Journey to the West: Deer Power Immortal, Starting from Becoming a Disciple of the Supreme Lord Tais

Meanwhile, Lu Qingxuan dispersed the demon and left Black Cloud Mountain, returning home on a cloud.

Tiger Power Immortal cursed and swore all the way, insulting the Jackal King's ancestors for eighteen generations. Sheep Power Immortal kept trying to persuade him, but Lu Qingxuan just smiled and remained silent, secretly pondering in his heart.

Although this trip to Black Cloud Mountain did not involve any real battles, it still allowed those demon kings who coveted the incense offerings to witness our methods.

Those guys won't attack them again anytime soon.

As for the future...

The three demons have made great progress in their cultivation, so those demon kings will have to think twice before taking action against them.

The three demons returned to the Taoist temple on Zhongnan Mountain. Immortal Yangli prepared some food, which the three demons ate hastily before returning to their rooms to rest.

The next morning, Lu Qingxuan was meditating in the courtyard when he suddenly saw Yangli Daxian walking in from outside, his expression somewhat strange.

"Third brother, a monk has come down from the mountain, saying he wants to see us," said Yangli Daxian.

"A monk?" Lu Qingxuan opened his eyes, his brows furrowing slightly.

Zhongnan Mountain is a blessed land for Taoists, and ordinary monks would not come here. Moreover, the three demons have never had any dealings with Buddhism, so why would a monk come to their door?

"Can the visitor state their identity?" Lu Qingxuan asked.

"They are said to be disciples of Manjushri Bodhisattva."

Yangli Daxian lowered his voice: "Third brother, Manjushri Bodhisattva is one of the four great Bodhisattvas. It's probably not an ordinary thing for his disciple to come here."

Lu Qingxuan nodded, stood up, straightened his clothes, and said, "In that case, please come in."

Before long, the Great Immortal Yangli led a young monk into the courtyard.

The monk was about twenty years old, with red lips and white teeth, and handsome features. He wore a brocade robe, walked with composure, and had an extraordinary demeanor.

As soon as he entered the courtyard, his divine sense swept around the Taoist temple. When he spotted the statues of the Three Pure Ones in the main hall, he smiled slightly.

"This humble monk is Huiming. I have long admired the great names of the three immortals and have come to pay my respects." Huiming put his hands together and bowed slightly.

Lu Qingxuan returned the greeting, saying, "Master, you are too kind. May I ask what brings you here from afar?"

Huiming smiled and said, "I dare not presume to offer guidance. This humble monk has been traveling far and wide, seeking enlightenment and enlightenment. When I passed by Zhongnan Mountain, I heard that the three immortal masters have helped the world and benefited the people, receiving incense offerings from countless people. I have great respect for them and have come here to ask a few questions."

Lu Qingxuan led Huiming to sit down at the stone table, and Yangli Daxian went to brew some tea.

As if hearing the commotion outside, Tiger Power Immortal also came out of the house. Upon seeing Huiming, he casually cupped his hands in greeting and then sat down to the side.

Huiming picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and praised, "Excellent tea! The spiritual tea of ​​Zhongnan Mountain truly lives up to its reputation."

"If you like, Master, you can take some back with you later," Lu Qingxuan said.

Huiming put down his teacup and said solemnly, "Immortal Master, this humble monk has come here with a question that I would like to ask the three of you."

"Please speak, Master."

Huiming said, "The three immortals were originally demons, yet they performed good deeds, received incense offerings, and accumulated merit. This is truly rare. However, I have heard that although merit is good, it is ultimately a worldly practice and cannot liberate one from birth and death or transcend reincarnation."

"As the Buddhist saying goes: All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows."

"Since the three immortals are so kind-hearted, why don't they take refuge in the Buddha, cultivate the Dharma of non-action, and seek ultimate liberation?"

Upon hearing this, Tiger Power Immortal's face darkened, and Sheep Power Immortal also frowned slightly.

Who doesn't know Zhongnan Mountain? The three brothers attained enlightenment before the statues of the Three Pure Ones. Now, this monk is telling them to change their allegiance?

