Great Thunderclap Temple, Western Heaven
Spirit Mountain slowly emerged amid the Buddha's radiance, golden light spreading from the glazed tiles of Mahavira Hall
and enveloping all of Spirit Mountain in compassionate stillness.
Manjushri rode a cloud from his own sanctuary. Leaving Azure Lion outside the mountain gate to listen to the sutras, he entered Mahavira Hall alone and pressed his palms together, bowing before Tathagata.
Tathagata sat upright on the Lotus Throne, his eyes slightly lowered. The Buddha's radiance behind him was flawless and round as a mirror, softening the faces of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas within the hall.
"World-Honored One."
Manjushri addressed Tathagata, though a trace of worry could still be heard in his voice.
"Is it truly all right to leave Golden Cicada in the mortal world like this?
"He was once the Sandalwood Merit Buddha, after all. Now that he has lodged his primordial spirit within a phoenix tree, I fear he may perish if the calamity's aura corrodes him."
Tathagata did not answer the question at once.
He slowly opened his eyes. There was no worry in them, only the understanding of one who had seen every cause and effect throughout the Three Realms.
"Manjushri."
Tathagata's voice was resonant yet gentle.
"Do you know why Golden Cicada willingly became a phoenix tree and stood watch outside the Pavilion for thirteen hundred years?"
Manjushri lowered his head in thought for a moment, then shook it.
Tathagata smiled faintly and extended his right hand, palm upward.
A lotus slowly rose from his palm, its petals unfurling layer by layer. An image appeared at its heart: the old Pavilion in the mortal world's University Town North District. Outside it, the old Phoenix Tree swayed gently in the morning light. Beneath him sat a woman in plain clothes, her hair