The Jade Emperor Comes to the Rescue at South Heaven Gate

The Five Directions Attendants saw the Buddha Ancestor's fury and were so terrified that they lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to move. Golden Head Attendant braced himself and asked in a trembling voice.

"B-Buddha Ancestor... the Five Elements Mountain ordeal... will it... will it continue? Should... should you personally intervene to rescue Guanyin Bodhisattva and Immoveable Wisdom King Bodhisattva?"

Personally intervene?

Tathagata clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

As the Buddha Ancestor of Western Heaven and progenitor of all Buddhas, he now felt a profound sense of helplessness. Faced with an unpredictable variable like Lin Zhu, would personally acting truly guarantee victory? It would be fine if he won, but if something went wrong again... where would Western Heaven's dignity be? Besides, Spirit Mountain could not do without him holding the fort.

Could it be... that the mighty Buddha Ancestor of Western Heaven had to bear all of Lin Zhu's "torment" and pressure alone?

Just as Tathagata's thoughts waged war within him and the hall fell deathly silent, with no one daring to speak again...

Among the Buddhas, one who had remained seated in meditation with his eyes closed slowly opened them. A pure lapis lazuli radiance surrounded him, and though his face was gentle and compassionate, it carried a trace of aloofness.

It was the lord of the Eastern Pure Lapis Lazuli World, Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata, also known as Yaoshi Buddha.

His gaze was calm, as though the heavy atmosphere in the hall had not affected him at all. Looking toward Buddha Tathagata on the throne, whose face was ashen as he held back tears, he pressed his palms together and spoke lightly. His voice was clear and crisp, like lapis lazuli striking lapis lazuli.

"Namo Medicine Master Lapis Lazuli Light Tathagata.