Cui Hao envies you.

Early morning.

The sun had just risen into a boundless, clear sky.

At this moment, Huazhen Hall was surrounded by multiple layers of formations and ritual arrays. Pale golden streams of light surged from the ground, reflecting against the clear sky. Cultivators from the Grand Dao Sect stood at their respective array cores, waiting in full battle readiness.

Outside Huazhen Hall, a spacious and magnificent high platform had been erected.

Huang Miao of the Profound Clarity Heavenly Sect and Supreme Elder Chen Xiao of the Heaven Derivation Sect had also arrived early. Each was accompanied by a fellow Tribulation Transcendence cultivator, and they now sat presiding beside the main seats.

In addition to them, three Tribulation Transcendence cultivators from the Grand Dao Sect had returned to hold the fort.

At present, there was a total of seven Tribulation Transcendence cultivators from the three sects present at Huazhen Hall.

Although their numbers seemed somewhat lacking compared to the Buddhist faction.

However, in the eyes of these orthodox Tribulation Transcendence cultivators from the Eighteen Immortal Sects, who had painstakingly cultivated their way up, those Earthly Buddhas at the Tribulation Transcendence stage elevated through secret arts could only be considered an upgraded, evolved version of the Mahayana stage.

They were not true Tribulation Transcendence experts. Only those Karmic Buddhas were worthy opponents in their eyes.

If a fight truly broke out, with the enhancement of the formations, they wouldn't necessarily fall into a disadvantage.

"Thank you for your trouble, Seniors," Chu Xingchen said as he flew onto the high platform, cupping his hands in greeting to the Tribulation Transcendence Supreme Elders who had already taken their seats.

Xie Lingyu followed by Chu Xingchen's side. She didn't speak, but she cupped her hands in greeting alongside him.

Chen Xiao was a Supreme Elder of the Heaven Derivation Sect. Although he had been in seclusion for quite some time, he still recognized Xie Lingyu. In the past, he had also received a favor from Bai Xuanling.

Before setting out, he had learned the details from Lu Xuan and understood Chu Xingchen's current importance to the Heaven Derivation Sect, as well as the relationship between Chu Xingchen and Xie Lingyu.

There was no need to mention Xie Lingyu; she was an outstanding disciple of his own sect, and her master Bai Xuanling was known for her loyalty and righteousness.

Chu Xingchen, at the very least, could be considered half a Heaven Derivation Sect member.

Chen Xiao was not one to put on airs; naturally, he wanted to back up the juniors of his own sect.

A faint smile appeared on Chen Xiao's face. "You have done well. Before I came, Bai Xuanling praised you several times. Seeing you today, you are indeed a dragon among men, and the two of you are a perfect match."

Chu Xingchen quickly cupped his hands and replied,

"Senior is too modest. You are the unfading legends of this world. Your far-reaching reputations leave us juniors in awe."

The Tribulation Transcendence cultivators of the Grand Dao Sect nodded in agreement with calm expressions.

The matter concerning Chu Xingchen from back then had been clearly explained. The Grand Dao Sect had also jointly studied the logic behind his fall. At the very least, Chu Xingchen had been doing the right thing at the time, and Bai Xuanling seemed to have paid a massive price for it.

Having a top-tier Tribulation Transcendence cultivator unable to fight was a loss that, truthfully speaking, might be far greater than losing the initiative in the Western Niuzhou.

Huang Miao's gaze swept over Chu Xingchen and then landed on Xie Lingyu. After pondering for a moment, he spoke,

"What happened a few days ago was a misunderstanding. Please forgive me."

Xie Lingyu immediately cupped her hands and replied, "It is fine. It was just a misunderstanding."

Hearing their exchange, Chu Xingchen looked at Xie Lingyu with a questioning gaze, wondering what had happened.

Xie Lingyu's eyes flickered slightly, signaling that it was just a small misunderstanding.

Chu Xingchen chuckled and nodded. Xie Lingyu was accompanied by Cui Hao; if she had truly suffered a huge loss, Cui Hao would have reported it to him yesterday.

It was probably just a minor misunderstanding. Huang Miao was quite proud and wouldn't show the slightest weakness even in front of Bai Xuanling. Yet now, he was willing to take the initiative to apologize. Moreover, as a long-renowned Tribulation Transcendence cultivator, his sincerity was more than enough.

