Hearing Wang Yang's words, Sun Wukong couldn't help but get excited, momentarily lost in a flurry of anticipation and longing.
What he didn't know was that even several Saints hadn't reached that realm, let alone himself. So, before that happens he had better keep a steady grip and steadily change his destiny.
"Old Sun understands, thank you for the guidance, elder brother. Your junior will surely catch up to your footsteps, and must reach that realm in his lifetime!"
Sun Wukong spoke excitedly.
But Wang Yang felt somewhat jealous.
If anyone else had said these words, he would never have believed them, but the person who spoke them was Sun Wukong.
Perhaps others couldn't do it, but Sun Wukong truly might have a chance.
If Sun Wukong's cultivation technique hadn't aligned with his own, Wang Yang might have died of envy. But now, it was much better.
"Junior brother, don't think too much. During these days, focus on practicing the cultivation techniques and divine skills I taught you. Try to reach the Taiyi Golden Immortal level. Of course, it's enough for you to reveal a Human Immortal cultivation level!"
Wang Yang advised earnestly.
Having Sun Wukong stay in the Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave was also a transformation.
"Yes, elder brother. May I practice here with you? Once I have succeeded in my cultivation one day, I will not let down the great kindness of my elder brother!"
Sun Wukong, with a twinkle in his eye, proposed.
"Good, of course you can!"
Wang Yang naturally had no objections.
Years passed in the blink of an eye, for cultivators, time flew without a trace, leaving no mark as it slipped by.
Only the breath of the cultivator grew stronger within.
Every time Wang Yang saw the changes in Sun Wukong's cultivation, he was filled with immense envy. Sun Wukong's cultivation level improved greatly after every absence, unlike Wang Yang's own progress, which advanced only slightly with each session.
After syncing with Sun Wukong's cultivation gains, he would make huge leaps, sometimes even achieving breakthroughs.
If it weren't for Sun Wukong, the peak of his life would probably have been as a Heavenly Immortal.
As for becoming a Golden Immortal, that was nearly out of the question.
This was also the forecast Patriarch Bodhi once gave him.
And now, Sun Wukong had reached the early stage of Taiyi Golden Immortal.
The Space-Time Chaos Technique, Nine-Turn Profound Art, and Hongmeng Yin Yang Transformation Technique were cultivated to an extremely high level of strength.
Though it took Sun Wukong several more years to reach Taiyi Golden Immortal, it was only because these cultivation techniques were incredibly powerful; ordinary people might spend their entire lives and achieve nothing from them, yet Sun Wukong could use them to reach such a high level of cultivation.
This was already an extraordinary achievement.
The more Sun Wukong cultivated, the more he realized the power of these techniques. If not for Wang Yang, he probably wouldn't have been able to comprehend such profound techniques and divine skills.
At the same time, he could sense Wang Yang's aura swirling around him, seeming ordinary, but it was clearly a case of simplifying complexity—his elder brother was truly a superior figure.
He needed to work even harder.
As for the Thirty-Six Transformations, though he practiced them, he didn't delve deep, as they seemed less formidable than the Hongmeng Yin Yang Transformation Technique.
…
At this time, deep within the Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave,
Patriarch Bodhi sat on his meditation cushion, puzzled.
"What's going on? Why hasn't Sun Wukong come to seek me yet?"
Four years had passed since he was to impart the Thirty-Six Transformations of Celestial Gang to Sun Wukong. Logically, that monkey should have come to find him by now so he could bestow the Flying Nimbus and let Sun Wukong leave the mountain.
But now, Sun Wukong still hadn't come to find him. He should have mastered it by now.
And with the monkey's eagerness to learn the Longevity Dao Teaching, once he mastered it, it was impossible for him not to come looking for him.
"Could it be that I've overestimated Sun Wukong? Has he not grasped it at all, so he's too ashamed to come to me?"
Patriarch Bodhi couldn't help but speculate, but he felt his speculation was somewhat shaky.
After all, Sun Wukong is nurtured by nature and is an innate deity with astonishing comprehension; otherwise, he wouldn't be limited in his progress by a cultivation technique that's common as muck.
However, Sun Wukong indeed hadn't come to seek him out, which really puzzled him.
"Could something unexpected have happened?"
Patriarch Bodhi frowned. He bore the responsibility of teaching Wukong and couldn't allow any changes to occur.
"It seems I must preach again and see how this monkey is doing. If there really is a problem, I could well explain things!"
Patriarch Bodhi murmured to himself.
After all, Sun Wukong is the one who will instigate the Calamity of Measurement of the Journey to the West; everything was about to start, and Wukong had not yet left. How could this be allowed?
Although the two from the Western direction had not said anything yet, as an embodiment of Saint Zhunti, even if Zhunti and Amitabha Buddha were silent, he was aware of certain things.
Everything must be expedited without delay so as not to affect the subsequent events of the Journey to the West's Calamity of Measurement.
Thinking this, Patriarch Bodhi didn't want to procrastinate any longer and decided to start his sermons.
Although he took on the appearance of a Taoist, it was all for the sake of Buddhism's prosperity.
The Calamity of Measurement of the Journey to the West is crucial to the rise of Buddhism. Naturally, for whatever reason, no mishap should occur.
If Wukong is unable to comprehend even this simplified version of the Thirty-Six Transformations, then I'll have to offer some guidance to ensure he can handle the various changes during the Calamity of Measurement of the Journey to the West.
…
"Great Elder Brother, I've cultivated to the early stage of Taiyi Golden Immortal. Should I still reveal the cultivation of a Human Immortal?"
Sun Wukong looked at Wang Yang with curiosity.
As Wang Yang gazed at Sun Wukong, he couldn't help but feel emotional. What others needed countless years to achieve, Wukong did with the ease of eating and drinking.
"Reveal the cultivation of an Earth Immortal!"
Wang Yang was silent for a moment. According to the original story, Wukong should be revealing the cultivation of a Taiyi Golden Immortal when he left the mountain. Although his cultivation had not yet reached that level, and it shouldn't be necessary to leave the mountain, it was still best not to overdo it.
It's better to keep things standard.
After all, if Wukong had only just become immortal now, it would seem rather unbelievable.
Patriarch Bodhi would likely not believe it either and it might even cause some trouble.
"Yes!"
Sun Wukong then revealed his cultivation at the realm of an Earth Immortal.
Seeing Wukong's cultivation, Wang Yang felt helpless. He had been there for hundreds of years and had only reached the Earth Immortal cultivation, while Wukong had only arrived not long ago and had already achieved the cultivation of a Taiyi Golden Immortal, even with such a challenging technique.
If it were him, he feared he would not be able to improve much in this lifetime.
Just as Wang Yang was feeling a mix of envy and admiration,
the sound of bells rang out.
Dong, dong, dong!
The melodious sound of bells slowly spread.
"Today I shall impart teachings. All disciples, hasten here!"
The voice of Patriarch Bodhi spread far and wide.
Then it reached Wang Yang's ears.
He couldn't help but grow curious as to why Patriarch Bodhi was convening a teaching session now.
Could it be that Patriarch Bodhi couldn't wait any longer?
Regardless, Wang Yang called out to Sun Wukong and then they both headed towards the Daoist Temple square together.
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!"
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