Chapter 7

Time passed silently, and Yang Zhen's room continued to emit a dazzling light. Countless light symbols swirled in the air, forming a rotating nebula. Yang Zhen sat cross-legged at the center of the nebula, surrounded by endless light waves that intertwined and formed a light cocoon.

Over the course of two months, Yang Zhen spent his time in cultivation. When the effects of the double experience pill wore off, Yang Zhen suddenly opened his eyes. A strange light flashed in his eyes, making him appear extraordinary and mysterious. After adjusting his state, Yang Zhen slowly got up, tidied his clothes, and prepared to listen to the teachings again.

When the first rays of dawn appeared in the east, Yang Zhen left his room and walked towards the place where Master Subhuti was giving his teachings.

Over the course of two months, Yang Zhen reached level 35, the realm of Third-Rank Human Immortal. This speed was extremely fast; even some of his senior brothers had not reached the Third-Rank Human Immortal realm, despite having practiced for several decades or even a hundred years. Among these dozens of disciples, not a single one had reached the Earth Immortal realm.

Although he did not know how far Sun Wukong had progressed, he imagined it would not be much higher than his own.

Sitting on his mat, Yang Zhen eagerly awaited the appearance of Master Subhuti. Soon, the other disciples arrived in twos and threes, and Sun Wukong appeared shortly after Yang Zhen arrived. Seeing Sun Wukong again, Yang Zhen had a different feeling. The previous Sun Wukong was just an innocent monkey, but after two months, Sun Wukong's demeanor had changed significantly, exuding a captivating aura.

Perhaps Sun Wukong was transforming into the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Indeed, "great skills make one bold." After gaining cultivation, Sun Wukong had changed, no longer the timid monkey he once was.

Looking at Sun Wukong sitting next to him, Yang Zhen couldn't help but ask, "Hey! Monkey, what level have you reached?"

"I've reached the Eighth-Rank Human Immortal realm. What about you?" Sun Wukong scratched the back of his head and laughed.

Yang Zhen: "..."

From that moment on, Yang Zhen decided never to speak to Sun Wukong again. It was too discouraging. He thought that reaching the Third-Rank Human Immortal realm in two months was already impressive, and he estimated that Sun Wukong would be at most a Fifth-Rank Human Immortal. Who would have thought that in just two months, Sun Wukong had reached the Eighth-Rank Human Immortal realm? If given another month, he would likely reach the Earth Immortal realm.

Indeed, comparing oneself to others can be fatal. Compared to Sun Wukong, Yang Zhen felt like a mere speck with a combat power of only 5.

If one were to be fair, Yang Zhen didn't need to belittle himself. His true form was a divine beast, and if this were a game, he would be one of the most powerful. In this real world, since Yang Zhen's true form was a divine beast, it meant that his talent, bone structure, and bloodline were all of the highest quality. Even compared to the Lingming Stone Monkey born from the Nüwa Stone, he was no less.

The only difference between Yang Zhen and Sun Wukong was that Sun Wukong possessed vast amounts of heaven and earth energy and the essence of the sun and moon. After two months of cultivation, the energy stored in Sun Wukong's body began to convert into magical power, which was why his cultivation progressed so quickly.

Yang Zhen understood this, but he couldn't help feeling resentful. He had the double experience pill, a cheat, yet he still couldn't match Sun Wukong, who seemed to have a cheat code. Indeed, Sun Wukong was the protagonist of *Journey to the West*, and his golden finger was unmatched by anyone else.

When all the disciples arrived, Master Subhuti appeared on his mat and began his second lecture since Yang Zhen's initiation.

Listening to a great sage's lecture was undoubtedly beneficial for cultivation. First, it resolved many of the confusions encountered during cultivation. Second, after comprehending the Heavenly Dao, one could avoid the three calamities and five tribulations. Cultivation was defying heaven, and once one reached a certain level, heaven would send calamities to test the cultivator. Comprehending the Heavenly Dao allowed one to predict these calamities to some extent and avoid them. Lastly, some exceptionally talented individuals could create new cultivation techniques and powers while comprehending the Heavenly Dao.

Knowing these benefits, Yang Zhen listened with rapt attention, wishing that Master Subhuti would never stop. During the lecture, the *Nine-Rank Celestial Immortal Technique* automatically circulated within his body, drawing in heaven and earth energy from all directions, which rushed into his body.

Fortunately, Yang Zhen had already taken the double experience pill, and this time, he was listening to the lecture while cultivating, which made his cultivation speed several times faster than usual. The phenomena generated by Master Subhuti's lecture also transformed into countless principles, swirling around Yang Zhen's body.

Since the last lecture, Master Subhuti had noticed Yang Zhen's extraordinary nature and had been paying attention to him alongside Sun Wukong.

Seeing that Sun Wukong had reached the Eighth-Rank Human Immortal realm, Master Subhuti was pleased but also somewhat dissatisfied: "This monkey must have been playing around. If not, he would have reached the Earth Immortal realm. It seems that before teaching him any skills, I need to temper his character."

After checking Sun Wukong's cultivation, Master Subhuti turned his attention to Yang Zhen.

Seeing that Yang Zhen had reached the Third-Rank Human Immortal realm, Master Subhuti was even more pleased. He had expected Sun Wukong's rapid progress, but for Yang Zhen to reach the Third-Rank Human Immortal realm in just two months was quite astonishing.

With Master Subhuti's keen insight, he could see that Yang Zhen had been born not long ago, and thus, his human form was that of a seven-year-old child. But this newly born kitten had a talent and insight that were on par with the great demons of the ancient demon court.

"If properly cultivated, my Buddhist sect will surely gain another Great Perfection Immortal." Master Subhuti nodded in satisfaction as he watched Yang Zhen listen attentively.

After another seven days, Master Subhuti stopped his lecture and announced that he would give another lecture in two months.

After Master Subhuti left, Yang Zhen was about to return to his cultivation when Sun Wukong suddenly grabbed him and pulled him to a corner. Sun Wukong said mysteriously, "Kitten, I found a fruit tree on the back mountain, but there's a demon guarding it. Kitten, help me drive away the demon, and we can eat the fruit together, okay?"

I don't have time to play with you.

Yang Zhen was about to refuse, not wanting to waste his time, but then he thought that a tree guarded by a demon was likely not ordinary. Eating the fruit might bring some benefits.

With this in mind, Yang Zhen said, "Alright, let's go then."

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