On the Western Great Earth, there sits a majestic Imperial City.
This place is known as the Kapilavastu, perhaps overlooked during the time when Xuanyuan united the Shen Zhou.
Therefore, the supreme ruler here is not the Human Emperor Di Shun, but the highest of the Buddhist Sect, the Saint Zhunti.
In the West, Zhunti and Prithvi are the Emperors.
Having preached in the Western World for many years, naturally, they left behind many Buddhist scriptures. The Shakyamuni Clan, as part of the Imperial Family, are fervent Buddhists. As such, the King designated Buddhism as the state religion, mandating that all citizens must believe in Buddhism.
This led to the whole of Kapilavastu transforming into a Buddha Country.
Even the architecture inside the Imperial City greatly emulates the circular eaves and pointed tops of temples. The colorful and diverse attire of the citizens, while different in styles, all hold a hint of the monks’ robes.
Usually, once the moon begins to rise, the entire Imperial City would fall into silence. But today’s situation appears to be different.
Now, with the moon in the mid-sky, the Imperial City is still brightly lit, its main streets bustling shoulder to shoulder, as busy as a marketplace.
Dressed as a traveling monk, Zhunti, somewhat perplexed, stops a man beaming with joy and asks, "Amitabha Buddha! May I ask this benefactor, why is it so clamorous today when Kapilavastu usually imposes a strict curfew?"
The man took a glance at Zhunti, noting his ragged monk’s robe and bare feet, and understood that before him stood a highly cultivated monk. He respectfully performed a Buddha greeting and said,
"Amitabha Buddha! I gather that this master must have come from afar? Today, our King’s most beloved consort is due to give birth, His Majesty has ordered that for the next three days the curfew is lifted, and the whole nation will celebrate together!"
"Oh?" Zhunti responded with a light smile upon hearing this, "That’s the case! The Buddha will bless His Majesty!"
The man chuckled heartily, "The Buddha will surely bless His Majesty!"
Just as Zhunti was about to shake his head and leave, a faint golden light emanated from the nearby Imperial Palace, rippling outward like waves.
"Uh, what’s this?" Zhunti’s expression changed. With a flick of his robe, he soared into the air for a bird’s-eye view of the Imperial City.
Instantly, the whole Imperial City came into view, with visible golden waves and glows emanating from a particular building in the Palace.
"Such pure Buddha Power!" Zhunti’s face lit up with ecstasy, whispering, "It must be my junior brother! After searching for so many years, I’ve finally found him!"
Zhunti moved swiftly, not bothering to conceal his aura, and in one step, he arrived directly in the middle of the Imperial Palace.
The guards at the palace were dumbfounded. Seeing the sorrowful face and surging Buddha Power of Zhunti descending from the heavens, they stood gaping, taking quite some time to come to their senses.
"Amitabha Buddha!" With a slight smile, Zhunti’s face of sorrow suddenly became as refreshing as a spring breeze.
"The Buddha, the Buddha!"
"The Buddha has shown a divine presence, the Buddha has shown a divine presence..."
Moments later, the guards, as if awoken from a dream, joyfully shouted, hands pressed together, kneeling repeatedly towards Zhunti.
"Pitter-patter, pitter-patter!"
Amidst a flurry of cluttered footsteps, the King, who was anxiously waiting inside the palace for the birth of the Prince, rushed out upon hearing the excited and noisy chatter of the guards.
Upon seeing Zhunti, the King’s face showed utmost reverence, and without regard for the dignified air of an Emperor, he bowed deeply with hands pressed together.
At this moment, a loud cry of an infant resounded within the palace.
Then came the descent of auspicious beasts, the sky filled with propitious aura, pure and vast, inspiring reverence in those who felt it. Above the palace, dragons and phoenixes, divine beasts among clouds, intertwined with each other, with a thousand strands of auspicious air!
Zhunti, with a face of sorrow, suddenly burst into a radiant smile as splendid as flowers: "Junior brother, you are reincarnated because of the Shakyamuni Clan, and from now on, you shall be Shakyamuni!"
Simultaneously, on a small island far above the East Sea, an event strikingly similar to what happened in Kapilavastu occurred.
This small island spans about four hundred thousand miles, with beautiful scenery and rich spiritual energy. The rocks that stretch around the perimeter of the island cast enigmatic shadows, seemingly forming a rather intricate array to fend off the attacks of sea beasts.
From high above, one could faintly make out patches of red bricks and green tiles, as well as humanoid creatures scurrying about within the island.
These people and buildings come from a small country on the island, known as the Kingdom of Aolai.
It can be said that the Kingdom of Aolai is quite fortunate, for it lies outside the inland of Huaxia and is not governed by Di Shun.
Therefore, the races that reside within are quite mixed. Human Clan, Demon Race, Witch Tribe... Three groups, over a hundred smaller tribes form this seemingly insignificant yet fully functional chaotic nation.
The three groups in the small Kingdom of Aolai refuse to submit to one another, each finding the others displeasing. However, their squabbles are minor, and no one has ever sparked a major war.
Some might say, for a mere island nation, is it necessary for the three major tribes to vie for it so fiercely?
But this is not entirely their fault! Now, the spiritual energy of Huaxia Heaven and Earth is not as pure, and does not compare to the richness and purity of ancient times.
The spiritual energy quality of Huaxia Land is not only deteriorating but also becoming scarcer.
Many places with rich spiritual energy, like mountains, lakes, and rivers, have owners, and more often than not, they are powerful individuals with great cultivation. For small households like them, protecting a mountain with slightly richer spiritual energy seems unattainable.
Therefore, such a small overseas island, with not only ample spiritual energy but also many Spiritual Roots and Immortal Fruits, has become a precious commodity.
Over time, it has turned into a coveted treasure for many small powers.
It is worth mentioning that the King of Aolai, Li Xuan, is of the Human Clan. He does not believe in Buddhism, Daoism, or Witchcraft.
But it is his sheer belief and commitment to life that allowed him to break through to the peak of Refining Void and Merging Dao and he could at any time achieve the status of an Earth Immortal.
The other two groups both wish for Li Xuan’s death, to take the throne and secure more resources.
But neither is willing to make the first move; one reason is fear of not being able to defeat Li Xuan and destroying their whole tribe in the process; the second is fear that if they fight to the death with Li Xuan, they might leave the third power to reap the benefits.
Thus, a delicate balance has formed among the three powers on Penglai Island, with none willing to disturb the status quo.
Yet today, it seems that this stability has fissured.
Li Xuan’s wife, the Queen of Aolai, is expected to give birth today.
To prevent any accidents, Li Xuan has mobilized all his forces within the Imperial City. The rest of the island, including places like spirit veins, mines, medicine gardens... etc., are left unguarded, in a vacuum state.
This has given hope to the Witch and Demon Clans, who for the first time thought about forming an alliance to drive out the Human Clan from the island completely.
In their excitement, the leaders of the two powers met and hit it off right away. They discussed the details soon after and finally decided to mobilize the elite forces within their groups to launch a sneak attack on Li Xuan and force him to abdicate!
(To be continued. If you work, we invite you to cast your recommendation and monthly ticket votes at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)