If it weren't for the fear of the Buddhist sect's influence, Tiger Power Immortal would have turned away the guests based on this statement alone.

Lu Qingxuan remained calm and smiled slightly, saying, "What you say is very true, Master. However, I believe that while Buddhism is wonderful, Taoism is also profound."

"Buddha speaks of the afterlife, but the Way values ​​this life. The suffering of the people is right before our eyes, not in the next life. We three brothers do not seek immortality, but only wish to do something practical for the people in this life."

"As for liberation from the cycle of rebirth, that's a matter for later; we'll discuss it then."

Huiming nodded in agreement and then said, "What the immortal said makes sense. However, this humble monk has another question. It is indeed a good thing that the three immortals receive incense offerings from the mortal world. But the power of incense offerings is ultimately a collection of the thoughts of all living beings. It is subject to birth and death, gathering and dispersing."

"Today the people revere you, but tomorrow they may forget you. Can this veneration last long?"

Lu Qingxuan shook his head: "Incense offerings come and go, but merit remains unchanged. If the people respect me, I accept it; if they forget me, I don't ask for it. Everything is predestined, why force it?"

A glint flashed in Huiming's eyes, and he continued, "Immortal Master, you are indeed enlightened. However, I have heard that although the three of you have performed good deeds, you have not yet attained enlightenment and remain as wandering cultivators. Do the three of you not wish to attain enlightenment and be listed in the celestial register?"

"Whether one attains true enlightenment or not does not depend on a title, but on one's heart. If one's heart is righteous, then one has attained true enlightenment; if one's heart is not righteous, then even true enlightenment is just an empty title," Lu Qingxuan said with a smile.

Huiming was silent for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter and said, "What a wonderful saying, 'If the heart is righteous, then one will attain enlightenment.' Immortal Master, you are indeed extraordinary. I came here intending to persuade the three of you to convert to Buddhism, but it seems that I was just being delusional."

As he spoke, he stood up, took out a string of prayer beads from his sleeve, and handed it to Lu Qingxuan, saying, "This string of prayer beads is something I always carry with me. I am giving it to you, Immortal, as a way to establish a good connection. If we have the opportunity to meet again in the future..."

Lu Qingxuan took the prayer beads and felt their smooth texture and faint sandalwood scent. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your generous gift, Master."

Huiming then clasped his hands in a gesture of respect to the two demons, Huli and Yangli, and said, "Farewell, my two immortal masters."

After saying that, he turned and left, disappearing at the end of the mountain path in no time.

Tiger Power Immortal watched Huiming's departing figure, his face unfriendly: "Hmph, that monk is truly rude."

Lu Qingxuan smiled without saying a word. At present, Buddhism is spreading its teachings to the east. In the Three Realms, the struggle between Buddhism and Taoism is surging. The three demons, Lu Qingxuan and Lu Qingxuan, are doing good deeds and accumulating merit, and they are receiving incense offerings from the people. Naturally, this has attracted the attention of Buddhism.

To his surprise, Huiming was not angry after being rejected, and even gave him a gift.

That makes sense.

Zhongnan Mountain is a sacred place for Taoism, and even if Buddhism wanted to intervene, it would not do so openly.

If he guessed correctly, Huiming was just making preparations; the real challenge they would face was yet to come.

Thinking of this, Lu Qingxuan looked at the two demons: "Brother, it seems we need to be more careful in the future..."

"You mean those monks will come again?" Tiger Power Immortal frowned.

He already disliked Buddhists, and this incident only made him dislike them more.

Master Yangli nodded: "Given the nature of Buddhism, it certainly won't end like this, unless..."

"Unless what?" Tiger Power Immortal asked.

Sheep Power Immortal and Deer Qingxuan exchanged a glance, their gazes fixed on the distant horizon.

Seeing the expressions of the two demons, Tiger Power Immortal's doubts deepened.

Lu Qingxuan smiled and said, "Brother, what power in the world do you think can stand against Buddhism?"

"Naturally, it's Heaven..."

Tiger Power Immortal suddenly realized that if it were the Heavenly Court, the Buddhist sect would be somewhat wary.

However, they are merely wandering demons; entering the Heavenly Court won't be so easy for them...