A pristine azure expanse, pure within and without like glazed crystal, spanning countless eons, encompassing infinite Buddha realms—vast and serene, radiating tranquility from every direction. Every inch breathes Zen, every inch reveals Buddha-nature, linking myriad heavens and worlds, nearly merging with the supreme Dao, though still slightly short of perfect consummation.
Beside the towering Bodhi tree at the heart of this pure land stood Meng Qi, next to the unconscious Zhuo Chaosheng. Sitting beneath the tree was a Bodhisattva whose color was as pure as the moon. His left hand was clenched into a fist while his right palm was open, supporting a lotus. Cold lunar light radiated from his entire body, illuminating the boundless pure land. On either side and behind this Bodhisattva, countless other similar Bodhisattvas faintly appeared, as if dwelling in different universes and realms. Together, they formed a colossal Bodhisattva Dharma-body with countless faces in all directions.
This was the Eastern Glazed World, and this was the Moonlight Bodhisattva, one of the two attendants of the Medicine Master Buddha—a legendary great Bodhisattva.
Meng Qi clearly understood this, because it was precisely his intention that had prompted the Moonlight Bodhisattva to draw him in!
The Medicine Master Buddha was the Eastern Buddha among the Buddhas of the Three Periods, the Buddha-form of the Green Emperor, and not of the same lineage as Maitreya. When Meng Qi had hoped to find a way back through the Green Emperor, this Buddha was the first he thought of.
Since the Qing Emperor had arrived in the Middle Ancient Era through the intervention of the Medicine Master Buddha and was subsequently sent back, it perfectly aligned with the principle of causality. Moreover, the Medicine Master Buddha could not possibly remain entirely unaware of the question, “Who am I, and who is me?”—he must have been particularly sensitive to it.
Coupled with the fragment of the Heaven Mirror, the Qing Emperor’s personal magical treasure, Meng Qi felt confident that he could attract the attention of the Medicine Master Buddha and be drawn into the Eastern Glaze Pure Land. However, he had previously felt somewhat apprehensive and dared not rashly appear before the Tathagata, preferring to make further preparations. It was only under the pressure from the Supreme Heaven Demon that he seized the opportunity and acted accordingly.
Having previously sought the aid of the Moonlight Bodhisattva at Lanke Temple, Meng Qi was quite familiar with the procedure. During the battle, he stealthily approached Zhuo Chaosheng, manifested the Primordial Daoist, unfurled the Boundless Auspicious Cloud, and subtly distorted space-time to create a brief delay. Then, calming his mind, he silently recited the name of the Moonlight Bodhisattva three times, concluding with the question, “Who am I? Who is me?” Simultaneously, he held the fragment of the Heaven Mirror, emulating the aura of the Green Emperor he had briefly encountered.
He chose to recite the name of the Moonlight Bodhisattva instead of the Medicine Master Buddha because Meng Qi was uncertain whether the Medicine Master Buddha was still alive at that moment. He wished to avoid casting amorous glances at someone who couldn’t see—a futile effort. As for the Moonlight Bodhisattva, who survived until the chaotic era of the Demon Buddha, his presence was assured. Being one of the Medicine Master Buddha’s most intimate and trusted attendants, the Moonlight Bodhisattva likely comprehended the connection between the Medicine Master Buddha and the Green Emperor, and might even be privy to many secrets.
If the Moonlight Bodhisattva truly didn’t know anything, Meng Qi had also left enough time to draw out the “Invincible Blade,” using the Overlord’s might to scare off the Supreme Heaven Demon. However, this might further shorten his stay in the Middle Ancient Age.
Gazing at the towering Bodhi tree, comparable to Mount Sumeru, and the Moonlight Bodhisattva seated on the lotus pedestal, Meng Qi suddenly realized that the Medicine Master Buddha probably had indeed entered Nirvana.
The Moonlight Bodhisattva’s expression was gentle, radiating light across all realms: “Esteemed layman, where have you seen the Qing Emperor, and where did you obtain this fragment of the Heaven Mirror?”
The light fell, green and vast, onto Zhuo Chaosheng’s body, instantly healing his injuries, though he remained unconscious. Obviously, the Moonlight Bodhisattva did not wish his conversation with Meng Qi to be overheard.
