Chương 9: Chapter 9: Shi Yue Gains a Treasure, and the Plot Goes Haywire

"Why haven't you left yet?" The freckled sister asked, puzzled.

Shi Yue kept his head down, silent, thinking to himself that leaving would just get him beaten up. No way was he falling for that—he was no fool.

"Aren't you afraid I'll..." The sister squinted her beautiful phoenix eyes.

Shi Yue remained silent, and the freckled-faced sister glared angrily. "Fine! Suit yourself! I won't leave either! I'd like to see how long you can sit there!"

The two seemed locked in a staring contest of sorts, except Shi Yue had his eyes closed while the sister's glare could pierce. Sun Wukong, sitting nearby, shivered with amusement. He found delight in his brother's mysterious defiance against the formidable sister, suspecting Shi Yue might be as bruised as he had been.

Despite his amusement, Sun Wukong didn't wish to leave. Bodhi's three taps were indeed a punishment, causing his soul to nearly scatter. It revealed Bodhi's unfathomable strength and imparted a profound lesson—what the taps implied was a revelation. He was curious why Shi Yue remained as well; surely they'd all be caught past midnight?

Sun Wukong scratched his head, perplexed, prompting a cold rebuke from the sister, "Don't know your limits, do you? Just reached Golden Immortal and already pompous. Little Black reached this stage three years ago without flaunting. Keep this up and you'll get in trouble, hmph!"

Both brothers tuned out her later rant. The nickname 'Little Black' boiled Shi Yue's blood. He, the future demon king of Flower-Fruit Mountain, twin to the illustrious Sun Wukong, now belittled as 'Little Black'? What was this vixen's background?

Likewise, Sun Wukong's eyes sparkled as he unraveled the silence of his brother's expression—Shi Yue's silence was a revelation. It struck Sun Wukong that Shi Yue had surpassed him without boasting, an unsettling realization.

Born of the same Chaos Stone, their bond deepened over endless companionship unmarked by rank. Yet, the question of superiority lingered. Sun Wukong's pride clashed with his fear of losing. For Shi Yue, it was inconsequential; they were brothers, superiority was irrelevant.

Thoughtful, Sun Wukong's excitement waned. The sister's taunts infused a new spark, fueling his readiness to spar. Despite her vast experience, she dismissed his glares, scoffing, "Despite your rank, I can still thrash you!"

Sun Wukong bubbled with eagerness, before starting with a realization. He glanced at Shi Yue, noticing his brother's quiet resolve—his attainment of Golden Immortal had not saved him from the sister's wrath, yet Shi Yue's power deterred him, fearing Bodhi's mysterious might.

Silence fell; Shi Yue stood firm, unfazed by her threats—if her antics drew punishment, they'd all suffer. His defiant stance baited all consequences, driving the sister's persistence.

I'll see what you two monkeys are plotting, she thought.

The moon rose, time slipping by, the flickering shadows crawling into midnight. Shi Yue's eyes snapped open, met by the sister's baffled look, triggering satisfaction. Let her choose to follow—or not.

Sensing the moment, Sun Wukong caught Shi Yue's nod, rising to follow without hesitation. He realized Shi Yue decoded Bodhi's cryptic message.

Staring puzzled, the sister hesitated, then with a stamp of indignation, resigned to accompany them.

They circled Bodhi's sealed quarters, slipping into a side entrance, where Bodhi sat, eyes half-shut. Upon entry, his gaze calmly opened, "Why have you come?"

Sun Wukong answered swiftly, "Master, you beckoned us here at third watch. Your three taps instructed us. You turned away, leaving doors sealed, showing us to use the side gate. We dared not intrude before now."

Stunned, the sister's eyes widened. Such audacity had explanations? She joined quickly, emboldened by Shi Yue's signal, "Disciple concurs."

Bodhi nodded slightly, as unreadable as ever, turning to Sun Wukong and Shi Yue, "How long have you been here?"

Scratching his head, Sun Wukong deferred to Shi Yue, who replied, "For ten years."

