Martial Arts Crossover: The Sweeping Monk of Wudang? That's our patriarch!

Lin Daochen's heart sank slightly. He slowly sat down, letting the cool water droplets hit his shoulders, slide down his brow bone, and splash up tiny glimmers of water.

The sun blazed overhead, the sky was cloudless, and golden light spilled over him, as if he were draped in a flowing robe of flames, exuding an air of quiet majesty.

About two hours later, a small figure suddenly appeared on the mountain path in the distance—a child carrying a bamboo basket filled with pine branches, skipping and hopping along the way, his steps light as a leopard's. He stopped ten paces away, squinted at the figure for a moment, and suddenly exclaimed in surprise:

"Huh? That's strange! What are you still doing here? I definitely gave you directions!"

Before the words were even finished, she had already rushed over in three steps, tilted her little face up, and stared at Lin Daochen intently for a long time—

"Immortal Master, why didn't you go in? Isn't that world in the painting the place you should be going?"

"The mortal world is not a place for you to linger, nor is this your original home."

The child's voice was clear and melodious, each word like pearls falling onto a jade plate.

Lin Daochen was stunned. These words were definitely not those of a child; looking closer at that face, his brows seemed to shimmer with the movement of clouds, and his eyes held the reflection of a galaxy—this was no child. He was clearly a master who had concealed his true form!

He couldn't see through the boy's background or guess his origins, but he was certain of one thing: this person's cultivation was far beyond that of any cultivator he had ever encountered.

Since its appearance was not accidental, it must have a profound meaning.

"Young friend," Lin Daochen bowed, his tone gentle yet solemn, "You have guarded this place for many years, you must have something to look forward to. If there is anything you need my help with, just say the word—whatever the request, whatever the price, I am willing to agree. Consider it my way of thanking you for guiding me."

This journey into the world of the painting was nothing short of a transformative opportunity for Lin Daochen, and he was deeply grateful to the child. But simply remembering the kindness in his heart was not enough—the etiquette had to be impeccable, and the sentiment had to be put into practice; otherwise, even the deepest gratitude would fail to resonate or warm anyone's heart.

But Lin Daochen was wrong again. The child didn't care about spirit stones, pills, magic tools, or talismans at all. He just shook his head, grinned, and his eyes were as clear as a mountain stream.

"I've lived for over three hundred years, which isn't the oldest age, but I've already thoroughly understood the principles I need to understand. My father once said: 'Whenever you lend a helping hand, you must go all the way, without backing down an inch, and without having any ulterior motives.'"

"If you lend a helping hand while simultaneously calculating how the other person will repay you, your good intentions will be eroded by selfishness. No matter how diligently you help, you won't earn a good reputation; if you're not careful, you'll only get yourself into trouble."

"These words aren't just casual remarks; they're the shards of bone my father forged through half a lifetime of trials. I'm giving them to you today, and from now on, you'll have to grow up with those same spirit."

The child spoke with great enthusiasm, but Lin Daochen became more and more stunned as he listened—this child's tone was unbelievably mature, and the weight hidden in his words was heavier than his own size; he was nothing like an ignorant child.

Just as he was wondering, a green figure suddenly appeared in the distance, its robes billowing like clouds. The newcomer was none other than Chen Hao, the immortal from the painting. Lin Daochen's heart skipped a beat: So that's it, this child is actually Chen Hao's bloodline!

The moment Chen Hao's toes touched the ground, his gaze fixed on the child behind Lin Daochen. His expression changed drastically, and his voice was both alarmed and urgent: "You scoundrel! Didn't I tell you to go with Tieguai Li to find the Immortal Peaches? Once you have the peaches, get rid of that unruly monkey! That Sun Wukong has been causing chaos here for days, even using my inkstone as his golden cudgel!"

Lin Daochen's heart skipped a beat—Sun Wukong?! That was the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, his bones and muscles formed from spiritual stones born of heaven and earth, his comprehension an innate mark etched into his soul. His physical body was tempered, his divine sense comprehended—everything was perfectly mastered, without any hindrance. It was no exaggeration to say he could see through the true nature of all things at a glance.

Without further hesitation, he stepped forward and bowed deeply: "May I ask, Immortal Child, where is the Great Sage now? This junior has urgent business to discuss with you in person."

Upon hearing this, Chen Hao turned his head to the side, glanced at Lin Daochen, and waved his hand: "Save your energy. That monkey came like the wind passing through the treetops and left like lightning splitting the clouds. By now, he's probably already hopping a hundred and eight thousand miles away—in the blink of an eye, he'll have left you three Kunlun Mountains behind."

