Chapter 48

The Red-buttocked Macaque answered respectfully, "When the heavenly troops besieged us, the Prefect served as an inspector overseeing the exchange of hostages between both sides. Afterward, the king told us that you were his elder from the same sect."

Zhuang Yan nodded with a smile. "That's right. He should indeed address me as Uncle Master."

Hearing this, the monkeys crowded around him, kowtowing and bowing one after another as they asked over one another, "May we ask, Prefect, where is our king now?"

Zhuang Yan reassured them, "There is no need to worry. Though your king was punished for wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Court, his life is not in danger. The day you reunite will surely come."

The monkeys were overwhelmed with both grief and joy. They wept because their king could not yet return, but rejoiced because he was still alive. The Long-armed Ape Monkey and the Red-buttocked Macaque let out long breaths. As long as their king lived, there was still hope.

The two monkeys hurriedly invited Zhuang Yan into the cave, but he waved a hand. "Wait. Why have so many hunters entered the mountain to slaughter you lately?"

The Red-buttocked Macaque sighed. "Over the past few months, immortals have often come to search the mountain. They even demanded something called an 'immortal pill' from us."

The Long-armed Ape Monkey added indignantly, "Where would we get immortal pills? After those immortals returned empty-handed, hunters carrying sharp weapons soon began entering the mountain."

The Red-buttocked Macaque's voice choked. "Marshal Liu and General Ba both died beneath their strange weapons... They even took away the bodies, saying they were offering them to immortals for pill refinement."

Zhuang Yan's gaze turned cold, and he understood at once.

A Four-Turn Golden Elixir required five years to ascend, a Five-Turn Golden Elixir required three years to attain the Dao, and a Six-Turn Golden Elixir allowed one to ascend as an immortal in two years.

A Seven-Turn Golden Elixir made one an immortal in a year, an Eight-Turn Golden Elixir achieved success in a hundred days, and a Nine-Turn Golden Elixir brought ascension in three days.

Within Grand Supreme Elder Lao's palace, there were only Nine-Turn Golden Elixirs, with no pills of any other grade.

Zhuang Yan poured two Nine-Turn Golden Elixirs from his gourd and summoned the Long-armed Ape Monkey and the Red-buttocked Macaque.

An exalted immortal had summoned them? The two monkeys respectfully bowed.

Zhuang Yan distributed the golden elixirs. "These are Nine-Turn Golden Elixirs. After taking them, you can ascend as immortals within three days. Consume them here."

Golden light flowed over the elixirs, illuminating the cave mansion as their fragrance filled the air. Yet the two monkeys hesitated, not daring to accept them.

"Why do you hesitate?" Zhuang Yan asked.

The Long-armed Ape Monkey answered, "This little beast fears it lacks the fortune to enjoy such immortal pills."

Zhuang Yan flicked his sleeve. "Those without fortune have long since died. That you survived until today is itself an opportunity. Take them at once, and do not refuse."

Hearing this, the two monkeys recalled their clansmen who had died miserably, and their expressions darkened.

Then they respectfully accepted the golden elixirs, sat cross-legged to one side, and swallowed them without hesitation.

Zhuang Yan waved his sleeve and laid down a restriction, sealing the Water Curtain Cave.

Seated upon a stone platform, he circulated four hundred strands of Heavenly Dao Power, intending to create two additional divine abilities.

After the battle of wreaking havoc in the Heavenly Court, he had realized that his methods were still insufficient. He had been planning this for months.

The new divine abilities were divided into two types: one would allow him to wield myriad techniques at will; the other would allow him to freely bestow divine abilities upon living beings.

Having set his goal, he began refining the Heavenly Dao Power and creating new laws.

The sun and moon turned, tides rose and fell, and a day passed in the blink of an eye.

The two new divine abilities had been completed:

[Myriad Laws from the Heart]: Countless spells moved at the user's will.

[Bestow Laws by Fate]: Could bestow supreme cultivation methods, but the depth of what was gained depended on the recipient's aptitude and comprehension.

Once his work was complete, Zhuang Yan regulated his breath and opened his eyes. Immortal light had already appeared around the two monkeys, proving the elixir's effects truly extraordinary.

Without disturbing their cultivation, Zhuang Yan left the cave to look after the monkey tribe.

At that moment, Nine Heavens Yingyuan Heavenly Venerable Puhua of Thunder arrived at Changsheng Imperial Palace in a jade carriage.

Welcomed by the immortals, he proceeded directly to the exterior of Jade Purity Hall.

The Jade Mansion High Official under Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole came out to greet him. "This minister pays respects to the Ancestor of Thunder Heavenly Venerable."

The Heavenly Venerable raised a hand with a smile. "Please rise, fellow Daoist."

