Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

Li Yan's gaze narrowed slightly.

Under the reflection of the Mind Mirror, Ao Bibo's aura was clear and pure, with a faint dragon-like shape flowing around him.

The dragon shape, winding and coiling, with clearly defined scales and claws, was indeed the image of a real dragon.

Moreover, that aura was pure and vast, without the slightest impurity.

Ao Bibo

[Identity: Granddaughter of Ao Qin, Dragon King of the South Sea, with true dragon bloodline]

[Cultivation Level: Late True Immortal]

[Special: Possesses an innate water-elemental constitution, connected to the fortunes of the four seas]

[Current Status: Mind clear, no trace of restriction]

Li Yan felt somewhat relieved.

"So you are a distinguished guest from the Dragon Palace."

Li Yan nodded slightly and stepped aside to lead the way.

"Please wait a moment, young lady, I will go and inform the king."

Ao Bibo waved his hand.

"No need to announce my arrival. I have come here on my grandfather's orders."

Secondly, I also wanted to see for myself what kind of magical beauty this Flower and Fruit Mountain possessed that could nurture a figure like Immortal Sun.

As he spoke, he looked up and around.

The seventy-two peaks are like dragons coiled and tigers crouching, each with its own unique posture.

Clouds and mist swirl among the peaks, sometimes gathering and sometimes dispersing.

Ancient trees reach for the sky, vines hang down, and exotic flowers and rare herbs grow everywhere.

There is also a waterfall that cascades down in front of the Water Curtain Cave, a white ribbon hanging in the air, with water mist rising.

Sunlight shines through the water mist, refracting into a rainbow of colors, creating a breathtaking scene.

A strange light flashed in Ao Bibo's eyes.

"What a magnificent mountain!"

She praised it sincerely.

"I grew up in the South China Sea and have seen countless islands and fairy mountains."

But a place like Flower Fruit Mountain, which combines the ancestral veins of ten continents and the origins of three islands, is truly unprecedented.

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly.

This dragon girl certainly knows her stuff.

"You flatter me, young lady. While Flower Fruit Mountain may have some charm, it cannot compare to the wealth of the Dragon Palace."

Ao Bibo shook his head.

"Fellow Daoist, you are mistaken."

The Dragon Palace's wealth is nothing more than an accumulation of external possessions.

Huaguo Mountain is a place of natural beauty, a creation of heaven and earth. The two cannot be compared.

After saying that, a hint of curiosity flashed in his eyes.

"Are you the one who perished with Immortal Sun?"

Li Yan nodded.

"I am Li Yan, a Taoist priest, and I am temporarily residing here."

Ao Bibo looked him up and down.

I could only sense that this Taoist's aura was restrained, and I couldn't tell how deep it was.

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

Moreover, within that aura, there was a faint sense of chaos.

Just as Ao Bibo was about to speak again, he suddenly heard a voice.

"Oh! We have guests?"

A golden figure leaped out from the Water Curtain Cave and landed beside Li Yan.

It was Sun Wukong.

Today he was dressed in that armor: a phoenix-winged purple-gold crown, a chainmail golden armor, and lotus-silk cloud-walking shoes.

He had a golden cudgel hanging from his waist, which shrunk to the size of an embroidery needle and was hidden in his ear.

Golden light shimmered, and auspicious energy flowed in thousands of strands.

Upon seeing this, Ao Bibo immediately bowed gracefully.

"Ao Bibo of the South Sea pays homage to Immortal Sun."

Sun Wukong scratched his ear and grinned, "Get up, get up! I hate all this formality."

Ao Bibo then stood up and looked at Sun Wukong.

This monkey had golden eyes and purple pupils, and it seemed to have the appearance of the beginning of the world.

His aura was as powerful as a mountain and as deep as the sea.

She was secretly surprised.

Her grandfather said that the monkey had attained the highest level of enlightenment, but she didn't believe it.

Now that I've seen it with my own eyes, I know the rumors are true.

