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Sun Wukong had learned spells and become an immortal under Patriarch Subhuti, and had also been given a pair of divine whips. Calculating carefully, it had been eight years since he joined the Three Stars Cave.
Wukong carefully stored away the male and female whips and went to bow before Subhuti, saying, "Master, your disciple is inexperienced and has carelessly damaged the house with the two whips."
Subhuti waved his hand and said, "It doesn't matter. These male and female whips are very powerful, so you must be cautious when using them against enemies. Don't think that having these whips lets you do as you please in the world. There are certainly others stronger than your master out there."
Wukong bowed and replied, "Master, I understand. I shall remain modest and cautious, not harming others recklessly nor underestimating anyone."
Patriarch Subhuti nodded with a smile and said, "Now that you have learned all the skills I've passed on to you, it's time for you to leave the cave and travel about. Remember, once you leave this cave, you must not mention my name or reveal where you've learned from! If it's destined, we shall meet again."
In his heart, Wukong couldn't help but think that the world was full of wonders. Perhaps Patriarch Subhuti was not one of the Three Pure Ones, but rather a powerful being who had never shown himself in or out of the Three Realms. Especially Wusheng and the other brothers and sisters, he had never seen them in either the Heavenly Court or the mortal world.
"Master, are you driving me away? What should I do after I leave?" Wukong asked.
"Ha ha! Don't ask me that; your master doesn't know what you should do. However, I have a phrase for you, just four words—'seek your true heart.' All the principles you know now are those of others. You need the idea of 'only me' to forge a new path. Be bold to try, and perhaps one day you might surpass your master. My concept of Unity of the Three Teachings is approaching Great Achievement; this should be a new path." Subhuti advised him, then couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Wukong said, "Master, I have understood, and I will take your teachings to heart. But I would like to ask, who in this world should not be provoked?"
Subhuti's expression became weird for a moment and said, "There is no one you cannot provoke now, except your master."
Considering the power of the Heavenly Court, any external invader would be turned to ashes within moments by the several Great Emperors. It was only Wukong, the demon king chosen as a pawn by both Buddhist and Taoist forces, who could turn the Heavenly Court upside down. Even daring to strike at the Jade Emperor, indeed, there was no one he could not provoke.
Wukong's thoughts raced, but he then said, "Master, I dreamt of a Great Buddha with a Golden Body who entered my dream and said I am destined to comprehend the principle of the great void and then achieve Buddha status in the Western Bliss. Now that I have become an immortal, should I join the Buddhist sect and become a Buddha Ancestor?"
Subhuti's complexion changed, and he scolded, "You rowdy monkey, stop talking nonsense! Do whatever you want to do and don't chatter here."
Wukong bowed to Subhuti and said tearfully, "Master, your disciple is leaving. I beseech you to meet me when the time comes. No matter what purpose you had in teaching me magic, I will forever acknowledge you as my master."
Subhuti was slightly taken aback by his words, but Wukong had already disappeared using the Traverse Through Earth Golden Light, leaving the Three Stars Cave. Before he had gone two miles, he was intercepted by Wusheng.
Wukong said, "Sister Wusheng, why are you stopping me?"
Wusheng replied, "Wukong, I have three elixirs here which are top-notch treasures capable of resurrecting the dead. Take them for protection."
As she spoke, she took out a small porcelain bottle from her sleeve, containing three elixirs, and handed it to Wukong, saying, "The Three Realms are vast, with countless experts. Don't think that with the two magical treasures from master and your little bit of skill, you can roam the world unchallenged. Cultivate diligently, avoid karma, and as there were omens when you achieved immortality, you are bound for extraordinary accomplishments someday."
Wukong bowed and said, "Sister, I have etched your guidance in my heart over these past eight years. If I accomplish anything in the future, I will never forget your great kindness and grace."
Getting along with people also requires great wisdom. In his past life, he was carefree and unruly, often angering Wusheng. Now, he understood many social intricacies and got along with Wusheng quite well. The three elixirs she gave were an unexpected delight. The Buddhist sect was profound, and Wukong needed to accumulate slowly in order to confront Tathagata. Otherwise, he too would inevitably turn to ash.
Wusheng left with a flick of her sleeve, saying indifferently, "Go now... There is a Sea-Calming Needle in the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, a weapon forged by the holy king Yu the Great during Ancient Times for controlling water. You should go and claim it as a handy weapon for yourself."
Wukong looked back, but where could he see Wusheng's figure? Mount Square Inch and the Three Stars Cave had also vanished, leaving him secretly astonished. At the very least, Wusheng's mana must be on par with that of a Daluo Golden Immortal, while Patriarch Subhuti's powers were unfathomably high.
Wukong faced the direction of Mount Square Inch and bowed three times. Then, calling upon his cloud somersault, he leaped onto the cloud and flew away with a loud shout.
Thinking to himself, Wukong pondered, "Master's influence must belong to the Daoist sect, but he seeks the Integration of the Three Teachings. I wonder if he has any connection to the Buddhist sect? Sister Wusheng told me to go to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace to get the Sea-Calming Needle, which must have been planned. By going to the Dragon Palace, I would naturally antagonize the Heavenly Court..."
If Wukong focused on secluded cultivation, Tathagata would find a way to send him on the Journey to the West. It was his fate, having been born from the Crystal Stone left by Nu Wa. Among the Four Great Divine Monkeys of heaven and earth, the leader is the VLOOKUP(A1300,[1]Sheet1!$A:$B,2,0), which is Wukong.
