Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 239 Reunion with Liu Dongchen

"Mount Jindu has vanished without a trace. Could it be concealed by something?"

Liu Dongchen looked at the forest before him. Everything around him, including the trees, the earth, and the rocks, was as usual. With his keen eyesight, he could not see any trace of concealment, as if this place had always been like this.

But Liu Dongchen clearly remembered that Jindu Mountain should be in this area in front of him.

Suddenly, Liu Dongchen's face turned wary, and his eyes flashed with a sharp light.

Suddenly, a white mist appeared out of nowhere in the surrounding mountains and forests, enveloping him.

Unaware of any malice, Liu Dongchen stood still, scanning his surroundings before his figure was quickly enveloped by the white mist.

A moment later, when the white mist dissipated, a towering, cloud-piercing, radiant, and shrouded mountain appeared before Liu Dongchen's eyes, a secluded paradise.

"Sure enough, Jindu Mountain was shrouded by a great formation. Judging from its appearance, this formation should be a Five Elements Formation, which has completely integrated the entire formation into the rocks, rivers and trees surrounding Jindu Mountain. No wonder I didn't notice it at all."

Looking at the otherworldly mountain before him, Liu Dongchen exclaimed:

"Jindu Mountain has actually become what it is now. Thanks to the immortal's good fortune, it can be called a blessed land. It seems that the news that the immortal has comprehended the complete Great Dao of Hunyuan is true."

"No wonder Master once said that Immortal Guangyi was one of only two variables in the Three Realms and could not be judged by ordinary standards."

He had been in seclusion for a long time. After emerging from seclusion, he went straight to Jindu Mountain to meet the protector who had guided him in cultivating his mind and protected him for sixteen years in this life.

However, on his way there, he encountered several celestial beings who had been banished from heaven and heard many rumors about the immortals recently.

He was astonished by the rumors that he had cultivated the complete Primordial Dao, was a reclusive master who had never left the world, and that the Taiyi realm had startled the Daluo realm.

Looking at the path cleared by numerous flowers, trees, and shrubs, Liu Dongchen stepped forward and headed towards Jindu Mountain.

"Regardless, since the great formation has already cleared the way for me, I should go and pay my respects to the immortal master first."

At the summit of Jindu Mountain, the Earth God and Niu Feng and the others had already left. Ao Xuan and the other two children had also returned to the Lotus Cave in the pond. Only Niu Yi remained, sitting at the stone table under the peach tree, leisurely drinking tea.

Before long, Liu Dongchen arrived at the mountaintop and quickly stepped forward to greet Niu Yi.

"Liu Dongchen pays his respects to the Immortal Master and thanks you for protecting him back then."

Niu Yi smiled and gestured with his arm, saying:

"Although we haven't seen each other for hundreds of years, there's no need to be so polite. The two Fire Date Spirit Seeds you sent last time were a great help to me."

"I am delighted to see an old friend today. Please sit down and let us catch up."

Seeing that Niu Yi hadn't changed much from back then, Liu Dongchen smiled, nodded, and sat down opposite Niu Yi. As Niu Yi pushed the teacup towards him, he quickly reached out and took it.

"Thank you very much, Immortal Master. As for the two seeds, I hope they can be of some help to you."

Liu Dongchen looked at the tea and saw a peach blossom floating in the teacup, emitting a fragrant peach aroma. It was a cup of excellent peach blossom tea.

"Wow~Wow~"

Upon hearing the sound, Liu Dongchen looked up at the towering peach tree and was momentarily stunned.

The peach tree swayed its branches, as if it were greeting him.

"It's been such a long time!"

A look of reminiscence flashed in Liu Dongchen's eyes, as if he had returned to the days when he was on this mountain, watering the trees and feeding the fish every day, and reading and cultivating his mind under the peach trees.

To his shame, when he left Shangtang Village to follow his master in his spiritual practice, his master said that if it weren't for him, his "protector," teaching him to cultivate his mind and keeping him calm and unhurried throughout his practice, his master would have had to spend a lot of effort on him.
It is easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. A person's character is the most difficult thing to change. However, on the path of cultivation, this character, to some extent, also represents how far a person can go.

In his previous life, he was quite competitive and had an unstable temperament. He certainly had talent and comprehension, but he was somewhat lacking in temperament.

His master sent him down to the mortal realm to undergo tribulation, precisely to mend the deficiencies in his character and make the path to the Great Luo smoother.

Liu Dongchen slowly came back to his senses and looked at Niu Yi, who was leisurely drinking tea opposite him, and said:
“Immortal Master, on my way to Jindu Mountain, I heard that a few years ago you helped the True Martial Emperor in Beiju Luzhou to wipe out the demons. The old man from Camel Mountain came to stop you, but you scared him away.”

