I am a fairy in Journey to the West

Amitabha Buddha clasped his hands together and looked at Huo Fusheng, asking, "What doubts do you have in your heart, Daoist Master?"

Huo Fusheng asked, "As a being of the Five Elements in this world, I have submitted to the descent of Pangu. Is there anything unjust about this?"

This is a very tricky question, but it is indeed Huo Fusheng's inner conflict. He was born in the world of the Five Elements, but now he has submitted to the world of Pangu, which seems to be a betrayal of the Five Elements Heavenly Dao.

But this question did not stump Amitabha Buddha. He simply smiled and asked, "Our Buddhist school emphasizes cause and effect. There is no effect without a cause. Does the Daoist know what the cause was?"

Huo Fusheng, being a Great Enlightened Golden Immortal, naturally understood immediately. He realized, "Does the Buddha mean that my fate today was already predetermined when the Five Elements chose to attack the Heavenly Dao of another realm?"

“Indeed.” Amitabha Buddha nodded and said, “If the Five Elements did not attack the Heavenly Dao in other realms, why would there be such fighting? How could Pangu attack the Five Elements in other realms? Since the cause does not arise, the effect does not exist.”

In that instant, Huo Fusheng thought of many things. If the Five Elements had not attacked other worlds, they might not even know about the existence of Pangu's Heavenly Dao.

Even if both sides knew of each other's existence, since there was no attack on the other side's Heavenly Dao, the contact between the two sides would not be so extreme, and they might actually live in peace.

Upon realizing this, not only Huo Fusheng understood, but even Ping Shui Zhenwang comprehended it.

"I see." Huo Fusheng put his hands together and said, "Thank you, Buddha, for clearing up my doubts. I understand now."

But Amitabha Buddha, seeing Huo Fusheng's expression, said, "Daoist Lord, your heart is still troubled. Why don't you tell this humble monk what's on your mind?"

Huo Fusheng hesitated for a moment, then said, "Yes, we were born into the Five Elements Heavenly Dao, but now we have submitted to the Pangu Heavenly Dao. Is this a betrayal of the Five Elements Heavenly Dao?"

Amitabha Buddha smiled and said, "This question does not need to be answered by this humble monk; Daoist Master already has the answer in his heart."

"I already have the answer in my heart?" Huo Fusheng Daojun looked puzzled.

Amitabha Buddha smiled and asked, "Has Daoist Lord done anything detrimental to the Five Elements Heavenly Dao?"

Huo Fusheng said, "No."

Amitabha Buddha then asked, "Has the Daoist Lord done anything to harm the living beings of the Five Elements in this world?"

Huo Fusheng shook his head again and said, "Aside from sending them to attack other Heavenly Dao manifestations, they did not do anything to harm the living beings of the Five Elements manifestations."

Amitabha Buddha said, "If that's the case, then what's the point of talking about betrayal? It's just a choice made when you're at your wit's end."

Ping Shui Zhen Wang said, "I have something to say. We have never harmed the Five Elements Heavenly Dao, but the Five Elements Heavenly Dao has done things to harm us."

Huo Fusheng immediately looked at Ping Shui Zhenwang, "You mean..."

“Yes.” Ping Shui Zhen Wang nodded and said, “All the Great Awakening Golden Immortals in my Five Elements Manifestation World have entrusted their primordial spirits to the Heavenly Dao, but after those Great Awakening Golden Immortals perished, I could no longer sense the existence of their primordial spirits.”

Upon hearing this, not only did the expressions of all the bodhisattvas present change, but even Amitabha Buddha's brow twitched slightly.

Ping Shui Zhen Wang continued, "I don't know where those fellow Daoists' primordial spirits went, but I'm certain they no longer exist within the Heavenly Dao's present world."

Marici Bodhisattva said, "Could it be that you are subject to the Five Elements Heavenly Path?"

“Take it back,” said Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva. “The Five Elements Heavenly Dao has taken back that part of the original power, so the primordial spirits of the fallen Dao Lords of the Five Elements in the world have dissipated.”

Everyone present fell silent; the conclusion was truly terrifying.

If the Heavenly Dao could arbitrarily reclaim the original power of a Great Awakening Golden Immortal, then what are these Great Luo Golden Immortals? Pigs raised by the Heavenly Dao?

At this thought, everyone felt an overwhelming sense of panic. What about Pangu's Heavenly Dao?

