Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

Li Yan withdrew his gaze and continued:

"For ordinary monkeys to cultivate themselves, the foundation lies in the three treasures of essence, qi, and spirit."

"Semen is the root of the body. The kidneys store essence, and when essence is sufficient, the bones are strong."

"Qi is the foundation of life. The lungs govern qi, and when qi is abundant, strength is abundant."

"The spirit is the master of the heart. The heart houses the spirit, and when the spirit is complete, wisdom is clear."

"If the Three Treasures are secure, then no evil can invade."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and made a drawing in the air.

Starlight flowed from his fingers, condensing into three points of light.

A black coin, its color as deep and still as ink, hangs on the left side.

A pure white coin, light as a cloud, hangs on the right side.

A pale gold, clear as a mirror, hangs in the center.

The three points of light rotated slowly, attracting each other to form a small cycle.

"These three are essence, energy, and spirit."

"Essence is the foundation, Qi is the application, and spirit is the master."

"When the foundation is solid, the application is sufficient; when the application is sufficient, the ruler is wise; when the ruler is wise, the person is secure."

The monkeys stared, their eyes wide with disbelief.

Some with sufficient spiritual insight vaguely felt that the flow between these three points of light conformed to the laws of the universe, but they couldn't quite put their finger on it.

Li Yan offered no explanation.

He simply let those three points of light spin in the void for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea.

Then, with a wave of his hand, the light scattered into starlight, merging into the waterfall behind him.

"Today we'll focus on the essentials."

"Semen is the foundation of innate constitution and the basis of acquired constitution."

"The kidneys are the storehouse of essence, and the bones are the abode of essence."

"To preserve essence, first nourish the kidneys. To nourish the kidneys, first strengthen the bones."

He looked at the group of monkeys and said slowly:

"You climb and jump every day, which is a way to strengthen your bones. But if you climb excessively and jump at any time, you will damage your body."

"One should know that movement and stillness have their constants, and that strength and gentleness have their limits."

"For example, when climbing a tree, one cannot only go upwards; there must be a time to come down."

"For example, when jumping, one should not only aim for the highest point, but also ensure a place to land."

"for example,"

He paused slightly as he was speaking.

His gaze fell on the four old monkeys among the group.

Two red-bottomed macaques and two gibbones were sitting together, looking no different from ordinary old monkeys.

But just a moment ago...

Li Yan clearly sensed that one of the gibbones' auras fluctuated slightly.

The ripples were slight, like a ripple on the water's surface created by the wind, which then quickly disappeared.

If Li Yan hadn't constantly activated his Mind Mirror to reflect the entire universe, it would have been extremely difficult to detect.

The direction from which the fluctuation came was precisely from the three points of light from which he had just manifested the three treasures of essence, energy, and spirit.

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly.

He remained outwardly calm and continued his sermon.

"Take food and drink as another example."

When you eat fruit, have you ever noticed its five colors?

The monkeys shook their heads in bewilderment.

Li Yan said:

"The five colors enter the five internal organs."

"Green enters the liver, red enters the heart, yellow enters the spleen, white enters the lungs, and black enters the kidneys."

"To nourish the kidneys, one should eat black foods. What foods in the mountains are black?"

A little monkey raised its hand: "I know! Mulberries! Ripe mulberries are dark purple, and they're so sweet!"

Li Yan nodded slightly.

"good.

Mulberries, imbued with the lingering energy of spring and ripening in summer, are black in color and sweet in taste. They nourish the kidneys and replenish essence, making them perfectly suited for this time of year.

"When you gather food in the future, you should understand this principle."

The monkeys seemed to understand some of what they heard, but they all took notes carefully.

Li Yan went on to talk about everything from diet to daily routines, from climbing to sleeping.

The monkeys listened intently, unaware that the sun was already high in the sky.

Li Yan stopped talking.

That's all for today.

"Tomorrow at dawn, I will still be here to explain the methods of self-protection."

The monkeys, still wanting more, dared not say a word and dispersed.

Beside him, Sun Wukong, holding Little Drill Wind, remained seated on the highest rock.

Li Yan walked up to him.

"Your Majesty, was what you just said to your liking?"

Sun Wukong grinned.

"Brother, you've explained it clearly. This is probably the first time we kids have known that there are so many rules about eating fruit."

As he spoke, a hint of seriousness flashed in his golden eyes.

"However, those three points of light just now, the evolution of the three treasures of essence, energy and spirit, looked somewhat familiar to me."

