Uchiha Shin sat on a stone beside them, deeply confused. Eastern Emperor Taiyi had been a figure from ages ago; he had already died before the Investiture of the Gods.
The monkey said, "If possible, you should ask Master."
Uchiha Shin nodded. Though that old man was always so mysterious and unwilling to tell him much, he could still ask about this matter.
Western Heaven, Spirit Mountain.
After Golden Cicada returned, he went to see Tathagata.
"Greetings, Master."
Tathagata said, "Golden Cicada, the grand lecture held once every three thousand years is about to begin. You and your fellow disciples must prepare yourselves. This time, it will not be me alone giving the lecture. You will lecture as well."
"Yes, Master."
Tathagata paused before saying, "The grand lecture comes once every three thousand years. Those with affinity who hear it will benefit without end. You may bring some fated people from the mortal world, so that they too may receive the light of our Buddhist school."
Golden Cicada froze for a moment. "Yes."
"Go."
Golden Cicada withdrew.
At some point, Maitreya Buddha had arrived and offered a slight salute to the Buddha.
"Venerable Maitreya."
"Venerable Tathagata, Golden Cicada seems to have been visiting Subhuti rather frequently lately," Maitreya Buddha said mildly.
Tathagata smiled faintly. "Subhuti is, after all, Golden Cicada's adoptive father, no different from a birth father. It is only natural."
Maitreya Buddha said, "Buddhist cultivation emphasizes calming the heart and casting aside worldly affairs. Yet Golden Cicada remains attached to such mortal matters. Venerable One, is that not somewhat improper? And that white-furred rat demon, he..."
Tathagata waved a hand. "Everything is destined. Why worry so much? Only after he has experienced it can he come to understand."
Seeing this, Maitreya Buddha said no more.
Inside Slanting Moon