Chapter 10: Heaven Before, Earth Behind, I Learn the 36 Transformations of the Celestial Gang

Seeing Sun Wukong in such a state, the other disciples dared not linger.

In the blink of an eye, only Wang Yang and Sun Wukong were left.

After waiting for everyone to leave, Sun Wukong began to ponder whether the three hits from the master had any significance.

Although he had good comprehension, he did not quite grasp this particular aspect.

Sun Wukong scratched his head and then turned to find Wang Yang, who was looking at him with a half-smile.

"Brother, did you notice something?"

Sun Wukong turned to Wang Yang and asked with curiosity.

"I did. It must be the teacher reminding you of something!"

Wang Yang nodded thoughtfully and said, "As for what it is, it seems to be noon now, maybe he wants you to find him at the third watch of the night!"

Sun Wukong slapped his monkey head and said, "Brother, you make sense. I will go find our honorable master tonight at the third watch!"

Upon saying this, Sun Wukong started hopping around excitedly.

"Here, let me ask you a question. If the teacher lets you choose a divine skill, how would you choose?"

At that moment, Wang Yang looked at Sun Wukong with a mysterious air and said.

"If the honorable master asked you to choose between the Thirty-Six Transformations of Celestial Gang and the Seventy-Two Transformations of Earthly Fiends, which would you pick?"

Wang Yang looked at Sun Wukong and asked.

Sun Wukong's eyes flashed as he muttered, "The one with the higher number must be more powerful, right? I'll choose the Seventy-Two Transformations of Earthly Fiends!"

"Disciple, do you know why 'heaven' comes before 'earth' in 'heaven and earth'?"

"Why?"

Sun Wukong couldn't help scratching his ears and cheeks. Seeing his brother's expression, it was clear he had chosen incorrectly.

"Because heaven is revered, the Jade Emperor sits above the Nine Heavens, commanding the Three Realms. For cultivators, 'heaven' comes before 'earth.' The power is naturally without need for further mention. Now you understand, don't you?"

Wang Yang patiently guided him. Even though Sun Wukong still chose the Seventy-Two Transformations of Earthly Fiends this time, its power was barely any less than the Thirty-Six Transformations of Celestial Gang.

"I understand now, brother. What you mean is that the number doesn't count for much!"

"A child worth teaching!"

Wang Yang nodded and said, "Go on then, get ready. When it's time, just go!"

Sun Wukong, thrilled beyond measure, nodded and hastily returned to his meditation room.

Wang Yang watched Sun Wukong leave, a smile appearing on his face.

"I wonder what changes Sun Wukong will bring to the Thirty-Six Transformations of Celestial Gang. Will he also enhance its power?"

After all, according to his knowledge of Sun Wukong's cultivation techniques and supernatural powers, none seemed to have changed, but the Wind Escape he taught had such a significant change, clearly due to the Nine-Turn Profound Art.

If that was the case, once he cultivated the Thirty-Six Transformations of Celestial Gang, it was also likely to increase its power.

Wang Yang returned to his Daoist temple and sat down on his meditation mat.

When he opened his eyes, the sky had already darkened.

For him, it was no more than the blink of an eye.

Wang Yang couldn't help but reflect on how cultivation is timeless.

"Sun Wukong should be on his way by now!"

...

At that moment, the moon was setting in the west.

The croaking of frogs and the chirping of birds, the sound of cicadas filled the ears.

Sun Wukong tiptoed out of his meditation room and followed the path towards Patriarch Bodhi's room.

Moments later, Sun Wukong arrived outside Patriarch Bodhi's door and saw that it was slightly ajar.

Sun Wukong thought to himself, "Indeed, just as the eldest brother said, our honorable master hitting me three times was to have me find him in the middle of the night!"

He peeked through the window and saw their master curled up on the bed, facing inwards and slightly moving.

Sun Wukong climbed in through the door and window then immediately knelt before the bed.