Bodhi paused, directly addressing Shi Yue, "What do you seek?"

Surprised by this narrative deviation, Shi Yue composed himself, replying, "Though my progress has been swift since arriving, I've no significant spells or weapons. The strength of heaven's deities overwhelms me. When outsiders challenge my peers, I might die in silence, misrepresenting you, Master. May I petition for life-preserving skills to avoid dishonoring you?"

Shi Yue's words carried weight, effectively cornering Bodhi. Having taken them as disciples, Bodhi was compelled to impart formidable skills. Shi Yue's gamble included testing Bodhi's true allegiance, reflecting on his own skill at framing the request, evident from the astonished faces of the freckled sister and an excited Sun Wukong.

Bodhi, to their surprise, chuckled, "You cheeky monkey. Very well, I've indeed sets of life-preserving techniques ready—one in transformations, the other in divine skills. The transformations include the Celestial 36 Transformations and the Terrestrial 72 Transformations."

The freckled sister's eyes lit up, clearly familiar yet deprived of learning them. Sun Wukong's eager anticipation showed as he scratched and fidgeted, while Shi Yue remained collected, heart pounding in excitement. He asked, "Master, which of these transformations is more powerful, better for survival, and suitable for me?"

Bodhi's eyes twinkled, amused at the query. "Do you not care about the distinctions between them?"

Shi Yue, suddenly noticing Bodhi's kindness, felt bold. Grinning cheekily, he responded, "I'm focused. I just want the best for survival, most suitable for me. Both sets would be ideal, if possible."

Their responses varied—Sun Wukong flushed with restraint, the freckled sister oscillated between amazement and humor at Shi Yue's daring.

Seeing him so direct, Bodhi hesitated before smiling, bringing forth a jade ruler. Before they processed the gesture, it tapped Shi Yue's head gently.

Shi Yue felt as if a mighty mountain pressed him down, grounding him physically, his consciousness sprawling toward oblivion. Sun Wukong muffled a laugh; the sister's eyes twinkled with mischief. Shi Yue's focus returned, recognizing the jade ruler's power—an artifact rivaling the Golden Cudgel itself.

Bodhi, seeing Shi Yue's awe, chuckled, "Fine—take it. It's yours now. Named the Heaven Measuring Ruler, this treasure's long unused by me. Consider it compensation."

The freckled sister and Sun Wukong eyed the ruler enviously.

"Master, I have no divine weapon..." Sun Wukong began.

Bodhi cut him off, "Your destined weapon awaits."

"Master, and I..." the sister began.

"None here is suited for you," Bodhi intoned, granting no leeway.

Glancing at them, Bodhi continued, "Since you're all here, fate binds us. These transformations—though differing—both lead to divine mastery. Achieve unity among them, Celestial or Terrestrial. Your bodies, wrought from Chaos Stone over ages, choose freely. Feng Nu, take the Celestial 36, your journey aligned."

With Bodhi's word, golden light suffused Feng Nu, the sister known now by name, who knelt, expressing gratitude, "Thank you, Master."

Sun Wukong, impatiently scratching, declared, "Master, I choose the greater!"

"As you wish."

Bodhi gifted him the transformations, Shi Yue's eyes brightening amid the choices. Intuiting Bodhi's transition, Shi Yue chose, "I too will take the Celestial 36. Given we've complementary skills, switching enriches us both."

"Very well."

Bodhi nodded approvingly, infusing Shi Yue with the knowledge.

Shi Yue's consciousness expanded with methods for the Celestial 36 Transformations, detailed and immersive. Lost in thought, he forgot gratitude until a swift kick from Feng Nu returned awareness, prompting thanks to Bodhi, who embodied profound parental care.

Nodding, Bodhi added, "Beyond this, I offer arts like External Incarnation, Golden Body Apparition, and Cloud Riding. External Incarnation allows your essence to create a surrogate, controlled by spirit, offering boundless defense. Golden Body Apparition's force rivals universes' powers. Cloud Riding will carry you leagues in an instant, traversing earth's edge at will."