Ao Tu expounded the great way of the Bodhisattvas, manifesting boundless Buddha-Light, and all the Eighteen Arhats sank into it.
The Buddha-Light shone as far as the Heavenly Realm, and even South Heaven Gate was surrounded by Buddhist chanting.
Heavenly King Guangmu hurriedly reported the situation to the Jade Emperor.
Upon hearing this, Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor summoned Qianliyan and Wind-Following Ear. "Go at once and see who is preaching the Dharma on Spirit Mountain, shining Buddha-Light all the way to the Heavenly Realm!"
The two received their orders and hurried out of South Heaven Gate to look toward Spirit Mountain, only to find that no one there was preaching.
They then followed the direction of the Buddha-Light with their gaze and saw the region around Thorn Ridge. Thick Buddha-Light obscured what lay within, preventing them from seeing clearly. They could only see many demons and spirits gathered around its outskirts, listening to the great Dharma.
The two generals reported to the Jade Emperor, "Your Majesty, the preaching is not on Spirit Mountain. Someone is preaching in Thorn Ridge on the Western Ox Continent in the lower realm. Many demons have gathered there. Should troops be sent to exterminate them?"
Hearing that it was not preaching on Spirit Mountain shining into the Heavenly Realm, Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor said, "Spirits of the lower realm. Leave them be."
Hearing this, the two generals paid it no further attention.
On Thorn Ridge, summer passed and winter arrived in the blink of an eye, and another year began.
Ao Tu preached three times, drawing countless living beings to listen to the great way. Even through the continuous winter cold, snakes, insects, and other creatures did not hibernate, but gathered outside the gates of Thunderclap Monastery, waiting to hear the great way.
Meanwhile, in