Chapter 311: Ten Thousand People's Wishes are Ten Thousand People's Resentments

Three hundred and sixty-five bridges are truly hard to find, and it is no wonder that many Immortals do not refine their own Dharma treasures but go to borrow them instead; Xu Jia felt that this time, he could only go and borrow one as well.

However, the Naihe Bridge, also called the "Ascension Ferry," has many effects; if one could refine one and harmonize it with the "Heaven and Earth Bridge Pass," it would count as an instrument to verify one's cultivation.

The main issue is that to borrow it, one must go down to Youming Difu; Xu Jia felt he did not have the face for that right now, as that Xiaodifu governs five hundred worlds, so how would they let him borrow the Naihe Bridge to use? Or perhaps he could pray at the Mount Tai Temple of this world, but that is obviously even harder.

Although this is only the refining method for a Naihe Bridge of the Desire Realm, which is considered simpler, a hundred-year-old bridge might have already birthed a "Bridge God," so how could one just take its bridge-heart stone?

Whenever ancients traveled far, they would hold road sacrifices, offering to the Road God, the Bridge God, and the Four Directions Gods; some would even pay respects to the Heavenly God to pray for good weather during their journey.

He could only "ponder" it himself; Xu Jia pondered it over and decided to refine a Small Naihe. A Small Naihe is much simpler; it only requires twenty-four bridges to capture the imagery, use the Lunar Method to capture its Dharma Realm projection, refine it, and then bestow this imagery upon a "Jade Bridge" ornament, offering to it daily to borrow the projection power of the Naihe Bridge in the underworld.

He would treat it as a disposable item, just like Xu Jia's "Summoning Lushan Evil-Slaying Talisman," which can summon the phantom of the Evil-Slaying Sword; the Dragon-Slaying Talisman can summon the phantom of the Dragon-Slaying Sword, and the Demon-Slaying Talisman can summon the phantom of the Demon-Slaying Sword—it is exactly the same.

It is just that for such rituals, predecessors mostly used "paper effigies," crafting a paper bridge for wandering souls to cross, which cannot support a giant catfish with the body of a God Immortal.

Xu Jia then told Shunji about this method: "The Small Naihe is disposable, but the refining method is still quite complex. It requires finding twenty-four bridges and performing a Shifang Universal Salvation Dharma Assembly on them, letting lonely ghosts and wild spirits walk across the bridges into Youming Difu, thereby capturing the imagery of the Naihe Bridge—that is, the so-called Dao essence—and sealing it into a jade bridge. Repeating this for twenty-four bridges, corresponding to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms of heaven and earth, and refining it with Lunar Method Dharma Power, one must wait for the day when the Moon Hook is like a boat, combining the true intent of the Moon Boat with this true intent, only then can the Small Naihe possess the divine power to lift things up as the moon rises and sets."

"Once the harmony of heaven and earth is obtained, although it is all of an 'yin' aspect, it is also the Tai Hexagram, which can definitely rise steadily."

"What a complex refining method." Shunji's brain was not large, and while it sounded like it had some logic, it was hard to say how it would work in practice.

"Then do we need to find twenty-four bridges to perform the universal salvation?"

"Go find the nuns at the Jin Shan Temple down the mountain; let them perform this Water and Land Dharma Assembly. My side, the Shanju Guan, has no time."

Xu Jia said: "I will let my mother go and discuss this matter; it is better if she presides over it. She has been cultivating the Dharma for some time now."

Shunji was not clear about the depth of Xu Mu's Dharma foundation, but since Xu Jia was so confident, then it would naturally be a success.

"There is no need to be too anxious about this; as long as it can be done within two or three years, it will suffice."

Shunji nodded; indeed, there was no rush, and one could not rush it.

"What about over at Dongting? Have you investigated how much land is suitable for reclamation?"

"The suitable parts have mostly been occupied by powerful clans and great families; the unsuitable parts are all marshlands where the lake water rises and falls, making it very hard to farm well." Shunji said: "All the great lakes in the world are like this. The reason Poyang could open up these fields is that the original families knew the Water Gu Disease was severe here; without solving this problem, no one would go inside to reclaim the land."