Facing this legendary great Bodhisattva, a true figure from the mythological era, Meng Qi’s heart stirred slightly, but quickly regained composure. He replied according to the words he had prepared: “I come from another realm. I once encountered a young and talented Daoist priest with disheveled hair, drifting at sea, seemingly searching for something, constantly murmuring to himself, ‘Who am I? Who is me?’ Later, he encountered a terrifying demon, and the residual shockwave sent me and my companion here.”
By stating he hailed from another realm without alluding to the future, Meng Qi deliberately withheld crucial information that might reshape history. He could never disclose to the Moonlight Bodhisattva his destined fate—to perish by the Demon Buddha’s hand—nor reveal that the Eastern Glazed Pure Land, this nearly flawless reward-body paradise, would ultimately crumble into fragments and transform into Lanke Temple.
The Moonlight Bodhisattva gently nodded: “Indeed, that was the Green Emperor. He was not searching for anything; he was searching for himself.”
Hearing this, Meng Qi realized that the Medicine Master Buddha must have disclosed many secrets to the Moonlight Bodhisattva, possibly even entrusting him with the task of safeguarding the Qing Emperor on his journey of self-realization.
Meng Qi did not inquire further but went on to say, “Once, I inadvertently entered the Yaochi and discovered a core fragment of the Heaven Mirror. It appeared to have been incompletely repaired and had sustained damage, splitting into two pieces. The core was concealed, and this piece ended up in my possession.”
The damage to the Heaven Mirror’s core fragment had come from himself!
“The Heavenly Pool? The Heavenly Pool is still intact?” The Moonlight Bodhisattva showed a hint of surprise, then smiled: “You accidentally entered the Heavenly Pool and obtained a fragment of the Heaven Mirror. Indeed, you must have a karmic connection with the Green Emperor. No wonder, no wonder…”
Seizing the opportunity, Meng Qi said: “Venerable Bodhisattva, the realm I come from is somewhat unique, rarely reached by legends. I have been away from home for a long time and wish to return but have no way. Considering the connection with the Green Emperor, I thought of paying respects to the Medicine Master Buddha, wondering if he might have a way.”
The Moonlight Bodhisattva’s voice was ethereal yet solemn: “The Medicine Master Buddha has entered Nirvana five thousand years ago. You have arrived too late.”
Five thousand years to arrive too late? Meng Qi envied the longevity of the Middle Ancient Age. Even with the “Future Dharma-body,” becoming a Heaven Immortal with many longevity elixirs, surviving five thousand years was still uncertain.
Thus, the Medicine Buddha had indeed entered Nirvana. This path of return through the Azure Emperor now seemed fraught with dwindling hope… Yet Meng Qi, ever tenacious, refused to relinquish even the faintest possibility. Without hesitation, he inquired: “Might I then pay homage to the relics or remains of the Medicine Buddha?”
The Moonlight Bodhisattva slightly nodded: “The Buddha delivers all beings; of course, you may.”
As he spoke, an auspicious cloud emerged from his crown, bearing a full-moon-like halo of wish-fulfilling Buddha-light. Within this radiance floated an aquamarine relic, seemingly crafted from glazed glass—transparent inside and out. Within it, one could discern the undulating silhouette of the Bodhi tree and countless meditating Buddha figures, their eyes serenely closed and hands forming the Nirvana mudra—a sight truly wondrous. Merely gazing upon it evoked the profound Buddha-nature it embodied, vast enough to permeate the three realms, the ten directions, and the myriad heavens.
(Note: The translation preserves the mystical and reverent tone of the original text while adapting poetic expressions like “琉璃” as “glazed glass” for readability. Buddhist terms such as “涅槃印” (Nirvana mudra) and “三界十方万天” (three realms, ten directions, myriad heavens) are rendered with doctrinal accuracy. The syntax is adjusted to flow naturally in English while maintaining the ethereal imagery.)
Was this the relic of the Medicine Master Buddha? Meng Qi composed his expression, recited the name of the Medicine Master Buddha, then emanated the Qing Emperor’s aura while murmuring, “Who am I? Who is me?”
