Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

Li Yan, reflected in the mirror, had tears streaming down his face.

He looked out the mirror, and his eyes, now clear and bright, had regained their clarity.

"I'm sorry."

Looking at this split version of himself deep within his heart, Li Yan felt a mix of emotions.

Li Yan smiled slightly in the mirror.

Then, it transformed into a stream of light and entered Li Yan's heart.

In that instant, Li Yan felt a warmth in his heart.

Inside the Niwan Palace, the grotto-heaven trembled violently.

The nine-tiered golden lotus, whose petals had been drooping, suddenly stood upright.

The moonlight shines again, even more brilliantly than before.

Within that clear moonlight, a faint golden light flowed.

Within the golden light, countless images flickered.

That was a scene from the calamity that had just occurred.

Burning with karmic fire, bound by chains, I see myself in the mirror, and receive guidance from the patriarch.

Every single detail was imprinted on the golden lotus.

Above the dome, the starry sky shone brightly.

Three hundred and sixty-five main stars lit up simultaneously.

The sun and moon revolve, day and night alternate, and the speed is more than ten times faster.

But within that starlight, there was a hint of chaos.

The chaotic color intertwined with the golden light, forming a completely new kind of radiance.

On the earth, the earth's veins are reconnected.

The collapsed hills slowly rose up.

Withered grass and trees sprout anew.

The entire cave was expanding rapidly.

Fifty feet.

One hundred li.

Five hundred li.

A thousand miles.

1,500 li.

The expansion continued for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before it slowly came to a halt.

Li Yan sensed that this world was now 1,500 li in size.

Above the dome, the starry sky is dazzling, the sun and moon traverse the heavens, and the twenty-eight constellations each return to their proper places.

The land is covered with rolling hills and crisscrossing veins, where vegetation thrives and the landscape is lush and green.

In the center, the golden lotus had grown to nine feet nine inches.

The stem is as thick as a child's arm, and the leaves have nine leaves, each with flowing golden veins.

Nine petals, layer upon layer, and in the heart of the flower, that single point of chaotic light shines even more brilliantly.

This is the sixth level of the grotto-heaven, the Lesser Thousand Realms.

[Successfully survived the karmic tribulation of cause and effect]

[Refined and tempered by the Dao, clear as a mirror]

[Cave Heaven Level 5 → Cave Heaven Level 6 15% (Radius 1500 li)]

The nine-tiered golden lotus blooms in full glory, its heart revealing the first glimmer of primordial light.

[Insight: The Eye of Cause and Effect]

This eye can perceive one's own karmic entanglements, discern the depth of others' karmic consequences, and avoid unnecessary karmic involvements.

[Insight: Golden Lotus of Karmic Fire]

[It can refine the karmic fire of cause and effect into nourishment for the golden lotus, turning calamity into opportunity and danger into safety.]

[Aura of Destiny +3000 (Successfully transcended tribulation, greatly advanced Dao heart)]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Energy: 3440/5120]

Li Yan slowly opened his eyes and looked in front of him.

The tortoise shell of the Gui Zang (a type of ancient Chinese tortoise shell) hangs silently in the void.

On the tortoise shell, chaotic light flowed endlessly.

Within the radiant light, the figure remained there.

The Bodhi Patriarch was looking at him with a smile.

Li Yan immediately knelt down, his forehead touching the air.

"Disciple Li Yan kowtows to express gratitude for the guidance of the Ancestral Master."

The figure nodded slightly.

"You're welcome."

"That wisp of divine consciousness was sealed into the [Guicang] tortoise shell before parting."

"It will manifest when you encounter calamity."

"If you can overcome this, you will be my successor."

"If you cannot get through this..."

He didn't continue.

But Li Yan understood.

If one cannot overcome this obstacle, then one is not a successor, but merely a passerby.

The figure looked at him, a hint of relief flashing in its eyes.

"You did a great job."

"The reflection in the mirror is the truest voice from the depths of your heart."

"If you can face him, listen to him, and reconcile with him, you will have overcome the most difficult hurdle."

Li Yan remained silent.

He still felt lingering fear when he recalled what had just happened.

Without the guidance of his patriarch, he would probably have already lost his Dao heart and his soul scattered.

