While the Heavenly Court rang with laughter and the clinking of cups, the Buddhist order was another world entirely.
Within a magnificent hall on towering Spirit Mountain, the air was heavy with gloom.
The Heavenly Immortals and bodhisattvas had gone pale. Whenever they remembered how close they had come to being struck down by Huang Tian, just like Wonderful Sound Bodhisattva, a chill ran through them.
Lotus-Quiescent Void-Stilling Buddha explained, "As for Wonderful Sound Bodhisattva, it was not that the Buddha and I were unwilling to intervene. There was a reason—"
He recounted how Wonderful Sound Bodhisattva had ordered Seed-Cause Arhat to seize Huang Tian's friends and family in the Jin Kingdom's capital. Only then did the bodhisattvas understand.
So that was what lay behind it. No wonder Huang Tian had suddenly struck Wonderful Sound Bodhisattva dead while the two Buddhas stood aside. Their side had been in the wrong from the start!
Seeing their expressions ease, World-Illuminating Ever-Abiding Buddha said, "To save Formless Pure-Flow Buddha's life, I promised Huang Tian treasures in compensation. Fuguang, gather them and deliver them to the Heavenly Court."
He pointed a finger, sending a glimmer of spiritual light into Fuguang's brow. A list of compensation appeared in the bodhisattva's mind.
"This is... far too much!" Fuguang drew a sharp breath after reading it.
The other bodhisattvas looked at him, curiosity and questions in their eyes.
"It is a great deal," the Buddha said, "but beside Formless Pure-Flow Buddha's life, it amounts to little.
"A Golden Immortal cannot be made with rare treasures and immortal pills alone. Without extraordinary insight, uncommon perseverance, and exceptionally deep fortune, reaching that realm is nearly impossible."
Fuguang nodded. He understood, of course, but his heart still ached. Huang Tian's price was ruthless!
The things on the list could not