108: Subhuti

Spirit Platform Square Inch Mountain, Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave!

Anyone familiar with Journey to the West should know this place, as it is the Immortal Cave where Great Sage the Equal of Heaven Sun Wukong sought the Dao from immortals and ultimately learned his skills.

In simple terms, this is the higher education institution for immortals!

Under Patriarch Bodhi, there are many experts and powerful individuals; the Disciples of Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave are all stronger than the last, and now even Bull Demon King is one of his Disciples, no wonder he also knows the Eight Nine Arcane Art.

However, this Patriarch Bodhi is very mysterious; in the entire Journey to the West world, he only appeared in the early part when Sun Wukong sought the Dao, and after sending Sun Wukong away, he never officially appeared again, only once guiding Great Immortal Zhenyuan with the Dao of Great Sound, Faint Voice when helping him heal the Ginseng Fruit Tree.

Who exactly he is remains a matter of much debate to this day.

Some say that the Western Buddhist Realm's Buddha, Tathagata, has three thousand Incarnations, and Patriarch Bodhi is one of them, teaching Sun Wukong martial arts and magical power to prepare for the later Journey to the West.

Others say that this Ancestral Master is an Incarnation of one of the Three Pure Ones of Daoism, and teaching Sun Wukong was also for cooperation with the Western Buddhist Realm.

Of course, there are also legends that this Patriarch Bodhi was originally the Zhunti Daoist of the Western Buddhist Realm, who opened a school here to assist the rise of the Western Buddhist Realm.

However, in Tang Ku's opinion, all of this is nonsense.

Now it seems that even the immortals and gods of this world don't know what kind of character this Patriarch Bodhi truly is.

"Mysterious, powerful, and privy to many secrets…"

Tang Ku tilted his head and narrowed his eyes, saying, "He couldn't be a Transmigrator with a protagonist's template, could he?"

The immortal mountain before his eyes was shrouded in mist, indeed looking like an immortal's abode, but recalling Bull Demon King's expression, Tang Ku was filled with doubt.

Slowly descending on his cloud, he indeed saw a cave hidden behind layers of peach trees covering the mountain; it didn't look particularly concealed.

The peach trees were laden with fruits, pink and vibrant, exuding a juicy freshness. Tang Ku sniffed, and a unique fragrance assailed his nostrils.

Unable to resist, he picked one, wiped it casually, and took a bite. His mouth was filled with the peach's fragrance, refreshing and leaving a lingering aftertaste.

"No wonder my eldest Disciple could endure seven years of loneliness here. These peaches are not only exceptionally delicious, but they even contain a subtle essence that can replenish the Buddha Power consumed in my body!"

Chewing on the peach, Tang Ku had already arrived at the entrance of Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave. Just as he was about to raise his hand to knock, the red lacquered wooden door slowly opened by itself, but no one came out.

Looking at the flickering candlelight inside, Tang Ku shrugged indifferently, then walked in, thinking to himself, "It seems he already knew I was coming… Heh heh, he truly is a capable person!"

The passage wasn't long, but Tang Ku found it somewhat difficult to walk, because he deeply felt the power wielded by the person inside, a power beyond his current reach. An indescribable pressure, invisible and intangible, yet truly present, almost pressing down on his steps, preventing him from moving quickly.

"There's no choice; when under someone else's roof, one must bow their head. This is his territory, so I must follow his rules!"

Tang Ku didn't mind. In fact, normally, such a clear act of intimidation would definitely cause resentment. However, who was Tang Ku? Tang Sanzang's tenth life of cultivation, and Tang Ku was one of his forms. When it came to self-cultivation, there truly weren't many in this world who could surpass him.

Finally reaching the interior, it was truly a world of its own, just as the saying goes.

The Immortal Cave itself passed through the mountain's interior, almost completely piercing through the entire mountain, transforming the inside into palaces and pavilions. Besides the main hall for lecturing on the Dao, there was also a training ground and living quarters for everyone. Although this mountain was not large, it was complete in every detail; basically, nothing essential for life was missing.

In the main hall, there was no one except an old man dressed in a white Daoist robe.

Or rather, there was only him in the entire mountain.

Because Tang Ku could no longer sense any other Qi here!

"Amitabha!"

Tang Ku clasped his hands together and bowed, saying, "Tang Sanzang greets Senior Patriarch Bodhi!"

He still wasn't sure whether the other party was a Buddha or a Daoist, and addressing him as Senior was not impolite. What's more, he was now Buddha of Sandalwood Merit, and in terms of status, he might not necessarily be lower than the one before him.

Indeed, the old man suddenly opened his eyes, a smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, and stood up, saying, "Buddha of Sandalwood Merit, there's no need for such formality. This old Daoist has been waiting here for a long time!"

A meditation cushion suddenly appeared before Tang Ku, landing with a soft thud. He didn't decline, sat down cross-legged, and smiled, "You knew I was coming?"

"I knew, I knew!"

The old man waved the whisk in his hand and said, "I've known for a very long time, which is why this old Daoist has been waiting here!"

Tang Ku's heart stirred, and he immediately said, "Then do you… know how the events happening in this world were caused? Who exactly is the other side's master? Why are they attacking this world so relentlessly? What secret does our world hold? And… what should we do next? Should we continue fighting, or find a place to hide? Can you enlighten me on these matters?"

Patriarch Bodhi chuckled and said calmly, "It's all about fate!"

Tang Ku was speechless. Even with his eloquence, these two words from the other party rendered him unable to speak.

"Why do I feel like those two words of yours are a bit… perfunctory?" Tang Ku spread his hands helplessly and said, "Since you've been waiting for me for so long, you should at least tell me something substantial!"

"I regret that I cannot tell you the intelligence about the opponent, and as for what you should do next, I cannot make that decision for you. If I were to tell you my thoughts, it might very well lead to many unnecessary speculations for you, ultimately affecting your decision, and your decision will affect the distant future. I don't want your future to be influenced by me, which is why I said 'it's all about fate'!"

The old man explained with an unchanging expression.

Tang Ku tilted his head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly sighed, "I have to say, you make a valid point… Fine, then, since you waited for me, what guidance do you have?"

"Three things!"

Patriarch Bodhi held up two fingers. "First, did Bull Demon King entrust you with something to bring back?"

Tang Ku was startled: "He told me it was a token for coming here and…"

"A map?"

Patriarch Bodhi reached out a hand, and the string of beads on Tang Ku's wrist was already in his hand. The old man smiled and said, "This item also has another function, which is to restrict the thoughts of the Yao Race, allowing violent demons to cultivate themselves. At that time, Bull Demon King had too many distracting thoughts, so he couldn't master the advanced Dao; that's why I gave him this item to wear. And only one person, willingly bringing this item back to me, could lift the restriction on his thoughts and restore his freedom…"

"So, I was used by that Bull Demon King, was I?"

Tang Ku pouted, "Fine, anyway, he's one of us. I think his personality is quite good now! Just a bit cunning."

Patriarch Bodhi smiled and said, "This item is yours now; use it well in the future… Hmm, there's also another matter, which is about the preparations left behind by the various Saints and powerful beings…"