Journey to the West: Beginning with the Apprenticeship of Bodhi Patriarch

Chapter 367 Penglai Immortal Island, Three Stars

Time flies, and several days have passed in the blink of an eye.

Meanwhile, in the Dragon Palace of the East Sea, the Four Dragon Kings invited the Eight Immortals to a gathering, prepared a feast in their hospitality, and even gave them magical treasures as a reward. Their sincerity in their actions and words moved the Eight Immortals, and thus all their grudges with the Four Dragon Kings were resolved.

The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas entertained the Eight Immortals with elaborate banquets for several days before the Eight Immortals finally requested to leave. However, the Dragon Kings refused to let them go and insisted on keeping them for a while longer.

Furthermore, the Three Dragon Kings of the Seas suggested that the Eight Immortals should have a banquet at the Dragon Palace of the East Sea before going to the Dragon Palaces of the West Sea, North Sea, and South Sea for a banquet. It would not be too late to set off after having the banquet.

Upon hearing this, the Eight Immortals hastily refused.

Zhongli Quan said, “We appreciate the kindness of the four Dragon Kings, but we have been invited by the Immortal of Penglai to go to Penglai Island. This matter is related to saving all living beings, so we should go. If we return successfully, it will not be too late to meet with you Dragon Kings again.”

Zuo Liang said, "Brother Zhongli is right. Please do not stop us. We will meet again when we return."

The other eight immortals said the same thing, and were determined to go to Penglai Island to find out the truth.

Upon hearing this, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas had no choice but to let them pass, saying, "In that case, you may leave now. When you return, you must come and meet us."

All eight immortals responded.

The Four Dragon Kings, accompanied by their shrimp soldiers and crab generals, saw off the Eight Immortals as they left the Dragon Palace.

Before long, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas escorted the Eight Immortals to the surface of the East Sea.

The Dragon King of the East Sea said, “Gentlemen, we will escort you here. If you do not use your cloud-riding skills to cross the sea, this East Sea will be difficult to cross. I have shrimp soldiers and crab generals here who can help you cross the sea. Please grant our request.”

The Eight Immortals politely declined.

Lu Yan said, "We have our own way of crossing the sea. We know the Dragon King's intention, but there is really no need for this."

The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas had no choice but to give up, bid farewell to the Eight Immortals, and entered the sea.

Only the Eight Immortals remain on the sea.

Zhongli Quan looked at everyone and said with a smile, "Gentlemen, let us proceed towards Penglai Immortal Island. Now, no one will stop us."

The Eight Immortals all responded and each displayed their unique abilities, and then set off again for Penglai Immortal Island.

Instead of being high-profile, Lü Yan used the Chunyang Sword as a vessel to travel to Penglai.

Tieguai Li was still behind, watching Zuo Liang step onto the sea, and couldn't help but say, "Junior brother, now that we're in the sea, is it possible to summon the river god?"

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "Why not?"

Say it.

Zuo Liang then used the Five Thunder Orthodox Method. After a short while, the eight river gods carried a sedan chair and invited Zuo Liang to sit down. They were about to ferry Zuo Liang across the sea again.

Tieguai Li exclaimed in surprise, "Junior brother is amazing! Junior brother is amazing!"

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "I dare not accept such praise. Senior brother, we should move forward."

Tieguai Li smiled and nodded, then took out a gourd to use as a boat and headed forward.

Zuo Liang was carried in a sedan chair by the river god.

……

Like the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each displaying their unique abilities, they proceeded without hindrance.

Before they knew it, more than ten days had passed, and the Eight Immortals finally approached Penglai Island. Before them lay Penglai Island, a vast expanse of azure water, shrouded in mist and haze; clouds concealed the crimson cliffs, appearing and disappearing like a mirage. Within were jade palaces and celestial pavilions, silver terraces and towers, with rare flowers and herbs covering the verdant cliffs. Blue phoenixes and white deer occasionally appeared among the clouds, and ethereal celestial music drifted on the wind.

