Only two days remained until the Wuzhe Conference began.
That day, Chen Qing was taking a leisurely stroll through the temple when he suddenly noticed shadows of people moving about in the plaza ahead. Over a hundred people had gathered there, and the faint sound of sutra chanting drifted over.
"Hmm!?"
His heart stirred, and he could not help walking over.
This place was called Bodhi Square, a venue where Great Sumeru Temple publicly expounded the Dharma.
Ordinarily, eminent monks gave teachings here. With the Wuzhe Conference on the eve of opening and people converging from all directions, the sounds of Dharma resounded without cease throughout the day.
Besides some devout local believers and samyamas, the most eye-catching were those Western Region nobles dressed in splendid finery and carrying themselves with extraordinary poise.
The men mostly wore brocade robes, curved sabers or jade ornaments at their waists. The women wore colorful gowns, jeweled crowns, and veils, with servants standing silently behind them.
All their gazes were focused upon the Dharma altar, their respectful expressions carrying anticipation.
Chen Qing stopped and looked up.
At the center of the Dharma altar sat a young monk in meditation.
His features were refined and handsome, his skin fair, and his eyes crystal clear. A spiritual gleam flowed naturally through every glance.
He wore an apricot-yellow monk's robe draped with a light golden kasaya. The fabric appeared plain, yet faint Buddhist patterns were embroidered within it, rising and falling slightly with his breath.
Most striking of all was the faint golden halo surrounding the young monk. It was not deliberately summoned, but a phenomenon naturally produced by the outward manifestation of his body's Qi and Blood.
Chen Qing's gaze narrowed slightly.
Within that golden light, he could vaguely sense an aura as heavy as mountains