Wukong exclaimed in surprise, and Tongfeng the Wind Spirit Monkey asked, "What, are you afraid?"

 

"Not afraid, but the thought of killing a Bodhisattva unsettles me," Wukong replied.

 

Tongfeng scoffed, "Bodhisattvas are human too, and among immortals and Buddhas, there are demons. The Way of Heaven is just, and all beings can attain the Dao. Yet, they look down upon all demons and spirits, engaging in the most shameful deeds in the world!"

 

Wukong said, "With our abilities, defeating the Great Sage, the National Teacher Wang Bodhisattva, would be easy. Why not set off now?"

 

Tongfeng replied, "There's no rush. Thousands of years have turned to smoke; why hurry at this moment? But about that Bull Demon, think of a way to help me conceal my identity."

 

Wukong laughed, "Why bother? The Bull Demon King is my sworn brother; there's no need for deceit."

 

Tongfeng gravely said, "Hold on! This matter concerns the survival of our clan; do not take it lightly. Among all beings, only the Seven Great Primordial Monkeys bear no grudges against each other and need not be wary. The rest, who can be trusted? The world moves for fame and profit; why not guard against it?"

 

Wukong took these words to heart. Although his acquaintance with Tongfeng was brief, their trust surpassed that of others, not out of pretense but natural inclination. Moreover, Wu Zhiji's unspoken disdain for worldly beings resonated with Wukong, viewing all beings as potential foes.

 

Wukong suggested, "Let's say we've been entangled in battle for a while without a clear victor and accidentally fell into this maze. Recognizing each other's worth, we joined forces to break free, turning from foes to friends. How about that?"

 

Tongfeng considered, "It's a bit far-fetched, but plausible. The Bull Demon King's understanding of formations is superficial; he won't see through my arrangement."

 

After leaving the formation and destroying it, they found the Bull Demon King, who, true to expectation, did not harbor any doubts, and the trio joyfully returned to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit.

 

Upon arrival, the Bull Demon King, seeking to keep his return secret from his wife, departed to cultivate in seclusion, with Wukong barely containing his laughter in agreement.

 

After sending off the Bull Demon King, Wukong and Tongfeng shared stories in the Water Curtain Cave. Tongfeng recounted his past, echoing Wu Zhiji's sentiments, revealing his role in persuading the Seven Great Primordial Monkeys to abandon their worldly dominion, a decision he deeply regretted.

 

Tongfeng lamented, "I was misled by traitors, a single misstep leading to total loss."

 

Wukong consoled, "It's not your fault. Those with schemes would simply devise new ones. The Primordial Monkeys, naive in deception and without guard, could not outwit them. What does it have to do with you?"

 

TongFeng spoke, "Back then I had two subordinates, both clever and astute at understanding people's hearts. I trusted them greatly. Without being explicit, they spoke daily of the vast, boundless world, how free and untrapped it was, which clouded my judgment. Coupled with my untamed nature, over time, I proposed to my six brothers that we return to the free world."

 

Sun Wukong casually asked, "Who were those two?"

 

TongFeng replied bitterly, "They were nameless, just two One-Horned Ghost Kings. Their cultivation was weak, and I have long since killed them. Now, I know not how many reincarnations they have undergone, whether they are man or beast."

 

Sun Wukong was startled, "One-Horned Ghost Kings!" That name had appeared in Journey to the West.

 

After Sun Wukong resigned from his position as Protector of the Horses and returned to the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, it was these two One-Horned Ghost Kings who presented him with a reddish-yellow robe and suggested that he declare himself the 'Great Sage Equal to Heaven.'

 

The relationship between these One-Horned Ghost Kings and what TongFeng described was highly mysterious. Wukong thought to himself that these might be the reincarnated malevolent spirits, specifically born to sabotage the Seven Divine Monkeys.

 

Sun Wukong found a quiet and secluded place, leaving TongFeng to reside in a corner of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. TongFeng set up a formation around his dwelling, which ordinary people could not easily enter. Sun Wukong, having nothing else to do, would visit and chat with him, learning much about the tales of immortals and demons through the ages.

 

TongFeng, having reincarnated ten thousand years ago and recalled his past life four thousand years ago, had been diligently cultivating ever since. With guidance from a famed master, he had developed extraordinary supernatural abilities and excelled in the art of concealment.

 

Sun Wukong also demonstrated to TongFeng his own Heavenly Constellations transformations, to which TongFeng watched intently and could not help but praise, "These transformations are indeed rare, and I am unfamiliar with half of them."

 

Sun Wukong inquired, "Who taught you these transformations?"

 

TongFeng explained, "These are but shallow skills compared to the innate divine abilities of a divine monkey. I have yet to recall my own divine powers, and the same goes for you. Once fate decrees, your achievements will naturally flourish. The magical powers of the world are all grounded in fate, and the Seven Divine Monkeys possess the most primal fate between heaven and earth. No matter what powers one cultivates, their accomplishments will far surpass others."

 

Sun Wukong said, "No wonder I achieved the rank of Taiyi Scatter Immortal in just a year and a half."