The Heaven Mirror fragment in his hand was also activated, illuminating the surroundings, revealing layers of profound universes.
He wanted to test whether the Medicine Master Buddha had any other legacy.
The Moonlight Bodhisattva watched silently, not stopping him.
“Who am I? Who is me?”
The voice was low, echoing around. Suddenly, the Moonlight Bodhisattva’s gaze sharpened, looking up at the floating aquamarine relic.
Within the ruins, the thousand Buddha statues in the Nirvana Mudra simultaneously opened their eyes!
A blue-green flame ignited around the relic, swiftly engulfing it and crackling with the sound of burning.
Within the azure sacred flame, a Bodhi tree suddenly sprouted, while the branches and leaves behind the Moonlight Bodhisattva withered, descending into death.
The newly born Bodhi tree was lush and green, full of vitality, forming a striking contrast with the withered one.
Beneath the lush Bodhi tree, azure Buddha light gathered, gradually forming a translucent blue-green Buddha reward body—one hand holding a medicine vial, the other displaying the fearlessness mudra, manifesting the thirty-two major marks and eighty minor characteristics.
Meng Qi had already stopped reciting, stunned by the scene. Had the Medicine Master Buddha truly been reborn?
Could merely reciting “Who am I? Who is me?” and activating the Heaven Mirror fragment truly bring about the Medicine Master Buddha’s rebirth?
If the Medicine Master Buddha had indeed been reborn, would the history of the Middle Ancient Age change drastically?
As thoughts raced through his mind, Meng Qi sensed no convergence or correction of world lines, as if the Medicine Master Buddha was always meant to be reborn.
The azure-glazed Buddha sat cross-legged, slowly opening his eyes—clear and bright, shimmering with wisdom, neither an illusion nor a remnant. With a faint smile, he nodded slightly at Meng Qi.
“Thank you, young friend.”
Thank me? Meng Qi looked at the Medicine Master Buddha in confusion.
At this moment, the Medicine Buddha joined his palms in a mudra, his gaze turning solemn, and uttered a mighty voice that resounded throughout the Eastern Pure Lapis Lazuli Land.
“May I, in my future rebirth, attain Bodhi, my own light shining boundlessly…”
Light surged, the pure land as bright as day, illuminating darkness, revealing the true realm, illuminating the multiverse.
“May I, in my future rebirth, attain Bodhi, my body like crystal, pure within and without…”
“If sentient beings follow wrong paths, may they all tread the Bodhi right path…”
The Twelve Great Vows of the Medicine Master Buddha were solemnly reenacted, magnificent and sacred, with flowers raining from the sky, blue lotuses blooming, and Bodhi trees flourishing. Behind the Medicine Master Buddha, a young Daoist priest in an unusual cyan robe appeared as a phantom, while a tall, thin Daoist priest wearing a bamboo crown also emerged. One drifted upon the Eastern Sea, gazing back at the radiant light of the Great Dao Tree, while the other stood before the gates of Carefree Valley, staring at the True Martial Seal of the Yellow Springs, both murmuring: “Who am I? Who is me?”
The two phantoms crossed over simultaneously, merging into the azure-glass body of the Medicine Master Buddha, rendering Him equally illusory. Then, with a leap, He sprang out of the illusory river, leaving behind only His aura and imprint.
The sound of the Buddha resonated, the Bodhi tree withered and bloomed, and suddenly Meng Qi came to a realization: the Qing Emperor had deliberately brought them to the Middle Ancient Era!
Otherwise, why would it be precisely at this moment—when all sages were proclaiming, the Overlord was about to attain legend, the Supreme Heaven Demon had completed transformation, and the Medicine Master Buddha had entered Nirvana for five thousand years?
“The Qing Emperor forged his own path, distinct from others. He sent you here to awaken his true self in this era, gradually unifying the past.” The Moonlight Bodhisattva’s voice was low, as if comprehending some of the Medicine Master Buddha’s lingering words.
So that’s it… Meng Qi slightly nodded.
The Moonlight Bodhisattva continued: “However, he only needed to send you. Why did he also send other Dharma-bodies? Don’t you find this strange?”
“Could it be the work of someone else, unrelated to the Green Emperor?” Meng Qi was startled.
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