Inside the Buddhist Mountain Hall.

The Golden Toad Bodhisattva quickly composed himself and stepped forward again, walking towards the interior of the hall.

There were no Buddha statues standing in the spacious hall.

The True Buddha resides within Sumeru Mountain, and beneath the True Buddha, the Great Freedom Bodhisattva governs the Human World. Ordinary Arhat Bodhisattvas have no right to leave statues within the hall of the Great Freedom Pure World Bodhisattva.

There is a long corridor to the side of the hall.

The Golden Toad Bodhisattva strolled along, gradually entering a quiet room.

He saw a white-robed monk standing in front of an incense altar. Due to extreme thinness, the normal robe draped loosely on his body, revealing the outline of his ribs.

However, in contrast to this seemingly fragile body, his dust-free hands were surprisingly clean and beautiful.

At this moment, those hands were gently inserting incense into the altar.

There was still no Buddha statue before the incense altar.

He took a slight taste of the green smoke, offering it to himself.

"Has Tianwu left?"

"Returning to Pure World Venerable, he has already been sent away."

Faced with this white-robed monk, the Golden Toad Bodhisattva noticeably reined in his combative aura, appearing polite and courteous in all his actions.

The Great Freedom Bodhisattva has transcended the five elements, with a possibility in any future of sitting upon the Lotus Platform and becoming a True Buddha. He is by no means comparable to those Cultivators still trapped in the Third Grade; he could barely count as his elder.

After speaking, the Golden Toad Bodhisattva hesitated for a moment, then softly said, "Venerable, this disciple wishes to go down the mountain to take a look."

Even clad in a kasaya, spending day after day within Southern Sumeru, how could the people of the world know his revered name? Even figures like Tianwu still treated him with the attitude reserved for juniors.

"Where do you wish to go?" the Great Freedom Pure World Venerable turned his gaze back.

"This disciple has yet to decide. I seek the Venerable's guidance," the Golden Toad Bodhisattva concealed the arrogance in his demeanor. As a disciple chosen by the Future Buddha, he had no need to beg in the mortal world, hence his unfamiliarity with what lay below the mountain—with occasional interactions only with disciples of the Three Religions.

Of course, he merely said this out of courtesy, not truly needing the other's guidance.

The trivial, mundane world was one he could traverse freely with his cultivation.

"The Thousand Arms has fallen."

The Pure World Venerable withdrew his gaze, returning his eyes to the incense altar before him, "Are you still going?"

These calm words had hardly landed when the Golden Toad Bodhisattva looked up suddenly, already in the Third Grade Realm, high above the clouds, revered as a True God too by commoners.

Such an existence could still perish amidst the mundane world?

Yet it was only a moment before the Golden Toad Bodhisattva adjusted his expression, having spoken already; he refused to let this elder belittle him: "Since it is a great catastrophe, there are bound to be risks. This disciple is long prepared to be buried in the mundane dust."

"..."

Hearing this, the Pure World Venerable's gaze changed slightly.

Not truly believing the Golden Toad's nonsense.

He simply felt some inexplicable sentimentality.

Not long ago, amongst these Bodhisattvas within the sect and the masters of the Immortal Lineage of the Three Immortals Sect, the so-called catastrophe was merely regarded as a grand drama.

All that was needed was to fan the flames behind the scenes, set up the stage for the disciples, and then calmly await the collapse of the Divine Dynasty.

As for personally embarking on a venture, that was out of the question.

But how much time had passed, first Tianwu, then the Golden Toad, as though this group had forgotten they could have sat safely aloft, now eagerly rushing to step into the mundane world.

Such change seemed quite abrupt.

Could it be that we ourselves are part of the play?

The shifting emotions of all beings lie but in the thoughts of the Sect Hierarchs.

"You were taught by the Future World Venerable, I should not overstep, but since you want to descend the mountain, I shall suggest two paths."

"One, to investigate the matter of the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva, second, to aid the True God in relieving their worries."

"This..." The Golden Toad Bodhisattva displayed a trace of reluctance. He, as a Future True Buddha, descended the mountain for his future Buddhahood, not to do menial labor.

Any Bodhisattva could perform these tasks; what mattered was who ultimately gained great renown.

The Pure World Bodhisattva remained silent, simply waiting patiently for the other's response.

Just then, the voice of a novice monk came from outside.

"The Dragon Subduing and Tiger Suppressing Great Bright King requests an audience with the Great Freedom Pure World Bodhisattva!"

"Hmm?"

The still hesitant Golden Toad Bodhisattva turned his head suddenly.

He was more than familiar with that title.

Long before, during the scripture transmission to the Imperial Capital, there was already much discussion within Southern Sumeru Mountain, with many comparing this upstart Ming King to himself.

Some even speculated behind his back whether the position of a Scripture Protector had been taken for a particular reason.

The Golden Toad Bodhisattva typically paid no heed to such rumors, for the reason he hadn't taken on the role of Scripture Protector was merely his pursuit of the Bodhisattva Fruit Position; once the kasaya adorned his shoulders, all that noise would cease.

However, when the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Suppressing Great Bright King slew eight of his same-realm Heavenly Pride, including Tianwu Xuanwu, outside the North Flow River, the noise only grew louder and more jarring.

A ridiculous contest of juniors, yet something deemed worth shouting about.

The Golden Toad Bodhisattva sneered, gripping the crimson kasaya on his body tightly, intending to let others see whether such a renowned figure would need to bow upon meeting him.

With this thought, he mockingly remarked, "This Ming King knows how to pick a time; had he come sooner, he could have met Tianwu."

The Pure World Bodhisattva did not pick up on the comment; he merely watched the corridor quietly.

Soon, a young man, dressed simply, approached the two of them at a steady pace. His features were handsome, skin fair, yet compared to the Golden Toad Bodhisattva, he appeared somewhat reserved and serene, with clear, unobscured eyes devoid of overt conceit.