All the heavens began with Huo Yi

The stick struck Yang Xian's leg, knocking him over and causing him to fall to the ground.

The stick that was flung away was caught by an avatar, and a staff was immediately used to chop down on Yang Xian.

Fortunately, before Yang Xian could react, and with a look of panic in his eyes, Su Er dispersed his avatar and retrieved the stick.

Yang Xian got up somewhat awkwardly, his legs shaking occasionally as he gasped for breath.

“Indeed, just like those two said, your methods are impressive and ruthless. If I were truly your match, that stick would have already come down.” Yang Xian was clearly in pain from the blow, still wincing in pain, but he still called Su Er over and whispered a few words to him.

Bajie asked curiously, "Why is it so mysterious? Even your uncle can't tell you?"

Yang Xian heard Bajie's words and shook his head, saying, "The secrets are not to be passed on to six ears. This is an opportunity for those chosen by Heaven. Even if the Marshal knows, it won't help. Now that my mission is accomplished, I won't bother you any longer."

After Yang Xian finished speaking, he turned around and went back into the small room behind him, presumably to apply medicine to himself.

……

"The heads of the Buddha statues here have all been cut off."

Bajie looked at the row of stone carvings, went up to examine them, pointed to the Buddha statue in the middle, and said, "That's the old man Tathagata. Look at him, he's got some nerve cutting off people's heads."

"What's so interesting about this? It must have been done by that Yellow Eyebrow. Only he likes to show off." Suer directly put the blame on Yellow Eyebrow's head. As for whether it was true or not, Suer didn't care. What he needed to do now was to get on his way quickly.

"Hey, why are you walking so fast? Wait for your uncle!" Bajie saw that Suer was already a hundred meters away from him, so he took off to chase after him.

Bajie chased after him all the way and finally caught up with Suer after passing through two courtyard gates.

"Oh, you've killed a monster? Looks like it was quite powerful. I'll go check it out first, you can refine it and then follow me." After saying that, Bajie didn't disturb Su'er and walked towards the pavilion ahead.

Bajie approached the pavilion and saw a bald little monk dressed in gray clothes standing in the pavilion looking at the opposite cliff.

That's really strange!

Bajie looked at the young monk, then turned around and saw that Su'er had followed. He decided to go up and test the young monk's abilities. After all, he was the uncle, and he couldn't let his nephew take risks.

"Hey! Where did you come from, little monk? What are you doing here?" Pigsy walked up to him with an air of nonchalance and plopped down on the stone bench in the pavilion.

"Shh..."

The young monk gestured for silence and whispered, "I'm talking about the giant Buddha on the opposite mountain. It's this big, several times bigger than you and me!"

"A Buddha? What Buddha? It's just trying to fool people." Pigsy retorted, glancing at the cliff again, but there was no Buddha on the distant cliff. This kid must be making a fuss!

The little monk chuckled a few times, not even looking at Pigsy, and said, "You can't see the Buddha because you have no Buddha in your heart. Since you have no Buddha to worship, you are naturally blind."

"Hmph, I am the dignified Clean Altar Messenger, I have seen all kinds of Buddhas, big and small. I advise you not to look at that stone, but to pay your respects to me, the living Bodhisattva, first!" After saying this, Bajie took the opportunity to observe the little monk's next move.

As expected, the young monk did not turn around to pay his respects because of what Pigsy said. Instead, he turned around and said, "Sincerity brings good fortune, and when good fortune arrives, the Buddha appears. Why don't you two benefactors look around?"

"Hmph, bowing to every Buddha you see? That's my master. I, Old Pig, don't do that kind of superficial stuff," Pigsy said disdainfully, while he had already made some guesses about the little monk's identity.

"If your heart is not sincere, the mountain will not open; if your heart is sincere, the road will come naturally." After saying this, the little monk turned around and looked at the cliff opposite him again.

"I don't know, what identity do you worship this Buddha in? What do you want to worship him for? Are you just asking him to open a path for you?" Suer was too lazy to move. The real Buddha was right in front of him, why would he worship a stone statue? The main thing was that Suer was the type to be persuaded but not forced. If you insist on setting up a roadblock, then I will not worship you!

"Ok?"

The young monk turned to look at Su'er, sized him up, then turned back to look at the cliff, and said casually, "Interesting. When asking for help, one naturally prays as the one making the request. But does the young benefactor perhaps have a different perspective?"

“I’ve seen you before. The last time I saw you was at Zhaojian Lake. You released a dragon, saying you wanted me to test the Buddha-nature of your disciple.” Su’er walked up to the little monk and finished speaking. Then he looked at the cliff and sighed, “What a huge Buddha statue… So many laborers! Huang Mei must have had great respect for this Buddha. What is he asking for?”

Upon hearing Su'er's words, the young monk lowered his left hand, which was making a Buddhist gesture, and looked at Su'er instead of the cliff.

Seeing the little monk looking over, Su'er continued, "I know you're not him. With his brocade robes and imposing manner, people would probably know he's a spendthrift just by looking at him."

When I passed by Mount Futu, I saw the true Buddha.

The Buddha taught that all sentient beings are equal. When I went to pay my respects to him, he was unwilling to be worshipped as a Buddha, and ultimately accepted the worship as an elder.

Seeing that I had some Buddhist nature, the elder gave me the Heart Sutra. Although I did not understand its meaning, I used the Heart Sutra to help others and do good deeds.

After saving people with the Heart Sutra, I realized something: those who help others and do good deeds are not necessarily Buddhas, and those who only help themselves are not necessarily Buddhas. True Buddhahood lies in helping others as if helping oneself.

Since helping others starts with helping oneself, then there are no more complainants.

After listening to Su'er's words, the young monk asked with a serious expression, "So according to your logic, if one doesn't do good deeds and help others, then one is not a Buddha?"

Suer raised an eyebrow, looked at the little monk, shook his head, and said, "This is just my personal opinion. The one with the best innate capacity, that is, the most virtuous, is the Buddha; not the Buddha who possesses the best innate capacity. Do you agree?"

The little monk was stunned for a long time before bursting into laughter, pointing his finger at Suer and saying, "It's not that I can't argue anymore, but I don't want to. Little benefactor, I like what you said, and it makes sense!"

Those who possess the best innate qualities are Buddhas; this is how it should be, how could it not be!

The road ahead is open; no further bowing is needed. Your Buddhist roots are sharp; everywhere you go is a karmic connection.

(Sharp Root, the most outstanding term among the four types of aptitude in Buddhism)

After the little monk finished speaking, he stopped talking and closed his eyes.

"A compliment."

"What are you praising, little monk? You can continue to enjoy the wind and snow here. My nephew and I are leaving first." Bajie jumped off the stool. "Let's go, let's go find our senior brother's six senses. We don't have time to waste with this little monk."

Suer nodded, said goodbye to the little monk, and followed Bajie's footsteps. But before going upstairs to leave completely, Suer loudly sang "Maitreya ki prashansa!" (Praise to Maitreya Buddha).