Stone Buddha Temple.
At the foot of the mountain.
Upon the tiered bluestone steps, fallen leaves were scattered about.
The autumn wind blew, bringing a surge of chill.
Zhong Shenxiu, in a white robe with a Shura mask on his face, slowly ascended the steps.
"Even the birdsong deepens the seclusion of the mountains..."
He murmured a few lines as he walked, reaching the top of the steps, then caught sight of the ancestral courtyard of the Buddhist Sect.
Yellow walls and red tiles, the temple doors were tightly shut, and a thick layer of dust had accumulated on the incense burner.
It was hard to tell how long it had been since any pilgrim had last visited.
"Where are the revered monks of Stone Buddha Temple? The Undying Evil Emperor comes to pay respects to the mountain!"
Zhong Shenxiu's sonorous voice turned into the Heavenly Demon Secret Chant, spreading through the temple in search of any living soul.
