He could neither break his promise to the eminent monk who had traveled from afar nor dare to provoke the former minister's temper. He spent his days frowning in deep thought, unable to eat or sleep in peace. One night, the Mysterious Bird appeared in his dream once more. Not only did it point out a way through the dilemma, but it also offered a strategy and instructed him to accomplish one task, thereby repaying an old debt.
The next morning at court, Left Chancellor Yi Yin once again stepped forward to submit a memorial, earnestly requesting that Cheng Tang decide who Mount Qingliang belonged to. Cheng Tang then issued an edict: "Our Huaxia has revered the teachings of the Daoist Sect since ancient times. We have never heard of the foreign doctrines from the western lands. Why not hold a grand debate on the scriptures, with both teachings taking the stage to distinguish truth from falsehood and determine which is superior?"
After hearing this, all the civil and military officials praised the idea. The Daoist masters of Mount Qingliang and the two Arhats then agreed on a date to burn scriptures and make a vow: each side would take a foundational text of its own school and burn it before the public. If the scripture remained unharmed, that would prove its teachings were genuine and free of falsehood. The two sides would take turns posing questions, advancing step by step.
Who could have expected that once the fire was lit, the Daoist scriptures would turn to ash in an instant, while the Banyan Leaf Sutras carried by Kashyapa Matanga and Dharmaratna remained completely unharmed amid the raging flames. Every character shone with light, and faint Sanskrit chants echoed through the air.
Those who had originally supported the Daoist Sect