Six-Syllable Mantra

"Venerable, Venerable..."

"Let's talk this over. The Buddha teaches against anger!"

Ananda shoved and pushed Su Yuan out of the monastery.

Strange, did I give too little?

Two million spirit stones isn't a small amount!

Could it be that the Buddhist Realm doesn't use spirit stones?

Even as Su Yuan's thoughts raced and he considered every possibility,

he never imagined that Ananda was not yet the Venerable of later generations, one well versed in the principle that "scriptures must not be transmitted lightly."

At this time, Ananda was still a Venerable who strictly observed the precepts and possessed a simple heart. Su Yuan's actions were like winking at a blind man.

Having failed to give his gift, Su Yuan could only return to the monastery in disappointment. Distracted, he too burned incense and bathed.

The next day, the members of the delegation straightened their robes and ascended the steps into the depths of Spirit Mountain.

Ahead of them, auspicious mists filled the heavens as rainbows danced, while blessed light guarded the Dharma and colorful clouds followed.

A magnificent temple rose before them. It was the Great Thunderclap Temple.

Its deep green walls were fashioned from glazed crystal, its gleaming halls adorned with precious jade.

Golden gates, silver towers, and purple palaces stood amid wondrous flowers and celestial grasses. The halls were grand beyond measure, their presence vast and majestic.

Looking inside from beyond the entrance, they found it even more boundless.

The great hall rose to the blue heavens and opened wide beneath the azure firmament.

Countless precious seats stood densely arranged along both sides: thrones for three thousand Buddhas, Dharma platforms for five hundred Arhats,

along with the Eight Legions of Heavenly Dragons, the Four Great Bodhisattvas, and bhikkhu monks seated upon lotus platforms, displaying the flourishing foundation of an entire faith.

Yet at this moment, this majestic hall seemed exceptionally silent and deserted.

The countless lotus platforms that symbolized spiritual attainments were all empty,

and only a handful of figures sat upon them, like isolated stars suspended in a vast sea of stars, making the solemn emptiness of the Great Thunderclap Temple all the more apparent.

Kasyapa clasped his palms at the side and explained:

"Fellow Daoists of the Eastern Land, do not be concerned. Most Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats cultivate at their own pure sanctuaries. Unless the Buddha himself proclaims a Dharma decree or a matter concerns the rise and fall of our faith, they ordinarily will not manifest their Dharma bodies here."

"This time, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, one of the Four Great Bodhisattvas, will receive you."

For Samantabhadra Bodhisattva to personally appear was an equal, if not slightly elevated, level of reception for the Heavenly Court inspection group led by Emperor Wenchang.

Emperor Wenchang stroked his long beard with a smile, clearly quite satisfied.

For a time, host and guests were both pleased, and the atmosphere was harmonious as they stepped forward together and officially entered the Great Hero Hall.

Just then, a sudden change occurred!

"Om—!"

A vast, matchless mantra that shook the heavens suddenly rang out. Golden light burst from the entire Great Thunderclap Temple, accompanied by waves of Buddhist chanting!

In an instant, heavenly flowers rained down and golden lotuses sprang from the earth.

Everyone from the Heavenly Court was stunned. They assumed it was some grand Western welcoming ritual and, though they found it strange, gave it little thought.

On the empty lotus platforms and precious seats at both sides of the hall, streams of golden light flowed as one Dharma body after another condensed into existence!

A wave of barely restrained whispers immediately rose among the Heavenly Court delegation.

"What does this mean? Are they trying to intimidate us?"

"Surely not. Perhaps it's just a coincidence."

Emperor Wenchang's expression did not change. He signaled the others with his eyes and said quietly:

"Silence! Do not disgrace the Heavenly Court's dignity."

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva swiftly composed himself and hurriedly explained a few profound passages of scripture and Dharma to the Heavenly Court delegation,

then signaled the Vajra warriors to lead the delegation away to admire the scenic sights of Spirit Mountain, temporarily leaving the Great Thunderclap Temple.

Amid the crowd, Su Yuan heard Sun Wukong mutter in his ear:

"So this is Spirit Mountain? It's nothing special. Old Sun thought it would be some towering mountain. It's not even as steep and dangerous as my Flower-Fruit Mountain."

Su Yuan hurriedly replied in a low voice:

"Great Sage, watch your words! This place is filled with mighty experts of unfathomable divine power. Do not let them discover your whereabouts."