"However... you have just escaped the perilous barrier of the Golden Core stage's 'Soul Devouring and Spirit Stealing,' and your foundation is currently hanging by a thread. If you can stabilize your mind and answer the three questions in my 'Spirit Sealing Realm,' I will tell you the way to find him."

Lin Daochen's heart burned with emotion. A single word of guidance from Sun Wukong was worth more than a hundred days of arduous cultivation. Even grasping just half a sentence of truth now would allow his cultivation to leap forward. He immediately bowed and clasped his hands, his expression solemn: "Senior, I will forever remember your kindness in saving me! In the future, if you ever need my assistance, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Chen Hao waved his hand, his smile fading slightly: "No need to flatter me. It was Shen Gongbao's instruction to make the connection for you—I'm using your connections to my advantage so I can also reap enormous benefits."

Before he finished speaking, he flicked his sleeve, and a golden light burst forth, transforming into a swirling hurricane that enveloped Lin Daochen with a "whoosh." The next instant, his figure vanished.

When I opened my eyes again, a vast expanse opened up before me—clouds floated around, the streams were fragrant, and everywhere I looked was a peach orchard with gnarled branches. Hanging heavily from the branches were huge, golden peaches, their thin skins faintly glowing with rosy light, clearly treasures formed from the essence of heaven and earth.

Lin Daochen glanced around and saw countless furry little heads peeking out from among the swaying peach blossoms—they were all monkeys, some squatting, some leaping, some pawing at branches, some nibbling on peaches, all with their bright eyes fixed on him.

Peaches and monkeys—these two key clues immediately sparked Lin Daochen's interest: Could it be that he had truly arrived at Flower Fruit Mountain? He slowed his pace, took a couple of steps forward, and suddenly saw a furry figure leap out from the forest, firmly blocking the middle of the path. The little monkey wasn't large, but its muscles and bones were extremely taut, and its eyes were sharp as knives. Just by standing there, an invisible pressure swept over him, making it difficult to breathe.

"Distinguished guest, what brings you to Flower Fruit Mountain?" The little monkey clasped his hands in a fist salute and spoke in a clear voice, "If you are a friend, we have prepared fine wine and jade dew, and candied peaches; if you are an enemy, please turn around quickly and do not disturb the tranquility of our mountain."

Lin Daochen smiled calmly, his brows relaxed, showing no sign of hostility. The little monkey, observing his expression, immediately grinned and clapped its hands three times—before it finished speaking, a hunched old monkey slowly emerged from behind the rock. It was thin, its back curved like a crescent moon, its fur sparse and grayish-white, as if a gust of mountain wind could sweep it away.

The old monkey approached, patting his round belly with one hand and gesturing inwards with the other: "Judging by your demeanor, you're definitely not an outsider. Come on! A grand feast has been laid out in the Water Curtain Cave. The peaches on the trees have just been picked, so sweet they're refreshing. I guarantee you won't get enough to eat or drink. Once you're here, you're family!"

Lin Daochen laughed heartily, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. These monkeys were warm and courteous, far superior to the aloof attendants of the celestial realm—who would often look down on people with cold disdain, as if all visitors were uncouth, while he, a mere servant sweeping and watering flowers, had an air of superiority. In contrast, these monkeys before him were polite and had clear, bright eyes. He couldn't help but reach out and gently rub the little monkey's fluffy head.

"May I ask, is Sun Wukong currently in the mountains? I have long heard of his name, but I regret that we have never met. You are of the same bloodline and resemble him; would you be willing to tell me his story?"

The moment the words left his mouth, the surrounding monkey troop erupted in excitement! The old monkey was especially thrilled, waving his arms and legs, grabbing Lin Daochen's sleeve, his eyes shining: "Oh my, brother, your words are sweeter than peaches! Sun Wukong? He's the pillar that holds up the sky and the stabilizing needle of our Flower Fruit Mountain! You calling him 'Great Sage' has raised our entire mountain three feet higher!"

"I'm making an exception today! I'll take you straight to the main hall of the Water Curtain Cave—even the Bull Demon King, with his eight sworn brothers, has only sat there three times! You've hit the jackpot today!"

Before the old monkey could finish speaking, he grabbed Lin Daochen's wrist and hurried forward. Lin Daochen did not refuse, and the two entered the waterfall, where water droplets splashed like shattered jade.

"Is this the Water Curtain Cave?" He looked around and was slightly taken aback. He had thought it was just a few stone caves and thatched huts, but before his eyes, golden light shimmered, the eaves were inlaid with gold, the walls were inlaid with silver, and even the patrolling monkeys were covered in bright golden scales and had short swords at their waists, looking heroic.

