The whipping continued.
Perhaps his aunt's family couldn't bear to watch any longer, as the boy's cries had drawn out the neighbors. Under his father's continued lashing and questioning, the boy finally confessed to taking the money. Upon hearing his confession, everyone present shook their heads in unison.
"So young and already sneaking around. What will he be like when he grows up?"
"He's just a child, perhaps he didn't understand. Forget it, as long as he returns the money."
"..."
The surrounding people whispered amongst themselves, and the boy's father's face grew extremely grim. Finally, pulling the boy along, his father dragged him back into their home.
However, the money the boy claimed to have hidden under his pillow was nowhere to be found. His father, enraged, beat him once more. Trembling, the boy curled up in a corner, his eyes devoid of tears.
The scene shifted, and dusk began to settle.
The boy's father went from one small shop outside his aunt's house to another, eventually learning at a convenience store that the boy's aunt's child had indeed bought snacks with ten yuan that afternoon.
The truth, at last, was revealed.
Meanwhile, the boy lay on his bed, numbly staring at the ceiling, as if the pain from the numerous bruises was no longer significant.
The scene froze once more. Li Xuan, however, frowned and looked at the Tathagata Buddha. "Buddha, is that the end?"
The Tathagata Buddha seemed to understand Li Xuan's thoughts and smiled slightly. "Heavenly Mandated One, do you wish to know what happened next?"
Li Xuan nodded. "Did his father apologize to him? Did his aunt's family punish their own child? And did they acknowledge their wrongful accusation?"
The Tathagata Buddha shook his head. "Alas, the ways of the mortal world are unpredictable. Heavenly Mandated One, you should see for yourself." As the Tathagata Buddha finished speaking, the frozen scene began to move again.
The boy's father never uttered a single word of apology to the boy. Even the aunt's family, who had initially wronged the boy, offered no apology to him or his father. Only the boy himself walked to the rooftop, a folded note in his hand, and jumped.
Li Xuan felt a pang of sorrow that seemed to emanate from the depths of his soul as he read the words on the boy's note.
"I didn't take it."
...
"Buddha, this is all just an illusion, isn't it?" Li Xuan asked, a sense of inexpressible emotion welling up as he looked at the Tathagata Buddha uncertainly.
"Reality arises from the mind; the mind gives rise to myriad things. Yet, one thought can lead to heaven, another to hell. Heavenly Mandated One, if you say this is merely an illusion, then so be it." The Tathagata Buddha smiled slightly and chanted a Buddhist mantra.
Li Xuan was taken aback. With a shift in his thoughts, he suddenly grasped the Tathagata Buddha's unspoken meaning. Whether this was real or not was irrelevant to him. Though he felt sympathy, he could not change anything.
Even if he could help the boy find the real culprit sooner, it would only be a temporary solution. The boy's destiny had already been sealed from the beginning. Such a scene would inevitably recur.
"Your Buddhist wisdom is profound, venerable Buddha. I have learned much," Li Xuan said, bowing respectfully to the Tathagata Buddha.
The Tathagata Buddha smiled, then looked at Li Xuan. "Heavenly Mandated One, reflecting on these three lifetimes, what insights have you gained?"
Li Xuan's expression turned serious. "In the first life, Li Xiuyuan sacrificed himself to control the beasts, his son taking his place. This embodies the spirit of great selflessness. To become a Buddha, one needs this spirit of great selflessness."
The Tathagata Buddha nodded with a smile but remained silent, gesturing for Li Xuan to continue.
Li Xuan spoke again. "In the second life, purifying the flaws of others for their joy, even at the cost of one's own existence. This is the spirit of great sacrifice essential to Buddhism, to save all beings."
The Tathagata Buddha also nodded with a smile. Li Xuan, however, furrowed his brow slightly. "As for the third life, my understanding is lacking. I humbly request the Buddha's guidance."
"Benevolence is an indispensable element in this world. When this resides in everyone's heart, all can become Buddhas. Regardless of species or virtue, by recognizing the good in every sentient being and encouraging it, they can persevere. This is the true function of a Buddha."
"I ask you, in this world, who has not made a mistake? Who can guarantee they will never err? Heavenly Mandated One, even if one has truly erred, as long as they are willing to repent and reform, the gates of Buddhism will never be closed to them."
"Sometimes a single word or deed can lead to life or death. A single word or deed can also save someone from dire straits."
"It is better to enlighten one who is difficult to enlighten than to enlighten one who is easily enlightened. This, then, is the true function of a Buddha."
"Heavenly Mandated One, I hope you will keep my words in your heart. One day, you will come to understand them."
A flicker of contemplation appeared in Li Xuan's eyes, clearly indicating that the Tathagata Buddha's words had resonated with him. Seeing Li Xuan's change, the Tathagata Buddha nodded in satisfaction.
Moments later, as the clarity in Li Xuan's eyes gradually deepened, the figure of the Tathagata Buddha slowly vanished from his place.
"Heavenly Mandated One, you have your own mission. Even we of the Buddhist sect dare not detain you lightly. The title of 'Buddha's Son' is of no use to you. However, your desires are known to me. Take this Snow Ganoderma Nine-Lotus. I wish that when we meet again, it will be as it is today."
The Tathagata Buddha's voice faded into the distance, and the surrounding scenery dissolved entirely. Li Xuan came back to his senses, looking at the snow lotus floating before him with nine pure white petals. He pondered the meaning of the Tathagata Buddha's words once more.
"It seems the Tathagata Buddha clearly knows some information that I am not yet privy to. However, since he is unwilling to reveal it, there must be a reason. Very well, this journey has yielded results, and there is no need to dwell on it too much."
Moments later, Li Xuan smiled and shook his head. He reached out and stored the Snow Ganoderma Nine-Lotus into his Qiankun Bracelet. With a thought, he appeared at the summit of Spirit Mountain.
As Li Xuan appeared, Golden Wheel Buddha and Avalokitesvara Buddha, among others, opened their eyes.
After a brief observation, Golden Wheel Buddha and the others shook their heads and closed their eyes once more.
"Farewell, until we meet again." Li Xuan paid no heed to their gazes. He bowed to the Tathagata Buddha seated in the center, then, with a flicker of movement, shot down the mountain.
On the mountainside of Spirit Mountain, as Li Xuan emerged, the leaders of various factions and observers also took notice. However, upon seeing Li Xuan flying directly down the mountain, a collective sigh of regret could be heard. It was evident they knew Li Xuan had failed in the competition for the top twenty.
"I never expected young friend Li to be the first to fail," sighed Jiang Shang, watching the projection screen. He Shuming, however, cast a suspicious glance at Li Xuan's expression on the projection.
"My apologies, Pavilion Master Jiang. The top ten Buddha's Sons are not my destiny." Li Xuan shot down rapidly. After nodding to He Shuming, he cupped his hands and addressed Jiang Shang.
Jiang Shang waved his hand dismissively, appearing somewhat powerless. "Young friend Li, reaching the top twenty is already an accomplishment. Now, we can only place our hopes on young friend Shu Qian."
Li Xuan smiled. With a thought, a spatial ring shot towards Jiang Shang. Jiang Shang caught it, looking at Li Xuan with a puzzled expression.
Li Xuan chuckled. "Pavilion Master Jiang, I have gained much from participating in this Buddha's Son selection. This token of appreciation is for you. If fellow Daoist Shu Qian successfully enters the top ten, this will also be beneficial to your pavilion. If the results are not as satisfactory, then Pavilion Master Jiang may examine this item again."
As Li Xuan finished speaking, he vanished from everyone's sight in an instant.