Taiyi Dao Fruit

To the west of Kunxu lies a vast expanse where grasslands and deserts intersect.

Under the azure sky, scripture pillars and banners stand together. Monks form neat phalanxes, holding long staffs, practicing martial arts. Amidst the sounds of their training, the force of the staffs reveals a solemnity; grand and majestic, yet imbued with a killing intent unbecoming of Buddhist cultivators, which dilutes the monks' solemnity.

These are the monk soldiers of the Buddha Country, the backbone of Manjusri's campaign into the Nine Provinces. After all, the propagation of Dharma ultimately relies on fists, not mere words.

Months ago, during the harsh winter of last year, when the weather was bitterly cold, the monk soldiers of the Buddha Country had already stationed themselves here, enduring the winter with the physique of cultivators. In their struggle against the climate, they gradually shed the temperance brought by peaceful days, gaining the ferocity needed for the battlefield.

As the monks practiced their martial arts, the vigor of their energy dispersed the cold in the area, bringing a surging warmth.

If this region adjacent to Kunxu were replaced with any place in the Nine Provinces, the combined energy of the monk soldiers could blaze like a scorching sun, steaming upward and downward in all directions.

"Excellent."

On the Dharma Platform surrounded by eight stone pillars, Manjusri watched this martial display and couldn't help but praise, saying, "Our Buddha Country's faithful already possess a devout heart for the Buddha, with firm resolve. Now, after training, they are no less than any elite forces of the Great Zhou."

Also on the Dharma Platform were a middle-aged Daoist with long whiskers and two female Bodhisattvas dressed similarly in white.

One had a solemn yet compassionate appearance and was the Guanyin Bodhisattva of the Buddha Country; the other, with clear purity and harmonious demeanor, was the newly ascended third grade of the Buddha Country—Lifeless Mother Tan Wuwei.

Besides the Awakened, all third grades of the Buddha Country were gathered here.

"It was still the foresight of No-Life Buddha Friend, who suggested the disciples come here for training last year. To have No-Life Buddha Friend is truly a blessing for the Buddha Country." Guanyin Bodhisattva also smiled in agreement.

"It's just my duty; I dare not take credit." Tan Wuwei slightly nodded in response.

She now genuinely ranked as the fourth figure in the Buddha Country, and in terms of prospects, her future was even greater than that of Manjusri and Guanyin.

Maitreya is destined to be the Future Buddha, and even though the Dao Fruit left behind is that of a third-grade Great Bodhisattva, the future remains promising. Yet, Tan Wuwei wasn't arrogant because of this; instead, she was quite humble, placing herself below Manjusri and Guanyin.

This greatly pleased the two Great Bodhisattvas. Although with their realms, they wouldn't easily be discomposed by minor attitude issues, the principle of not hitting a smiling face applies everywhere. Having someone smile at you is always better than having someone frown.

Moreover, attitude isn't as important as the expressed intention. Tan Wuwei showed no intention of opposing them, which was a good thing.

Thus, the three third grades of the Buddha Country were in a harmonious atmosphere, quite a sight of joy.

Then someone interrupted.

"It's a pity that if the Awakened were willing to support, the Great Zhou could be decided." Shen Hou stroked his long beard with a face of regret. "With the reputation of the Awakened, even without taking action, he could rally the Buddha Country's might for an eastern expedition, yet he is unwilling. Also, the Awakened······"

"Shen Hou!" Manjusri sternly interrupted, "Do not speak recklessly."

All Bodhisattvas must make a grand vow to widely propagate the Buddhist Law, both to promote the spread of Buddhism and to aid their own cultivation, serving as a restraint. Among the high-ranking figures in the Buddha Country, all took such vows and were thus constrained, except for the Awakened.

Therefore, he may choose not to support.

But is saying something that undermines unity allowable?

"The Awakened remains secluded, and the Tathagata has not manifested. The Chief Seat intended to deal with the Karma Tathagata, hence choosing to refrain from meddling or intervening." Guanyin spoke calmly.

"Is that truly the case?"

Yet Shen Hou seemed unwilling to give up, chuckling lightly: "This poor Daoist knows that with Karma Tathagata's sudden emergence, everyone in the Buddha Country is curious about his origins. Through careful search, in a particular Buddhist temple, the 'Moluo Sword Manual' authored by Karma Tathagata was found. This Sword Manual was inscribed on a Nine Ruyi Kasaya, and as far as this poor Daoist knows, only a handful in the Buddha Country could wear such a Kasaya, notably the Chief Seat and the Chief Seat's disciples. Hence, many in the Buddha Country suspect Karma Tathagata is secretly a disciple of the Awakened."

"This conjecture isn't entirely baseless. The Awakened became renowned many years ago, already attaining Third Grade Perfection over a century ago, yet only took two disciples twenty-odd years ago."

Rising to fame for over a century, achieving Third Grade Perfection a hundred years ago, in theory, taking disciples wouldn't be impossible.

And although the Nine Ruyi Kasaya is not strictly reserved for the Chief Seat and their disciples, within the Buddha Country, generally speaking, young ones eligible to wear the Nine Ruyi Kasaya are absolutely disciples of the Chief Seat. For the others qualified to wear it are mostly old fellows.

After the 'Moluo Sword Manual' was found, those eligible to wear the Nine Ruyi Kasaya verified themselves, it was unlikely it flowed from their hands.

It was precisely because of this that such speculations arose in the Buddha Country.

Yet whatever the speculation, none would be as direct as Shen Hou to voice it.

"People in the Buddha Country revere the Chief Seat. I am not yet considered part of the Buddha Country, hence I offer an impartial word and provide slight clues."

Shen Hou wouldn't stop speaking, continuing: "This poor Daoist knows when the Five Finger Mountain suppressed the true body of the Heluo God of the Devil God Sect, after the Heluo God manifested and Jiang Li severed his physical body, it vanished into thin air, as if it never existed······"

Before the words were finished, Shen Hou fell silent, for he had made his point.