Then, Zen Master Daming looked at each of his disciples and called out, “Shili, Shinian, Shichi, and Shishan, the four of you have deepened your understanding of Buddhism and your cultivation is profound. Your hearts are steadfast in your devotion to the Buddha. I have no worries about you. I only hope that you will not slacken in your practice in the future. If you four can guard your hearts to the Buddha, diligently cultivate, and see through the attachments in your hearts, you will surely attain enlightenment in the future.”
"Amitabha!" Shi Li and the other three chanted the Buddha's name, nodded and bowed, and said in unison, "Disciples will follow Master's teachings!"
The Great Master turned his gaze to Shi Fan and said gently, “Shi Fan, you entered the Buddhist order at a young age and grew up under the influence of Buddhist teachings. I know that the desire to become a Buddhist has taken root in your heart and is now deeply ingrained. However, your temperament is extreme, making you most susceptible to attacks from demons. I hope you can temper your mind and not fall into delusion. If you are caught in a demonic trap, it will be a small matter if you ruin your cultivation or even lose your life. Then it will be too late to regret.”
"Yes!" Shi Fan nodded respectfully and said, "This disciple will certainly keep in mind what Master said today and will never forget it."
Zen Master Daming nodded and turned to look at Zen Master Shi. At that moment, Zen Master Shi's expression was exceptionally complex, containing excitement, joy, and reluctance.
“Shi Chan,” Zen Master Daming called softly, smiling as he said, “You are the one I worry about the most.”
Shi Chan was deeply moved, his eyes glistening with tears, on the verge of falling. He clasped his hands together, bowed his head, and said, "Disciple thanks Master for his concern."
The Great Master Ming said gently, “Shi Chan, you are kind-hearted and treat all beings with compassion. You are the most suitable person to practice Buddhism. You have indeed done very well these years. You have been diligent in your practice and have never forgotten to spread the Dharma and save suffering beings while walking among people.”
He changed the subject, a hint of worry on his face, and said, “However, you will face a great tribulation in this life, a tribulation that will be difficult… but I believe that you will be able to hold fast to your Buddhist heart, strengthen your Buddhist faith, and safely overcome the tribulation.”
"What I want to tell you is that when you are confused, in pain, hesitant, or your mind is out of control, calm down and listen quietly to the voice in your heart. When you want to break your vows or give up the Dharma, think about the great vows you once made, and think about those suffering beings who are still struggling in the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance, unable to be liberated..."
“Master Shi Chan,” Zen Master Daming said, straightening his expression, “Ten thousand years of cultivation is not easy. I hope you will cherish it and treat it with utmost care!”
"Yes!" Two lines of tears slid down his cheeks silently. Shi Chan left his seat, knelt prostrate on the ground, and said respectfully, "Disciple Shi Chan will certainly remember Master's teachings and will never dare to disobey!"
As if he had explained everything, the golden light emanating from Zen Master Daming became even brighter, filling the entire wooden house with gold.
Shi Chan slowly straightened up. He remained kneeling on the ground, a look of confusion on his tear-streaked face. After hesitating for a moment, he asked hesitantly, "But this disciple doesn't understand, why did Master also say it was... 'ten thousand years of cultivation'?"
In the dazzling golden light, Zen Master Daming gently shook his head. His gaze toward Shichan was exceptionally gentle as he said softly, "Shichan, remember my words. You must overcome the tribulations of this life and attain enlightenment."
Having said that, Zen Master Daming extended his right index finger and gently touched it. A point of golden light flew out from his fingertip, flew straight to Zen Master Shichan, and entered his brow.
Master Shi Chan was stunned for a moment, and was about to ask a question when suddenly a golden ray of light, about ten feet wide, shone down from the western horizon. The golden light went straight to Pure Land Mountain, shone directly into the small wooden house, and enveloped Master Daming.
Accompanied by the faint sound of Buddhist music, the golden light suddenly receded, instantly transforming into a thin line before dissipating like smoke. The figure of Zen Master Daming, who had been sitting cross-legged, also vanished from the spot in an instant, leaving only specks of golden light lingering in the small wooden house, proving that what had just happened was not an illusion.
Thus, the last thing Shi Chan saw was the smiling face of Zen Master Daming and his concerned eyes.
As the Great Master Ming ascended to heaven, Shi Chan's heart suddenly felt empty, filled with endless reluctance and sorrow, and tears streamed down his face in the blink of an eye.
Shi Ning and his disciples were also filled with reluctance, and tears streamed down their faces.
--
As it was broad daylight, the guiding light was seen by many ordinary people, sparking discussions filled with doubt and astonishment. Various factions, upon witnessing the guiding light, reacted with a range of emotions, from joy to worry, or perhaps harbored other intentions.
The monks and nuns of Jinyuan Temple and Pudu Nunnery, upon seeing the guiding light, guessed that it must be the ascension of Zen Master Daming, and each sent their disciples to celebrate.
Meanwhile, Liuli, who was searching for traces of Shichan in the eastern part of the Central Plains, saw the guiding light. She roughly deduced that the location seemed to be in the territory of Yuanzhou. After thinking it over carefully, she immediately changed direction and flew towards the direction from which the golden light was emitted.
Upon returning to the Xuan Tie Mine, Li Molin and the others simultaneously witnessed the guiding light. Shortly afterward, a demonic bird flew over, confirming their guess that the guiding light's destination was the Bodhi Temple.
After pondering for a long time, Li Molin directly sent Yu Ke back to the Demon Realm. He instructed Yu Ke to report to Demon Lord Li Gan and bring back some powerful demons to prepare for an attack on Bodhi Temple!
The next day, Yu Ke led more than a thousand demons to meet with Li Molin in Yuanzhou, and flew towards Pure Land Mountain with great momentum.
The thousand-plus demons who accompanied Yu Ke were led by sixteen of the thirty-six demon generals under the Demon Lord, all of whom had already reached the Demon Lord realm. Of the remaining demons, seventy percent were at the Demon Thought realm, and thirty percent had reached the Demon Heart realm. The people sent by Demon Lord Li Gan this time were undeniably powerful.
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