"Well, no matter what, I am destined to claim the Jingu Bang. Even if Sister didn't tell me, I would still go for it," Wukong thought to himself. In no time, he had reached the Eastern Sea and dove into the water using his divine skills.
Meanwhile, Wusheng had returned to Three Stars Cave and after paying respect to Subhuti, said, "Master, I have directed Wukong to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace to get the Sea-Calming Needle."
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Patriarch Subhuti nodded and said, "There are also many masters in the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace. You should go up to the heavens and inform Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, and let him give Ao Kuang a heads-up."
Wusheng did not dare to neglect her duty, and ascended beyond the Thirty-Three Heavens to Jade Void Palace.
At the feet of Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch sat the White Crane Boy, who was already waiting outside for Wusheng. He said, "Sister Wusheng, the Patriarch already knows of your arrival and instructed me to wait for you here."
Wusheng hurried into the Jade Void Palace and saw Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch sitting high above on the Jade Terrace, his hands forming a spell over his knees as he meditated with closed eyes. Yuan Shi's face was stern as if chiseled by knives, appearing middle-aged, but his aura was extremely profound, instilling an immediate sense of awe in Wusheng.
"Wusheng pays respects to the Patriarch," she said, bowing deeply to Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch.
"Mm..." Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch nodded slightly and then asked the White Crane Boy, "Is the Southern Immortal Weng not here yet?"
The boy was just about to speak when the Southern Immortal Weng, the Emperor of Eternal Life serving in Heavenly Court, rushed into Jade Void Palace. He bowed hastily before Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch and said, "Southern Immortal Weng pays respects to the Leader Teacher. May I ask why the teacher has summoned this disciple?"
Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch took out a jade token and said, "This is my jade token. You shall use it to carry out the task, and Wusheng will explain the details to you."
Wusheng bowed her head in gratitude and, after discussing the matter with Southern Immortal Weng on the side, she bowed again to Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch and said, "Leader Teacher, your disciple shall depart now."
Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch said, "Go."
Wusheng and Southern Immortal Weng descended together, and he saluted her, saying, "Daoist Wusheng, I shall proceed to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace to convey our intention to Ao Kuang. Would you return to your Sect to report, or accompany me? "
Wusheng smiled and replied, "I shall accompany you. I, too, am eager to see whether my junior brother has the ability to acquire the Sea-Calming Needle."
Southern Immortal Weng said, "Please."
The two of them arrived at the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace before Wukong had, and using the water escape technique, they proceeded to the Dragon Palace. The marine creatures they encountered along the way all steered clear, and even the vicious deep-water beasts dared not approach. One was a Great Emperor of Heavenly Court, and the other a disciple of Patriarch Subhuti; both were extraordinary figures, their presence alone was enough to ward off all malevolence.
"Haha, haha! Distinguished guests, distinguished guests! The arrival of Emperor of Eternal Life graces us; I was unaware, please forgive me," Ao Kuang said, bowing at the entrance of the Dragon Palace. "Eh? And who might this Daoist friend be?"
Southern Immortal Weng replied with a smile, "My apologies for the interruption. This Daoist friend is none other than Wusheng, whose mana is profound, not at all inferior to mine."
Ao Kuang knew that Southern Immortal Weng was a disciple of Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, with formidable mana. After the Divine Enthronement War, he was appointed as the Emperor of Eternal Life in Heavenly Court, with immense power over the lifespan of all creatures.
Ao Kuang then greeted her, saying, "I have the pleasure of meeting Daoist Wusheng."
Wusheng merely laughed and said, "There's no need for formalities, Dragon King. We have descended on the edict of the Saint."
Ao Kuang was taken aback. He normally had little to do with Saints, but during Wukong's sea journey, Xuandu Grand Master, a prominent disciple from the Human Teachings, had already come to warn him not to stir up trouble, to conjure a southeast wind, and to send that Monkey towards the Southern Toad Continent.
With a chuckle, Southern Immortal Weng showed Ao Kuang the decree from Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, respectfully presented it, and said, "By the order of my teacher, I am to inform the Dragon King that the Monkey King of Flower-Fruit Mountain, Sun Wukong, has come again to the Eastern Sea to claim the Sea-Calming Needle from your Dragon Palace. When that happens, do not obstruct him, yet also do not yield readily; put up a show of resistance before reporting the matter to the Jade Emperor. My teacher will have his own plans by then."
Aware of the Saint's vast divine powers, which could reduce him to ashes in a snap, and although he was nominally under the authority of Heavenly Court, Ao Kuang had not been faithfully executing the Jade Emperor's orders, often practicing insubordination. His true superior was North Pole True Martial Demon Conquering Emperor — the Mysterious Turtle had achieved Dao and studied at Mount Wudang, revered the Three Pure Ones greatly, and as a member of the Three Pure Ones, Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch was effectively Ao Kuang's supreme leader.
Southern Immortal Weng then discreetly advised Ao Kuang, "Do so and so, in this and that way..."
After giving his instructions, he and Wusheng concealed themselves in a rear hall, for at that moment, Wukong had already plunged into the sea.
With a silent sigh, Ao Kuang ordered his subordinates to show Wukong a tough stance initially, then to hand over the Jingu Bang as not to appear overly abrupt.
The developments of what happened next, please listen to the explanation in the following episode.
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