The next day, Chicken Cry Temple.
Lu Zheng arrived hand in hand with Shen Ying and happened upon Guangyi, who was welcoming guests at the entrance.
"Master Guangyi!"
Guangyi pressed his palms together in salute, then stepped aside and gestured inward. "Greetings, Young Master Lu. Greetings, Madam Shen. Please come in!"
"Has my Master and Master Haicheng arrived?"
"Master Haicheng has arrived. As for your Master..."
"I'm here."
A cloud descended from the sky, landing squarely before Chicken Cry Temple's gates. When the cloud dispersed, it revealed Daoist Priest Mingzhang and Yuan Jing.
Guangyi saluted them. "Greetings, Mingzhang Zhenren. Greetings, daoist priest Yuan Jing!"
"Master Guangyi!"
"Please come in, everyone!"
"Please!"
Lu Zheng led Shen Ying inside with Daoist Priest Mingzhang and Yuan Jing, and they soon arrived at the Great Hero Hall.
Guang Yue was seated cross-legged on the prayer cushion in the main seat of the hall, his expression tranquil as he rested with his eyes closed.
More than a dozen prayer cushions had been arranged on either side of the great hall. Every cushion on the right was empty, while an old monk sat in the second seat on the left.
"This is Master Haicheng of Lan Mountain Temple." Guangyi introduced him, then arranged Daoist Priest Mingzhang in the first seat on the left and Lu Zheng in the third.
"So formal?" Lu Zheng quietly asked Yuan Jing. "Isn't debating Dharma just discussing Buddhist teachings with each other? Don't tell me they'll be fighting spells later?"
Yuan Jing was speechless. "Though they will not use magical power during the debate, their Buddhist hearts and intent will clash within the Sea of Consciousness through spiritual awareness. Its dangerous moments are no less perilous than a spell duel."
"So that's how it is!" Lu Zheng suddenly understood.
"Mingzhang Zhenren!"