It is said that the Ancestor Master began to expound the Great Dao, imparting a method to Wu Kong.
After the class dispersed, Jiang Yuan accompanied the Ancestor Master back to his quarters, while Wu Kong returned to his quiet room.
Not long after Jiang Yuan returned, there was a visitor outside the door.
He opened the door to find Zhen Jian standing there, having come to see him.
He welcomed Zhen Jian into the room.
After a moment, in the quiet room, Jiang Yuan looked at Zhen Jian and asked, "Junior Brother, what brings you to seek me? Is there something you do not understand?"
Zhen Jian shook his head, stood up, and bowed, saying, "No, I have come to thank Senior Brother for your guidance. Without your pointing out, I fear I would have fallen into demonic obstacles."
Jiang Yuan helped him up and said, "Junior Brother, you have worked hard in your cultivation. If I tell you something and you do not cultivate it, then what I say would be in vain, merely empty words."
Zhen Jian supported Jiang Yuan with his hand and said, "I was originally a foolish person, but thanks to the guidance of the Master and Senior Brother, I have come to this point today."
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Do not say such things. Your current state of divine consciousness is also worthy of congratulations."
Zhen Jian replied, "Senior Brother, I will only accept your congratulations once I have attained the proper fruit of my side path. For now, I observe that Junior Brother Wu Kong has already achieved the right path. What is the reason for this? I remember that Junior Brother Wu Kong entered the sect seven years ago and has only cultivated for nearly four years. How could he have achieved success? Senior Brother, you have cultivated for nearly a thousand years before achieving success."
Jiang Yuan said, "Wu Kong is a being born of heaven and earth, so he is different."
Zhen Jian said, "Senior Brother, I have noticed that Junior Brother Wu Kong has recently become restless in his heart and nature. Perhaps he should be warned."
Jiang Yuan sat down on the meditation cushion, his heart as calm as water, and said, "What do you mean?"
Zhen Jian replied, "I often hear that many Junior Brothers are envious of Junior Brother Wu Kong because he often shows off his abilities in front of others, making them aware of his skills, leading to comparisons of who has deeper methods. None of the Junior Brothers can match Wu Kong, and now that he has received the Master’s teachings, I fear his methods will be even greater."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan understood that Wu Kong's heart monkey was difficult to calm.
This was akin to the saying that 'when a person suddenly becomes rich, their heart becomes arrogant.' However, he had already advised him to cultivate his heart, and this time he could not intervene.
He said, "Junior Brother Zhen Jian, since the other Junior Brothers are envious, do you envy Junior Brother Wu Kong?"
Zhen Jian shook his head, "To be honest with Senior Brother, if you had asked me before I understood my true self, I would have certainly been envious due to external appearances. But now it is different."
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Junior Brother, the fruit of your side path is not far off."
Zhen Jian said, "Thank you for your words, Senior Brother. I will definitely achieve success soon."
Jiang Yuan nodded with a smile.
The Three Star Immortal Cave was opened by the Ancestor Master, and there were only three who had attained divine consciousness: himself, Wu Kong, and Zhen Jian.
The other disciples came and went, not knowing how many there were.
He asked, "What is that leaf fan you have in your hand, Junior Brother?"
Zhen Jian raised the leaf fan, his face showing embarrassment, and said, "In the past, Senior Brother pointed it out to me several times, but I could not comprehend it. The two spirits were blinded, and I held this leaf in my hand as if it were a treasure, not knowing that if I let it go, I would understand. How shameful it is for me!"
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "What do you mean by holding it now?"
Zhen Jian said, "In the past, a leaf obstructed my vision. Now I have made this leaf into a fan, holding it in my hands at all times, never forgetting the troubles of the past and my sincere heart, diligently cultivating without daring to forget."
Jiang Yuan praised, "Well done!"
Even the side path can attain the proper fruit.
If one cultivates wholeheartedly, like Zhen Jian, the proper fruit of the side path can be easily obtained.
Zhen Jian said, "Senior Brother, there is still one thing I need to ask."
Jiang Yuan said, "Speak."
Zhen Jian pondered for a long time and said, "I do not know what your divine consciousness looked like when you attained it?"
Jiang Yuan did not understand his meaning and asked, "What do you mean by 'what it looked like'?"
It was because he was a child born with divine consciousness, often helping him, which was quite different from ordinary people.