The patriarch seemed to see through his thoughts and said slowly:

"Actually, even without my guidance, you might not have been unable to get through this."

Li Yan was taken aback.

"That reflection in the mirror is both your inner demon and your true self."

"Inner demons are the shadows of one's true nature."

"The shadow follows the form, and the shadow disappears when the form disappears."

"If your resolve is firm, you will remain unmoved by shadows and words as sharp as knives."

"If your resolve is not firm, you will be misled by the shadows and led by the nose."

"Although you were frightened just now, you did not run away."

Though feeling guilty, I did not shirk my responsibility. Though speechless, I did not resort to sophistry.

"This is the foundation of the Dao mind."

"With this foundation, even without my guidance, you will gradually awaken from your fear and slowly understand amidst your guilt."

"I simply sped up the process a bit."

Li Yan listened, seemingly lost in thought.

The figure continued:

"The path of cultivation is like drinking water; only the person drinking knows whether it is hot or cold."

"Guidance from outsiders is merely a way to lend a light; the one who truly ignites the lamp is yourself."

"Remember what happened today."

"If you encounter another calamity in the future, think about today, think about yourself in the mirror, and think about the words he said."

"Those words were all true, but none of them were the truth."

"The substance is the outward appearance of a matter. The emotion is the inner essence of a matter."

"Those who cultivate themselves must see beyond the surface, but also see beyond the essence. They must know not only the truth, but also the true feelings."

"Only by considering both the outward appearance and the inner workings, and fully understanding the truth, can one be said to have attained enlightenment and seen one's true nature."

Li Yan kowtowed and said, "This disciple will remember."

The figure looked at him, a hint of kindness flashing in its eyes.

"Get up."

Li Yan then got up.

The figure said, "Your cave has already reached the Lesser Thousand Realm. The next step is to advance to the Middle Thousand Realm."

"The Middle Thousand Realm covers an area of ​​ten thousand miles, and its laws are complete."

"At that time, you will be the creator of this world, able to change the world with a single thought and determine life and death with a single word."

"This step is extremely difficult."

"Those who lack great perseverance, wisdom, and opportunity cannot succeed."

Li Yan felt a chill run down his spine.

The figure said, "However, you don't need to worry too much."

"As long as we proceed steadily and cautiously, step by step, without being greedy for quick success or being reckless, we will succeed sooner or later."

Li Yan nodded: "This disciple understands."

The patriarch then asked, "Have you sensed that person from the north again?"

Li Yan shook his head: "No. He hasn't made a sound since he had that conversation with the four old monkeys across the distance that day."

The patriarch pondered for a moment and said:

"There are two possibilities why he's not moving."

"Firstly, the time isn't right; he's waiting."

"Secondly, they are intimidated by the [Guicang] within you and dare not act rashly."

Li Yan asked, "What does the Patriarch mean?"

The figure said, "The tortoise shell of the Gui Cang can conceal heavenly secrets and confuse cause and effect."

Even a Primordial Golden Immortal would find it difficult to fathom.

"Those people from the north, though of very high rank, dared not act rashly and expose their whereabouts."

"If he takes action, it will be a foolproof plan."

"So, you still have time."

Li Yan felt relieved.

The patriarch continued:

"However, you can't let your guard down."

"His mark has been planted deep within the primordial spirit of the four old monkeys."

"If this mark is not removed, he will use it to exert his power sooner or later."

Li Yan asked, "How should this disciple respond?"

The figure said, "You have now entered the Lesser Thousand Realms and have also gained the power of cause and effect."

"You can use your supernatural powers to carefully observe the mark, deduce its origin, and find its flaws."

"If we can find a weakness, we can find a way to overcome it."

"If not, this can also serve as a precaution to avoid being ambushed."

Li Yan nodded: "Disciple will remember."

The patriarch nodded and said, "This wisp of my divine consciousness is about to dissipate. Do you have any questions?"

Li Yan gazed at the gradually fading figure, his heart filled with a thousand words, swirling in his mind for a long time, yet he dared not delve into them.

Now that the patriarch is right in front of us, if we don't ask now, we may never have another chance.

He took a deep breath and prostrated himself on the ground.

"There are five things I do not understand, and I humbly request the Patriarch to enlighten me."

The figure nodded slightly.

