The Primordial Spirit Fire

The affinity hasn't arrived yet. Mother Zhunti sighed, "This woman was born from the Primordial Spirit Fire, her talent is extraordinary. If the Mountain God takes her for his own, he'll gain a powerful general and the Buddhist Sect will owe him a favor. Isn't that perfect?"

Zhuang Yan laughed heartily, "Bodhisattva, you truly are eloquent. Is this what they call 'a tongue that blossoms lotuses'?"

Mother Zhunti merely smiled without speaking. Zhuang Yan said with a serious expression, "I accept this matter. However, it must be clear that how she is dealt with is entirely up to me, and the Buddhist Sect shall not interfere."

Mother Zhunti immediately clasped her hands together, "Everything will be as the Mountain God decides."

Zhuang Yan nodded in satisfaction, and casually took two Suoluo Fruits from the fruit basket, handing them over. "My humble abode is simple, I only have these immortal fruits gifted by Western Zhunti Bodhisattva to express my sincerity. Please accept them, Bodhisattva."

Mother Zhunti was stunned speechless. Weren't these the very fruits she had just given? To offer flowers borrowed from someone else was one thing, but to return them to the original owner… truly…

Mother Zhunti paused for a moment, then broke into a gentle smile and accepted the two Suoluo Fruits from Zhuang Yan. She tucked one into her sleeve and took a light bite of the other, a look of admiration appearing in her eyes. "Indeed, a wonderful delicacy. Immortal fruits personally planted by a Bodhisattva, sweet and refreshing to the heart."

Zhuang Yan couldn't help but chuckle, "It's rare to hear a Bodhisattva praise themselves like this."

Mother Zhunti was momentarily speechless.

The emotions of a Bodhisattva who had cultivated for ten million years were now rippling with a slight disturbance.

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion, who presided over the Department of the Mortal Realm, finished reading the memorial submitted by Guangci Prefecture and turned to True Lord Xuandu and True Man Wenshi. "Western Ox Continent is truly worthy of being the Pure Land of Buddhism. Even the demons and monsters here seem more spiritual than elsewhere."

The two True Persons exchanged smiles. True Man Wenshi stroked his beard and asked, "Where is the demonic aura causing trouble this time?"

"Still Guangci Prefecture," the Emperor tapped his desk with his fingers. "There's a Fire Spirit True Immortal who has occupied Tianci Temple, toppled the golden statues of the Buddhas, and established his own divine position to receive the incense and fire of sentient beings."

True Lord Xuandu's brows twitched slightly. "Stealing Buddhist followers in the holy land of the West? What is this demon's origin?"

"It attained the Dao through the Primordial Spirit Fire and now has Earth Immortal cultivation," the Emperor replied.

True Lord Xuandu sighed lightly. "It's a pity we didn't discover it sooner. Otherwise, we might have been able to guide it to cultivate on the Ten Continents and Three Islands."

The Ten Continents and Three Islands are the blessed lands of the Daoist Sect. The Three Islands are Kunlun, Fangzhang; the Ten Continents are Yingzhou, Xuanzhou, and other immortal realms. This place gathers the essence of heaven and earth, breeds spiritual ganoderma and jade dew, harbors rare birds and beasts, and has always been the abode of true Daoist cultivators.

The Buddhist Sect has four pure lands across the continents, and the Daoist Sect has the Ten Continents and Three Islands, each occupying a region of destiny.

Although True Lord Xuandu lamented the loss of talent, since this demon had touched the Buddhist Sect's forbidden zone, it was difficult to guide it. True Man Wenshi suggested, "Since it's a matter for Guangci Prefecture, why not send the Mountain God of Lingtai to handle it? There's no need to dispatch another Demon-Subduing True Person."

The Emperor nodded. "That aligns with my thoughts. With the Mountain God's abilities, subduing an Earth Immortal should not be difficult."

Thus, an edict was issued, ordering Zhuang Yan to go and capture the demon.

By the time the edict fell into the shrine, Mother Zhunti had already departed. Zhuang Yan unrolled the silk and saw that it was the Department of the Mortal Realm's Demon Subduing Order he had been anticipating for a long time.

He wanted to convert the Fire Spirit True Immortal, and he also wanted to claim the merit for himself. Without this edict, it would merely be a routine task; now, by imperial decree to subdue the demon, he could record the merit in the heavenly scrolls.

Zhuang Yan put away the edict and rode the clouds straight to Tianci Temple. Upon arriving the next day, he saw that the area in front of the temple was bustling with people. Concealing his form, he listened and learned that the believers from Guangci Prefecture had invited a highly accomplished monk from Fayan Temple, who was a Profound Immortal.

Around the improvised altar built outside Tianci Temple, Abbot Guangde led the monks, standing below with eager eyes. The townspeople lined up on both sides, with the followers of the Fire Spirit True Immortal and the Buddhist believers forming distinct sides.

