Chapter 8: A Decade Passes in the Blink of an Eye; A Hidden Puzzle Emerges

The saying "a flurry of punches can knock down the master" seemed fitting to Shi Yue. No matter what Bodhi Patriarch's true identity or intentions were, since he and Sun Wukong were born from the same stone and arrived together, there was no reason to turn them away.

With identical talent and origins from the Chaos Stone, anything Sun Wukong could achieve, Shi Yue could as well. Training two disciples of such potential is a double assurance, regardless of future plans.

Yet Bodhi seemed disinclined to be led by the nose. Though momentarily stunned by the twins' boldness, he quickly smiled, surprising his disciples as the patriarch changed his expression for a second remarkable time.

Chuckling warmly, Bodhi said, "Though mischievous, you two monkeys indeed have the makings of a master-student bond with me. But entering this order means strict adherence to my rules. Break them, and you'll face severe punishment."

Shi Yue and Sun Wukong beamed at the pronouncement. Shi Yue felt relief—his path to becoming a formidable demon king seemed assured; soon, the vast world would be open for exploration.

Bodhi then refrained from further lectures, departing after assigning a disciple to guide the newcomers—a refined young man with the appearance of a scholar.

Shi Yue pondered why, despite Bodhi's numerous disciples, none appeared in Journey to the West. Were they mere side notes? Engaging the young man warmly, Shi Yue began to inquire.

"May I ask your name, Senior Brother? How long have you been with the Master? Please, guide us well."

Despite his deep respect for Bodhi, Jade Pine, the young disciple named by Bodhi, greeted them warmly. "Call me Yusong," he said. "I've been here countless years. It's good fortune for you two to arrive and be accepted—many never even find the gates."

"Ah, indeed."

Shi Yue acknowledged their fortune. Sun Wukong's eyes gleamed with pride, "We were born knowing our fate, our names, and maybe even today's events—destiny, I suppose."

"Yusong, having studied for so long, you must have learned great skills?" Shi Yue queried, with Sun Wukong eagerly listening.

Yusong smiled, "Though I've acquired some minor arts, they're not even a fraction of the Master's wisdom, so they're not worth mentioning."

Strolling through the mountain, they discovered that beyond the great tree were numerous caves where disciples resided, and behind lay an expansive rear forest abundant like Flower-Fruit Mountain, a haven for foraging.

Their journey also revealed the scope ahead. Divinity progressed through True Immortal, Heavenly Immortal, and Golden Immortal stages, then the secretive Taiyi realm—unfathomable to Yusong, who was merely Heavenly. To him, Shi Yue and Sun Wukong were just newly formed demons below immortality.

But because Bodhi appeared to favor them, warmth permeated his disciples' interactions despite the duo's simian forms.

Residing on the mountain, they fell into a routine, hearing Bodhi's enticing speeches. Expecting standard instruction, Shi Yue was instead drawn into immersive divine teachings, fusing understanding and cultivation seamlessly.

Bodhi's talks transcended time, spanning days or even lasting months. Unnoticed, ten years fled by in a blink.

Such innate potential, nurtured over eons, yielded strides uncommon. From nascent forms, they soared into Golden Immortal status beyond their peers' wildest imagination. Shi Yue neared Taiyi; Sun Wukong newly ascended.

Yet Sun Wukong's inherent playfulness persisted. Displaying newfound prowess before his brethren seemed irresistible.

A fellow disciple, full of admiration, suggested, "Sun Wukong, now you're a Golden Immortal—demonstrate some of your extraordinary arts!"

Arriving amid the celebrations, Shi Yue noted the camaraderie's warmth—absent of envy, yet familiar. Patterns of destiny held firm, Sun Wukong central in myth's unfolding.

Nearby, a quiet female voice spoke, "Shi Yue, you've reached Golden Immortal too?"

