Announcing this matter was not troublesome.
Moreover, ever since the three Grand Chan Masters had sent Chen Kuang to the meditation quarters, they had already instructed the monks below to make preparations. The process had long since been completed.
Today's occasion was, in truth, nothing more than a symbolic formality, an official announcement of the Grand Chan Masters' decision.
Led by Xiuzhu, Chen Kuang arrived at the wide plaza before the Mahāvīra Hall of Garan Temple.
This Mahāvīra Hall was the temple's central shrine dedicated to Śākyamuni Buddha, sprawling over a thousand mu in area. The statue enshrined within was so colossal it was nearly terrifying, even craning one's neck, one could scarcely glimpse its full form.
Though the Buddha statue bore a compassionate and downcast gaze, its sheer scale emitted a suffocating pressure, compelling awe and dread, making one's heart pound and forcing the eyes to avert in reverence.
To preside over an event within the Mahāvīra Hall marked an affair of utmost gravity for the entire Pure Land. Since the founding of Garan Temple, such events could be counted on fewer than five fingers.
Yet the reincarnation and return of a Buddha-Child, this certainly warranted the Buddha's personal witness. Thus, the ceremony was held in the plaza before the grand hall, symbolizing both respect and reverence.
At this moment, nearly a thousand monks had already gathered upon the plaza.
Not only were there the True Pearl Disciples of Garan Temple, but also disciples from other temples who had come to witness the ceremony.
Though the Pure Land revered Garan Temple above all, the disciples of the other temples were not weak. Still, to be qualified to attend such a ceremony, one had to be the cream of the crop.
They had received the notice just the day before, and all had rushed to Garan Temple without delay, to bear witness to the return of this generation's third Buddha-Child.
After all, this was a matter of utmost significance within the Pure Land.
Everyone was eager to behold for themselves the reincarnation of Lionheart, the Buddha-Child who, in his past life, had once stood unrivaled in his generation and was hailed as the one most likely to attain true Enlightenment.
And so, gazes, be they scrutinizing, curious, or skeptical, all fell upon the figure clad in pale moon-white monk robes walking alongside Xiuzhu.
But in the very moment they glimpsed his long, jet-black hair...
Every gaze twisted into shock and uncertainty.
Chen Kuang narrowed his eyes, sweeping his gaze over the dense sea of bald heads meditating in front of him. Yet his thoughts were elsewhere, wondering whether those three demonic masters would emerge from their meditation quarters.
From Xiuzhu's explanation, it seemed that although the demons had taken over the bodies of the three Grand Chan Masters, there were significant side effects.
Their divine senses could no longer extend beyond the quarters, and simply maintaining a semblance of physical normalcy was already their limit.
In fact, Chen Kuang even suspected... that the reason he had been able to see their true forms that day might not have been because of his "Piercing Insight" passive.
It could very well have been a deliberate test, a calculated reveal meant to gauge his reaction.
Had he shown fear or alarm, he likely would not have walked out of that room alive.
If, even in this high-profile event, the three did not appear in person, it would indicate their condition was worse than expected, and his strategies would need adjustment accordingly.
Unfortunately, the three venerable Grand Chan Masters did, in the end, emerge, slowly and solemnly, supported by three young monks.
Plip. Plop.
The first to appear, Chan Master Wuwen, still had putrid blood oozing from the two gaping holes on either side of his skull. A viscous black ichor dripped constantly, wriggling with countless unidentifiable things.
Within his empty eye sockets, there now seemed to be even more of those tiny pale arms extending outward.
By contrast, the mouthless Chan Master Wuyan appeared almost normal... only, the eternally benevolent smile in his eyes was as deep and impenetrable as an abyss.
The three slowly stepped forward, advancing beneath the gaze of thousands, to the very front of the Mahāvīra Hall.
Chen Kuang did his best not to look at the vile trail of corruption left behind on the ground, but the sight was already bordering on sanity's limit.
Beneath the brilliant sunlight, with hundreds of monks gathered in reverent devotion beneath the gleaming golden radiance of the Buddha statue, incense smoke curling upward in holiness, the three leading this ceremony were monsters, not men, nor ghosts.
Chen Kuang took a deep breath and walked up to the side of the three Grand Chan Masters.
Chan Master Wuwen sighed and spoke:
"Forty years ago, the Buddha-Child Lionheart, the one most likely to attain the Fourth Saintly Fruit, went into the world to temper himself, only to vanish without a trace. It was a great regret for the Pure Land."
