The scene of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave is truly spectacular. Amidst the mist and clouds, colorful clouds hang in the air, and the sun and moon cast their radiant light. Countless cypress trees surround the area, and the leaves rustle in the wind, creating a pleasant sound. Outside the cave, exotic flowers cover the ground, and a small bridge spans a stream, with fragrant herbs growing along the sides. Occasionally, the cries of immortal cranes echo through the air, resonating throughout the heavens. The cave entrance is tightly closed, giving an air of tranquility and solitude.
Approaching the cave, Sun Wukong examines a stone monument standing nearby. The monument, three zhang high and eight chi wide, is adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes, bearing the inscription "Lingtai, Fangcun Mountain, Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave."
Sun Wukong, with a joyful expression on his face, can't help but burst into laughter. This is the place where he is about to learn the extraordinary abilities that will allow him to roam freely across the Three Realms!
Suddenly, a creaking sound is heard, and the tightly closed cave door slowly opens. A young boy walks out, dressed in a green Daoist robe, his appearance extraordinary and clearly not an ordinary mortal.
The boy glances at Sun Wukong and shouts loudly, "Who are you? Why are you causing a disturbance here?"
Sun Wukong replies, "I heard this is where an immortal resides, and I've come to pay my respects and learn. I wouldn't dare to disturb."
The boy laughs, "You came to seek apprenticeship?"
"Exactly," Sun Wukong answers.
The boy says, "Our master is currently giving a sermon on the altar. Without stating the reason, he asked me to come and open the door, saying, 'There's a practitioner outside; go and receive him.' I suppose that practitioner is you?"
Sun Wukong smiles and says, "Indeed, it's me."
The boy nods and says, "Follow me inside." He then leads the way into the cave.
As Sun Wukong follows the boy, he thinks to himself: If the Patriarch specifically sent someone to welcome me, there must be a certain purpose behind accepting me as his disciple. It seems he is not just enthusiastic about any ordinary seeker.
Following the boy, Sun Wukong passes through layers of high towers, splendid pavilions, and pearl palaces, until they reach a grand hall. Inside the hall, Patriarch Bodhi sits on a high platform, with thirty little immortals standing on each side below the platform.
Patriarch Bodhi, dressed as a Daoist, appears to be covered in golden light, exuding an extremely dignified and majestic aura. Sun Wukong, upon seeing him, immediately bows in respect, saying, "Disciple sincerely seeks the Dao. Please, immortal, have mercy and accept me as your disciple."
Upon hearing this, Patriarch Bodhi thinks to himself: Although I don't know the exact reason that brought this monkey here three hundred years ahead of time, it doesn't matter. It's not something urgent. He only wants to frighten away the wild nature within him.
Patriarch Bodhi raises his eyebrows slightly and asks, "Where are you from? State your hometown and name before bowing."
Sun Wukong replies, "Disciple is from the Water Curtain Cave in the Mountain of Flowers and Fruits in the Aolai Country, East Pilgrims' Sacred Continent."
Hearing this, Patriarch Bodhi becomes furious and scolds, "Get out! A deceiver like you, practicing what kind of Dao!"
Sun Wukong, unperturbed, feigns panic and respectfully says, "Disciple speaks the truth in every word, without any falsehood."
Patriarch Bodhi says, "If you're honest, why claim to be from the East Pilgrims' Sacred Continent? Separated by two great seas, a Southern Venerate Continent, how did you manage to arrive here?"
Sun Wukong explains, "When disciple left the Water Curtain Cave, the original plan was to explore the Aolai Country and test my luck. Unexpectedly, during the journey on a wooden raft, a great wind arose at sea. This wind blew for three months straight and eventually brought me to the Southern Venerate Continent. After crossing the Southern Venerate Continent, I faced numerous hardships before reaching this place."
Patriarch Bodhi nods and doesn't inquire about the reason behind the three-month-long storm at sea. He says, "Since you arrived this way, let it be. What is your surname and given name?"
Sun Wukong replies, "I go by the name Sun Wukong."
Upon hearing this, Patriarch Bodhi asks, "Who gave you this name?"
Sun Wukong answers, "I gave it to myself."
Patriarch Bodhi suddenly stands up, his sharp eyes fixed on Sun Wukong, and asks, "Why did you give yourself such a name?"
Feeling a heavy weight on his chest, Sun Wukong forces himself to say, "Originally, I was a stone monkey with the appearance of a macaque. As my spiritual wisdom awakened, I didn't want to be like a wild beast, so I removed the 'animal' character from 'macaque' and took the surname 'Sun.' It follows the principle that in the primordial chaos, there were no surnames. Breaking through ignorance requires enlightenment. Therefore, I named myself Wukong."
Hearing this explanation, Patriarch Bodhi appears somewhat trance-like, thinking to himself, "The way he speaks and explains, this monkey not only has a connection with me but also possesses extraordinary spiritual intelligence."
Patriarch Bodhi then says, "From now on, I will address you as Wukong."
Just as Patriarch Bodhi sits down, Sun Wukong feels the oppressive feeling lifted, understanding that the Patriarch has agreed to accept him as a disciple. He expresses gratitude, and Patriarch Bodhi instructs the boy to take Sun Wukong outside, impart some basic knowledge, and arrange a place for him to rest.
The next morning, Sun Wukong wakes up early, attends lectures, and practices calligraphy while burning incense, following the routine every day. After six or seven years of such a life, Patriarch Bodhi has yet to teach Sun Wukong any aspects of the Dao, making him anxious. Finally, one day, Patriarch Bodhi suddenly announces to his disciples that he will give a sermon on the altar that day.
Sun Wukong is overjoyed, realizing that the Patriarch is about to transmit the method of cultivation to him. He eagerly follows the other disciples to the preaching hall.