It is said that in front of the Three Star Immortal Cave, Jiang Yuan and Sun Wukong were testing their divine abilities, with Jiang Yuan asking Sun Wukong what magical powers he had cultivated.
Wukong, eager to show off, said, "To be honest, Senior Brother, I have mastered the Seventy-Two Transformations. Moreover, my master has taught me the 'Somersault Cloud.'"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "I did not expect Wukong to have learned such magical powers; that is indeed impressive."
Wukong replied, "Senior Brother, this is due to my master imparting the secrets of the Dao, and also because I have been diligent day and night in my practice."
Jiang Yuan asked, "If that is the case, Wukong, how do you wish to test your magical powers?"
Wukong scratched his head and said, "What do you mean by that?"
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "Let us divide it into a literary and martial test. The literary test will be for you and me to demonstrate our magical abilities, whether it be moving mountains, riding clouds, or discussing techniques, without resorting to weapons or fire. The martial test will involve a wager on victory or defeat, measuring the depth of our skills, which will be a bit more dangerous."
Upon hearing this, Wukong thought to himself, "According to Senior Brother, the literary test cannot truly determine superiority. Even if I win the literary test, the other brothers will say I am not as good as Senior Brother, and they will think they are being lenient because of my youth. It must be the martial test; it must be the martial test!"
After thinking this through, he said, "Then let it be a martial test; that sounds good."
Jiang Yuan said, "Since it is a martial test, it will be a wager, Wukong, you must be careful."
Wukong replied, "Senior Brother, do not worry, I will be cautious."
Jiang Yuan then stepped aside, flicked his dust whisk, and smiled, "Wukong, go ahead and unleash your abilities."
Wukong, hearing this, said, "Senior Brother, be careful," and used a 'False Form' technique, transforming into a fierce, colorful tiger, with a short tail and sharp claws, and pounced at Jiang Yuan.
Seeing this, Jiang Yuan was secretly impressed and thought, "What a good monkey; the Earthly Fiend number truly teaches well."
After this thought, he used his own transformation technique, saying "Transform," and changed into a lazy elephant, with a nose like a long snake and tusks like bamboo shoots, charging forward to stomp on the fierce tiger.
How could a fierce tiger compete with a lazy elephant?
Wukong, startled, shook his body and transformed into a sparrow, flapping his wings and diving into the cloud, disappearing from sight.
Jiang Yuan, having mastered the One Hundred and Eight Great Techniques, was well aware of Wukong's transformations.
He used his technique again, changing the lazy elephant into a Sea Eagle, and with a swoosh of its wings, it chased into the cloud.
How could a sparrow compete with a Sea Eagle? In a short while, the Sea Eagle caught up, and as it was about to peck at the sparrow, Wukong, realizing he was at a disadvantage, transformed into a fish and dove into the jade bamboo mountain stream.
However, how could he hide from Jiang Yuan's keen eyes? The Sea Eagle simply pecked at him.
Wukong shook his body again, transforming into a water snake to confuse the senses, but Jiang Yuan was already pursuing him directly; he could not hide.
What a clever Monkey King, skilled in transformations, having mastered all Seventy-Two Changes.
Jiang Yuan, with his high divine powers, had profound mastery over the One Hundred and Eight Techniques.
In their duel, the outcome was evident; the Monkey King could not match Jiang Yuan's abilities.
Wukong thought to himself, "Senior Brother is also skilled in transformations; I cannot hide from him! I cannot hide! I must use another technique. Let me use a Stasis Technique to freeze Senior Brother."
After this thought, Wukong waited for a moment until Jiang Yuan, transformed into a Sea Eagle, flew over the stream.
Wukong revealed his original form, pointed at the Sea Eagle, chanted a spell, and said "Stasis," using his technique to try to freeze Jiang Yuan.
Little did he know, Jiang Yuan possessed many treasures; revealing his true form, he was protected by a robe of sun and moon, and the Yu Ding broke the spell, so he would not be affected by this 'Stasis' technique.
Jiang Yuan stepped on the clouds and, with a flick of his hand, used a 'Stasis' technique to freeze Wukong, shouting, "Stop!"
Wukong, in the water, gritted his teeth, opened his eyes wide, waved his hands, unable to speak or move, was frozen in place.
