One day, in the spiritual mountain's wondrous realm, one could see the 'auspicious mist enveloping the spiritual mountain, the rainbow light embracing Maitreya.'
Maitreya Bodhisattva came from the Three Stars Celestial Cave, walking and stopping, sometimes cultivating, sometimes in quiet meditation.
Today, accompanied by boundless light, he returned to the spiritual mountain to meet the Tathagata, joining his palms in reverence and saying, "World Honored One."
The Tathagata said, "Maitreya Bodhisattva, how is the Buddhist Dharma from the East?"
Maitreya Bodhisattva replied, "World Honored One, this Dharma is profound beyond measure. I have yet to fully learn it, having only just glimpsed the doorway."
The Tathagata asked, "What is this new Buddhist Dharma like?"
Maitreya Bodhisattva smiled brightly and said, "World Honored One, are there two Dharmas of the Buddha?"
The Tathagata replied, "There are no two Dharmas of the Buddha. My Dharma is the Buddha Dharma, and the Zen Dharma is also the Buddha Dharma."
Maitreya Bodhisattva joined his palms and said, "World Honored One? I have been cultivating the Zen Dharma under the guidance of the Broad Heart True Person, yet I know that the Zen Dharma has no cultivation and no scriptures. This Dharma does not establish words but directly points to the original mind, seeing nature and becoming a Buddha. There are no scriptures to read, no methods to cultivate; everyone possesses awareness, and through awareness, one becomes a Buddha. I have realized that 'the Buddha is the mind, and the mind is the Buddha,' understanding the doorway."
The Tathagata pondered for a long time and said, "Everyone possesses awareness, everyone is a Buddha; this is indeed a superior Dharma."
Maitreya Bodhisattva said, "The Zen Dharma ultimately becomes, but it takes a little time."
The Tathagata said, "This is the Buddha Dharma. Maitreya Bodhisattva, what do you think of your disciple Broad Heart?"
Maitreya Bodhisattva replied, "The Broad Heart True Person has received the true transmission of the Bodhi Way. The three schools harmonize as they originally are, with no Buddhist or mysterious distinctions in the heart, only cultivating with one mind to attain the Way as soon as possible."
The Tathagata asked, "Have you invited him with the Lotus Platform?"
Maitreya Bodhisattva nodded and said, "I have promised him a great position and the true fruit."
The Tathagata said, "Since there is no affinity for the Dharma, then let it be, let it be! Do you think this child can achieve the right path?"
Maitreya Bodhisattva laughed and said, "He already has the appearance of an immortal."
...
In the Three Stars Celestial Cave.
Jiang Tong'er had been refining for over a hundred years.
When he finally emerged, everything had changed; many disciples had left the cave, and many new faces appeared.
Countless generations had passed in the mortal realm.
He entered the quiet room to pay respects to his master.
Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Master, I have successfully completed my refining today!"
The master, sitting cross-legged on the mat, smiled and said, "I anticipated your success; rise, rise!"
Jiang Yuan asked with a smile, "Master, how did you foresee my success? Refining is indeed perilous."
The master pointed at Jiang Yuan with a ruler and said, "You child, having come through countless difficulties, how could you not succeed in refining? Your heart is calm and unhurried, and you possess the appearance of an immortal; you are destined to succeed."
Jiang Yuan, however, was not afraid of the ruler and laughed, "Master praises me so; are you not afraid I will become spoiled and hinder my cultivation?"
The master lightly tapped Jiang Tong'er's crown with the ruler.
Unbeknownst to him, there was some method in the master's hand; when he tapped lightly, it fell heavily, causing the child to hold his head and cry out in pain.
Yet, the master's ruler was sometimes light and sometimes heavy, thus fulfilling his intent.
The master laughed and scolded, "You have been cultivating with me for hundreds of years. If your nature were entirely lacking, what would you still cultivate in the Golden Elixir's right path?"
The child said, "Master, I know my mistake! I feel that I am not far from achieving the elixir."
The master said, "Three steps remain: warming, mating, and the nine transformations into the Golden Elixir. In these three steps, it is neither too difficult nor too easy; it depends on your affinity for the Dharma."
Jiang Yuan said, "I have always been honest; I will surely succeed."
The master, both amused and helpless, said, "What does your honesty have to do with this? Do not speak foolishly; will you rest or warm up?"