"It seems that Immortal Master has now cultivated the complete Primordial Dao. In the Three Realms, only Immortal Master and the Great Sage Equaling Heaven who once wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace should have such abilities."

He had heard that the Great Sage Equaling Heaven had consumed five gourds of Nine-Turn Golden Elixir and countless Imperial Wine Peaches, and had also cultivated the complete Primordial Dao. This guy was also born holy and understood the changes of Yin and Yang, and fought to a standstill with Erlang Shen, the True Lord of the Great Luo Realm.

In the end, it was Laozi who struck Sun Wukong with his Vajra Bracelet, and with the help of Erlang Shen, his dog Xiaotian, and his six sworn brothers, they were able to defeat him together.

However, the immortal before him was equally formidable.

Niu Yi glanced at Liu Dongchen with slight surprise. He hadn't expected that the Celestial Venerable, who knew his master, hadn't told his disciple that Sun Wukong was his junior brother.

Regardless, since the Celestial Venerable had not informed him, he naturally would not say anything more.

Liu Dongchen and Niu Yi sat under the peach tree chatting for a while, then suddenly said:
"Actually, before I came to Jindu Mountain this time, my master suddenly sent me a message, asking me to tell the immortal that if there is any need for the future spread of Buddhism to the east, our Dongji Miaoyan Palace can also be included."

Niu Yi looked surprised, then nodded and said:
"I understand. Please convey my gratitude to the Heavenly Venerable for me."

With these words from the Celestial Venerable, the matter of Senior Nine-Headed Lion descending to the mortal realm to participate in the tribulation was now secured. However, how this matter would proceed depended on his dealings with Taibai.
Five Elements Mountain.

Sun Wukong lay sprawled at the foot of the mountain, surrounded by moss. He listlessly rummaged through the pebbles in front of him, ignoring the moss that fell on him. He was a far cry from his former arrogant self.

Calculating the time, he has been imprisoned under the Five Elements Mountain for over four hundred years, enduring countless agonizing days and nights.

There were few people around Wuxing Mountain, and no one came to visit him. Even the few who guarded him would only bring him some molten copper and iron pellets every few years before leaving.

Suddenly, a golden light flashed in front of Sun Wukong; it was the Earth God of Five Elements Mountain who had come to deliver molten copper and iron pills.

"Great Sage, this is today's meal."

The Earth God delivered the molten copper and iron ball to a spot where Sun Wukong could reach it. Just as he was about to leave, Sun Wukong suddenly called out to him, "Wait."

The Earth God froze, turned around, looked at Sun Wukong who was being suppressed, and showed a helpless expression.

"I wonder if the Great Sage has any further instructions? Please do not make things difficult for this old man."

Others may not know, but he and the Five Directions Protectors are very clear about it. Back then, the Buddha clearly said that when Sun Wukong's calamities were over, someone would come to save him.

To put it bluntly, this person will definitely be able to leave in the future, and he certainly doesn't want to offend him, but he also has his own responsibilities.

Sun Wukong grabbed the iron ball, threw it into his mouth, and waved his hand weakly.

"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you."

"But I, Old Sun, am really bored. If you have anything interesting to tell me, why don't you tell me?"

The Earth God shook his head helplessly and said:

“Great Sage, I have stayed here with you for over four hundred years. When have you ever seen me leave this mountain? How could you have seen so many interesting things to know?”

"but."

The Earth God seemed to have thought of something, and it wouldn't hurt to tell this person about it.

After a moment's thought, the Earth God took two steps closer to Sun Wukong and said with a serious expression:

"A few years ago, the True Lord You Sheng, who was by the side of the Jade Emperor, descended to the mortal world and wiped out all the demons in the lower realm fifteen years ago. He was then named the True Martial Emperor, in charge of the True Martial position, and responsible for eliminating all evil spirits in the world. He is known as the Nine Heavens Demon-Slaying Ancestor."

"Many of his deeds are widely known in the human world. I also heard a few words from those Jiedi and the gods at the nearby Divine Physician Daojun Temple. If you would like to hear them, Great Sage, I will tell you about them."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's eyes lit up. He had been so bored at the bottom of the mountain that he was naturally delighted to have a story to listen to. He scratched the back of his hand and eagerly asked:
"True Lord Yousheng? Very well, tell me quickly, tell me quickly!"

The Earth God nodded and slowly recounted the story of Zhenwu subduing the demon.

A few years ago, Niu Feng came to Daojun Temple to help Yuan Ze. Because this matter involved his own leader, although he could not reveal his relationship with his leader, he was still very excited and pulled the visiting local earth god and Moke Jiedi to tell them in detail about Zhenwu subduing the demon.

Although the Earth God didn't have Niu Feng's almost storytelling skills, he still told his stories in great detail.

