Both the Temple of Light and Darkness and the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom are among the most powerful and ancient forces in the Prime-Origin Civilization, standing tall and unyielding through the ages.
Moreover, these two forces are more low-key and mysterious compared to other powerful factions.
The Tathagata Buddha Kingdom has always focused on spreading Buddhist teachings and accumulating followers within its own realm, rarely interfering in external affairs.
The Temple of Light and Darkness, on the other hand, operates on a similar principle, adhering to the teachings of light and darkness, with the Lord of Light and the Lord of Darkness jointly presiding over the temple.
The grand and righteous Buddhist chants echoed from afar, like waves, accompanied by golden lotuses, calming the minds of many.
Some couldn't help but clasp their hands together, as if about to become devout followers.
"The Buddhist teachings of Venerable Kuji have truly become more profound and unfathomable."
Chu Gucheng moved forward to greet them, his hearty laughter echoing far and wide.
Amidst the vast Buddhist light, a young monk dressed in a moon-white robe walked forward with his hands clasped together, a gentle smile on his face.
Beside him were several Bodhisattvas and young novices, clearly following his lead.
"Amitabha. This humble monk, Kuji, pays his respects to Chu Gucheng."
The young monk named Kuji bowed slightly to Chu Gucheng, his demeanor as gentle as an ancient Buddha, exuding an overwhelming sense of Zen.
The expressions of many guests changed slightly, and some secretly activated their cultivation to resist the influence of the Buddhist teachings.
For ordinary people, this influence might not be noticeable, but for beings at their level, the subtlety of Buddhist teachings was no less insidious than the Daoist Scriptures of Conversion. It could subtly convert cultivators into followers.
Many guests had heard of the great reputation of this young monk. Although he appeared young, his seniority was extremely ancient, and he was the most favored disciple of the current Buddha Lord of the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom.
In terms of cultivation, even ordinary Ancestral Dao Realm experts might not be his match.
The fact that the Buddha Lord had sent this disciple to personally attend Chu Gucheng's birthday celebration showed the importance he placed on this event.
This further shocked the guests, leading to much speculation.
"Venerable Kuji, your presence truly brings honor to this humble place. Please, this way."
Chu Gucheng smiled and gestured for them to follow.
He had had several dealings with the Buddha Lord of the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom. Before establishing the Immortal Chu Dynasty, Chu Gucheng had been incredibly lucky to find several ancient Buddhist treasures in a ruined relic, including a dusty Buddha Relic.
Later, when the Buddha Lord sensed the Buddha Relic, he sought to exchange for it, and Chu Gucheng took the opportunity to gift it to him.
In a way, the Buddha Lord owed him a favor.
Therefore, Chu Gucheng was not at all surprised that Venerable Kuji had come personally to celebrate his birthday.
After welcoming the delegation from the Tathagata Buddha Kingdom, Chu Gucheng went to greet the representatives from the Temple of Light and Darkness.
He didn't have much interaction with the Temple of Light and Darkness, but the fact that they had sent high-ranking members to deliver gifts still pleased him greatly.
The banquet hadn't even started yet, but how many influential figures had already arrived?
Not to mention the Prime-Origin Civilization, even ancient beings from other civilizations had come.
Even from the distant Ancient Treasure Civilization, Endless Yang True World, and Calamitous Yin True World, powerful figures had traveled to congratulate him.
Not to mention those hidden monsters lurking in the Vast Expanse, like his master, the Law Sage.
There was also the mysterious old woman from the Yinxu Cave.
In the entire Prime-Origin Civilization, who else had the face to invite so many people?
"Hmph, but even now, the Saintess of Xiyuan hasn't arrived. It seems she's determined not to give me face."
"Well, that's fine. Since Elder Jin is also here, when he sees this, he won't say much. It's the Saintess of Xiyuan who has repeatedly slighted me and refused to give me face. If I take action against the Xiyuan Sacred Hall later, don't blame me."
Chu Gucheng stood with his hands behind his back on the city wall of the capital, gazing into the distance, his eyes filled with a deep light.
Previously, he had personally gone to the Saintess of Xiyuan three times to borrow the Mirror of Reincarnation, but each time she had refused to see him with various excuses.
Even when Elder Jin accompanied him, the Saintess of Xiyuan still rejected him with the same excuses.
