Return of the Mountain God

In an instant, thousands of monks and novices from Tianci Temple gathered in the Great Hero Hall. Elder Guangde was seen slumped on the lotus pedestal, his face pale. The Fire Spirit True Immortal surveyed the monks, his voice like ice: "Effective immediately, all Buddhist temples within Tianci Temple and Guangci Prefecture must dismantle all statues of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, Vajras, and Sangharamas. In their place, erect statues of this immortal. From this day forward, Guangci Prefecture's incense and fire shall be enjoyed by this immortal alone."

Her gaze, like lightning, swept across the terrified monks in the hall: "Should there be any defiance, I will ensure the monks of Guangci Prefecture drown in a river of blood, and their temples will be reduced to scorched earth!"

"The karma and retribution for this matter will be borne by all of you!" The Fire Spirit True Immortal's words struck like a knife to the heart.

After the Fire Spirit True Immortal forcibly occupied Tianci Temple, he ordered the monks to destroy all Buddha statues. He then replaced all Buddhist offerings within Guangci Prefecture with his own divine seats, monopolizing the faith of the common people.

This immortal deeply understood Buddhist teachings. Over three months, he preached scriptures, subdued demons, and aided the poor, winning over half of the believers. However, his act of seizing temples also stirred the indignation of devout followers, and resentment grew within Guangci Prefecture. Daily, followers of the two factions could be seen arguing in the streets, their disputes incessant.

Though imprisoned, the monks in the temple secretly paid homage to the Buddhas, praying for Bodhisattvas to manifest and send Vajras and Arhats to subdue the demons. Strangely, in this pure land of the Western Ox Continent, all the Bodhisattvas remained silent.

On Spirit Platform Mountain, Zhuang Yan suddenly felt uneasy. He looked up to see dark clouds pressing down over Guangci Prefecture and immediately summoned the Earth God of Xiaotian Village to inquire.

"Reporting to the Mountain God," the Earth God emerged from the ground and bowed. "That Fire Spirit True Immortal forcibly occupied the Buddhist temple and replaced the Buddha statues, causing widespread discontent among the Buddhist followers."

Zhuang Yan was astonished: "Who dares to seize incense and fire at the foot of the Western Heaven?"

"As far as this humble one knows, this immortal was born from primal spiritual fire. He has studied Buddhist teachings but has not entered the monastic path," the Earth God stroked his beard. "As for why the Buddhas ignore him... " He chuckled nervously and shrunk his neck. "That is beyond this old one's comprehension."

The Earth God of Xiaotian Village looked at Zhuang Yan and said in a low voice, "Mountain God, this matter is quite peculiar. It is an internal affair of the Buddhist sect... it has nothing to do with us. The Mountain God need not interfere."

Zhuang Yan nodded slightly: "I understand. You may withdraw."

"As you command, this humble one takes his leave." The Earth God cupped his hands in a salute and then transformed into a wisp of smoke, disappearing into the ground.

After he departed, Zhuang Yan took out the Mountain God Jade Scroll. Since he was promoted to a seventh-rank Immortal Official and placed in charge of the mountains and rivers of Guangci Prefecture, all the local Earth Gods had been filing their ten-year reports into the Mountain God Jade Scroll.

He flipped through it briefly and found the former dwelling of the Fire Spirit True Immortal – within Jiyang Mountain.

Zhuang Yan put away the scroll, summoned the Thousand Light Cloud Talisman, and rode a cloud away from Spirit Platform Mountain. An hour later, he landed in front of the Fire Spirit Cave on Jiyang Mountain.

The cave entrance was open, and no one was present. Zhuang Yan stepped inside, feeling the intense spiritual fire energy wash over him.

The interior was simply furnished, with only a stone table, stone benches, and a stone couch.

After a brief inspection, Zhuang Yan issued a divine decree, summoning the local Earth God.

The Earth God of Jiyang Mountain appeared and bowed respectfully: "This humble one greets the Mountain God."

Zhuang Yan asked: "What place is this?"

The Earth God replied: "Reporting to the Mountain God, this is the Fire Spirit Cave, the place where the Fire Spirit True Immortal once cultivated."

Zhuang Yan asked again: "Do you know her whereabouts?"

"I do," the Earth God responded. "The Fire Spirit True Immortal has occupied Tianci Temple and is now receiving incense and fire."

Zhuang Yan continued to press: "What is this immortal's temperament like?"

The Earth God pondered: "Although the Fire Spirit True Immortal is an Earth Immortal, the power of her 'Profound Yang True Fire' is extraordinary; even Profound Immortals find it difficult to match. She is well-versed in Buddhist principles and has a compassionate heart, often aiding the distressed and helping the endangered... This humble one has also received her kindness. However, as for the reason for this seizure of the Buddhist temple, this humble one truly does not know."

Zhuang Yan listened and nodded: "Good, you may withdraw."

"This humble one takes his leave." The Earth God bowed and departed.

