Rescue the Bhikshu Kingdom (Twenty-Three)

Now, in the land of the Bhikshu Kingdom, there has long been an aura of evil.

Fortunately, a young man in the country was favored by the Fortune Star and Buddhas. He was blessed by the God of Fortune, the Prosperity Star, and the God of Longevity Star. He then became king, quelled the chaos, and brought peace and happiness to the people.

On the other side, Ao Tu arrived at the Jade Void Palace early in Black Ship.

He has a place to stay here where he can heal Guanyin Bodhisattva's wounds without worrying about the Taoist Jieyin coming to beat him. At the same time, he can also take the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Yuqing Sage for the flag.

Returning to the Flower Realm would allow me to recover, but it would be less convenient than staying here.

Ao Tu carried Guanyin Bodhisattva off the boat, asked the White Crane Boy to pay respects to the Yuqing Sage on his behalf, and then went to his room to put Guanyin Bodhisattva down.

At this point, the distinction between men and women no longer matters. All that can be seen is blood and bone flowing freely, meridians decaying, and a curved notch appearing from the shoulder to the waist. Half of the person is gone; how can one possibly discern their gender?

Ao Tu removed the tattered clothes and first poured the Three-Lights Divine Water over himself.

Guanyin Bodhisattva used her remaining hand to stop it.

Ao Tu said helplessly, "Teacher, don't be so stingy with this Divine Water now. Besides, this Divine Water isn't from Teacher Jade-Cleansing Bottle; it's what I've painstakingly accumulated over the years."

Guanyin Bodhisattva's face was pale, unlike her usual compassionate Perfected One; she seemed more human, and she gently rolled her eyes, saying:

"What you've accumulated over the years is all in my bottle. Keeping it will still be useful; it can save countless lives."

Ao Tu said, "Teacher is foolish. How can you save others if you don't save yourself first?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "I was injured by Sage, Dao Principles remain on me. How can I be easily healed? Using this Divine Water would be a waste."

Ao Tu said, "If it's all for nothing, then it's all for nothing for me."

Having said that, disregarding Guanyin Bodhisattva's obstruction, he grasped her palm with one hand and poured the Three-Lights Divine Water down her throat with the other.

The Three-Lights Divine Water fell on the wound, but as expected, it was blocked by the Human Way and could not heal the injury.

Ao Tu placed his hand on it and used the Shangqing Sage Sword Intent to cut away the remaining Dao Principles.

This tactic was effective, but Ao Tu's strength was insufficient, and progress was very slow.

Ao Tu didn't want to waste too much time. After thinking for a moment, he chose not to sever the Dao Principles, but instead transferred Dao Principles to himself.

This makes things much simpler.

In the blink of an eye, all the Dao Principles landed on Ao Tu's chest.

Guanyin Bodhisattva was greatly alarmed.

Her wounds healed instantly under the healing power of the Three-Lights Divine Water, restoring her body to its Auspicious Light, jade-like state, radiating auspicious light and auspicious Auspicious Qi, like a pale Mingyue, a Qingfeng breeze, a shimmering Jewel, a cluster of Red Light, Fragrant Congealed Jade, and her feet treading on Colored Clouds.

Guanyin Bodhisattva raised her newly restored hand and hurriedly lifted the robe on Ao Tu's chest, revealing another layer of clothing underneath.

Ao Tu grabbed the hand and laughed, "What are you doing, Teacher?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "Why is there another layer?" She then pulled her other hand out of Ao Tu and tried to lift it again, only to find that there was another layer inside.

Ao Tu grabbed his other hand as well.

Guanyin Bodhisattva asked anxiously, "Why are you wearing so many clothes?"

Ao Tu looked at her and laughed, "To prevent the Teacher from lifting it."

Guanyin Bodhisattva was somewhat annoyed, but more so anxious, and said, "Stop joking. You transferred the Human Way onto yourself. Although you healed me, you did not harm your own Dao Foundation. Quickly let me see your injuries so I can help you."

Ao Tu said, "So, Teacher was checking on the injury? Why didn't you say so earlier?"

Ao Tu peeled off his four layers of clothing one by one, saying as he did so:

"It's not that my attire is cumbersome; it's just that I have many spirits under my command, and many of them pester me for sexual intercourse and demand my Yang Essence. Whether I like them or not, they all come to harass me. If I were to open the door, it would be unbearable to be bothered by them, so I have no choice but to do it this way."

