He had no idea what would happen to those who were still unconscious back in the square.

Still, he had passed the scripture-listening portion of the Buddhist Assembly. What happened here now had nothing to do with him, so there was no need to worry.

A group of people, led by a Monk, headed in the direction of Yan'an Temple. They were on their way to undergo the so-called "three trials of the heart." As long as they passed, they could enter Great Virtue Temple and become one of its disciples.

Late at night, Celestial Buddha City grew quiet. The common folk were long asleep. The only light on the streets came from the red candles burning by the door of every home, and the air was still thick with the smell of incense.

Everyone left the square, walking farther and farther away until they vanished around a street corner.

Back in the square, the Monks perched atop the pillars exchanged glances before sitting upright once more.

They all performed the same actions, forming Secret Seals with their hands and chanting mantras. Their fingers tapped several times in the empty air.

Countless people lay fallen in the square below, but not one of them was conscious. All were lost in a stupor, completely unaware of what the Monks were now doing.

Black lotuses manifested before each Monk, seemingly rooted in the thick incense smoke. Countless black roots snaked down the pillars.

The twelve pillars stood at every point along the square's edge. The black roots spread rapidly toward the center, sweeping over every person on the ground as if searching for specific targets.

Once a target was found, a root would slither like a long worm and burrow into the crown of the person's head.

Above the square, the black lotuses scattered and coalesced into a tall, black Great Buddha. The figure was dreamlike and illusory, its face serene and fixed in a gentle smile.

Yet, a faint black miasma emanated from the Great Buddha's body. It traveled down the countless roots in the square below and entered the people's heads.

...

There were three places in Celestial Buddha City, two of which commoners were forbidden to enter or even approach.

The first was the Buddha-Worship Glazed Tower, and the second was the City Lord's Mansion.

These two locations were considered vital areas within Celestial Buddha City.

But there was another place, a major center for incense offerings, that bustled with an endless stream of people during the day.

This place was Yan'an Temple.

Yan'an Temple was also under the jurisdiction of Great Virtue Temple, much like the White Buddha Temple in Dingzhou where Yang An had once been. However, in terms of status, the two were worlds apart.

If Great Virtue Temple were a dynasty, then Yan'an Temple would be its Governor's Mansion in Celestial Buddha City.

It was the place Great Virtue Temple had established in the city for commoners to offer incense and pray for blessings, and where it collected their offerings.

Yan'an Temple was by no means small. It was much larger than even the Jia Fugui residence where Yang An had previously stayed. It had more than enough space to accommodate the group of people who had passed the Buddhist Assembly's scripture listening.

The moment they stepped into the temple, they saw the bright moon hanging high in the sky. The thick scent of incense was so strong it could make one's eyes water. Beyond that, the entire temple was filled with a solemn and dignified atmosphere, and no one dared to speak.

The leading Monk brought them into the central main hall, Yin Huan Hall.

Upon entering the hall, the first thing everyone saw were the Golden Buddha Statues positioned throughout the space.

Buddha, Bodhisattva, Arhat, Vajra…

Each statue was solemn and majestic, its face bearing a compassionate expression.

Incense and candles burned on the offering tables before the statues, which were laden with all sorts of offerings. Seated below was a Monk wearing a white Monk's Robe with gold embroidery on the collar and cuffs.

His right hand struck a Wooden Fish with a steady, forceful rhythm while his left slowly fingered a string of cyan Prayer Beads. He was softly chanting an obscure scripture.

He was an old monk, his frame slightly stooped. He was bald but had a long, white beard.

The Monk who had led the group brought them here. He said nothing, simply waiting quietly for the old monk to finish his chanting. The others didn't dare make a sound to disturb him either.

After about a quarter of an hour, the old monk's hands finally stilled. His chanting was finished.

"Abbot De Hou, I have brought them. There are eighty-seven of the fated in total this time, and all are present."

Only then did the guide Monk slowly approach the old monk and speak in a low voice.

The old monk was the Abbot of Yan'an Temple, and his dharma name was De Hou.

"Good."

Hearing the guide Monk's report, De Hou nodded. He did not rise, remaining seated steadily on the ground. First, he loudly chanted the name of Amitabha Buddha.

The next moment, before anyone could react, a shout like the tolling of a great bell struck their minds.

Inside Yin Huan Hall, one of the Golden Buddha Statues suddenly seemed to swell, its eyes glaring with fury.

Before the crowd could even see what was happening, two bloodcurdling screams erupted from their midst. Under the gaze of the Golden Buddha Statue, two people had instantly dissolved into pools of blood.

The thick stench of blood instantly spread through the air, terrifying those nearby. They scrambled backward, wondering how the two dead men could have possibly offended the Abbot.

Yang An saw it clearly. The statue's unnatural transformation had been directed only at those two individuals, not at anyone else.

'But why attack those two so suddenly?' he wondered, equally baffled.

'Were there too many of the fated?'

Just then, Elder Monk De Hou, still seated on the floor, chanted another Buddhist verse before speaking slowly:

"Our Buddha does not grant salvation to Demon Fiends. Since you dared to enter my Yan'an Temple, you should have been prepared to never leave."

Hearing Elder Monk De Hou's words, everyone finally understood.