"Tell me."

Li Yan said, "Firstly, I dare to ask, when my junior brother Wukong was in Fangcun Mountain, he often came to me to discuss the Dao, and I often gave him guidance."

According to the original intention of the patriarch, he was supposed to do odd jobs on the mountain for seven years before he could begin his cultivation.

Now, because of his disciple, he has begun his cultivation ahead of schedule. Why doesn't the Patriarch...stop him?

He paused slightly at the end.

The figure looked at him, a hint of a smile flashing in its eyes.

"Look at that old tree."

Li Yan looked up and followed the gaze of his ancestor.

In the void, an ancient pine tree faintly appeared.

The branches are gnarled and twisted, and the needle-like leaves are lush and green.

Where the wind blows, the pines rustle in the breeze.

"That tree, did it ever ask the spring breeze why it blows? Did it ever ask the autumn rain why it beats?"

Li Yan was taken aback.

"The tree does not ask, for it knows that spring breezes and autumn rains are the natural order of heaven and earth. They come in their time and go in their season."

The figure said slowly, "Cultivation is the same."

"That monkey, born and raised by nature, was originally a stubborn rock. After being nurtured by the beauty of nature and the essence of the sun and moon for a long time, it developed a sense of intelligence."

"His roots are in the same place as heaven and earth. His destiny is in harmony with the workings of creation."

"When to cultivate oneself, when to attain enlightenment, when to undergo tribulations, and when to achieve fruition are all predetermined, yet also unpredictable."

"What is predetermined is destiny. What is not predetermined is human planning."

"Destiny and human planning are two sides of the same coin."

"Your guidance is your destiny. His receiving your guidance is his good fortune."

The fact that you two met is the beginning of destiny.

"When conditions arise, people come together; when conditions cease, they disperse. Everything is predestined; why try to stop it?"

Li Yan listened, seemingly lost in thought.

The figure continued, "Furthermore, do you think he came to you to discuss the Dao, or did you lead him to you?"

Li Yan was shocked.

"this……"

The figure smiled slightly.

"That monkey has naturally keen eyesight and can sense the flow of energy. It noticed something unusual about you and was naturally curious."

"Curiosity leads to approach, approach leads to intimacy, intimacy leads to trust, and trust leads to obedience."

"This was not something you did intentionally, nor was it something he did on purpose. It was the will of Heaven, and the workings of fate."

Li Yan suddenly realized something.

The patriarch then asked, "As for why you didn't stop it..."

Have you ever seen anyone stop a stream from flowing eastward? Or anyone stop the sun and moon from setting in the west?

"The way of the monkey is like a stream, like the sun and moon. Those who follow it prosper, those who oppose it perish."

"If I were to forcefully obstruct it, I would be defying the will of Heaven. And even the most powerful cannot escape blame for defying the will of Heaven."

"not to mention……"

talking.

A complex emotion flickered in his eyes.

"Moreover, the path of the monkey is not the path of one person alone. His destiny is connected to the three realms and bound to all living beings."

"If I were to forcefully obstruct it, I would be hindering the transformation of the Three Realms and severing the opportunities for all living beings."

"I cannot bear such consequences."

Li Yan was deeply shocked.

The patriarch's words contained a great deal of information.

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart, kowtowed, and said, "Disciple understands."

The patriarch asked, "What do you understand?"

Li Yan pondered for a moment and then slowly said:

"Disciple understands. The Patriarch did not stop him, not because he was unable to, but because he chose not to."

"Because you can only stop it temporarily, not forever. You can only stop it on the surface, not at its root."

"It's better to let nature take its course."

The figure nodded slightly.

"good."

Li Yan then said, "This disciple does not understand the second matter."

"Master, you must have already seen through my true nature. Why didn't you point it out?"

The figure was looking at him.

"Tell me, what do you think your foundation is?"

Li Yan remained silent.

He didn't know how to answer.

Traveler?

From another world?

Carrying memories of a past life?

He himself found these words absurd.

The figure smiled.

"You don't need to tell me, I know."

"I know perfectly well where you come from, where you are going, what obsessions you hold in your heart, and what karma you bear."

Li Yan was shocked.

"Then why did the patriarch...?"

"Why not just point it out?"

