At the Old Monk's words, the two monks across from him froze, then nodded.
"We shall obey the Dharma Master's wishes!"
The Old Monk nodded gently and rose.
In an instant, layer after layer of illusory Buddhas peeled away from his body. One by one, they stepped into the air and sat cross-legged, golden lotuses blooming beneath them.
Some Buddhas were tall, others short; some were fat, others thin. Though their outlines and faces remained blurred, their distinct bearing was already apparent. Some looked compassionate, some sorrowful, some indifferent, some wretched...
The Old Monk looked back at the Buddha-figures and sighed. “The foundations of Buddhas in the Central Lands have begun to take shape, but many are still indistinct. We must keep compiling scriptures and spreading the Buddhas' names before we can truly establish the Buddha here and shape an Earthly Buddha Land! Unfortunately, even with this Old Monk presiding here, I can gather only seven Buddha-figures...”
The two monks exchanged a glance. The one who had spoken earlier said, "Though the Southern Dynasty stands against the north, Zhou Kingdom now holds Shu, and farther south live only uncivilized peoples. The Southern Kingdom's population is far smaller than the north's, with most of its people concentrated in Jiangzuo. Manifesting seven Buddha-figures is no small feat."
“True.” The Old Monk nodded and stepped down from the platform. “This Old Monk will return shortly. While I am gone, the two of you must hold this place and keep the Grand Formation running!”
The two Return to Truth monks nodded and watched the Old Monk leave.
Though the Old Monk looked frail with age, his steps were steady. He made his way unhurriedly to the hall in the front courtyard, where he met the imperial envoy sent by command.
The envoy froze at