My cultivation disguise has been exposed by Xiao Sizi.

"Land."

With a wave of his sleeve, the Venerable Master Jingkong said, "Go and meet this mortal emperor, and let him receive the blessings of the Buddha."

The lotus-shaped spirit boat, radiating brilliant golden light, descended majestically towards the imperial palace.

however.

To the surprise of these high-ranking monks,

When the people of Chang'an below saw this strange phenomenon from the sky, they did not kneel down and kowtow in worship as they had imagined.

in contrast.

In the streets and alleys, countless people of the Tang Dynasty stopped in their tracks.

Instead of showing any reverence, they each pulled out pieces of crystal-clear flakes from their pockets.

That's the "Cultivation Edition Smartphone" that King Li Tai of Wei just developed and has already begun to popularize in Chang'an!

"Hey guys! Look! A giant lotus flower is flying down from the sky!"

A vendor selling sesame cakes skillfully turned on the photo-taking function.

"Is this another new flying artifact developed by the Ministry of Works? Its design is quite unique!"

"What Ministry of Industry research and development? Look at those bald heads on the ship, aren't they monks? They're even radiating golden light!"

"Wow, it really is! The special effects are off the charts! Quick, take a picture and post it on WeChat Moments. This is way better than the dancers at Zuixianlou!"

The people pointed and commented on the spirit boat in mid-air, as if they were watching a free circus performance.

There were even mischievous children who shouted at the sky, "Bald head, bald head, no worries about rain!"

I heard a commotion coming from below.

The young monks on the spirit boat immediately looked rather grim.

"Master, these mortals are truly shameless!" Huiming frowned, his tone tinged with anger. "They dare to point fingers at us; it's utterly blasphemy against the Dharma!"

"It's alright."

Although the Venerable Master Jingkong was somewhat displeased, he still maintained that unfathomable, compassionate smile on his face.

"Mortals are foolish and have not yet developed wisdom."

"Once they witness the true supernatural powers of Buddhism, they will naturally prostrate themselves in reverence and sincerely convert to Buddhism."

As they were talking.

The lotus-shaped spirit boat has landed steadily on the white jade square outside the Taiji Palace.

Officials from the Court of State Ceremonial of the Tang Dynasty came to greet them.

After a brief announcement, the Venerable Master Jingkong, accompanied by a dozen core disciples, strode arrogantly up the steps leading to the Taiji Hall.

Outside the Taiji Hall.

Two rows of Tang Dynasty Xuanjia soldiers, clad in heavy black armor and wielding Mo Dao (a type of long-handled sword), stood like iron towers on either side.

The Venerable Master Jingkong led his disciples through the army formation.

He closed his eyes slightly and scanned the soldiers with his divine sense.

"Hmm? They actually have Foundation Establishment stage cultivation?"

The old monk Jingkong was secretly surprised, but quickly understood.

"It seems that this secular dynasty has also inherited some ancient relics."

"Being able to forcibly create a group of Foundation Establishment stage assassins using pills does show they have some resources."

"However, in the face of true Buddhism, these are nothing more than ants trying to shake a tree."

The old monk Jingkong straightened his back with great confidence.

"Squeak—"

The heavy sandalwood door of the Taiji Hall was slowly pushed open.

An aura of solemnity and majesty, exuding the supreme authority of an imperial dynasty, instantly rushed towards us.

Inside the main hall.

Civil and military officials lined up on both sides.

The military generals were all burly and vigorous, exuding a powerful aura; the civil officials were all sharp-eyed and righteous.

And at the deepest part of the main hall.

Above the high nine-tiered imperial staircase.

Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, wearing a nine-dragon robe and a flat-topped crown, sat upright on the pure gold dragon throne that symbolized the ruler of the world.

He rested his chin on his hand, his deep, star-like dragon eyes casually surveying the group of monks who had entered the main hall.

"Amitabha."

The Venerable Master Jingkong led his disciples to the center of the main hall.

