Taking Six-Eared as Disciple, Bestowing the Name Wuzhen

A moment later, Jieyin spoke slowly.

"What the Daoist brother says is reasonable."

He continued, "The Dao Ancestor punished it, but did not completely cut off its path to survival. This one that escaped may well be right here."

Zhunti also nodded: "Daoist brother speaks truly. The West indeed lacks talent.

This monkey has an extraordinary origin. If we could take it under our wing and teach it diligently, it might achieve great things in the future."

He looked at Xuande: "Then, Daoist brother, do you mean... we take it in?"

Xuande shook his head: "Not we, but I."

Jieyin and Zhunti both turned to look at him.

Xuande stood up, his gaze calm and resolute:

"This matter was proposed by This Humble One, and it should be borne by This Humble One as well.

If the Dao Ancestor takes offense, This Humble One will bear it alone. You two Daoist brothers need only not oppose it."

Jieyin frowned: "Daoist brother..."

Xuande raised a hand to stop him:

"Rest assured, both Daoist brothers.

This Humble One is protected by Merit Golden Light and holds no grudge against the Dao Ancestor. Taking in a disciple and guiding it toward goodness—surely the Dao Ancestor will not send down punishment.

Besides, that saying 'the dharma is not transmitted to six ears' means not to transmit, not not to teach. If This Humble One teaches it cultivation, it does not necessarily mean transmitting the six-eared method."

With that, he walked toward the mountain gate.

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance, then rose and followed.

Outside Mount Sumeru's gate, the Six-eared Macaque knelt on the ground, its body ice-cold.

It had waited a long time.

So long that it thought this time, too, it would be rejected.

Just as it was about to rise and leave, the mountain gate suddenly opened.

Three figures appeared within the gate.

The foremost one wore a plain white Daoist robe, a faint golden halo surrounding his form. His face was handsome and gentle, his eyes clear yet profound.

His aura was calm and warm, and in the Six-eared Macaque's despairing heart, a thread of warmth suddenly stirred.

The two half a step behind—one had a sorrowful expression and a gaunt frame; the other had a slightly sallow face and bright eyes.

They were Jieyin and Zhunti.

The Six-eared Macaque quickly kowtowed: "Six-eared Macaque pays respects to the three True Men!"

Xuande looked at the monkey kneeling on the ground and said nothing.

He carefully sensed its aura.

Peak Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, only one step away from the Great Luo. Its aura was somewhat chaotic, but its foundation was solid—clearly it had cultivated diligently.

Those six ears now hung quietly, lacking their usual liveliness.

But Xuande could perceive that deep within the ears, a faint trace of divine ability still stirred.

Hongjun had indeed sealed its power, but not completely abolished it.

So there truly was that thread of life.

"What is your name?"

He spoke, his voice calm.

The Six-eared Macaque was startled, then replied: "In reply to the True Man, this little one... this little one has no name. Ever since gaining wisdom, I have simply been called Six-eared Macaque."

Xuande nodded: "Why have you been wandering everywhere seeking a teacher?"

The Six-eared Macaque hesitated, then spoke truthfully:

"This little one... back then, I was ignorant. Relying on my innate divine ability, I eavesdropped on the Dao Ancestor's sermon.

The Dao Ancestor said the dharma is not transmitted to six ears. My power was sealed, and my path was cut off.

This little one refused to accept it. I wanted to find a master to teach me cultivation, to let me... let me keep walking forward."

As it spoke, its eyes reddened again.

Xuande looked at it and said slowly: "Do you know that your divine ability was not completely abolished, only sealed?"

Six-eared Macaque's entire body jolted, and he abruptly raised his head: "Is... is what the True Man says true?"

Xuande nodded: "This humble one has sensed it with Merit Golden Light. Deep within your six ears, there is still a ripple of divine ability.

The Dao Ancestor merely punished you; he did not cut off your path to life entirely. That law of 'no transmission to the six ears' means you cannot use this ability to eavesdrop, not that you can never cultivate from now on."

Six-eared Macaque knelt on the ground, tears streaming from his eyes.

He had knelt for a thousand years, begged for a thousand years, and been rejected for a thousand years.

Today, finally, someone told him that his path was not completely blocked.

He still had hope.

"True Man!" He kowtowed heavily, "I beg the True Man to take me as a disciple! This lowly one is willing to be your ox or horse, to repay this great kindness!"

Xuande looked at him, silent for a moment.

"Do you know what consequences there would be if this humble one took you as a disciple?"

Six-eared Macaque trembled and said in a low voice: "This lowly one... knows.

Taking me as a disciple would offend the Dao Ancestor and invite criticism from other great powers..."

Xuande nodded: "And yet you still beg?"

Six-eared Macaque raised his head, his eyes full of resolve: "This lowly one's heart for seeking the Dao will not regret it even in death!

If the True Man is willing to take me as a disciple, this lowly one swears by his life that he will never betray the True Man's teachings!

If one day the Dao Ancestor blames us, this lowly one is willing to bear it all alone, never implicating the True Man!"

