Chapter Seven: The Disciples Discuss the Dao

The fierce winds were ineffective, as the stone statue's subordinates decisively altered their course. The earth trembled like waves, rumbling thunderously, yet the Earth Store remained utterly still

Duobao looked at the Medicine Master Buddha and others, a glimmer of appreciation flashing in his eyes

Zhun Ti said with a smile: "They cannot be considered as highly skilled disciples. The West is lacking in talent compared to the East, where there is an abundance of gifted individuals. In the West, they may be regarded as noteworthy, but in the East, they would be reduced to mediocrity."

Moments later, the Holy Mother of No Constraints and the Holy Mother of Golden Spirits arrived to present the celestial fruit and exquisite brew, and then withdrew

Shi Ji suddenly stood up, his face pale with anger, and said: "Good! What a fine friend from the West." With a wave of his sleeve, he took large strides to the side.

Duobao and others hosted the distant senior brothers who came from the West to this place

The Medicine Master Buddha rose, holding the beautiful little bird in His hand. His hand gently brushed over the injured wing of the bird, and a golden light flowed around it, instantly healing the bird's wounds, which chirped joyfully.

The golden eagle raised its head to look at the pharmacist

The Holy Mother shook her head and said: "I do not know!"

The pharmacist casually tossed it aside, and the little bird spread its wings and soared, disappearing into the clouds

The pharmacist tidied up the clothes and looked at the young man with big ears, smiling as he said, "Thus, both have survived"

A light laugh echoed through the heavens and the earth, the crisp sound resonating above Kunlun Mountain: "Why was I not informed of the gathering of fellow disciples?"

Everyone stared wide-eyed at the pharmacist, astonished that he would do such a thing. Although it wouldn't lead to death, the pain was indeed real

... ...

The pharmacist sits cross-legged on the青石.

The Ksitigarbha shook his head in silence

The female disciple sitting next to the Earth Store Bodhisattva frowned and said: "I, the humble Daoist Shi Ji, have met my senior brother. Senior brother, have you perhaps taken the wrong seat?"

Jieyin revealed a hint of a smile and said: "Respect is not as good as obedience"

The five individuals straightened up, exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere seemed particularly harmonious

A young man with big ears wanted to lighten the heavy atmosphere, and immediately joked, "Good luck, food delivered right to my door. Once I kill it and roast it, I will treat the several senior brothers who have come from the West"

The Daoist Master Duobao suddenly spoke, saying: "Do not take action against the guests"

A few individuals instantly vanished before the grand hall, and the next moment appeared beneath a large tree on the back mountain, sitting around a stone table, surrounded by drifting fallen leaves, creating a serene atmosphere

The Daobao Daoist looked at the Medicine Master with a serious expression, indicating that he was well-prepared! The appearance of that golden eagle and the sparrow was also quite suspicious. Is this the way of the West?!

The Grand Master said with a smile: "It is a rare occasion for both of you to visit; would you care to accompany me to appreciate the beautiful scenery of Kunlun?"

Under the tree on the other side, the Holy Mother of Golden Spirit whispered, "What does he want to do?"

The goddess Nüwa descended before several people and said with a light laugh, "Then I thank you, senior brother."

The Daoist Daobao murmured to himself: "What an emptiness, this Western Dao is indeed somewhat interesting"

As people chatted about anecdotes from ancient and modern times, the conversation gradually shifted to discussions of philosophy, and the differences in opinion began to widen, with much less laughter to be heard.

Duobao, you are responsible for receiving these junior disciples from the West; do not be negligent and lose the proper etiquette

My name is Dizang

The raging winds and torrential rains, the frost, thunder, and lightning, cannot drive the Earth Store Bodhisattva away, as if he were rooted in the ground itself

... ...

Daoist Duobao furrowed his brow and scrutinized the Medicine Master, asking, "What will you do?"

With a wave of his hand, a sudden change occurred, and a fierce wind blew towards the Earth Store. The wild wind stirred up sand and dust, enveloping the Earth Store within its grasp

A beautiful injured little bird fell from the sky, closely followed by a golden eagle swooping down to catch the bird

The Medicine Master Buddha shook his head and said: "Thank you for your kind intentions, but in my Western realm, acts of killing are not permitted"

The remaining more than ten named disciples also sat cross-legged on the ground, and a few even let out a few chuckles, their gazes directed towards Yaoshi and the others

You possess magic, which is limited, finite, quantifiable, and bounded

Kṣitigarbha shook his head and said: "You are right about one word, for I am nothing"

The sound of flapping wings echoed.

