If the Future Will Not Come, Then I Shall Simply Be the Tathagata

Within the vast sea of consciousness.

A handsome young man in black robes and a golden hairpin sat cross-legged. His eyes were closed in quiet repose, and between his brows lingered the noble bearing unique to an Emperor Sovereign.

Behind him stood a colossal black Buddha as tall as the canopy of heaven, arms hanging at its sides as it suppressed the four quarters and maintained the stability of this world.

To its right, a golden giant shadow was gradually taking shape. Within its equally majestic body emerged nine great veins, representing the five elements of heaven and earth, along with Yin-Yang Life and Death.

Immortals, Buddhas, and Orthodox Gods.

The three Great Daos advanced abreast, leading straight toward that ethereal other shore.

Within Southern Sumeru, Houtu stared blankly at Shen Yi beside her. From him, she caught a fragrance that intoxicated cultivators—the scent belonging solely to transcendence!

Just then, she suddenly came back to herself and abruptly turned to look behind her.

Among the hundred Buddha cliffs, the Orthodox Gods felt their hearts pound, fear rising in their eyes as they all looked up at the sky.

The white lotus swayed slightly, golden liquid gushing from its heart and transforming once more into a River of Time that surged across the heavens. At the same time, heavy footsteps rang beside the gods' ears.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Someone had crossed time itself, treading upon the river, moving from the present world to arrive in this stretch of the past!

The footsteps grew heavier. With each sound, the hearts of the gods shuddered violently. This disturbance surpassed even the combined chanting of the several True Buddhas from before, shaking their souls so fiercely that they had no strength to resist.

"..."

Houtu, Earth Sovereign, already knew the identity of the newcomer.