Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

Ao Guang was filled with turmoil and stepped forward first.

"Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea, accompanied by his three virtuous brothers, pays his respects to the Immortal!"

Having said that, he bowed deeply.

The other three dragons also bowed in greeting.

Sun Wukong sat still, only nodding slightly.

"The four old dragon kings have come a long way and must be tired. Please take a seat."

Having said that, he raised his hand in a gesture of invitation.

The four dragons then straightened up and took their seats in order.

Ao Guang sat first on the left, Ao Qin sat second on the left, Ao Run sat first on the right, and Ao Shun sat second on the right.

A little monkey stepped forward and poured fruit wine for the four dragons.

Sun Wukong picked up the teacup in front of him, using tea instead of wine, and gestured to the four dragons.

"Four Dragon Kings, I, Old Sun, have prepared this banquet today, firstly to thank you for your generous gifts the other day, and secondly to let us get to know each other better. Please!"

After saying that, he took a sip.

Si Long quickly picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Ao Qin put down his wine cup and said with a smile, "You're too kind, Immortal."

Those armors were a gift from us brothers; it is our honor that the immortals like them.

Ao Run also said, "That's right."

"If you ever need anything in the future, please just ask. The Dragon Palace may be small, but it has some resources."

Sun Wukong grinned.

"Thank you very much. I, Old Sun, am already more than satisfied with this golden cudgel. I also have my armor, so I don't need anything else."

Ao Guang stroked his beard and smiled, "You are too modest, Immortal."

"With his current status as a Taiyi Golden Immortal, even if he wanted the stars in the sky, someone could probably pluck them down from the heavens."

Sun Wukong waved his hand: "No need for the stars."

I, Old Sun, love to play and frolic with the children on Flower Fruit Mountain, carefree and at ease.

The four dragons exchanged a glance.

Ao Qin suddenly spoke up: "Immortal, I have a question for you, but I'm not sure if I should answer it."

Sun Wukong's golden eyes flashed slightly: "Please speak, Old Dragon King."

Ao Qin asked, "Now that you are a Golden Immortal, have you considered your future path in the Dao?"

"I would like to hear the details."

Ao Qin said, "Above Taiyi, there is Daluo, and above Daluo, there is Hunyuan."

"The immortal was born of heaven and earth, possessing extraordinary talent. Wouldn't it be a pity if he stopped here?"

Sun Wukong scratched his ear and laughed, "I hadn't thought of what the old Dragon King said."

"I, Old Sun, cultivate only for the sake of longevity and freedom. Now that I can achieve longevity, what need is there for all that else?"

Ao Qin shook his head: "Immortal, you are mistaken."

Immortality is easy to attain, but true freedom is hard to find.

You should know that there is the Jade Emperor in Heaven, the Buddha in the Western Paradise, and Ksitigarbha in the Underworld.

If an immortal were to inadvertently offend someone, their carefree life would vanish in an instant.

Sun Wukong listened, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.

"What does the Old Dragon King mean?"

Ao Qin said, "What I mean is that if the immortal can find a powerful backer, he will have more protection in the future."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong laughed.

"Old Dragon King, I, Old Sun, understand. You want me to submit to the Heavenly Court?"

Ao Qin was taken aback, then chuckled dryly, "Immortal, you misunderstand. I was merely offering a suggestion, nothing more."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "I'm used to being free and can't stand being restrained."

The Heavenly Court may be wonderful, but it's not a place for me, Old Sun.

Ao Guang quickly smoothed things over: "Immortal, please don't take offense. My second brother is straightforward and his words may not be pleasant to hear, but they are meant well."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Old Dragon King, there's no need to explain."

I, Old Sun, know that you are doing this for my own good.

"But I, Old Sun, have my own path. I don't care about what others have laid out for me."

The four dragons looked at each other in bewilderment.

Ao Run: "The immortal is right. True freedom comes from walking your own path. Come, let's drink!"

Having said that, he picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp.

The atmosphere then eased.

After that, Si Long stopped bringing up those sensitive topics and just chatted about strange tales of mountains and seas, local customs and traditions.

Sun Wukong didn't mind, and listened while drinking tea.

He would occasionally chime in with a few words, which would make the four dragons burst into laughter.

After several rounds of drinks and five courses of food,

Ao Guang put down his wine cup and looked at Li Yan.

"Fellow Daoist, may I ask your name?"

Li Yan bowed slightly.

"This humble Taoist priest, Li Yan, greets the Old Dragon King."

Ao Guang looked him up and down.

The Taoist priest's aura was calm and composed, making it impossible to discern his true strength.

But those eyes, with a faint starlight shimmering within them, were anything but ordinary.

"Fellow Daoist, do you cultivate the Dao of the Grotto-Heavens?"

Li Yan's gaze narrowed slightly.

That old Dragon King has a good eye.