After respectfully bowing, the Jade Mansion High Official rose and stepped aside. He said to the Ancestor of Thunder Heavenly Venerable, "His Majesty ordered me to welcome Your Venerable into the hall."

The Ancestor of Thunder Heavenly Venerable replied with a smile, "Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoist."

"I dare not accept." The Jade Mansion High Official bowed again, then led the way. The Ancestor of Thunder Heavenly Venerable adjusted his robes and followed him into Jade Purity Hall.

Auspicious light filled the hall, while golden clouds spread across the heavens. Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole wore magnificent ceremonial robes and a glazed crown, mysterious light circling his body as he sat upon nine-colored auspicious clouds. Golden Boy and Jade Girl stood at either side, while the Jade Mansion Left and Right Junior Officials awaited orders below the steps.

The Ancestor of Thunder Heavenly Venerable stepped forward and bowed. "This minister, chief overseer of the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion, pays respects to Your Majesty."

Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole gave a slight nod. "Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." After the Ancestor of Thunder Heavenly Venerable rose, Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole gestured with his hand. The Jade Mansion Left Junior Official immediately carried a precious scroll to the Ancestor of Thunder Heavenly Venerable.

The Ancestor of Thunder Heavenly Venerable accepted the scroll, and the Left Junior Official returned to his place. Upon opening it, he saw eight words written upon it: Heavenly and Earth Immortals' Tribulation Response Scroll.

Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole said, "From ancient times until now, many gods and immortals have rendered meritorious service to the Heavenly Court, receiving generous salaries and rewards, as well as the blessing of avoiding calamity and extending their lives. Yet over the past several epochs, some gods and immortals have neglected cultivation and virtuous deeds. Instead, mortal desires arose within them, and they became tainted by karma, causing their tribulations to accumulate."

"Great Sage Equal to Heaven previously threw the Heavenly Court into chaos, preventing the Peach Banquet and the Pill Origin Convention from taking place as scheduled. Perhaps that was Heaven's will."

"Heaven's will has decreed that these gods and immortals must enter reincarnation and cultivate the Great Dao anew."

Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole pointed at the scroll. "By the decree of the Great Celestial Venerable, I have brought down a great tribulation upon the gods and immortals destined to face it. This tribulation cannot be escaped. Those listed in this scroll are the ones who must undergo it."

"I summoned you here to entrust this scroll to you. You command the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion and must inform the chief gods of every department of this list."

"From this day onward, as long as any immortal or god on this list has not had their primordial spirit extinguished and can enter the underworld for reincarnation, the thunder department need not interfere."

"Remember, only the chief gods of each department may know of this scroll. It must not be leaked. Violators will be severely punished."

Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole reminded him once more, "You must remember this well."

The Ancestor of Thunder Heavenly Venerable held the scroll and bowed. "This minister accepts the decree."

After leaving Jade Purity Hall, the Ancestor of Thunder Heavenly Venerable returned to the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion, distributed the precious scroll among the chief gods of every department, and strictly ordered secrecy.

Yet just as Great Emperor Changsheng of the South Pole brought down the great tribulation, Zhuang Yan had already learned the entire list of gods and immortals destined for tribulation through a secret art. He memorized the names and withdrew his divine ability.

He raised his eyes and saw immortal light swirling around Flower-Fruit Mountain. Light flowed around the Red-buttocked Macaque and the Long-armed Ape Monkey. Standing atop auspicious clouds, they had already attained the Earth Immortal Fruit Position.

The two spirit monkeys had attained the immortal Dao, and their mortal bodies scattered into heaven and earth. Descending from the clouds, they knelt respectfully before Zhuang Yan. "Thank you, exalted immortal, for enlightening us!"

Zhuang Yan smiled and helped them up. "Though you have attained the rank of Earth Immortals, you still possess no methods to defend yourselves. You will find it difficult to protect your kin."

As he spoke, wisdom shone in his eyes. "Today, I will bestow an opportunity upon you. What divine abilities you can comprehend will depend entirely on your own fortune."

Divine radiance blossomed from Zhuang Yan's fingertips, and two streams of Spiritual Light entered the monkeys' brows. Their bodies trembled slightly as they immediately entered a profound state.

When they regained their senses, both were overjoyed. Zhuang Yan asked, "What have you gained?"

The Long-armed Ape Monkey answered first, "I comprehended the Heaven and Earth Dharma Aspect. It can move mountains and overturn seas. Upon reaching its pinnacle, it can even command the sun and moon."

The Red-buttocked Macaque continued, "I comprehended the Yin-Yang Twin Vortex. The yang vortex can heal injuries and extend life, while the yin vortex can dissolve all things."

Zhuang Yan nodded approvingly. "Both are supreme wondrous methods." This Bestow Laws by Fate truly matched the recipient's aptitude.

"Go and cultivate diligently," Zhuang Yan instructed. "Those people will surely not let this go."