"That means the difficulty is slightly greater; we will wait until the giant catfish is moved away before reclaiming that land." Xu Jia nodded, having roughly understood the situation.

"I have also thought about it; taking Dongting directly now is not wise, as it will only dilute our strength. We cannot simply replicate the Poyang situation. Next, we should gather those big landlords for a meeting."

"They can keep at most two mu of land per person; the rest must be sold to us." Xu Jia said: "They annexed the peasants' land, and now it is our turn to annex theirs."

Xu Jia said: "We must gain a deeper level of control over Yushan and Dexing, especially in the area of grain production; the grain foundation is the foundation of everything."

Shunji remained silent and did not get involved; he only went to the Jin Shan Temple down the mountain, knocked on the door, met Elder Xianhuan, and explained the matter.

Elder Xianhuan said: "As long as this matter can make use of our temple, just say the word. I observe that True Person Xu acts with a faint air of a Bodhisattva, saving who knows how many people. Our temple should also open wide the doors of convenience to perfect worldly affairs. We were originally planning a Vajra Blessing Dharma Assembly to deliver immeasurable souls affected by the disaster; now that there is this Dharma event, it is even better."

She said: "As for True Person Xu's mother, this old nun has long admired her in spirit. I have always heard in the Dharma Realm that she recites the Guanyin compassion mantras, cleansing the surrounding borders. The Dharma Realm is filled with Lotus Pure Land everywhere, already a solemn Daochang. Holding the Esoteric Buddhism mantra methods, she possesses inconceivable power; this old nun also wishes to seek her guidance."

The Dharma that Xu Jia gave to Xu Mu was indeed Outer Zen Inner Esoteric; on the outside, she cultivated the Zen heart and Buddha Nature, and on the inside, she also had Esoteric Buddhism mantras, hand seals, and practiced Life Merit. Her nature and life were intertwined and coiled together, cultivating into a golden, round, and complete Sarira.

Although Xu Mu had not yet cultivated a Sarira, she had obtained a Small Supernatural Power and could enter dreams. Occasionally, in her dreams, there was a faceless Bodhisattva who transmitted high-level methods to her. It was not an evil teacher, but all orthodox Dharma, or perhaps a Bodhisattva from the Tushita Heaven of the Shangjie.

Just like the giant salamander Jingchi; back then, Fanyin Valley was just ordinary, and Di Gou Quan was not pure water. It was only because a master who had attained the Buddha Truth stayed there for ten years like one day, chanting the Avatamsaka. Hundreds of years passed, and that place remained a solemn Pure Land. The cleansing power of Di Gou Quan did not diminish from the beginning. Many wild beasts in the mountains, if they caught some foul disease or had stomach trouble, would drink the water there and be cured of their ailments.

Because Xu Mu's cultivation was not fake but true, chanting a single mantra could shake the Three Realms and Shifang, and she was recognized by Elder Xianhuan, who was also a true Buddhist practitioner.

"Then many thanks to the Elder; all expenses will be covered by us." Shunji made a promise.

Nowadays, the Jin Shan Temple is not as good as Dizang An; Dizang An knows how to accumulate wealth and is not short of money. Although the Jin Shan Temple has the word "Jin Shan" (Gold Mountain), it does not accumulate wealth, meaning "Gold Mountain cannot be exchanged," signifying the preciousness of the Dharma.

Having obtained the method, Shunji turned and went to Dongting to inform the giant catfish. Upon hearing such a method, the giant catfish could not help but say: "This moon and the Naihe Bridge are all 'yin'; they can guide souls and guide the flying immortals of Guanghan. My body is wide and fat; can I be guided up?"

"You can put ten thousand hearts at ease. Xu Teacher is a person who keeps his word. Now that he has invited his own mother to come out of the mountains, even if he couldn't do it himself, would he lose face for his own mother?"

"Ah, yes, yes!" The giant catfish said: "It is I who was overthinking. Xu Teacher has vast Divine Ability and will certainly be able to do it."

Shunji added: "In the short term one or two years, in the long term three or four years, we will definitely be able to help you escape your predicament, but you also need to show something." Shunji said: "The Teacher values the land of Dongting very much."