Seemingly sensing the change in everyone's mood, he immediately chanted a Buddhist prayer. This sound was like a wake-up call, instantly waking everyone present.

After being awakened, everyone immediately realized that they had just fallen into a mental block and they all put their palms together and chanted Buddhist mantras.

After a moment, Bodhisattva Weituo spoke, “You are all worrying unnecessarily. Since I, Pangu, appeared in the world, from the creation of heaven and earth until now, how many great battles have I experienced? How many Great Enlightened Golden Immortals have fallen? Has the primordial spirit of any Great Enlightened Golden Immortal been taken back by the Heavenly Dao?”

At this point, Bodhisattva Weituo added, "Those ancient Great Enlightened Golden Immortals who perished have already reincarnated countless times. Although their primordial spirits and Dao energy have long been worn away in the cycle of reincarnation, if you search carefully, you can still find the reincarnations of those ancient Great Enlightened Golden Immortals among mortals."

“Bodhisattva Weituo is right,” Amitabha Buddha said with a smile. “Don’t forget, everyone, there is one thing about my appearance in the world that is very different from the other heavenly realms.”

Everyone turned their gaze to Amitabha Buddha, who said, "That is me, Pangu, who has appeared in the world and is under the rule of the Jade Emperor."

Upon hearing this, everyone present instantly felt at ease and reassured. The five words "Jade Emperor, Great Heavenly Venerable" were the reassurance for the entire world of Pangu's reappearance.

The Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Vajras present all wore smiles, their hearts free of any worries.

Both Ping Shui Zhen Wang and Huo Fu Sheng saw a hint of surprise and curiosity in each other's eyes.

What surprised them was the prestige of this Jade Emperor, which was such that people could feel at ease simply by hearing his name when facing the Heavenly Dao.

What's intriguing is the sheer power of this Jade Emperor, and who he truly is.

At this moment, Amitabha Buddha looked at Huo Fusheng and said, "Daojun, you should understand the answer now, right?"

Putting aside his curiosity about the Jade Emperor, Huo Fusheng's inner turmoil had long since dissipated, and a long-lost smile finally appeared on his face.

"Thank you, Buddha." Huo Fusheng stood up, walked to the lotus pond, and said to Amitabha Buddha, "Buddha, your realm is profound and your power is boundless. You have resolved my confusion. I have a request, and I ask that you grant it."

Amitabha Buddha asked, "What is it that you, Daoist Master, would like to request?"

Huo Fusheng said, “I wish to take the Buddha as my teacher. I beg the Buddha not to despise my dullness and to accept me as his disciple. I am willing to serve the Buddha day and night and study the Dharma.”

Upon hearing Huo Fusheng's words, all the Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Vajras present straightened up, their faces showing shock and astonishment.

Even the True King Ping Shui was astonished. Although their cultivation level was not as high as Amitabha Buddha's, their cultivation was that of a Great Enlightened Golden Immortal. How could a Great Enlightened Golden Immortal take another Great Enlightened Golden Immortal as his master?

However, the Buddhist monks did not think so. They were very excited because Huo Fusheng was a Great Enlightened Golden Immortal. If he could join the Buddhist sect, it would undoubtedly enhance the sect's strength.

Thinking of this, all the Bodhisattvas and Arhats turned their gazes toward Amitabha Buddha.

Amitabha Buddha never expected that Huo Fusheng would suddenly want to become his disciple, but Huo Fusheng was a Great Enlightened Golden Immortal of the Fire Path, and he had nothing to teach him.

Thinking of this, Amitabha Buddha smiled slightly and said, "Daoist, you flatter me. If you wish to learn Buddhism, you can stay in this Mount Sumeru. My Buddhist scriptures are available for you to read at will. You and I are both Great Enlightened Golden Immortals, so how could I possibly accept you as my disciple?"

Huo Fusheng said, “When Pangu appeared in the world, there was a saying: ‘If the name is not correct, the words will not be proper.’ If I do not take a master, how can I learn Buddhism with a clear conscience? Although both Buddha and I are Great Enlightened Golden Immortals, my realm and cultivation are far inferior to Buddha’s. Therefore, Buddha is worthy to be my teacher.” After saying this, Huo Fusheng knelt on the ground and bowed to Amitabha Buddha, saying, “If Buddha is unwilling to accept me, please speak frankly. I will have no complaints.”

