Outside the Southern Heavenly Gate.
Tathagata arrived, seated cross-legged upon his Golden Lotus throne. His body towered a million zhang high, and golden Buddhist light shone for tens of millions of miles, dyeing the void and clouds across countless miles gold and suffusing them with a peaceful yet weighty majesty.
At his sides followed Samantabhadra Bodhisattva and Ancient Buddha Maitreya!
Behind him followed the Four Buddhist Guardian Vajras!
At the sight, the Queen Mother of the West's expression changed sharply, an icy chill flickering in her eyes.
Haotian had indeed invited Tathagata to deal with Lin Tian. And with Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Ancient Buddha Maitreya, and the Four Spirit Mountain Guardian Vajras accompanying him, this lineup was probably intended to suppress Lin Tian.
"Greetings, Buddha!"
The Great Heavenly Venerable gazed at Tathagata, his expression unruffled, though inwardly he was delighted beyond measure.
Now it was up to Buddha Tathagata.
Having brought a Bodhisattva, an ancient Buddha, and the Vajras, Tathagata had clearly calculated his chances carefully and thought this through.
Tathagata glanced at Haotian and nodded slightly, as though saying, All right, stop looking. Thanks for your efforts. Leave the rest to me. Here's to a pleasant partnership!
Only then did Tathagata turn toward Lin Tian and speak in a resonant Buddhist voice. "Fellow Daoist, you were born in the hallowed land of Flower-Fruit Mountain, drawing upon the essence of the sun and moon. Having cultivated and attained the Dao, you should have devoted your heart to seeking it. Yet you could not purge the demonic nature within you, acting arrogantly and recklessly, killing and stirring up trouble. Return with me to Spirit Mountain to still your heart, purge your demons, and return to the truth."
Lin Tian's true form returned, one hand held behind his back.
The hair at his