The figure then continued the conversation.

Li Yan nodded.

The figure said, "Look at the floating clouds on the horizon."

Li Yan looked into the distance.

In the void, a wisp of cloud drifted and swayed, sometimes gathering and sometimes dispersing.

"Did the cloud ever ask the breeze why it blows? Did it ever ask the sunlight why it shines?"

Li Yan shook his head.

The figure said, "The clouds do not ask, for they know that gentle breezes and sunshine are the natural order of heaven and earth."

Whether it's blown or illuminated, it drifts freely, existing alongside heaven and earth.

"Where you come from and where you go is the natural order of heaven and earth."

What difference does it make whether I know or not, whether I point it out or not?

"If I point it out, what will you do?"

Li Yan pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Disciple, disciple may feel apprehensive and at a loss."

The figure nodded.

"Exactly."

"Your cultivation is now progressing steadily and surely. Though you feel fear, your mind remains undisturbed. Though you feel remorse, you have not strayed from the path."

"If I point it out, the unease in your heart will be magnified infinitely."

"You might wonder, since the patriarch knew my background, why did he still accept me as his disciple? Why did he still pass on the Dao to me?"

Why are you still allowing me to cultivate on Fangcun Mountain?

"You might wonder, was the Patriarch's treatment of me genuine compassion, or did he have ulterior motives?"

"You might be afraid: if the patriarch doesn't reveal it today, will he reveal it tomorrow? If he doesn't reveal it tomorrow, will he reveal it the day after?"

"Suspicion breeds demons, and fear breeds evil."

"At that time, your resolve to follow the Dao will waver, and your path to enlightenment will be hindered."

As Li Yan listened, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

He kowtowed and said, "This disciple thanks the Ancestral Master for his compassion."

The patriarch raised his hand slightly.

"No need to thank me. You've gotten to where you are today thanks to your own efforts."

"I'm merely borrowing a thread of fate from you to see how you interpret it."

Li Yan was taken aback.

"May I borrow a wisp of karmic connection from you, disciple?"

The figure smiled slightly but did not answer.

Li Yan's mind raced, and he vaguely felt that there was a deeper meaning behind it, but he couldn't figure it out for the time being.

He suppressed his doubts and continued to ask:

"This disciple is unclear about the third matter."

"Before parting, I observed that Fangcun Mountain and vaguely resembled a tomb. Could I have been mistaken?"

Upon hearing this, the void suddenly fell silent.

The wisp of cloud stopped drifting.

That ancient pine tree silenced the rustling of the pines.

The figure looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in those clear eyes.

"You can see the shape of a tomb mound on that Fangcun Mountain?"

Li Yan nodded.

"This disciple dares not conceal anything."

As the disciple descended the mountain that day, he looked back at the mountain gate and saw that the mountain resembled a tomb, exuding an aura of deathly stillness.

The figure remained silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled.

"You're right."

"That Fangcun Mountain is indeed a tomb."

Li Yan was deeply shocked.

A tomb?

Is the ancestral master's sacred site actually a tomb?

The figure said slowly, "My true self passed away countless eons ago."

"To pass away peacefully?"

The figure nodded.

"Those who pass away peacefully are not dead, but rather have shed their skin. Like a cicada shedding its shell, or a snake shedding its skin, they are reborn by shedding their old shell."

"My true self, having cultivated to the state of primordial chaos, realized that even the vastness of heaven and earth has its limits."

"The suffering of all beings, though seemingly endless, will eventually end."

"Therefore, he passed away peacefully, shedding his old body and sealing all his Dao fruits within Fangcun Mountain."

"That mountain became my tomb. Buried there was the old shell of my true self."

"And now, I..."

As he spoke, he looked at the illusory body.

"I am but a wisp of divine consciousness, a remnant of a will. I remain here to spread the teachings of Heaven, awaiting those with the right destiny."

Li Yan listened, opened his mouth, but couldn't make a sound.

The figure seemed to have seen through his thoughts.

"You want to ask where I went after I passed away?"

Li Yan nodded.

The figure smiled slightly.

"Look at the moon in the mirror."

As he spoke, he pointed into the void.

In the void, a bright moon appeared out of nowhere.

The bright moon is reflected in a clear spring, as clear as a mirror.