After the people from the Heavenly Court departed, golden light blazed again within the Great Thunderclap Temple.

Upon the highest lotus platform, a Buddha slowly emerged.

A halo like a full moon shone behind him, and the white curl between his brows radiated light. His aura was ancient and vast. It was none other than Dipamkara Ancient Buddha, the Buddha of the Past.

The Ancient Buddha slowly spoke, his voice calm and gentle:

"What do you all think of what just happened?"

Manjushri Bodhisattva clasped his palms and said:

"In reply to Ancient Buddha, the Six-Syllable Mantra left behind by Tathagata was stirred without cause. This was certainly no accident; it must be due to a profound karmic connection."

Guanyin had also come in person. Holding the Jade Pure Vase, he said slowly:

"Before the Buddha entered nirvana and traveled to the three thousand Buddhist realms, he left behind a verse, saying that in the next great kalpa, our Buddhist faith would flourish."

"He also stated that whoever could stir the Six-Syllable Mantra would be the key to ushering in the great rise of our faith, bearing vast providence, much like Jiang Ziya during the War of the Gods."

The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas within the hall all fell silent at those words.

They knew the War of the Gods all too well. So-called divine powers, magical treasures, merit, and fortune were utterly insignificant before providence.

No matter how heaven-piercing your abilities, you could not withstand a single sentence: "Daoist friend, please stay."

Dipamkara Ancient Buddha swept his gaze across the crowd.

"So, the child of the great tribulation is among that Heavenly Court delegation from earlier?"

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva spoke:

"The delegation leader, Emperor Wenchang, is an old acquaintance of ours. He has worked for the Heavenly Court since the era of Taiyi, and his karmic ties with our Western faith are not deep. He also led the previous delegation that visited the West a thousand years ago, yet no such phenomenon occurred then."

After contemplating for a moment, Dipamkara Ancient Buddha made his decision.

"Investigate. Bring me the rosters from both delegations and see who was newly added!"

Before long, a roster was presented, listing more than ten names. All were newly added "cultural exchange personnel" in this delegation.

Dipamkara Ancient Buddha's gaze fell upon the list.

"Whoever has affinity with our Buddha and stirred the mantra must be among them. Send people to watch them closely."

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva ordered:

"Kasyapa, take the Six-Syllable Mantra and privately test each person on the list. You must find the one destined to answer the karmic call."

Kasyapa stepped forward from the crowd, bowed, and pressed his palms together.

"I obey the Dharma decree!"

After leaving the Great Thunderclap Temple, the people of the Heavenly Court were led by Vajra warriors through the scenic realm of Spirit Mountain.

Everywhere they looked was a marvelous sight. Within the Eight-Treasure Merit Pool, rippling waters shimmered and lotus fragrance filled the air. From time to time, Udumbara Flowers quietly bloomed upon the water's surface, only to vanish in an instant, drawing awed exclamations from the immortals.

There was also the Bodhi Grove, its branches and leaves swaying gently. Whenever the breeze passed through, countless faint Buddhist chants seemed to linger among the trees, soothing all who heard them.

The immortals scattered, some touring the mountains and waters, others paying homage to sacred sites. Every one of them was in high spirits.

Emperor Wenchang found a quiet pavilion and brewed tea with several Arhats, discussing the Dao, composing poems, and matching couplets in high delight.

Su Yuan was likewise dazzled. He hurriedly pulled out his recording stone and took pictures everywhere.

"Boring, boring. Nothing but bare mountains, rocks, and blinding golden light. They're making Old Sun dizzy."

Sun Wukong had been muttering in Su Yuan's ear ever since they climbed the mountain. Seeing that no one paid him any attention, he simply curled up in Su Yuan's ear and drifted off to sleep.

Elsewhere, Kasyapa, holding the Six-Syllable Mantra, had quietly tested every member of the delegation one by one. From Emperor Wenchang to the accompanying strongmen, none was the one destined for the tribulation.

Kasyapa could not help growing anxious. His gaze swept across the area before finally settling on Su Yuan, who stood alone at the "Wave-Watching Pavilion" halfway up the mountain, constantly finding new angles to take pictures with the sea of clouds.

He concealed his aura and calmed his breath, approaching step by step while secretly activating the mantra in his hand.

Just as he entered the pavilion, still three or four steps away from Su Yuan—

"Om—! Ma—! Ni—! Ba—! Mi—! Hum—!"

The Six-Syllable Mantra echoed throughout the scenic realm of Spirit Mountain.