Huaguo Mountain was indeed a place where hidden talents resided, its grandeur in no way inferior to that of the Heavenly Court. However… his gaze swept over the hall pillars and banquet tables, but he couldn’t find the shadow of that golden cudgel.

"Old man," he asked softly, turning slightly to the side, "I came here only to see the Great Sage, but I have searched everywhere and have not found him. Where is he currently traveling?"

The old monkey's smile faded slightly, and he slowly shook his head, a hint of melancholy appearing in the corner of his eye: "Alas, you are truly unfortunate—the Great Sage departed on a cloud half a year ago, saying he would travel throughout the Three Realms and re-examine the old paths, and it would take at least three hundred years before he returned. For now, all the affairs of the mountain, big and small, will be temporarily handled by this old bone of mine."

"But don't worry, when the Great Sage returns, the authority will naturally be handed over with both hands. As for this, just take it as you will, but don't spread it around—I'm just an old monkey temporarily guarding the mountain."

Lin Daochen nodded in agreement, his mind free of any ulterior motives—his only purpose in coming here was to find Sun Wukong, and since he wasn't there, he didn't intend to linger any longer.

"Senior, since the Great Sage Sun is away and has not returned, I will come to visit another day. I have already troubled you all too much, and I dare not trouble you to entertain me any further; besides, I have urgent business to attend to and must leave immediately."

He turned to leave, but the old monkey frowned and unconsciously flicked its tail twice, showing some displeasure.

"Today is the first time we've ever invited you into the main hall for a hearty meal and drinks! And yet, you're making all sorts of excuses and putting on airs! Come, come, don't be shy, come and sit down with us, let's have a proper chat!"

The old monkey turned and strolled into the hall. Lin Daochen paused, knowing he couldn't refuse—he had come from afar, and they were treating him with such courtesy; if he were to act arrogantly, it would be too inappropriate.

After a moment's thought, he followed. Passing through several layers of vermilion-lacquered pillars, a magnificent view suddenly appeared before him: a towering hall rose from the ground, with golden tiles and flying eaves, and dragons coiling around the pillars, truly resembling a palace on earth. Most eye-catching was a throne carved with dragons and inlaid with jade, placed prominently on the high platform at the head of the hall, its majesty exuding a sense of familiarity.

Lin Daochen was slightly taken aback. The old monkey had already noticed the change in his expression and clapped his hands and laughed: "This is not something the Great Sage sat on himself! After he passed away, we missed him so much that we imitated the appearance of an emperor in the mortal world. To put it bluntly, it's about remembering him, not about showing off."

He stepped forward slowly, his fingertips gently brushing the armrest of the dragon throne, his eyes warm and resolute.

"If the Great Sage hadn't appeared out of nowhere back then, we monkeys would have been torn to shreds by the Demon King long ago; even if we had survived that calamity by chance, in the eyes of the heavenly soldiers we would have been nothing more than a bunch of 'demons' gathering in the mountains and forests, and would have been wiped out as a source of chaos sooner or later."

"But the Great Sage enlightened us, taught us to read and cultivate our qi, and imparted to us the righteous path—now Flower Fruit Mountain is no longer a den of filth and evil, but a blessed land renowned throughout the Three Realms."

"Countless cultivators outside are racking their brains to find a way in, even if they only drink a sip of water or touch a rock, they feel as if they have been touched by immortal energy."

Hearing these words, Lin Daochen was slightly shaken: the respect these monkeys held for Sun Wukong was so sincere and profound—it seemed he hadn't come to the wrong place. That Great Sage Equaling Heaven's resolve and level of attainment were probably far beyond his imagination.

"In that case, I will also tell you frankly: I admire your king from the bottom of my heart. I have come all this way hoping that he will clear the clouds and see the sun, and resolve my doubts."

"Oh? You want to ask the King for guidance?" The old monkey's eyes flashed, a sharp glint appearing in them. "Coincidentally, there are some things that I can answer even when he's not around."

Lin Daochen shook his head and smiled: "Senior, please don't force yourself. You are already old and have lived in the mountains for a long time. These profound and mysterious principles are probably hard for you to understand. It would be better if I waited for the Great Sage to return and asked him in person."

Before he could finish speaking, he raised his hand to drink the wine on the table, but as soon as the rim of the cup touched his lips, his body suddenly froze—his limbs felt as if they had fallen into an icy pool, and he couldn't even lift his eyelids.

A moment later, the restraints suddenly dissipated. He looked up and saw the old monkey squinting, a sly smile playing on its lips.