The two monkeys solemnly accepted his command.

Just as expected, in a secluded courtyard of Wubin Town in Juzhou Prefecture, a white-haired old man entered the pill room with a medicine basket on his back. The young girl tending the furnace greeted him, "Master has returned."

The old man asked about the Blood Medicine, and the young girl reported that the hunters had not come for days. "Strange phenomena have appeared in the mountains. Wind and rain block the roads, as though gods or ghosts are causing trouble."

The old man pondered for a moment. "Watch the furnace. I will go meet these hunters."

The young girl nodded lightly. "Yes, Master."

The old man swept his gaze over the pill furnace, then turned and left the pill room, heading straight for the hunters' village.

Night gradually fell, but the story continued...

Old Immortal Yang Mei arrived at the place where Wubin Town's hunters gathered and saw all manner of animal hides hanging outside every household.

The hunters sat before their doors, wiping down bows and arrows. When they saw the old immortal arrive, they greeted him with smiles.

"Daoist Yang Mei, have you returned from gathering herbs?" one hunter called out.

The old immortal nodded with a smile and stepped forward. "Why have none of you gone to Flower-Fruit Mountain to gather Blood Medicine lately? This old man has never withheld your silver money."

Hearing this, the hunters gathered around and spoke over one another, telling the old immortal of the strange occurrences in the mountains.

After listening, the old immortal said, "Someone must be secretly helping those monkey demons. There is no need to worry. Tomorrow, this old man will go with you."

But the hunters shook their heads repeatedly. "Immortals fighting has nothing to do with us. We only work for money. Now another expert is protecting those monkey demons in the mountains, so we cannot take this job. We have already accepted the silver money, and we will not return it. You cannot blame us for this."

Another hunter added, "If Daoist can deal with that expert, we will enter the mountain as usual to hunt monkeys. But our lives come first. Daoist should go ahead on your own."

"Exactly," the others agreed.

The old immortal took no offense. He drew a purple coin from his sleeve. "Do you recognize this?"

At first, the hunters were puzzled. But when they saw purple light rising from the coin, their expressions changed as they cried out, "Purple Coins!"

Purple Coins were the salaries of Heavenly Court immortal officials. Not only were they used among immortals, but in the mortal world they were worth a fortune. Because they contained Acquired Purple Qi, they could aid an immortal's cultivation, while mortals who wore them could strengthen their bodies and prolong their lives. Thus, powerful nobles and wealthy families would spare no expense to obtain them. A single Purple Coin was an exceedingly rare treasure in the mortal realm.

At the sight of the Purple Coin in the old immortal's hand, half the hunters immediately declared, "We will follow Daoist's orders. What time do we depart tomorrow?"

The old immortal smiled. "We leave at dawn. If you help this old man hunt every monkey demon in the mountain for pill refinement, each of you will receive one Purple Coin."

At those words, even more hunters were tempted to join. Only two old hunters remained silent, continuing to wipe their bows and arrows.

Early the next morning, Old Immortal Yang Mei led thirty-four hunters in a grand procession toward Flower-Fruit Mountain.

Old Immortal Yang Mei led the way while the hunters followed closely behind, bows and arrows in hand.

The group ventured deep into the heart of Flower-Fruit Mountain, yet they saw nothing unusual. Suddenly, Old Immortal Yang Mei noticed two ghostly figures crouching upon the rocks ahead.

The two ghostly figures noticed Old Immortal Yang Mei's gaze and immediately stood. He recognized the underworld official robes they wore. They were Soul Reaping Emissaries.

"Why have you stopped, Daoist?" a hunter behind him asked.

Old Immortal Yang Mei smiled. "Rest here for a while. I'll go ahead and take a look."

Once the hunters sat down to rest, Old Immortal Yang Mei stepped forward and asked, "What business do you two have here?"

The Underworld Officials cautiously asked in return, "May we ask how this exalted immortal should be addressed?"

Old Immortal Yang Mei revealed a jade tablet. "This poor Daoist is Yang Mei, a Third-Rank Salary Immortal of the Heavenly Court."

The Underworld Officials were greatly shocked and hurriedly bowed. Old Immortal Yang Mei asked again why they had come, but the Underworld Officials asked instead, "What is this great immortal doing with these hunters?"

"I came to eradicate the remnants who followed that demon monkey back then," Old Immortal Yang Mei answered.

The Underworld Officials understood and said that they had come to seize souls. Just as they spoke, the ground suddenly shook, and the hunters cried out in terror. The two Underworld Officials transformed into gusts of yin wind and fled.

A thunderous roar rang out from Flower-Fruit Mountain as a gigantic monkey rose from the ground, its body expanding to a hundred zhang tall.

"Physical Dharma Aspect!" Old Immortal Yang Mei cried out. The Long-armed Ape Monkey had already swung down a massive fist.