Sun Wukong listened intently while eating the iron pellets, until he heard a familiar name.
"It is said that when the True Martial Emperor was in Beiju Luzhou, he encountered the obstruction of the Jade Qilin and the Old Man of Camel Mountain. Fortunately, he was helped by the Taoist Guangyi of Jindu Mountain, who scared away the Old Man of Camel Mountain. The True Martial Emperor then killed the Jade Qilin, which allowed the journey to subdue the demons in Beiju Luzhou to proceed smoothly."

"Guangyi Daoist?! You mean that guy from Jindu Mountain who came to help is called Guangyi Daoist?!"

Upon hearing the urgent voice, the local earth god was startled and looked at Sun Wukong. He saw Sun Wukong scratching his ears and cheeks, grinning at him, seemingly with some inexplicable excitement and surprise, which aroused the earth god's curiosity.

"Could it be that you, Great Sage, know that Daoist Guangyi?"

Sun Wukong's eyes gleamed, as if he had regained his former glory, and he chuckled:
"Hey~ It's more than just knowing him, he's..."

Sun Wukong stopped speaking at this point, as if he had thought of something. His eyes dimmed again, and he lowered his head, looking away from the local earth god.

"The Great Sage? The Great Sage?"

The Earth God called out to the Great Sage twice more, but seeing the monkey dejectedly lower his head again, seemingly lost in thought, he could only shake his head helplessly, then vanished in a flash.

Sun Wukong looked at the ground, but his mind drifted back to his time on the mountain, and to his master's words.
My master once said that if I ever cause trouble in the future, I must not reveal my master's name, nor say that I am his disciple, and I must never see him again.

Even though he had heard of his senior brother's name and knew about his current dojo, he still owed his master a debt of gratitude. Now that he had truly caused a great disaster, how could he possibly involve his own master and his senior brother?

Furthermore, he is now too ashamed to face his senior brother. He truly doesn't know how his senior brother will view him after learning what he has done.
Scenes from his sect flashed through Sun Wukong's eyes. He left the copper molten iron pill there without eating or drinking. At the foot of the Five Elements Mountain, the silence of the past four hundred years was restored once again.

Nighttime at Jindu Mountain.

Niu Yi watched Liu Dongchen ride away on a cloud, a thoughtful look flashing in his eyes.

It seems that the Celestial Venerable has arranged a very full cultivation task for Liu Dongchen. Before leaving, Liu Dongchen said that he was going to cultivate at the Lingbao Celestial Venerable's Daoist temple for a period of time. It is likely that they will not see each other for hundreds of years after this parting.

"Judging by the time, the start of the Journey to the West is getting closer and closer."

At this time, more than four hundred years had passed since his junior brother caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace.

Niu Yi once asked Taibai to inquire about the Western Paradise. After Shakyamuni Buddha returned to Mount Ling and preached to all the Buddhas, he took out a treasure basin and held a "Lanpen Assembly".

Not long after the Orchid Basin Gathering, Jin Chanzi, the second disciple of the Buddha, was banished to the mortal realm for disobeying the Buddha's teachings and disrespecting the Dharma. His true spirit was then reincarnated.

It's unknown which incarnation Jin Chanzi, who would later become Tang Sanzang, has been reincarnated into.

He didn't intend to seek out Jin Chanzi at this time, but planned to meet him again as the Divine Physician Daoist when Jin Chanzi was reincarnated for the tenth time.

Of course, before that, he would probably have to have a talk with Taibai and Guanyin Bodhisattva.
However, this matter is not actually that urgent.

According to his memories from his previous life, apart from the Roc or other demons who were already in the mortal realm, most of the others who descended from heaven had only come down to earth a few years or a dozen years before the start of Journey to the West.

Furthermore, the journey to the West was already fraught with demons and monsters in Xiniuhe Continent. Before long, the legend that eating a bite of Tang Sanzang's flesh would grant immortality would spread throughout Xiniuhe.

Even without the arrangements of the three of them, Tang Sanzang would still have encountered many hardships and dangers on his journey, but very few of them could stump his junior brother.

Furthermore, now that his methods are more sophisticated, he should also consider how to deal with that roc.
“Master! That Zhenwu is too much! Our eldest brother was killed by his disciples, and you were injured by him. Decades have passed, and he is still searching for us everywhere!”

"And that Daoist Guangyi! Everyone outside is saying that you were frightened away by that Daoist Guangyi, Master! This... this!"

In the darkness of the mountain, the old man from Camel Mountain looked at his angry and anxious disciple, his eyes dim, and shook his head slightly.

“The situation is beyond my control. I am no match for Zhenwu now. If I reveal my weakness and he finds out, Fellow Daoist Moyu’s fate will serve as a warning to me.”

(End of this chapter)