Longevity by Grinding Skills

CREAK.

The moment the claw touched the stone, the entire mountaintop fell deathly silent.

Deep within the massive Profound Yellow stone, the violently pulsing Wan Buddha Pattern and the mote of Black Water Black Tortoise Dao Rhyme erupted in a blinding flash of light simultaneously.

The sudden flash sent the troop of apes screeching in terror, scattering in all directions.

Sanzang's hand froze in mid-air. A flicker of astonishment crossed his eyes, but it quickly transformed into the clarity of one who perceives cause and effect.

He turned his head toward the depths of the Eastern Wilderness, where a demonic aura that blotted out the sky, thick with a boundless, savage air, soared to the heavens. A profound, Zen-like smile slowly blossomed on his face as he softly chanted a Buddha's Name: "How virtuous! The rise and fall of karmic ties are preordained. This is the will of heaven, and it is also your good fortune!"

'It seems the Demon Kings of the Eastern Wilderness are getting restless,' he thought. 'They don't want to do this the respectable way.'

'Since you don't want to be respectable, I'll help you find that respectability.'

Sanzang's thoughts raced as he lowered his gaze.

Before his words had even faded...

BOOM!!!

The Profound Yellow stone exploded in response.

Shards of rock shot through the air as the swirling Profound Yellow Mother Qi, Dark Gold Buddha Light, and Black Water Black Tortoise Dao Rhyme frantically intertwined and collapsed inward.

From the core, a crimson figure burst forth like a meteor shattering its shell. It carried the irresistible aura of a primal life-essence and the savage spirit of a newborn calf, brazenly punching through the dust and rubble to land steadily on the rocky peak.

The dust slowly settled.

A miraculous ape, about the height of a man and crimson as flame, was revealed.

It lacked the foul stench of a common beast. Instead, its fine fur shimmered with a gentle, reddish-gold luster in the sunlight. Between its muscles and bones, a fierce and domineering Martial Dao True Intent, like a deep ocean current, faintly ebbed and flowed.

The ape opened its eyes for the first time. Its pupils were as clear as red crystals, reflecting the vast blue sky above and the sprawling Eastern Wilderness below. Novelty, confusion, and curiosity swirled within its gaze.

It instinctively moved its limbs. The stretching of its muscles and bones produced a low rumble, like the sound of tigers and leopards, and the immense power it contained distorted the very air around it.

Its gaze wandered, finally settling on the moon-white figure before it.

The Gang Wind howled across the summit, causing Sanzang's tattered monastic robes to whip and snap in the air.

At this moment, he was but a mortal flesh and blood. His form was gaunt and withered, and the bloodstains on the soles of his feet had not yet dried.

Yet, his upright posture was like a solitary peak, a bedrock of stone. An endless compassion, honed through countless calamities, was settled between his brows, and his gaze was clear and bright, seeing through all the world's illusions.

Though he emanated not a shred of Buddha Power, the state of pure dignity and consummate wisdom originating from the depths of his Divine Soul was as vast and boundless as mountains and seas.

A sacred visage formed naturally; a commanding presence radiated from his very bones.

The moment the Crimson Ape met those eyes, all the agitation and bestial instincts in its heart were strangely pacified. A feeling of devotion and awe, originating from its bloodline and the mark on its Stone Embryo, spontaneously arose, as if a wanderer had finally found their loving father, or a weary bird had returned to its Buddhist nest.

Sanzang placed his palms together. His voice was like a morning bell, deep and peaceful, yet carrying a world-saving compassion. "The karmic ties of the Stone Embryo have opened for you. You and I are fated to be master and disciple. I now wish to pass on to you a Supreme Method, grant you Guardian Divine Techniques to subdue evil and promote good, and cleanse the demonic aura from this world. Are you willing to take me as your master and follow me in seeking the ultimate path of truth and goodness?"

His voice was not loud, but it contained the True Intent of the Buddhist Lion's Roar, each word striking directly at the soul.

The Crimson Ape's body trembled slightly. An inexplicably strong sense of resonance and belonging surged through its heart. The Spiritual Light of its Buddha Nature, branded into its Stone Embryo's Origin, was completely activated.

Without hesitation, though it could not yet speak, it followed the call from the depths of its bloodline. In a posture of utmost piety, it fell to its knees before the bloodstained, moon-white robes and kowtowed solidly to Sanzang. THUD! THUD! THUD!

The hard rock left a mark on its forehead, but this did not diminish its sincerity in the slightest.

