More than four hundred years later, black clouds shrouded Vulture Peak, and the Buddhist-Demonic Karmic Kalpa arrived.
In the Hall of the Great Hero at the Great Thunderclap Monastery, Tathagata sat upon his lotus throne and looked at Wutian with perfect calm. "Wutian, you have come."
"Yes, Tathagata, I have come. It is time for you to leave," Wutian said expressionlessly.
Tathagata said, "Black-Robed Shakyamuni shall rule the three realms for thirty-three years. This is ordained, Wutian. It is your destined fate."
Wutian laughed. "Wrong, Tathagata. That is not my fate. I have already broken free of it."
Tathagata pondered for a moment before saying, "Wutian, nothing is settled yet."
"Will you leave on your own, or shall I send you on your way?" Wutian asked.
The assembled Buddhas watched as golden Buddhist light and black demonic energy clashed fiercely between Tathagata and Wutian.
The black demonic energy overwhelmed the golden Buddhist light, and Tathagata vanished in a burst of golden radiance.
Seated upon his black lotus, Wutian moved into Tathagata's place and told the assembled Buddhas, "Submit, or enter the cycle of reincarnation."
After a moment of silence, many of the Buddhas chose to follow Tathagata into reincarnation.
But many others chose to submit, including Ananda, Kashyapa, and the other spies the Two Western Saints had planted at Tathagata's side.
Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra chose to enter the cycle of reincarnation.
Wutian descended upon Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha's sanctuary at Vulture Peak. "This humble monk, Wutian, greets the Ancient Buddha."
"Wutian, say no more. I already know why you have come. Those who follow different paths cannot work together. Besides, my tribulation has come," Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha said.
With that, he passed into nirvana, leaving behind a single sarira.
Wutian glanced at the sarira. "The seventeen sariras are