Seeing Xu Qi’an lost in thought, Pearl transmitted mentally to explain:
“Legend says that in ancient times, this world had only one continent. After the age of gods and demons ended, heaven collapsed, and earth split. The Nine States Continent was shattered into countless islands.
“That island that surfaced in the Returns Void must be part of the Nine States Continent.”
Xu Qi’an nodded and, while looking at Island Chief Raging Wave, said:
“Ask him what specific thoughts he has about this.”
Pearl “translated” Xu Qi’an’s words for Raging Wave, who upon hearing them, revealed a serious expression and said:
“I suspect some gods and demons didn’t perish but were trapped on the island.
“They appeared so real, so powerful—their overflowing power alone would drive people mad. But a terrifying barrier sealed the island, separating inside from outside.
“As Mo Yu and I approached the barrier, he and the dragon guards were contaminated by the gods and demons’ terrible aura, causing their transformation.”
As for why the gods and demons’ aura would grant spiritual essence to Mo Yu and the dragon guards, Raging Wave himself wasn’t clear. The island itself was a mystery that needed exploration and research.
The Nine-tailed Fox sneered:
“Who could trap gods and demons on an island? Even if it were a continent.”
She didn’t believe Raging Wave’s words, preferring to trust Xu Qi’an, who had seen the gods and demons fall in the Gu God’s memories.
However, the very appearance of this island represented something “inconceivable,” so the Nine-tailed Fox didn’t directly contradict him.
“We’ll see the situation for ourselves when we get there,” Xu Qi’an said, turning to look at the imposing, fierce-looking blue-scaled dragon-man. “You’ll guide us there.”
Pearl translated this for Raging Wave, who looked toward the Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox.
Although the Alsur Islands had developed civilization and established city-states, the law of the strong still influenced the vast majority of god-demon descendants.
Among those present, only the demon country’s ruler from the Nine States Continent could semi-force him to risk danger.
As for why it was only “semi-force,” Raging Wave himself was eager to return to the “God-Demon Island” and investigate.
Compared to their last meeting, this Nine-tailed Fox’s strength seemed to have advanced tremendously. She was likely very close to what humans classified as the First Realm.
With her present, exploring the “God-Demon Island” would be more assured.
But Raging Wave still didn’t immediately nod in agreement.
Noticing his contemplation and hesitation, the silver-haired enchantress asked with a smile:
“Is there a problem?”
Raging Wave let out a light breath and said:
“The existence of God-Demon Island had already leaked before I returned. After so much time, the Returns Void of the South Sea has likely gathered many Transcendent Realm god-demon descendants.”
That “friend” who sold him the information wouldn’t have sold it to him alone.
This meant the competition would be fierce.
Although particularly powerful god-demon descendants had long since declined, the overseas territories were vast and boundless, countless times larger than the Nine States Continent. If all Transcendent Realm god-demon descendants were gathered, it would still be an astonishing number.
Even gathering just a portion would constitute an extremely powerful force.
Raging Wave felt he must explain the stakes, lest the Nine-tailed Heavenly Fox be too conspicuous and provoke attacks from groups of god-demon descendants.
Pearl translated this for Xu Qi’an, who burst out in delight:
“There’s such good fortune?!”
? Raging Wave couldn’t understand human language, but he saw this human male’s face brighten visibly, seeming extremely pleased.
Was this something to be happy about?
…
Western Regions.
A city-state called “Bei Chang” lay north of Mount Arlanda. Due to poverty and desolation, this city-state was somewhat dilapidated and declining.
The city lord was the only noble here, appointed by Arlanda, solely because in his youth he had traveled thousands of miles to make a pilgrimage to Arlanda.
Bei Chang’s city walls were primarily built of stone and yellow earth, almost merging with the desert outside, carrying a thread of ancient desolation and bleakness.
Zhu Lai was a beggar in Bei Chang, seventeen years old this year. Wearing tattered robes and leaning on a wooden stick, he stumbled along the streets of Bei Chang, begging for someone to show kindness and give him, who hadn’t eaten in four days, a bit of food.
Bei Chang was barren, and the common people living here lacked food and clothing—who had food to spare for beggars?
“Have you seen the notice on the bulletin board? They say Mount Arlanda will hold a Buddhist assembly after autumn, gathering Western Region believers for pilgrimage.”
“Alas, the journey is so far, how can we get there? Not to mention bandits and robbers, just the cold and hunger could kill you.”
“Going now, you wouldn’t need to worry about the cold, but the return journey would be in autumn…”
The conversation of passersby caught Zhu Lai’s attention.
Arlanda was holding a Buddhist assembly, gathering believers for pilgrimage.
Zhu Lai’s spirits lifted as cool water poured on a scorching summer day. He immediately dragged his tired body toward the bulletin board at the city gate.
During his life as a beggar, he had heard rumors about the city lord.
It was said that in his youth, the city lord had been an idle troublemaker. One day, he suddenly had an epiphany that he was born for Buddhism, so he traveled thousands of miles to make a pilgrimage to Arlanda.
