“A young friend like you, achieving the realm of Mysterious Immortal at such a tender age, truly demonstrates the promise of the younger generation.”

  A voice softly rang in Xu Fang's ear. Without a moment's hesitation, he sprang to his feet, fully alert, and fixed his gaze on an elderly man in a grey Daoist robe with a long white beard beside him!

  The old man’s attire radiated a powerful aura, his white hair and beard flickering with a subtle flame-like energy. His presence was overwhelmingly profound, causing Xu Fang’s heart to race.

  “Senior, you flatter me. Compared to your cultivation, my achievements are insignificant.”

  Xu Fang couldn’t afford to be careless!

  The ability of this person to approach him silently, combined with the immense energy pulsating with fiery power, indicated that he was undoubtedly a formidable figure!

  “Could it be that this is the esteemed Master Lu Ya?”

  Having read "Journey to the West" before crossing over, Xu Fang understood that Futu Mountain was indeed the domain of Master Lu Ya.

  However, when he had arrived at Futu Mountain, he had checked the surroundings and found no signs of any beings, assuming that Lu Ya had ventured elsewhere.

  The location was rich in spiritual energy and suitable for breakthroughs, which was why Xu Fang had chosen to practice there.

  Now, however, if the master of this place saw him trespassing, it could lead to trouble.

  Just as Xu Fang prepared for a confrontation, something unexpected happened.

  Master Lu Ya smiled lightly. “I have not entered the world for quite some time; I didn’t expect a young friend like you to know of my former name.”

  “This matter, I learned from my master, Master Bodhi. Futu Mountain is indeed the domain of Senior Lu Ya.”

  After a moment of contemplation, Xu Fang decided not to hide his identity. Furthermore, given Master Lu Ya's formidable cultivation, it was necessary to invoke Master Bodhi’s name.

  After all, he was well aware of Lu Ya’s origins.

  It was said that Lu Ya was one of the ten sons of the ancient demon emperor, Di Jun, who was the Heavenly Emperor of the demon clan.

  Ten golden crows roosted on the Fusang tree, tricked into the primordial chaos by the Western saint, Saint Junti. In a struggle, nine of them were shot down by the great archer Hou Yi from the witch clan!

  The last remaining golden crow was Lu Ya!

  During the Fengshen period, Lu Ya transformed into the Daoist Lu Ya, assisting the Western Qi with the Seven-Arrow Head technique to slay Zhao Gongming, and he also used the Immortal-Slaying Flying Blade to astonish the primordial chaos!

  However, after the Fengshen events, Lu Ya turned to the Western teachings, abandoning his title as Daoist Lu Ya and taking on the name Master Lu Ya!

  By the time of the Fengshen period, Lu Ya had already reached the cultivation of a Great Luo Golden Immortal, so hiding his lineage before him was meaningless.

  “So, you are indeed a disciple of Master Bodhi,” Master Lu Ya said, slightly taken aback. “No wonder… However, Lu Ya or Lu Cha, they are merely names now. I have transcended worldly affairs and no longer observe the matters of the Three Realms. Since you have come to my abode, it seems we are fated.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  As he spoke, Master Lu Ya sensed the faint flames of spiritual energy within Xu Fang and continued, “In these years at the Western Spiritual Mountain, I have gained some insights. I see that you have just broken through your realm. Since we share the affinity of fire, I wish to offer you some guidance. Would you be willing?”

  “I have a scroll of the Heart Sutra from the Buddhist sect, which can help you eliminate mental obstacles and facilitate your cultivation. Do you wish to practice it?”

  As soon as the words left his mouth, Xu Fang's heart stirred.

  He quickly realized Master Lu Ya’s intention.

  He had heard of the Heart Sutra before his crossing, but he had never been particularly interested in it.

  “Thank you for your kind offer, Master Lu Ya, but I have my own methods of cultivation passed down from my master. They stabilize my mindset. As for the Heart Sutra, it may have its merits, but its principles do not align with mine. I sincerely appreciate your kindness, Senior.”

  Upon hearing Xu Fang's words, a hint of surprise flickered in Master Lu Ya's eyes, and he couldn’t help but ask, “Does this mean you do not favor the Buddhist scriptures?”

  “Not at all.”

  Xu Fang shook his head and replied, “Buddhism and Daoism each have their strengths and weaknesses. I do not dislike the Buddhist scriptures; I simply cannot agree with the Buddhist principles.”

  If this had been any other Buddhist monk, they would likely have flown into a rage!

  However, Master Lu Ya was an exception.

  He had once been a prince of the demon clan, had entered the Daoist path, and had ultimately found his way to the Spiritual Mountain. His understanding bridged various schools of thought.

  It was precisely for this reason that Xu Fang felt emboldened to express his thoughts in front of Master Lu Ya.

  “I have yet to grasp what is wrong with the Buddhist principles. Would you be willing to enlighten me?”

  Master Lu Ya was intrigued. He had assumed that with his formidable cultivation, this young cultivator would be grateful, yet the young man had spoken words he did not expect.

  “Should my view be presumptuous, Senior, please do not take it to heart.”

  After a moment of consideration, Xu Fang spoke casually.

  Master Lu Ya then found a level spot and sat down before Xu Fang, engaging him in a discourse as equals.

  “Senior, from what I understand, the Buddhist sect in the Spiritual Mountain claims to be great benevolence. This is indeed correct, is it not?”

  Xu Fang began.

  Master Lu Ya nodded in agreement, and Xu Fang continued, “Yet, those who genuinely seek the Buddha in the Spiritual Mountain are few and far between. The Buddhist teachings demand that wealthy families offer three dou of rice and three sheng of gold. If all beings are equal, then why do they not treat the wealthy and the impoverished equally?”

  As soon as he said this, Master Lu Ya's eyes gleamed, and he replied, “What you say is indeed valid. However, the Spiritual Mountain is not entirely lacking in merit. Do you know of the tale where the Tathagata cut flesh to feed an eagle, and Guanyin Bodhisattva fed a tiger with her own body? If they were not truly benevolent, could they have acted thus?”

  “Correct.”

  Xu Fang nodded, then spoke again, “While the actions of Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Tathagata may be considered benevolent, I believe them to be mere pretenses of benevolence.”

  “After the tiger has eaten flesh, does it not continue to kill? After the Golden-Winged Great Peng has consumed the Tathagata’s flesh, does it cease to harm lives?”

  “These actions merely aid tyrants! They are strikingly similar to the accomplices of King Zhou during the calamity of the Fengshen era!”

  Xu Fang continued without pause, “What I find most incompatible with the Buddhist principles is the notion that a good person can do good deeds for a hundred years, but once they commit a wrongdoing, they cannot attain enlightenment. Yet an evil person, after a hundred years of killing, can attain Buddhahood in an instant upon putting down their knife. How cruel and unjust this is to the good people who have acted justly for a century!”

  “If it is unjust, why should people follow the Buddhist path? One must remember that all beings suffer, and all beings must save themselves!”

  As Xu Fang spoke, he noticed a spark of realization flicker in Master Lu Ya's eyes, as if he had comprehended something. He then burst into laughter, “Hahaha! What you say is indeed correct! The principles of the Spiritual Mountain are flawed; all beings suffer and must save themselves! It follows that even without the Buddha's teachings, humanity can thrive and flourish on its own!”

  This reaction left Xu Fang momentarily stunned.

  He had merely expressed his inner thoughts, and yet he had seemingly struck a chord with Master Lu Ya!

  It appeared that the influence of Buddhism was not as overwhelming as he had thought!