Twenty years ago, when Pei Jue first met his master, he was amazed by his Celestial Person.
His master was someone to be revered!
He was a very powerful person, with outstanding literary talent and brilliant ideas. Standing next to him, Pei Jue often felt inferior and ashamed of his own inferiority.
Although for some reason, his master only taught Pei Jue for twenty-seven days, in his heart, that was a radiant sun that could never be surpassed!
He wouldn't allow anyone to belittle his master...
"You don't want to listen? Fine, then I won't speak!" Pei Shanhe said, taking out a book and handing it over. "The clan leader has been rather irritable lately. I hope he will read more books to calm his mind!"
Pei Jue took it; it was a Buddhist scripture, the Shurangama Sutra.
"It seems Uncle has been reading Buddhist scriptures quite a bit in his spare time. Is it because he has done too many bad things that he needs the Buddha's protection?" Pei Jue sneered.
"You've always been disrespectful in your speech, but you are the clan leader, so I will forgive you," Pei Shanhe said with a smile.
"Do you know what? I've been waiting, waiting for the day you can't keep up the act anymore, waiting for the day you cripple me and seize power for yourself!"
Is that how you think of me?
"Yes!"
"Clan leader, you're too frank. You want to emulate your master, but your master is a master of unparalleled cunning. Every word he speaks is meticulously planned and fraught with traps. You, on the other hand, haven't even grasped the basics. Instead, you've alerted your opponents, allowing them to strike first!"
As Pei Shanhe spoke, he walked step by step toward Pei Jue, and a vast aura suddenly burst forth!
Pei Jue's expression changed slightly.
"Such blunt words are fine to say to me, but when you're in power, you can't say them to those old foxes, or... you'll suffer. Too much talk leads to mistakes, and too much talk leads to hurt. I hope the clan leader remembers this lesson!"
Pei Shanhe raised his sleeve and slapped Pei Jue on the shoulder. The latter groaned, staggered two steps, and his face turned pale instantly!
"This slap is me, as the uncle, disciplining my nephew!"
Pei Shanhe smiled slightly, then turned and left with his hands behind his back.
Pei Jue stared at his retreating figure, remaining silent for a long time...
The westernmost part of the Dao Realm.
Here, the trees are lush and the land is sparsely populated. The towering mountains rise one after another, and in the center of the forest lies a lake that stretches for nine million miles. In the center of the lake is an island called Buddha Island.
One of the three great islands of the Dao Realm!
At the very center of the Buddha Island, a waterfall cascades down, red lotus blossoms bloom, and lotus leaves are serene and round.
There was a man sitting cross-legged on a black lotus platform. He wore a silver kasaya, was bald, and had a gentle and refined appearance, as pure as a breeze. He did not reveal his age; he had the appearance of a youth, the spirit of a middle-aged man, and the age of an old man, making him mysterious and extraordinary.
Outside the Ink Lotus Platform was a small lake, on which a formidable Formation was faintly visible, radiating pressure and shimmering light.
He held a copy of the Shurangama Sutra, engrossed in reading it.
His name is: Buddha Emperor, Ye Zhu!
"Amitabha!"
At this moment, two people came across the water, put their hands together, and bowed their heads in greeting.
The one with serene features, clad in golden Buddhist robes and wearing a crimson triangular crown, is the Buddha Venerable Lingdu.
Accompanying him was the Buddha Venerable Wuxiang, but this person was quite peculiar. He was dressed in yellow robes and red gowns, with his black hair tied up in a crown. He was strong, but looked like a virgin, and was actually a man with a woman's appearance!
The two of them came walking on water, Divine Saint and solemn, bathed in the light of Buddha.
"You two have come with news?" Upon seeing Ye Zhu put down his Buddhist scriptures.
The Buddha Venerable Lingdu said, "Reporting to the Buddha Emperor, the outside world is as usual. All living beings are living according to their own karma, and the mortal world is as noisy as ever. However, recently, a major event has occurred. Among the three major islands, the Spirit Clan's Asura Island, in alliance with the Ghost Clan and the Blaze Clan, has launched a war against Flame Island."