"Old Dragon King, you have discerning eyes. This humble Taoist is indeed practicing the Dao of the Grotto Heaven."

Ao Guang stroked his beard and laughed:

"The Dao of the Grotto Heaven is an ancient method, now rarely seen. Fellow Daoist, to have obtained this inheritance must be a person of great fortune."

Li Yan said, "Old Dragon King, you flatter me. I am but a rogue cultivator who, by chance, acquired some superficial knowledge, which is not worth mentioning."

Ao Guang shook his head: "Fellow Daoist is too modest."

Although I am old and my eyesight is failing, I can still see that there is a flow of chaotic energy on your body.

This energy cannot be obtained by anyone without great fortune. Fellow Daoist, you will surely achieve great things in the future.

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly.

The old Dragon King was testing him.

"Old Dragon King, you flatter me."

"I am of dull aptitude; it is already a stroke of luck that I have cultivated to this point. What lies ahead is in the hands of Heaven."

Upon hearing this, a strange light flashed in Ao Guang's eyes.

Just as he was about to speak again, Ao Qin spoke up.

"Immortal Sun, there is something I wish to say, but I am not sure if I should."

Sun Wukong said, "Please speak, Old Dragon King."

Ao Qin asked, "Now that you are a Taiyi Golden Immortal, have you ever thought about settling down and starting a family?"

Sun Wukong was taken aback: "Settle down and start a family?"

Ao Qin nodded: "Exactly. Although the immortal is carefree, it is not proper for him to be alone."

If one can find a suitable partner and become a Daoist companion, one will have someone to look after one another in future cultivation.

Sun Wukong grinned.

"Old Dragon King, I, Old Sun, am a monkey. Why would I seek a Daoist partner? My children are my family."

Ao Qin shook his head: "Immortal, you are mistaken."

Ao Qin shook his head: "Immortal, you are mistaken."

Children are children, and Daoist partners are Daoist partners. Daoist partners are those with whom one can jointly comprehend the Great Dao and attain immortality.

Sun Wukong waved his hand: "I haven't thought about these things. Old Dragon King, you don't need to worry about it."

Ao Qin, however, refused to give up.

"Immortal, I have a granddaughter named Bibo, who is beautiful and exceptionally talented."

She has now reached the realm of a true immortal. If the venerable immortal does not reject her, this old man is willing to betroth her to the venerable immortal, and form a bond of marriage.

These words shocked everyone present.

Ao Guang quickly said, "Second brother, don't talk nonsense!"

Ao Qin replied, "Brother, I mean it from the bottom of my heart."

"If the immortal agrees, the Dragon Palace is willing to offer one-third of the South China Sea as dowry!"

Sun Wukong couldn't help but look at Li Yan.

After all, he had lived for a long time and had never thought about such a thing.

Li Yan shook his head slightly.

Sun Wukong understood and coughed lightly.

"Old Dragon King, well... I'm still young, I don't think about these things. Thank you for your kind offer, I appreciate it."

Ao Qin, however, refused to give up.

"Immortal, my granddaughter is truly exceptional. If you do not believe me, I can summon her here so you can see her for yourself."

As he spoke, he was about to get up.

Ao Run quickly stopped him.

"Second brother, don't force it. Since the immortal has no intention, then let it be."

Ao Qin then sat down dejectedly, muttering to himself, "What a pity, what a pity..."

Sun Wukong secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and suppressed the strange feeling in his heart.

Li Yan, however, was secretly making calculations on the side.

In the mirror of the heart, images flashed by.

The actions of Ao Qin, the Dragon King of the South Sea, today were far too deliberate.

First they advised him to seek refuge in the Heavenly Court, and now they want to marry his granddaughter to him.

It seems like good intentions, but in reality, it's all about testing each other.

There must be someone behind this.

Li Yan's gaze sharpened slightly as he looked at Ao Qin.

Under the reflection of the mind mirror, there was a faint abnormality in the aura surrounding Ao Qin.

With just one glance, Li Yan quickly suppressed the turmoil in his heart and remained expressionless.

The banquet continued.

Si Long drank a few more rounds of wine and chatted for a while before getting up to say goodbye.

Sun Wukong personally escorted him to the bridgehead and bowed to say goodbye.

The four dragons rode away on the clouds and disappeared in an instant.

Sun Wukong returned to the high platform, plopped down, and let out a long sigh.

"Brother, I'm terrified! That old Dragon King actually wants to marry his granddaughter to me!"

Li Yan smiled slightly.

"Your Majesty need not be alarmed. That Dragon King of the South Sea did not act in his own way."

Sun Wukong was taken aback: "Not my intention? Then what is it?"

Li Yan slowly said, "He has been placed under a restriction. His actions today were driven by that restriction."

Sun Wukong's golden eyes narrowed.

"A restriction? Could it be the same as the one on those four old monkeys?"