Moreover, although the golden cudgel had shrunk to the size of an embroidery needle, it still faintly exuded the power to suppress mountains and rivers.

These precious treasures even recognized him as their master.

"The immortal is indeed extraordinary."

Ao Bibo said sincerely.

"I have long admired the esteemed immortal's reputation, and it is my great honor to meet you today."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and laughed, "What fame do I, Old Sun, have? I'm just a wild monkey king, living a carefree life."

As he spoke, he looked at Ao Bibo.

"You're the granddaughter of the Old Dragon King of the South Sea?"

Ao Bibo nodded: "Exactly."

Sun Wukong's golden eyes flashed slightly.

"The old Dragon King even considered arranging for you to be my son's wife a few days ago!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Bibo's cheeks flushed slightly.

"My grandfather... he meant well. If he has offended the immortal, I apologize on his behalf."

Sun Wukong quickly waved his hand.

"What apology? I, Old Sun, don't blame him. It's just that I, Old Sun, am a monkey, and you are a dragon girl, how can this be?"

Ao Bibo covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"You jest, Immortal. What distinction is there between races among cultivators? As long as their hearts are aligned in the Dao, even those of different kinds can become Daoist partners."

Sun Wukong scratched his ear, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Well... I, Old Sun, haven't thought about these things."

Li Yan watched from the side and smiled slightly.

This monkey, who was usually fearless, was now somewhat at a loss after being questioned by a few words from a dragon girl.

He spoke first, "Young lady, what brings you here?"

Ao Bibo said solemnly, "I have come here for two reasons. First, on my grandfather's orders, to pay my respects to the immortal. Second..."

She paused slightly as she spoke.

"Secondly, we want to make a deal with Flower Fruit Mountain."

Sun Wukong's golden eyes flashed.

"A deal? What deal?"

Ao Bibo said, "I heard that the immortal recently obtained the Golden Cudgel and the armor, and I am very happy."

But the immortals' monkey offspring were still empty-handed and unarmed.

Sun Wukong nodded.

"Exactly. I, Old Sun, have been thinking about getting some weapons for the kids."

Ao Bibo smiled slightly.

"This humble woman is willing to lend a helping hand to the immortal."

Sun Wukong was overjoyed.

"Oh? The young lady is willing to help?"

Ao Bibo nodded.

"In the Dragon Palace, there are countless weapons."

Swords, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, forks, whips, maces, hammers, clubs, lances, and cudgels—everything imaginable was available.

"This humble woman can decide to provide 50,000 weapons for Flower Fruit Mountain, so that the immortal children can practice their martial arts."

Sun Wukong's golden eyes shone brightly.

"Fifty thousand pieces! Good! Good! What does the young lady want? I, Old Sun, have it all, just name it!"

"Fifty thousand pieces! Good! Good! What does the young lady want? I, Old Sun, have it all, just name it!"

Ao Bibo shook his head.

"This young lady doesn't want anything. It's just..."

"But what? Tell me, young lady!"

Ao Bibo's beautiful eyes fell on Li Yan.

Her eyes shimmered with tears, a half-smile playing on her lips.

Li Yan's mind stirred slightly.

Sun Wukong, however, was already impatient.

"Why would a young lady want to see my brother? He's a cultivator, what's there to see?"

Ao Bibo covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

"Immortal, please don't be hasty. This humble woman wishes to make a bet with this fellow Daoist Li Yan."

Li Yan's gaze narrowed slightly.

"bet?"

Ao Bibo nodded.

"Indeed. I have long heard that Huaguo Mountain is a place of natural beauty and spiritual energy, and must possess extraordinary talents."

Seeing it today, I can see that it truly lives up to its reputation.

only……"

As she spoke, she paused slightly, her gaze sweeping over the four old monkeys in the distance.

The four monkeys were squatting on the cliff face, looking in this direction.

"But those four old men seem rather extraordinary to me."

Sun Wukong's golden eyes flashed.

"Oh? You have a good eye, young lady."

Ao Bibo smiled slightly.

