Behind him, the army of the Dark Abyss stood in formation. Its terrifying ranks and sky-piercing killing intent scattered the sea of incense-born faith above Spirit Mountain.
A fifteen-petaled Black Lotus bore Wu Tian slowly into the Hall of Great Strength. A faint smile touched his face as he spoke:
"I am the monk Wu Tian. Greetings, everyone!"
The Tathagata's expression was grave. The three thousand Buddhas were shaken, the eight hundred arhats stood in disarray, and every bodhisattva looked horrified.
Yet faced with such a powerful being, the Tathagata would not lose his composure.
Seated upon his lotus throne in the Hall of Great Strength, he manifested a golden form over ten thousand zhang tall. Visions rose behind him: ten thousand monks bowed, Buddhas paid homage, and projections of mortal Buddha realms appeared one after another. Believers murmured prayers and chanted the Buddha's name, lending him strength to stand against Wu Tian.
"Amitabha Buddha. I am the monk Shakyamuni, presently serving as the Buddhist Sect's Present Buddha, the Tathagata. Greetings, fellow cultivator!"
"Your Buddhist teachings are vast, great monk. I admire them. But I have come today over an old matter that has nothing to do with you. Where is Burning Lamp Buddha?" Wu Tian came straight to the point.
The Tathagata met his gaze calmly and refused to yield an inch.
"Ancient Buddha Randeng is the Past Buddha. He guards all the boundless ages of the Buddhist Sect's past and cannot come to see you. I am the Present Buddha and speak for the Buddhist Sect. You may tell me your grievance!"
Wu Tian pressed his palms together. His voice rang out like a great bell: "Burning Lamp Buddha, an old acquaintance has come to visit. Please show yourself!"
At once, sinister winds howled across Spirit Mountain and