Dharma-Ending Age

So, if that's the case... Zhuang Yan mused, could the fetus in that demoness's womb be a demon fetus?

Precisely. Elder Guangde nodded in confirmation.

Zhuang Yan toyed with the Buddha-Demon Golden Body, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. After a moment, he cupped his hands to Elder Guangde in apology: Since it was a misunderstanding, I apologize on behalf of Fire Spirit. With that, he released the restraints.

Elder Guangde hastily clasped his hands in return: You flatter this humble monk.

Seeing the burns on the Elder's body, Zhuang Yan casually cast a spell. Within ten breaths, the wounds caused by the Profound Yang True Fire healed as if new.

Elder Guangde was greatly shaken, gaining a deeper understanding of Zhuang Yan's divine abilities. He respectfully clasped his hands and said: Thank you, Prefect.

Zhuang Yan waved his hand dismissively: This must be the work of Moluo. Since he has lost the Buddha-Demon Golden Body, he will surely make a move. We shall wait and see.

It would be most secure to have the Prefect keep this item. Elder Guangde's expression was solemn. With Moluo's emergence, the Buddhist Sect faces a great calamity. This humble monk must return to Tianci Temple immediately to inform all the halls.

Zhuang Yan smiled and cupped his hands: Please, Elder.

After Elder Guangde departed, Zhuang Yan turned to Fire Spirit True Immortal: Cundi Bodhisattva will be arriving soon. Go outside the mountain to greet her.

Fire Spirit True Immortal accepted the order and left, not surprised in the least. Having followed Zhuang Yan for years, she had long grown accustomed to such things.

As she exited Danchi Ridge, she saw auspicious clouds swirling and myriad rays of auspicious energy. A Bodhisattva in colorful robes arrived on a lotus pedestal. Fire Spirit True Immortal stepped forward and bowed: Are you Mother Zhunti Bodhisattva?

The Bodhisattva retracted her lotus pedestal and returned the bow with one hand: Indeed. Is the Prefect of Lingtai here?

The Prefect sent this humble immortal to greet you. He is already waiting in the hall. Please, Bodhisattva.

The two rode the clouds into the mountain, heading directly for the Mountain God Hall.

Inside the hall, Zhuang Yan greeted them with a smile. Cundi Bodhisattva clasped her hands in greeting: Prefect of Lingtai.

Your humble abode is honored by the Bodhisattva's visit. For failing to greet you from afar, I hope you will forgive me. Zhuang Yan invited her to sit, and Fire Spirit True Immortal served Spirit Tea and immortal fruits.

May I ask the reason for the Bodhisattva's visit? Zhuang Yan asked as he poured tea.

Cundi Bodhisattva smiled: I have a matter I wish to request.

Please, speak freely.

I hope the Prefect can hand over Moluo's Buddha-Demon Golden Body to me to take back to the Western Heaven for disposal.

Zhuang Yan's expression shifted slightly: How did the Bodhisattva know of this matter?

If one cannot perceive heavenly secrets, how can they attain the fruit of a Bodhisattva?

Zhuang Yan suddenly understood: So that's how it is.

Moluo's emergence is a great calamity for the Buddhist Sect. I hope the Prefect will grant this request in consideration of our past friendship.

Zhuang Yan nodded: Since the Bodhisattva has come in person, how could I let you leave empty-handed? With that, he took out the Golden Body and presented it.

Cundi Bodhisattva took Moluo's Golden Body, sealed it with Buddhist light, and placed it in her sleeve. She clasped her hands and bowed: Amitabha, the Prefect's actions are immeasurably meritorious. This humble monk is deeply grateful.

Zhuang Yan rose and returned the bow: You are too kind, Bodhisattva. Exterminating demons and upholding the Way is my duty.

The Bodhisattva's magnanimity is truly admirable. Cundi Bodhisattva said with a smile.

The Bodhisattva's compassion is even more worthy of reverence. Zhuang Yan gestured, inviting her to have tea.

Cundi Bodhisattva declined: The matter of Moluo is of great importance, and I must return to Spirit Mountain immediately for disposal. Please excuse this humble monk's departure.

Zhuang Yan tried to persuade her: Why not stay a little longer?

The calamity of Buddha and Demon is no trifling matter; it cannot be delayed. Cundi Bodhisattva apologized repeatedly.

Zhuang Yan had no choice but to see her off: Then I shall escort the Bodhisattva.

Please, stay, Prefect. As Cundi Bodhisattva declined, she had already been escorted outside the divine mansion. Watching the Bodhisattva's receding figure on the lotus pedestal, Zhuang Yan's gaze narrowed slightly.

Fire Spirit True Immortal sighed: This Bodhisattva is quite approachable.

Zhuang Yan asked meaningfully: Don't you find her a bit too worldly?

