Journey to the West: Starting by becoming an apprentice of Emperor Donghua

Ji Sheng was surprised:

"May I ask, Dragon Maiden, what is this...?"

The Dragon Girl said:

"These two monsters were originally one. When the Bodhisattva saw a Guanyin Zen Temple at the foot of Black Wind Mountain, he was so moved that he went there to receive offerings."

Unexpectedly, the black bear monster, seeing the dazzling light of the treasure, became greedy and went down the mountain with the intention of stealing the lotus platform at the feet of Guanyin.

Guanyin therefore punished him by separating his greedy thoughts from his own, taking away his cave and magical powers, and sending him to wander the mountains.

Ji Sheng suddenly realized. At first, he thought the two oddballs were twin brothers.

Unexpectedly, the so-called fake black bear was actually the manifestation of the black bear monster's greed.

The Dragon Girl said:

"This black bear monster has suffered a lot. Hopefully, he can learn from this lesson, repent, and never covet other people's treasures again. I'll head back now."

Ji Sheng bowed and saw the Dragon Girl off. However, just as the Dragon Girl turned around, preparing to fly back to the South Sea, she suddenly stopped and called out:

"Oh dear, why is this willow branch dirty?"

Ji Sheng asked in surprise:

"Dirty? If it's dirty, just wash it. It's in this clean bottle, why worry about it getting dirty?"

The Dragon Girl sighed:

"These willow branches are a treasure nurtured by heaven and earth; once tainted by worldly dust, they are difficult to remove. Alas, this has caused a great disaster!"

Seeing that she shook her head, Ji Sheng rode away on a cloud.

After a long while, the black bear monster slowly opened its eyes, sat up, and shook its head.

He saw Ji Sheng and was startled:

"Master Ji, what are you doing here? That fake black bear was so powerful, it even killed you?"

Ji Shengdao:

"Look carefully, this is in front of your Black Wind Cave, not the Hall of Yama!"

The black bear monster let out a cry:

"I'm not dead!"

He touched his neck, still feeling lingering fear:

"That sword strike was incredibly powerful. What happened? Where's the fake black bear?"

Ji Sheng had no choice but to tell him about what had just happened with the dragon girl, and the black bear monster nodded repeatedly:

"She's right, I'll never dare to pick up other people's things again!"

As he spoke, he quickly stood up and walked into the Black Wind Cave.

"Lord Ji, please come with me, I have a treasure for you!"

Meanwhile, the Dragon Girl flew straight back to Mount Luojia in the South China Sea. In the Purple Bamboo Grove, she met Guanyin and recounted the events that had occurred at Black Wind Mountain.

"Bodhisattva, the willow branch in this jade vase has been accidentally stained with worldly dust. Please punish me, Bodhisattva!"

The dragon girl remained kneeling and said...

Upon hearing this, Guanyin took out a willow branch and examined it closely. After a moment, she sighed:

"It seems this willow branch is destined for such hardship; this pure and immaculate thing, once tainted by mortal dust, is difficult to remove. Only by being reborn into the mortal world, experiencing its troubles and sorrows, can it be cleansed. Enough, enough..."

Guanyin threw the willow branch into the lotus pond, where it sank and disappeared.

"I should reward you for what you did to the Black Bear Monster. But you have defiled the willow branch, which is an unforgivable offense."

"I hereby command you to descend to the mortal realm. Return only when you have helped Liu Zhi transcend the mundane world!"

The Dragon Girl, with tears in her eyes, bowed again and knelt down, saying:

"Thank you for your mercy, Bodhisattva. The Dragon Girl will certainly not fail your command and will ensure that the willow branch returns to Mount Luojia!"

Meanwhile, Ji Sheng and the Black Bear Monster had already entered the Black Wind Cave.

The black bear demon ordered the lesser demons to guard the cave as before, but he himself led Ji Sheng to an iron gate.

With a chant, the iron gate opened automatically without any wind, clattering open to both sides.

As soon as the door opened, a dazzling light filled Ji Sheng's vision, and lines of small characters almost completely filled his field of vision.

The black bear monster exclaimed in amazement:

"I never imagined this guy had hoarded so many treasures!"

Ji Sheng secretly admired him. No wonder he was a monster born from the greed of the Black Bear Demon; he must have stolen or robbed these treasures from who-knows-where.

