Zhun Ti looked at the dignified, radiant Tathagata before him and nodded in satisfaction.
"From this day onward, your former life is gone. Everything in your past is now no more than a dream or a fleeting illusion."
"Henceforth, you shall be Tathagata Buddha. You may establish the Buddhist Sect within the Western Religion, spread our Buddha's compassion, and deliver all those with whom we share a karmic affinity."
A trace of relief colored Zhun Ti's voice. Tathagata pressed his palms together and bowed.
"Amitabha Buddha. Rest assured, my Buddha. The former Lord of the Weird vanished with yesterday. The one standing here today is none other than Tathagata Buddha of the Western Religion."
As he spoke, he took the Law Crystal from his sleeve and offered it with both hands.
"I offer this to you, my Buddha, to advance your cultivation and help you deliver all living beings."
Zhun Ti accepted the crystal. Sensing the power of laws flowing within it, his smile deepened.
"Excellent, excellent. You possess great wisdom. Only by knowing when to relinquish and when to receive can one attain enlightenment."
He gave Tathagata an approving look, then touched a finger to his brow.
"This is Buddha Kingdom in the Palm, one of the Buddhist Sect's ten divine abilities. I now pass it on to you. Cultivate it diligently, and do not let this divine ability go to waste."
Golden light flashed between Tathagata's brows as a vast torrent of information poured into his sea of consciousness. He contemplated it for a moment, delight swelling in his heart, then bowed again.
"Thank you for your gift, my Buddha!"
He straightened and turned toward the Weird Universe, which he had ruled for countless ages.
Now, as he looked upon it, not a trace of attachment remained in