He Xiangu exclaimed, "This place is truly a blessed land of immortals!"

Han Xiangzi said, "In such a blessed place, we must not be impolite when we approach."

Zhongli Quan said, "That's how it should be, that's how it should be."

When the Eight Immortals arrived at Penglai Island, they saw a young Taoist boy in front of them to greet them.

The young Taoist bowed and said, "Eight gentlemen, I have come to welcome you on the orders of my master. Please come with me."

Zhongli Quan exclaimed in surprise, "How did the immortals know we were coming?"

Zuo Liang said, "Years ago, when I was cultivating in the manor, I knew that my master had the ability to know when others came. This is a sign that great magical power is about to be achieved. Could it be that the immortal of Penglai is a person of great magical power?"

The other eight immortals were surprised to hear this, and even more puzzled, as they did not really know what great magical power meant.

The young Taoist shook his head and said, "My master does not possess great magical power, but there are cranes surrounding Penglai Immortal Island. If you approach, the cranes will know, so I am reporting to my master."

Upon hearing this, the Eight Immortals suddenly understood.

The young Taoist said, "Everyone, please follow me."

Say it.

The young Taoist priest walked forward, with the Eight Immortals leading the way.

The group walked on the fairy island of Penglai, and along the way they saw endless fairy scenery, exotic flowers and rare herbs, and countless precious treasures.

The young Taoist priest, seeing what the Eight Immortals were looking at, laughed and said, "This place is nothing special; the real scenery is all in the depths."

Upon hearing this, all eight immortals, except for Zuo Liang and Tieguai Li who had been to the Heavenly Palace, were astonished.

Zhongli Quan said, "Penglai Immortal Island is truly a fairyland." He Xiangu suddenly asked, "Immortal boy, is there something I may ask you?"

The young Taoist stopped, turned around, and said, "Please tell me, if I know the answer, I will certainly answer you."

He Xiangu asked, "I once heard that during the Qin Dynasty, Emperor Qin Shi Huang sent people to search for Penglai Island in order to obtain the elixir of immortality. They built many large ships. I wonder if they could reach this place?"

The young Taoist laughed and said, "I have never heard of it. Most likely, you have never been to Penglai Immortal Island. I have heard that many emperors of the Eastern Lands have sent people to search for overseas islands, with Penglai being the most important. But Penglai is not accessible to those without the right destiny."

He Xiangu said, "Throughout history, emperors have sought immortality."

The young Taoist said, "How can immortality be obtained so easily? If we come to seek Penglai Immortal Island and demand the method of immortality, what will become of us?"

Han Xiangzi laughed and said, "If a mortal emperor really went to Penglai Immortal Island, could he possibly obtain the secret to immortality?"

The young Taoist shook his head and said, "Immortality is not found in Penglai."

He Xiangu asked, "Where is immortality found?"

The young Taoist shook his head and said nothing more.

Zuo Liang spoke up, replying, "Immortality is within myself."

He Xiangu looked at Zuo Liang with a puzzled expression.

Zuo Liang smiled but remained silent.

The group continued forward, and after a short while, they arrived outside the White Cloud Cave. Under the shade of the pine trees were the Three Stars, namely the God of Longevity, the God of Fortune, and the God of Prosperity.

The three stars set up a banquet under the shade of a pine tree, and when the Eight Immortals arrived, they invited them to take their seats.

Only after the Eight Immortals had paid their respects to the Three Stars did they take their seats.

What did the Eight Immortals want to say?

The birthday celebrant smiled and said, "Let's not say any more, let's talk about it during the banquet."

Upon hearing this, the Eight Immortals had no choice but to give up and ask no further questions. During the banquet, they conversed with the Three Stars, who mostly discussed cultivation. The Three Stars then gave the Eight Immortals guidance, and for a time, the atmosphere became harmonious.

After an unknown amount of time, the banquet ended, and the Three Stars led the Eight Immortals into the White Cloud Cave, where they sat on eight prayer mats.

The Eight Immortals took their seats one by one.