The black bear monster waved its hand:

"Whatever Lord Ji wants, just go and get it yourself!"

Ji Sheng didn't stand on ceremony and went into the treasure vault to make his selections.

He currently possesses two flying swords. One is the Wisteria Heart, primarily composed of wood and secondarily of metal; the other is the Lotus Stem, composed of both water and wood.

When forging materials for this flying sword, the best materials are naturally those with similar properties. For example, wisteria heart is best for forging with wood and metal materials.

Lotus stems are best made from materials that are both water-based and wood-based.

In addition, the Three Qi Fire Control Technique he is currently cultivating also requires fire-element treasures, so he needs quite a few treasures.

The vault did contain purple-grade treasures, but he only took a few blue and green-grade items.

Although the Black Bear Monster used to be his subordinate, now that Black Wind Mountain has been reclaimed, the two are naturally friends who are of equal standing.

Ji Sheng wasn't a greedy person. He certainly wouldn't treat his friends like the Black Snake King, exploiting them to the bone.

It requires a gradual and sustained approach.

Just as Ji Sheng was about to leave with the treasure, he suddenly saw a golden light flash by in a corner.

His heart tightened, and he quickly looked over, only to find a fist-sized stone lying alone in a corner.

[Nine-Aperture Stone [Golden Center]: The heart of a wise person has seven apertures, while the heart of someone with immortal bones has nine. This stone is the manifestation of the heart of someone with immortal bones but lacking the destiny to become an immortal. If one can find a mortal and replace their heart with this stone, one can obtain immortal bones.]

This stone was formed from the heart of a person with immortal bones.

If this stone could replace someone else's heart, then that person could be born with immortal bones.

Ji Sheng picked up the stone. It was an ordinary, unremarkable piece of bluestone, covered with a thick layer of dust.

According to the text, this stone doesn't seem to have any other use.

The Merit Register states that if one can convert a mortal into an immortal, one will have made a great contribution.

However, judging from what he said, if one wants to become an immortal, having immortal bones alone is not enough; one also needs a predestined affinity with immortality.

So if we find someone who has a destiny to become an immortal but lacks the bones of an immortal, and replace their heart with this one, wouldn't they then have both the bones of an immortal and the destiny to become an immortal?

Ji Sheng brushed the dust off the stone and took it to the Black Bear Monster.

This stone belongs to the Black Bear Monster. Of course, the stone looks ordinary, and the Black Bear Monster doesn't have Ji Sheng's ability to identify treasures, so leaving the stone is a waste.

But ultimately, it cannot be kept secret from the other party; such behavior, though seemingly opportunistic, is actually unjust.

Ji Sheng must never be an unjust person.

"Black Bear Monster, this is a priceless treasure. I've looked around, and this stone is probably the best item in your treasury. I want it; would you be willing to part with it?"

The black bear monster looked at the ordinary-looking rock and, as expected, couldn't see anything special about it.

"What's so special about this stone? Aren't there plenty of them everywhere? Take it if you want!"

Ji Sheng knew that further explanation would be useless. He had wanted to see what treasures he had in his purple bamboo tube to exchange for, but his best item was only of purple grade.

The only thing that could be traded was the lotus leaf that had been obtained from the fire toad.

Since Ji Sheng didn't have much use for the lotus leaf, he gave it to the black bear monster first.

Of course, the value of this Nine-Aperture Stone far surpasses that of the lotus leaf. We'll compensate the Black Bear Monster for any other unused treasures we find later.

The black bear monster was both surprised and delighted to see the lotus leaf, realizing it was an extraordinary treasure.

He picked up a lotus leaf, held it up to his head, and then put it on.

"This lotus leaf is a treasure; it'll be perfect as a helmet for me!"

He was overjoyed, with lush green lotus leaves on his head, leaving Ji Sheng speechless.

I originally wanted to tell him that this was something the fire toad used as a loincloth, but it would be inappropriate to say it now.

Ji Sheng took the treasure and then took his leave. As he walked out of the Black Wind Cave, a streak of light flew towards him from afar.

With a single reach, Ji Sheng caught the streak of light.

Within the flowing light was a small talisman, which instantly dissipated and condensed into several lines of small characters:

"Master Ji, I have prepared the disciples for the trial at Baiyun Ridge. If you wish to observe, please arrive before tomorrow."