The Holy Mother of Gold Spirit said coldly: "I believe they are here to cause trouble."

Jieyin and Zhunti both performed a respectful bow and said: "I have met the three senior brothers!"

The pharmacist lifted the clothing and, using his hand as a knife, cut down, causing a large piece of bloody breast meat to fall.

Shiji suddenly turned around to look at Dizang and said, "What do you want to say?"

The Supreme One looked at the five individuals behind Jieyin and said: "Are they your esteemed disciples?"

Zhun Ti said: "You all go ahead! Consult with your senior brothers more and study diligently"

I am the moonlight

The Medicine Master Buddha waved his hand, releasing a beam of golden light to block the golden eagle.

Please change your position, Senior Brother!

Following closely behind, they walked towards the back mountain along with Duobao and others

The pharmacist smiled and said, "We have been too attached to appearances." He straightened his clothes and sat down on the ground

Zhun Ti performed a respectful bow and said: "It was also a sudden whim, a spontaneous decision to visit the three senior brothers, acting on impulse, and I did not dare to disturb the senior sister"

The young man with big ears wore a sullen expression and remained silent

The Ksitigarbha sits motionless on the ground, indifferent to the flying sand and raging winds

The moonlight looked to the left and right, and in confusion, asked: "Where are you sitting?"

My name is Da Shizhi

Thunderbolts struck down from the sky, hitting the Earth Store Bodhisattva all over, yet the Bodhisattva remained utterly still

The Supreme One, the Primordial, returned a salute to Tongtian and said: "I have met my junior brother."

If they can catch the attention of two junior brothers, how could they possibly be mediocre individuals

Shiji stopped in his tracks and mockingly said, "Because you are shameless enough."

The golden eagle lowered its head to grasp the breast meat, spread its wings, and soared high, disappearing into the clouds

All five individuals performed a bow of respect

Duobao said: "The way follows nature, and nature is to sit on the ground." He floated and sat on a rock, watching them.

The five individuals behind the guiding figure of the Avalokiteshvara appear to be very humble, bowing their heads in silence

The pharmacist smiled and said to the golden eagle, "I took a piece of meat from you, how about I return a piece to you now?"

The Ksitigarbha opened his eyes and said with a smile: "Fellow Daoist, do you know why no spell or divine power can surpass me?"

Shi Ji's expression changed several times, and he turned his head to walk away.

The Ksitigarbha continued to shake his head in silence

The Daoist Duobao said calmly: "The law of nature is that the weak are prey to the strong; simply return to the mountains and forests."

The relationship between absence and presence is one of responding to change with constancy; my unchanging nature allows me to surpass your myriad changes

Duobao said with a smile: "How should I address you, my fellow disciples?"

My name is Pharmacist

A flash of anger crossed Shiji's eyes as he formed a seal with his hand

I am sunlight

The Daobao Daoist respectfully replied: "Yes!"

And I am unable to articulate the infinite, the endless, the immeasurable, the boundless

There is a waterfall in the back mountain, with spring water flowing and flowers blooming in abundance, making it a truly beautiful place

Duobao nodded and said, "Please take a seat, fellow disciples."

After the three individuals behind the guiding Avalokiteshvara, they respectfully and humbly responded: "Yes!"

The pharmacist shook his head and said, "Returning to nature, this beautiful forest spirit will surely die. Are you truly heartless, my friend?"

The Supreme Master and the others all looked up at the sky, where they saw a ripple forming; a magnificent and exquisite woman slowly descended from within the ripple

The Grand Master said with a smile: "Since Junior Sister has also arrived, let us hold a Pill Appreciation Conference today! I have recently refined a batch of immortal pills, and I invite Junior Sister and Junior Brother to appreciate them."

The Earth Store Bodhisattva stood up and walked over to sit beside a female disciple

Then he turned to Daobao Daoist and said: "Dao brother, this is your Daoist temple, how should we handle this situation?"

Ksitigarbha said with a smile: "Nothingness is a state of tolerance, a realm of composure, and you need to learn this"

The young man with big ears was humiliated and said with a cold smile: "Brother Dao saved the little bird, yet how unfair it is to this golden eagle."