Whoosh-
Within the silently turning Boundary Sea Vortex.
Figures of cultivators emerged one after another.
Their expressions were wooden, as though they had lost their souls, as they filed straight out of the vortex.
They walked across stone flooring polished enough to reflect their images, making almost no sound.
The slabs reflected the grand, exquisite beams of the Buddhist hall overhead, along with the statues of Arhats and Bodhisattvas seated high on either side...
Until the last cultivator emerged.
After a brief gap, a monk stepped out of the vortex as well.
Almost the instant he emerged, the vortex behind him silently closed.
Looking solemn, the monk surveyed his surroundings, then raised an upright palm before him and bowed to the Bodhisattvas and Arhats guarding this place. "Supreme True Buddha. Zhiwu pays his respects to Bodhisattva Zhikong, Bodhisattva Zhihai, Bodhisattva Zhiyin... and all the Arhats."
"Supreme True Buddha."
The voices of countless monks invoking the Buddha's name immediately rang through the empty Buddhist hall.
Like sacred chanting, they brought stillness to the heart.
Yet the cultivators in the hall showed no reaction whatsoever, like unconscious shells.
Back again.
Beside Zhiwu, an unnoticed blue-robed figure stood quietly concealed in the void, hands behind his back. Though barely a step separated them, they seemed to stand a world apart.
His gaze silently swept across the entire hall.
Last time, only Bodhisattva Zhikong had been present. This time, ranks of Arhats filled both sides of the hall, some seated and others standing, twenty-four on each side, studying Zhiwu and the cultivators he had brought back.
Their faces were kindly, but their eyes were like those of people choosing suitable livestock.
In the center of the hall stood three enormous Bodhisattvas who had manifested their Dharma forms.
The central one was Bodhisattva Zhikong, whom