Chapter 12 of 100

Chapter 12

15 min read3,830 words

"Enlightenment, you have come."

"Have seen the master!" Yang Zhen bowed and said. Perhaps Patriarch Subhuti had his own purposes, or perhaps he was still plotting some conspiracy, but no matter what, Patriarch Subhuti was the master who had taught Yang Zhen his skills. If it weren't for Patriarch Subhuti's acceptance, Yang Zhen would probably still be wandering around.

Therefore, Yang Zhen felt both gratitude and respect for Patriarch Subhuti. After twenty years of interaction, Yang Zhen had long regarded Patriarch Subhuti as his master. No matter what the future held, this master-disciple relationship would never change.

"Enlightenment, you have been at Mount Fangcun for twenty years, haven't you?" Patriarch Subhuti said calmly.

Seeing Patriarch Subhuti looking at him, Yang Zhen felt a sense of heaviness in his heart. He nodded and said, "Yes, I have been learning from the master for twenty years. Over these twenty years, I have been able to make progress thanks to the master's generous teachings." Saying this, Yang Zhen bowed to Patriarch Subhuti and continued, "I thank the master..."

Yang Zhen was about to mention his intention to leave when Patriarch Subhuti unexpectedly spoke first.

"Hmm!" Patriarch Subhuti nodded in satisfaction at Yang Zhen's meticulous manner and said, "Now that you have reached the realm of Celestial Immortal, cultivation is against the heavens, and you will inevitably face the 'Three Disasters and Five Calamities' in the future."

"Three Disasters and Five Calamities?" Yang Zhen asked in confusion, "I understand that cultivation is difficult, and I will likely encounter many trials along the way, but what exactly are the 'Three Disasters and Five Calamities'? Please, Master, enlighten me." When it came to cultivation issues, Yang Zhen was not in a hurry to leave. Even if he had to go, it would be good to learn more skills before leaving.

Patriarch Subhuti explained, "This is an extraordinary path: seizing the transformations of heaven and earth, invading the mysteries of the sun and moon. Once the elixir is completed, even ghosts and gods cannot tolerate it. Although it can preserve youth and extend life, after five hundred years, heaven will send a thunder disaster to strike you. You must see through the nature of your mind and avoid it in advance. If you can avoid it, your lifespan will be as long as heaven's; if you cannot, you will die. After another five hundred years, heaven will send a fire disaster to burn you. This fire is neither heavenly fire nor ordinary fire, but 'Yin Fire.' It will rise from the soles of your feet and penetrate the Dantian, turning your organs to ash and your limbs to dust, making all your thousand years of cultivation a mere illusion. After another five hundred years, heaven will send a wind disaster to blow you. This wind is neither the east, south, west, or north wind, nor the gentle breeze, nor the wind of flowers, willows, pines, or bamboos, but 'Xun Wind.' It will blow into your six organs through the fontanelle, pass through the Dantian, and pierce the nine orifices, causing your bones and flesh to wither, and your body to disintegrate."

Hearing this, Yang Zhen thought to himself, "So this is the legendary tribulation. But with thunder, fire, and wind, it sounds quite dangerous."

"I hope the master will show mercy and teach me how to avoid the three disasters. I will never forget the master's great kindness," Yang Zhen said respectfully.

Patriarch Subhuti said, "I have the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations and the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations. Which one do you want to learn?"

Hearing this, Yang Zhen was delighted and said, "I wish to learn the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations."

Learning that Patriarch Subhuti would teach him the transformation techniques, Yang Zhen was overjoyed. Of course, Yang Zhen was not Sun Wukong, so he did not naively think that the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations were more powerful just because they had more transformations than the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations.

In fact, although both the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations and the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations were transformation techniques, there was no clear superiority between them. The Heavenly Transformations and the Earthly Transformations involved different domains and were not very comparable. The numbers thirty-six and seventy-two did not refer to the number of transformations but to the domains they covered.