Zhuang Yan walked out of the Fire Spirit Cave, glanced up at the gathering resentment in the sky, and then rode a cloud back to Spirit Platform Mountain.

Inside his residence, Zhuang Yan pondered: According to the accounts of both Earth Gods, the Fire Spirit True Immortal is not an evil being. On the contrary, she possesses profound Buddhist knowledge and a kind heart.

Why did she suddenly seize the Buddhist temple's incense and fire? There must be a hidden reason.

However, no matter what, as the lord of the mountains and rivers of Guangci Prefecture, Zhuang Yan would absolutely not allow chaos within his domain.

At the same moment, in the backyard of Tianci Temple.

Elder Guangde had prayed day and night and finally received a response from Cundi Bodhisattva.

He suddenly opened his eyes and saw the gentle breeze rustling the leaves outside the courtyard. Fallen leaves on the ground formed eight characters:

"Seek the divine on Spirit Platform, and there will be a response."

A moment later, another gust of wind blew, swaying the branches. The characters on the ground were erased.

The frown that had been furrowed on Elder Guangde's brow for days finally relaxed. He clasped his hands together and whispered: "The Bodhisattva is merciful."

The Fire Spirit True Immortal occupied the temple, imprisoned the monks, and monopolized the incense and fire, yet she held the moral high ground. The Buddhas found it inconvenient to intervene – Elder Guangde knew this clearly. As long as no harm was done to the Buddhist sect and no lives were taken, the Bodhisattvas and Arhats had no right to stop her.

The root of this matter lay in Samantabhadra Bodhisattva's past promise. As long as the promise remained, and the Fire Spirit True Immortal did not commit evil deeds, the Buddhist sect had no reason to interfere.

Cundi Bodhisattva had pointed out a way for him: The saints of the Buddhist sect were bound by the promise, but the Heavenly Court had no such agreement with the Fire Spirit True Immortal.

"So, I am to petition the Department of the Mortal Realm to send the Demon-Subduing True Person to subdue the demon," Elder Guangde mused.

He had dealings with the Earth Gods within a thousand-mile radius. He could entrust them with forwarding the petition. With his mind made up, Elder Guangde immediately began to write the memorial to the Demon-Subduing True Person, devising a way to deliver it.

In the Heavenly Human Temple, Cundi's dojo, in the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss.

Incense smoke swirled, and golden radiance was solemn. Cundi Buddha Mother, seated on a lotus pedestal, had just manifested to guide Elder Guangde when she saw him contacting the Earth Gods to petition the Heavenly Court.

The Buddha Mother sighed softly. Elder Guangde only knew, but had not grasped the true meaning.

Asuona, a Heavenly Human seated below, asked: "Bodhisattva, are you concerned about the matter in Guangci Prefecture?"

With pure senses, where does suffering come from? The Buddha Mother smiled, only seeing the world's infatuation, which even the Buddhist Sect could not escape.

Asuona pressed further, "The Fire Spirit True Immortal destroyed the statue and seized the temple, why are all the Buddhas ignoring it?"

A hundred years ago, during the Bathing Buddha Festival, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva descended to the world to preach. The Buddha Mother recounted that at that time, the Fire Spirit True Immortal was still a cultivator in the Void Refinement stage. He once asked the Buddha, "What is the difference between me and the Buddha?"

Samantabhadra replied, "Enlightenment is Buddha, delusion is me."

She then asked, "If I do not convert to Buddhism, but only study Buddhist scriptures, can I achieve the Dao?"

Samantabhadra promised, "If you can achieve the Dao through self-enlightenment from Buddhist scriptures, I will gift you the Incense and Fire of Guangci Prefecture."

The Buddha Mother praised, "This woman has cultivated to Earth Immortal in a hundred years without external help, comprehending profound methods solely from ordinary Buddhist scriptures. Now, in the Hinayana debates, no one can match her."

Asuona exclaimed in surprise, "Your Excellency's meaning is that this Fire Spirit True Immortal is not a member of the Buddhist Sect, and yet she has comprehended our Buddhist Hinayana teachings with only a few ordinary texts from the mortal realm?"

"Precisely," Cundi Bodhisattva nodded slightly.

Asuona did not understand, "Then why not bring her into the Buddhist Sect?"

Cundi Bodhisattva replied with a smile, "All things in the world have their affinities. Although this Fire Spirit True Immortal has spiritual roots, she has no affinity with our Buddhist Sect."

Asuona suddenly understood and respectfully bowed, "Thank you, Bodhisattva, for your guidance."

Cundi Bodhisattva said to the crowd, "You all guard this place of practice. This humble monk must make a journey to the mortal realm."

Asuona and the others responded in unison, "We respectfully obey your edict."

Cundi Bodhisattva transformed into a golden Buddhist light and flew out of Tianren Temple, traversing the Western Heaven, and finally descended upon Spirit Platform Mountain.

She materialized into a graceful and noble woman, carrying a fruit basket, and approached the Mountain God Temple.