 

TongFeng remarked, "It's unknown which eminent being has favored you, but now you are indeed a Taiyi Gold Immortal, certainly blessed by fate."

 

Sun Wukong asked, "What's the difference between a Scatter Immortal and a Gold Immortal?"

 

TongFeng explained, "The Dao itself is the quintessence, beyond form and name. To forcefully name it is to call it Taiyi. It originates from the chaotic primal qi of the undivided heaven and earth. Cultivating to this point, one begins to glimpse the origin of all things. If one cannot transition from a Scatter Immortal to a Gold Immortal, one's efforts will ultimately fail and suffer the three calamities."

 

Sun Wukong murmured, realizing that becoming a Taiyi Gold Immortal could avoid these calamities. He then asked, "I'm still unclear on how I even became an immortal. How should one step from a Scatter Immortal to a Gold Immortal?"

 

TongFeng said, "One can cultivate, though it's time-consuming and not guaranteed; or consume spiritual treasures of heaven and earth, which are exceedingly rare. Or one might take a fate-enhancing elixir, though it's crafted, its power rivals the innate. I do not know which you have taken."

 

Sun Wukong recalled the golden pill Subhuti had once given him, guessing that it must be due to the pill.

 

TongFeng added, "Our clan is born with the world, unaffected by its three calamities. The real fear is encountering the creator of a realm. Once inside his domain, you are at his mercy."

 

Sun Wukong asked, "What is a creator of a realm?"

 

TongFeng replied, "One who creates a realm and sets its rules possesses this skill."

 

Sun Wukong thought to himself that Subhuti could be considered such a figure, then shared briefly his experiences at the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars.

 

TongFeng nodded, "What you say is true; this indeed is the skill of realm creation."

 

Sun Wukong then remembered his bet with Buddha, asking, "If I encounter such an opponent, what should I do?"

 

TongFeng, with a bitter smile, said, "If it's a novice, be extremely cautious and do not enter his world. But if it's a powerful being…" he sighed, "then you can only surrender."

 

Sun Wukong persisted, "Is there really no way at all?"

 

TongFeng thought for a long time, then said, "I am powerless. When the Seven Divine Monkeys were being hunted, I too had entered another's realm. When the art of realm creation reaches its peak, merging his world with this slice of heaven and earth, you won't even notice until it's too late to escape."

 

Sun Wukong pondered deeply, uncertain how advanced Buddha's cultivation was. If he only created a realm without merging it with another, Sun Wukong would just need to be cautious not to fall into his hands. He guessed that Buddha, with all his cunning and calculated gambles, likely hadn't reached the ultimate state. Relieved, Sun Wukong then thought of Subhuti again, startled.

 

He had unknowingly found the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars; if that was indeed the skill of merging realms, then Subhuti might surpass even Buddha. Such a figure existed in Journey to the West—who could he be?

 

Listening, TongFeng said, "Your skill in manifesting your spiritual essence is truly extraordinary. If combined with the ability to transform from infancy, it far exceeds ordinary concealment and transformation techniques. Even a Taiyi Gold Immortal could be deceived. You should practice diligently."

 

When Sun Wukong first learned the Thirty-six Transformations of Heavenly Gang from Subhuti, he had taken them to heart, but he had yet to try them as TongFeng suggested.

 

 

Annotations:

 

Bodhisattva: In Buddhism, a being who seeks enlightenment not only for themselves but also for all beings, embodying compassion and altruism.

 

Seven Great Primordial Monkeys: Symbolic of a powerful, ancient lineage, suggesting deep, spiritual bonds and inherent strengths unique to their kind.

 

One-Horned Ghost Kings: Representatives of deceit and manipulation, their story intertwines with broader themes of trust, betrayal, and the consequences of past actions.

 

Scattered Immortal to Golden Immortal: Reflects a significant spiritual and power elevation within Daoist cultivation, emphasizing the journey towards understanding the essence of the Dao and transcending mortal limitations.

 

 

 

Pill of Creation: A mythical concoction believed to grant immense spiritual power or enlightenment, often mentioned in Daoist lore.

 

Three Calamities: In Daoist cosmology, these are significant trials or disasters that practitioners must overcome to achieve immortality or higher states of enlightenment.

 

Realm Creators: Individuals of immense power capable of forming their own dimensions or universes, setting their own rules and laws within these realms.

 

Subhuti: A legendary figure in Buddhist and Daoist traditions, often depicted as a wise and powerful sage or mentor to great figures like Sun Wukong.

 

Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars: A mythical location in Chinese literature, serving as a place of learning and transformation for Sun Wukong under the tutelage of Subhuti.

 

Projection of Spirit: A spiritual technique allowing the practitioner to extend their consciousness or essence beyond their physical form, often used for exploration, communication, or in advanced practices, manipulation of the physical or spiritual realms.

 

Transformation and Concealment Techniques: Skills that enable practitioners to change their form and hide their presence, fundamental to many Daoist and Buddhist practices for avoiding detection by more powerful beings or during clandestine activities.