Ever since Sun Wukong obtained the seventy-two transformations of the Earthly Fiends, his cultivation progressed by leaps and bounds. In a short span of five or six years, he entered the ranks of immortals, covering a thousand miles in a day.
The seventy-two transformations had become second nature to him, capable of transforming not only inanimate objects but also animals. Currently, he was diligently practicing the transformations of animals, a task much more challenging than transforming inanimate objects. Sun Wukong often visited the North Sea near Mount Fangcun, observing the behavior of fish and shrimp, hoping to gain insights and inspiration.
As usual, after getting up early in the morning, Sun Wukong headed towards the North Sea.
"Senior Brother, that monkey has left. I've been observing him for three months, and I've got all his movements under control. Why not take this opportunity to teach him a lesson?" In secret, Zhitong spoke to Dajue.
"We must not act recklessly. Our master possesses vast divine powers, and if he finds out that we are oppressing fellow disciples, he won't let us off easily." Dajue shook his head, refusing the suggestion.
"Dajue Senior Brother, that monkey possesses a precious treasure, and our master has always favored him, unwilling to impart to us the exquisite techniques. Treasures are often found with virtuous individuals. Why not force that monkey to reveal the heart method of the seventy-two transformations?" Zhitong incited.
Upon hearing this, Dajue's face immediately became extremely unpleasant. Four hundred years ago, he narrowly escaped the thunder calamity, and now the fire calamity was imminent. He had no confidence in surviving this upcoming fire calamity.
Over the years, numerous senior brothers had perished in the fire calamity, and the fear it induced in him was undeniable. His facial muscles twitched, and his eyes flickered left and right. Finally, he made a determined decision, gritted his teeth, and said, "In that case, follow that monkey, find an opportunity to subdue him, and force him to reveal the heart method. I will provide support in secret to prevent other senior brothers from discovering us." Zhitong immediately became excited and hurriedly agreed before chasing after Sun Wukong.
...
North Sea, Sun Wukong was attentively observing the movements of various fish swimming in the sea, hoping to find the key points for transformation. Suddenly, his heart skipped a beat, and the hairs on his back stood on end. Without much thought, he quickly leaped into the air.
"Bang!" While Sun Wukong was still in mid-air, a loud noise resounded, and a huge pit with a radius of three zhang appeared in his original location.
"Zhitong, you ambushed me!" Sun Wukong looked at Zhitong in front of him with a gloomy expression.
"I didn't expect you to react so quickly, actually dodging my punch." Zhitong said with some disbelief.
Having practiced for hundreds of years and long entered the ranks of immortals, Zhitong found it unbelievable that Sun Wukong, who had been cultivating for less than ten years, could evade his surprise attack.
"Zhitong, where have I offended you? Why do you always have issues with me?" Sun Wukong asked.
"You haven't offended me, Senior Brother doesn't want to trouble you. Just recite the divine technique that Master imparted to you, and I won't bother you again in the future. Otherwise, even if I have to kill you here, no one will know." Zhitong said, looking like he had Sun Wukong under control.
Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong instantly understood that he was being set up. Zhitong had always envied and resented him, and now he was targeting the divine technique that Master had taught him. It was truly audacious.
"With your actions, aren't you afraid Master will find out?" Sun Wukong loudly rebuked.
"It seems you don't intend to speak. Then don't blame me for being ruthless." Zhitong showed a fierce look.
"I'd like to see how ruthless you can be!" Sun Wukong sneered. In an instant, his body floated in the air, and his entire aura exploded. Dust within a three-zhang radius was blown away by the powerful force. An aura of disdain for the world emanated from him.
At this moment, Zhitong felt as if Sun Wukong were an abyssal giant beast, and that aura pressed on him until he could hardly breathe. Pointing at Sun Wukong, his face filled with astonishment, he stuttered, "You, you've actually entered the realm of immortals! This is impossible. You've only been cultivating for less than ten years!"
Suddenly, Zhitong seemed to realize something, and his face became relieved. "Right, you obtained the Heaven-Reaching Method imparted by Master, hence your rapid progress. Master is biased; if I could have this divine technique, I would have ascended to the rank of Earth Immortal long ago." With this thought, his desire for this divine technique intensified.
"Humph, facing death, you still dare to speak nonsense!" Sun Wukong snorted, swept his right arm, and struck towards Zhitong horizontally.
This strike contained the essence of the Great Dao, and its formidable momentum stirred the sun and moon. A strong force traversed the empty space.
"Not good!"
Feeling the power contained in this punch, Zhitong's face changed drastically, and a chill rose from his heart. He desperately tried to dodge, but his entire aura had been locked by Sun Wukong, making it impossible to avoid.
"Boom!"
Zhitong was hit in the abdomen, flying out like a cannonball. He emitted a miserable scream and fell to the ground, unable to muster the strength to get up.
With just one punch, Sun Wukong heavily injured Zhitong, who had immersed himself in the realm of immortals for a long time.
Sun Wukong landed on the ground, walked to Zhitong's side, and said, "You spend your time dabbling in crooked methods instead of focusing on proper cultivation. Master taught me this method for a reason, and there are aspects of it that you can't comprehend. Today, I won't take your life, but I hope you seek your own fortune and don't provoke me again."