Huang Miao nodded slightly and then asked, "Runan is coming today. Has the Bright Buddha arrived?"

Chu Xingchen looked back toward the main hall and said,

"Isn't he here?"

Huang Miao followed his gaze and saw an elderly monk casually strolling over. His gait even looked a bit like a street ruffian's.

Wukong followed beside the elderly monk, talking incessantly, listing out all the precautions.

Cui Hao was on the other side, also talking non-stop, comforting Yuan Kong that everything would go smoothly.

The two of them spoke their own pieces without interrupting each other.

Yuan Kong stood in the middle, nodding and responding to both sides simultaneously.

Is this how eminent monks behave these days? No wonder Runan called him an evil Buddha.

He indeed seemed quite eccentric.

When he probed with his divine sense, he discovered that this eminent monk only had a Golden Core cultivation base. He immediately understood the situation somewhat.

No matter how a Tribulation Transcendence cultivator was imprisoned or restricted, their cultivation couldn't possibly drop to the Golden Core stage. This was clearly a disguise.

Huang Miao roughly understood Chu Xingchen's line of thought and asked,

"Will this work?"

"That depends on the other side."

"Don't tell me you expect Runan to cooperate?" Huang Miao asked with an odd expression.

Chu Xingchen smiled but didn't answer.

Yuan Kong stepped onto the high platform. His gaze swept over the cultivators with profoundly deep auras. He first revealed a slight smile, then quickly walked to Chu Xingchen's side and asked in a low voice,

"I have memorized almost everyone."

Chu Xingchen nodded in praise, "Very good. As expected of a Buddhist Son, truly intelligent."

"No..." Yuan Kong shook his head gently, his expression showing a hint of worry. "When I agreed yesterday, my mind was quite calm. But hearing that the Honored Buddha Runan is actually coming, I started feeling nervous."

"As time passes, I get even more anxious. Thinking about it carefully, I am just an unwanted Buddhist Son from the Central State..."

Chu Xingchen reached out and patted Yuan Kong's shoulder, interrupting him,

"I am not asking you to go up and fight him. Even if you are exposed, it won't matter. I will take the heat for everything. You just need to go up there and pretend. I used to do this kind of thing myself, but this time I am giving the opportunity to you. You just need to enjoy the thrill."

"If it were Cui Hao doing this, let alone being nervous, he would be so excited he wouldn't be able to sleep the night before."

Hearing this, Yuan Kong cast a sideways glance at Cui Hao beside him.

At this moment, Cui Hao very cooperatively put on a pained expression as if he had just missed out on a million spirit stones, staring at Yuan Kong with deeply envious eyes.

His appearance was genuine, his gaze sincere.

Yuan Kong used his innate divine ability to look, yet even he couldn't tell if Cui Hao was being genuine or not.

But the logic still stood.

Yuan Kong took a deep breath, but found it useless. After thinking for a moment, he suggested,

"Usually, for such grand occasions, there is a rehearsal. When I was at Chanlin Temple, before hosting massive events like the Shuilin Dharma Assembly, we would always rehearse a bit beforehand."

"After rehearsing, everyone knows what to expect."

Hearing this, Chu Xingchen nodded approvingly in agreement,

"A very good suggestion."

"So you agree?"

"No."

"Then why did you nod?"

"Because I am not rejecting your suggestion; we just don't have time to rehearse anymore."

As Chu Xingchen spoke, he motioned for Yuan Kong to look to the east.

In the clear blue sky, golden auspicious clouds were drifting over at an extremely fast speed.

Buddhist golden light shone from within the auspicious clouds, and immortal mist swirled.

Soon after, Arhats and Bodhisattvas pushed aside the auspicious clouds, revealing the appearance of radiant, precious canopies.

Golden lotuses bloomed, and Buddha light circulated. The grand display was incredibly imposing.

Yuan Kong stared at the Buddha light and silently gulped.

Chu Xingchen teased, "Don't look like you are about to pee your pants in fear."

Yuan Kong smiled bitterly. "...It is indeed not just an expression anymore."

Chu Xingchen patted Yuan Kong's shoulder and said,

"Then hurry up and sit in the high seat. That way, if you really lose control, the other side won't be able to see."

Yuan Kong took a deep breath and strode toward the main seat.