Jiang Yuan entered the stream, brought Wukong out, released the spell, and stepped on the clouds, saying, "Wukong, what other magical powers do you have? Feel free to use them."
Wukong said, "Senior Brother, I cannot surpass you in transformation techniques. How about we test the Cloud Riding technique instead?"
Jiang Yuan flicked his dust whisk and asked, "Junior Brother, what do you mean?"
Wukong replied, "Senior Brother, I have the 'Somersault Cloud,' which allows me to travel one hundred thousand and eight thousand miles in a single somersault. How about we test the Cloud Riding technique again, and wager on the outcome?"
Jiang Yuan said, "As you wish, let us head east."
Wukong, being straightforward, gathered his spirit, leaped, and landed beside Jiang Yuan, saying, "Senior Brother, I will go out now!"
After saying this, the monkey leaped and performed a somersault, heading east, leaving a trail of clouds, without a trace, flipping twice before finally stopping.
Looking down, he saw an endless ocean, not knowing where he had come from; it could be the Eastern Ocean or the Western Ocean, unclear and indistinct.
Wukong secretly rejoiced, saying, "With a single somersault, I can travel one hundred thousand and eight thousand miles. Senior Brother surely cannot catch up. However, Senior Brother's transformations are truly remarkable; I cannot surpass him. I must return to the clouds and turn back. When I return to the sect, I will have a basis to tell the other brothers that I did not lose to Senior Brother; we are of equal depth."
Wukong looked back but saw no one; he secretly delighted, thinking that Senior Brother could not catch up to him.
After practicing for a few more years, Senior Brother would not be able to surpass him either.
Wukong was filled with joy, looking around for a place to take a nap while waiting for Senior Brother.
Unexpectedly, clouds suddenly appeared ahead, startling the monkey.
Upon closer inspection, he was shocked to see that it was Senior Brother on the clouds; how could Senior Brother be in front of him?
Wukong exclaimed, "Senior Brother, how come you are in front of me?"
Jiang Yuan descended from the clouds, pointing down the path, saying, "I was waiting for you ahead; I did not expect you to linger here. What is the meaning of this?"
Wukong replied, "Senior Brother, when did you go ahead?"
Jiang Yuan said, "I rode the clouds and traveled halfway, but I saw you flipping somersaults among the clouds, so I came ahead to wait for you."
Wukong was annoyed, realizing he could not compete in Cloud Riding.
He said, "Senior Brother, I still have magical powers!"
The monkey, feeling unsatisfied, took a handful of fur, blew out some celestial energy, and used a transformation technique, manifesting thousands of monkeys to challenge Jiang Yuan.
Jiang Yuan chanted a spell, opened his mouth, and spat out the Three Mystical True Fire, flames soaring to the sky.
It was seen that the fire was "black smoke thick, the long sky showing no light. Red flames surged, with light shining a thousand miles red. This fire is not ordinary fire, not heavenly fire, not yin fire; it is the Three Mystical Fire, a wondrous use of the primordial spirit to adjust the five elements. Wood can give rise to the heart fire, the heart fire can stabilize the earth, the earth can give rise to gold, gold can transform into water, water can give rise to wood, transforming the five elements, thus creating this fire."
With a breath of Three Mystical Fire, all the thousands of monkeys were burned to ashes, unable to approach the true form of the immortal.
Wukong, feeling fearful, thought, "What a great fire! If it burns me, I will not be well off."
The monkey flipped a somersault and wanted to return to the Three Star Immortal Cave, not daring to compete with Senior Brother any longer.
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "Wukong, since we are testing magical powers, you have yet to see my divine powers; where do you think you are going?"
After saying this, the immortal used a 'Universe in a Sleeve' technique, spreading his sleeve in the wind, swiftly capturing the monkey and pulling him into his sleeve.
Jiang Yuan rode the clouds back to the Three Star Immortal Cave.
...
After a short while, the immortal returned to the Three Star Immortal Cave, opened his sleeve, and took out Wukong, who looked like a straw man.
Wukong exclaimed, "Senior Brother, what kind of technique is this? How did I get in there? That hand pinching me inside is soft, yet it feels harder than iron."
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "This is the Universe in a Sleeve. Wukong, do you wish to test your magical powers now?"
Wukong replied, "I dare not, I dare not. Senior Brother's skills are profound; I cannot compare."
Jiang Yuan said, "If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave."
Wukong helped Jiang Yuan return to the quiet room, and once they reached the quiet room, he departed.
Jiang Yuan sat on the meditation cushion in the room, not thinking about Wukong's affairs.
...
That night, as it grew late, around midnight.
Jiang Yuan was in quiet meditation when he suddenly received a summons from the Ancestor.
He proceeded to the Ancestor's quarters, where he found the Ancestor waiting in silence.
The Ancestor said, "There is no need for excessive formalities. I called you late tonight for two matters. One is regarding Wukong."
Jiang Yuan asked, "What does the Master say?"
The Ancestor sat on the bed and said, "I learned that you were testing magical powers with Wukong during the day; how did it go?"
Jiang Yuan, serving in front of him, replied, "Wukong is indeed remarkable. However, he is not my match for two reasons: one is that my Golden Elixir is complete, while Wukong's Golden Elixir is lacking; the other is that the Master has imparted many magical powers to me. However, Wukong is born of heaven and earth, and is not someone ordinary can compare with."
The Ancestor asked, "What about his heart?"
Jiang Yuan answered, "The roles of master and guest are reversed."
The Ancestor nodded and said, "That is precisely the point. Wukong has reversed the roles of master and guest, with one body and two hearts, five people causing trouble, and six thieves arising, yet he is unaware. I intend to teach Wukong a lesson."
Jiang Yuan asked, "Master, where should I send Wukong?"
The Ancestor replied, "He should go back to where he came from."
Jiang Yuan recalled how the monkey had once been respectful and said, "Master, is it not possible to teach him?"
The Ancestor shook his head and said, "How can one teach when the roles of master and guest are reversed? Should I teach the Six-Eared Macaque or Wukong? I observe that Wukong's nature is unruly and will surely lead to trouble; I fear he will bring disaster. My original intention was to teach him to guard his heart, so that he may assist you in the future. I did not expect this; this monkey will surely face calamity in the future."
Jiang Yuan said, "Master, are you sending calamity to teach Wukong?"
The Ancestor replied, "What is born of heaven and earth must go through tribulations. Do not worry about this monkey; let him go."
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan understood that the Ancestor's mind was made up to expel Wukong, but he also knew that Wukong's heart was restless.
He bowed and said, "Master, you shall decide."
The Ancestor said, "Child, do not have any reluctance."
Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Master, I understand."
The Ancestor nodded and asked, "Child, have you fully mastered the Three Mystical True Fire?"
Jiang Yuan replied, "I have mastered it thoroughly."
The Ancestor asked, "Have you mastered all the various techniques?"
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "There are still some I have not mastered; those I have not mastered are the 'Universe in a Sleeve' and the One Hundred and Eight Great Techniques."
The Ancestor said, "Once you have mastered them all, I will teach you other techniques."
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Master, you have many techniques; I cannot learn them all."
The Ancestor said again, "You will learn them. One day, when you attain the Dao, you will surely master them all. There is one more thing; you must go on a journey."
Jiang Yuan straightened his clothes and said, "I will follow the Master's orders."
The Ancestor said, "Not long ago, the Guanyin Bodhisattva from the Southern Sea, Mount Luojia, sent someone with a letter to invite me to a Dharma assembly; you shall go in my stead."
Jiang Yuan said, "Master, my understanding is shallow; how can I attend a Dharma assembly?"
The Ancestor shook his head and said, "You should listen more and speak less. You are my true disciple; you can go."
Jiang Yuan accepted, and the Ancestor instructed him to go to the Southern Sea for the Dharma assembly in three days.
...
Before he knew it, three days had passed.
Jiang Yuan received the Ancestor's instructions to head to Mount Luojia in the Southern Sea.
The Ancestor said that whenever he saw five-colored light rise in the sea, that would be the location of Mount Luojia, and the immortal set off.
He left the Three Star Immortal Cave, chanted a spell, summoned clouds to travel, but saw a white deer walking toward him from the cliff, nuzzling against him, filled with joy.
