A fine rain fell without end, and dusk lay dark and heavy.
Jinfeng Temple stood atop a mountain by the Wangjiang River. The mountain was mostly made of golden rock and grew a kind of tree known as golden maple, hence its name, Golden Peak Mountain—and the origin of Jinfeng Temple's name as well.
Perhaps it was some sort of industry custom, but temples were always built amid mountains and forests. Perhaps this was also inseparably connected to the lay of the land.
Within the forest, the ancient temple lay half-hidden beneath golden glazed tiles. Even at night, its lights shone brilliantly, glittering like an immortal realm. A faint energy field from some formation seemed to shroud the area, endlessly drawing in the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy.
In one of Jinfeng Temple's great halls, several elderly monks had gathered.
Scriptural calligraphy and solemn Buddhist paintings hung upon the walls. A gilded Buddha statue sat atop a high platform with its eyes closed. By one interpretation, it was too compassionate to bear the sight of mortal suffering; yet it also seemed wholly indifferent to the countless living beings of the mundane world.
Incense and candles burned, sending wisps of blue smoke curling upward as a faint sandalwood fragrance lingered in the air.
Who knew whether Buddha truly needed the offerings of the mortal world? In any case, they ultimately became the temple's possessions. Even the energy of the incense offerings was collected by the formation, cycling again and again without end.
"Today, we received news from Empty Cicada Temple," an elderly monk said in a hoarse voice.
"Oh? What happened?"
The one asking was a monk who looked quite young. His lips were red, his teeth white, and his features handsome. His spotless white monk's robe bore not a