Recognizing the voice, Shi Yue shivered—of all the disciples in Slanting Moon Three Stars Cave, only one was female, already a Golden Immortal a decade before! Petite but fierce, she masked allure behind freckles and robe, stirring dormant musings.

Seduced by curiosity once, Shi Yue watched her bathe atop the springs, expecting recrimination, enduring unexpected wrath that left him bedridden long afterward. Tangling with a Golden Immortal left lasting lessons.

Cautiously, he maintained distance thereafter, fearing her potential for mischief. Observing his nervous avoidance, her attention foiled his stealth, though clearly fascinated by the low-key disciple. Luck spared him her wrath; her fixation came tempered by her obsession with cultivation.

Surprisingly, Shi Yue discovered he was the only one attentive to her presence; others seemed blissfully unaware. Sun Wukong, least of all, exhibited interest—still undeveloped in that regard.

Further uniqueness lay in how she and they both called Bodhi "Master" while others used "Grandmaster." Attempts to unveil her story failed, leaving her a mystery, her name unknown even now.

Her eyes twinkled with mischief as she caught Shi Yue's gaze. "So, you've reached Golden Immortal? Impressive. Perhaps, when free, you'll practice with me. I find that foul monkey insufferable; he shows no respect!"

Feigning cordiality, Shi Yue grinned ruefully, eyeing her appreciatively. "Of course, I'm at your service."

Reading his thoughts, she smiled slyly, "But you mustn't fight back! You're sturdy enough to be my punching bag."

Shi Yue sighed, lamenting, "May I refuse?"

"What do you think?"

Her laughter remained pointed. "If I didn't know you and that monkey leapt from the same stone, I'd think you human! Contrast abounds—a flashy, wild monkey oblivious to rules, and you, discreetly scheming! Speaking of, your brother seems due for lessons—he's lost himself in the skies, celebrating."

Before she said it, Shi Yue noticed Sun Wukong—literally on cloud nine, drunk on newfound abilities, air-dancing to laughter as disciples found mirth in his folly.

Yet just then, Bodhi's attendant appeared, sternly ordering, "Who disrupts the peace? Report to the Patriarch now." Disciples fell silent; Sun Wukong wobbled down, amused sister glaring.

It's been three years since Patriarch Bodhi last taught, and Shi Yue remained stuck at the Golden Immortal stage for the same duration, unable to progress to the Taiyi realm. He was eager for Bodhi's upcoming lecture, hoping it would provide the breakthrough he needed.

Shortly, all disciples gathered. Bodhi queried briefly before calling Sun Wukong forward, tapping him thrice on the head as punishment, then began his teaching without another word.

Sun Wukong seemed dazed by the taps, while the freckled sister looked on with a satisfied smile, clearly delighted. She settled beside Shi Yue, noticing his thoughtful demeanor, and couldn't resist whispering, "Master's discipline isn't just a simple three taps. If he wished, even a single tap could scatter your monkey brother's soul."

Shi Yue snorted inwardly; to him, this was a coded message from the master, something the freckled sister couldn't understand. Ignoring her, he focused on the lesson. Seeing his indifference, she reluctantly withheld her plans for retribution, though her glare promised future payback.

This time, Bodhi's lecture lasted half a day, leaving Shi Yue without the insights he desperately sought. Growing anxious, he recalled Bodhi's earlier cryptic signals and calmed himself, choosing patience.

With the freckled sister watching intently, Shi Yue decided not to leave, staying until late into the night. After the disciples dispersed, he remained unmoved, driven by determination. Frustration simmered—were it not for the mystifying depth of Bodhi's wisdom above, he might have foolishly confronted the freckled sister outright.

Neither party moved; the freckled sister stayed put, unwilling to make a scene. Sun Wukong observed the stalemate, glancing between them, a mischievous grin forming as he suddenly burst into a cheeky laugh. A glare from the freckled sister silenced him instantly, causing Sun Wukong to leap back like he'd been stung, clearly familiar with her wrath, though his laughter lingered, suggesting shared amusement at the tense dynamic.