Li Yan nodded slightly.

"Your Majesty has excellent eyesight."

"The movement of those three points of light perfectly aligns with the ancient theory of primordial innocence, which states that when one is tranquil and empty, true energy follows, and the spirit is guarded within, how can illness arise?"

Sun Wukong listened and nodded.

Li Yan didn't explain further, only saying:

"If Your Majesty has the time, you might as well listen to it. Although it is a rudimentary method, it still makes some sense."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "I'm listening! I'm listening!"

After saying that, she picked up Little Drill and skipped away.

Li Yan stood in front of the waterfall.

Behind them, water vapor rose.

A grey sable brushed against my shoulder.

In my arms, the jade mouse poked its little head out and squeaked twice.

Li Yan lowered his eyes, looked at the two protruding ear tips, and smiled slightly.

"No rush."

He said softly.

What's meant to come will come.

For the next three days, Li Yan began lecturing at dawn and stopped at noon each day.

The first day focuses on essence, the second on qi, and the third on spirit.

After the Three Treasures were explained, on the fourth day, the method of self-protection was taught.

Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

The monkeys gathered in front of the Water Curtain Cave earlier than they had in the previous three days.

Li Yan stood before the waterfall, his aura calm and composed.

But upon closer inspection, one can see two faint starlights flowing deep within the eyes, one bright and one dim.

These three days of preaching were an enlightenment for the monkeys, and for him as well, it was a form of spiritual practice.

"In ancient times, those who understood the Dao followed the principles of Yin and Yang, harmonized with the arts of numerology, ate and drank in moderation, maintained regular daily routines, and did not overwork themselves. Therefore, they were able to maintain both physical and spiritual well-being and live out their natural lifespan, reaching a hundred years before passing away."

He simplified these principles and explained them in a way that the monkeys could understand.

Every word uttered caused a tremor in the heart.

That is the energy of karmic connection, which is then generated.

[Teaching the fundamental principles of health preservation, benefiting the monkeys of Huaguo Mountain, awakening their intelligence, and strengthening their constitution]

[Aura of Destiny +20 +20 +20...]

[Cumulative: Aura of Destiny +240]

[Current Affinity/Dharma Energy: 2440/1280]

Li Yan remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he had already made a plan.

It turns out that obtaining the Qi of Destiny is not just about slaying demons and monsters and settling karma.

Passing on knowledge and skills, and awakening spiritual wisdom, is also a matter of fate and destiny.

Moreover, this karmic connection flows gently and continuously.

If these monkeys can cultivate themselves successfully in the future, they can reproduce and pass on their lineage from generation to generation.

That spark of inspiration at its source can all be traced back to this place.

Li Yan snapped out of his thoughts and glanced at the group of monkeys.

The four old monkeys sat even closer together today.

Two red-bottomed macaques and two gibbones, their auras restrained like ordinary monkeys.

But when reflected in the mirror of the mind, one can faintly see the four monkeys with a flowing Taoist aura around them.

The Daoist rhyme he spoke of subtly resonated with what he had been saying these past few days, yet it went on to a deeper level.

It was as if they already knew all this, and were simply listening to an old friend recounting old stories.

Li Yan suppressed his doubts and said:

"Today we will discuss methods of self-protection."

"Protecting oneself is not about being brave and fierce, but about avoiding misfortune and seeking good fortune."

As the saying goes, a wise person plans ahead before undertaking any task. Planning ahead ensures success, while lack of planning leads to failure.

"You are in the mountains and forests, where dangers lurk everywhere. Fierce beasts, poisonous insects, demons and evil spirits can all harm your body and take your life."

"To protect yourself, first recognize danger."

He raised his hand and pointed eastward.

"As the sun rises in the east, the yang energy ascends. At this time, wild beasts return to their burrows and poisonous insects lie dormant in the mountains, making it the safest place."

It also refers to the West.

"As the sun sets in the west, yin energy begins to rise. At this time, nocturnal animals in the mountains become active, and demons and evil spirits also like to appear."

Then, to the south.

"When the south wind blows, there is often rain and fog. Visibility is poor in the fog, making one vulnerable to surprise attacks."

Then it points to the north.

"When the north wind arrives, the weather is freezing cold. At this time, mountain fruits are scarce, and wild beasts are hungry, making it the most dangerous time."

The monkeys listened attentively, some even scratching at the ground with their paws, as if taking notes.

Li Yan nodded slightly.