"Although my cultivation is shallow, I am of true dragon blood and am born with the ability to discern qi."

Those four old men possessed restrained auras and appeared ordinary, but in reality, they were unfathomable.

If I'm not mistaken, they must be of a congenitally different species.

Li Yan felt a slight chill.

This dragon girl is indeed extraordinary.

"Young lady, you have a discerning eye. Those four old men are indeed born with extraordinary abilities."

A strange light flashed in Ao Bibo's eyes.

"Since they are born with extraordinary abilities, they must possess astonishing supernatural powers."

This humble woman dares to ask them for a chance to compete.

Sun Wukong was taken aback.

"A contest?"

Ao Bibo nodded.

"Indeed. This humble woman will wager fifty thousand weapons in five matches against Huaguo Mountain."

Best of five.

If Huaguo Mountain wins, we will hand over 50,000 weapons without taking a single penny.

If I were to win by sheer luck…

She looked at Li Yan.

"Then please, Fellow Daoist Li Yan, accompany me to the Dragon Palace of the South Sea for a three-month stay."

Li Yan's gaze narrowed slightly.

This dragon girl came for him.

Sun Wukong had already jumped up.

"No, no! My brother can't go!"

Ao Bibo laughed and said, "Immortal, please don't be in such a hurry. I'm just inviting you to be my guest, not kidnapping you."

The South China Sea Dragon Palace, while not exactly a blessed land, still has some scenic spots.

"Fellow Daoist, your journey will surely not have been in vain."

Li Yan remained silent in thought.

Within the mirror of the mind, a rapid deduction is underway.

Under the mirror of the mind, those eyes, though cunning, held no malice.

More than anything, it was curiosity.

Li Yan had made up his mind.

"Since the young lady wishes to have a contest, this humble Taoist priest will gladly oblige."

Sun Wukong cried out urgently, "Brother!"

Li Yan waved his hand, signaling him to calm down.

"However, the method of this competition must be determined by me."

Ao Bibo laughed and said, "Of course. Please speak, fellow Daoist."

Li Yan pondered for a moment and then slowly said:

"First event: the thesis."

"arts?"

Ao Bibo was taken aback.

Li Yan nodded.

"The path of cultivation involves cultivating both body and spirit. Literature is about understanding principles."

"Without knowledge of literature and reason, even if one cultivates for a thousand years, one is nothing more than a brute."

A strange light flashed in Ao Bibo's eyes.

"Fellow Daoist's words resonate deeply with me. Alright, let's begin with the first session: the thesis."

Li Yan continued:

"The second match is a martial arts contest."

Ao Bibo nodded: "It is only right."

"The third session: A discussion on the Dao."

"Discussing the Way?"

Li Yan said, "For those who cultivate themselves, the most important thing is to have a clear mind about the Dao. If one's mind about the Dao is unclear, one will ultimately be on a side path."

In the third round, the young lady will discuss a topic with each of these four gentlemen.

Upon hearing this, a hint of seriousness flashed in Ao Bibo's eyes.

"The fourth session is about tactics."

"The art of magic is supernatural power. The young lady is of true dragon bloodline and is born with supernatural powers. The four old men are also each skilled in their own way."

This time, let's see who has the most extraordinary abilities.

Ao Bibo nodded: "Okay."

"The fifth match: a discussion on formations."

"Formation?"

Li Yan said, "If you are proficient in formations, then you can set up a formation for each of us four old men."

The one who breaks through the formation wins.

Ao Bibo pondered for a moment, then laughed.

"Fellow Daoist, these five sessions almost encompass the entirety of cultivation."

"Alright! I accept!"

Sun Wukong listened from the side, scratching his ears and cheeks.

Li Yan smiled slightly.

"Your Majesty need not worry. These five rounds will be handled by four elders."

Having said that, he looked up at the cliff face.

The four old monkeys had already leaped down the cliff and were heading this way.

Upon approaching, the four monkeys bowed deeply to Sun Wukong and Li Yan.