Ye Zhu asked, "How is the battle going?"
The Buddha Venerable Lingdu said, "Originally, Flame Island was weak, but... at the critical moment, a man in blue robes wielding the Extreme Dao Sword and an extremely powerful woman in red robes appeared. They turned the tide, not only saving Flame Island but also severely damaging Asura Island and destroying three Emperor Sword!"
"The man in blue?"
"I've heard that he's Xie Feng, ranked number one on the Heavenly Ranking! As for that woman in red, I've never heard of her; she seems to belong to the Dao Realm!"
" Xie Feng?!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhu's eyes flickered slightly. He said, "I don't want to be enemies with Xie Feng."
The Buddha Venerable Wuxiang asked in confusion, "Why is there a hint of apprehension in your tone?"
Ye Zhu shook his head. "It's not fear, but this person... will not associate with me, nor with Buddha Island! The Buddha said: 'Following the natural order leads to reincarnation; going against it leads to liberation from the Three Realms.' This person has gone against the natural order, beyond the control of Heaven, Earth, and Man; beyond the restraint of greed, anger, and ignorance. He possesses a saintly heart and a demonic heart, yet he remains untainted by Buddhist influence. The Buddha... will not save this person..."
The Buddha Venerable Lingdu asked, "Do you know him?"
"I am merely seeing things as they are. All things in the world have form and appearance. I observe their form and examine their appearance. All kinds of karma cannot escape my discerning eye."
"Ye Zhu said softly."
The Buddha Venerable Wuxiang and the Buddha Venerable Lingdu joined their palms and said, "We have learned much from your teachings!"
Ye Zhu nodded. "Go!"
"Yes!"
The two Buddha statues departed respectfully.
Ye Zhu slowly closed his eyes, entering a state of meditation.
Not long after.
A young monk in yellow robes appeared, carrying a pot of orchids. He came over excitedly and said, "Master! Look! The orchids are blooming!"
Ye Zhu opened his eyes, saw the blooming orchids, and smiled, " Xiao Mo, you've taken good care of them."
This little monk is only ten years old. His parents have both died, and three years ago he was left to wander the streets and almost froze to death in the snow.
Ye Zhu saved his life with a bowl of rice soup, and from then on he followed the latter by his side, picking herbs, weeding, chanting scriptures and such every day, living each day happily.
Ye Zhu glanced at Xiao Mo, then slightly raised his hand, folded a lotus leaf into a bowl, scooped up some water, and dissolved a red pill.
"You've been frail since childhood, taking tonics every two weeks. Now, it's time to start your medicine."
As he spoke, he handed over the lotus leaf bowl.
Looking at the pool of red medicine in the bowl that emitted a bitter smell, Xiao Mo made a face, put down the orchid pot, reluctantly took the lotus leaf bowl, pinched her nose, and gulped it down in one go.
"Ugh... ugh..."
After finishing the drink, he clutched his neck and gagged twice.
"It tastes awful! It's so bitter and astringent! Master, I feel much better now, can I stop taking the medicine?"
Xiao Mo said painfully.
Ye Zhu said softly, "Bitterness is also a flavor of this world. Enduring bitterness is also a form of cultivation."
"Alas, Master, my cultivation is still insufficient! How can you teach me to cultivate so that I can comprehend it more quickly?"
"I ask you, what are you going to do after you finish drinking the medicine?"
"Read the scripture!"
"No, after you finish your medicine, you should go wash the dishes."
"What?! This is the spiritual practice you taught me?"
"Take it one step at a time, respect the natural order. Washing dishes is a process of Heart Refining and body; isn't it a form of spiritual practice?"
"This disciple has learned a great deal! Thank you, Master!"
Xiao Mo held the lotus leaf bowl and bowed reverently.
Xiao Mo squatted by the lake washing dishes.
Ye Zhu's gaze shifted to the orchid pot on the ground. He asked, " Xiao Mo, tell me, how do these flowers and plants differ in each season?"