Before long, Patriarch Bodhi, seemingly asleep yet not, awake yet not, murmured, "Difficult, difficult, the Dao is most mysterious, don't take the Golden Core for granted, without meeting a sage to pass on the wonderful dharma, one speaks in vain, their mouth weary and their tongue dry!"

"Honorable Master, Honorable Master, your disciple has been kneeling for a long time!"

Sun Wukong hastened to kneel and worship, speaking in a low voice.

The sudden voice seemed to shock Patriarch Bodhi awake, and as he abruptly sat up and saw Sun Wukong kneeling in front of the bed, he feigned great surprise and said, "You macaque, what are you doing here?"

Sun Wukong, unafraid, grinned and said, "Honorable Master struck me thrice this day, clearly meaning that I should come to my master's side at the third watch of the night to learn the Dao!"

"Honorable Master, please teach me some real abilities!"

As he spoke, Sun Wukong bowed his head again and again, paying his respects.

"You macaque do have some intelligence; seeing your eagerness to learn and your good understanding, today I shall teach you some Daoist techniques!"

Patriarch Bodhi, quite moved, stroked his beard and smiled, "What Daoist techniques do you wish to cultivate?"

"Master, I will learn anything as long as it's a real ability!"

"What Daoist techniques have you been learning these days?"

Patriarch Bodhi didn't mention any specific Daoist techniques as he did in the morning but directly spoke.

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong thought of the techniques his senior brother had taught him and said, "Senior brother taught me some cultivation mantras, and I have made some achievements!"

Patriarch Bodhi glanced at him, presumably thinking of the Great Celestial Immortal Decree he had taught and nodded, "It seems your understanding of the Daoist techniques is deepening, and with this, you may preserve your true body from perishing, but the three disasters cannot be avoided!"

"Honorable Master, if the true body can be imperishable, why should there still be three disasters?"

"Although your true body can be imperishable, how will you avoid the heavenly lightning that strikes every five hundred years? If you can avoid the lightning, how will you escape being burnt by the yin fire?"

Hearing this, Sun Wukong became even more anxious. Had all his years of diligent cultivation been for naught, just to die despite achieving longevity?

Immediately, Sun Wukong said, "I hope my master can impart the method to avoid these three disasters; this kindness will never be forgotten!"

"Avoiding the three disasters is no difficult task; well, I have the Thirty-Six Transformations of Celestial Gang and the Seventy-Two Transformations of Earthly Fiends, which one do you want to learn?"

Upon hearing Patriarch Bodhi's words, Sun Wukong was momentarily stunned.

His senior brother seemed to have reminded him of this very thing today.

And now, his master was actually offering these two divine skills.

The senior brother indeed was a direct disciple of the master, with incomparably profound Daoist skills.

It was beyond his imagination.

"Disciple feels that heaven precedes earth, and since it is to avoid the three disasters, let's learn the Thirty-Six Transformations of Celestial Gang!"

Sun Wukong didn't hesitate any longer and made his choice directly.

Hmm?

Patriarch Bodhi, upon hearing this, was momentarily taken aback.

According to their original estimate, Sun Wukong should have no knowledge of what heaven and earth were, and now he actively chose to learn the Thirty-Six Transformations of Celestial Gang.

This left him somewhat surprised.

However, whether it be the Thirty-Six Transformations or the Seventy-Two Transformations, to a Saint, they were not considered powerful Daoist techniques.

Immediately, he nodded, and then he recited the magical laws, and Sun Wukong promptly committed them to memory.

He dared not slacken in the slightest.

But as he delved into his studies, he had already gained considerable understanding within just a short time.

After memorizing all the magical laws, he promptly kowtowed to Patriarch Bodhi and said, "Thank you, Master, for imparting the Dharma!"

Patriarch Bodhi smiled and nodded, "Having received this wonderful dharma, you should diligently cultivate it and not slack off even in the slightest. Go now!"

"Yes, disciple shall bear it in mind!"