"After recognizing the danger, the next step is to avoid it."

There are three ways to avoid danger: first, hide; second, escape; and third, defend.

"To conceal oneself means to hide one's form and aura so that the enemy is unaware of one's presence."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed to a clump of bushes not far away.

"This clump is called elderberry. Its branches and leaves are so dense that they can hide two or three monkeys."

If pursuers arrive, slip inside, hold your breath, and you might escape.

Another point refers to a clump of tall grass beside a mountain stream.

"This plant is called reed. It can grow taller than a person, and its roots and stems can hide seven or eight monkeys."

If a minor demon patrols the mountain, it can lie in ambush, motionless as a mountain, and be difficult to detect.

The monkeys' eyes lit up as they looked around, trying to remember where they could hide.

Li Yan continued:

"The escapee acts swiftly and decisively, like the wind, seizing opportunities as they arise."

"Your climbing and jumping are gifts of nature. But beyond speed, you also need to adapt."

"A straight line is easy to follow, but a winding path is difficult to catch."

"Learn from the mountain stream: it winds around rocks, leaps over obstacles, and falls down cliffs."

"This is the way to escape."

A young monkey raised its hand and asked, "Sir, what about blocking it?"

Li Yan glanced at it.

"Those who block the way do so out of necessity."

"If there is nowhere to hide and nowhere to escape, the only option is to fight to the death."

"The way to fight to the death is not to kill the enemy, but to survive."

He raised his hand, and starlight condensed in the void, transforming into a short stick that landed in his palm.

"This stick is three feet seven inches long and weighs nine pounds eight ounces. It is made of oak wood from the mountains. It is soaked in stream water for seven days, dried, and then polished with mountain stones to take shape."

"You may all follow this method and forge your own sticks to carry with you."

"When encountering the enemy, there is no need to force yourself to injure them. Just protect your vital points, fight and retreat, and wait for the king to come to your aid."

The monkeys nodded in agreement, while some of the more impatient ones were already looking around, searching for suitable oak trees.

Li Yan handed the short stick to an old monkey nearby, letting it pass it around and look at it.

The old monkey took the stick, weighed it in his hand, and then touched it. A glint of light flashed in his old eyes.

It suddenly spoke:

"What the master taught were all methods for surviving."

"I've lived for over two hundred years, and only today do I realize that my survival all these years has been nothing but a stroke of luck."

Li Yan looked at it.

That old monkey was one of the four old monkeys, a gibbon.

Its aura remained restrained, but its eyes now faintly shimmered with light.

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly.

His face remained expressionless, and he simply said:

"You're too modest, sir. To live to be over two hundred years old, you must have some unique abilities."

The old monkey shook its head.

"What makes it unique? It's nothing more than hiding and running away."

"then……"

It suddenly stopped, as if it had remembered something, and the light in its eyes dimmed.

"Let's not talk about what happened back then."

Li Yan looked at it quietly.

He didn't ask any further questions.

Just nodded.

"If the old man doesn't want to talk about it, then he won't."

"That concludes today's sermon. Go and find wood to make your own sticks. We will discuss how to use sticks for self-defense at this time tomorrow."

The monkeys cheered and scattered, each searching for oak trees.

Li Yan stood still, but his gaze was fixed on the four old monkeys.

The four monkeys did not leave immediately.

They gathered together and whispered something.

The voice was so soft that even when Li Yan strained his ears, he could only hear a few words.

"...That gentleman...looks somewhat familiar..."

"...Impossible...he was still..."

"...Let's wait and see..."

Li Yan withdrew his gaze.

He turned and walked towards the Water Curtain Cave.

Behind him, the four monkeys' gazes seemed to fall on his back, albeit casually.

At that moment, within the Niwan Palace, the tortoise shell of the [Guicang] trembled slightly.

The chaotic light flowed, concealing his aura even more profoundly.

night.

Deep within the Water Curtain Cave lies a secluded stone chamber.

This is a place that Sun Wukong specially prepared for Li Yan.

The stone chamber was small, but dry and clean, with several luminous pearls embedded in the stone walls, glowing softly.

Li Yan sat cross-legged on the stone couch.

The gray sable was curled up beside his knees, bathed in the moonlight, as he meditated.

The jade mouse nestled in his arms, clutching half a piece of fruit he had secretly hidden during the day, nibbling on it in small bites.

Li Yan closed his eyes, his mind sinking into the Niwan Palace (a point on the back of the head).