The gibbon said, "Your Majesty, fellow Daoist, we all heard it."

Sun Wukong scratched his ear and asked, "Are you four confident?"

The four monkeys exchanged a glance.

The gibbon said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. We old men may not be able to defeat this dragon girl in a contest of supernatural powers."

But when it comes to academic papers, philosophical discussions, and military formations, I, an old man, still have some confidence.

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

"Old man, you have quite the big mouth."

Upon hearing this, a glint of light flashed in the eyes of the gibbon.

"The young lady possesses the bloodline of a true dragon, and is born with supernatural powers. We old men are merely wild monkeys from the mountains, with only a rudimentary understanding of literature."

But in terms of profound cultivation and foundation, we old folks have lived for thousands of years, and that hasn't been in vain.

Ao Bibo was taken aback, then curtsied.

"Your father-in-law is right. I was being presumptuous."

The gibbon quickly returned the greeting.

"You're too kind, young lady. We old folks are just taking advantage of our age; it's nothing to brag about."

Li Yan watched from the side and nodded secretly.

These four monkeys, though they have sealed their cultivation, possess a composure honed over thousands of years of practice.

The competition was thus decided.

Three days later, at Chen Shi (7-9 AM).

A high platform has been erected in front of the Water Curtain Cave.

The platform is built of mountain stones, covered with soft grass, and decorated with colorful flags at the four corners.

Colorful flags fluttered in the wind.

On the high platform, two jade tables were set up.

The one on the west side is the seat for the four monkeys.

Below the high platform, a group of monkeys stood in a line, craning their necks in anticipation.

Li Yan stood on one side of the high platform, a gray sable perched on his shoulder, and the little head of a jade rat peeking out from his arms.

Sun Wukong sat on the other side, with Little Drill Wind resting on his knees.

The little creature was dressed neatly today, its fur was bright, and its little eyes were darting around excitedly.

It was three quarters past Chen Shi (7:45 AM).

A cloud of azure blue drifted in from the horizon.

As the clouds dispersed, Ao Bibo landed on the high platform.

Today she changed into a moon-white silk dress, with 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 was truly graceful and elegant, with a refined and otherworldly beauty.

The four monkeys have also taken the stage.

Two red-bottomed macaques stand on the left.

Two gibbons stand on the right.

They've changed their outfits today too.

Although it was made of coarse cloth and short trousers, it was clean and tidy.

The gibbon stepped forward and clasped its hands in a fist salute to Ao Bibo, saying:

"Young lady, we humbly request your guidance on the first part, the literary piece."

Ao Bibo smiled slightly.

"Please, sir."

The gibbon said, "Since we are discussing literature, let's take the Tao Te Ching as the topic."

"This old man may ask you, young lady, what is meant by 'The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao'?"

Ao Bibo pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

"The Dao is the mystery of all things."

What can be spoken of is not the norm; what can be named is not the truth.

Therefore it is said: "The Tao that can be spoken of is not the eternal Tao; the name that can be named is not the eternal name."

The gibbon nodded.

"The young lady's interpretation is correct. Then this old man asks again: What does it mean that 'Nothingness is the origin of heaven and earth; Being is the mother of all things'?"

Ao Bibo said:

"Nothingness is formless and imageless, the beginning before the separation of heaven and earth. Somethingness is form and image, the mother of all things."

Both originate from the same source but have different names; both are called profound. Profound and yet more profound, the gateway to all wonders.

The gibbon asked again:

"What does it mean that 'the spirit of the grain is immortal, and is called the mysterious female'?"

Ao Bibo said:

"The spirit of the grain is empty yet responsive, and perceptive yet all-encompassing. It is immortal and unchanging. The mysterious female is the source of all life."

The immortality of the grain spirit means that the source of all life is empty yet responsive, enduring and unchanging.

The macaque asked again:

"What does it mean to 'embrace oneness with one's spirit and soul, and not let it depart from one's own'?"

