During the Southern Song dynasty, the people lived in precarious peace, and it was difficult to distinguish humans from demons.
The location was Lin'an, also called Qiantang—in other words, present-day Hangzhou.
In the wilderness a hundred miles beyond the market town.
"What a beautiful sunny day, the scenery is so fine. Red flowers and green grass, happily running along. Roaming every green mountain, yet never growing old. Hahaha!"
An old man dressed like a Buddhist abbot strode swiftly through the wilderness. He held a string of Buddhist beads in his hand and looked every inch an accomplished monk.
He had not gone far when a young monk caught up and began chatting with him.
"Old Abbot, you look refreshed!"
"Haha, morning exercise is very beneficial for cultivating the inner core." The old man answered amiably.
"Oh? I never would have guessed that this youthful-looking elder with white hair could move so swiftly. So you've already reached the Golden Core stage. This little monk is impressed, truly impressed. May I ask how many years you've cultivated?" the young monk flattered him.
The old man laughed heartily. "This old monk has cultivated bitterly for over two hundred years. What about you, young man?"
"I'm ashamed to say I've only cultivated for a little over twenty years and have barely reached the Nascent Soul stage." The young monk smiled with hidden malice.
The old man's heart jolted. Before he could speak, the young monk continued, "A mere two-hundred-year-old Golden Core stage Spider Spirit dares to deceive heaven and fool the masses, impersonating a Buddhist monk? I could tell at a glance that you weren't human!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Buddhist light suddenly burst from the young monk's palm, and he began chanting under his breath.
"Great Vajra Heavenly Dragon! Prajna Buddhas!