The mirror of the heart hangs high, reflecting everything seen today.

The faces of the four old monkeys appeared one by one in the mirror.

Red-bottomed macaque, mongoose.

They are born with extraordinary traits, have long lifespans, understand yin and yang, know human affairs, are good at entering and leaving, and can avoid death and prolong life.

Grasp the sun and moon, shrink a thousand mountains, discern good and bad fortune, manipulate heaven and earth.

Such qualities would make one a rare spiritual being even in the Three Realms.

But why are they mingling among ordinary monkeys in Flower Fruit Mountain?

Why then did he seal off his cultivation and willingly become a mortal monkey?

What was the story of that old monkey that seemed to want to say something but hesitated to speak today?

Li Yan's mind raced, and all sorts of guesses came to mind.

Most likely, they have encountered a major upheaval and have had to hide to protect themselves.

What was that great change?

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly remembered something.

These past few days, while the four monkeys have been trying their best to restrain themselves during their sermons, the Daoist aura they occasionally revealed was clearly different from that of ordinary monkeys.

It's a kind of insightful understanding that comes from experiencing life's vicissitudes and seeing through the ways of the world.

It's not that they don't understand spiritual practice.

They understand too well.

They understand the importance of not revealing it, and they prefer to remain silent.

Li Yan opened his eyes.

The starlight in his eyes flashed and disappeared in an instant.

"A-Diao".

he called softly.

The sable opened its amber eyes and looked at him.

"Tomorrow, keep an eye on those four old monkeys."

"If they make any unusual movements, do not disturb them; just note them down."

The sable nodded, wagged its tail, and then closed its eyes to continue its meditation.

Li Yan looked at the jade rat in his arms.

The little thing had finished eating the fruit and was lying on its back, its little belly rising and falling, fast asleep.

He smiled slightly, not waking it, but simply stroking its little head.

Then, I closed my eyes and immersed myself in meditation.

The fifth day, at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM).

The monkeys arrived even earlier at the Water Curtain Cave.

After listening to Li Yan's story yesterday, they went back and actually found some oak wood, whittled it into short sticks, and began to imitate it in a very professional manner.

At this moment, hundreds and thousands of monkeys, each with a stick, some squatting and some standing, scratching their ears and cheeks, are just waiting for the teacher to begin his lecture.

Li Yan stood before the waterfall, his gaze sweeping over the group of monkeys.

The four old monkeys sat even closer together today.

Moreover, each of them also had a short stick in its hand.

However, that stick was different from those made by ordinary monkeys.

The wood is older, with a denser grain, and has a subtle, oily sheen.

That's over a hundred years old material, and it's been aged for many years. That's why this phenomenon occurs.

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly.

His face remained expressionless, and he simply said:

"Today I'm talking about sticks."

"The staff is the ancestor of all weapons. It is simple and unadorned, yet the most practical."

"The softest thing in the world can overcome the hardest thing in the world."

"The staff has no sharp edge and seems extremely soft, but if used properly, it can break through strong armor and repel powerful enemies."

He raised his hand, and starlight condensed in the void, transforming into a short stick that fell into his palm.

"Yesterday I spoke about the method of making the staff. Today I will speak about the way of using the staff."

"There are three ways to use a stick. The first is to circle, the second is to point, and the third is to chop."

"The circle is formed by drawing an arc with a stick to protect the body and prevent the enemy from getting close."

As he spoke, he slowly twirled the short stick in his hand.

The shadow of the stick drew a circle, encircling a three-foot radius around him.

Perfectly round and smooth, without a single leak.

"The point is to strike with the tip of the stick, targeting vital points, and then retreat after one strike."

The staff's shadow shifted, from a circle to a point, suddenly thrusting out and then suddenly retracting.

"The chopping motion involves striking down with the shaft of a stick, with immense force, unstoppable and relentless."

The staff's shadow shifted again, striking from a point to a slash, crashing down with a powerful gust of wind.

After performing the three moves, Li Yan put away his staff and stood up.

The monkeys stared in disbelief, and after a long while, they burst into cheers.

Li Yan handed the stick to a nearby monkey and asked it to pass it around.

Then, he looked at the four old monkeys.

At this moment, all four monkeys had a strange look in their eyes.

The unusual color was extremely faint; it would have been impossible to detect unless he had been paying close attention.

In particular, one of the gibbones, with its cloudy old eyes, seemed to have a faint glimmer of tears.