Now, Tathagata Buddha, broad-faced and wide-bodied, remained perfectly composed at the Jade Emperor's question. He smiled serenely and said, "Your Majesty, that monster has falsely borrowed the name of a Buddhist monastery and set up a sham dwelling, confounding the immortals and deluding the masses."
Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor smiled. "Venerable Buddha, your Wisdom Eye sees much. Let Us and the immortals behold your vast Buddhist Dharma subduing the monster."
Hearing this, all the immortals smiled in agreement, offering praise and admiration.
Tathagata Buddha said, "How could this old monk presume to trouble you with such praise? Your Majesty, please watch, please watch."
Outside South Heaven Gate, the Arhats were battling the Yellow-Browed Old Demon.
Ao Tu's Incarnation, meanwhile, held the three Bodhisattvas in check.
These three Bodhisattvas-Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Guanyin-each had their own thoughts.
Manjushri Bodhisattva took the lead in everything, seemingly eager to be first, but in truth exerted no effort. His moves and spells looked magnificent, yet had little effect. After fighting for so long, he had only knocked a few golden scales off Ao Tu's Incarnation.
Compared with Manjushri Bodhisattva, Guanyin Bodhisattva held back at every turn and showed mercy at every moment. She shouted the most rebukes, talking of striking him down into the Nine Hells and suppressing him for ten thousand years, yet actually exerted even less effort than Manjushri Bodhisattva.
Samantabhadra Bodhisattva had decided from the outset that he must not exert himself. The Yellow-Browed Old Demon could not be subdued, while the Demon Dragon's circumstances were even more complicated and unfathomable. Thus, he had only intended to imitate Manjushri Bodhisattva and Guanyin Bodhisattva, watching how they acted before deciding what to do as the situation demanded. As a result, despite deliberately holding back, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva ended up exerting the most effort, inflicting