Lingzhou Buddhist Kingdom, Jiaye Temple.

A strange blood-red moon hung in the starless sky, surrounded by layers of black, smoky clouds that shrouded the Buddhist kingdom's holiest site, making it impenetrable. Even the usual sound of wooden fish that cleansed the air couldn't dissipate the tension in the air, and especially not today, as the hearts of the temple's disciples were unsettled.

The lifespan of Abbot Zhikong was about to end this night, and a great calamity was approaching Jiaye Temple.

How could one remain calm?

The demon faction from the Chaotic Sea, which sought to destroy the monks and seize their positions, had long been preparing. As soon as Zhikong passed away, they would stop at nothing to seize Jiaye Temple's treasure—the Nine-turn Immortal Lotus Lamp.

For over ten thousand years, this treasure had held off the demonic forces from invading the Central Heavenly Domain, and it was meant to be handed down by Zhikong to the next abbot, giving them ample time to practice with its methods. But for reasons unknown, Zhikong had delayed, even failing to appoint a successor, instead sitting quietly in the treasure hall, not speaking, not meditating, seemingly waiting for something.

"Brother, the situation in the Chaotic Sea is dire. Do you have any good plans to resolve it?" asked the three abbots, unable to contain their concerns any longer, and they gathered to ask him.

"Is the Lotus Lamp in any way damaged?"

Seeing that Zhikong remained unresponsive, the head of the Prajna Hall, Zen Master Zhi Hui, grew even more certain of his suspicions. If Zhikong had been clinging to the position of abbot, unwilling to give up the Lotus Lamp, he would not have believed it. But if the Lotus Lamp was damaged, the consequences would be unthinkable.

After Zhikong's passing, the three abbots would only be at the initial stage of the Sarira realm, while the Twelve Demon Lords under the Demon King's command were at least at the Nascent Soul stage, with the Demon King himself having reached the Great Perfection of Nascent Soul. Without the Lotus Lamp to anchor them, Jiaye Temple would be in grave danger.

After listening to the three abbots' anxious chatter for half the night, Zhikong finally opened his clear eyes.

He gazed into the empty night sky and let out a sigh of relief: "Amitabha, it has finally come."

"Come? Who is coming?" The three abbots frowned and followed his gaze into the void. Their spiritual senses searched the area within several hundred feet, but they didn't spot even a bird.

Puzzled, they retracted their spiritual senses, only to be startled by the sudden appearance of a man in a plain robe, who had quietly entered without making a sound.

This person had easily avoided the spiritual senses of the three Sarira-stage monks. What cultivation level must he have?

The man's back was to them, and his power suppressed their spiritual senses, making them unable to move or see his face. But like them, he had been tonsured, suggesting he was also a Buddhist monk.

Yet, his aura seemed strangely sharp, almost like that of a sword cultivator.

Moreover, the faint white lotus light surrounding him indicated he had already reached the half-step Golden Body stage, at least at the Kongming realm—higher than the Demon King, who was at the Great Perfection of Nascent Soul.

Could it be...

Could it be Zen Sword Buddha, Zen Lingzi, who had entered the Buddhist path through the sword path five thousand years ago?

The former madman of Mad Demon Island, who, after an encounter with the ancestors, had converted to Buddhism?

"Why the hurry to call me here?" The plain-robed Zen Master stood in the hall, his presence as bright as the moon, his demeanor calm like a breeze. After silently bowing to the Buddha statues, he slowly turned around to face the four monks in the hall.

He was tall and slender, with delicate, handsome features that made him appear to be a teenager, around eighteen or nineteen years old. His skin was as pale as the holy snow atop Ling Mountain.

Seeing this, Zen Master Zhikong stood up, hands pressed together in prayer, and softly spoke: "Zen Lingzi, Uncle Master."

Zen Lingzi seemed displeased, offering no pleasantries as he asked, "What is wrong with the Lotus Lamp?"

Zhikong closed his eyes, a red lotus illusion flickering faintly on his forehead: "Uncle Master, the reason the Lotus Lamp is so powerful is not just because of the treasure itself, but also because it seals away a powerful and divine soul. This soul has been damaged and in slumber for many years, and the Lotus Lamp has kept it sealed, intending to repair the soul..."

Zen Lingzi furrowed his brow after inspecting: "The main soul of the Lotus Lamp is about to undergo Nirvana."

Zhikong sighed and prayed again, "The Lotus Lamp and its soul are one. It will reincarnate along with it. Without the Lotus Lamp, how will our Lingzhou Buddhist Kingdom resist the demonic forces?"

Zen Lingzi replied, "Jiaye Temple has done me a great favor, but you should know that my position is special. I cannot remain here long."

"I understand Uncle Master's difficulties and ask for very little."

"Go ahead, speak."

"I hope you can use your spiritual power to locate the approximate location of the Lotus Lamp's reincarnated soul..."

"Are you planning to bring it back to Jiaye Temple?" Zen Lingzi was surprised. "The Lotus Lamp's soul has protected Jiaye Temple for tens of thousands of years. It has been a great benefactor to us. Now it is finally able to reincarnate, and you want to bring it back to the Buddhist path before it even understands its fate? Is that not a bit heartless?"

Zhikong shook his head: "No matter who the soul once was, in its reincarnation, it will be but an ordinary mortal. With the Lotus Lamp inside it, if the demons detect it, how will it survive? I, the Buddha, have mercy, and only by bringing it back to Jiaye Temple can we ensure its safety."

Zen Lingzi stroked the crystal-like Buddhist beads on his wrist and said coldly, "It seems I am getting old. What has happened to the world?"

Zhikong, clearly aware of the sarcasm in his tone, lowered his head in shame.

"But you are right. With the Lotus Lamp, this soul cannot hope for peace in this life," Zen Lingzi said, extending his hand. A red lotus about the size of a fist floated out from Zhikong's forehead and gently landed in Zen Lingzi's palm.

Curious, Zen Lingzi pinched the petals and gently moved them. The petals seemed to respond, fluttering slightly, as if caressing his fingers.

Zen Lingzi was momentarily stunned, his lips curling into a rare smile as he raised the lotus: "Go!"

The Lotus Lamp circled the hall, scattering red stars before shooting out of the temple like a shooting star, disappearing into the night sky.

Zen Lingzi closed his eyes and stood quietly before the four monks.

Since the two had been speaking in secret, the three abbots, not understanding, were shocked when they saw Zen Lingzi casually release the Lotus Lamp, but no one dared to speak up.

"East Immortal Cloud Continent, the Seven Cities of the South. This is the smallest range I can estimate," Zen Lingzi said, his voice tired after about half an hour. "We cannot get involved. Send some inconspicuous disciples to search. Once you find him, bring him back without leaving any trace. Do not draw the attention of the Immortal Kingdom or the demons."

The three abbots were stunned. "Find who?"

"A boy, born at the third watch tonight. If I am correct, there should be a red lotus-shaped mark on his forehead."

Zen Lingzi conjured a white light in his palm, which formed into a small, delicate bell. "I have left a trace of my aura in the Lotus Lamp. Once this child gets close, this bell will alert us." He then turned to Zhikong, "Rest easy. I have already formed a connection with this child. I will remain at Jiaye Temple and take him as my disciple upon his return. I will guide him on his path."