On the stage, Elder Zhengxin and the Fire Spirit True Immortal were engaged in a debate. Initially, they were evenly matched, but then the Fire Spirit True Immortal gradually gained the upper hand. After three hours, Elder Zhengxin was drenched in sweat and finally conceded defeat.

Guangde's face was dejected, but the Fire Spirit's followers cheered. Elder Zhengxin rose and bowed, "Fellow Daoist, your understanding of the scriptures is profound. This humble monk admits defeat." The Fire Spirit True Immortal returned the bow, "You are too kind."

Since an agreement had been made, the loser would retreat. Elder Zhengxin leaped off the altar and apologized to Guangde. Guangde comforted him, "Brother, thank you for traveling so far to help. I am deeply grateful." Elder Zhengxin sighed and left, disappearing into the sky like a streak of light.

The Fire Spirit True Immortal stood proudly on the stage and declared, "If any Buddhist cultivator below the Celestial Immortal realm can defeat me, they may reclaim the incense and fire of Tianci Temple. Otherwise, all the incense and fire of Guangci Prefecture will belong to me."

"How arrogant!" a young novice monk shouted angrily, "You heretical path will never achieve true enlightenment. Another monk chimed in, "Not being part of the orthodox three teachings, even enjoying incense and fire is in vain."

The Fire Spirit True Immortal responded calmly, "If you wish to debate, come to the stage. If you wish to fight, make your move. Wasting breath with mere words is just laughable." He scanned the silent monks and asked again, "Does anyone else dare to come and debate?"

"I will accept your challenge." A clear voice descended from the clouds. Everyone looked up, searching, and saw a tall figure emerge from the rippling divine light. His immortal robes and jade belt indicated his status as a seventh-rank Immortal Official of the Heavenly Court.

Guangde joyfully announced, "This must be the Demon Subduing Immortal Official sent by the Department of the Mortal Realm!" The man shook his sleeve and descended, gracefully landing on the altar.

Zhuang Yan sat upright, his wide sleeves falling to his knees, his gaze clear as he looked at the Fire Spirit True Immortal. "Today, I will debate with you."

He lightly tapped the seat opposite him with his fingertip, his voice like cold springs striking jade. "Please sit."

The Fire Spirit True Immortal performed a courtesy and took his seat, his black hair brushing against his kasaya. "This debate shall be based on the Lesser Vehicle Buddhist teachings as the premise."

Zhuang Yan nodded. "Very well, you may begin."

The Fire Spirit True Immortal's lips parted slightly, and as Sanskrit flowed, he posed a question. Zhuang Yan closed his eyes and said calmly, "Do not rush to ask, just speak your mind."

"This..." the Fire Spirit True Immortal frowned. "To only speak and not debate, wouldn't that go against the original intention of the debate?"

Zhuang Yan lightly tapped his jade finger within his sleeve. "When you have fully expounded the true meaning of the Lesser Vehicle, the answer will naturally reveal itself."

The Fire Spirit True Immortal pondered for a moment, then finally opened his scriptures. Golden lotuses bloomed with every word he spoke, and the sound of Sanskrit mingled with the gentle breeze across the plains.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Even cultivators of Elder Guangde's level were captivated by the scriptures. Ordinary people were like those drinking sweet dew, prostrating themselves in reverence, not daring to slacken.

As the moon reached its fullness, the last verse dissipated in the morning light. In the profound silence, the Fire Spirit True Immortal looked up and saw Zhuang Yan rising.

"Listen to my question," Zhuang Yan's snow-white sleeves fluttered, his Dharma emanating from his lips, from the steps, from where?

The Fire Spirit True Immortal smiled faintly. "Above the nine heavens."

"Where are the nine heavens?"

"The Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss."

"Where is the Pure Land?"

"The wondrous realm of Spirit Mountain."

"Where is Spirit Mountain?"

Western Ox Continent.

Zhuang Yan suddenly smiled, "So, you don't even know where the true Buddha resides?"

The Fire Spirit True Immortal's fingertips trembled slightly, "The Buddha is everywhere."

"Then is there a Buddha in your heart?"

"I am the Buddha."

"What kind of Buddha?"

The sandalwood incense suddenly became chaotic. The Fire Spirit True Immortal bit her lip for a long time, "I have not yet attained Bodhi..."

Zhuang Yan stood with his hands behind his back, "Even with unparalleled eloquence, if you don't know where to return, it's merely a reflection in the water and the moon."

Zhuang Yan said calmly, "You lost this debate."

The Fire Spirit True Immortal let out a cold laugh, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes, "You haven't even recited half a Buddhist scripture. How can you say I lost?"

"I indeed did not win, but you have indeed lost," Zhuang Yan replied calmly.

