Though Asan Fozizi held a high position in Fuzhou, the law of the jungle prevailed. He had to show filial respect to Liuli Pusa, for it was status, not strength, that was elevated.
"You are excused."
Liuli Pusa's tone was gentle as he approached Asan, helped him up, and then asked.
"Is Anan Pusa well?"
Anan was the sole supreme powerhouse in Fuzhou, and he made no effort to conceal his existence. Therefore, all the Buddhist sects in Fuzhou were aware of him. This was also why, after numerous Buddhist sects in Fuzhou revived, they were still willing to accept the rule of Buddhism.
"The Pusa is well. Asan is here to present a page of Buddhist scripture from the Pusa to this assembly."
Asan spoke.
Gasps of astonishment erupted throughout the city, and even Liuli Pusa's eyes flashed with a hint of pleasant surprise.
A page of Buddhist scripture from Anan Pusa, a supreme expert on the verge of becoming a Buddha! Even Liuli Pusa himself would benefit greatly from perusing it.
"We thank Anan Pusa."
Liuli Pusa bowed slowly towards the central region of Fuzhou, and simultaneously, the powerful figures from the various sects of Fuzhou in the sky chanted and bowed.
"Please, Fozizi, accompany me to Yaoshi Fozong."
Liuli Pusa spoke, preparing to escort Asan back to the sect.
At the same time, the experts from various sects in the sky descended. Asan's status was extraordinary, so the monks of Fuzhou spontaneously appeared to welcome him. Now that their greetings were complete, they had no further business.
"Please!"
Asan spoke, mounted on a six-legged white elephant, preparing to depart.
Just then, a cry echoed from the distant sky, and a massive black figure hurtled towards Liuli City at breakneck speed.
It was none other than a Roc demon beast, with over a dozen figures standing upon its back.
"Liuli Pusa, why not wait for the Fozizis of my Three Great Sects to pay their respects? Are you returning to your sect so soon? Do the faces of my Three Great Sects' three Fozizis hold less weight than Senior Brother Asan?"
A voice rang out from the back of the black Roc, carrying across the entire Liuli City.
"That's the guardian divine beast of Jile Fozong! A Roc demon beast!!! That voice belongs to the Fozizi of Jile!"
Within the city, a powerful figure whispered, their eyes flickering.
"The Fozizis of the Three Great Sects have arrived together. Could it be that they intend to cause trouble for the Fozizi?"
Someone speculated. The Buddhist sects were not always harmonious. Although they all adhered to the rule of Buddhism, the Buddha had vanished in ancient times, and thus Buddhism's control over Fuzhou was not as firm as it appeared.
"Jile Fozizi, Dazizai Fozizi, Dizang Fozizi, three Fozizis arriving in Liuli City together. Could it be that the Three Great Sects have formed an alliance?"
A powerful figure exclaimed in shock. The alliance of the Three Great Sects – what were they planning? Were they aiming to overthrow the rule of Buddhism?
"Silence!!! If you don't know, don't speculate wildly! The three Fozizis are likely here for Fozizi Asan. Don't forget, though Fozizi Asan is a Buddhist Fozizi, he is not the foremost Fozizi in Fuzhou. As long as a contemporary prodigy can defeat him, they will receive the Buddha's true scripture!"
A powerful figure explained. Knowing the truth, Asan, despite his high status as a Buddhist Fozizi, was primarily valued for his Buddha's true scripture. Every generation, the Fozizi was bestowed with a true scripture by the Buddha, enabling them to attain a more profound Dao fruit.
However, other Buddhist sects also had their prodigies. Furthermore, Fuzhou's sects were an integrated whole. With Asan possessing the Buddha's true scripture, it was natural for contemporary prodigies to feel a sense of dissatisfaction.
Therefore, an ancient rule of Fuzhou dictated that if a prodigy of astonishing talent defeated the Buddhist Fozizi, they would inherit the Fozizi's Buddha's true scripture.
