The story begins with the bride marrying off her daughter, and the woman, at the age of one hundred,

This is a line from the Tao Te Ching.

This Taoist scripture was written by Laozi, the reincarnation of Taishang Laojun, through the pen name of Yin Xi, the former official in charge of Hangu Pass.

Later, Lao Tzu rode an ox westward.

He went west out of Hangu Pass, taught and enlightened the people of the West, and naturally left behind the seeds of Taoism.

When he arrived at the Great Snow Mountain, he climbed the mountain to admire the snow, enjoying the scenery and finding pleasure in it. Later, he and Dipankara Buddha answered questions for the Buddha Shakyamuni.

When the Buddha returned to his position, Mahayana Buddhism was born.

Having successfully converted the barbarians to Buddhism, Lao Tzu retired from public life and returned to the Tushita Palace in the Thirty-Three Heavens.

Yin Xi, who attained immortality through the Tao Te Ching, became a disciple of Lao Tzu. He was given the name Wen Shi, and established a Taoist temple in Zhongnan Mountain, founding the Louguan School and continuing the Taoist tradition.

The Tao Te Ching subsequently spread throughout the world.

[With five thousand words, the universe is fully revealed; with one principle and one virtue, the mind and body find peace.]

In the past, when the Bodhi Patriarch was traveling in Jambudvipa, he temporarily rested on Zhongnan Mountain and gave guidance to the Wenshi Zhenren.

Out of gratitude, Master Wenshi presented him with a copy of the Tao Te Ching that he had personally recorded. Although it was not the original, it was still invaluable and contained the essence of Master Wenshi's Tao.

It is the same as the inscription personally written by Confucius.

The Tao Te Ching, gifted by the True Man Wenshi, also conceals its essence within, its meaning contained yet not revealed. Those who have perused this Taoist scripture will silently receive a wisp of Taoist essence, hidden in the unspeakable, indescribable, yet truly existing mystery of life.

Things should not be done more than three times; stop when you've reached the point.

This invisible spiritual energy will exist for three years.

Three years later, if the beings' understanding of the Tao Te Ching remains superficial, the spiritual essence will automatically dissipate and return to the scripture given by the True Man of the Beginning.

If one truly understands the scriptures from a personal perspective or has a change in seeing beyond the surface to the essence, then one will be inspired by spiritual resonance.

That wisp of spiritual energy will aid living beings in their cultivation.

In return, the original book will resonate with the spirits, recording their understanding of certain principles, which can be considered reading notes for future readers to learn from, and also nourish the original book.

Mutual benefit, each getting what they need, and mutual success.

As the former steward of the Sutra Repository at Xieyue Sanxing Cave, Changshou, being in a privileged position, naturally had the opportunity to peruse this special copy of the Tao Te Ching.

In the past, his understanding of this scripture remained superficial, and the more Changshou tried to grasp that spiritual essence, the less he could hold onto it.

I never expected that by simply relaxing my mind and body without thinking, asking, longing, or being obsessed, and without even considering this point, I would actually reap unexpected rewards.

That's exactly what it says:

The flowers you plant with care may not bloom, while the willows you plant unintentionally may thrive.

---

My thoughts raced through my mind.

Memories surged like a tidal wave.

Changshou gained a little insight once again.

However, he quickly suppressed it.

All of this was accomplished in an instant.

At the same time, Chang Shou's gaze towards Sun Wukong changed, showing more appreciation, as if he were looking at a peerless treasure.

The man and the monkey continued their conversation.

Sun Wukong started talking non-stop.

When Changshou heard the monkey say that he would become a celestial being in the future, he nodded solemnly and agreed.

"Monkey, I've read thousands of ancient books in the library: astronomy, geomancy, divination, spiritual cultivation and winemaking, ancient historical secrets..."

It is rich in content and all-encompassing.

You once said that you were born from a nine-aperture stone on Flower and Fruit Mountain.

I have consulted ancient texts, and it is said that a holy spirit was born from a stone in ancient times.

This holy spirit was transformed from a sacred stone on Mount Tai. It has been worshipped by the ancient ancestors of the human race for centuries, and over time, it developed a spiritual nature.

This spiritual essence resided within the sacred stone of Mount Tai, and was nurtured by heaven and earth for 6,666 years before being born.

