Meanwhile, as Tang Sanzang and his disciples entered Zhiyuan Monastery, seven times seven-forty-nine days-had passed since Ao Tu had begun refining pills in the furnace.
That day, the pills were finally ready. The Alchemy Furnace opened, and pill vapor instantly filled the room. Thirteen pills had formed, each the size of a thumb.
Ao Tu tried one, nodded, and said, "Passable."
Then he called to the eight disciples beside him, "Take one each."
Overjoyed, the eight each took a pill and ate it. At once, they felt full of vigor, strong and healthy. They all exclaimed, "Divine pills! Divine pills!"
Ao Tu picked up another three and gave them to the three Daoists. "Deliver these to the three State Preceptors on my behalf."
The three Daoists replied respectfully, "Yes."
Only one remained. Ao Tu picked it up, placed it in a jade box, and said:
"Come into the palace with me to present this pill to His Majesty."
Everyone promptly agreed.
Alu looked at the kasaya he was wearing and said to Ao Tu with some hesitation:
"Master, should I change my clothes? I fear His Majesty will be displeased if I appear before him like this."
Ao Tu said, "No matter. Just stay beside me. You will be responsible for presenting the pill to His Majesty."
Hearing this, the other disciples immediately looked at Alu with envy.
Ao Tu handed the jade box to Alu, then led his disciples into the palace to request an audience with the King of Chechi Kingdom.
The King of Chechi Kingdom had long been looking forward to the day the pills would be ready. He had assigned someone to keep track of the time and knew that this was the forty-ninth day, so he had been waiting since early morning.
Learning that Perfected