"Ah, yes, yes, I must show something!" The giant catfish said naively: "I didn't have any treasures in Dongting to begin with; if I have to show something, I only have this."

Having said that, the giant catfish spat out a large tripod with inscriptions on it.

"This seems to be a Ze Tripod left in Yunmeng after Great Yu tamed the floods and the Nine Provinces. Although it is not as good as the Nine Provinces Tripod, it has the ability to divide water and suppress luck. I heard the Teacher wants to build a Daochang; this tripod can be displayed at the mountain gate as a vessel to gather Incense Fire."

"Good, good, good!" Shunji had just been speaking casually and did not expect there to be a real treasure. With this Ze Tripod, he would have something to report back with.

"This is for the Teacher; there is also something for the brothers!" The giant catfish spat out another Dragon Scale: "I was also on the path of becoming a dragon back then, but later I gave it up and took the path of the Free and Easy Wandering Kun fish. This Dragon Scale is a fruit of my old path, an Earth Immortal achievement, so I will give it to my brother. After my brother refines it, he can directly comprehend the Lake Water Virtue."

Lake Water Virtue verifies wisdom and represents far-reaching ambition. Ordinary people cannot condense it; it is not as easy to verify as the virtue of rivers. First a small stream, then a small river, then a great river; one only needs to keep flowing and keep gathering the water power along the way.

Those who are like flood dragons are mostly of this type, but they often do not become river courses and only become floods; if they do not succeed, they die, and the Water Virtue turns into Water Evil.

"Good, good, good!" Shunji thought to himself: "I thought he was a simpleton, but it turns out he has also verified wisdom; I underestimated him." He then said solemnly: "This Dragon Scale, it will not be too late to take it after I have accomplished the task."

"Since my brother is so straightforward, I am even more relieved." The giant catfish said: "I forgot to tell my brother my name; my name is Wu'er."

"What are the characters? Why don't I recognize them?"

"It's just three 'cloud' characters! The Daoist who chanted the Free and Easy Wandering gave it to me back then. He said that carrying the blue sky and bearing the cloud Qi, it is best to have many clouds, so he gave me this name. I carried him to tour the scenery of Dongting and earned this name; it has great luck!"

"Very well, Brother Wu, I will hand this tripod over to the Teacher." Shunji understood his meaning.

Having said that, he transformed into a Brocade Dragon, grabbed the Ze Tripod, and headed towards Sanqing Mountain.

This Brocade Dragon looked quite handsome, with red and white scales on his body, a cluster of cinnabar on the top of his head, and a soft, drifting tail. Although he had some of the nature of a koi, one could see the dragon nature hidden within. When he flicked his tail, it was like crashing waves against the shore; when he breathed, it was like wind and rain about to arrive.

Circling in the sky, he broke through the ten thousand layers of clouds. The Cloud Sea is also a sea, and one can also create a Cloud Sea Eye. Ao Jia once said that the Hao Tian Yuan Qi Hai connects to the great sea; Heaven is the sea, and the sea is Heaven. Sea and Heaven are one; a flying dragon in the sky is also possible, and a dragon swimming in the sea is also possible.

He had obtained the true intent; in fact, he could not only swim in water but also swim in clouds, swim in the void, and even travel through the Taixu in the future. However, that would require reaching the realm of a Five-Rank Dragon God recognized by the Heavenly Court. The Five Directions Dragon Emperors of the Form Realm heavens are only at this level.

Before the Heavenly Court was upgraded, the Seventh Rank was equivalent to an Earth Immortal, and the Fifth Rank was equivalent to a God Immortal.

After the upgrade, God Immortals only have Seventh Rank merit, and Earth Immortals barely enter the Ninth Rank, which is the level of an Earth Deity. In the heavens of the Form Realm, any random Earth Deity is at the Earth Immortal level.

