The Path of Immortality: Starts With Creating Water Bear Gu-Chapter 477: The Shocked Dean of the Academy

The next day.

Long Xuan released all of his clones, distributing copies of the novel to passersby on the streets, using the same flyer-distribution technique he had used in his past life.

Such a method had never appeared in this world before. Admittedly, it was a bit awkward—but that awkwardness was for his clones to bear, not him. So, Long Xuan happily went ahead with it.

In the days that followed, Journey to the West didn’t stir up much of a wave. The Holy Gu City remained peaceful on the surface—though undercurrents had already begun to surge.

Long Xuan wasn’t in a rush. “Let the bullet fly a bit further,” he thought. After all, reading takes time.

As long as someone discovered the secrets hidden in the book, Journey to the West would inevitably explode in popularity.

In fact, he wouldn’t even need to waste time promoting it. Frenzied crowds would begin copying it themselves. He wouldn't even need to travel to distant regions—others would bring the book there. Soon, Journey to the West would appear in every corner of the world and be adored by countless people.

That day, inside the library of the Holy Gu Academy.

Novels were a barren field in this world. To stimulate public interest in reading and to cultivate outstanding works, the academy regularly hosted literary contests.

The top three entries would receive generous rewards, and so each competition attracted a wide array of participants.

That day, a novel titled Journey to the West was submitted to the Dean of the Library, Shu Zheng.

“So this is the novel that’s been causing a buzz across the city lately? I’ve heard people are talking about it endlessly. It’s gained a large following almost instantly. It’s been ages since we’ve seen a phenomenon-level work like this.”

Shu Zheng received the thick volume from his assistant, a flicker of interest appearing on his face.

“I’ve read this book. The main character is a monkey—apparently based on the Artifact Fanatic. He uses a staff-type weapon and studies under human masters. Later, he leads an armored monkey army to wage war on the human world. The storyline mirrors the Artifact Fanatic’s life in many ways.”

“Given how the Artifact Fanatic remains a hot topic, a novel inspired by him became an instant hit.”

Standing respectfully before the Dean was a young assistant. He looked like he had more to say but held back in the end.

Some things, after all, are far more shocking when seen than when described.

“Oh? A beast, not a human, as the protagonist? Inspired by the Artifact Fanatic?”

“Quite the novel concept. Bold and original. It’s caught my attention.”

With a smile, Dean Shu Zheng opened the book and began reading.

As the Gu King, his reading speed was astonishing—his soul power enabled him to scan entire pages at a glance.

He flipped through pages like the wind, engrossed more and more as the story progressed. His emotions rose and fell with the plot, drawing him deeper into the captivating tale.

Soon, he reached the part where the monkey sets out across the seas to seek a master and learn the Dao.

When he read the scene where the monkey kneeled before the mountain gate for days, eventually moving Patriarch Bodhi to accept him as a disciple, a slight smile played on Shu Zheng’s lips.

“Clearly referencing the Artifact Fanatic’s training years. Quite touching, I must say.”

Had Long Xuan been there, he would’ve cried injustice. The resemblance between Journey to the West and the Artifact Fanatic’s life was purely coincidental—not plagiarized. And yet everyone assumed Sun Wukong was modeled on the Artifact Fanatic, something Long Xuan never anticipated.

Shu Zheng flipped another page—and this one described Patriarch Bodhi bestowing the monkey with a heaven-defying cultivation method named the “Great Celestial Immortal Art of Supreme Grade”.

The story hit its stride.

The monkey’s quest was for eternal life, and this Great Celestial Sutra contained the secrets to immortality.

Master it, and one could share the lifespan of the heavens, be immune to all illnesses, transcend reincarnation, and remain eternally youthful through countless tribulations...

Below was the actual text of the cultivation technique:

“This wondrous secret harmonizes the manifest and the hidden. The essence of practice lies in preserving spirit, energy, and vitality. Guard these closely, do not allow them to leak. Hide them within the body, and the Dao shall flourish naturally. Memorize the chants; they are of great benefit. Banish impure desires to find clarity. Clarity brings luminous radiance—ideal for viewing the bright moon upon the alchemical platform. The moon hides the Jade Rabbit, the sun the Crow. The Turtle and Serpent entwine. With this, life and spirit are fortified. One can grow the golden lotus amidst fire. Reverse the Five Elements; attain Buddhahood or immortality…”

It went on and on—dozens of lines, seemingly endless.

Shu Zheng couldn’t help but curse inwardly:

“Damn, this guy really knows how to pad word count. It’s like a flood from Golden Mountain Temple.”

But soon he froze. His expression turned solemn, his gaze filled with disbelief.

At his peak Gu King cultivation level, he suddenly realized—this wasn’t nonsense.

This actually looked like a real cultivation method.

“Holy shit! This brat actually embedded a real cultivation technique inside a novel? Is he insane!?”

Shu Zheng’s eyes widened as he abruptly rose from his chair, completely losing his composure.

The assistant inwardly chuckled at the dean’s reaction, though his face remained calm. He seized the moment to interject:

“This cultivation technique, sir—that’s why I came to see you.”

“If Journey to the West were merely a well-written story, it could go viral in the city. But with a real technique that can be cultivated? It may go viral across the entire world.”

His lips twitched. A novel that could be read by the entire world—such a thing had never existed.

But now, Journey to the West might become the first novel in history read across the entire world.

And if such a universally popular book were to be refined into a Book Gu, how powerful would that be? He dared not imagine.

In truth, no one knew—this kind of Book Gu had never existed before. Its power was entirely unknown.

