The young monk stood tall in a gilded kasaya, his features exquisite, his lips red and teeth white. An auspicious red mole marked his brow, and his eyes shone like brilliant stars. In sheer handsomeness, he even surpassed Bai Liaochan, whose face seemed divine.
His bearing was all the more transcendent, like an immortal banished to the mortal world.
Standing in the hall, he instantly drew every eye.
Even Gai True Person, who had thought little of him at first, could not help inwardly praising him:
"What a handsome young monk!"
He was no vulgar man who cared for outward appearances, but this young monk's bearing truly rose above the mundane, with an indescribable nobility.
Some of his disdain faded, and he grew more serious.
Looking at the young monk standing before them, Buddha Lord Tianyin nodded in gratification. His eyes, one pitch-black and the other bluish-purple, were filled with satisfaction. Stroking his beard, he nodded, then introduced him to Gai True Person and Wang Ba:
"He is the Future Buddha Lord I have chosen, Kongchanzi."
"He has already become my disciple."
"After I pass into final Nirvana one day, he will take my place and lead the beings of the Glazed Buddha Realm onward..."
Hearing how solemn Buddha Lord Tianyin was, Gai True Person did not slight him, offering the young monk a formal bow.
The young monk smiled faintly and returned the salute, looking quite the part.
Though Wang Ba's expression remained calm, watching Kongchanzi's solemn demeanor left him feeling distinctly awkward:
This brat really does put on a convincing act.
Their minds were linked. The instant the other appeared, he had already received the immense store of memories from his years in the East Lapis Lazuli Buddha Realm.
Apart from some memories that were rather blurred, these