He bathed in Buddhist light at the sacred mountain, gained Buddhism’s recognition, and became a Buddhist disciple.
From then on, his fortunes soared, and he rose to the position of city lord.
This story had been passed down orally in Bei Chang for many years, becoming a model of how faith in Buddhism could change one’s life.
Buddhist faith and pilgrimage could change fate… Only one thought remained in Zhu Lai’s mind: Check the bulletin board!
The half-mile distance felt like half a lifetime. When he reached the bulletin board, he was already panting and dizzy.
“What does the bulletin board say?”
He grabbed a commoner standing by the bulletin board.
“Filthy beggar, get lost!”
The person flew into a rage and kicked Zhu Lai away.
Already weakened by hunger and thirst, Zhu Lai fell heavily to the ground. He felt his consciousness leaving his body, life seemingly approaching its end.
After a good while, he slowly regained control of his body.
“Would you like some water?”
A gentle voice sounded beside his ear. Zhu Lai opened his eyes to see a plain-looking middle-aged man standing beside him, offering a water skin.
The middle-aged man wore thick, simple robes and had dark skin, looking like just an ordinary citizen of the city. But his gaze was so gentle, full of kindness.
Zhu Lai licked his dry, cracked lips and eagerly accepted the water, gulping it down.
He had been thirsty.
After emptying the water skin in one breath, Zhu Lai gave a satisfied burp. Only then did feelings of unease and wariness arise, not knowing why this middle-aged man would help a shabby beggar like himself.
“Amitabha!” The middle-aged man pressed his palms together and said contentedly:
“I almost thought you had died earlier.”
So he was a Buddhist believer… While Zhu Lai felt relieved, he also found something strange.
Bei Chang was in Buddhist territory, so naturally, there were many Buddhist believers. But from what he knew, the Buddhist followers in the city believed in crossing the sea of suffering to attain enlightenment.
They saved themselves.
Few were passionate about charitable deeds.
“Thank you!” he still expressed his gratitude, carefully handing back the water skin.
The middle-aged man took the water skin and said:
“The bulletin board says Arlanda is holding a Buddhist assembly, calling for believers to make pilgrimage. But that’s only a call for the nobility and wealthy.
“People like us could never reach Arlanda.”
Zhu Lai fell silent for a moment, then said “thank you” again.
The middle-aged man continued:
“The true Buddha is not in Arlanda!”
Zhu Lai was greatly startled, anxiously looking around. He hadn’t expected the middle-aged man to say such heretical words.
Fortunately, passersby were hurrying past, and no one paid attention to them.
The middle-aged man said:
“I believe in Mahayana Buddhism, the true Buddhism. Young brother, you have a karmic affinity with our Mahayana Buddhism. Would you like to join our Mahayana Buddhist sect?”
Mahayana Buddhism?!
Zhu Lai had heard of this heretical cult. They allegedly preached that all beings could become Buddha—he didn’t know the specifics, but it was a cult that spread heterodox teachings.
“Why are you telling me this? I am a devout Buddhist follower. I want to make a pilgrimage to Arlanda.”
Zhu Lai said loudly. He hadn’t expected to encounter a heretical cult here.
As he spoke, he stood up, trying to leave this strange-talking middle-aged man.
The middle-aged man followed slowly behind him, speaking unhurriedly:
“You won’t make it to Arlanda. You’ll only die on the way.”
“That’s none of your business.”
Zhu Lai just wanted to get away from him, away from the heterodox Mahayana Buddhism.
Bei Chang was cracking down on Mahayana Buddhists—capture meant the death penalty.
Though he was just a lowly beggar, he didn’t want to die.
“Young brother, Mahayana Buddhism is the true Buddhism. If you don’t believe, I can take you to hear the Mahayana Buddhist teachings,” the middle-aged man lowered his voice, not giving up the chance to proselytize.
Perhaps I could pretend to infiltrate the Mahayana Buddhist sect, then report them to the city lord in exchange for travel expenses to Arlanda… Thinking this, Zhu Lai suddenly stopped and looked at the middle-aged man:
“Well… I suppose I’ll listen for now.”
The middle-aged man said contentedly:
“Young brother, you will surely come to believe in Mahayana Buddhism.”
No, even if I die, die on the way, or jump from the city walls, I won’t believe in Mahayana Buddhism… Zhu Lai sneered inwardly.
He silently followed the middle-aged man, threading through streets and alleys until they stopped in a quiet alley. The middle-aged man knocked rhythmically on the gate of a courtyard.
Shortly after, the gate opened, and an elderly woman with graying hair let them in.
The two entered the courtyard and followed the elderly woman to a side room that connected to a cellar.
When the cellar door opened, faint light poured in. Zhu Lai glanced around and saw over twenty people in tattered robes sitting cross-legged on cushions. They had their palms pressed together and eyes closed, listening attentively and devoutly to a young monk giving a sermon.
As the cellar door opened, the believers turned to look, and the young monk facing the door also stopped and looked their way.