God Immortals obtain the Seventh Rank, Heavenly Immortals obtain the Fifth Rank, God Kings and Immortal Monarchs obtain the Third Rank, the Taiyi True Fruit is the Second Rank, and the Daluo is the First Rank. Ascending from the Desire Realm to the Form Realm, one obtains the creation of the Immortal Pond, which can level out the origin. If one sneaks up, the merit fruit immediately drops by two levels, and even a Heavenly Immortal is treated as an Earth Immortal.

What he was thinking about was showing off a trick to this Wu'er, so as not to be looked down upon.

Seeing him so unrestrained and happy, swimming proudly in the sky, Wu'er became serious. He had only reached the realm of "swimming in water" and had not reached the realm of "swimming in the void." If he could fly out of thin air, why would he need someone else's help? Liezi riding the wind back then was in this realm.

Eyes are like ears, ears are like noses, noses are like mouths; there is no difference. The heart condenses and the form is released; flesh and bone all melt. One does not feel what the form leans on or what the feet tread upon; following the wind east or west, like a withered leaf or a dry shell. One does not even know if the wind is riding me or if I am riding the wind? This is "Heaven, Earth, and I are one," internal and external interacting, form and spirit and the hundred bones, forgetting the form and obtaining the intent; naturally, one can fly and reach the realm of "lightness."

The reason Wu could not fly was that he had not reached this realm and could not forget his own clumsy form, allowing his spirit to become agile and light.

A dragon can play in water and ride the void; it is not an instinct but a process of "from Kan to Qian," experiencing layers of transformation to have this merit fruit, able to ride the Liuxi and swim through the whole sky. Taking it a step further, it is the Taixu.

What they were comparing was not Dharma Power, but their understanding of the "Dao."

After Shunji grabbed the Ze Tripod and flew away, Wu'er fell into deep thought and slowly sank back to the bottom of the water.

At this moment, the Mirage Dragon was talking with Xiniu Laomu: "I see this big stupid fish has been swindled into a limp. I really want to see just how powerful this Xu Teacher, True Person Xu, Heavenly Master Xu actually is. If I don't use brute force or overwhelming Dharma to suppress him, I might not be able to defeat him. I am good at contemplating the changes in the human heart; let me see how I fight him with the hearts of the people!"

"What do you want to do?"

"If the people's wishes are not fulfilled, they become the people's grievances. He made such a great vow, how can he not bear the resentment of all living beings?" The Mirage Dragon smiled: "Of course I am going to the north, to those chaotic places, to all the places suffering from plagues and famines, to help him promote it! I will hold him up high and let him fall and shatter into pieces himself. Then we'll see how he cleans up the mess."

"This big pot of rice is not easy to cook."

Xiniu Laomu poured cold water on the idea: "What if he catches it?"

"Then wouldn't I have performed a meritorious service? I'll just join from the inside," said the Mirage Dragon. "I will keep watching him, watching him closely."

"Heh."

"I hope you succeed. Those who can make great vows must have great Divine Ability. It just depends on how vast your Divine Ability is, but I will not get involved with you."

"I didn't ask you to get involved," said the Mirage Dragon. "I was just telling you."

"Aren't you afraid I'll report you?"

"If I were afraid, would I have said it?" said the Mirage Dragon. "Let's wait and see!"

Having said that, he transformed into a streak of Rainbow Qi and attacked the sun as he departed.

White Rainbow Piercing the Sun. It is like Yao Li assassinating Qingji. An omen of danger.

From afar, Xu Jia saw a long rainbow piercing the north. This was not an auspicious sign; the Records of the Five Elements state: it signifies a disaster of weapons and soldiers.

In his past life, when Xu Jia participated in the Grand Offering of the Heavens, there was rainbow light piercing the altar grounds. Many young Daoist followers said it was an auspicious sign, an extraordinary phenomenon, but in reality, they themselves were the auspicious signs.

The rainbow is a sign of disaster, a warning from Heaven.

Of course, in terms of modern meteorological science, this has nothing to do with "Heaven-Man Resonance," but since Xu Jia is already cultivating the Dao and becoming an Immortal, he won't talk about science, otherwise he would be dragged off and cursed as a Daoist fraud.

"How the virtue has declined, the hearts of the people are not as they were in ancient times," Xu Jia wrote in his judgment.

(End of this chapter)