As for why the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations had a greater reputation in "Journey to the West," it was because those who learned the Earthly Transformations were Sun Wukong, Yang Jian, and Niuhuang, while those who learned the Heavenly Transformations were the first great pitfall in the Three Realms, Zhu Bajie. The power of magical treasures varied from person to person. Since Zhu Bajie could not match Sun Wukong, Yang Jian, and Niuhuang, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations seemed less powerful than the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations.

However, in Yang Zhen's view, the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations might be more practical compared to the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations.

Seeing that Yang Zhen had chosen the Heavenly Transformations, Patriarch Subhuti began to teach him: "The Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations consist of: 'Manipulating Creation, Reversing Yin and Yang, Moving Stars and Changing the Constellations, Reversing Heaven and Returning the Sun, Summoning Wind and Rain, Shaking Mountains and Earth, Riding Clouds and Fog, Turning Rivers into Land, Projecting Golden Light, Stirring the Sea, Turning the Ground into Steel, Great Evasion of the Five Elements, Six Jia Mysteries, Knowing the Future, Moving Mountains and Stones, Reviving the Dead, Flying and Concealing, Nine Breath Techniques, Guiding the Primordial Yang, Subduing Dragons and Tigers, Repairing the Sky and Bathing the Sun, Moving Mountains and Filling the Sea, Turning Stones into Gold, Standing Without a Shadow, Transforming the Body, Changing Size at Will, Instantly Blooming Flowers, Controlling Qi and Spirit, Seeing Through Walls, Reversing Wind and Fire, Controlling the Five Thunders, Diving Deep and Shrinking the Earth, Flying Sand and Rolling Stones, Carrying Mountains Across the Sea, Turning Beans into Soldiers, and Seven Arrow Nails'—these thirty-six skills..."

After imparting the techniques of the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations to Yang Zhen, Patriarch Subhuti let him return to practice on his own and instructed, "Enlightenment, once you have mastered the Heavenly Transformations, come to me, and I will teach you other skills."

"Thank you, master." Yang Zhen bowed.

After thanking Patriarch Subhuti, Yang Zhen suddenly thought of Sun Wukong and could not help but ask, "Master, what about Wukong...?"

Hearing this, Patriarch Subhuti looked into the distance and said calmly, "Wukong has his own destiny. You need not worry. When your cultivation is complete, you will naturally meet Wukong again."

"Master, is Wukong's journey a blessing or a curse?" Yang Zhen asked again.

"Fortune harbors misfortune, and misfortune harbors fortune. Everyone has their own destiny. Wukong is like this, and so are you. If you interfere with others, whether to save or harm them, it will ultimately be troublesome for you." Patriarch Subhuti said, "I know you and Wukong are close, but Wukong's destiny has arrived. If I keep him at Mount Fangcun, it would harm him. Only by letting him go and face his own challenges can he truly resolve his tribulations. You should trust him."

"Yes!" Yang Zhen suddenly smiled, "Master, I understand."

Back in his room, Yang Zhen carefully recalled his conversation with Patriarch Subhuti. It was clear that Patriarch Subhuti would not let him and Sun Wukong cause chaos in heaven. Moreover, he had taught him the Thirty-Six Heavenly Transformations, which Yang Zhen had long anticipated. He never expected his wish to come true today.

Regardless of the reasons why Patriarch Subhuti taught him, everything so far had only brought him benefits, not harm.

As for Sun Wukong...

Although the five hundred years on Mount Wutai were tough, Sun Wukong would eventually become a protector of Buddhism and be honored as the Victorious Fighting Buddha, achieving fame and success. As Patriarch Subhuti said, "Fortune harbors misfortune, and misfortune harbors fortune." If he really changed anything, it might not necessarily be a good thing for Sun Wukong.

"Everyone says that cultivation follows the heart and destiny. So let everything follow its course," Yang Zhen thought to himself.

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