「More than half a day later.」

A tall gatehouse stood before them. The square city walls were dotted with numerous Buddhist shrines, like square-shaped grottoes carved into the earthen ramparts, each one enshrining a Buddha statue.

The sky was now gradually dimming. Inside the shrines, lit candles burned brightly, their flames a brilliant yellow.

Melted red wax trickled down the city walls and seeped into the cracks. It looked like strings of plump, red fruit, but also like vivid streaks of blood. The sight was rather horrifying.

The air was thick with the scent of incense, so much so that it obscured their vision. The entire city seemed to be wreathed in mist, making it difficult to tell what was real and what was illusion.

Below the city walls, crowds of commoners in plain clothes stood in pious groups. They were muttering something under their breath that sounded like a scripture.

When Yang An and his party arrived, they saw the scene from a distance and couldn't help but stop, their gazes sharpening.

Yang An immediately understood. 'From the looks of it, we've arrived in the Great Virtue Temple's territory. This State Territory is called Tosha State, but I don't know the name of this city.'

"Senior Brother..."

Wen Yin's thoughts raced. The Life Crane Sect and the Great Virtue Temple were mortal enemies. Elder Life Crane was on the temple's kill list; they would never spare the Life Crane Sect.

'There would surely be risks if they just swaggered into the Great Virtue Temple's domain.'

"Just call me brother," Yang An said. "We can't let our identities be exposed, or we'll be in serious trouble. From now on, we'll act as brother and sister."

Yang An said this without batting an eye.

In reality, he was only slightly older than Zhou Quan. Wen Yin looked very young, but her true age was considerable; she had cultivated for many years to maintain her youthful appearance.

Although most of the Cultivation Methods in this world were bizarre and sinister, the majority of female Cultivators still chose to practice Techniques that prevented physical aging, willing to pay whatever price was required.

"Brother!"

Wen Yin nodded.

As for Zhou Quan, he was just their kid brother.

Unfamiliar with the Treasure Temple Domain, Yang An decided they should stay in the city for the night. He hoped to gather some information and also get some proper rest.

They had traveled nonstop from outside the state territory, without even a moment's respite. Even if they didn't need food to recover their physical strength, the mental exhaustion had become a heavy burden.

Wen Yin and Zhou Quan naturally deferred to Yang An's judgment, following him into the city.

But before entering, Yang An happened to notice a proclamation posted on the side of the gatehouse. The paste was still wet, so it had clearly been put up recently.

'Lion Buddha Festival? The thirteenth of the seventh month, the city closes at 9:00 PM… The Lion Buddha bestows his grace?'

He glanced at the contents of the proclamation, then at the sky.

The sky had already grown dark. It was nearly 7:00 PM, and there was only a single hour left until 9:00 PM.

'There isn't much time,' he thought. 'I have no idea what kind of shenanigans they have planned for 9:00 PM. We need to get into the city and find a place to stay first.'

He led the other two into the city, and the three of them soon found an inn. Zhou Quan paid for three of the best rooms, and they decided to spend the night there.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Yang An had Zhou Quan ask around, and they managed to gather some information.

This place was called Buddha-Worship City. People from all walks of life were devout followers of the city's Buddha-Worship Glazed Tower. It was said that the protection of the High Monks within the Glazed Tower kept the city peaceful and prosperous, safe from the harm of Demon Fiends.

From what he could see, Buddha-Worship City indeed seemed much better off than the Fusheng Domain. At the very least, the commoners here appeared to be living peaceful, content, and harmonious lives.

The Great Virtue Temple didn't interfere in worldly affairs. They simply established a Glazed Tower in each region under their control, staffed by dedicated High Monks to watch over it and gather followers.

And today happened to be the annual Lion Buddha Festival, held on the thirteenth of the seventh month.

Legend had it that on this day, in any area with a Glazed Tower, people would shut their doors before 9:00 PM, go to bed early, and wait to enter a dream state where the legendary Lion Buddha Mita would bestow his grace upon them.

Fortunately, Yang An's group had arrived relatively early. If they had been just one hour later, they wouldn't have even made it through the city gates.

The people in the inn, including the staff, were nearly all followers of the Great Virtue Temple. As they explained all this, their voices were filled with heartfelt piety. They even tried to convert Yang An and his companions, casually recruiting for their faith.

The three of them remained noncommittal, vaguely brushing off the suggestions. Having learned what they needed to, they followed the attendant upstairs to their respective rooms.

"Get a good night's rest, but stay on your guard."

Before they entered their rooms, Yang An reminded Zhou Quan in a low voice.

He didn't need to say anything to Wen Yin; she was likely more experienced in these matters than he was.

Zhou Quan nodded, and they all went into their separate rooms.

After entering his room, Yang An glanced out the window. From his vantage point, he could see much of Buddha-Worship City. But as 9:00 PM drew nearer, the lights across the city were gradually extinguished, and the streets slowly sank into darkness.

'This domain must have an established government,' Yang An thought. He could even see patrolling guards still maintaining order, though it looked like they were getting ready to finish their shifts.