Chapter 25

Time flies, and a hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The night-blooming cereus blooms briefly, and the mayfly lives from morning till night; they both have their moment of beauty. In comparison to the eternal existence of the universe, a human life is but a fleeting moment, a mere blink of an eye. A hundred years is a lifetime for mortals, but for those who seek the Dao, a hundred years is just a nap, and the passage of a mere hundred years does not even attract their attention.

For a hundred years, Yang Zhen has been practicing on Fangcun Mountain, leaving only once a month to earn merit. Nothing else has caught his attention. Life has been as still as a stagnant pond, without a ripple. As a result, like most cultivators, Yang Zhen has begun to forget about time and no longer pays attention to it.

Understanding the Heavenly Dao is all that matters to Yang Zhen.

Since the last battle with the Bull Demon King, the Bull Demon King has not caused any more trouble for Yang Zhen. Over the past hundred years, Yang Zhen has been in constant conflict with the demon race to earn merit. Although powerful demons often appear, they have all been dealt with by Yang Zhen using the 'Three Pure Fires.'

As time passed, Yang Zhen's name began to resound throughout Xiniu Jizhou, improving the 'security' of the region. The demons were no longer as rampant as before and became more restrained.

The battle with the Bull Demon King made Yang Zhen realize the importance of cultivation.

Although many factors influence battles, it is undeniable that cultivation is the foundation of everything. Perhaps Yang Zhen can rely on the 'Three Pure Fires' to act without restraint, but this is not a long-term strategy. Once others find a way to counter it, the final outcome will still be determined by cultivation.

In "Journey to the West," many demons wield top-tier magical treasures, but they all ultimately fall to Sun Wukong, which clearly illustrates this point.

Therefore, the merit Yang Zhen has earned over the years has all been used to purchase double experience pills. With the help of these pills, Yang Zhen spent a hundred years cultivating to the realm of Great Perfection Immortal, reaching the first level of Great Perfection Immortal. This speed is astonishing, and while the double experience pills played a crucial role, Yang Zhen's divine beast bloodline also contributed significantly. Before the Golden Immortal realm, bloodline and aptitude are extremely important, and Yang Zhen has a significant advantage in this area.

Last year, an envoy from Heaven came to Fangcun Mountain to inform Master Subhuti about the upcoming Peach Blossom Banquet, but Master Subhuti refused to attend. Since the envoy left, Master Subhuti has not taught Yang Zhen any more and spends his days in his room, lost in thought.

Upon learning that the Peach Blossom Banquet was approaching, Yang Zhen merely sighed and then put the matter aside, continuing to focus on his cultivation.

"Wuzhi, I have something to tell you." Yang Zhen was in the middle of his cultivation when he suddenly heard Master Subhuti's voice. He stopped his practice and walked to Master Subhuti's room.

After bowing to Master Subhuti, Yang Zhen asked, "Master, what do you need from me?"

"Wuzhi, I am leaving Fangcun Mountain. Although I will no longer be able to guide you, you must not slack in your cultivation. The Heavenly Dao is vast, and only those with great determination can walk this path further." Master Subhuti said calmly, having lived for countless years, he felt no sadness at parting, only hope for Yang Zhen.

Yang Zhen was not surprised by this day, as he had been prepared to leave Fangcun Mountain for two hundred years. Bowing to Master Subhuti again, Yang Zhen said, "Master, please rest assured. I will one day achieve the Dao and will not辜负 your teachings. I will never forget the grace of your teachings."

"Good! Good!" Master Subhuti nodded and said, "I have great confidence in you. From now on, Fangcun Mountain will be in your hands."

"Master~"

"Wuzhi, do you remember our agreement?" Master Subhuti suddenly asked.

Hearing this, Yang Zhen was taken aback but quickly recovered, saying, "I remember. Master told me that I cannot leave the mountain until the lotus blooms. Over the past hundred years, I have taken great care of the lotus, but due to my dullness, it has not bloomed." In fact, Yang Zhen had long guessed that Master Subhuti had used a secret method on the lotus, ensuring it would not bloom until Sun Wukong was sealed under the Five-Finger Mountain. However, since Master Subhuti was asking, Yang Zhen had to pretend he did not know.

"Very well. From today on, do not leave Fangcun Mountain until the lotus blooms," Master Subhuti said solemnly. "In the next few days, there will be some turmoil in the Three Realms. To prevent you from being involved, stay on Fangcun Mountain and focus on your cultivation. When the lotus blooms, you may leave on your own."

After a moment of silence, Yang Zhen said, "I will obey, Master."

That night, Yang Zhen stood quietly by the pond, motionless like a statue, gazing at the lotus in the center of the pond, his thoughts drifting far away.

...

Heaven, the Peach Garden.

"Freeze! Freeze! Freeze!"

When Sun Wukong learned he was not invited to the Peach Blossom Banquet, he became furious. He used a freezing spell to immobilize the seven fairies and then flew to the Jade Pool.

On the way, Sun Wukong met the Barefoot Immortal and had an idea. He flew up and greeted him, "Where are you going, Immortal?"

The Barefoot Immortal recognized Sun Wukong and replied, "I have been summoned by the Queen Mother to attend the Peach Blossom Banquet at the Jade Pool."

Hearing this, Sun Wukong's eyes twinkled, and he said, "Immortal, you may not know, but the Jade Emperor has asked me to invite all the guests to the Brightness Hall for a ceremony before the banquet."

Whether the Barefoot Immortal truly believed Sun Wukong or for some other reason, he actually believed Sun Wukong. He complained, "In the past, we always performed the ceremony and thanked the Queen Mother at the Jade Pool. Why must we go to the Brightness Hall first this time?" With that, the Barefoot Immortal turned his cloud and headed for the Brightness Hall.

After the Barefoot Immortal left, Sun Wukong transformed into his likeness and wobbled toward the Jade Pool. There, the air was filled with the fragrance of jade and the mist of auspiciousness. The Jade Terrace was adorned with colorful decorations, and the treasure pavilions were filled with a misty aura. Phoenixes and cranes soared gracefully, and the golden flowers and jade blossoms floated in the air. The nine phoenixes and the eight treasures of purple mist were arranged on top, and the five-colored gold tables and the thousand-flowered jade basins were filled with dragon liver, phoenix marrow, bear paws, and gorilla lips. The dishes were a hundred varieties of exquisite delicacies, and the fruits and dishes were all new and fresh.

As soon as he arrived at the Jade Pool, Sun Wukong was immediately attracted by the delicious food. He used a sleep spell to knock out the celestial officials and warriors and then entered the Jade Pool to feast.

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