Chapter 4: “Your Path Leads Only to Mischief”
The secluded valleys of Mount Fangcun stood timeless as the seasons flowed—three years passing in the blink of an eye. Mornings dawned in tranquil meditation, the mountain veiled in mist. Springs and autumns passed without birdsong; winters and summers revealed only frost and snow. The secluded peaks cradled forests of surpassing beauty—wispy fog curling through emerald ravines, orchids perfuming the air, wild hares darting through undergrowth.
Atop a solitary peak, Qin Chuan sat unmoving as weathered stone, his Great Heavenly Immortal Scripture circulating effortlessly. A subtle golden light shimmered between his brows as a lotus bloomed above his head—its petals radiating celestial fragrance. Behind him, a luminous halo formed like clustered stars, drawing the mountain’s spiritual energy into swirling convergence.
“Three Flowers Gather Above, Five Qi Return to Origin—the Golden Immortal breakthrough!”
Qin Chuan opened his eyes, marveling at the vast power now coursing through him. These three years had been spent solely refining his foundation rather than pestering the Patriarch for new techniques.
Though his comprehension was peerless, his mortal frame—ordinary even by Southern Continent standards—could never match the impending tribulations of the Journey to the West saga. That changed when Patriarch Subodhi gifted him and the monkey five Needlepine Fruits, each embodying one of the Five Elements.
Who knew the legendary Primordial Spiritual Root was in Master’s possession?
Ripening only once every fifteen millennia, these fruits could compress tens of thousands of cultivation years into mere seasons. No wonder all seekers longed for a powerful master—such patronage was beyond price.
Standing, Qin Chuan willed his robes spotless with a thought.
“It should be about time now,” he murmured before transforming into a canary-winged sparrow—a species he’d studied extensively for mastering Heaven-Earth Metamorphosis.
The Art of Transformation
Heavenly Thirty-Six Changes: Focused on internal enlightenment, allowing deep understanding of creation’s fabric to assume any true essence
Earthly Seventy-Two Changes: Specialized in external forms, enabling flawless imitation of creatures, plants, or objects
Heaven-Earth Metamorphosis: The perfected fusion—indistinguishable from reality, immune even to the fabled Fiery Golden Eyes
Perched on a pine overlooking the training grounds, Qin Chuan watched the monkey show off before unenlightened juniors—a Taiyi Golden Immortal performing for mortals!
“After ten years, none have even touched immortality… Are Master’s true disciples all elsewhere? Like that woodcutter…”
“Brother Wukong!” A disciple called. “What fortune let the Patriarch teach you such arts? Can you demonstrate?”
“Name your challenge!” The monkey crowed. Moments later, he stood as a gnarled pine—a celestial being reduced to parlor tricks.
Qin Chuan sighed. Even with the Light’s cheating-tier learning speed, the monkey’s progress was humiliatingly faster. Did Master give him extra lessons?
The Patriarch’s roar scattered disciples like startled birds. After berating the monkey, Subodhi waved dismissively.
“Return to your origins.”
“Master!” The monkey’s voice cracked. “This disciple hasn’t repaid your kindness!”
Subodhi’s gaze softened. “Go now if you value your life. Staying means certain death.” Then, glancing at the pine. “You too, tree-dweller.”
Qin Chuan dropped down, reverting with a wry bow.
“Master, he was showing off. Why exile me?”
The monkey remained silent.
“Seventeen years you’ve wandered,” the Patriarch said sternly. “Taste the mortal world anew—it will temper you.” Seeing resolve in his teacher’s eyes, Qin Chuan bowed in genuine gratitude.
Noticing his companion’s matching exile, the monkey perked up slightly—misery loving company.
Subodhi pressed a Heartleaf into Qin Chuan’s palm.
“Tear this if danger finds you.” Then, rounding on the monkey. “As for you—your path breeds only chaos. Dare speak my name, and I’ll flay your bones and imprison your soul in the Nine Abysses for eternity.”
The monkey remained silent.