Li Yan nodded: "They come from the same source."

Sun Wukong remained silent.

After a long while, he looked eastward at the vast sea.

"What exactly do those northerners want?"

Li Yan shook his head.

"I don't know. But one thing is certain: his reach has already extended to the Dragon Palace."

"Your Majesty must be even more careful in the future."

Sun Wukong nodded.

"I've got it."

That night, the moonlight was as clear as water.

Li Yan sat cross-legged on the large rock outside the Water Curtain Cave.

The gray sable crouched beside my knees, inhaling and exhaling the moonlight.

The jade mouse nestled in my arms, fast asleep.

Li Yan closed his eyes, his mind sinking into the grotto.

This small world, fifty feet in diameter, is now becoming increasingly perfect.

Above the dome, the starry sky is dazzling, and the sun and moon traverse the heavens.

The earth is covered with rolling hills and crisscrossing veins.

Among the hills, vegetation thrives, creating a lush and green landscape.

In the center, the golden lotus had grown to two feet five inches.

The stem is as thick as a thumb, and the leaves have nine leaves, each with flowing golden veins.

The lotus bud at the top is about to bloom.

It will bloom when the time is right.

Li Yan's mind stirred slightly, drawing upon the power of the grotto-heaven.

The golden lotus swayed gently, scattering dappled sunlight.

As the moonlight fell, the entire grotto trembled slightly.

Li Yan opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air.

The breath was exhaled, swirled once in the void, transformed into a small patch of chaotic mist, and slowly dissipated.

He looked up at the bright moon.

The moonlight, like water, spills across the mountains and rivers.

Behind them, from inside the Water Curtain Cave, came the faint sound of Sun Wukong fast asleep.

That little whirlwind must be lying on his belly again.

Li Yan smiled slightly, about to close his eyes and continue his cultivation.

Suddenly, the mirror of my heart trembled.

His gaze sharpened as he looked into the distance.

That's the cliff where the four old monkeys lived.

Under the moonlight, four figures stood there, gazing in his direction.

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly.

He got up and walked towards the cliff.

There is a natural stone cave on the cliff face.

The entrance to the cave is not large, but the interior is quite spacious.

The four monkeys were standing at the cave entrance, seemingly waiting for him.

Li Yan approached and nodded slightly.

"What brings you four gentlemen to summon me so late at night?"

The gibbon stepped forward and bowed deeply to him.

"Fellow Daoist, there is something we must tell you."

Li Yan's gaze narrowed slightly.

"Please speak, sir."

The gibbon hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"Fellow Daoist, we sensed the matter of the South Sea Dragon King at today's banquet."

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly, and he used the Gui Cang technique to conceal the secrets of heaven.

"What have you four old men sensed?"

The gibbon said, "The Dragon King of the South Sea has a mark on his body. It comes from the same source as the mark on our bodies."

Li Yan nodded: "I sensed it too."

The gibbon was taken aback, then gave a wry smile.

"Fellow Daoist is indeed incredibly powerful."

We old folks thought that sealing our cultivation for hundreds of years was enough to be patient.

I never imagined those northerners would extend their reach so far.

Li Yan asked, "Gentlemen, do you know what the purpose of that mark is?"

"I don't know. Back then, those people from the north only left a mark on us and then ignored us."

We old folks only know that this seal can pinpoint locations and control one's mind, but we don't know exactly how it works.

Li Yan pondered for a moment.

"Gentlemen, would you be so kind as to allow me to see that mark?"

The four monkeys exchanged a glance and nodded in unison.

"Please proceed, fellow Daoist."

Li Yan stepped forward and placed his hand on the chest of the gibbon.

The mind sinks in, and the mirror of the heart reflects.

Within the Niwan Palace, the Heart Mirror hangs high, reflecting the depths of the Tongbei Ape's primordial spirit.

There, a mass of gray-black mist lingered.

That aura was similar to the aura of calamity, but even more profound and eerie.

It lies dormant deep within the primordial spirit, motionless.

But it will awaken as soon as its host shows the slightest sign of life.

Li Yan carefully observed with the Mind Mirror.

The grayish-black aura faintly formed a pattern.

The pattern resembled neither a talisman nor a spell.

There are eight directions that can be vaguely seen, arranged around the perimeter.

Qian (☰) is in the south, Kun (☷) is in the north, Li (☲) is in the east, and Kan (☵) is in the west.

The trigram Zhen is in the northeast, and Xun is in the southwest.

The trigram Gen (艮) corresponds to the northwest, and Dui (兑) to the southeast.

The Eight Trigrams of the Primordial Era!

Li Yan was shocked.

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

But now is not the time to delve into it.

He withdrew his hand and looked at the four monkeys.

"I have seen the four gentlemen."

The gibbon asked nervously, "Fellow Daoist, can you see anything?"