Zhen Jian replied, "Senior Brother, when I realized my true self and divine consciousness, I cried a lot and then laughed a lot. I cried because I woke up and had no more ties to the mortal world. I laughed because I realized how foolish and confused I had been, unable to distinguish between black and white."
Jiang Yuan said, "Junior Brother, when I attained divine consciousness, I did not have the same experience as you. I was already four years old when I realized my aspirations, wholeheartedly seeking the Dao."
Zhen Jian suddenly understood, respectfully bowing to Jiang Yuan, no longer confused, and did not dare to speak further.
He stood up and left.
As Jiang Yuan watched Zhen Jian depart, he was about to focus on his cultivation when he thought of the monkey.
He could not manage it, just as the monkey had once told him, "If a person does not cultivate their heart and acts for fame and profit, seeking cultivation, they will only encounter disdain."
When the monkey attained the path of longevity, he had already explained that if the roles of host and guest were reversed, it was a matter of fate.
Jiang Yuan sat quietly, refining his divine powers.
...
Meanwhile, in the old cypress tree among the Three Star Immortal Cave, everyone was gathered to discuss, but Jiang Yuan and Zhen Jian were absent.
Since Zhen Jian attained divine consciousness, he did not join the discussions, focusing solely on his comprehension, and had already achieved the proper fruit.
As for Jiang Yuan, there was no need to mention, being a true immortal of the Dao, the other disciples feared him and did not dare to invite him.
Without Jiang Yuan and Zhen Jian, they invited Wu Kong to join the discussion.
Everyone asked Wu Kong to take the seat of honor, and the monkey agreed.
The crowd asked, "Wu Kong, how did your Master show such kindness and teach you various methods?"
Sun Wu Kong laughed and said, "Brothers, this is because the Master pities me."
The crowd asked, "During the day, your Master taught you the Earthly Fiend Numbers. What kind of method is that?"
Wu Kong replied, "That is a superior method. It has seventy-two transformations and great divine powers."
The good monkey king, born of heaven and earth, was of extraordinary lineage.
When the Ancestor Master transmitted the teachings, he had already mastered most of it, only needing to refine it a little more.
The Earthly Fiend Numbers were also being mastered thoroughly, making it difficult for anyone to surpass him.
The crowd asked, "Could you teach us?"
Wu Kong said, "This is a superior method, but the Master has said it is a secret that cannot be transmitted, so it cannot be done!"
The crowd said, "We have heard that the Great Senior Brother has also cultivated this method. Wu Kong, how do you compare with the Great Senior Brother?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Kong laughed and said, "The Great Senior Brother's Dao is profound, while mine is shallow. There is bound to be a difference. After I cultivate for a few more years, I will definitely catch up to the Great Senior Brother and achieve a balance."
The crowd laughed and said, "The Great Senior Brother has cultivated for hundreds of years. How can you catch up? You are just trying to fool us; you cannot surpass the Great Senior Brother."
Wu Kong, hearing this, felt a bit annoyed and jumped up, saying, "I am different; I am born of heaven and earth, and I can catch up!"
The crowd laughed again, "The monkey is trying to scare us, the monkey is trying to scare us!"
Wu Kong fell silent, only thinking of the opportunity to compare with the Great Senior Brother, measuring the depth of their Dao.
...
Unbeknownst to them, the night grew deep.
While Jiang Yuan was quietly cultivating, he suddenly felt a gentle breeze coming, partially opening his door, and a voice reached his ears.
"Child, come."
This was the call of the Ancestor Master.
Jiang Yuan did not dare to delay, quickly putting on his clothes and leaving his room.
He walked to the Ancestor Master's quiet room, where he saw the Ancestor Master sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, waiting for him.
He entered, performed a bow, and said, "Disciple pays respects to Master. Thank you for waiting so long."
The Ancestor Master said, "Get up, get up! Come closer. Today I will expound the Great Dao. I see that you have already achieved divine powers, so I called you at midnight to impart another method."
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Master, I have not yet mastered the methods I have learned, so there is no rush."
The Ancestor Master said, "You should learn more and take your time to master them."
Jiang Yuan replied, "I am indeed troubling Master with the transmission of methods."
The Ancestor Master said, "I must transmit my methods to you. Your current protective methods have a hundred and eight major techniques, the Universe in the Sleeve, and the True Fire of Samadhi. You should refine a method for riding the clouds to ensure your safety."