"These past forty years, I never ceased sending men to search for Lionheart's relics, but all efforts were in vain."
"Yet now, it seems Lionheart's karmic bond with the Buddha is profound. After forty years, he returns to the Pure Land with past-life wisdom intact. Truly, a blessing upon the Buddha's path."
Chan Master Wuwen stepped closer and patted Chen Kuang on the shoulder.
Plop.
A glob of pus and blood splashed onto the ground at Chen Kuang's feet, instantly causing countless maggots to wriggle and boil forth.
Chen Kuang maintained a gentle smile and replied:
"Chan Master flatters me. It is I who am honored to receive the wisdom of Lionheart, the predecessor."
Wuwen chuckled:
"Such humility and self-possession, that too is your wisdom."
"Since you have not yet undergone tonsure, and have no Dharma Name of your own, it would be inappropriate for you to go by a secular name within the Pure Land. For now, you shall inherit the Dharma Name 'Lionheart'. Once you are ordained, we may choose another name. What say you?"
What else could Chen Kuang say?
Naturally, he pressed his palms together and bowed:
"Many thanks, Chan Master."
Wuwen nodded in satisfaction and turned to address the thousand monks assembled:
"The Pure Land welcomes back another Buddha-Child today. The Buddha himself must surely rejoice. All monastic studies in every temple are to be suspended for seven days. All disciples, monk and lay alike, shall join in celebration and vegetarian feasting, in honor of the returned Buddha-Child."
At those words, the monks below were visibly stunned.
For in past times, the return of a Buddha-Child had never been celebrated so extravagantly. At most, Garan Temple would host a one-day vegetarian banquet within its own grounds to mark the occasion.
But now, from Wuwen's own mouth, it was to be seven days of feasting throughout the entire Pure Land!
Even more startling, all sutra recitations and daily studies were to be halted for a full week.
Such indulgence was utterly unprecedented, it was a shocking breach of custom!
The Pure Land had always taken austerity as its highest virtue. To suddenly cancel all duties for seven days of celebration sent waves of astonishment through the crowd.
Several elders and abbots from other temples furrowed their brows, visibly disapproving.
Chen Kuang, however, was not surprised. Rather, he found confirmation in this, his speculation had been correct.
A dam may collapse from a single ant's nest...
These three demonic masters were attempting to use his presence as an opening, a classic act of "Calling a Stag a Horse", to gradually overturn the entire structure of the Pure Land.
What happened once could happen again. If the return of one Buddha-Child could justify a seven-day feast, then next time, why not a month?
Rules, no matter how unshakable they appeared, were always vulnerable to gradual corrosion.
The monks knew, of course, that this was highly improper.
Especially because this "returned Buddha-Child" before them wasn't even an ordained monk!
Back then, when it was Xiuzhu who appeared with the relic of unclear origin, the entire Pure Land debated the matter for three full months before reluctantly accepting it.
Yet now, without any investigation, without validation, Chen Kuang was being honored with a seven-day feast across all temples?
Emotionally and logically, this was utterly indefensible.
Moreover, the Pure Land was not cut off from the world. Word had already spread, some had begun to recognize Chen Kuang's identity, aware of his past deeds. Soon, everyone would know just how problematic this person truly was.
But now, with the Grand Chan Masters declaring such things in public, how could the temple heads and elders object openly?
Naturally, all eyes turned toward one particular individual standing at the front of the crowd.
The other acknowledged Buddha-Child present, Xiuxin.
Xiuzhu was still too young. The only one who might persuade the Grand Chan Masters was this authentic Buddha-Child.
Chen Kuang noticed the shift in attention as well and turned to look at the legitimate Buddha-Child.
This Xiuxin wasn't particularly stunning in appearance, her features were gentle, imbued with compassion. Clad in the same moon-white monastic robes, she exuded a sense of integrity and detachment.
Her eyes shone with clarity, spiritual light dancing within, she was the very image of a true high monk and moral exemplar.
And Xiuxin lived up to expectations. She took two steps forward, her gaze firm as she looked at Chen Kuang, and spoke in a gentle yet resonant voice:
"Chan Master Wuwen, please wait a moment. I, Xiuxin, have a question I wish to ask the Grand Chan Masters."
"One who has not undergone tonsure, whose six roots are still defiled, and whose karma is heavy with blood, how can such a person qualify as a Buddha-Child of the Wugou Pure Land?"
"If the assembly of monks is made to celebrate one so steeped in killing and sin, how can that possibly convince the hearts of the people?"