Buddha Kingdom.
Spirit Mountain.
Upon the throne representing the highest authority of the Buddha Kingdom sat a large-headed monk of regal bearing. The seats on both sides of the hall were filled with Ancient Buddhas, Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Vajras, all listening intently as the large-headed monk expounded the Buddhist teachings.
Thud, thud, thud. A burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall, followed by a long-browed monk with a waxen face and a body so frail that a gust of wind could blow him over rushing inside.
"Buddha Ancestor, this is bad! Buddha Ancestor, something terrible has happened!"
The monk shouted the moment he entered, completely failing to notice that the large-headed monk's face had already darkened.
Insolence!
"What is bad about me? What has happened to me?"
"At your age, how can you still panic at every little thing, so rash and rough around the edges, without the slightest steadiness?
"It seems you are unfit to bear the heavy responsibility of guarding the Soul Lamp Hall. How about becoming a lavatory-cleaning servant instead?"
The monk panicked at once upon hearing this. With a plop, he dropped to his knees, his backside raised skyward and his forehead pressed to the floor.
"Lord Buddha Ancestor, this humble monk knows his error.
"Please allow this humble monk to report. It truly... truly is because this matter is too grave!"
"What exactly has happened? Speak slowly!"
Swish, swish, swish.
Every eye in the hall fixed upon him, making the monk feel as though needles pricked his back and thorns covered his entire body.
"Lord Golden Cicada's Soul Lamp has completely gone out!"
What?
Everyone present sprang to their feet in shock.
Even the Buddha Ancestor's eternally unchanged expression turned pale with alarm, and the Orchid Mudra formed by his fingers warped