The light of lapis lazuli shimmered, and the Pure Land stretched endlessly. At a glance, the void seemed filled with blooming *sal* flowers, yet all were withered, their golden hues dimmed, barely hinting at their former glory.
Though Xuan Bei had attained the “Golden Body of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva” and now held the fruit of a “Great Bodhisattva,” in terms of realm, he remained fundamentally distinct from the true Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, incomparable in the slightest. Witnessing this fallen Buddha-realm, ripples of emotion stirred within him.
—Trapped for a century at the threshold of legend due to the assimilation of the Netherworld by the Vacuum Hometown and the inaccessibility of the Black Prison of Luofeng, Xuan Bei recalled that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had once been one of Buddhism’s four supreme Bodhisattvas, alongside Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Avalokiteshvara, second only to Maitreya, the Future Buddha. Between them lay two vast realms: legend and creation.
Thoughts swirling, Xuan Bei manifested his golden Buddhist body, suffused with reverence and a tinge of melancholy. Stepping on golden lotuses, he ascended step by step into the lifeless Pure Land.
Rumors held that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had vanished after the Battle of Vulture Peak—some said he perished in the Ten Thousand Buddha Formation, others claimed he escaped into seclusion. Never had Xuan Bei imagined encountering his Pure Land today… As he traversed the barren, lifeless land, remnants of Buddhist temples, lotuses, crystals, *sal* trees, and merit ponds lay weathered or desolate.
At the heart of the Pure Land stood not the usual Mount Sumeru but a twelve-petaled golden lotus throne, its petals radiant as if crafted from lapis lazuli. Upon it sat a solemn, compassionate Bodhisattva, holding a lotus and a jewel, surrounded by manifestations of Buddhist salvation across the heavens and the six paths of reincarnation—collectively known as the Ten Kings of Ksitigarbha.
Yet, this Bodhisattva had long been devoid of life, his form marred by threads of death and tainted black qi, exuding an aura of corruption.
Having learned much about Vulture Peak from Meng Qi, Xuan Bei easily deduced the truth: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had indeed fallen during the Demon Buddha A’nan’s reversal of the grand formation. However, as the Buddhist overseer of the Eighteen Hells and the six paths of reincarnation, his legacy endured. After the battle on the other shore, his golden relic had been taken by an unknown supreme being and returned to his Pure Land in the void.
Xuan Bei clasped his hands and bowed deeply:
“Namo Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. This humble monk, having received your legacy, vows to fulfill your uncompleted wish. Until this vow is realized, I shall not see the Tathagata.”
His low voice reverberated powerfully. At his current realm, such a vow was no empty promise—it could stir the Great Dao and bring retribution. Golden motes rained down like a deluge, and in an instant, Xuan Bei seemed to connect with Ksitigarbha’s aspirations across myriad worlds, witnessing the suffering of beings in hell.
Simultaneously, two streaks of bloody tears flowed from the Bodhisattva’s relic. His hands, holding the lotus and jewel, formed an enigmatic seal, from which emerged a point of black light—deep with death yet brimming with vitality, tinged with pure white.
The Origin of Life and Death?
Xuan Bei’s heart stirred. Sitting in full lotus, he channeled the flow of life and death from the *Mahā Subduing Demon Fist*, attuning himself to this profound point.
Time passed indeterminably until the “point” trembled violently, releasing a ribbon of darkness laced with white light into Xuan Bei’s palm.
It was a treasure wheel shrouded in faint blood-yellow mist, black concealing white, death cradling life—a manifestation of the great secrets of the heavens and the mysteries of life and death. At a glance, sensations of cold, silence, pain, death, vitality, and fervor surged forth.
Gripping the *Myriad Worlds Life-Death Wheel*, Xuan Bei watched as lapis lazuli flames engulfed Ksitigarbha’s relic, purging death and demonic qi, dissolving the remains.