That day, something earth-shattering happened.

A humanoid creature sprang out from the spirit stone.

He has a deep foundation and exceptional comprehension.

Later, he was taken in as a disciple by the Eastern Azure Flower Great Savior of Suffering, who named him Shi Gandang and taught him diligently. In just sixty years, he cultivated himself into an immortal.

Moreover, he is a powerful war god.

He subdued demons and monsters, protected his home and people, and accumulated merits. Decades later, he successfully ascended to the ranks of immortals and was bestowed the title of Mountain God of Mount Tai and Martial Saint Heavenly Venerable by the Great Heavenly Venerable.

Later, Shi Gandang returned to his hometown in glory.

From then on, he served under the Eastern Peak Emperor, protecting the region.

That concludes the discussion.

Chang Shou turned to look at the monkey, and said in a more certain tone than Sun Wukong:

"Jinling is no ordinary creature; it will transform into a dragon once it encounters wind and clouds."

This time, the patriarch is passing on the Dharma, which is the arrival of your tribulations. As long as you cultivate diligently, you will surely be able to ride the wind and rain and transform into a dragon, soaring straight up to roam the nine heavens and cultivate into a legendary celestial immortal.

May it live as long as heaven and earth, and be as old as the sun and moon.

Because you too are the Holy Spirit in the stone.

It may have been conceived even longer than the stone guardian.

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong was deeply moved.

This was due both to this ancient history that he had never heard of before and to Old Man Chang's confidence in himself.

He patted his chest and repeatedly assured them:

"Don't worry, Old Man Chang, I will definitely seize the opportunity and strive to become a Celestial Immortal."

---

The stream flows gently, and the forests and grasses are lush and abundant.

They continued walking and talking along the river.

Sun Wukong, as if showing off a treasure, started talking about other topics.

"Old Chang, Master is merciful. He relented last night and promised to give it to you..."

Upon hearing that Bodhi Patriarch had allowed him to attend his quarterly lectures, Changshou was overjoyed and immediately bowed to the void.

"This junior thanks the ancestor for his kindness."

They are now at Lingtai Fangcun Mountain.

This place is the Bodhi Patriarch's sacred site. Every move they make is watched by the Patriarch. They don't need to go to the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars. As long as they are still on this mountain, it doesn't matter where they pay their respects.

Inside the house at the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave.

Bodhi Patriarch stroked his beard and smiled:

"You old codger, at least you have some conscience."

The mountain stream flows gurglingly.

Changshou continued to listen to the monkey's story.

When he heard that Bodhi Patriarch had allowed him to cultivate in seclusion on Fangcun Mountain, he bowed again to express his gratitude.

A mountain is not famous for its height, but for the immortals who dwell there.

Water is not important for its depth, but for the dragon that dwells within.

Although it is difficult for me to enter the cave, Fangcun Mountain is the place where the patriarch cultivated in seclusion. It is rich in spiritual energy and resources, and it is still a place for living beings to cultivate immortality and comprehend the Dao.

He can still achieve twice the results with half the effort if he stays at Lingtai Fangcun Mountain to cultivate.

Upon hearing that the patriarch forbade him from borrowing the books in the cave or using the spiritual objects there, Changshou's face showed a hint of disappointment, but he quickly recovered and his expression became calm.

He spoke the truth:

"Being able to stay on Fangcun Mountain to cultivate is already a blessing from the patriarch. How can I be so greedy? Those who are content are in a celestial realm, while those who are not content are in a mortal realm."

This humble Taoist priest will not trap, torment, or trouble himself.

Inside a house in Sanxingdong.

The Bodhi Patriarch said insincerely:

"I haven't lived over a hundred years in vain."

It's not that we only get older but our brains don't grow.

Unlike those ungrateful wretches who hold grudges but forget kindness, I am not a vulgar fool who is grateful for a little help but resentful for a lot.

Old Man Chang quickly regained his composure.

Sun Wukong was all smiles.

"I knew it, Old Man Chang, you're no ordinary person, otherwise, I wouldn't have valued you so much."

Looking at the monkey who couldn't resist praising himself while complimenting others, Changshou said irritably:

"You monkey, you really know how to praise yourself indirectly."