On the west of the Central Cloud Continent, near a grand city called Huangzun City, lay a colossal cavern known as Jiana Cave.

Carved beneath a giant mountain, it plunged a full three thousand zhang deep and spanned over two thousand li across.

The vast expanse, stretching for dozens of li, was densely populated with various Buddhist statues. Arhats, Bodhisattvas, and over a dozen Buddha Sovereigns—each emanating spiritual energy of varying depths—filled the cave with a seven-hued divine radiance, visible even miles away.

Deeper still, at the cavern’s terminus, those possessing a sufficient degree of Buddhist power could step into an extraordinary space.

Spanning one hundred thousand zhang, this realm existed outside the Mortal Realm, yet possessed subtle deviations from it.

Jingyin walked through this deepest recess, clad in a loose, moon-white monk's robe, her snow-white feet utterly pristine.

She gazed around with wide-eyed delight, her eyes holding deep joy mixed with subtle, inquisitive wonder.

Every time she passed a statue of a Buddha Sovereign or Bodhisattva, she offered a respectful bow, her bearing devout, her intent pure as untainted silk.

Finally, she reached the massive Shakyamuni, a thousand zhang tall, holding a lotus lamp, a gentle smile gracing his lips. Jingyin paused in a slight curtsy, then followed a narrow path, climbing upward. Upon reaching the lotus held in the statue’s palm, the scene before her dissolved and reformed. She suddenly seemed to stand in another, impossibly vast space, stretching for a hundred thousand zhang, its boundaries invisible to the eye.

Not far off stood a substantial monastery, resembling a palace in its grandeur.

Yet, Jingyin knew she was still within Jiana Cave, upon the lotus that formed the 'Buddha Kingdom in the Palm.'

The entire space housing the Gannan Temple, it was said, was constructed within this lotus-shaped Buddhist treasure.

Looking around, she observed many young novices and ordained monks in crimson robes entering and exiting the temple gates.

At that moment, Jingyin was not the only one observing with curiosity. Many of the monks also cast sideways glances her way, their eyes filled with suspicion.

Some were captivated by Jingyin's otherworldly, exquisite beauty; others were simply puzzled. This was a temple, not a nunnery. What was a female ascetic doing inside a monastery?

Jingyin paid them no mind, continuing her enthusiastic survey.

This, she mused, is what Master spoke of when mentioning men. They are truly different from us.

She then turned her gaze northward, and her expression instantly sobered. The northern wall here, indeed, showed signs of having once collapsed.

Though it appeared sound now, the stonework was clearly recent.

"Is that Junior Sister Jingyin?"

A young monk, dressed in the attire of a managing disciple, approached her from the direction of the entrance.

Jingyin glanced at the top of his head, noting six faint jieba scars. "I am Zhiyuan; you may call me Senior Brother. Please follow me, Junior Sister. Master Linghai has been waiting for a long time in the Mahavira Hall—"

Jingyin nodded and followed Zhiyuan into the complex. Along the way, she noticed an unusual atmosphere. Many younger monks were whispering amongst themselves, their conversations revolving around borrowing spiritual artifacts and Taoist talismans from their peers.

Occasionally, ripples of spatial fluctuation echoed across the sky, suggesting someone was shifting space.

Noticing her observation, Zhiyuan chuckled by way of explanation: "Junior Sister, you are unaware. Just an hour ago, Young Master Jueyu challenged Daoist Tanqiu to a duel at the edge of the Mortal Realm. They have been fighting fiercely ever since, still evenly matched. Strangely, the fellow disciples who went to watch sent word back that Jueyu and Tanqiu are the most preeminent swordsmen of the last century. They say this battle is the quintessential clash of peak sword intent. Consequently, the Minor Teleportation Talismans and Void-Crossing Orbs have suddenly become scarce, as so many disciples wish to rush off and witness it—"

Jingyin gasped softly, showing a flicker of surprise. Raised entirely within the sanctuary by her Master, she knew little of the cultivation world.

However, the name Jueyu was famous enough for her to recognize. Challenging the Ten Sacred Grounds and Nineteen Spirit Mansions without a single defeat, capable of retreating unharmed even against Ninth-Rank powerhouses—such a figure was legendary. Jingyin had always believed Jueyu to be unparalleled in this world. To learn there was someone his equal…

Having finished his explanation, Zhiyuan then scoffed dismissively: "They are simply unworldly! One is Seventh-Rank, the other Eighth. How truly powerful can they be? Even if spectacular, it is still a sword fight beneath the Immortal Path. Why the rush? Wasting so many Minor Teleportation Talismans!"

Despite his words, Zhiyuan’s pace quickened slightly, as if impatient.

They hurried swiftly past several courtyards until they reached a broad hall. Above the doorway hung a plaque inscribed with the characters 'Daxiong' (Great Hero).

Da signifies all-encompassing; Xiong signifies the subduing of all demons. This name had always designated the main hall of Buddhist temples across the world.

Jingyin followed Zhiyuan inside, feeling inwardly puzzled. A hall dedicated to enshrining the Three Buddhas did not seem like a suitable place to receive guests. What was Martial Uncle Linghai’s purpose in waiting for her here?

