In Chang'an City, a group of children surrounded an Immortal Mirror, listening to a story.

"...Speaking of the Tathāgata, he was the lifelong enemy of the Heavenly Emperor, defeated one after another, and each was more formidable than the last!"

The voice of Qing Yuanzi resonated from the Immortal Mirror, enchanting the children.

"The Tathāgata is really frightening!"

A boy said, "One falls, and immediately thousands upon thousands of Tathāgatas rise up!"

"After a great calamity, surely another Tathāgata will emerge."

Another boy added.

"So scary!"

A timid girl couldn't help but shrink back.

"There aren't that many Tathāgatas!"

At this moment, an angry voice came from behind the children.

They turned around to see a small monk, looking meticulously crafted.

"So it's the little monk from the temple."

The boys gathered around, "Are you going to fetch water again?"

The little monk had a shoulder pole; recently, the temple's well had gone dry, so he came out daily to get water.

"There is only one Tathāgata!"

The little monk bit onto the topic, "You must not slander him!"

"Not just one."

The boys laughed, "There are clearly several, and they're all bad!"

"He's not a bad person!"

The little monk was somewhat agitated.

"He's always opposing the Heavenly Emperor, so he's a bad person!"

The boys pressed aggressively, "Are you saying the Heavenly Emperor is a bad person?"

"No..."

The little monk took two steps back, "But the Tathāgata is definitely not bad."

"He is a bad person!"

"You, too, are a disciple of the Tathāgata; you deserve a beating!"

The boys pushed the little monk to the ground and started hitting him.

The bucket the little monk used to fetch water was knocked over, and out fell a small turtle.

"Where did this little turtle come from!"

A boy reached out to grab the turtle.

"Don't touch it!"

The little monk swiftly crawled out from under the boys' feet, cradling the turtle in his arms.

"Let it go!"

The boys wanted to snatch the turtle away, but the little monk held it tightly, not loosening his grip at all.

The boys, having hit for a while, saw that the little monk didn't even cry once, and feeling bored, they turned away and left.

The little monk, bruised and battered, placed the turtle back into the bucket and carried it to the riverbank.

"Turtle, oh turtle, follow this river, and you shall be free."

The little monk released the turtle into the river and watched it leave, suddenly bursting into tears.

"Why are you crying?"

An aged voice asked.

The little monk turned around to see a familiar yet strange old monk standing there.

"Others hit you, yet you didn't cry. Why are you crying now?"

He asked.

The little monk wiped his tears and stood up, "This turtle originally lived in the well, carefree and unconcerned. I released it, yet I fear it might starve to death."

"Is this why you cry?"

The old monk looked surprised.

The little monk nodded.

"You need not worry; it won't starve."

The old monk's gaze was gentle, "You have changed."

"What?"

The little monk was taken aback, then realized he still didn't know who the old monk was.

"Elder."

The little monk bowed, "From where do you come?"

"Huaguo Mountain."

The old monk smiled at the little monk, "I am going to a nearby temple to preach; could I trouble you to guide me?"

"Of course, please this way."

The little monk picked up the water and led the way ahead.

"Elder, coming from Huaguo Mountain, have you seen the Heavenly Emperor?"

He asked.

"Certainly, I have seen him."

The old monk nodded.

"Is he a good person?"

The little monk asked, "Why do they all say the Tathāgata is a bad person?"

"He is not a bad person."

The old monk said, "He merely lost his way."

Because of the previous war, the beings of the Three Realms harbored certain biases against Buddhism.

However, Sun Wukong did not harbor such biases against Buddhism; instead, he looked forward to it.

"One day, people will understand."

The old monk kindly looked at the little monk, "The Buddha loves them no less than the Heavenly Emperor."

In the sky, Sun Wukong heard these words and smiled slightly.

"Heavenly Emperor."

The assembled Buddhas behind him asked, "Is that little monk truly the Buddha?"

"There can be no mistake."

Sun Wukong nodded.

The Buddha, with limitless mana, had Sun Wukong spend over a decade searching for his reincarnation.

Now that Randeng Buddha had personally confirmed his identity, there could be no error.

The assembled Buddhas were overjoyed, "Let us go at once to welcome the Buddha's return."

"No need to hurry."

Sun Wukong stopped them, "Leave this matter to Randeng Buddha."

The Buddhas paused for a moment and then looked toward the ground.

The old monk, who was actually Randeng Buddha, entered the temple and met with the Abbott, yet did not reveal his identity to take the little monk away, instead opting to remain in the guise of a mortal.

"What is the Ancient Buddha doing?"

The Buddhas asked in astonishment.

"Protecting the Buddha."

Sun Wukong said, "The Buddha has found a new path in the Mortal World."

It was not yet the time for the Buddha to return.

Randeng Buddha would raise him, allowing him to reclaim the supreme throne.

"It seems your dominion is still far off."

Sun Wukong turned back and spoke to the Eastern Buddha.

"What need have I of a dominion? Is not freedom more delightful?"

The Eastern Buddha shook his head, smiling as he rode the clouds away.

The Buddhas departed one after another, leaving only the Bodhisattva Guanyin behind.

"Heavenly Emperor."

The Bodhisattva Guanyin had some long-contemplated words to say, "I wish..."

"I understand."

Sun Wukong stopped her, saying, "Water Moon Fairy can return at any time."

The Bodhisattva was momentarily stunned, then clasped her hands in gratitude, "Thank you, Heavenly Emperor."

She sighed inwardly, having left unhappily years ago and having since made many wrong choices.

She thought Sun Wukong might harbor a grudge, preparing to say many words, yet a single sentence from him dispelled all her worries.

"The Great Saint is still the same Great Saint."

The Bodhisattva Guanyin thought this in her heart, feeling both shame and supreme joy.

Over a long time, and through many causes and effects, Wanling and Buddhism finally found the same path.

The next day, the Bodhisattva Guanyin washed herself and donned the Wanling attire she hadn't worn in a long time.

"How long has it been since I last wore this?"

She stood, looking at herself in the mirror, for quite some time.

Afterward, Water Moon Fairy returned to Huaguo Mountain.

The Immortals and Demons, upon hearing the news, unanimously decided to hold a banquet to welcome her.

"Sister, welcome back."

Daji, full of joy, pulled Water Moon Fairy into Shuilian Cave, "We've prepared food for you."

Surely enough, Water Moon Fairy saw a table full of dishes inside the cave.

She sighed, "I can't avoid this, can I?"

Water Moon Fairy glanced at the smiling faces around her and could only sit down.

As always, the banquet began with much excitement, with people continuously offering food to Water Moon Fairy.

Water Moon Fairy felt rather helpless, yet along with the helplessness, she felt at ease.

Just like in a small world, everyone remained the same.

Except for the Bull Demon King, who looked like he had suffered a heartbreak.

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