Unknowingly, half a month had passed, coinciding with the warm breezes of spring.
Jiang Yuan swallowed the Miao Dan, which indeed stabilized his foundation.
As he was at the stage of Golden Core formation, the qi within his body was depleting, leaving his foundation empty and unstable.
He needed to cultivate his nature in tranquility to preserve his foundation.
Now that he had consumed the Miao Dan, his foundation was much more solid, and there was no need to spend more time ensuring its stability.
After solidifying his foundation, he began to practice the 'One Hundred and Eight Great Methods' passed down by his master.
He first focused on refining the Earth Fiend Numbers, where he realized that "when one aperture is opened, all apertures are opened."
Within three days, he had mastered about thirty to forty percent of the Earth Fiend Numbers.
His heart was solely set on mastering the One Hundred and Eight Great Methods.
One day, he suddenly heard his master calling for everyone to gather and speak of the Great Dao.
Jiang Yuan naturally made his way there, taking the foremost seat in the assembly.
Dressed in plain robes, his celestial demeanor was not concealed by his clothing, instilling fear in those who beheld him, for he exuded an aura of authority, causing demons and spirits to dare not approach.
As the disciples entered the assembly and paid their respects to Jiang Yuan, they took their seats.
Jiang Yuan greeted each of them, putting their hearts at ease so they could listen quietly to the teachings.
Just as the master descended from his seat and was about to ascend the platform to speak, he suddenly paused, looking outside the hall, and said, "Just now, a cultivator has arrived from the foot of the mountain. Everyone, calm your hearts and wait a moment to listen to the Dao together."
Upon hearing this, many felt dissatisfied, thinking it was unnecessary to wait for someone else, as it wasted precious time.
Jiang Yuan remained calm and composed, sitting cross-legged in his seat.
Did he not hear? Those who come to listen to the Dao are all one and the same.
As for that cultivator, was he not also waiting for himself? A restless heart leads to chaos.
Zhen Jian, sitting behind him, also calmed his heart and sat cross-legged, not allowing the master's words to disturb his mind.
...
On Ling Tai Peak.
The Monkey King climbed high to gaze at the mountains, seeing the peaks standing like halberds, thousands of them soaring into the sky.
Indeed, it was the realm of the spiritual mountains, a blessed land of immortals.
As he walked among the mountains, he saw the "thin vines entwining ancient trees, the old ferry crossing a secluded path, the calls of distant birds, and the sound of clear springs flowing."
Not long after, the Monkey King suddenly heard a voice by his ear.
The Monkey King perked up his ears to listen, faintly hearing what sounded like an immortal song.
This song carried an aura of immortality, bringing him a sense of tranquility.
The Monkey King was filled with joy and thought, "Such immortal music must belong to the three beings residing here: the 'Immortal,' 'Buddha,' and 'Divine.' I truly do not know what kind of beings inhabit this place!"
In a hurry, the Monkey King jumped inside, pushing aside the grass and trees, only to see a woodcutter raising his axe to chop wood.
The Monkey King approached and bowed, saying, "Old Immortal, I am a disciple with a sincere heart paying my respects!"
The woodcutter, startled, quickly put down his axe and turned to return the greeting, saying, "I dare not claim such a title! How could an old man like me presume to take the title of an immortal?"
The Monkey King scratched his ears and asked eagerly, "Old brother, old brother! Since you are not an immortal, how do you sing immortal songs and music?"
The woodcutter replied, "When did I sing immortal songs and music?"
The Monkey King said, "I heard it earlier; was it not immortal songs and music?"
The woodcutter, unable to help but laugh and cry at the same time, pointed at the Monkey King and said, "You do not know, this is not immortal songs and music; this is a true saying of virtue! It was passed down from my ancestors, who had connections with the immortals of the mountains. Thus, the immortals passed down this true saying, which can relieve a troubled heart. You cannot call me an immortal. If you wish to learn, I can teach you."
The Monkey King was overjoyed and said, "Are there truly immortals in the mountains?"
The woodcutter nodded and said, "Indeed, indeed! The immortal's abode is not far from my home!"
The Monkey King asked, "Since your home is near the immortal's abode, why do you not pay respects to the immortal as your master?"