Upon this reminder, Fire Spirit True Immortal recalled the recent events and suddenly said: Indeed, her eagerness upon seeing the Golden Body was not quite fitting for a Bodhisattva.

But the Golden Body has already been given to her. Fire Spirit True Immortal sounded slightly worried.

Zhuang Yan smiled faintly: Of course, I have a contingency. He had secretly placed a One Thought Seal on the Golden Body, but even his Cave Heaven True Sight could not see through the disguise.

Afterward, Zhuang Yan activated Search Heavenly Secrets, input two characters, and immediately over sixty thousand heavenly secret messages appeared, each recording scenes of Moluo appearing in different regions.

Well done, Heavenly Demon King Bo Xun. Zhuang Yan frowned. Among these chaotic heavenly secrets, only one was true. He then searched for Moluo's true body upon descent, and the results narrowed down to over seven thousand, still making it difficult to discern the truth.

Finally, he inquired about Cundi Bodhisattva. The only heavenly secret displayed: The Bodhisattva's true form is currently trapped in her dojo, Tianren Temple.

Zhuang Yan usually kept the "Search Heavenly Secrets" function active. It could continuously detect heavenly secret omens related to him.

It was precisely because of this that Zhuang Yan knew Cundi Bodhisattva would visit in advance. However, since he had not specifically performed a heavenly secret deduction targeting Cundi Bodhisattva, he had not obtained more detailed information.

Yet, it was only now that he understood that the real Cundi Bodhisattva had been trapped in her own dojo, and the one he had seen earlier was actually Moluo in disguise.

Zhuang Yan was greatly shocked. Spirit Mountain, a sacred realm, is the dojo of ten thousand Buddhas, the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss in the West. For Moluo to be able to imprison Cundi Bodhisattva here, his demonic power was evident, and even his Cave Heaven True Sight had failed to see through the disguise.

With this in mind, Zhuang Yan gave a few instructions to Fire Spirit True Immortal and then set off for Mount Fangcun, the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars.

Cloudy Boy had already been waiting at the mountain gate. Seeing Zhuang Yan arrive, he immediately greeted him respectfully, and then they entered together.

After taking their seats, Zhuang Yan asked Patriarch Bodhi: Fellow Daoist, do you know if Cundi Bodhisattva visited my Lingtai Divine Mansion just now?

Patriarch Bodhi smiled slightly, "That Cundi Bodhisattva is a fake. Little friend, didn't you notice?"

Zhuang Yan chuckled, "I did sense something, but my 'Penetrate' divine ability found no flaws. I wonder why?"

Patriarch Bodhi explained, "That Cundi Bodhisattva was actually Moluo in disguise. Moluo is the 'Buddha-Demon,' the demon within the Buddha. The distinction between Buddha and demon is merely a thought away. A single thought towards good becomes Buddha, a single thought towards evil becomes demon. Therefore, it's naturally difficult to discern a Buddha-Demon disguised as a Bodhisattva, as they originate from the same source."

Zhuang Yan suddenly understood and added, "I was just deducing heavenly secrets and discovered that the true Cundi Bodhisattva has been imprisoned by Moluo. I wonder if she is in danger?"

He had a favorable impression of Cundi Bodhisattva and couldn't help but worry upon hearing of her plight.

Patriarch Bodhi's expression grew serious upon hearing this. He immediately sat up straight, closed his eyes, and began calculating heavenly secrets.

A moment later, he opened his eyes and looked at Zhuang Yan with slight surprise, "Little friend, your perception of heavenly secrets is truly swift. Cundi Bodhisattva has indeed been trapped by Moluo."

Zhuang Yan asked doubtfully, "Why haven't the Buddhas of the Buddhist Sect taken any action?"

Patriarch Bodhi replied, "This tribulation of Buddha and Demon is clearly aimed at the Buddhist Sect. The heavenly secrets perceived by the Buddhas are far more complex than those of us outsiders."

Zhuang Yan nodded and asked again, "As the Lord of Lingtai Dongming and the head of the divine path in Guangci Prefecture, how should I protect Guangci Prefecture during this tribulation?"

Patriarch Bodhi chuckled, "For others, it might be fraught with difficulties, but for you, little friend, it's not a problem. With your strength, protecting an entire state is more than enough."

Zhuang Yan humbly replied, "Fellow Daoist overpraises me."

Patriarch Bodhi waved his hand, "It's not empty praise. Little friend truly possesses such capability. However, there's one thing you must keep in mind."

"Please enlighten me, Fellow Daoist," Zhuang Yan cupped his hands.

Patriarch Bodhi said solemnly, "Be extremely wary of those Demon Seeds and the Buddha-Demon Golden Bodies."

Zhuang Yan's heart stirred, "There's more than one Buddha-Demon Golden Body?"

