Rescuing the Six-Eared Macaque, Xiao Teng's Proposal

Deep within the mist-shrouded forest, the Six-Eared Macaque was hiding amid a thick patch of bushes. Its ears twitched faintly from time to time, as though catching even the slightest movements around it.

Suddenly, its keen hearing caught the sound of someone approaching.

Not knowing that Xiao Teng had come looking for him, the Six-Eared Macaque concealed himself.

Yet, to his surprise, Xiao Teng appeared directly before him. His body instinctively tensed, and he turned to flee without hesitation.

However, his speed was utterly insignificant before Xiao Teng.

Xiao Teng reached out and grabbed, and an invisible force of suction instantly enveloped the Six-Eared Macaque.

The Six-Eared Macaque only felt as though he had fallen into an inescapable vortex. Though he struggled desperately, he was ultimately seized firmly in Xiao Teng's hand.

After struggling a few times, he fainted, his breath weak and faint.

"This is the Six-Eared Macaque?" White Lotus had not expected Xiao Teng to have come looking for the Six-Eared Macaque.

"I ask Fellow Daoist White Lotus to save him."

White Lotus slowly walked over and took the Six-Eared Macaque.

She gently placed her palm upon the Six-Eared Macaque's body.

A soft radiance emanated from her palm, continuously seeping into the Six-Eared Macaque's body.

Then White Lotus took out several drops of Three Lights Divine Water and sprinkled them into the Six-Eared Macaque's body.

The Three Lights Divine Water could bring the dead back to life and grow flesh upon white bones. Together with White Lotus's treatment, it quickly healed the Six-Eared Macaque.

"There is no longer any problem. He only needs to recuperate for a while before he recovers. However, I fear he will never again be able to learn the Dao," White Lotus said with a faint sigh.

"It's fine. I have a way."

Although Xiao Teng had no way to impart the Dao to the Six-Eared Macaque, the Six-Eared Macaque could learn it in secret from the side.

If the Six-Eared Macaque followed the Grand Dao of Stealing, that seemed to be quite a good path as well.

"Let's go. We're returning to Mount Kongtong."

Xiao Teng gently picked up the Six-Eared Macaque and rose into the air.

On the way to Mount Kongtong, the Six-Eared Macaque woke up.

Confusion first flashed through his eyes, but he soon realized that he was still in Xiao Teng's arms. Alarmed, his body twisted instinctively as he tried to break free.

Suddenly, he discovered in surprise that the pain from his injuries had vanished without a trace.

"Don't move around. Rest peacefully. I was the one who saved you."

The Six-Eared Macaque had heard of Xiao Teng. He knew that Xiao Teng was a good person.

However, he did not think Xiao Teng's Calabash Kids were anything good.

The Six-Eared Macaque had wanted to take Xiao Teng as his master, but Xiao Teng refused him.

The seven children in his own home already gave Xiao Teng a headache every day. If he added another monkey, would he not be worked to death?

In the end, White Lotus accepted the Six-Eared Macaque as her disciple.

Xiao Teng looked at the pair, one person and one monkey—one White Lotus and one thief. No matter how he looked at it, they simply did not seem to fit together.

But since Fellow Daoist White Lotus was willing to accept him, Xiao Teng was naturally happy to see it happen.

After returning to Mount Kongtong, Xiao Teng and White Lotus chose to enter secluded cultivation together.

They left the Six-Eared Macaque on the mountain to clean, while also having him plant some trees to improve Mount Kongtong's surroundings.

The Six-Eared Macaque reluctantly picked up a broom, pouting as he muttered under his breath.

Monkey spirits were naturally lively and restless, finding it difficult to settle down. Moreover, the Six-Eared Macaque had previously suffered a major setback, leaving his heart filled with gloom.

Through sweeping the grounds, Xiao Teng and White Lotus hoped that he could settle his heart and calm his mind.

Xiao Teng and White Lotus remained in seclusion for ten thousand years.

Over those ten thousand years, they roughly came to understand what Hongjun had taught. Yet to fully comprehend it and weave it into a seamless whole, they still needed to continuously test and temper it through practice.

When Xiao Teng emerged from seclusion and saw Mount Kongtong covered in flowers and plants, he smiled.

The Six-Eared Macaque has done quite well.

Upon learning that they had emerged, the Six-Eared Macaque rushed over in a frantic monkey-like hurry.

His mood had improved greatly, and the shadow cast by his punishment for eavesdropping had mostly faded away.

Xiao Teng and White Lotus discussed the Dao once more, exchanging what they had gained over the past ten thousand years. Thus, both of them gained further insights.

"I have still decided to travel through the Primordial World and temper myself for a time. When the second sermon comes, we can meet again at Purple Cloud Palace," White Lotus said.

"Since that is the case, Fellow Daoist White Lotus might as well visit the Western Lands," Xiao Teng said.

"Go to the Western Lands? Why?" A trace of puzzlement appeared in White Lotus's eyes.

"Does Fellow Daoist White Lotus still remember that earth-shaking battle between the Dao of Demons?"

"Of course I remember. Luo Hou detonated the western earth veins, causing the western lands to suffer devastating damage. With the earth veins damaged, spiritual energy ebbed away like the tide, leaving behind only desolation and deathly silence."

"Exactly. It is precisely because the western earth veins were damaged that I want Fellow Daoist White Lotus to make a trip there."

Upon hearing Xiao Teng say this, White Lotus immediately understood.

The Grand Dao of Healing that White Lotus followed was closely tied to the restoration of earth veins. If she could successfully repair the western earth veins, it would undoubtedly be a major breakthrough upon her path of the Dao.

"Many thanks for Fellow Daoist Xiao Teng's guidance. Time waits for no one; White Lotus will depart first."

"On this journey to the Western Lands, Fellow Daoist White Lotus may encounter Jie Yin and Zhunti. Neither of them is an ordinary figure. Should you meet them, you must be exceedingly careful," Xiao Teng warned.

"I understand. Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Xiao Teng."

"Master, take me with you." The Six-Eared Macaque gazed at White Lotus longingly, his eyes full of yearning.

"You should remain on Mount Kongtong. This journey is fraught with danger. Taking you along would only create more uncertainties and countless inconveniences."

After saying this, White Lotus's figure flashed and transformed into a streak of light, swiftly departing. Only Xiao Teng and the Six-Eared Macaque remained, staring at one another.

"Master doesn't want me anymore, does she?" the Six-Eared Macaque asked.

"Yes," Xiao Teng said mercilessly.

The reason Xiao Teng had White Lotus travel west to repair the earth veins was not only because he sincerely wished to help her attain the Dao, but also because he wanted her to seize the merit that belonged to Jie Yin and Zhunti.

If the Western Lands gradually regained prosperity with White Lotus's help, it would become even more impossible for Jie Yin and Zhunti to become saints.

Xiao Teng stood where he was, his thoughts drifting. Suddenly, as though remembering something, his heart jolted.

Only then did he realize that he had not contacted the Calabash Kids for a full ten thousand years.

What were those little troublemakers doing now? They had not gone somewhere else to cause trouble again, had they?

When Xiao Teng linked up with Er Wa's vision, a hair-raising scene appeared before his eyes.

All around lay a boundless sea of blood. Its waves surged violently, while faint, miserable screams and furious roars rang out from within.

"Er Wa, where are you?" Xiao Teng asked urgently.

"Dad, this place seems to be called the Netherworld Blood Sea. There's a fierce-looking old man up ahead, and we're fighting him," Er Wa replied.

There was a trace of nervousness and excitement in his voice.