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "You have already attained a Primordial Heaven body, yet you still joke with me like this? Do you think I don't know you? Are you a lewd person?"

At this moment, Ao Tu lifted the last layer of clothing, revealing his chest.

Guanyin Bodhisattva looked closely and found no injury whatsoever.

They placed their hands on it to search, but could not find the Dao Wound.

Guanyin Bodhisattva asked in confusion, "Why is there no injury? Did you transfer the Human Way elsewhere?"

Ao Tu said, "How could it have turned to another place? It's because I'm naturally unafraid of that old monk. His Dao Principles are useless to me and have long since dissipated. Otherwise, how could a mere Golden Immortal like me have fought him for so long?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva did not believe it at first, but after searching carefully, she found no injuries on Ao Tu, so she had no choice but to believe Ao Tu story.

Ao Tu finished dressing and laughed:

"Alright, although Teacher have a close relationship and have agreed to support each other on the Great Dao, there is still a difference between men and women, and we must not be impolite. Now that Teacher injuries have healed, I will wait for Teacher outside."

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and smiled, "Good disciple, your heart is at peace. Just don't use those words to belittle yourself anymore."

Ao Tu smiled, walked outside, and closed the door.

Guanyin Bodhisattva wore a small garment, changed into a plain white robe, with a brocade belt at the waist and a long skirt with gold trim, looking dignified and noble.

Upon exiting the door, the two met, exchanged greetings, and paid their respects to each other.

The two talked for a while longer, Ao Tu brought up the matter of the Bhikshu Kingdom, mentioning the Fox Spirit, saying:

"That spirit had slept with the Deer Spirit and then tried to attach herself to me. One night, she came to my room, undressed, and claimed to have the appearance of Guanyin. I wanted to get rid of her, but I thought that my Teacher was very compassionate and would not be punished for her words. So I instructed my disciple that if she went to the Three Islands, I should spare her life; if she could not leave, I should punish her according to the people's wishes."

Guanyin Bodhisattva heard this and thought it was a great virtue.

Afterwards, Guanyin Bodhisattva wished to express her gratitude to the Yuqing Human Way.

Since the Sage Yuqing could not be seen, the White Crane Boy had to be asked to relay the message.

Guanyin Bodhisattva then returned to the Southern Sea.

After Guanyin Bodhisattva left, Ao Tu sought an audience with the Sage Yuqing.

The White Crane Boy said, "Please, guest. The master has been waiting for quite some time."

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu hurriedly followed the White Crane Boy inside.

Upon arriving at the hall, they indeed found the Yuanshi Tianzun waiting there.

Ao Tu apologized, "I'm sorry to have kept the Celestial Worthy waiting."

The Yuanshi Tianzun laughed and said, "It's alright. People like us have gone through countless eons, losing Seven Emotions and Six Desires, and then reincarnating more than ten times before we could find contentment and regain human feelings. It is fortunate that you, fellow Daoist, still have a spirit of mutual assistance."

As he spoke, Yuanshi Tianzun invited Ao Tu to sit down.

Seeing this, Ao Tu sat down beside him and thanked Yuanshi Tianzun for gifting him the flag.

The Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Don't rush. Although the gift has been given, there are conditions."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "The Sage Taiqing spoke to me. Celestial Worthy, please speak."

The Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Under the Heavenly Dao, completeness inevitably leads to deficiency, extremes inevitably lead to reversals, and fullness inevitably leads to decline. This is the cycle of destiny. My brother's Shangqing's Teaching in the past, and the Western Heaven Sect today, are both due to this."

Ao Tu said, "This is the grand destiny of Heavenly Dao, and no one can change it."

Yuanshi Tianzun shook his head and said, "No, fellow Daoist, you underestimate yourself."

Ao Tu was taken aback, then asked, "What does the Celestial Worthy Venerable mean?"

Yuanshi Tianzun said, "Fellow Daoist, why don't you start a New Religion and seize the limelight?"

Ao Tu said, "I am merely a Golden Immortal; how could I possibly do that?"

Yuanshi Tianzun laughed and said, "We'll all come to help you. Even Golden Immortal, let alone someone who has just refined their essence into qi, will be fine. We're worried you might overwork yourself, so we've even discussed having the Minghe make you its Vice Sect Leader!"

Ao Tu asked, "Would the Patriarch Styx be willing?"

The Yuanshi Tianzun said, "How can ants defy Heaven?"