As soon as she stepped into the temple, Zhuang Yan sensed something. He noticed auspicious clouds swirling around the temple and myriad streams of auspicious energy. He immediately used Cave Heaven True Sight to look outside.

He saw a beautiful woman standing before the temple. Under his True Sight, she was bathed in Buddhist light, her dharma form majestic, with auspicious clouds swirling above her head.

This aura was exactly the same as Akashagarbha Bodhisattva he had seen before.

Zhuang Yan quickly walked out of the quiet room and revealed his true form, asking, "May I know which Bodhisattva has graced us with their presence?"

Cundi Bodhisattva was slightly surprised. She had not intended to reveal her identity as a Bodhisattva, but she did not expect to be recognized at a glance.

What surprised her even more was that Zhuang Yan's cultivation was still in the Spirit Refinement and Return to Void stage, which could be considered mortal eyes, yet he could see through her origin.

It seemed Akashagarbha Bodhisattva's words were not false. Although this person's Dao cultivation was shallow, he already possessed top-tier divine abilities in the three realms.

Cundi Bodhisattva clasped her hands in salutation, "This humble monk is the abbot of Tianren Temple in the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss. My Dharma name is..." She then addressed the Mountain God of Lingtai.

"So it's Cundi Bodhisattva," Zhuang Yan cupped his hands in return. "Bodhisattva, are you here for sightseeing?"

Cundi Bodhisattva handed over the fruit basket, "This is the Thousand-Year Sura Fruit that I personally planted. I offer it to the Mountain God as a token of my regard."

Zhuang Yan's expression changed drastically. His gaze darted between the Bodhisattva and the fruit basket, and he asked suspiciously, "It is truly unusual for a Bodhisattva to offer a gift. May I know the reason?"

"It is merely a matter of social courtesy," Cundi Bodhisattva said with a smile, placing the fruit basket on the altar. Her gaze fell on the clay pot beside the statue, "This must be the dwelling of that Deer Spirit, correct?"

Zhuang Yan retorted, "Does Bodhisattva know her?"

Cundi Bodhisattva nodded, "She once offered a bunch of purple iris flowers before me."

Zhuang Yan snorted, "Since she neither burned incense nor offered sacrifices, it's just a common wild flower. It's no wonder Bodhisattva knows but does not inquire."

As he spoke, he lightly tapped the clay pot and said to the inside, "Remember, you must be more sincere when paying respects to the Buddha from now on."

Cundi Bodhisattva was not offended and said gently, "The Mountain God should know that all sentient beings are drowning in the sea of suffering. It is not that the Buddha does not save them, but they must first save themselves before they can be saved. If they do not save themselves, even Buddhas and Bodhisattvas can hardly offer assistance."

After a brief pause, she continued, "This Deer Spirit has been repeatedly advised by Guangde, yet she remains stubborn and unable to sever her emotional ties, thus unable to transcend. Fortunately, the Mountain God intervened; otherwise, she would still be entangled."

Zhuang Yan said calmly, "The love between humans and demons violates the Heavenly Dao. Talking about enlightenment and awakening is all empty talk. In my opinion, a three-year confinement will naturally make her sober."

He glanced at the fruit basket on the altar and smiled at Cundi Bodhisattva, "Bodhisattva's gift, are you perhaps trying to enlighten me?"

"Enlighten me? I cannot, I cannot," Cundi Bodhisattva repeatedly waved her hands. "Although this humble monk has some Dao cultivation, I cannot enlighten someone like the Mountain God."

Zhuang Yan raised an eyebrow, "It's not possible that you came all the way here just to deliver immortal fruit, is it? I am unacquainted with Bodhisattva, and I have no particular friendship with the Buddhist Sect. I do not accept rewards without merit."

Cundi Bodhisattva said with a smile, "This humble monk has a request for this journey."

A sharp glint flashed in Zhuang Yan's eyes, "Is it about the matter of Guangci Prefecture? If you want me to deal with the Fire Spirit True Immortal, Bodhisattva can turn back now."

Since the Fire Spirit True Immortal had not committed any evil and was a highly accomplished cultivator, Zhuang Yan would never abuse his authority to act on behalf of the Buddhist Sect.

Cundi Bodhisattva shook her head and smiled, "The Mountain God misunderstands. This humble monk wishes to ask the Mountain God to subdue the Fire Spirit True Immortal and have her serve as your mountain-guarding general. She will surely become a capable assistant."

Zhuang Yan's expression showed surprise, "Why did she want to seize the Incense and Fire of the Buddhist Sect?"

Cundi Bodhisattva paced and said, "This matter is a long story..."

She recounted Samantabhadra Bodhisattva's promise. In the end, she sighed, "Although she has a point, she is not one of my Buddhist Sect, nor does she have an imperial edict from the Heavenly Court. If she establishes her own sect, it will inevitably lead to disaster sooner or later."

Zhuang Yan nodded slightly. Even if the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas did not hold it against her, those divine generals, mounts, and young attendants would never let her off.

"Why not directly bring her into the Buddhist Sect?" Zhuang Yan asked.