"Homage to Amitabha Buddha."
Maitreya, who had always worn a beaming smile, revealed a hint of compassion, as if to say, If I do not descend into hell, who will? Facing Shao Xuan, the temporary Ziwei Star Lord, and Xi E, the Lightning Department Heavenly Venerable, he tossed the Human Seed Bag forward with his left hand. It flew out, swelled in the wind, and unfurled, with white lotuses blooming within to welcome all who came. It enveloped the Ten Directions and Three Realms, drawing every living being into the Buddhist kingdom.
This treasure had been forged after the ancient era, to ferry across all who were fated throughout the world.
As the Human Seed Bag, famed since antiquity, descended over them, brilliant stars flew out around Shao Xuan. There were exactly three hundred and sixty-five, forming the Heavenly Cycle Great Formation and surrounding him to resist its pull.
Each star was imbued with an ancient aura, connected to the myriad worlds, and reflected a starry river from a different universe. They were the Ancient Stars, born alongside the Immortal Realm. Their numbers were finite, and every one of them was vast and mighty.
Starlight flowed like water, and the formation stood as firm as a fortress. The Human Seed Bag's descent slowed at once.
Compared with before, Shao Xuan's strength now surpassed that of the two Bodhisattvas, Dharma Flower Forest and Great Wonderful Aspect. Even against the Human Seed Bag and Maitreya, the Buddha of the Future, he seemed in no way inferior.
Just then, Maitreya pointed with his right hand. His voice rang out like thunder, vast and solemn:
"Close!"
At the sound of his voice, invisible golden cymbals seemed to close over Shao Xuan and Xi E, one above their heads and one beneath their feet, coming