"This is the Sea of Bitterness. If you want to get close to Mount Ling, you must cross it," said an old monk.
"The sea of suffering is boundless, but turning back is the shore. Should we still cross it?" another old monk asked.
"The sea of suffering is boundless, and the path is the boat; I will not turn back until I see the sacred mountain."
As Lin Yi spoke, he pointed, and the Limitless Dao Wheel behind his head transformed into a small boat, which landed on the Sea of Bitterness.
He boarded the boat and awaited the decision of the three old monks.
"Namo Amitabha Buddha!"
The three old monks chanted Buddhist prayers in unison, and then boarded the boat.
The Boundless Dao Boat slowly glided across the boundless Sea of Bitterness, heading towards the other shore.
"boom!"
The waves crashed against the shore, the raging sea washed over the sky; the black ocean was terrifying, each surge seemed to turn the world upside down.
A creature appeared in the sea, rushing in with a whooshing sound, its shadowy form startling everyone.
After traveling hundreds of miles, countless white skeletal claws emerged from the sea, among which were unfathomable evil spirits, exuding an overwhelming aura!
A chaotic auspicious cloud flew out from Lin Yi's Niwan Palace, casting down streaks of green light. The light converged and transformed into a divine lamp.
In an instant, the black sea of suffering calmed down, and all the demons and monsters disappeared, no longer causing trouble.
Although terrifying demons still lurk beneath the sea, none dare approach.
The magic lamp is said to be a treasure of the Great Sage from Kunlun Mountain, but it is actually just a facade. The real power comes from the green glow emitted by the Cauldron of All Things.
Nine days later, Lin Yi and his companions reached the other shore. Looking ahead, they saw a mountain range tens of thousands of feet high soaring into the clouds, an incredibly magnificent sight.
"Lingshan, we're almost at the ancient Lingshan Daoist temple!"
The three old monks were extremely excited.
A day later, they traversed mountain after mountain, and ahead came faint lights, a divine radiance spreading.
Divine flowers danced in the air, transforming into a shower of light, sparkling and radiant.
There grows an ancient Bodhi tree, its branches like writhing dragons, stretching out in all directions, its leaves lush and verdant, undulating with the energy of the Great Way.
Beneath the ancient tree, a middle-aged man in his thirties sat cross-legged, immaculate, in harmony with all things, and living in accord with the Great Dao.
"Shakyamuni Buddha!"
The three monks immediately knelt down in worship. The three old monks prostrated themselves with great emotion and piety, chanting Buddhist mantras and touching their heads to the ground.
Petals fell in profusion, each glistening flower drifting down with a soft rustling sound, yet only adding to the tranquility of the world.
An ancient Bodhi tree took root there, and a refined man sat cross-legged beneath it, his eyes closed, shimmering flowers falling upon him. He seemed as if he had never moved in a thousand lifetimes, serene and detached.
Siddhi and the others prostrated themselves with every step they took, and they went to see Shakyamuni with great excitement. Even if he died immediately, they would have no other regrets.
This was their lifelong wish, to see the true Buddha and pay homage to the Tathagata. On the ancient road leading to Mount Ling, their wish came true, and they witnessed the Buddha's appearance with their own eyes.
Shakyamuni!
This was an ancient person from 2,500 years ago, possessing great wisdom. He studied the Vedas and learned about Brahmanical teachings, ultimately unifying Mount Ling, founding Buddhism, and leaving behind a illustrious name in history, renowned throughout the ages and beyond.
The three old monks moved forward step by step, bowing as they went, walking through the falling flowers, murmuring to themselves, until they reached the ancient Bodhi tree.
"when……"
The distant mountains echo with the distant sound of temple bells, traveling from tens or even hundreds of miles away. The sound is deafening, as if one has been baptized, enlightened, and has gained clarity about oneself.
The ancient temple bell in the deep mountains, the Buddha under the Bodhi tree—it all seems like a dream.
"When the road to Mount Ling ends, turn back and you will find the shore."
Beneath the ancient Bodhi tree, this extraordinary middle-aged man spoke softly, his eyes still closed, his expression peaceful and serene. Every fallen flower shimmered, embodying the essence of the Great Dao.
After receiving the decree, Simoti and the others withdrew.
Lin Yi did not move, because at this moment he saw the ancient Bodhi tree turning to stone, and even the man under the tree turned into a statue.
“This…” The three old monks were trembling all over.
They recalled a legend that the Buddha had ten disciples who, before his true body departed, worked together to sculpt the body of Shakyamuni Buddha and erect it on the road to Mount Ling.
This must have been done by one of the Buddha's ten disciples. This incarnation of Shakyamuni could display some of his supernatural powers, so what we just saw was not a falsehood. From this, we can also infer that Mount Ling is near, not far ahead.
However, the three of them stopped and refused to take another step. They obeyed the Buddha's teachings and dared not disobey.
Lin Yi said, "Mount Ling is in sight, why not go and take a closer look?"
"What a sin."
The three old monks clasped their hands together and urged Lin Yi not to go any further and to turn back.
Lin Yi bypassed the petrified Bodhi tree and Shakyamuni Buddha and continued on his way.
The ancient road wound its way for several more miles before finally ending completely.
Lin Yi used his Dharma Eye to observe, but the view ahead was still blurry. The vast Ling Mountain could not be clearly seen; he only knew that the mountain was serene and the ancient temples were quiet.
He took a step forward, and immediately saw the chaos surging and the majestic Mount Ling looming down, suffocating him.