Jiang Yuan asked, "Master, I have some methods for riding the clouds."
The Ancestor Master pointed at Jiang Yuan and said, "Do not bring out that method of yours for climbing the clouds."
Jiang Yuan said, "Master, within the Heavenly Gang Numbers, there is a method for riding the clouds. My method for riding the clouds is not very fast, but it can still cover a thousand miles."
The Ancestor Master said, "Covering a thousand miles is a minor method. For those with great divine powers, riding the clouds should allow one to travel from the North Sea in the morning to Cangwu in the evening. If you can only cover a thousand miles, how many years will it take you to traverse the three realms?"
Jiang Yuan performed a bow and said, "Please transmit to me a method for riding the clouds. As you said, my method for riding the clouds is not worthy of mention."
The Ancestor Master said, "All immortals ride the clouds by leaping up, and you should do the same. Since it is this way, I will transmit to you the 'Celebration Cloud Method,' which can cover two hundred and forty thousand miles, corresponding to the twenty-four qi of heaven and earth."
Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Disciple thanks Master!"
The Ancestor Master then transmitted the secret of the incantation to Jiang Yuan.
This method was a technique for riding auspicious clouds, allowing one to travel two hundred and forty thousand miles within the three realms.
It was not a trivial matter; only those who had attained the Dao could practice it.
When Jiang Yuan understood this method, he felt that it had some similarities to his own intentions, making it easy for him to practice.
The Golden Elixir Dao was indeed remarkable; once he formed the elixir, various divine powers would be easy to master.
The Ancestor Master smiled and said, "This method has been transmitted. You should cultivate diligently. When you refine it, you will be free and unrestrained, enjoying a carefree life, which would be a wonderful thing."
Jiang Yuan bowed again and said, "Disciple will definitely devote himself to cultivation and achieve success soon."
If the Ancestor Master’s words were true, Jiang Yuan practicing this Celebration Cloud Method would indeed be comprehensive, free and unrestrained, enjoying a carefree life.
This was because Jiang Yuan possessed the method of eternal life, a hundred and eight transformations, the Universe in the Sleeve, the True Fire of Samadhi, and with the addition of the Celebration Cloud Method, he would be complete.
The Ancestor Master nodded and pointed to a meditation cushion, saying, "Child, do you know Wu Kong?"
Jiang Yuan moved forward to sit down and said, "Master, I know him."
The Ancestor Master said, "What do you have to say?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "Junior Brother Wu Kong is born of heaven and earth, his alchemical path has been completed, his immortal body has been infused, and his nature has been clarified. However, Junior Brother Wu Kong's heart monkey is growing with demonic influence, causing disturbances within him, and the two spirits have secretly given rise to six thieves, leading to a reversal of host and guest."
The Ancestor Master said, "He is indeed restless. Let us observe for a while. If after a year or two he still does not change his heart, I will not keep him."
Jiang Yuan said, "Master, Junior Brother Wu Kong's talent is indeed remarkable."
The Ancestor Master shook his head and said, "It is a reversal of host and guest. Zhen Jian has already attained divine consciousness, but it will take some time for him to achieve the proper fruit of the side path. However, Zhen Jian cultivates the side path, and the proper fruit is easy to obtain. I estimate he will succeed in a hundred years."
Jiang Yuan said, "Zhen Jian is wise yet appears foolish. Once he awakens, he will surely achieve success."
The Ancestor Master smiled and then instructed Jiang Yuan to leave, telling him to practice the Celebration Cloud Method diligently.
Jiang Yuan performed a bow and left, returning to his quiet room, focusing on cultivating the Celebration Cloud Method.
...
Time passed quickly, and before long, more than half a month had gone by.
Jiang Yuan had fully mastered the Celebration Cloud Method.
This was because this method resonated with his own intentions, making it easy for him to practice.
The method simply required one to leap up and gather auspicious clouds, allowing one to travel two hundred and forty thousand miles, easily traversing the three realms during the day.
On this day, it was deep autumn.
Jiang Yuan left the Immortal Cave and saw that the autumn scenery was bleak, the crisp air high and lonely, with yellow leaves falling by the roadside and white clouds drifting over the ridge.
He felt relaxed and was about to test the Celebration Cloud Method.
Just as he was about to perform the method, he suddenly saw the monkey approaching, causing him to stop in his tracks.
The monkey came closer and bowed, saying, "Great Senior Brother, I have been waiting for you."