In Chu Gucheng's view, she was determined to oppose him. Although the Xiyuan Sacred Hall held a transcendent status and was respected by all races and beings, that was only true as long as she didn't interfere in the disputes and private matters of other sects.
This time, the Saintess of Xiyuan's refusal to lend the Mirror of Reincarnation clearly indicated her intention to distance herself from the Immortal Chu Dynasty. She couldn't possibly be unaware that the Immortal Chu Dynasty was about to face a great calamity.
"The Saintess of Xiyuan possesses the Mirror of Reincarnation, and divining the secrets of heaven and fate is as easy as breathing for her. Even my master could see it, so how could the Saintess of Xiyuan not know?"
"Hmph, do they think I'm a fool?"
Chu Gucheng's eyes flashed with coldness. Having climbed to his current position step by step, he was naturally no simpleton.
However, just as Chu Gucheng's thoughts were in turmoil, a slender and graceful figure suddenly appeared on the distant horizon.
She was like a wisp of smoke, ethereal and hard to trace, her face covered with a plain veil, revealing only a pair of autumn-water-like eyes. Her black hair fluttered in the wind, and her bare feet, as white as snow, were adorned with a plain silk ribbon tied around her ankles, fluttering as she walked. She exuded a holy yet enchanting beauty.
The Saintess of Xiyuan had arrived.
Without needing anyone to announce her, Chu Gucheng immediately saw her approaching. Regardless of their relationship, the Saintess of Xiyuan was undoubtedly the most stunning woman he had ever seen. Just one glance was enough to leave an indelible impression.
"It's the Saintess of Xiyuan!"
"I didn't expect the Saintess of Xiyuan to come. It's been so long since she last appeared in the world."
"Chu Gucheng truly has extensive connections. Even the Saintess of Xiyuan has come personally to celebrate his birthday. It's said that the two of them once joined forces to eliminate the remnants of the Black Calamity. Their friendship must be quite deep."
The guests were also deeply moved, and many of them couldn't help but show admiration in their eyes.
This was the first time they had seen the true appearance of the Saintess of Xiyuan, though it wasn't her true face, as she still wore a veil.
This veil was specially made, and even Ancestral Dao Realm experts couldn't peer through it with their divine senses.
But even so, one could imagine how breathtakingly beautiful the face beneath the veil must be.
Guests from other true worlds also looked over from a distance, extremely curious about the Saintess of Xiyuan from the Xiyuan Sacred Hall.
After all, the Prime-Origin Civilization was named after the Xiyuan Sacred Hall, so the status of the Saintess of Xiyuan was naturally extraordinary.
"Putting everything else aside, just her beauty alone makes her the number one beauty in the Prime-Origin Civilization."
A young man from the Calamitous Yin True World couldn't help but show admiration, fanning himself with a folding fan as he praised her.
"Young Master, please be cautious. The Saintess of Xiyuan holds a lofty position in the Prime-Origin Civilization and must not be disrespected. If others hear your words, they might misunderstand."
An old servant hurriedly whispered a warning.
The young man waved his hand impatiently. "I know. You don't need to lecture me on this."
Just as the Immortal Chu Dynasty sought to form alliances with various forces to strengthen itself, many forces from other true worlds and civilizations had similar intentions.
The master and servant pair before them were from a powerful force in the Calamitous Yin True World.
There were quite a few such forces present, and Chu Gucheng, in his quest for alliances, had welcomed them all.
The arrival of the Saintess of Xiyuan caused quite a stir.
Chu Gucheng was initially surprised but quickly regained his composure, smiling as if greeting an old friend and personally going to welcome her.
However, the Saintess of Xiyuan merely nodded slightly, showing no intention of engaging in small talk. With a flash, she entered the capital of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Chu Gucheng, having lost face in front of everyone, felt his mood darken again, unable to guess the Saintess of Xiyuan's purpose for coming.
However, the other guests didn't see it that way. They assumed that the two had a deep friendship and didn't bother with formalities.
"Rumors have been spreading that the Xiyuan Sacred Hall is deliberately distancing itself from the Immortal Chu Dynasty."
"Today, the Saintess of Xiyuan's arrival has dispelled those rumors. I always said that they once joined forces to eliminate the remnants of the Black Calamity, so their friendship must be deep. How could things have turned out like that?"
Many guests whispered and speculated among themselves.