Spirit Mountain, Great Thunderclap Temple.
On the long stone steps, a young monk, sleeves rolled up, climbed with all his might, hurriedly brushing past other monks along the way.
He stopped, looked up, wiped the sweat from his brow, swallowed hard, and then pressed on, head down, rushing forward.
All the way to the top of the stone steps, skirting the stone forest formed by clustered pagoda towers, he hurried along the long path.
The monks standing all around watched him in silence, but he seemed not to see any of them.
Soon, he arrived before the grand, gilded hall, slowed his pace a little, steadied his breath, pressed his palms together, and bowed to the two Arhats guarding the door.
The two Arhats silently returned the bow, and one gestured for him to enter.
He crossed the threshold and strode quickly into the hall.
Rows upon rows of Arhats, each with a different posture, turned their faces toward him.
Even the Buddhas deep within the hall turned to look at him.
Sweeping his sleeves aside, the monk knelt on both knees and bowed deeply to Lord Buddha from afar: "Revered One, this disciple has just received intelligence. At Azurewave Pool, a demon monkey has appeared whose likeness is strikingly similar to the Demon King Simon Sun. Upon investigation, this demon has ambushed several demon military convoys under Nine-Headed Wyrm at Azurewave Pool. Elders from the Bodhi Institute have consulted ancient texts and suspect this being is..."
His words broke off abruptly.
For in the midst of the Buddhas, the monk caught sight of King Earth-Store.
The entire grand hall fell silent, everyone gazing intently at the monk frozen in the center.
He stared blankly at King Earth-Store, mouth agape.
King Earth-Store, eyes lowered, sighed softly: "Suspect what? Why not continue?"
"Yes, why not go on?"
"If you have something to say, why not finish it?"
For a moment, the Arhats in the hall erupted in discussion, while the Buddhas remained silent, all eyes on King Earth-Store.
"Revered One!" The monk cried out in alarm, bowing again to Lord Buddha.