Gorgeous God

She is a fruit borne by the Bodhi tree. It blooms once every thousand years, bears fruit once every thousand years, and gathers spiritual power for another thousand.

He is an exalted deity of the divine realm, unrivaled in all six realms. His flowing purple robes captivate the world, and his Clear Inscription Sword slays demons and monsters.

*

When the fruit ripens after three thousand years, she accidentally tumbles into his arms, and her mind fills at once with the cool fragrance of plum blossoms.

He opens his eyes and smiles faintly, his voice as gentle as water. "I've slept for so long that even the Bodhi has blossomed and borne fruit."

*

Her spiritual power is weak, so he takes her as his disciple and helps her assume human form.

She is naive and knows nothing of the world, so he takes her on a journey through the mortal realm, catching demons and ghosts, all to help her ascend to immortality step by step.

He indulges and spoils her, giving her all his tenderness.

She honors and respects him, entrusting him with all her trust.

*

Beneath the Bodhi tree, he stands tall, his eyes seeming to hold a pool of spring water. "Since you fell to the ground in midsummer, I'll call you Xia Guo."

Bright colors fill her vision, but only his flowing blue robes enter her gaze. Her eyes curve into a smile. "If I make a terrible mistake one day, will you abandon me?"

He smiles gently and fastens a piece of Nine Heavens Spirit Jade at her waist. He strokes her hair, but gives no answer.

Long, long afterward, she finally understands: no matter what crime she commits, whether in the highest heavens or the deepest underworld, he cares only for her.

*

Chaos erupts, the eight directions fall into turmoil, and an ancient demon beast appears, allied with the realms of demons and monsters to ravage the living.

He gives up all his divine power to mend the heavens and quell the chaos.

She risks her life to preserve the last trace of his spirit. In a single night, she becomes a demon, her hair turning white as snow.

When all the splendor fades and fireworks grow cold, the Bodhi flowers bloom and fall once more. "I only wish to be the fruit on the Bodhi tree, so I can be with you, life after life."

*

One flower, one world. One tree, one Bodhi.