The middle-aged man walked forward two steps, pressed his palms together, and said:
“Master Jing Si, I have brought someone with a karmic affinity to join Mahayana Buddhism.”
After speaking, he beckoned to Zhu Lai to come forward.
Zhu Lai moved forward while examining the young monk.
His features were delicate and his skin fair, looking nothing like someone from the Western Regions.
If Xu Qi’an were here, he would have recognized this as the young monk Jing Si who had accompanied Arhat Du’e when the Western Regions delegation visited the capital.
Though young, he had mastered the Vajra Divine Skill.
Becoming a cult leader at such a young age, he must be worth a lot… Zhu Lai thought secretly.
Just then, he heard Jing Si smile and say:
“Benefactor, you look very unwell and your stomach is empty. Why not have some vegetarian food first, then join our fellow disciples in listening to this humble monk’s sermon?”
There’s even food? Zhu Lai thought this was excellent—he could eat their food for free before reporting them to the city lord.
The gray-haired elderly woman soon brought a stack of white steamed buns and a bowl of clear water.
Zhu Lai ate ravenously, quickly satisfying his hunger.
Jing Si smiled as he watched all this, then turned to the middle-aged man and said:
“Mahayana Buddhism saves others and oneself, helps all beings escape the sea of suffering and attain enlightenment. You have done well.”
The middle-aged man pressed his palms together and said:
“I am fortunate to hear our Buddha’s true sutra.”
Everyone pressed their palms together and chanted:
“Amitabha!”
Jing Si continued:
“Today we have a new member joining us. This humble monk will explain again the origins of Mahayana Buddhism, so our newcomer may understand.
“Mahayana Buddhism originated in Great Zhou of the Central Plains, founded by Xu Qi’an the Yinlang of Great Zhou. Xu Yinlang is the reincarnation of the Lord of Ten Thousand Buddhas in the Three Thousand Realms. In the Buddhist dharma battle in the capital of Great Zhou, he enlightened Arhat Du’e.
“Arhat Du’e understood the true meaning of Mahayana Buddhism and instantly attained Buddhahood, becoming the second Buddha of the Mahayana Buddhist sect…”
How could an arhat possibly be a Buddha? There is only one Buddha in the world! Zhu Lai secretly sneered.
He listened with disdain as the young monk explained Mahayana Buddhism, inwardly refuting or coldly sneering at every sentence.
But when he heard about the equality of all beings, Zhu Lai fell silent.
If there is a place where all beings are equal, I would defend it with my life… he muttered to himself.
Having been a beggar since childhood, he had endured countless contemptuous looks and bullying, living a very painful life.
Unconsciously, his attitude changed, and he began listening to the sermon earnestly, thinking seriously.
“Saving others and oneself, escaping the sea of suffering… if Arlanda, if the Buddhist followers in the Western Regions all saved others and themselves, would I still be a beggar? Would my fate have changed?”
“If that uncle hadn’t helped me just now, I would still be suffering from hunger… Is this kind of Mahayana Buddhism a heretical cult…”
All sorts of thoughts flashed through his mind.
Before he knew it, Zhu Lai heard the young monk say:
“That’s all for today!”
He suddenly came back to his senses and noticed the light through the door crack had turned golden red—it was dusk.
Oh no, I forgot to beg today, I’ll have to go hungry again tonight… Zhu Lai’s heart raced with anxiety and regret.
For a beggar like him who lived meal to meal, every moment had to be spent working for food, or he would go hungry.
Thinking of this, he hurriedly stood up, planning to leave.
The young monk made sense, I won’t report him for now… Just as Zhu Lai was about to leave, he noticed the Mahayana Buddhist believers around him remained seated cross-legged, not one person getting up to leave.
Everyone looked hopefully at the young monk.
Then he saw young monk Jing Si take out a string of copper coins from his sleeve and say to the elderly woman:
“Distribute these among everyone!”
The elderly woman took the copper coins and distributed them evenly according to headcount.
There’s even money to receive?! Zhu Lai looked down at the five copper coins in his palm. In Bei Chang City, this could buy five steamed buns.
If he ate sparingly, it would solve his meals for three days.
What kind of sect was this? Could there exist a sect that gave copper coins to its believers?!
Zhu Lai’s worldview was severely shaken.
Monk Jing Si said gently:
“Buddha will not let His believers go hungry. Saving others and oneself is our sect’s tenet—Mahayana Buddhism keeps its words.”
Zhu Lai clutched the copper coins tightly, feeling he had found his organization.
Then he noticed that the middle-aged man who had brought him into the sect received ten copper coins.
Huh? Wasn’t it said all beings are equal?!
Zhu Lai couldn’t understand.
The middle-aged man smiled and said:
“This is my deserved reward. For each person brought in, five copper coins are awarded—this is our sect’s rule.”
I know many beggars, very many… I-I’m going to get rich… Only this thought remained in Zhu Lai’s mind.
Only believing in Mahayana Buddhism, believing in the Lord of Ten Thousand Buddhas!