Journey to the West: With a supernatural understanding, he entered Fangcun Mountain at the beginning - Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Entering the Patriarch’s Chamber at Night

The elegance of Confucianism, the immortal grace of Daoism, and the profundity of Buddhist teachings—The essence of the Three Teachings became effortlessly clear under Patriarch Bodhi’s guidance.

The cave was filled with wondrous phenomena: golden lotuses surged from the ground, a thousand petals bloomed in dazzling radiance, celestial flowers rained down, and divine music swirled through the air. All the disciples were enraptured.

At that moment, Qin Chuan was enveloped in a golden light, his body emitting a powerful aura.

Disciples around him opened their eyes in surprise and glanced over.

“Qin Chuan?”

The monkey called out in concern.

“No matter—he’s forming his Nascent Soul. A fortunate one, indeed.”

Patriarch Bodhi observed Qin Chuan, a fleeting glimmer of admiration in his eyes.

“Difficult, difficult, difficult! The Dao is most profound—don’t treat the Golden Elixir lightly.”

Seeing the Patriarch shift topics to the rarely discussed Golden Elixir Great Dao, the disciples rejoiced.

Understanding that this was a special opportunity granted for Qin Chuan’s sake, they straightened their postures and listened attentively.

Only the monkey, oblivious to the profundity, sat there waving his hands excitedly.

Qin Chuan suddenly opened his eyes—clear as autumn waters, gleaming with celestial light.

He had now reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, just one step from immortality.

And he had comprehended the Great Pinnacle Heavenly Immortal Art—the very same technique the monkey would learn tonight when sneaking into the Patriarch’s chamber.

This art embodied the boundless freedom of Confucianism, the infinite profundity of Daoism, and the supreme enlightenment of Buddhism. It was an extraordinary method—one that seized the secrets of Heaven and Earth, plundering the mysteries of the sun and moon.

A cultivation technique that led directly to the Great Unity Golden Immortal realm, where even gods and ghosts could not contain its wielder.

The only drawback?

It came with three calamities, striking every five hundred years.

“You reckless ape—while everyone listens in stillness, why do you alone flail about?”

Patriarch Bodhi suddenly halted his lecture to chastise the monkey.

Here it comes, Qin Chuan thought.

Having stabilized his cultivation, he was in no rush to break through. With the Great Pinnacle Heavenly Immortal Art, immortality was within reach—no longer the desperate pursuit it once was.

After all, he wasn’t as naturally gifted as the monkey. The Heaven-Mending Divine Stone was the foundation of a Sage’s disciple.

Though his flashes of insight helped him grasp powerful divine abilities, the depth of his spiritual energy still required steady accumulation.

If that was the case… then the monkey’s future rampage in Heaven, stealing peaches and immortal pills… would require careful planning.

Having traveled with the monkey for years and trained under the same master, Qin Chuan couldn’t bear to see him become a pawn in the games of higher powers. But to escape the chessboard and become a player himself, he had to keep strengthening his power.

Otherwise, even with the will to help, he’d only end up as ashes in the storm of fate. The monkey saluted respectfully—this carefree creature, surprisingly reverent before the Patriarch.

“This disciple was earnestly listening, but upon hearing such sublime truths, joy overwhelmed me. I beg Master’s forgiveness.”

“Since you recognize sublime truths, tell me—how long have you been in this cave?”

“Great Ancestor, this disciple is ignorant of time. But Senior Brother Qin Chuan mentioned that it has been seven years since we entered your tutelage.”

…

Qin Chuan watched the scene with amusement. Who would have thought that the future Great Sage Equal to Heaven, famed across the Three Realms, could be so meek before the Patriarch?

Patriarch Bodhi continued, “Within the Dao, there are three hundred sixty lesser paths, all leading to enlightenment. Which would you learn?”

The monkey bowed.

“This disciple submits to the Master’s wisdom and follows wholeheartedly.”

Qin Chuan nearly laughed. That answer was the equivalent of “Whatever you think is best.” Lucky for the monkey, as Heaven’s chosen, or else after repeated rejections, the Patriarch might have given up on him entirely.

“Shall I teach you the Arts of the Technique path?”

“What are the Technique arts?”

“The Techniques include summoning immortals, divination with sticks—knowing fortune and avoiding misfortune.”

“Can they grant eternal life?”

“No, they cannot.”

“Then I won’t learn them!”