While Jian Dan wandered off to explore elsewhere, Mingfa Temple had fallen into chaos. The Buddhist energy within Jue Fa had surged out of control, forcing him to immediately sit down in meditation where he stood. As he calmed his inner energy, he began to comprehend the words spoken earlier by the senior, Shan.
Left with no choice, Jue Ming summoned his martial uncle, Ming Jing, from the Zen courtyard to take charge of the situation.
Ming Jing looked even younger than the others, with a clean and compassionate face that appeared to be in his early thirties. Yet the way he wore his plain green monk robe exuded an air of dignity.
Arriving beneath the bodhi tree in the courtyard, Ming Jing saw that Jue Fa had already stabilized his inner energy and was now meditating with his eyes closed. Faint strands of gray mist seeped out from the golden light of merit around his body, making him appear even more radiant.
"Amitabha. The disciple is fine. He's gaining insight. Do not disturb him or attempt to move him."
"Yes, Martial Uncle. It was my recklessness that disrupted your cultivation."
"It's alright. You were concerned for your senior brother. That is no fault. Now tell me what happened."
"Yes."
After organizing his thoughts, Jue Ming started from the appearance of the small green snake and relayed everything that had happened throughout the day.
When Ming Jing heard the line, "One flower, one world. One tree, one life," he paused, closed his eyes, and recited softly,
"Amitabha. This senior is indeed a great cultivator and clearly possesses deep understanding of Buddhist philosophy. If I ever meet them, I must invite them to meditate with me. Such wisdom will surely lead to insight.
Jue Ming, write down everything that senior said and send it to Yunzhong Temple. Our comprehension is limited, but perhaps someone there can grasp its meaning."
"Yes."
Jue Ming bowed with palms joined and left the monk quarters. Ming Jing, meanwhile, planted his meditation staff into the gravel ground, casting a barrier of Buddhist light to protect Jue Fa while he meditated.
That single line left by Jian Dan had stirred something in Ming Jing as well. Although the circumstances didn't allow him to reflect on it right away, he could sense that if he managed to fully comprehend those words, he might indeed become a Buddha in this lifetime.
Back at her lotus-filled lake, Jian Dan had just sat down when Jade slipped off her wrist of her own accord and curled up on the small table beside her, clearly dispirited.
Cotton Candy drifted down from Jian Dan's hair bun, transformed into a fluffy white cloud, and surrounded Jade as if trying to comfort her.
Jian Dan nearly laughed out loud at the sight but kept her expression composed. She reached out and tapped the little snake's head with a finger.
"Why so downcast?"
"Master, I was so stupid. I caused you trouble and even made you speak up for me."
Jade lowered her head even more, feeling like she was too dumb to live, dragging her master into trouble.
Jian Dan chuckled. "It was a bit of trouble, yes, but not entirely your doing. Still, this little excursion did expose your weaknesses. Did you notice?"
"Master, I didn't hide my tracks properly while out and was followed. I also didn't clean up after myself, which led to monks from the temple tracking me down."
"And?"
"And…"
Jade curled around in a small circle, then lifted her head to ask, "What else, Master? I can't think of it."
"So silly. I know! I know!" Cotton Candy darted around excitedly, clearly enjoying the moment.
Jade was straightforward. If she didn't understand, she'd just ask. "Cotton Candy, what is it? Tell me, and I'll give you some of the crispy fruits I picked!"
Jian Dan watched the two of them with amusement, not interrupting.
"Well, since we serve the same master, I'll be generous and give you a hint," Cotton Candy said, puffing itself up like it was imparting ancient wisdom.
Jian Dan almost burst out laughing. Cotton Candy was acting like some grand teacher.
"Alright, Jade's listening."
Cotton Candy floated in front of Jade, cleared its throat, and imitated Jian Dan's tone.
"You're already a fourth-rank spirit beast. Do you know what fourth rank corresponds to? It's equivalent to the Nascent Soul stage in human cultivators. In that whole temple, only that bald monk in the Zen chamber could match you. Why did you run? You should've fought them…"
The rest of the sentence was cut off as Jian Dan scooped Cotton Candy back and gave it a firm squeeze. Only after it begged and yelped did she let go.
"You're corrupting Jade."
Cotton Candy shrank down and hid behind Jade, peeking out from a corner of the cloud.
"Master, what did I say wrong?"
"You weren't wrong to say that Jade could hold her own against the monks. But you forgot to consider the bigger picture."
"The bigger picture?" Both spirit beasts asked at once, clearly confused.
"Yes. This isn't the cultivation world. This is the mortal realm. In the eyes of mortals, you are beasts, while Buddhist cultivators are dedicated to subduing beasts and demons. If Jade had revealed her true form and started fighting, she might have won or lost, but from that moment on, she would be seen as an evil creature that all Buddhist sects would hunt down."
"It was just a fight," Cotton Candy muttered.
Jian Dan yanked it back again.
"You act like the world revolves around you. If someone came attacking your home, would you forgive them?"
"Of course not."
"Exactly. They feel the same way. The saying goes, 'those who follow different paths cannot work together.' Their cultivation path differs from ours. This world seems to lack alternate systems of cultivation. So out there, you must tread carefully."
"What about you, Master?" Jade asked.
"We reason with others, but that reasoning is built on your strength. Understand?"
"I understand. Master is stronger than them, so you can protect us. As long as we don't go overboard, it's fine, right?"
This time, Jade answered. Jian Dan rubbed her temples. Who taught them this logic? Certainly not her. But now that it had come to this, she decided to take a different approach.
"Jade, you've never left the inner realm since you were born. That's my fault. I've spoiled you. Even Mo Ran went through the Battle of the Ming Valley and risked herself to gather intel. That's why his cultivation progressed. You've hit a bottleneck, haven't you?"
"Yes, Master," Jade nodded obediently.
"Then it's time I send you out. This is the mortal realm. You have enough strength to protect yourself. I won't worry too much."
Jade perked up, coiled up around Jian Dan's wrist, and gazed up at her with sparkling eyes.
"But it's not just for experience. I have a task for you."
"Please instruct me, Master."
"Investigate whether there are beast cultivators in this realm. If so, find out where they cultivate and whether they have any proper lineage or inheritance."
"Understood."
"There are also three rules you must follow: First, you must not harm mortals. Second, you must not kill the innocent. Third, do not interfere in worldly matters."
"I understand."
Jian Dan patted Jade on the head and continued, "Heavenly Dao has always been strict with beast cultivators because of your strength and longevity. Do not accumulate needless blood karma. When the time comes for your Divine Transformation tribulation and true form ascension, Heavenly Dao will settle the account."
Seeing Jian Dan so serious, Jade also nodded solemnly. She knew her master only wanted what was best for her.
Jian Dan was always direct in her actions. She found a storage pouch and packed it with necessities for Jade. From the display shelves in her space, she took a vajra bodhi bead, fashioned it into a pendant, infused it with spiritual energy, and placed it around Jade's neck to mask her beast aura.
Jade transformed into a young girl in green robes, carrying a bundle on her back. She knelt and bid farewell to her master, then turned to begin her journey of mortal cultivation. Jian Dan gave her one year. No matter what, she was to return in a year.
The largest lotus in the pond swayed gently in the wind, its fragrance drifting far into the distance.