The eighth day of the eighth month.
The Yangtze River awaited fair weather beneath a sky washed clear and blue.
Golden Mountain Temple admitted no outside visitors today. To avoid causing public panic, an array had sealed off the surrounding twenty miles. At this moment, Buddhist chants rang out in waves as three thousand Golden Mountain Temple monks sat cross-legged atop the mountain, chanting scriptures together.
Fa Hai sat upright in the seat of honor, surrounded by a group of elderly monks.
For today's grand debate, abbots and head monks from Buddhist temples far and wide had gathered at Golden Mountain Temple. Among the most renowned were Lanruo Temple, Lingyin Temple, Yongfu Temple, Jingci Temple, White Horse Temple, Guangji Temple, and others. Including the disciples and novice monks they had brought, there were no fewer than a thousand people.
So many masters chanting together formed an immense reserve of Dharma power, their voices carrying dozens of miles.
"Caw—caw~~~!"
Several crane cries suddenly sounded from the distant sky. Before long, a vast procession flew over. These people wore Daoist robes; some rode mounts, some traveled on magical artifacts, and some stood atop flying swords. There were no fewer than a thousand of them.
At their head was the current Imperial Preceptor, seated atop the backs of three cranes.
The group stopped one or two miles from Golden Mountain Temple, having discovered that the temple had not prepared any seats for them.
Seeing this, the Imperial Preceptor gave a cold smile.
"Fa Hai, is this Golden Mountain Temple's way of receiving guests? Our Daoist sects have come from afar. Never mind tea—there isn't even a seat for us?"
Fa Hai opened his eyes, his voice carrying far into the distance. "I heard the Demon Race will also be coming shortly. Golden Mountain