He did not perform the kneeling ceremony like the officials of the Tang Dynasty.

Instead, he simply put his hands together, bowed his head slightly, and adopted the posture of a hermit, ready to engage in equal dialogue.

"This humble monk is Jingkong, from the Western Buddhist Kingdom."

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty."

The voice of the Venerable Master Jingkong was secretly mixed with the Buddhist "Lion's Roar" supernatural power.

The sound wasn't loud, but it was as if a bronze bell was being struck directly in a person's mind.

It carries a strange, captivating aura that compels one to bow down in worship.

If it were an ordinary mortal emperor, this single Buddhist chant would likely have made him lose his composure and obediently descend from his throne to greet him.

however.

Li Shimin sitting on the dragon throne.

Not only did he not show the slightest emotion, but he didn't even change his posture.

He simply looked at the old monk Jingkong below with an expression as if he were looking at an idiot.

On either side of the main hall.

The reaction of the founding fathers of the Tang Dynasty caused the Buddhist delegation to feel a strange sense of unease.

Duke Lu, Cheng Yaojin, was leaning against a pillar.

He held a small wooden stick he had picked up from somewhere, picking his teeth while looking the group of monks up and down with an extremely strange expression.

It's as if you're looking at a plate of braised pork laid out on a cutting board.

Yuchi Gong, the Duke of E, nudged Li Jing, the Duke of Wei, with his elbow and muttered in a low voice.

"Old Li, look at the heads of these bald monks, they're so bald they reflect light."

"I, Old Cheng, am worried that the lanterns aren't bright enough when I'm patrolling at night. What do you think about hanging them on the city gate towers as night-shining pearls? What would that do?"

Li Jing's lips twitched, and she rolled her eyes at him.

"Don't talk nonsense, it's too greasy, it's dazzling to look at."

On the civil officials' side.

Wei Zheng, the most outspoken critic of the Tang Dynasty, had his brows furrowed.

Looking at the monks' gaudy robes, he felt an inexplicable surge of anger rising in his heart, and he couldn't help but want to summon righteous energy to spray them in the face.

Li Chen was standing in the line of princes.

He crossed his arms, barely suppressing his laughter, and watched the play with great interest.

"The Western Buddhist Kingdom? I'm familiar with that storyline."

Li Chen was internally ranting and raving.

"Isn't this a typical plot from a web novel from my past life? A monk travels east to try and seize the fortune of the Central Plains, only to be brutally beaten down by the protagonist."

"However, these monks are really unlucky."

"They probably don't realize just how terrifying and twisted this so-called mortal dynasty they're facing really is."

In the center of the hall.

When the old monk Jingkong saw that Li Shimin did not respond, he couldn't help but feel a little displeased.

He decided to stop beating around the bush and directly demonstrate the supreme power of Buddhism to teach these ignorant mortals a lesson!

"His Majesty!"

The old monk Jingkong suddenly raised his head, his voice booming like a bell.

"This humble monk observes the vast territory of the Tang Dynasty, which does possess some prosperity."

"But the people have no faith to rely on, and the world is filled with too much violence. If this continues, they will surely suffer divine retribution and demonic calamity!"

That's all.

The old monk Jingkong no longer concealed his aura.

He suddenly closed his eyes and quickly formed a mudra with his hands in front of his chest.

"Buzz—!!!"

A powerful pressure belonging to the peak of the late Golden Core stage erupted from his gaunt body without reservation!

The dazzling golden light of Buddha, like a rising sun, burst forth in the Taiji Hall!

The dazzling golden light illuminated the entire hall.

Even beneath the feet of the old monk Jingkong, on the hard blue brick ground, golden phantom lotuses formed from pure spiritual energy suddenly bloomed out of thin air!

May every step bring forth lotus blossoms!

The Buddha's light shines everywhere!

The dozen or so disciples following behind Jingkong also sat down cross-legged.

They struck wooden fish drums and chanted in unison the difficult-to-understand Sanskrit Buddhist scriptures.