Merely approaching the area, one could feel an incredibly oppressive and heavy atmosphere. An ordinary person would even experience a suffocating feeling, as if they couldn't breathe.

The procession welcoming the Holy Child stopped here. The Monks and Gami stood still on the plaza, arranged neatly in two rows. They chanted scriptures in unison, ushering the group into the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall.

Qing Yuan, a broad smile on his face, led the Holy Child—the reincarnation of a Bodhisattva—and the group of chosen ones from the Golden Lotus State toward the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall.

A thousand-meter-long flight of stairs stretched from the plaza to the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall. Both sides of the stairs were lined with Buddha statues. However, beside these Golden Buddha Statues were various mounts that looked like ferocious and majestic Demon Beasts.

At the end of the long flight of stairs was the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall. It was towering and magnificent, seemingly reaching to the heavens and inspiring a deep sense of awe.

Qing Nan led Yang An to follow, walking at the very rear of the group. They headed toward the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall, ascending the long flight of stairs step by step.

Upon reaching the front of the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall, the Monks guarding the entrance opened the tall, heavy bronze doors. The doors, aside from two conspicuous figures of Buddha, were covered in all sorts of vivid yet bizarre reliefs.

RUMBLE—

The bronze doors opened with a heavy sound. A dazzling Golden Radiance emanated from within the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall, soft and not the least bit blinding.

The moment the doors opened, the dense fragrance of incense washed over them. It was intoxicating, and an expression of captivated longing appeared on everyone's face. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

The group entered the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall together, finally laying eyes on the mysterious scene within.

The vast and mysterious Ten Thousand Buddha Hall was magnificently decorated in gold. Light filtered through the deafening chants of Buddha's name, emitting an unparalleled sacred aura. A massive, solemn, and majestic Buddha statue stood in the center of the hall, its Buddha's Radiance shining brilliantly.

Beneath the Buddha statue, an old Monk sat cross-legged on a golden Lotus Platform. He wore a jade-colored Monk's Robe and a yellow Kasaya, and his face was kind and benevolent.

The group entered the hall and stopped about fifty feet from the old Monk. With palms pressed together, they all bowed in a Buddhist gesture of respect.

"We pay our respects to Hai Shu Bodhisattva!"

"Amitabha!"

The old Monk seated on the Lotus Platform also pressed his palms together, chanted Buddha's name, and returned the gesture.

Then, from within his ancient, wizened face, a pair of bright, piercing eyes opened. A gentle smile touched his lips as he scanned the crowd below.

'Is this the Insect Dao Great Power they call a Bodhisattva?'

Yang An quietly lifted his head for a quick glance before rapidly lowering his gaze. 'This is all I dare do. I can't even let out the slightest bit of my senses, lest I reveal a flaw in front of such a Great Power. In terms of status, this Hai Shu Bodhisattva is on the same level as my master, Elder Zhuan Yu. I have to be extremely cautious in the presence of someone like him.'

"Bodhisattva, this year's Buddhist Assembly in the Golden Lotus State has produced fourteen chosen ones. One among them is the Holy Child, the reincarnation of Zhenyuan Bodhisattva. I, Qing Yuan, have specially brought Saint Child Ming Hui to have an audience with you."

Qing Yuan stepped forward and spoke respectfully. He only briefly mentioned the number of chosen ones, as the focus was on the Holy Child. If not for the Holy Child, there would have been no need to come to the Ten Thousand Buddha Hall and make such a commotion.

"Oh? The reincarnated Holy Child of Zhenyuan Bodhisattva?"

An even warmer smile instantly blossomed on Elder Monk Hai Shu's face.

Zhenyuan Bodhisattva was a figure well-documented within the Great Virtue Temple. Some of the temple's Cultivation Techniques and Buddhist Techniques were even said to have been created by him. He was, one might say, truly famous.

Guided by Qing Yuan, the Holy Child named Ming Hui stepped out from the group under everyone's gaze and stood before Hai Shu Bodhisattva.

Hai Shu Bodhisattva slowly rose from his Lotus Platform. Only when he stood did Yang An realize the old Monk was almost seven feet tall. He had simply appeared excessively slender because of his gaunt frame, dressed in a jade-colored Monk's Robe.

Hai Shu Bodhisattva gently reached out and lightly stroked the top of Saint Child Ming Hui's head.

At that moment, a faint cyan light seemed to descend from the void, emanating from the towering Buddha statue behind Hai Shu Bodhisattva and landing upon the Holy Child.

In an instant, innumerable wisps of black energy surged frantically from the Holy Child's body, swiftly enveloping him and coalescing into the image of a black Bodhisattva. Its entire form was covered in countless Sanskrit characters.

Simultaneously, countless chants echoed from the void, as if innumerable Monks were reciting scriptures aloud, creating a profoundly mysterious atmosphere.

"Hai Shu pays his respects to Zhenyuan Bodhisattva."

Elder Monk Hai Shu withdrew his hand and slightly bowed his head toward the Bodhisattva image that had appeared around the Holy Child.

The black Bodhisattva image made no movement. The moment Hai Shu finished speaking, it instantly disintegrated. The countless streams of black energy retracted back into the Holy Child's body and vanished.

The Saint Child, Ming Hui, wore a look of utter confusion, as if he had no idea what had just transpired.

"Although the residual Buddha Nature is very weak, this is indeed the body of Zhenyuan Bodhisattva. From now on, you shall go to the Saint Buddha Institute. Devote yourself to your cultivation and strive to quickly comprehend the profound meaning left behind by Zhenyuan Bodhisattva. This is your Buddhist destiny."

"Thank you, Hai Shu Bodhisattva!"

Ming Hui replied, only half-understanding.

Meanwhile, Qing Yuan, who stood below, was inwardly ecstatic.

The Great Virtue Temple had four institutes, collectively known as the Disciple Temples. They existed specifically to train the chosen ones who emerged from the Buddhist Assembly. In the future, these individuals would become the backbone of the Great Virtue Temple.