Amitabha Buddha quickly stood up, stepped down from the lotus platform, helped Huo Fusheng up, and then said with a smile, "Since you insist on becoming my disciple, then this humble monk will accept you as my apprentice."

Huo Fusheng was overjoyed and immediately bowed to Amitabha Buddha, saying, "Disciple greets Master."

Amitabha Buddha helped Huo Fusheng up again and said to him, "All disciples of my Buddhist sect must renounce their secular names and take Dharma names. Are you willing?"

Huo Fusheng said, "This disciple is willing."

“Alright.” Amitabha Buddha nodded and said, “Then I will bestow upon you the Dharma name ‘Shihuo’ and temporarily make you a Bhikkhu to practice in the mountains.”

Huo Fusheng knelt on the ground again and bowed to Amitabha Buddha, saying, "Disciple Shi Huo thanks Master for bestowing this name upon me."

Therefore, Huo Fusheng abandoned his secular name and became the monk Shi Huo, and from then on he practiced Buddhism in Mount Sumeru.

After staying on Mount Sumeru for several days, King Pingshui bid farewell to Amitabha Buddha, the Bodhisattvas, and the monk Shihuo, and left Mount Sumeru alone.

"Oh? He took the Buddha of Guidance as his master? He's practicing Buddhism in Mount Sumeru?" Zhuang Yan was slightly surprised when he learned of this from the True King of Ping Shui.

“But I can understand it.” Zhuang Yan said to Ping Shui Zhen Wang sitting below, “He had a knot in his heart from the beginning. The Buddha of Guidance untied his knot, so it can be said that he became the Buddha’s disciple by fate.”

At this point, Zhuang Yan lightly tapped the table in front of him with his fingers and said, "Originally, we were going to appoint him as a True King and give him control of the Fire Spirit Realm, but now it seems inappropriate."

Ping Shui Zhen Wang said, "This was his own choice."

"Hmm." Zhuang Yan nodded slightly, then looked at Ping Shui Zhen Wang and asked, "When do you plan to return to the Five Elements Realm?"

Ping Shui Zhen Wang cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I have been staying in the Pangu Realm for more than four months and am preparing to return to the Five Elements Realm tomorrow."

Zhuang Yan nodded and said, "Alright, but the Five Elements have recently undergone some changes in the world."

King Ping Shui's expression hardened slightly, and he immediately asked, "May I ask Your Majesty, what changes have occurred in the world brought about by the Five Elements?"

Zhuang Yan said, "The struggle between the Pangu Heavenly Dao and the Five Elements Heavenly Dao has already begun. The Five Elements' presence in the world will inevitably be affected. You will know when you return."

Upon hearing this, True King Ping Shui was immediately worried. The struggle between the Heavenly Dao was far beyond the level of battles between them, the Great Awakened Golden Immortals.

The changes in the Heavenly Way are based on laws, and the influence of these laws is far-reaching, affecting everything from a vast world to a single living being.

Thinking of this, King Ping Shui was filled with longing to return home, but he had already told Zhuang Yan that he would return to the Five Elements Realm the next day, so he waited for a day before leaving Buzhou Mountain. He did not travel on the golden ship with King Peacock, but flew directly to the Measuring Heaven Divine Bridge and returned to the Five Elements Realm a month later.

When the True King Ping Shui returned to the Five Elements Realm, especially the Water Spirit Realm, the first thing he discovered was that the cultivation levels of all living beings in the Five Elements Realm had disappeared.

In other words, only the cultivation levels of Ping Shui Zhen Wang and the original Huo Fu Sheng remained unaffected by the manifestation of the Five Elements; all other beings in the Five Elements world became mortals.

To be precise, both Ping Shui Zhen Wang and Huo Fu Sheng are now beings of Pangu's Heavenly Dao, and naturally they will no longer be subject to the control of the Five Elements Heavenly Dao.

“Alas.” Looking at the group of younger clansmen who were crying and complaining, especially the immortal lords, the True King of Pingshui could only let out a deep sigh.

Looking at his people, who were wailing and crying, their faces dejected and all hope lost, King Pingshui sighed, "The ways of Heaven are ever-changing; what can I do?"

"This is the punishment from the Five Elements Heavenly Dao for our betrayal," a former Immortal Lord wailed.

Ping Shui Zhen Wang angrily retorted, "Nonsense! When have we ever betrayed the Five Elements Heavenly Dao? We have done everything we could for the Five Elements Heavenly Dao. Surrender is just a last resort."