The God of Longevity smiled and said, "I have brought you here from afar because I have a wonderful method to tell you. Please listen."

The Eight Immortals all bowed in gratitude to the God of Longevity.

The Eight Immortals listened to the God of Longevity preach in the White Cloud Cave for several dozen days. After listening to the God of Longevity's preaching, the Eight Immortals all gained something.

The God of Longevity said, “I invited Zhongli Quan here today to see if any cultivators in the world have the heart of the Dao. But now that I have seen you all, I know that all cultivators in the world do have the heart of the Dao.”

The Eight Immortals all rose and bowed, saying, "You flatter us, God of Longevity."

The God of Fortune stood up and said, “When the God of Longevity invited you, he told you that those who came would have a great destiny to share with you. Now that you have come, you will also have a destiny to share with you. Tell us what you need.”

Zhongli Quan asked, "What exactly is this 'fate' that the Fortune Star spoke of?"

Fuxing said, "Whatever you need, we can give you whatever you need, whether it be a magic weapon, a pill, or a spiritual medicine, it is all possible."

Zhongli Quan pondered for a moment, then asked, "I wonder if this matter of fate can resolve our doubts?"

Lu Xing nodded and smiled, "That's certainly feasible. If you have any questions about your cultivation, feel free to tell us, and we will answer them for you."

Zhongli Quan and the others exchanged glances and then asked, "But we ask for a way to help all living beings escape the sea of ​​suffering and free them from pain."

The other eight immortals also stepped forward and said, "We beg the immortals to tell us how to relieve the suffering of all living beings."

Upon hearing the words of the Eight Immortals, the Three Star Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity all smiled and said, "Saving sentient beings is difficult, and this is no easy task. Now that we hear you all asking this question, could it be that you have all come here for this reason?"

The Eight Immortals bowed and said, "That is precisely why we have come."

The God of Longevity said, “Saving oneself is difficult. Saving all living beings is even more difficult. You should all understand this.”

The Eight Immortals said, "We know this, but if it is for the sake of saving all living beings, we would have no regrets even if we died."

The God of Longevity said, “Since that is the case, I will tell you two ways. If you want to save all living beings, there are two paths you can take. The first is through great magical power. The sea of ​​suffering is like the East Sea, vast and boundless. Living beings are like those who have fallen into the East Sea and cannot turn back. If you want to save living beings, you must first have the power to cross the sea before you can save them. The second is to assist those with great magical power, to gather the strength of many people to save living beings. As I know, the Great Emperor Ziwei once descended to the mortal world to reincarnate and save living beings, but he failed. He will go to save living beings again in the future.”

Upon hearing the two methods mentioned by the God of Longevity, the Eight Immortals remained silent for a long time without uttering a word.

The God of Longevity laughed and said, "Saving sentient beings is by no means an easy task. Both of these methods have many difficulties. Now that you know this, you should quickly give up and never have such thoughts again."

Several of the Eight Immortals looked troubled, knowing full well that what the God of Longevity said was indeed too difficult. First, they would either have to become powerful themselves, or they would have to assist the Purple Emperor, a being of such high caliber as himself, and it was uncertain whether such a being would even be considered worthy of their attention.

Zuo Liang smiled and stood up, saying, "What the God of Longevity says makes sense. Saving all living beings is not an easy task, but these two methods are very difficult. However, at least there is a method and a path to follow."

The birthday celebrant nodded, looked at Zuo Liang, and said, "Zhengyuan, I know you. I met you briefly at the Queen Mother's birthday celebration years ago, do you still remember?"

Zuo Liang bowed and said, "I know, I know. But I did not come forward to pay my respects because I was afraid that the birthday celebrant would not recognize me, so I dared not come forward."

The God of Longevity laughed and said, "Zhengyuan, you shouldn't say that. You are a disciple of a True Man, how could I not recognize you? Zhengyuan, do you have the confidence to succeed with these two methods I mentioned?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "I have no confidence. I know this is difficult, but I must do it. No matter how difficult it is, I must walk this path."

(End of this chapter)