Is the moon in the mirror the real moon?

Li Yan shook his head: "The moon in the mirror is not the real moon."

"Where is Shinjuku?"

Li Yan gazed at the real bright moon in the sky.

"The true moon is in the sky, the mirror moon is in the pond. The two reflect each other, yet they are not one."

"After my true self passed away, I became like the true moon in the sky. This wisp of my consciousness is like its reflection in a mirror."

"The true moon in the sky illuminates the vast world. The mirror moon on the ground reflects the small space within."

"The true moon remains still, while the mirror moon follows the waves. The true moon does not change, while the mirror moon changes with fate."

"What you see is merely a reflection of myself in the mirror. My true self has long since transcended the Three Realms and is no longer subject to the Five Elements."

Li Yan listened, seemingly understanding something.

"Where is the original master now?"

The figure shook its head.

"It cannot be spoken, it cannot be spoken."

"If you are destined to know, you will know in the future. If you are not destined to know, even if you do know, it will be of no benefit."

Li Yan nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

He then said, "I do not understand the fourth matter."

"As far as I know, our patriarch is an all-powerful being. Why would he allow both Buddhism and Taoism to scheme against Junior Brother Wukong?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of a smile flashed in the figure's eyes.

"Tell me, what is scheming?"

Li Yan said: "Those who scheme are those who plot against others through conspiracies and tricks."

They trap them in dangerous places, lead them astray, rob them of their opportunities, and ruin their path to enlightenment.

The patriarch nodded.

"You're right. That's certainly true of a schemer."

"But do you think that Buddhism and Taoism are plotting against that monkey?"

Li Yan was taken aback.

"Isn't that right?"

The figure shook its head.

"Look at the mountain stream."

Raise your finger.

A stream appeared in the void.

The stream babbles and meanders down.

Occasionally, a stone is encountered, causing small splashes of water.

Occasionally, it encounters obstacles, forming small waterfalls.

Or it may encounter a pool, swirling around several times before finally flowing out.

"Does the flowing water ever feel that the stones, the embankments, and the pools are all plotting against it?"

Li Yan shook his head.

"No."

The figure said, "The flowing water did not feel it, because it knew that the rocks and pools were simply the natural order of heaven and earth."

It surges against rocks, plunges over ditches, and swirls in pools—all these are natural phenomena.

"The way of the monkey is like this flowing water. His destiny is like this stream."

"Encountering a rock is a calamity. Encountering a hurdle is a hardship. Encountering a pool is a blessing."

"Whether it's a calamity, a hardship, or a destiny, it's all part of the natural order and the principles of creation."

"Buddhism and Taoism are merely one link in the chain of creation in this world."

Their actions and refraining from certain actions are all in accordance with the Way of Heaven and the law of cause and effect.

"You think they're scheming, but actually, they're just going through a tribulation."

Li Yan was taken aback.

"Tribulation?"

The figure nodded.

"Those who undergo tribulation are not only cultivators. All living beings in heaven and earth, immortals and Buddhas, must undergo tribulation."

"The calamity of the monkey is the calamity of the three realms."

The calamity of the Three Realms is the calamity of all living beings.

The calamity of all living beings is the calamity of immortals and Buddhas.

"Both Buddhism and Taoism are also in the midst of calamity. I believe that what they are doing is truly their way of saving themselves."

"And who do you think determined the way of the monkey?"

Li Yan was taken aback.

The figure said, "He decided it himself."

"He burst forth from the stone like a blank sheet of paper."

Walking, practicing, understanding, and realizing—all are choices made by oneself.

"Buddhism and Taoism merely offered him the possibility of choice."

"He can choose to submit to the Heavenly Court, or he can choose to oppose the Heavenly Court."

He can choose to convert to Buddhism, or he can choose to live a carefree life.

"All choices are up to him."

"Buddhism and Taoism are merely pawns. The one who wields the pawn is himself, and also the Way of Heaven."

The mystery behind this was too much for Li Yan to grasp at the moment, and he stood there dumbfounded.

"It doesn't matter if you don't understand now."

"You'll understand as you see and experience more in the future."

Li Yan nodded.

He took a deep breath and asked one last question.

"This disciple is unclear about the fifth matter."