Patriarch Bodhi explained, "Moluo first descends a Golden Body to the mortal realm and uses it to consort with women, planting Demon Seeds within them. Therefore, the number of Demon Seeds is the number of Buddha-Demon Golden Bodies."

"What is the purpose of these Golden Bodies?" Zhuang Yan inquired.

Patriarch Bodhi pondered for a moment and replied, "When the Demon Seeds are born, the Buddha-Demon Golden Bodies will merge with them, imbuing the Demon Seeds with Moluo's power."

"Equivalent to Moluo's clones?" Zhuang Yan pressed.

Patriarch Bodhi smiled and nodded, "Indeed, they can be considered as another Moluo."

Zhuang Yan's expression drastically changed. No wonder his heavenly secret deductions showed over sixty thousand Moluos descending upon the world. It wasn't an illusion; it was all real.

Such a calamity truly deserved the name 'Tribulation of Buddha and Demon.'

"However, the strength of these Moluos varies. With your current cultivation, it won't be easy for the Buddha-Demons to cause trouble in Guangci Prefecture. Moreover, this old Daoist is here and can assist you at any time," Patriarch Bodhi said with a smile to Zhuang Yan.

Zhuang Yan nodded slightly. He wasn't afraid of Moluo to begin with; he had only come to seek counsel because he had no prior experience with such matters. Now that his doubts were resolved, he had no further worries.

After bidding farewell to Patriarch Bodhi, Zhuang Yan left Mount Fangcun and returned to his divine mansion.

At the same time, in the Heavenly Man Temple's dojo, Cundi Bodhisattva, who had retrieved the Golden Body, returned. Her disciples, mounts, and attendants all came forward to greet her. Cundi Bodhisattva said solemnly, "Recently, the Buddha-Demon has appeared, causing turmoil in the world. You must all cultivate diligently and not leave your dojo without an edict."

Everyone respectfully agreed and dispersed.

Cundi Bodhisattva entered her chambers and saw another Cundi Bodhisattva imprisoned within a crimson Buddhist light. The impostor looked at the imprisoned true body and laughed, "They say the Lord of Lingtai Prefecture has great divine abilities, yet who knew he was such a mediocre fellow. I retrieved my original Golden Body right before him, and he didn't notice a thing. Truly laughable."

The true body remained silent, merely glancing calmly at Moluo.

Moluo played with the Golden Body and continued, "That was close. This original Golden Body is my foundation in the lower realm. It almost fell into the hands of an Immortal Official. Now that it's returned to its rightful owner, I've finally avoided the worry of my efforts going to waste."

Cundi Bodhisattva calmly replied, "This is Spirit Mountain. Even if you retrieve your Golden Body, you cannot escape the net of Buddhist law."

"Hahaha!" Moluo burst into laughter. "Do you think I would leave the Golden Body in the Western Ox Continent?"

Before his words finished, the Golden Body in his hand dissipated into smoke. It had already long since left this place. Moluo stared at Cundi Bodhisattva, "We've been fighting for years. I don't understand why you are so obstinate. What charm does Shakyamuni possess that makes you so devoted? If you are willing to convert to the Buddha-Demon Path, there will surely be a seat for you in the Ten Thousand Buddhas Hall of the Great Thunderclap Temple in the future."

Cundi Bodhisattva smiled faintly, "The Great Thunderclap Temple is not something you can covet."

Moluo also laughed, "Shakyamuni himself prophesied that in the Dharma-Ending Age, the Buddhist Sect will ultimately return to the demonic path. Knowing the outcome, what is the meaning of your persistence?"

Cundi Bodhisattva calmly responded, "We shall discuss the Dharma-Ending Age when it arrives. As the Mandate of Heaven has not yet changed, who can say that after extinction, there will not be rebirth?"

Moluo snorted coldly and said, "We shall see the outcome." He gazed at Cundi Bodhisattva, "It's a pity that your cultivation in this lifetime, Bodhisattva, will transform into a true fruit relic in eighty-one days."

Cundi Bodhisattva showed no fear, merely closing her eyes again and continuing to chant Buddhist scriptures.

Seeing this, Moluo snorted coldly again, then turned and left.

At the same moment, within the divine mansion in Danchi Ridge, Spirit Platform Mountain, Zhuang Yan summoned all the Earth Gods and Immortals of Guangci Prefecture to discuss important matters. In the grand hall, Zhuang Yan issued a decree to all the Immortal Officials, ordering them to thoroughly investigate all pregnant beings within their respective jurisdictions. If any signs of a demon fetus were found, they were to be reported to the Spirit Platform Divine Mansion immediately. The method for distinguishing demon fetuses from ordinary ones was the Yin-Yang Fetal Observation Technique, taught by Patriarch Bodhi.