The flames soared, shifting unpredictably, leaving behind a translucent relic resembling lapis lazuli, embodying life and death, reflecting black and white, and casting shadows of ancient scriptures:
*The Sutra of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva*, *The Sutra of the Original Vows of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva*…
Xuan Bei’s thoughts swirled, unable to discern the truth behind these events. Which supreme being had orchestrated this—Amitabha or the Ancient Bodhi Buddha?
He beckoned, and the relic flew into his palm. Upon contact, the Pure Land erupted in golden light, washing away dust. Merit ponds brimmed anew, Bodhi trees sprouted fresh leaves, and *sal* flowers bloomed brilliantly—life had returned.
The Pure Land descended, merging seamlessly with Xuan Bei’s own Buddha-realm, expanding boundlessly to accommodate endless tormented souls.
Returning to the center, Xuan Bei held the relic and the *Myriad Worlds Life-Death Wheel*, sinking into contemplation.
Whatever schemes lay behind this, they aligned with his deepest vow!
This life had but one purpose!
…
In the Jade Void Palace, suspended infinitely high, Meng Qi retracted his luminous halo. Darkness enveloped everything, even the illusory river of time flowing past, its variables coiled and hidden by the chaos of the *Ultimate Nothingness Seal*—a unique method to obscure heavenly secrets and futures.
The Golden Emperor had relied on this to conceal all possibilities of betrayal until the final moment, unveiling entirely new futures.
Other supreme beings, of course, had their own methods.
In the profound darkness of primordial chaos, Meng Qi sat with half-lidded eyes, as if at the dawn of creation, before all life. Yet Gu Xiaosang was nowhere to be seen.
…
Black clouds loomed, gales howled, and hundred-zhang waves surged. Lightning streaked the sky, illuminating the darkness.
In such extreme weather, no ship dared sail, and even powerful figures avoided flight, lest they attract lightning strikes.
On the edge of a desolate island, several young martial artists sheltered in a cave, watching the downpour with calm amusement.
“Do you think any supreme beings will descend for the Human Emperor’s reestablishment of the Great Zhou on Changmen Island?” asked a man with sparse eyebrows.
Another, with passable features, chuckled. “Supreme beings are beyond such trivialities. Unless the Human Emperor reclaims the Central Plains, destroys the Vacuum Hometown and the Earthly Buddha-realm, and unifies the world under human rule…”
He paused. “Still, with the Great Zhou’s revival, many immortals will flock there. We might find our chance to join a sect.”
They were martial artists from the East Sea, seeking immortality. Having been rejected by many sects, they hoped to try their luck at Changmen Island.
A girl in a pink coat said to the speaker, “Brother Tan, you were born under auspicious signs. This time, you’ll surely succeed.”
Tan Ping, torn between bitterness and pride, gazed outside. Through the rain, he spotted a young Daoist sitting serenely on the raging waves.
An immortal? Here?
His heart raced. Ignoring his companions, he flew through the storm to the shore.
“Junior Tan Ping pays respects to the immortal,” he said, bowing deeply, wondering which mountain or grotto the Daoist hailed from.
A clear, deep voice replied, “This humble Daoist possesses a pillow that can reverse time. Fate has brought us together today. The choice is yours.”
Tan Ping, filled with longing, declared, “This junior is willing!”
A yellow-orange light flew into his arms—a pillow inscribed with mysterious patterns and two ancient characters: “Yellow Millet.”
The Daoist vanished as waves crashed.
Back in the cave, his companions clamored for details. After explaining, Tan Ping lay down, resting his head on the pillow.
Light flickered. Tan Ping awoke not in the cave but in an elegant room, amid bustling noise outside.
“Emperor Sacrifices to Heaven! Evil Disperse!” voices chanted.
Emperor? The Sage Emperor Qi?
Had the pillow sent him to the past?
Stunned, Tan Ping realized he’d achieved what none had before—a journey through time.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage