Rat in Yellow Wind Ridge, rising from plundering entries

Chapter 15 The Faxing Method, The Great Heavenly Immortal Art, and the Four Realms of Taiyi Immortality!

After his daily training, Yellow Wind King calmed his blood and energy. He used his black iron spear as a carrying pole, picking up a load of firewood, and took along his Thunderstruck Divine Wood Bow. His White Bone Bow had already broken.

The Thunderstruck Divine Wood Bow was crafted by a senior fellow disciple who also enjoyed refining artifacts. Since they had a good relationship, the bow was gifted to him.

Using this bow to practice ‘Thunderous Sound Yi Bow’ produced even better effects. It was said that the Shapeshifting Rubik’s Cube was also an ingenious creation of that senior fellow, surnamed Lu.

Yellow Wind King arrived at Rotten Peach Mountain, where he found Sun Wukong sleeping under a peach tree. Observing closely, Sun Wukong’s seemingly simple sleeping posture exuded profound Daoist charm. His breathing was rhythmic, and vast amounts of heaven and earth’s spiritual energy surged into his nine orifices.

Having seven orifices in perfect harmony was already rare genius, but Sun Wukong had all nine orifices open from birth—a natural-born immortal physique.

Several large peaches were scattered beneath the tree. A senior fellow had once said these were grown from Pantaos (Peaches of Immortality) seeds, though they were useless to immortals. However, to ordinary people, they were incredibly precious spiritual fruits.

Yellow Wind King didn’t mind and picked up the peaches to take back and eat. He also collected some seeds, planning to plant them at Yellow Wind Ridge.

Well, being of rat nature, he naturally enjoyed hoarding things—it was quite satisfying.

He woke Sun Wukong, saying, “Monkey Brother, wake up! Let’s head back.”

The next day, they had to wake up early. It was the monthly sermon day of Patriarch Bodhi. As the sound of bells and chimes resonated, the disciples gathered at Jade Terrace to listen to the Dao.

Although Sun Wukong and Yellow Wind King were not yet formally accepted as disciples, they were allowed to attend the lectures. After speaking with their senior brothers, they stood to the side.Patriarch Bodhi stepped onto the platform.

All the disciples fell silent and bowed respectfully. His gaze swept across them, instantly perceiving who had been diligent and who had been slacking in their cultivation.

When he looked at Sun Wukong and Yellow Wind King, he nodded slightly. For the past seven years, he had watched their progress. Without praising or reprimanding them, he adjusted his robe and sat down as the disciples respectfully listened.

Under the Jade Terrace, immortal energy filled the air. Flowers rained from the heavens, and golden lotuses blossomed from the ground. Patriarch Bodhi’s sermon resonated with the universe, manifesting various auspicious visions. Spiritual energy churned like a thick fog.

His lectures were open-ended.

One moment, he discussed the Three Vehicles of Buddhism. The next, he spoke of Daoist alchemy. Halfway through, he switched to the Confucian concept of Righteous Qi. It was as if an old professor were giving a lecture that blended philosophy, mathematics, and theology, all filled with specialized terminology and classical references.

His thought process jumped around, leaving many disciples bewildered—they frowned in deep thought, as if swallowing bitter herbs. The more experienced disciples had learned to only listen to what interested them, letting the rest go in one ear and out the other.

For example, a senior brother who specialized in artifact refining only paid attention to topics on refining and formations. When other subjects were discussed, he simply closed his eyes and dozed off.

Yellow Wind King, however, listened to everything. What he understood, he absorbed. What he didn’t, he noted down for future study. Just as he was deep in thought, Sun Wukong suddenly began laughing, scratching his head, jumping up and down with joy. Yellow Wind King was startled and glanced at Patriarch Bodhi.

As expected, The Patriarch and several senior brothers all turned their gaze toward him.

“Wukong, why are you dancing around like a lunatic in the middle of my class, instead of listening?”

Sun Wukong hurriedly replied, “Master, I am listening attentively! But when I heard the profound truths, I was overcome with joy, so I couldn’t help but leap about. Please forgive me!”

Patriarch Bodhi stroked his beard, smiling faintly. He asked Sun Wukong how long he had been here.

“Seven years,” Wukong answered.

Then, the Patriarch spoke of the 360 auxiliary paths of the Dao, saying that each one led to enlightenment. He asked Wukong which Dao he wished to pursue.

He suggested four paths.

Techniques

Flow

Stillness

Movement

However, since none granted eternal life, Wukong refused them all. Patriarch Bodhi then rose from his seat and struck Wukong’s head three times with his ruler.

Many senior brothers were displeased that the lecture had been interrupted. But Yellow Wind King knew that after tonight, Sun Wukong would take off like a rocket. His eyes flickered, and he quickly stepped forward to plead for him.

Patriarch Bodhi glanced at him and asked, “Wuzhen, you came with him. Have you decided which Dao you wish to learn?”

Yellow Wind King was overjoyed—he had earned an opportunity!

Had he not spoken up for Wukong, he might have been ignored.

He immediately replied, “Master, I share the same ambition as Brother Sun—I wish to seek the path of eternal life!”

Patriarch Bodhi studied him for a moment. Then, he struck Yellow Wind King’s head three times as well and said, “You too have a mischievous nature!”

With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked inside, closing the middle door.

“…Wait, class is over early today?”

“Ai, you two! How could you anger a Master like that?”

“Master teaches so many profound arts, but you refuse to learn any of them? Greedy fools!”

Sun Wukong and Yellow Wind King didn’t mind.

They simply smiled. The other disciples complained for a bit, then went their separate ways.

Sun Wukong and Yellow Wind King exchanged a knowing glance—they knew their moment had come.

That night—Around midnight, both of them arrived at the back door of Patriarch Bodhi’s residence and knelt before his bed. They waited until the third watch.

When the Patriarch awoke, he realized they had not conspired together, but each had come on their own understanding. Thus, he taught them the true immortal art of eternal life.

The Great Heavenly Immortal Art!

It spoke of breath control, essence refinement, water and fire alchemy, and five-element transformation…

The teachings were profound and mysterious.

Sun Wukong, with his extraordinary perception, understood them instinctively, even without grasping the full meaning.

Yellow Wind King, also perceptive, had spent seven years studying diligently, so he could understand them through his vast knowledge. In fact, he had just reached the stage of nurturing his elixir and transforming his spirit—The Great Heavenly Immortal Art had come at the perfect time!

Three years passed. With this technique, Yellow Wind King advanced rapidly. One day, while cultivating, he suddenly sensed danger—a foreboding premonition.

“A calamity…?”

Not understanding why, he went to find Bai Huizi. Over the years, he had given Bai Huizi many small gifts—wooden kites, spinning tops, and other trinkets—to build goodwill.

After hearing his description, Bai Huizi studied him carefully, then said, “Junior Brother, wait here. I will go see Master.”

“Alright—many thanks, Senior Brother!”