and the void resounded as it struck, sending Yue Huanglong reeling from a shower of blood.
Then, with kindly eyes, he beckoned toward Gu Changqing,
saying, “Alright, Old Friend, come quickly.”
Gu Changqing felt a deep stirring in his heart.
He dashed toward Huang Mei Great Master.
Meanwhile, Yue Huanglong’s eyes blazed as he roared, “You damn old baldy—how dare you underestimate me?!”
In the next moment, Divine Seeds exploded one after another!
It looked as if enormous butterfly wings unfurled behind Yue Huanglong as he lunged at both Huang Mei and Gu Changqing.
Gu Changqing narrowed his eyes and sneered, ready to strike.
But—
The next instant, an utterly terrifying crisis descended!
Danger!
Absolute danger!
It was the kind of crisis where one stares death in the face!
Gu Changqing felt the Buddha Light, like a lock, sealing his inner divine nature as Huang Mei’s hand landed on his shoulder.
He turned in disbelief to look at Huang Mei.
Meeting Huang Mei’s kindly gaze, he muttered, “Damn this old baldy…”
“Damn you—”
Yue Huanglong summoned every ounce of power, crashing down with Han Sixi in a brilliant, savage onslaught that pounded into Gu Changqing’s body!
Boom—roar!
A thunderous explosion split the air!
The ground trembled!
A terrifying blast of energy erupted in all directions!
The night sky lit up with a blinding burst of divine radiance!
Gu Changqing, the head of Tian Dan Divine Sect, was blasted to pieces by the overwhelming assault of vital energy!
Having his inner divine power sealed by Huang Mei, Gu Changqing couldn’t deploy his Tian Dan clone in time—it was obliterated!
The horrific explosion sent clouds churning violently!
“Bastards!!!”
Within the explosive clouds, Huang Mei’s long eyebrows flared in frustration, his eyes blazing with fury!
Han Sixi and Yue Huanglong surged forward together, continuing their vicious attack on Huang Mei!
Gu Changqing’s death instantly altered the tide of battle!
Huang Mei was incensed—Buddha Light flashing angrily as the Golden Buddha behind him took on a blood-red hue!
He slammed his palms down with a resounding crash that echoed like distant thunder!
Bam, bam!
Han Sixi and Yue Huanglong immediately coughed up blood!
All who had been shocked by Gu Changqing’s death turned their heads, seeing Huang Mei pinned down by two mysterious hooded figures in combat.
Just when everyone thought the situation was about to collapse, a momentary calm settled—
after all, an extra top-tier divine expert or supreme deity on either side could drastically shift the balance!
On board the warship,
as Gu Changqing’s agonized screams faded, a top-tier divine expert’s demise sent shockwaves, compelling Xie Yunshen’s full attention.
Xie Yunshen, previously focused on the clash between Underworld Yama and Tian Can Di Que, had lost sight of this angle.
A careless moment—and Gu Changqing was dead?
How could someone be so worthless?!
Xie Yunshen’s brows drew together as a potent sense of unease welled up within him.
Suddenly, he sensed an overwhelming threat.
Looking up, he saw the city tower of Daocheng:
Ma Mian’s lithe figure stood atop Little Yinglong King, slowly aiming a slender cannon barrel, with arcs of electricity dancing ominously.
Behind Ma Mian, a massive Guanyin Lotus Main Battle Tank was embedded on Little Yinglong King’s back, its thousand-armed form targeting him.
Boom!!!
Li Che’s jet-black hair whipped in the wind.
He unleashed a powerful punch; behind him, his Dragon Elephant Furnace nearly burst as seven Qimen Divine Seeds detonated, his blow matching the nearly half-step Martial Saint strength of Tian Can Di Que’s combined technique!
Li Che’s heart steadied; with his martial cultivation reaching the Threefold realm, his power, bolstered by the Golden Qi Sea and mountain paths, after triggering his seven Divine Seeds, rivaled a half-step Martial Saint.
Tian Can Di Que’s duo were even more astonished!
Though they felt no trace of the Three Calamity Tribulation’s might on Yama, he too managed to unleash half-step Martial Saint force!
They were forged as an inseparable pair—harnessing the will of heaven and earth to launch their devastating technique!
So why should the Underworld Yama be any different?!
Li Che’s jet-black hair whipped fiercely as his cold eyes swept toward Huang Mei.
In an instant, Huang Mei, Han Sixi, and Yue Huanglong exchanged knowing looks.
Next, Han Sixi and Yue Huanglong were struck by a single Buddha hand from Huang Mei, catapulting them like cannonballs—
each burst of their Divine Seed aura waned,
then ricocheted off toward the half-step Martial Saint force created by Tian Can Di Que.
“Master of Tian Can Di Que, lend your strength! Let us close in—together we kill these two first!”
Huang Mei gracefully advanced, Buddha Light radiating as countless Buddhist chants echoed.
Tian Can Di Que’s pair glanced at the flagging aura of Yue Huanglong and Han Sixi, then chuckled.
“No problem,” they replied.
A massive elephantine hoof soared through the air, cleaving the atmosphere as the devastating will of heaven descended.
Yelling furiously, Han Sixi and Yue Huanglong roared as they were slammed by the elephant hoof, exploding into two splatters of blood mist!
“Delicious!”
Tian Can Di Que’s duo laughed together boisterously.
In the Divine Capital, they had been subdued by Lü Taibai; in Daocheng, they were pinned by the Underworld Yama!
Now, finally, these two top-tier experts were shattered—and strangely, a bit fragile!
“Huang Mei Great Master, now you and I team up to kill Underworld Yama!”
Tian Can Di Que’s duo laughed heartily, their half-step Martial Saint silhouettes flaring as they hurled a demonic elephant hoof toward Underworld Yama.
Huang Mei pressed his palms together, his cassock billowing, with a radiant Golden Buddha beaming kindly from his back.
“Amitabha, this humble monk has arrived.”