Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

"The time is not right."

"Your Majesty is too deeply involved with the great forces of heaven and earth."

The turbidity of calamity enters the heart; this is destiny.

Since it is a fixed number, it has its own significance.

"Your Majesty, consider this: which of those predecessors who were born to face calamities did not endure hardship before attaining the Great Dao?"

"A calamity is both a hardship and an opportunity. If you can overcome it, it is an opportunity. If you cannot overcome it, it is a calamity."

Sun Wukong seemed to be deep in thought.

Li Yan continued, "Although my deductions did not yield a solution, I did glimpse a glimpse of a divine secret."

"The calamity afflicting the king may seem dangerous, but it actually conceals a hidden life force."

As long as Your Majesty remains true to yourself and does not lose your way or waver.

Then the calamity will transform into a whetstone, tempering the king's character and refining his physique.

"Once the calamity passes, Your Majesty's moral character and cultivation will surely reach a higher level."

At that time, the calamity will naturally dissipate and vanish into nothingness.

As Sun Wukong listened, his golden eyes gradually brightened.

"Brother, do you mean that I, Old Sun, only need to stay true to myself to overcome this tribulation?"

Li Yan nodded: "However, staying true to oneself is easier said than done."

The corrupting influence of calamity, which corrupts the mind and spirit, excels at causing people to lose their true nature.

"Your Majesty, if you encounter any important matters in the future, you must think thrice before you act."

If you feel restless and agitated, take a pill or activate the Nine Palaces Calming Plate.

"Also, don't be careless. The more ordinary something seems, the more careful you should be in dealing with it."

Sun Wukong listened attentively and wrote down everything.

"Don't worry, brother, I'll remember this."

Li Yan nodded slightly.

He then took out a jade scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Sun Wukong.

"Your Majesty, this is a copy of the 'True Scripture of Reincarnation.' If Your Majesty has the leisure, you may study it."

"If Your Majesty can comprehend even a fraction of the principles of reincarnation, it will surely benefit your future spiritual practice."

Sun Wukong took the jade slip, examined it briefly, and grinned:

"My brother has truly treated me, Old Sun, with all his heart."

As he spoke, he put away the jade slip, then seemed to remember something else.

"By the way, brother, you just said that the source of the calamity connects to the infinite heights, to that unknowable place."

Is that the place where those northerners live?

Li Yan nodded slightly.

"I guess so."

That northerner, of extremely high rank and extraordinary abilities, must reside in that infinitely high place.

Overlooking the three realms, its layout is profound and far-reaching.

A cold glint flashed in Sun Wukong's golden eyes.

"One day, I, Old Sun, will storm up there and ask him why he schemed against me!"

Li Yan said, "Your Majesty, please don't be anxious."

Those northerners are unfathomable.

Although the Great King has now attained the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, he is still no match for him.

He needs to patiently cultivate his skills and accumulate strength. It's not too late to deal with him when the time is right.

Sun Wukong nodded: "I understand. Don't worry, brother, I'm not that kind of reckless person."

Li Yan smiled slightly, already having made a plan.

Over the next two days, he would prepare several more backup plans for Huaguo Mountain to prevent the northerners from attacking again.

The next morning.

Li Yan stepped out of the stone chamber and stood before the waterfall.

Then, he raised his hand and waved.

Three hundred and sixty-five small flags flew out from his sleeve; they were the Zhou Tian Xing Dou flags.

Last night, he nurtured these small flags with the power of his inner cave, and their power increased even further.

Li Yan then made a hand seal and pointed a finger.

Three hundred and sixty-five small flags soared into the sky and hung above Flower and Fruit Mountain.

Flags fluttered in the breeze, and starlight fell like rain.

Unlike his previous formations, this time he set the formation's core within his own grotto-heaven.

The ninth-grade golden lotus trembled slightly, scattering a golden light that disappeared into the 365 small flags.

In an instant, the little flags seemed to come to life.

On the flag, the sun, moon, and stars revolve, mountains and rivers appear and disappear, and birds and beasts run about.

Two more illusory figures stood at the center of the formation.

Besides monkeys, do you also like fantasy novels? Come on!