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "I will rest, listening to Master expound on the Great Dao."
The master nodded, "If so, you may rest, do not disturb my tranquility; go, go, go!"
Jiang Yuan had no choice but to leave.
The child exited the quiet room and, not returning to his own chamber, walked towards the Yao Platform to see how Zhen Jian was doing.
As he walked out, he heard a commotion ahead.
The sound came from under an old cypress tree, so he walked towards it.
Before long, Jiang Yuan approached and saw that a crowd had gathered under the old cypress tree.
He did not recognize any of them, estimating they were new disciples.
Upon closer inspection, he saw Zhen Jian speaking among the crowd, so he stepped forward.
Zhen Jian, seeing him approach, hurriedly straightened himself and bowed, saying, "Senior Brother!"
The crowd was startled upon hearing this.
They had heard of a senior brother with profound Dao in the Three Stars Celestial Cave, and now seeing Jiang Yuan, they quickly adjusted their clothing and stepped forward, saying, "Senior Brother!"
Jiang Yuan said, "You younger brothers need not be overly courteous. What are you discussing here today?"
The crowd replied, "To not hide it from Senior Brother, we are discussing the 'movement' principle that our master spoke of in his early years. Zhen Jian has insight, so we asked him to explain it to us. There is absolutely no external noise here."
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Do not be alarmed, I am not here to blame you; I merely came to take a look since you are discussing it."
The crowd said, "Please, Senior Brother, come."
The crowd then parted, wanting to offer a good spot under the old cypress tree, but the child waved his hand and casually chose a mat to sit down.
Jiang Yuan asked, "You younger brothers, I have been cultivating diligently for many years and seldom go out, so I do not know what year or month it is now. I do not know what generation you younger brothers belong to."
The crowd replied, "We belong to the 'Sea' generation."
The master's disciples have twelve generations, forming the phrase 'vast wisdom, true nature sea, insightful and complete awakening.' Now it is the 'Sea' generation, the eighth younger generation.
Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "Thank you, younger brothers, for clarifying."
The crowd said, "We dare not, we dare not!"
Jiang Yuan did not make a fuss and only let Zhen Jian speak, as he also wanted to listen.
Zhen Jian, hearing this, began to explain to the crowd.
Jiang Yuan listened, and in his heart, he had some evaluations.
Although Zhen Jian had strayed from the fundamentals, he had indeed cultivated steadily over the years and had some charm.
After Zhen Jian finished speaking, it was the crowd's turn to share, and once everything was said, he finally left and returned to the quiet room to rest.
...
Unknowingly, three years passed.
Jiang Tong'er was quietly cultivating in his room, apart from listening to the master expound on the Great Dao, there was nothing else.
On this day, while Jiang Yuan was sitting cross-legged on the mat, he suddenly heard a voice.
"Child, come."
Upon hearing this, the child pushed open the room door and went to the master's quiet room.
He entered the master's quiet room and saw the master had just returned from the Three Stars Celestial Cave, having just taken his seat on the mat.
Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Master."
The master said, "There is a matter here that requires you to go on a journey; it may take a few years before you can return."
Jiang Yuan said, "I will follow the master's orders."
The master said, "Zhen Yuanzi has sent someone to invite you. He wishes for you to travel to the Southern Zhanbu Continent; the Wanshou Mountain needs someone with magical power to guard it, and you are to go."
Jiang Yuan, upon hearing this, did not understand and said, "Master, surely Zhen Yuanzi has disciples who can guard Wanshou Mountain?"
The master said, "The disciples under Zhen Yuanzi all came out together; the other two or three disciples have little magical power. This Western Niu Hezhou is filled with demonic obstacles; without someone with magical power to guard the mountain, it would be chaotic."
Jiang Yuan then understood, just as the master had been invited to the spiritual mountain's wondrous realm for a Dharma assembly, where many demons had come to Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain, and he had killed them with the Yu Ding.
He replied, "Master, I will go to Wanshou Mountain now."
The master shook his head and said, "Do not rush; you must complete the five steps of 'warming' in your elixir cultivation before I can teach you."
Jiang Yuan asked, "Master, if I go to Wanshou Mountain, how can I cultivate in my spare time?"
The master said, "This step of 'warming' is different; it is a kind of water grinding skill, and you can cultivate while guarding the mountain."
Jiang Yuan suddenly realized and asked the master to teach him...
(End of Chapter)