Xuande looked at his resolute eyes and suddenly smiled.

That smile was faint, yet it warmed Six-eared Macaque's heart.

"Rise." Xuande said.

Six-eared Macaque was startled, then slowly stood up.

Xuande looked at him and spoke slowly:

"This humble one is Xuande, a cultivator of Mount Sumeru in the West. Today, I take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"

Six-eared Macaque froze on the spot, thinking he had misheard.

Zhunti laughed from behind: "What are you standing there for? Hurry and pay respects to your master!"

Only then did Six-eared Macaque snap out of it. He fell to his knees with a thud and kowtowed heavily: "Disciple Six-eared Macaque, pays respects to Master!"

Xuande smiled faintly, raised his hand in a gentle gesture, and a warm beam of Merit Golden Light supported Six-eared Macaque, lifting him up.

"Now that you have entered my sect, you must have a Dao name." He said, "This humble one bestows upon you the name Wuzhen.

It signifies illuminating the mind and seeing one's nature, to behold the true self."

Wuzhen.

Six-eared Macaque—no, Wuzhen—murmured these two words repeatedly, tears welling up in his eyes again.

Illuminating the mind and seeing one's nature, to behold the true self.

This was the first time he truly had a name.

"Many thanks, Master, for bestowing the name!" He kowtowed again.

Xuande nodded, turned, and walked toward the mountain: "Follow me."

Wuzhen quickly followed.

As he passed by Jieyin and Zhunti, he stopped and bowed deeply to them both.

Jieyin gave a slight nod, and on his sorrowful face, a rare trace of warmth appeared.

Zhunti smiled and patted his shoulder: "Follow your master well. He is a good man."

Wuzhen nodded vigorously, his eyes reddening again.

Beneath the Bodhi Tree, the four of them sat down.

Wuzhen knelt to one side, somewhat nervous, but even more excited.

He looked at these three great powers before him, especially his master, and a feeling he had never known surged in his heart—a sense of belonging.

He finally had a master. He finally had a home.

Xuande looked at him and spoke slowly:

"Now that you have entered my sect, you must abide by my rules.

This humble one's Dao lies in merit, in purity, in bearing.

I do not ask you to reach the heavens in one step, only that you keep your feet on the ground and walk your own path step by step. Do you understand?"

Wuzhen said solemnly: "Disciple understands."

Xuande nodded: "Your divine ability is sealed. This is the Dao Ancestor's punishment, and also a tempering for you.

Though divine abilities are good, relying on them too much will instead hinder cultivation."

Now that your divine ability is sealed, you can settle your mind and cultivate from the beginning, laying a solid foundation."

Wuzhen said respectfully, "Disciple humbly heeds Master's instruction."

Xuande added, "You are now at the peak of Primordial Unity Golden Immortal, only one step away from the Great Luo. But that step cannot be rushed. Once your foundation is firm, it will naturally come to fruition."

Wuzhen nodded, then suddenly remembered something and asked cautiously, "Master, disciple... will disciple be able to use that divine ability again in the future?"

Xuande was silent for a moment, then said, "The Dao Ancestor sealed your ability as punishment for eavesdropping. But the seal is not permanent. When your cultivation matures and your Dao heart is steady, the seal will loosen on its own. At that time, you may use your ability again, but you must remember this lesson—never use it for eavesdropping or prying. Only for righteous purposes. Do you understand?"

A flash of surprise and joy lit up Wuzhen's eyes, and he nodded repeatedly: "Disciple understands! Disciple will never dare again!"

Xuande smiled faintly and said no more.

Jieyin then spoke: "Wuzhen, since you have entered the West's fold, you are now a person of the West. If you ever have doubts in your cultivation, you may also come to ask this poor Daoist or Martial Uncle Zhunti."

Zhunti also laughed: "That's right! Come ask anytime! If your master is too busy, my senior brother and I can guide you."

Wuzhen quickly bowed to them both: "Many thanks, Uncle-Master Jieyin, many thanks, Martial Uncle Zhunti!"

Xuande watched this scene, his heart filled with warmth.

He knew that taking in Wuzhen was a risk. But that risk was worth it.

The West lacked talent—this was a fact. Wuzhen's origins were extraordinary, and his resolve to seek the Dao was firm. If carefully taught, he would surely become a great asset in the future.

As for the Dao Ancestor... he had Merit Golden Light protecting him, and bore no grudge against the Dao Ancestor. Taking on one disciple—surely the Dao Ancestor would not punish him for that.

Besides, that saying, "The Dharma is not transmitted to the Six Ears," spoke of "not transmitting," not "not teaching."

He taught Wuzhen cultivation—teaching the path of merit and the path of Purity—not teaching him to use his Six Ears divine ability for eavesdropping.

This did not defy the Dao Ancestor.

Beneath the Bodhi Tree, a gentle breeze passed, and the leaves rustled softly.

Wuzhen sat beside his master, listening to the Dao discussions between his master and the two uncles, his heart filled with an unprecedented peace.

At last, he had a place to belong.