Jiang Yuan looked at the white deer and gently stroked it, saying, "I am going to Mount Luojia; I originally intended to ride the clouds, but since you are here, I will let you carry me. This journey is quite far; are you willing?"
The white deer cried out, lowered its body, inviting the immortal to mount.
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "I do not know how far this journey is; have you thought it through?"
The white deer did not move, only inviting the immortal to mount.
Jiang Yuan then climbed onto the deer's back and said, "In that case, I will teach you some Dao scriptures and techniques along the way. If you understand, it will be your destiny; if you do not understand, do not blame me."
The white deer cried out, seemingly responding to Jiang Yuan, and began to walk down the mountain.
There is a saying, "Let the white deer roam the green cliffs; one must ride to visit famous mountains."
This journey was indeed to Mount Luojia, to visit the Guanyin Bodhisattva of the Southern Sea, who saves the suffering and shows great compassion.
...
Time truly flies; before he knew it, more than half a month had passed.
One day, in the Three Star Immortal Cave, the old cypress tree was the gathering place for discussions.
Zhen Jian was also present, but he did not participate; he sat in his seat, fanning himself, smiling as he watched everyone discuss the Dao, but he did not speak.
Everyone asked Wukong, saying, "Wukong, you once said you would compare your cultivation with Senior Brother, to measure the depth; how is it now?"
Wukong sulked and said, "Do not mention it, do not mention it!"
Everyone asked, "Why not mention it?"
Wukong replied, "Senior Brother's Dao is profound; I cannot compare. I used transformation techniques, but Senior Brother can also master them. I transformed into a hungry tiger, and he transformed into a lazy elephant.
I transformed into a sparrow, and he transformed into a Sea Eagle. I transformed into a fish and a water snake, but I could not hide from him. I originally intended to use a Stasis technique, but I did not expect Senior Brother to be immune to all techniques.
I also have a Somersault Cloud, which allows me to travel one hundred thousand and eight thousand miles, but I did not expect Senior Brother's Cloud Riding technique to be more exquisite than mine. I was not satisfied and wanted to wager a bit, but Senior Brother captured me in his sleeve and brought me back."
Everyone said, "As you say, you cannot compete with Senior Brother."
Wukong said, "That is indeed the case; Senior Brother's Dao is deeper."
Everyone said, "Earlier, you mentioned you could transform; we did not know what you could transform into. Can you show us?"
Wukong's eyes lit up with joy, shaking off his spirit, and said, "Please, brothers, give me a topic, and I will transform for you to see."
Everyone asked, "Can you transform into anything?"
Wukong replied, "Of course, I can transform into anything."
Everyone said, "In that case, transform into a cypress tree for us to see."
Upon hearing this, Wukong chanted a spell and transformed into a cypress tree, looking just like the old cypress tree under which they were gathered.
Seeing this, everyone was envious but did not dare to show it, clapping and laughing, "Wonderful! Good monkey!"
The commotion here attracted the Ancestor's attention, who came out, intending to chase after the Monkey King, but this matter is temporarily set aside.
...
As the story goes, Jiang Yuan rode the white deer down the mountain, traveling along the path, unaware of how far he had gone or how much time had passed.
He was only discussing going to Mount Luojia with the white deer, without choosing the path, letting the deer follow its natural instincts.
During the day, he walked with the white deer, and at night, he would enlighten the white deer on a few aspects of cultivation.
After traveling for more than half a year, during the scorching summer months, they suddenly entered a bustling street.
Jiang Yuan realized that they had arrived in a country.
Jiang Yuan gently patted the white deer, unsure how they had come to this country.
He made the white deer stop and flagged down a passerby, asking, "Old brother."
The passerby, appearing as an old man, saw Jiang Yuan's graceful demeanor, vibrant spirit, and celestial aura, which was far from that of an ordinary mortal.
He hurriedly bowed and said, "Master!"
Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Old brother, I stopped you to ask a question. What country is this? My deer seems to have taken a wrong turn."
The old man replied, "Master, this is the 'Wuli Country.'"
Jiang Yuan asked, "Is Wuli Country far from the Southern Sea?"
The old man exclaimed, "Very far, very far! Wuli Country cannot see the sea; if you want to reach the sea, you must travel at least one hundred thousand and eight thousand miles."
(End of Chapter)