Prajna Lake is located in the plateau region of southwestern Central China. The lake has an irregular shape and complex terrain around its edges. At its widest point from north to south, it is approximately sixty li (about 30 kilometers), and at its widest point from east to west, it is approximately ninety li (about 45 kilometers). The lake is replenished by the melting snow and ice from the nearby high mountains. Prajna Lake has clear water and abundant aquatic plants. Schools of small, fine-scaled fish swim among the plants. The surrounding area is lush with vegetation.
To the south of Prajna Lake lies a vast Bodhi grove. The grove appears quite old, with each Bodhi tree boasting a thick, upright trunk and lush, verdant leaves. Legend has it that Shakyamuni Buddha attained enlightenment in this very grove, and for this reason, Prajna Lake, nestled beside the grove, is revered as a sacred lake by Buddhist followers.
Five islands of varying sizes stand amidst the vast expanse of blue water in Prajna Lake. Legend has it that these are the incarnations of the Five Buddhas, and all those who come to the sacred lake to worship and offer incense do so with utmost devotion.
The practice of circumambulating a lake in the Year of the Sheep, a mountain in the Year of the Horse, and a forest in the Year of the Monkey is considered to be the Buddha's will. The lake circumambulated in the Year of the Sheep is none other than Prajna Lake. Every Year of the Sheep is the time when Prajna Lake is most popular, with a constant stream of believers coming to worship at the sacred lake. It is said that if one can circumambulate Prajna Lake once, one will gain profound knowledge and immeasurable merit, and give up bad habits and suffering, thus taking one one step closer to the Western Paradise.
Therefore, even though it usually takes more than a month to circle around Prajna Lake, there are still believers who carry dry food and are determined to circle the sacred lake.
When Li Molin, Liuli, Ahua, and Ji Jue arrived at Prajna Lake, the sun had just risen. A ray of golden sunlight shone on the emerald green lake water, making the entire lake look like a large piece of transparent emerald green glass.
"What a beautiful lake!" When Liuli and Li Molin landed, they were still some distance from the lake. At this moment, Liuli was running towards the lake with her arms outstretched, making Ahua on her shoulder have to hold on tightly to her clothes so that she wouldn't fall in.
Tragically, as they approached the lake, Liuli suddenly braked, and Ahua, caught off guard, was thrown forward by the momentum from Liuli's forward momentum and fell into the lake.
"Meow—meow—" A scream suddenly came from the lake. Ahua struggled in the water for a few moments and then leaped onto the shore. She shook her body vigorously, splashing water droplets everywhere, causing Liuli to dodge repeatedly.
"Haha!" Liuli laughed loudly. She squatted down, scooped up lake water with her hands, and splashed it on Ahua, laughing loudly, "Ahua, so you're afraid of water? How interesting, how interesting!"
"Meow—" Ahua cried out in a drawn-out voice and ran away from the lake.
Li Molin withdrew his smiling gaze from the playful Liuli and Ahua, surveyed the scenery before him, and asked Ji Jue beside him in a low voice, "Has the letter from all the clansmen been sent out?"
"Yes." Ji Jue nodded and replied, "It was already sent on the way here, they should be arriving soon."
“Alright.” Li Molin gestured with his chin towards the Bodhi Forest on the other side of the lake and said, “Ji Jue, go and investigate the situation in that forest. Be careful.”
"Yes," Ji Jue replied in a muffled voice, took a few steps forward, and flew off towards the Bodhi Forest on the opposite bank.
Li Molin put his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the lake before settling on Liuli.
At that moment, Liuli took off her shoes, rolled up her trousers, and walked into the lake. She stood in the lake, bent down, scooped up a handful of clear lake water, and washed her face. As she bent down, her long hair flowed down smoothly and fell into the lake, getting mostly wet.
After washing her face, she tossed her hair, stood up, and laughed loudly, "Ahua, come on over! The water is so much fun! Look, there are so many little fish! Let's catch them and play with them! ...Don't you like eating fish? Come on over!"
Ahua sat far from the lake, firmly shaking her head, showing no interest whatsoever in Liuli's repeated attempts to entice her.
Feeling bored, Liuli pouted and stood in the water with her hands on her hips. Transparent water droplets trickled down her fair, jade-like face, and her long hair was half wet, hanging down her back in strands.
Li Molin gradually became mesmerized, his eyes fixed on the glass in the water, his gaze filled with a warm smile and a hint of infatuation.
"Namo Amitabha Buddha!"
Suddenly, a neat and loud chanting of Buddhist hymns rang out. Li Molin came back to his senses, turned his head and saw a large expanse of golden Buddhist light descending from the sky, revealing the figures of dozens of monks.
The monks revealed themselves, turned to face the Bodhi grove on the opposite bank of the lake, and performed a Buddhist salute in unison.
Li Molin scoffed and disdainfully withdrew his gaze.
At this moment, a chaotic sound arose, and hundreds of black lights flew from all directions towards this place. Soon, they arrived and landed one after another. Hundreds of men in black surrounded Li Molin and called out in unison, "Young Master!"
Li Molin nodded and said calmly, "Leave twenty people behind, and the rest of you disperse to search for the location of the treasure."
Just as everyone was about to agree, they heard Li Molin lower his voice and continue, "Since the treasure has appeared in this Prajna Lake, it must be a Buddhist treasure. It's useless to us if we get it. If you find it, just destroy it!"
"Yes!" The demons responded in unison, leaving twenty people behind while the rest flew off in all directions.
The twenty people who stayed with Li Molin casually chatted with him, and one of them said with a smile, "It's been a long time since we've seen you, young master. How have you been?"
"Not bad." Li Molin smiled gently and asked in return, "And you guys, have you caused any trouble?"
"No……"
"How could this be..."
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