Stepping inside, she saw a portly, fair-skinned old monk, unfamiliar to her, seated upon a cushion. He wore a purple-gold kasaya, suggesting a life of comfort, yet his brow was deeply furrowed, his sighs heavy, as if burdened by some great trouble.

Zhiyuan led her there, bowed deeply, and retreated.

Jingyin felt no apprehension. First, she bowed to the Shakyamuni, the Medicine Buddha, and the Thirteenth Buddha enthroned above.

Then, she performed a Buddhist salute to the stout monk. "Disciple Jingyin greets Martial Uncle Linghai!"

"You have finally arrived. Sit!"

He gestured to a cushion opposite him, waiting until Jingyin was settled before speaking. "Did your Master inform you of the reason for coming here?"

Jingyin shook her head slightly. In truth, since receiving her Master’s command to journey to Jiana Cave, she had been utterly confused.

"It seems the villain’s role must fall to this old monk."

Linghai sighed, a look of profound helplessness on his face. "As of today, Jingyin, you are expelled from the lineage and must return to secular life!"

Jingyin started, but showed no alarm or panic. She merely blinked, her eyes conveying a silent question.

Seeing this, Linghai inwardly praised her, This woman is indeed profoundly intelligent.

"Are you aware of the strange occurrences in the monasteries across our Cloud Realm these past few days?"

"This disciple has heard!"

Jingyin nodded. "It is said that three days ago, the Buddhist statues began to radiate light, and the northern walls collapsed in every temple, large and small, without exception. Afterwards, Master said that North represents the place of honor—all divine seats face south. The wall separates the inner and outer worlds. This signifies a great tribulation, or perhaps a great karmic opportunity, for our Buddhist sect—"

"Master always possessed great insight! This is indeed the great tribulation, and the great karmic opportunity, for our Dharma!"

Linghai smiled, his expression intensely complex. "Do you know that the day before yesterday, the celestial Buddha Sovereigns issued edicts? Not only Jiana Cave, but Mingmiao Temple on Two Realms Mountain, White Horse Temple, Xiangguo Temple, Wutai Manjushri Temple, all the great Buddhist temples—all received the same decree, and all contained exactly six characters!"

Jingyin gasped, her face etched with horror. Linghai then gestured toward the space on either side of her.

Jingyin followed his gaze and suddenly understood why Linghai had chosen the Mahavira Hall to meet her.

Upon the golden floor tiles, three large characters glowed on the left and three on the right. They were invisible unless one focused their intent with great effort to perceive them.

—Immeasurable Light! Unending Darkness!

Each character seemed to contain boundless Buddhist power and myriad Great Daos. Jingyin could only bear to look for a single breath before her soul ached, forcing her to avert her eyes.

"Immeasurable Light and Unending Darkness? What does this mean?"

"You could actually see all six characters and sustain the gaze for a full breath?"

Linghai leaned forward, studying Jingyin closely. "It seems I have found the right person this time. My hopelessly inadequate disciple could only decipher four characters at his peak, and couldn't hold the gaze for even half a breath. Hmph! Good. Your appearance and temperament are among the world's finest. You are certainly capable of accomplishing this task."

Seeing Jingyin’s delicate brow furrow slightly, Linghai smiled sheepishly and drew back. "Indeed, Immeasurable Light and Unending Darkness! I did not understand their meaning before, only grasping it vaguely yesterday. It seems we must seek a person who simultaneously possesses the qualities of 'Immeasurable Light and Unending Darkness,' and preferably, bring him into our Buddhist fold."

Jingyin looked utterly perplexed. "But Immeasurable Light is the power wielded by Mahavairocana Buddha! Light shining everywhere, deathless and indestructible—this is the core essence of Vairocana—"

Before she could finish, the monk Linghai waved a hand, interrupting her. He then silently placed several scriptures before Jingyin.

Without exception, they were all texts pertaining to Mahavairocana Buddha.

The Great Sun Womb Sutra, The Great Sun Sutra Combing, The Vairocana Luminous Sutra, The Great Sun Form Sutra—

Over a dozen volumes, crafted from special materials capable of holding the Dao.

Jingyin doubtfully opened one, and her expression finally shifted. She rapidly flipped through several more; every single one had been altered.

"Up until three days ago, all scriptures concerning Mahavairocana Buddha referred to Immeasurable Light with the words Vast Light. Once this person solidifies his Dao foundation, even Vairocana himself would hesitate to claim the title of Light’s Immeasurable—"

Jingyin set down the books in her hand, her expression bordering on vacant.

"Vairocana is an emanation of Mahavairocana; this disciple cannot comprehend. What Dao could possess a light brighter than that of Mahavairocana? Unending Darkness—does this mean this person is unified in both Light and Dark? Unending and Immeasurable—they should be equal. How is this possible?"

"Your Martial Uncle cannot fully grasp it either! But we are certain that these six characters point to one individual!"

Linghai gave a wry smile. "Expelling you from the lineage is so you can go and find him. No matter what means you employ, no matter the cost, you must ensure this person joins the Buddhist sect. If that is impossible, you must at least ensure he can lend strength to our Dharma in the future. Jingyin, are you willing to dedicate yourself to our Buddha?"