Ao Bibo said:

"The spirit is the soul. The soul is the spirit. To embrace oneness means that the soul and spirit are united, inseparable."

Those who can transcend separation reach the state of unity between soul and body.

When the gibbon reached this point, it couldn't help but say, "Young lady, your explanation is thorough; I admire you greatly."

"You flatter me, sir. I was merely reciting from the book; it's nothing special."

The gibbon shook its head.

"Although it was a rote recitation, the explanation was thorough, which is already quite remarkable."

If you ask any further questions, it would be me being difficult.

How about we call this a draw?

Upon hearing this, Ao Bibo curtsied.

"I admire your magnanimity, sir."

The first match ended in a draw.

The monkeys cheered, their shouts echoing through the mountains and forests.

The second match is martial arts.

The red-bottomed macaque stepped forward and clasped its hands in a fist salute to Ao Bibo, saying:

"Young lady, this old man would like to ask about the second round."

Ao Bibo nodded slightly.

"Please, sir."

The red-bottomed macaque pulled a short stick from its waist.

That stick was the one Li Yan had given me a few days ago, carved from oak wood.

The stick is three feet seven inches long and weighs nine pounds eight ounces.

The wood has a warm, smooth texture and a subtle, flowing sheen.

Seeing this, Ao Bibo also took something out of his sleeve.

It was a short sword, no more than two feet long, with a bluish-green blade and faint dragon shadows moving about it.

On the hilt of the sword is a bright pearl the size of a longan, its light shimmering.

"This sword shares the same name as my daughter; it is my destined weapon. Be careful, sir."

The red-bottomed macaque nodded.

"Please, young lady."

Before he could finish speaking...

In that instant, water vapor rose from the high platform.

Azure sword light pierced through the mist.

Swift as lightning, fast as a startled swan.

The red-bottomed macaque remained calm and unhurried, deflecting the attack with its short stick.

Ding!

Swords and staffs clashed.

Ao Bibo felt a tremendous force coming from the sword, and his arm went slightly numb.

She was startled.

That old monkey has incredible strength!

Before he could think any further, the sword's momentum had already changed.

The Azure Wave Sword transformed into a streak of azure light, sweeping across from left to right.

The red-bottomed macaque blocked with that short stick again.

Ding!

Ao Bibo felt the sword tremble and almost dropped it.

She quickly took three steps back to steady herself.

Looking at the red-bottomed macaque, his eyes were filled with astonishment.

This old monkey used only the most common short stick, and his moves were the most basic circle, point, and chop three moves.

Yet every move was just right, not a bit more, not a bit less.

The red-bottomed macaque put away its staff, clasped its hands in a fist salute, and said:

"Your swordsmanship is exquisite, young lady. I admire it greatly. However, your sword strikes are too swift."

Ao Bibo was taken aback.

"Too hasty?"

The red-bottomed macaque nodded.

"The sword is an extension of the mind. When the mind is agitated, the sword is erratic; when the mind is calm, the sword is steady."

The girl's sword strikes just now were fast, but they lacked stability.

If one encounters a master, one sword strike is enough to defeat them.

Ao Bibo remained silent for a long time.

Then, she sheathed her sword and bowed deeply to the red-bottomed macaque.

"I will always remember your teachings, my lord. I have lost this round."

In the second match, Huaguo Mountain won.

The monkeys cheered even louder.

Sun Wukong grinned broadly, holding Little Drill Wind and dancing with joy.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Li Yan nodded slightly.

This Ao Bibo is indeed a humble person.

If you lose, admit it without hesitation.

With such a mindset, one's future path is limitless.

The third session was a discussion on philosophy.

Another red-bottomed macaque stepped forward and clasped its hands in greeting to Ao Bibo:

"Young lady, this old man would like to ask about the third scene."

Ao Bibo nodded.

"Please, sir."

The red-bottomed macaque said, "Since we are discussing the Dao, let's take the *Nanhua Jing* as our topic."

"This old man may ask, young lady, what is meant by 'free and easy wandering'?"