The Fire Spirit True Immortal burst into laughter and turned to Qi Zhen, "Your words are truly interesting. Since we cannot discuss Buddhist law, I will explain my own reasoning."

"I am eager to hear it," Zhuang Yan nodded.

Instantly, scorching Profound Yang True Fire erupted from the Fire Spirit True Immortal's body.

Elder Guangde urgently commanded, "Quickly evacuate the people!"

After the crowd retreated, the Fire Spirit True Immortal was engulfed in flames. She formed a hand seal, and the area within a hundred zhang instantly transformed into a sea of fire, the Zen platform turning to ash in an instant.

Facing the surging flames, Zhuang Yan calmly raised his hand. The sky full of flames converged into his palm like a hundred rivers returning to the sea.

"I have seen your reasoning. Now let me show you mine." Before his voice fell, the true fire was refined by Zhuang Yan and thrown back at the Fire Spirit True Immortal.

As the flames roared towards her, the Fire Spirit True Immortal's expression changed drastically, and she fled in a streak of red light.

"Beware of the true fire within your body!" Elder Guangde shouted as a reminder.

Before his voice faded, a ball of Heart Fire suddenly ignited where Zhuang Yan had been standing, and he himself had already teleported a hundred zhang away.

The Fire Spirit True Immortal, who had just reappeared, had not yet recovered when she suddenly felt her entire body go numb, her magic power lost. She fell to the ground like a kite with a broken string.

She collapsed, unable to move even her fingertips, and could only watch as Zhuang Yan took out a ceramic jar and slowly aimed it at her.

Zhuang Yan let out a low cry of "Receive," and with the 'One Thought Seal,' the Fire Spirit True Immortal was instantly sucked into the jar.

He hid the jar in his sleeve, took out the Thousand Light Cloud Talisman, and rode the clouds to leave.

Elder Guangde hurried over and bowed respectfully, "Your divine grace has eliminated demons and saved us from disaster. This humble monk is deeply grateful. May I ask for your divine title?"

Zhuang Yan replied calmly, "I am the Mountain God of Lingtai."

Before his voice faded, he had already ridden the clouds away. Elder Guangde stood frozen, gazing in the direction he had disappeared, muttering to himself, "The Spirit Refinement and Return to Void realm... is the Mountain God of Lingtai?!"

The monks of Tianci Temple, seeing the Fire Spirit True Immortal subdued, crowded around to ask, "Master, who is that divine being?"

Elder Guangde replied, "That is the Mountain God of Lingtai."

"The Mountain God of Lingtai?!"

The monks had not heard of Zhuang Yan subduing the Garuda and were greatly shocked that the Mountain God could subdue the Fire Spirit True Immortal.

A moment later, Elder Guangde regained his senses and solemnly ordered, "Everyone, quickly repair the Buddhist statues in each temple. Although the Fire Spirit True Immortal has been vanquished, the people she misled still need to be educated."

"As you command," the monks replied in unison.

Elder Guangde added, "Establish a 'Mountain God Hall' within Tianci Temple and erect a golden statue for the Mountain God of Lingtai. He shall be exclusively worshipped from now on."

The monks received the order again. Zhuang Yan's subjugation of the Fire Spirit True Immortal had saved the foundation of Buddhism in Guangci Prefecture, and he deserved such reverence.

Inside the Mountain God Temple on Spirit Platform Mountain.

Zhuang Yan flipped the ceramic jar, released the seal, and let out the Fire Spirit True Immortal.

She fell to the ground, barely breathing, her breath almost inaudible.

Zhuang Yan's thoughts stirred, and the Fire Spirit True Immortal's weakened state instantly vanished.

With a flash of fire, she suddenly stood up. However, she did not flee or attack, but simply stared fixedly at Zhuang Yan.

"This god saved you, and not even a word of thanks?" Zhuang Yan asked with a raised eyebrow.

The Fire Spirit True Immortal clasped her fists, "Your divine grace, we have no prior enmity. Why did you obstruct my path to enlightenment?"

Zhuang Yan countered, "You think by seizing the incense and fire of a prefecture, you can achieve the Great Dao?"

"How will I know if I don't try? Moreover, this was personally permitted by Bodhisattva Samantabhadra," she replied defiantly, believing she had done nothing wrong and had a clear conscience.

Zhuang Yan chuckled, "Does the Bodhisattva's promise belong to you?"

"What do you mean by that, Your divine grace?" the Fire Spirit True Immortal frowned. "Could it be that the Bodhisattva lied to me?"

Zhuang Yan shook his head, "The Bodhisattva permitted you the incense and fire as the cause, and your forceful occupation of Guangci Prefecture is the effect. However, this effect will give rise to a new cause, which will eventually lead to another effect."

"What kind of karma?" she pressed.