Wearing a Taoist crown and a moon-white Taoist robe, holding a whisk, with starlight flowing around him, he was majestic and awe-inspiring.

This is a wisp of his spirit that he left behind, which can preside over the formation and deal with invading enemies.

Li Yan looked up at the formation and nodded slightly.

This formation is more than three times stronger than before.

Even if a Taiyi Golden Immortal were to attack, it would be enough to hold them off for half an hour.

Half an hour is enough for Sun Wukong to get back.

After setting up the grand formation, Li Yan took out dozens of jade bottles and handed them to Generals Bengba and Marshals Ma Liu.

"These elixirs were made by me for the monkeys."

It has properties such as strengthening the body's foundation, nourishing vital energy, healing injuries, and prolonging life.

Distribute these pills so that each person can take one pill per month to maintain good health and ensure smooth progress in their spiritual practice.

The four generals accepted the jade bottle and thanked them repeatedly.

Li Yan then took out a stack of jade talismans from his sleeve, totaling more than ten thousand.

"These amulets were crafted by me using the power of starlight."

Each one contains a protective starlight.

If in danger, simply crush this talisman, and starlight will protect you, shielding you from a fatal attack.

"Distribute these amulets to the young monkeys so that they may wear them at all times."

The four generals were deeply grateful as they received the jade token.

General Beng said, "Master Li's kindness to my Flower Fruit Mountain is as heavy as a mountain!"

We, your humble servants, have no way to repay you but will forever remember you!

General Ba said, "Rest assured, Daoist Master, we will take good care of the house and wait for your return!"

Marshal Ma said, "Taoist Master, take care on your journey to Heaven!"

Marshal Liu said, "If you need anything, Daoist, please send a message. We will risk our lives to help you!"

Li Yan nodded slightly and raised his hand to offer support.

"Generals, you flatter me."

"Your Majesty and I are like brothers. The affairs of Flower Fruit Mountain are my affairs. Generals, there's no need for such formalities."

Having said that, he turned and walked towards the Water Curtain Cave.

Inside the Water Curtain Cave, Sun Wukong sat cross-legged, contemplating the Samsara Sutra.

Seeing Li Yan enter, he opened his eyes and grinned:

"Brother, your Samsara Sutra is truly profound."

I, Old Sun, pondered this all night, but I only grasped a tiny fraction of it.

Li Yan sat down opposite him and smiled:

"Your Majesty's comprehension is already extremely high."

Even the Ten Kings of Hell, after studying this Sutra of Reincarnation for tens of thousands of years, could only grasp a fraction of its meaning.

"For Your Majesty to grasp even a smattering of knowledge overnight is already extraordinary."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "Brother, don't flatter me."

I, Old Sun, know myself that my comprehension is far inferior to yours.

Li Yan shook his head and said, "If outsiders were to hear what Your Majesty has said, you would become a laughingstock."

Sun Wukong chuckled and asked, "Brother, you're leaving tomorrow?"

Li Yan nodded.

"I will set off for the Heavenly Court at dawn tomorrow."

Sun Wukong scratched his ear and said, "I, Old Sun, will give it to you."

Li Yan shook his head.

"Your Majesty, do not see us off. Flower Fruit Mountain still needs Your Majesty to oversee it."

I don't know how long my journey to the Heavenly Court will take. Your Majesty, you must be extremely careful on the mountain.

Sun Wukong said, "Brother, don't worry, I, Old Sun, understand. It's just..."

He scratched his head, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes.

"Brother, be careful of those gods on your journey to Heaven."

I've heard that the Heavenly Court has many rules and complex relationships. You're going alone; don't let anyone bully you.

Li Yan felt a warmth in his heart and smiled slightly.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. Although I am a rogue cultivator, I am not the kind of person who can be bullied by others."

Furthermore, Laozi also provides protection.

Sun Wukong nodded and then said:

"By the way, brother, I, Old Sun, thought about it for half the night yesterday and decided that it's safest to leave those three brocade pouches with me."

If anything were to happen to you, I, Old Sun, would like to open it and do as you say.

Li Yan was taken aback, then smiled and said:

"Your Majesty is right."

The three brocade pouches were placed with Your Majesty. However, Your Majesty must remember to open them in the correct order.