Now, Wukong was a show-off by nature.
While others listened to the teachings of Buddhist Dharma, he insisted on asking about the crucial subtleties of its principles.
Though Ao Tu could answer, he could not endure Wukong's endless questions.
Several days passed in succession.
Wukong's questions grew increasingly detailed.
Ao Tu found them increasingly difficult to answer.
Ao Tu did not know everything in the world, either. There were always things he did not know, and if this continued, Wukong would stump him sooner or later. Even if he did not, the slightest hesitation would compromise his standing as the Buddha.
With this in mind, Ao Tu simply began expounding on the deeper reaches of Buddhist Dharma.
Previously, Ao Tu had taught only its simpler principles. Though Buddhist Dharma, it encompassed all things in the world, which was why Wukong had repeatedly found openings to ask questions.
Now Ao Tu expounded directly on profound Buddhist Dharma, explaining all its closely guarded secrets. Once Wukong heard them, he immediately became immersed and could hardly ask any more questions. Above them, the Five Directional Guardians, Buddhist Guardian Garan, and the others also became absorbed, entranced and unable to pull themselves free.
This, however, made the teachings exceedingly difficult for Tang Sanzang and the Little Demons beside him to follow. But Ao Tu's purpose had never been to teach Tang Sanzang Buddhist Dharma, only to obstruct the scripture pilgrimage. Tang Sanzang's difficulty in understanding actually worked to his advantage, allowing him to delay them longer.
In this way, Ao Tu expounded on those profound principles of Buddhist Dharma for a full twenty-eight days, drawing all manner of creatures together to comprehend the wondrous Dharma. Geese and cranes circled overhead, tigers and leopards sat or lay down, scorpions and insects listened, and snakes and