Volume 2: The Path That Can Be Told, Chapter 148: Buddhist Treasures

Jumang led Wukong on foot and taught him a breathing technique specifically designed for practicing control over plants—technique that could be used wherever there were trees and grasses.
The two slowly made their way through the jungle. As soon as Jumang entered, the trees and grasses began to sway, as if dancing in joy. Jumang said, “To control plants, one must first understand their habits. It’s best to treat them as friends and comrades.”
From above, the mountain didn’t seem very large, but walking there would still take several days. Jumang wasn’t in a hurry; he simply instructed Wukong to practice the breathing technique, slowly sensing the energy of the plants.
They continued walking for three days straight. Wukong practiced nonstop and gradually sensed a trace of green energy in his meridians. This energy was extremely faint but persistent.
Jumang said, “We’ve arrived.” Wukong looked up and saw a towering giant tree. Why hadn’t he noticed it from above? The tree was only about ten feet in diameter but incredibly tall—so high that Wukong couldn’t even see its top!
Jumang smiled and said, “This tree is called the Tree of Immortality. I brought it from another realm. It’s the ultimate treasure for mastering plant-related powers. Go up and practice there.”
Wukong found this strange. Zhurong had abandoned him in the heart of a volcano, yet Jumang only asked him to climb trees.
He followed Jumang’s instructions and climbed up the trunk. Without using any magic, he simply climbed slowly. Fortunately, the trunk branched out from the base, making it not too difficult to climb.
After climbing several dozen feet, Wukong was surprised to find that the tree was absorbing his own magical energy. At this rate, he might run out of power in just half an hour. But since Jumang hadn’t told him to stop, he continued climbing.
When his power ran out, a green pill appeared out of thin air. Jumang’s voice echoed in his ears, “I’ve accumulated the essence of green wood over tens of thousands of years, creating thousands of Green Wood Pills. You’ll consume them all within a hundred years. I refuse to believe you can’t defeat that girl, Zhurong! Haha!”
After taking the pill, Wukong felt a pure and strong flow of green wood energy replenish his dantian. The green flames in his Creation Sphere even seemed to recede slightly. Hearing Jumang’s words, he chuckled to himself. These ancient gods, despite having lived for tens of thousands of years, still harbored competitive instincts. Though Jumang didn’t say it aloud, he was secretly competing with him—quite amusing.
Thus, Wukong spent his days climbing trees on Green Wood Peak. Aside from taking Green Wood Pills and practicing meditation, he never stopped. Whenever his power ran out, Green Wood Pills would fall from the sky to replenish his energy. The green wood energy in his body grew stronger. What used to take half an hour to deplete now took an hour.
One day, Jumang sat under the tree and shouted, “I understand now.”

Wukong estimated that he had climbed at least several thousand zhang, while Jumang’s words still rang in his ears. He quickly asked, “What have you figured out?” Jumang replied, “It turns out that those born of nature have no barriers between them and the Five Elements, so naturally, their cultivation progresses quickly.” Wukong asked, “Am I… cultivating quickly?” Jumang said, “In just three months, you’ve already taken on the form of green wood. Even with my Green Wood Elixir to assist, this is unprecedented. Back in the day, it took me four years to reach your level despite being born with the spirit of wood. If this isn’t fast, then what is?” Wukong said, “This is talent, not my own effort. There’s nothing to boast about.” Jumang said, “Your mind is clear and pure while cultivating, showing that your skill in nurturing energy is extraordinary. I wonder how you achieved this?” Wukong was speechless for a moment before answering, “Nurturing energy? I’ve never cultivated before.” Jumang pondered for a long time, then sighed, though it was unclear what he meant.