“But all our cultivation and spiritual power are gone,” another clansman said dejectedly. “Without cultivation and spiritual power, what’s the point of living if we’re just walking corpses?”

King Ping Shui sighed deeply again, but at this moment Bi Zhen, the Minister of the Water Spirit Palace, stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I think there is indeed a way."

"Oh?" Ping Shui Zhen Wang looked at Bi Zhen and asked, "What ingenious method does the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat have?"

Bi Zhen said, "Everyone has only had their cultivation and power taken away, it doesn't mean they can't cultivate anymore. Why not ask Pangu to bring back the various schools of Taoism and pass them on to all living beings in the Five Elements world for cultivation?"

Upon hearing this, the True King of Pingshui's eyes lit up, and he said, "The Minister of the Imperial Secretariat is right!"

Furthermore, the True King Ping Shui also considered a possibility: if the Heavenly Dao of Pangu could defeat the Heavenly Dao of the Five Elements, then after all beings of the Five Elements returned to the Heavenly Dao of Pangu, they might be able to restore their cultivation and power.

However, King Ping Shui certainly couldn't say that directly. He could only follow Bi Zhen's advice and tell everyone, "Don't be sad. Once we retrieve the Pangu Manifestation Method, you can cultivate diligently and surely regain your immortality!"

Then, the True King of Ping Shui added, "When I went to the world where Pangu appeared, I knew that the laws of Pangu's appearance were profound and far surpassed the laws of my Five Elements appearance. This is what I saw with my own eyes."

Upon hearing King Ping Shui's words, the crowd finally stopped crying and despondent, and a glimmer of hope arose within them.

Just after King Pingshui petitioned the Qitian Holy Palace to request various schools of Daoist teachings from Pangu in the mortal realm, the Qitian Holy Palace immediately dispatched people to Pangu's mortal realm to retrieve the teachings of a hundred schools of Daoist teachings. Not only were they given to the Water Spirit Realm, but also to the Metal Spirit, Earth Spirit, Wood Spirit, and Fire Spirit Realms.

Apart from the Water Spirit Realm, which is responsible for spreading the Daoist teachings through the Water Spirit True Palace, the other four realms are all spread by the four major battle camps to all living beings through the teachings of Pangu's manifestation in the world.

From then on, all the beings in the world who were born from the Five Elements began to cultivate the Pangu Manifestation Dao, and it actually worked. However, the cultivation speed was extremely slow, which was probably because they had not yet been incorporated into the Pangu Heavenly Dao.

Just one year after the Five Elements appeared in the world and sought the Dao from Pangu, an extremely powerful and vast aura suddenly rose in the Fire Spirit Realm of the Five Elements.

That aura connects to the heavens above and governs all the realms below, like a pillar of heaven standing in the center of the Five Elements in the present world, majestic and radiant, shining in all directions.

Then, countless auspicious omens spread across the sky, startling all living beings in the Five Elements world.

In the Qitian Holy Palace, Sun Wukong, Duobao Bodhisattva, Peacock King Bodhisattva, and the Demon Lord of Extreme Desire looked at that aura with deep astonishment on their faces.

"Immortal light, Buddhist light, and crimson fire light—the three lights shine together. This is someone who cultivates both Taoism and Buddhism and has attained enlightenment through the spiritual fire of heaven and earth," said the Demon Lord of Extreme Desire.

Sun Wukong felt the immense power, but his face was full of joy. "It's the Fire Spirit True King! She has attained the Great Awakening Golden Immortal realm."

At the same time, Nezha, Tiger Vanguard, Chi Ling, the four Human Emperors, Ping Shui Zhen Wang and others all saw this spiritual energy and the auspicious omen.

The happiest among them were Tiger Vanguard and Red Silk, after all, they were the closest to Fire Spirit True Immortal and were both Zhuang Yan's 'veteran ministers'.

Nezha, the four human emperors, and Ping Shui Zhen Wang were shocked by the aura and phenomena displayed when Huo Ling Zhen Xian attained enlightenment. The magnificence of these phenomena far surpassed that of the ninety percent of the Great Awakened Golden Immortals who appeared in the world after Pan Gu's appearance.

Its aura is so vast and powerful that no one in the current Five Elements realm can rival it, not even Sun Wukong, who was overwhelmed by the aura of the Fire Spirit True Immortal. (End of Chapter)