"The Patriarch just said that I have already passed away. Then... is the Patriarch well now?"

The figure looked at him, a hint of warmth flashing in her eyes.

Are you worried about me?

Li Yan nodded.

"This disciple dares not conceal anything. The Patriarch's kindness to this disciple is as heavy as a mountain. He imparted knowledge, taught skills, resolved doubts, and enlightened me, bestowing upon me countless blessings."

"Now that I have heard that the Patriarch himself has passed away, I feel truly uneasy."

The figure smiled slightly.

"If you have this intention, then my guidance has not been in vain."

"As for whether I am well or not now..."

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly said:

"Look at the stars in the sky."

Li Yan looked up and gazed into the void.

There, a glimmer of starlight twinkles in the darkness.

"That star is trillions of miles away from here. Its light would take tens of millions of years to reach this place."

"What you see now is the light of that star from millions of years ago. As for that star now, you don't know, and neither do I."

"But its light still shines. Its existence is still witnessed."

"This is the Way."

"My true self passed away peacefully, like the light of that star millions of years ago. This wisp of my divine consciousness is like the shadow of that light millions of years later."

"Though the light has been emitted, the shadow remains. Though the stars have changed, the light still endures."

Does it matter whether I am well or not now?

Li Yan remained silent.

The figure continued, "If you ask me where I am now, I can only say that I am in your heart."

Li Yan was taken aback.

"The Way I transmit, the methods you practice, the transformations I enlighten you to, and the principles you comprehend are all within your heart."

"If you have me in your heart, I will be there. If you don't have me in your heart, I will not be there."

"This is the truth, the Way resides in the hearts of men."

As Li Yan listened, a strange sense of emotion welled up in his heart.

He kowtowed and said, "This disciple will remember. From this day forward, the Master will forever remain in my heart."

The figure looked at him, a hint of relief flashing in its eyes.

"Alright, all five questions have been answered. It's time for this wisp of my divine consciousness to dissipate."

Li Yan was startled and quickly looked up.

The illusory figure is gradually fading away.

One by one, thread by thread, they dissipated into the void.

"Grandmaster!"

Li Yan called out urgently.

Before the figure completely disappeared, it left behind a sentence.

"Cultivate yourself well, and don't waste this life. You and I...may we meet again someday."

As the sound faded, the figure vanished.

Li Yan knelt on the ground and remained kneeling for a long time.

After an unknown amount of time, he slowly raised his head.

Tears glistened in his eyes.

"Disciple... respectfully bids farewell to the Ancestral Master."

Just then.

My heart trembled.

On the mirror, a line of small gold characters appeared.

[Having received personal guidance from the Patriarch, he resolved five doubts, and his Daoist mind became clear and lucid.]

[Aura of Fate +1000]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Energy: 4440/5120]

Li Yan stared at the line of small characters, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He then got up, and a thought suddenly occurred to him.

Outside the stone chamber, there were faint fluctuations of energy.

He was all too familiar with that aura.

It's Sun Wukong.

Li Yan opened his eyes and looked towards the stone gate.

Outside the stone gate, the golden figure was lingering.

She seemed to want to come in, but was afraid of disturbing him.

Li Yan smiled slightly, stood up, and pushed open the stone door.

Outside the door, Sun Wukong was squatting there, scratching his ears and cheeks.

Seeing the stone door open, he quickly stood up.

"Brother! You...you're awake?!"

Li Yan nodded.

"Your Majesty, what brings you here so late at night?"

Sun Wukong looked around and whispered:

"Brother, I, Old Sun, just sensed Master's aura."

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly.

He looked at Sun Wukong, his golden eyes filled with anticipation and trepidation.

"What has Your Majesty sensed?"

Sun Wukong transmitted his voice, saying, "I, Old Sun, am cultivating in the Water Curtain Cave when I suddenly felt something."

That feeling was just like when Master was preaching at Fangcun Mountain.

"Very faint, very light, yet incredibly real."

"I, Old Sun, quickly followed that feeling and found my way to the outside of your stone chamber."

"But once we got outside, that feeling disappeared."

"Brother, what were you doing just now? Did you sense anything?"

Li Yan remained silent.

He was wondering whether he should tell Sun Wukong that the Patriarch had just visited.