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There is the Yellow Calendar on earth and the Mysterious Calendar in heaven. The Yellow Calendar counts 365 days as a year, and so does the Mysterious Calendar. However, one day in the Mysterious Calendar corresponds to one day in heaven, meaning one year in heaven equals 365 years on earth. On the third day of the third month of this year in the Mysterious Calendar, it was the birthday of the Queen Mother of the West on Kunlun Island. The island was filled with fragrant scents, colorful mists, and decorations everywhere. Delicacies of all kinds were on display, along with exotic fruits and dishes of various colors. Immortal wine was intoxicating, and peaches were tempting to taste. Everything was prepared, waiting for the immortals to come and celebrate. Those who arrived early were the lesser-powered immortals, those from the four seas and five mountains, and those registered in the heavenly court. They brought various rare elixirs and fruits, keeping the gatekeepers busy. After a while, the rulers of the eight lower caves, the earthly immortals, the immortals of the eight middle caves, and the Three Pure Ones, Four Emperors, and Taiyi Immortals of the eight upper caves arrived one after another. Finally, the immortals from the five directions and five elders, as well as those from the ten continents and three islands, along with the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats from the Western Heaven, arrived. Without mentioning the chaos of them presenting treasures, once everything was in order, the Buddha of the Western Heaven, the current ruler of the world, Buddha Shakyamuni, slowly spoke, “On the Queen Mother’s birthday, with auspicious clouds and mists filling the air, it’s only fitting for the whole world to celebrate. Although my Western Heaven is a place of hard cultivation, I still wouldn’t dare neglect it. I bring the seven treasures of Buddhism, hoping that the Queen Mother may live forever and bring blessings to all beings.” After Buddha Shakyamuni finished speaking, Ananda and Kasyapa carried the seven treasures of Buddhism down the steps. Many immortals, not knowing what the seven treasures were, stretched their necks to take a look.

Anuo and Kasyapa each held a golden plate and a silver plate. On Anuo’s golden plate were a glass bowl, glass cups, and conch cups, while on Kasyapa’s silver plate were a pair of red-bead chopsticks and an agate spoon.
The significance of the Buddha’s Seven Treasures was not entirely clear; it was only known that “treasures” meant valuable items. She signaled the fairies to go and take them.
At that moment, someone stood up and said, “What are these Buddha’s Seven Treasures? I’ve always heard that Buddhism has Three Treasures—Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. I wonder what the Seven Treasures refer to. Please, Buddha, enlighten us.”
This person had a very imposing appearance and spoke in a rigid tone, as if demanding an answer. Everyone saw that it was the Northern Heavenly Emperor, also known as Zhenwu. The Buddha merely smiled without speaking, but his gaze was fixed on Anuo.
Anuo handed the golden plate to the fairies, clasped his hands in reverence to the Empress Mother and the Jade Emperor seated above, then said, “The Buddha’s Seven Treasures are gold, silver, glass, crystal, conch, red beads, and agate. Having the Three Treasures brings peace to the country, while having the Seven Treasures ensures the safety of the people—symbolizing good fortune.”
Laozi laughed and said, “Buddhism truly lives a humble life; it’s all about utensils for eating.”
The Tathagata smiled and said, “Although my Buddhist disciples endure hardships, the people of Western Paradise live in peace and contentment, free from worries about food and clothing. It seems these utensils for eating are quite important after all.”
Hearing this, the Jade Emperor felt slightly displeased. So, while the people under my rule in the Eastern Land can’t even get enough to eat, I’m supposed to send you these things? But in such a grand gathering with all the immortals present, it would be inappropriate to spoil the atmosphere.
Laozi added, “I’ve heard that the two disciples of Buddhism and Taoism are reborn in the mortal world. Have they achieved perfect merit?”
The Tathagata did not answer, and Kasyapa grew anxious. Jinchanzi had always been beloved by the Buddha. Since that incident, mentioning Jinchanzi’s name was forbidden in the Western Paradise, showing the Buddha’s displeasure. Now, Laozi brought it up in public—wasn’t this hitting the Buddha right in the heart?
The Buddha still smiled and said, “As Buddhism says, if I do not go to hell, who will?”
Laozi smiled, raised his cup to offer a distant toast to the Buddha, and murmured, “I see. It seems Jinchanzi was reborn in the Eastern Land…” His voice was not loud, but it was just loud enough for the Jade Emperor nearby to hear.
The Jade Emperor lowered his dragon-like eyes, lost in thought.
By then, the fairies had brought back the Seven Treasures. The Jade Emperor called two heavenly generals standing by the curtain behind him and instructed them, “Take these Buddha’s Seven Treasures to the back hall and store them properly.”
The two generals took the golden and silver plates from the fairies. One of them, quick-eyed, noticed the Jade Emperor’s left hand under the table and quickly struck down. Seeing the Jade Emperor’s furrowed brows and his intense gaze on the golden plate, the general, who was well aware of the Jade Emperor’s intentions, pretended to be careless. With a few clinks, the glass bowl, glass cups, and conch cups all shattered on the ground.

At this moment, the Jade Emperor was turning around, smiling as he raised his cup to drink with the other immortals. Suddenly, they heard a strange noise behind them; not only him, but all the immortals in the hall were shocked.