Sun Wukong and Wang Yang walked toward the square together, scratching their heads and cheeks from time to time, their hearts filled with immense emotion.
In the blink of an eye, it seemed like more than a decade had passed since he had arrived at the Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave.
And after spending so long, he had advanced from a demon monkey that could only instinctively absorb nature's spiritual energy to a cultivation level of Taiyi Golden Immortal.
His senior brother had been cultivating for hundreds of years and, although he seemed to have a lower cultivation level, only slightly higher than his own, it had always been the case since he began to understand the realms of cultivation.
When he was still a Human Immortal, his senior brother was at the Peak of Earth Immortal.
However, when he reached the early Taiyi Golden Immortal phase, his senior brother was at the later stage of Taiyi Golden Immortal.
It seemed like his senior brother was always just a bit higher than him.
Could that really be his senior brother's true realm? Clearly, it could not be.
His senior brother must be concealing his cultivation level. Considering how quickly he himself had cultivated, how could his senior brother just now be catching up?
There was only one possibility, his senior brother must be a master far beyond his imagination.
"My senior brother is already unimaginably powerful, yet he still pretends to be weak!"
"I am clearly still weak, yet I often feel quite good about myself!"
The gap between him and his senior brother seemed still very large.
He must remember every word said by his senior brother, so he can continue to grow stronger without endangering his monkey descendants!
The more Sun Wukong thought this way, the more he felt he was right.
Looking at his senior brother, he was already so powerful and yet unwilling to relax, still pursuing the Dao here. Could he do the same?
Indeed, he must cultivate well, strive hard in his cultivation.
Wang Yang sensed Sun Wukong looking at him, which made him feel somewhat uneasy. Had this monkey seen through him?
Alas, having cultivated for hundreds, nearly a thousand years, what did it feel like to be caught up by Sun Wukong in just a decade? Painful.
Fortunately, the Cultivation Technique he imparted to Sun Wukong could be synchronized, otherwise, he might have had to look up to Sun Wukong now.
In pain and yet enjoying it.
Currently, his cultivation was only at the level of Celestial Immortal, while Sun Wukong had reached Earth Immortal Cultivation.
Although not high, it was still not bad.
Thus, they could avoid attracting Patriarch Bodhi's attention and let Patriarch Bodhi know that they had not relaxed their vigilance over the years.
However, Wang Yang also understood that Sun Wukong's current realm could not possibly satisfy Patriarch Bodhi.
After all, only when Sun Wukong reached the intermediate phase of Taiyi Golden Immortal could he cause Havoc in Heaven, the purpose of which was to justifiably confine Sun Wukong under the Five Elements Mountain. By then, it could wear down his will, thus protecting Xuanzang as he journeys to the Western Heaven to seek the scriptures.
Although the journey was all arranged, the process still mattered. There were some real monsters, and with Sun Wukong's protection, Xuanzang could travel worry-free!
Otherwise, if Xuanzang were eaten, how could Buddhism flourish?
With his current cultivation, Sun Wukong could stay here and also delay the Journey to the West. Could this be considered a change in Sun Wukong's fate?
As Wang Yang pondered this, he and Sun Wukong arrived at the square.
By now, the square was already filled with many fellow disciples.
Upon seeing Wang Yang, everyone was shocked; previously only a Human Immortal, he had now reached Celestial Immortal.
Worthy of being the senior brother, accumulating quietly to release suddenly!
They all thought the senior brother's innate ability was lacking, but now it appeared adequate; it was just his time to shine that was a bit slow.
In their hearts, they sighed. As for seeing Sun Wukong, they were even more astonished.
Ten years from a wild monkey to Earth Immortal?
What kind of innate ability was that, his cultivation speed was way too fast.
One must understand that the time taken for cultivation is always counted in centuries, and time equals the accumulation of cultivation.
Thus, thick accumulation leads to sudden progression, which is why most of them only reach the level of Earth Immortal.
However, with the presence of the Honorable Master, they naturally wouldn't say anything and instead withdrew their gaze, turning towards Patriarch Bodhi.
Sun Wukong didn't think too much about it. It was his senior brother who had announced him as an Earth Immortal. If it were up to him, he would have chosen Human Immortal to keep a low profile.
"Come, have a seat!"
Wang Yang beckoned to Sun Wukong, and they both sat down nearby.
It was normal for them to have a good relationship, after all, the Honorable Master had given him the monkey unexpectedly. On the contrary, it would be inconceivable to keep a distance.
However, that was all there was to it in terms of their demeanor.
After all, being too intimate would lead to suspicions about him once Sun Wukong revealed his cultivation level.
"Alright, since almost everyone is here, let's begin the sermon!"
At that moment, Patriarch Bodhi looked over the many disciples before slowly speaking.
"We greet Ancestor Master!"
The disciples from Central Europe also stood up and bowed respectfully.
Sun Wukong and Wang Yang did the same.
At this moment, Patriarch Bodhi, with great interest, carefully examined Sun Wukong, although he did not care about the cultivation levels of the other disciples.
But after a brief check, Patriarch Bodhi's expression unexpectedly changed.
Has he only reached the Initial Phase of Earth Immortal?
Patriarch Bodhi was surprised.
According to their understanding of Sun Wukong, after absorbing so much of nature's spiritual energy and the Essence of the Sun and Moon, even though the cultivation technique limited his comprehension, his potential should have allowed him to reach Taiyi Golden Immortal, which would have been sufficient.
Yet now, after cultivating for ten years, he had only reached Earth Immortal?
This was simply inconceivable!
Patriarch Bodhi furrowed his brows, his mind filled with curiosity and doubts.
However, with so many disciples present, it was not appropriate to delve deeper at that moment. He could only wait until the sermon ended to keep the monkey back and inquery further.
If there was indeed a problem, there was still a chance to rectify it.
During the disciples' bowing, Patriarch Bodhi's thoughts fluctuated, and after a moment, he made a decision.
After all, the Journey to the West's Calamity of Measurement concerns the great rise of Buddhism and the subsequent calamities of the celestial hosts, and these matters too must not suffer any slip-ups.
"Mystery of the cosmic fate, enlightenment in myriad mysteries, if…"
As the many disciples settled down, the voice of the sermon slowly spread, and they all listened attentively.
Although they were puzzled why the Ancestor Master's sermons had become more frequent these years, for them, it was a significant benefit, and naturally, they didn't look into it deeper.
And as the sermon proceeded, it echoed with the universe.
In an instant, Daoist charm filled the air, and suddenly, flowers rained down from the sky, and numerous golden lotuses congealed.
Countless cranes flew across the sky, countless spiritual energies congealed, making the square seem like it was situated within the Immortal Realm.
Many disciples, including Director Yang, displayed a look of enlightenment, sinking into an epiphany.
Though it was only a sermon, reaching the realm of Patriarch Bodhi, even revealing just a part of his understanding, was enough to bring them immense benefit.
Wang Yang and Sun Wukong also couldn't help but fall into enlightenment, achieving many gains.
Days passed leisurely, yet the Voice of the Great Dao lingered, and Daoist charm gathered.
Patriarch Bodhi looked at Sun Wukong, "It's time to see what is wrong with Sun Wukong!"