However, the return of Various Buddhas brought tranquility to what had been restless souls.

Since that day, Mount Ling became serene, as if everything had reverted to its prior state.

This also allowed some of those who were deeply concerned to gradually ease their minds.

After all, it was a top-tier power in the Three Realms; with stable hearts, recovery was incredibly swift.

Yet, as the current Buddha, Maitreya felt a persistent worry clouding his heart.

He knew the Jade Emperor well—a man of concealed prowess who, once he struck, did so with overwhelming force, swiftly dealing heavy blows to his opponents.

His annihilation of the Demon Court was just so, sudden in strength and then all collapsed like rotting wood.

Before the final day came, everyone thought the war would go on endlessly, as at that time the Demon Court matched the strength of the Heavenly Court.

But the end result shocked everyone; the vast Demon Court crumbled in a short time, utterly unable to fight back.

And now such an opponent had turned his gaze to Mount Ling, how could he possibly withdraw his hand so easily?

Yet even now, Mount Ling seemed calm and tranquil, as if the Supreme had forgotten about it entirely.

"Something’s not right, there must be a problem," Maitreya murmured to himself.

He quickly ordered someone to summon Venerable Baoguang.

"Amitabha Buddha, I pay my respects to World-Honored Buddha," said Precious Light Buddha reverently.

"Venerable Baoguang, has Mount Ling remained secure in recent times?" Maitreya asked.

Maitreya’s question left Precious Light Buddha somewhat puzzled, not understanding why Buddha would ask such a thing, but he still replied honestly, "Reporting to Buddha, Mount Ling is normal. Various Buddhas are engaged in silent cultivation behind closed doors, and the disciples also diligently practice cultivation daily without slack."

"I foresee the coming of darkness; a shadow looms over Mount Ling, yet I cannot see the conspiracy behind the curtain. You have walked about Mount Ling these days; if you notice anything amiss, report it to me at once," Maitreya said gravely.

In truth, were it not for needing to mend the seal of Demon King Mara, Maitreya would have preferred to take action himself. Unfortunately, Demon King Mara had been restive lately, repeatedly assaulting the seal left by Buddha.

As the archenemy of the Buddhist Sect, Maitreya would not allow such an opponent to escape; he also wanted to continue enhancing the Buddhist Sect with the fate of this Demon King.

"Amitabha Buddha, Mara, you might as well stay here and listen to this poor monk preach," Maitreya said softly.

His body radiated Buddha’s Light, and beneath his Lotus Platform, the deepest dark surged forth, carrying the power to bewitch the heart, as if it could drag the soul into the deepest darkness.

"Maitreya, don’t celebrate too soon. Sooner or later, I will break through the seal, and then I shall fulfill the promises of old," Mara’s voice echoed from the darkness.

Soon the darkness was completely suppressed by the golden Buddha’s Light and vanished beneath the Lotus Platform.

However, no smile graced Maitreya’s face; Mara’s words had instilled in him a deep sense of crisis.

This was an intuition for changes in destiny unique to those of their realm.

He couldn’t help but recall Mara’s oath.

"In your Age of Dharma Decline, I will have my offspring infiltrate your monk ranks, wear your kasayas, and undermine your Buddhist Law. They will misinterpret your scriptures, break your precepts, to achieve what I cannot through force today..."

This sentence still echoes in my ears. When Buddha heard it back then, he too shed tears. Today, Maitreya also feels sadness welling from within.

It seems as if this is the predestined fate of the Buddhist Sect, that despite constant efforts to suppress and seal, it only delays the arrival of the great catastrophe of the Buddhist Sect.

"Amitabha Buddha, this calamity shall originate within the Buddhist Sect!" Maitreya realized in his heart.

Meanwhile, Venerable Baoguang, having received Maitreya’s decree, descended from the summit of Mount Ling, only to see every disciple along the way diligently practicing cultivation, each emanating a dazzling Buddha’s Light.

One in particular shone with a Buddha’s Light that was especially vibrant, radiating a sense of purity from the inside out.

Such pure Buddha’s Light, even for Venerable Baoguang who holds the honor of Buddha, was exceedingly rare to witness.

Taking a few steps closer and observing more carefully, he realized that it was an acquaintance, none other than Juexing who had previously escaped from the Eastern Land.

Seeing him, Venerable Baoguang couldn’t help but nod inwardly, thinking to himself, "Truly, one who has escaped from a certain death situation must be extraordinary. It’s a pity that currently the Buddhist Sect’s seats are filled; otherwise, Mount Ling would assuredly gain a Buddha of profound mana."

While immersed in his meditation practice, Juexing felt someone watching and opened his eyes to see Venerable Baoguang standing opposite him, looking at him with a gaze full of regret.

"Amitabha Buddha, forgive me for not being aware of your presence, Venerable Baoguang. My apologies, my apologies!" Juexing quickly said, his tone one of utmost respect.

"It seems that in the midst of life and death, you have indeed found an opportunity; your Buddhist Law cultivation level is quite good," Venerable Baoguang said admiringly.

"It’s unfortunate that your trip to the Eastern Land was without success. Otherwise, there would surely be a place for you on Mount Ling," he said with a sigh.

This is a matter of both timing and destiny. Indeed, there are many similar individuals in Mount Ling, not lacking in strength or depth of Buddhist Law, but since the Golden Body and Final Fruit is predestined, they have no hope of ascension.

This is why the Buddhist Sect is so eager to expand into Dongsheng Shenzhou; only under a vast following of believers will the ranks of Mount Ling increase.

But no one could have anticipated that such efforts would come so close to success only to ultimately fail, needlessly sacrificing the lives of numerous talents and thereby damaging the vitality of the Buddhist Sect.

"Amitabha Buddha, all is like a dream, an illusion, a bubble, a shadow, like dew and like lightning," Juexing said, lowering his head, his face neither sad nor happy.

Venerable Baoguang looked at him with renewed respect.

"May I ask where the Venerable One is headed?" Juexing asked curiously.

He noticed that Venerable Baoguang had descended from Mount Ling, and now on Mount Ling there was only Maitreya, which suggested that this Buddha must be on his way to meet Maitreya.

Sensing that Maitreya must have instructed him on some matter, Juexing spoke tentatively.

Venerable Baoguang had no suspicions and instead replied with a smile, "Buddha has commanded me to patrol Mount Ling."

"I see, then I shall not disturb the Venerable One any further," Juexing said with a smile as he stepped aside.

Yet in his heart, he remained wary; he would not underestimate one who could ascend to Buddha’s position. If Buddha had instructed Venerable Baoguang to patrol Mount Ling, it was certain that something suspicious had been detected.

He sighed inwardly; none of these people were easy to deal with. Despite his caution, he had still revealed some irregularities, and now it seemed the secret meetings of the White Lotus Sect had to be halted.

Juexing raised his head as if he could see Maitreya sitting high on Mount Ling, his lips curling into a faint smile.

That’s just as well. Let me have a proper contest with you to see who will be the ultimate victor.

As days passed by, a ripple of unrest surfaced in the otherwise tranquil Mount Ling.