Li Yan nodded.

"That mark is based on the Eight Trigrams of the Primordial Heaven. The one who performed the ritual must be a highly accomplished master of the Eight Trigrams."

The four monkeys exchanged glances, a hint of fear flashing in each of their eyes.

The gibbon stammered, "The Eight Trigrams of the Primordial Heaven...it's him...it's him!"

Li Yan asked, "Does the old man recognize him?"

The gibbon nodded, then shook its head.

"I don't recognize him. But before our ancestor perished, he said something."

"What did you say?"

"The ancestor said that the man used the Eight Trigrams of the Primordial Era as a foundation to develop supreme supernatural powers. If someone can unravel this seal in the future, they will be his nemesis."

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly.

"What else did the Ancestor say?"

The gibbon shook its head.

"That's all he said. Then, the ancestor... then..."

I can't continue.

Li Yan remained silent.

After a long silence, he spoke: "Four gentlemen, although I cannot remove that mark, I can conceal it."

"If the four elders are ever driven by that mark again in the future, they can send me a message immediately."

I concealed it with chaotic energy; perhaps this could delay the onset of the mark.

The four monkeys were overjoyed and knelt down in unison.

"Thank you, fellow Daoist!"

Li Yan raised his hand in a gesture of support.

"Please rise, gentlemen. We are fellow Daoists, there's no need for such formalities."

The four monkeys then got up.

The gibbon said, "Fellow Daoist, I have something else to tell you."

Li Yan said, "Please speak, sir."

The gibbon said, "The marks on the South Sea Dragon King's body are much lighter than those on ours."

This old man suspects that the northerner did not plant the seed intentionally, but rather contracted it unintentionally.

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly.

"Improved accidentally?"

The gibbon nodded.

"That's right. When we followed our ancestor back then, we heard about a secret technique."

That secret technique can use the power of cause and effect to plant a mark on others.

If there is a causal connection between the one who plants the mark and the one who receives it, the mark will be deep. If there is no causal connection, the mark will be shallow.

"The Dragon King of the South Sea and the people of the North have no karmic connection."

That mark must have been unintentionally acquired by that northerner during a magical duel.

Li Yan pondered for a moment.

"Old man, could the mark on the South Sea Dragon King's body control his mind?"

The gibbon shook its head.

"No. The mark is too faint; it can only occasionally give him a certain thought, but it cannot truly control him."

"At today's banquet, he advised the king to submit to the Heavenly Court and also betrothed his granddaughter. It seemed deliberate, but in reality, it was just that mark causing trouble."

Li Yan nodded.

"Thank you for informing me, sir."

The gibbon said, "Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. Since you have cleared up our doubts, we will certainly answer them without reservation."

Li Yan asked a few more questions, which the four monkeys answered one by one.

The four monkeys did not take their leave until the moon was high in the sky.

The next day, at dawn.

In front of the Water Curtain Cave, a large group of monkeys gathered.

Li Yan stood before the waterfall and continued his sermon.

Today's topic is Yin and Yang.

"Yin and Yang are the way of Heaven and Earth, the guiding principles of all things, the parents of change, the origin of life and death, and the abode of the divine."

"In your cultivation, you must first solidify your essence, then replenish your vital energy, and finally perfect your spirit. Only after your spirit is complete can you speak of yin and yang."

"Yin and Yang are not limited to male and female. Day and night are Yin and Yang, movement and stillness are Yin and Yang, rising and falling are Yin and Yang, coming and going are Yin and Yang."

"Those who cultivate themselves must understand the principle of the waxing and waning of Yin and Yang in order to harmonize themselves and be in harmony with Heaven and Earth."

Raise your hand, and it will evolve in the void.

The starlight coalesced, transforming into two points of light, one black and one white.

Black is as deep and still as ink, while white is as light and airy as clouds.

The two points of light slowly rotated, chasing each other, forming a small tai chi symbol.

"This is Yin and Yang."

"Yin contains Yang, and Yang contains Yin. Yin gives rise to Yang, and Yang gives rise to Yin."

"A cycle that repeats itself endlessly, a continuous process of life."

The monkeys watched intently.

In the afternoon, the sermon concluded.

Just as Li Yan was about to return to the cave, he suddenly saw a cloud of mist surging in from the horizon.

The clouds were a deep blue color, with the faint shadows of dragons moving about.

In the blink of an eye, it landed in front of the high platform.

As the clouds dispersed, a figure appeared.

But it was a woman.

She was born with beautiful features and skin as smooth as jade.

She wore a light blue silk skirt, a silk sash around her waist, and cloud-patterned shoes.

Her long, black hair was styled into a flying fairy bun, with a jade hairpin inserted diagonally into the bun.

She landed on the high platform and bowed gracefully to Li Yan.

"May I ask, fellow Daoist, is this Flower and Fruit Mountain?"

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