It struggled to raise its head, its red, crystal-like eyes gazing at Sanzang. Though it could not speak, its will to revere, admire, and follow him was perfectly clear.

"Good! Good disciple!"

The smile on Sanzang's face deepened, a sense of gratification showing through his compassion.

Although this ape was a man-made Innate Spirit, it was born with a Dao Body and was truly extraordinary.

He reached out and gently stroked the red fur on the crown of the ape's head. It felt warm and tough to the touch.

This single touch served both to imprint his will upon its heart and to establish their relationship.

"Since you have entered my sect, you must have a proper name. You are a creation of the Stone Embryo, born from the essence of heaven and earth to face the tribulations of the Eastern Wilderness. Only by comprehending the void can one see the true nature of Bodhi. From this day forward, you shall be called 'Wukong'."

"Wukong..."

The ape murmured the name. It was like a clap of thunder that split open its chaotic Heart and Spirit, and also like sweet dew nourishing its Divine Soul.

An indescribable sense of clarity rose from the depths of its soul. The confusion in its red, crystal eyes vanished, replaced by an unprecedented lucidity and determination.

It kowtowed again. This time, it spoke. Though its voice was hoarse and juvenile, every word was clear and filled with True Intent. "Master! Your disciple, Wukong, thanks Master for bestowing this name!"

Sanzang nodded, then opened his withered palm.

A brilliant light shot from his palm, not driven by Magical Power, but summoned from a storage treasure by a thought.

Two ancient, unadorned objects appeared.

One was a long rod.

The rod's body was neither metal nor wood, but flowed with a deep, ocean-like cerulean hue. Faint patterns of a Black Tortoise coiling with a serpent were naturally inscribed upon it—the Turtle Shell heavy, the serpent's body ferocious. The faint sound of flowing water seemed to surround it.

The moment the rod appeared, the surrounding air instantly grew thick and heavy, as if imbued with the weight of a thousand mountains and ten thousand seas.

This was the very Divine Weapon refined from the Dao Rhyme of the True Martial Demon Suppressing Scripture that had sealed Wukong's true body within the Stone Embryo.

The Sea-Crossing Purple Gold Rod!

The second was a suit of Battle Armor.

The main body of the Armor was dark gold, woven from countless fine, scale-like characters of the Six-Character Mantra in Sanskrit. Its brilliance was restrained, and its appearance was solemn and sacred.

The Heart Protection Mirror on its front and back was a clear and perfect Wan Golden Seal, which rotated slowly, emitting Infinite Light and a tough, indestructible defensive Buddha Power.

The Battle Armor was not cold metal; on the contrary, it was Mild and Smooth as Jade, as if forged from the boundless Wish Power of the Buddha Country Pure Land. The Six-character Golden Lock Armor!

"These two treasures... one is named 'Sea-Crossing,' for it carries the True Intent of True Martial's ocean-quelling power and the Black Tortoise Imperial Extreme. It can part rivers and sunder seas with overwhelming force. The other is named 'Lock,' for it contains the Buddhist Six-Character Great Bright Spell, protecting both body and heart and warding off all evil!"

Sanzang said solemnly, "I bestow them upon you. I hope you will wield them to defend the Dao and protect your own heart!"

Wukong was overjoyed. He took the weapon and armor, feeling a powerful, warm current flow from the Sea-Crossing Purple Gold Rod and the Six-character Golden Lock Armor into his body. It instantly resonated perfectly with the Buddhist intent in his chest and the Black Water Black Tortoise Dao Rhyme in his muscles and bones.

It was as if these items were always meant to be his.

In a fit of ecstasy, he gripped the Purple Gold Rod. Cerulean light flared, and as he swung it, the faint roar of a Black Tortoise could be heard.

The golden armor covered his entire body, its dark gold Sanskrit characters flowing, making him look just like a Dharma Guardian Vajra descended to the mortal world.

"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"

Wukong's excitement was plain to see, and his cry of "Master" was even more sincere and respectful this time.

"As your master, I can see your innate talents. You were nurtured in a Stone Embryo, a blend of Buddha and demon, with the bones of the True Martial Dao hidden within. Ordinary Buddhist Dharma is not suited to your fundamental nature."

Sanzang waited for Wukong to put away the treasures before speaking again. The wisdom in his eyes shone like a torch, as if he could see straight to the Origin of Wukong's body. "Today, I will pass on to you a Supreme Fighting Technique that matches your Origin: the Great Virtuous Ming King Fighting Buddha Scripture!"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!