Immortal realm.
Heavenly Palace, the Thirty-six Heavens.
Clouds and rosy mists coiled around lakes of stars. Long rainbows arched into bridges, while the magnificent Heavenly Court loomed in the clouds, sometimes hidden, sometimes visible, like a mirage—seemingly within arm's reach, yet far beyond the horizon.
Golden light shone like the bright moon. Buddha Gu Zongchen stepped onto the summit of the sea of clouds to request an audience with the Heavenly Emperor Great Heavenly Venerate. Before long, Master of Ten Thousand Daos came to receive him.
Gu Zongchen sensed nothing amiss. Ever since the Heavenly Emperor transcended the Tai Shang Primordial Unity Realm and leaped beyond the river of time, that river had practically been straightened out by the Heavenly Emperor—diving underwater every three days, drowning every five. By now, no one knew which waterway it had been swept into.
Were it not for the Great Heavenly Change, the affairs of the Heavenly Palace, great and small, would be handled by the Heavenly Empress on duty. Matters involving the Gods of the Three Realms would first be drafted by Master of Ten Thousand Daos, then submitted to the Heavenly Empress for a decision.
"Poor monk Jieyin pays his respects to Great Emperor Ziwei of the Northern Pole. Greetings, Great Emperor."
"Not at all, not at all. Buddha, you are too courteous." Master of Ten Thousand Daos returned the greeting with a faint smile.
After meeting and exchanging pleasantries, the two engaged in a bout of mutual flattery. Then Gu Zongchen followed Master of Ten Thousand Daos to Ziwei Palace, where they sipped tea and discussed important matters.
"I already know why Buddha has come. The Heavenly Emperor Great Heavenly Venerate is occupied with official business and truly cannot spare the time, so I shall confer with Buddha in his stead."