The woodcutter replied, "I have an elderly mother to care for. Besides, what good is cultivation? I have plenty of firewood at home. When I return, I can live as a wealthy guest."
The Monkey King urged, "You do not know; how many years can you enjoy such wealth? If you seek longevity, would not wealth be at your fingertips?"
The woodcutter pointed to a place and said, "Go, go, go! It is different; how can I be as carefree as you? The immortal's abode is right there; you can go there yourself. There are two immortals there, one old immortal and one young immortal. The young immortal is approachable and easy to get along with."
Upon hearing this, the Monkey King secretly took note and asked, "What does the immortal look like?"
The woodcutter replied, "Immortals have their own immortal appearance. When you see them, you will know what an immortal looks like."
The Monkey King turned around and urged again, "Old brother, I cannot forget your kindness in guiding me. Why not go with me?"
The woodcutter said, "Why do you say such things? I have already told you, I will not go! You go on your own!"
Hearing this, the Monkey King could only bow again and bid farewell, following the path through the mountains and forests, guided by the woodcutter's directions.
Before long, he saw a celestial cave appear ahead.
The Monkey King was overjoyed and approached the celestial cave but did not dare to step closer, only waiting outside.
...
On the Yao Tai, the master looked outside the hall and said, "Guangxin, go outside to welcome the cultivator."
Jiang Yuan acknowledged and rose from his seat, heading toward the cave.
After a short while, he arrived at the entrance and opened the main door wide, only to see a monkey with a furry face and a thunderous mouth waiting outside.
The monkey saw him, bowed deeply, and said, "Immortal, immortal! I am a disciple with a sincere heart paying my respects, sincerely paying my respects! I hope the immortal will show great mercy and accept me as a disciple!"
Jiang Yuan remained unfazed, bending down to help the monkey up, seeing him merely as a cultivator.
He said, "I am also a disciple under the immortal's cave, just a cultivator like you. Why do you bow to me?"
The monkey replied, "I did not know what an immortal looked like, but upon seeing you, I realized what an immortal's appearance is. It is said that immortals have compassionate hearts; I implore the immortal to accept me as a disciple!"
Jiang Yuan said, "You do not know; I am just a cultivator and cannot accept you. Just now, my master was about to speak of the Dao when he suddenly mentioned a cultivator arriving, and it must be you. If you wish to pay respects to a master, just follow me into the cave."
The monkey listened for a long time, finally realizing he could not bow to Jiang Yuan.
He said, "It is I, it is I! I sincerely hope the immortal will guide me into the door; I will never forget your kindness!"
Jiang Yuan said, "Come with me."
With that, he led the monkey into the Three Star Celestial Cave.
The monkey imitated the mannerisms of humans, remembering to tidy his clothes and sit respectfully, not daring to act recklessly.
Jiang Yuan brought the monkey to the Yao Tai, and he entered the assembly.
The monkey stepped forward, bowed down, and pressed his head to the ground, saying, "Immortal, immortal! I have come with a sincere heart to pay respects and seek to be accepted as a disciple! Please teach me, immortal, and accept me into your fold!"
This monkey's human-like behavior caused the other disciples to laugh, wondering how a monkey could come to pay respects.
In the assembly, only Jiang Yuan and Zhen Jian remained solemn, awaiting the Dao.
Regardless of how comical the monkey appeared, they did not laugh, for to laugh at others is to laugh at oneself.
The master asked, "From which region do you hail? Please clearly state your hometown and name before bowing again."
The monkey replied, "I am from the Flower Fruit Mountain Water Curtain Cave in the Ao Lai Kingdom of the Eastern Victory Divine Continent!"
The master asked again, "From the Eastern Victory Divine Continent to here, there are two vast oceans and a Southern Zhanbu Continent in between. How did you arrive?"
The monkey sincerely replied, "I crossed the ocean, first reaching the Southern Zhanbu Continent, wandering through the streets. Suddenly, I heard an unusual sound coming from the east, as I have been aware of the terrain for many years, and I followed the fragrance here."
The master looked at Jiang Yuan in the assembly, knowing it was the fragrance of the Dao that had attracted this monkey.
He smiled and said, "Guangxin, I did not expect this connection to be due to you."
Jiang Yuan stepped out of the assembly and said, "Master, it is indeed due to the fragrance of the Dao."
(End of Chapter)