Mount Sumeru.
As one Dharma King after another emerged into the world, this holy land in the hearts of Western Desert Buddhists welcomed even more worshippers.
Buddhist cultivators who, in the other four great regions, would have been qualified to lead an entire sect stood personally outside Mount Sumeru to receive and accommodate these followers.
The order established by Amitabha made the Western Desert fiercely hostile toward outside orthodox lineages, and cultivators from the other four great regions regarded it as a bizarre land of demons.
Yet for the mortals of the Western Desert, it was the most livable great region. Though sandstorms filled the skies and Gobi deserts covered the land, as long as Buddhist cultivators were present, those who offered their faith would have eminent monks personally create oases for them, allowing them a lifetime of peace and comfort.
"Having traveled so far, you must be exhausted from the long and arduous journey. Please drink this Eightfold Water to ease the suffering of your body."
At the foot of Mount Sumeru, monks used Alms Bowls to draw water from the lake surrounding the mountain and handed it to the pilgrims who had come from afar.
"Elder, you are so afflicted by illness. You should drink another bowl of water."
Seeing that the old man's complexion had improved only slightly after drinking the Eightfold Water—so little that it was nearly imperceptible—the young monk immediately moved to fill another bowl for him.
"Young monk, there is no need."
Dongfang Taiyi gave a light cough, covered the blood spilling from the corner of his mouth, and spoke to the young monk before him.
His gaze fell upon the lake before him. Its water was crystal-clear and contained eight remarkable qualities: clarity, coolness, sweetness, softness, moistness, tranquility, the removal of hunger and