Since the Buddha's true scripture was singular and could only be cultivated by one person, everyone who wished to obtain it had to defeat the Buddhist Fozizi. Similarly, the Buddhist Fozizi, to safeguard the true scripture, had to suppress all rivals!
"Don't forget that the current sect leader of Jile Fozong defeated the previous generation's Buddhist Fozizi and obtained the true scripture. In a mere century, he broke through to become a Hegemon and attained the title of Pusa. Fozizi Jile's arrival clearly indicates his intention to emulate the deeds of the sect leader of Jile Fozong back then."
Someone explained that the birth of each generation of Buddhist Fozizi was accompanied by such events. Of course, in many instances, the Buddhist Fozizi would suppress all rivals of their generation and preserve the true scripture.
However, there were exceptions. Moreover, the current Fozizi Asan, after being chosen as Fozizi in ancient times, had been sealed and slumbered, causing the competition for the true scripture to be postponed until now.
"Amitabha!"
In the sky, Liuli Pusa chanted, instantly suppressing all the murmurs. He glanced at the three eye-catching figures on the Roc's back, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. The Fozizi of Yaoshi Fozong in this generation had died in ancient times, and there was no particularly monstrous genius cultivator in Yaoshi Fozong at present. Thus, the true scripture on Asan was not destined to be theirs.
"Pusa, forgive my rudeness."
Asan said to Liuli, his face etched with apology. He had guessed Liuli's displeasure. If he hadn't come, the Fozizis of the Three Great Sects would likely not have appeared, and Liuli Pusa would not have felt displeased.
"It is nothing. Yaoshi Fozong has no affinity with the true scripture."
Liuli stated, neither pleased nor displeased.
Concurrently, the Roc had landed in Liuli City. The people on its back, the three Fozizis, approached Liuli Pusa and bowed in unison.
"We pay our respects to the Pusa, and to the Fozizi."
"Fozizi Jile, why are you suddenly so courteous?"
Liuli Pusa asked, looking at one person in the crowd. He was about 1.8 meters tall, slender, and arguably the most handsome among the people from the Three Great Sects, his appearance significantly more appealing than Asan's.
Previously, Fozizi Jile had called out to stop Liuli Pusa and Asan, his words being somewhat disrespectful. But now, with the sudden courteous bow, Liuli naturally inquired about the reason for the change.
"Pusa, you jest. Seeing that Pusa and Senior Brother Asan were about to depart, I mistakenly believed you hadn't noticed us, and thus, a moment of greed overtook me. I apologize for my rudeness before you, and I hope Pusa will forgive me."
Fozizi Jile said with a smile, showing no embarrassment whatsoever.
Liuli Pusa smiled and remained silent, instead turning his gaze to the other two in the crowd: a female monk, Fozizi Dazizai, who had a delicate appearance, and a slightly darker-complexioned young monk, Fozizi Dizang.
"Are Venerable Qinglian and Venerable Zhenmo well? Why have they not come?"
Liuli inquired about the two Hegemon experts from Dazizai Fozong and Dizang Fozong. Though Hegemons, they had not received the title of Pusa.
As for Jile Fozong, he deliberately ignored them. Even a Pusa had emotions, and it was evident that this Pusa Jile had already caused him some displeasure.
"Reporting to Pusa, the demon race is in chaos. The two Venerables are stationed at the front line and are unable to come."
Fozizi Dazizai and Fozizi Dizang responded in unison.
"Pusa, my master asked me to convey his regards to you."
Fozizi Jile, standing nearby, spoke proactively, as if feigning ignorance.
"Mm."
Liuli replied softly, then addressed the crowd.
"I shall return to my sect first. You may explore the city at your leisure. Yaoshi Fozong has prepared accommodations for you. If you wish to rest, someone will guide you."
With that, Liuli vanished from his spot. It was clear that he was somewhat displeased.