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "You monkey, why are you out here instead of cultivating in the manor?"
After saying this, he looked closely at the monkey.
This monkey had deep methods, capable of traveling a thousand miles in a day, and had likely mastered the Earthly Fiend Techniques.
Wu Kong said, "Great Senior Brother, I have something to ask of you."
Jiang Yuan asked, "Speak, and if I can assist you, I will certainly help you."
Wu Kong said, "Great Senior Brother, I have been cultivating alone, but I have never tested my divine powers with others. I do not know the depth of my abilities or the height of my Dao. Therefore, I wish to test my powers with you, so I can understand my strengths and weaknesses."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan understood Wu Kong's intention.
He asked, "Are you truly going to test your powers with me?"
Wu Kong replied, "Indeed, indeed. It is to test my powers and know my strengths and weaknesses."
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "Since that is the case, I will oblige you. However, I am not free right now. Let us meet here in five days, and I will test my divine powers with you."
Wu Kong was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, Great Senior Brother!"
Jiang Yuan sent the monkey away.
Seeing the monkey today, he realized that if one cultivates without cultivating their heart, they will end up in such a state.
The Ancestor Master often taught him to cultivate the heart and act accordingly, and this was the result.
This monkey was indeed like the rebellious character from "Journey to the West," who could not be taught and insisted on testing divine powers.
Jiang Yuan shook his head; the path lay beneath his feet, and he could not manage how he walked it.
He began to practice the Celebration Cloud Method, reciting the incantation and gathering auspicious clouds beneath him.
When the clouds gathered, he leaped up, witnessing the true immortal achieving marvelous methods, traveling two hundred and forty thousand miles, almost crashing into the heavenly realm.
Fortunately, he stopped in time, avoiding the attention of the heavenly soldiers.
He then soared over Mount Wanshou, crashing into the Southern Continent.
There, he saw the three disasters of the Southern Continent raging: war, plague, and famine.
Jiang Yuan gathered auspicious clouds and traveled to the edge of the Southern Continent, stopping near the great sea of the Eastern Victory Divine Continent.
However, he was not very familiar with this method, and traveling two hundred and forty thousand miles, he was careening about.
If he did not stop, he would truly disturb the peace of the three realms.
Fortunately, Jiang Yuan had a sense of proportion.
When he landed on the Eastern Victory Divine Continent, he recited the incantation again and gathered auspicious clouds, returning to Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain.
When Jiang Yuan arrived at the cave, he had left around noon, and now it was only a little past the hour of the rat.
This was indeed great divine power; traveling two hundred and forty thousand miles with auspicious clouds.
He thought to himself, "I am not very familiar with this. If I refine it, it will truly be vast as heaven and earth. I can go anywhere, just as Master said, traveling from the North Sea in the morning to Cangwu in the evening, which is precisely this principle."
Jiang Yuan returned to the Three Star Immortal Cave, intending to refine the Celebration Cloud Method.
From then on, the child practiced various divine powers, the hundred and eight major techniques to evade disasters, the Universe in the Sleeve to protect himself, the True Fire of Samadhi to fend off enemies, and the Celebration Cloud Method as a means of riding the clouds, further enhanced by the Golden Elixir's efficacy in divine powers, ensuring he would not be harmed by water or fire, nor by weapons.
...
Before long, five days had passed.
Jiang Yuan accepted Wu Kong's invitation to test their divine powers.
He exited the cave and saw Wu Kong waiting eagerly, scratching his ears and feeling restless.
Wu Kong looked at Jiang Yuan and jumped up to bow, saying, "Great Senior Brother, I have been waiting for a long time."
Jiang Yuan, holding a dust whisk and wearing a robe of sun and moon purple, with a jade pendant at his waist, returned the greeting and said, "Wu Kong, since you have achieved success, why are you so impatient? Cultivation requires calmness; do not be so agitated."
Wu Kong said, "Great Senior Brother, I understand. It is because I have never tested my divine powers with others, and my heart is filled with joy, making me restless."
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "If you want to test your divine powers, I will oblige you. I wonder what divine powers you have cultivated?"
Wu Kong replied, "Great Senior Brother, I have mastered the seventy-two transformations! Additionally, the Master has taught me the 'Somersault Cloud.'"
Requesting monthly tickets.
The chapter is combined; does it look more comfortable this way? (^▽^)
(End of Chapter)