“Holy sh*t!” Shu Zheng couldn’t help but curse again upon hearing the assistant’s prediction.

He was completely shaken. A novel capable of capturing the world’s attention had always been his dream.

And now someone had made it happen. He could scarcely believe his eyes.

“If we want everyone in the world to read this book, then the technique inside must be truly powerful. You’ve read it—can you assess its strength?”

Shu Zheng turned to the assistant, his tone unusually serious.

The assistant nodded solemnly and said,

"I’ve studied the cultivation method from the book. It’s only a fragment, and it doesn’t possess the power to grant eternal life."

“That’s indeed a pity, but expected. A cultivation technique capable of granting eternal life could never have been created by someone below the Gu King realm.”

“However, even if it’s just a fragment, this technique still qualifies as a Heaven-grade technique!”

The assistant’s breathing grew rapid, and his voice trembled, revealing the shock in his heart.

This was a legendary Heaven-grade technique—exceedingly rare. Even he wasn't qualified to practice such a technique. And now, a long-coveted Heaven-grade technique lay before him, available to learn for free. It felt like a dream.

“Holy shit!”

Shu Zheng once again lost his composure and blurted out a curse, his lips twitching uncontrollably—his mind was in complete chaos.

“Are you kidding me?! This is actually a Heaven-grade technique? Someone embedded a Heaven-grade technique into a novel? Is the author insane? So generous?”

“If this novel becomes a global hit and everyone reads it, then the Heaven-grade technique will become as common as dirt!”

“By then, every Gu Cultivator on Earth will practice Heaven-grade techniques. Tsk tsk... what a chaotic future that would be!”

Pacing madly around the room, Shu Zheng's face twisted in frustration. This once-dignified academy head had completely lost control of his emotions.

“It’s unlikely that Heaven-grade techniques would become too widespread,” the assistant said with a wry smile.

“I’ve thoroughly studied the technique titled ‘Great Celestial Immortality Art’. It's absolutely genuine.”

“But the comprehension requirement is incredibly high. To practice this method, one must gain insight into the teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. Such insight is not something ordinary people can attain by simply ‘trying’.”

“So far, no one in Holy Gu City has been able to cultivate this technique. The qualifications required to study this Heaven-grade technique are so rare, perhaps one in ten million might succeed.”

“Even if the Great Celestial Immortality Art becomes widespread in the future, very few will be able to actually learn it. It won’t disrupt the balance of the world.”

Shu Zheng still did not look relieved. No matter how difficult the Great Celestial Immortality Art was to learn, the sheer size of the world's population couldn’t be ignored.

A Heaven-grade technique placed before them—who could resist its allure?

At that point, people all over the world would desperately attempt to comprehend Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism, regardless of whether they were qualified.

The world had never lacked for prodigies. In the future, there would undoubtedly be many capable of cultivating the Great Celestial Immortality Art.

This technique could give rise to a massive number of superpowerful cultivators. No one knew what sort of storm it might stir up. Whether it would bring fortune or disaster remained to be seen.

"The person who created this technique... it’s practically sinful."

With a sigh, Shu Zheng picked up the Journey to the West from the table. Greed filled his eyes.

This was a legendary Heaven-grade technique. Ordinary people could hardly resist the temptation to study it—neither could he. He was itching to start cultivating the Great Celestial Immortality Art right away.

"Master, are you also interested in the Great Celestial Immortality Art? But don’t you already possess a Heaven-grade technique? Are you planning to change your path?"

Seeing Shu Zheng’s expression, the assistant was stunned. Even the academy’s head couldn’t resist the allure of this technique?

Shu Zheng took a deep breath and tried to calm his emotions.

“Indeed, I already have a Heaven-grade technique—one that may not even be inferior in power.”

“But I have less than a hundred years of life left. Eternal life is now my sole pursuit, and for that, I’m willing to pay any price. If the Great Celestial Immortality Art can be completed, it may grant the power of immortality.”

“I intend to attempt to complete it. Even if the odds are slim, for eternal life, I will still try.”

He clenched his fist, a look of madness flashing in his eyes.

The assistant sighed inwardly. Even though the Great Celestial Immortality Art was incomplete and couldn’t currently grant immortality, its upper limit certainly held that potential. It would only take a genius to complete it.

If even Shu Zheng harbored such ambitions, the other ancient monsters surely did too. Many powerful cultivators would likely attempt to complete this eternal life technique.

The Journey to the West was destined to become a worldwide phenomenon. No one could stop it.

Shu Zheng narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice:

"Whoever created such a technique must be a peerless genius. To make Journey to the West go global, he actually developed an unparalleled Heaven-grade technique—it’s truly painstaking work."

"The book contains elements of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism. To cultivate the Great Celestial Immortality Art, one must first master these three philosophies."

"When this technique becomes learnable by the masses, countless people will dive into the Confucian and Buddhist paths, strengthening both traditions immensely."

"Even more astonishing—he invented a form of Daoism that this world had never seen before. Daoist thought can only be understood from within the book itself."

"To practice the technique, one must grasp Daoist ideology. With this technique as the catalyst, Daoism will inevitably rise."

"In ten thousand years, Daoism may rival Buddhism in power. The creator of this technique will be honored as the founder of Daoism, revered for generations by countless followers."

“It’s truly terrifying. A single cultivation technique is set to cause such a massive upheaval. Do you have any idea who wrote this book? This person truly defies heaven itself!”

Shu Zheng’s expression was grave as he turned to the assistant.

“Unknown, sir. Initially, five people distributed this book freely across the city. Then they vanished without a trace, like they evaporated from the world. It’s likely they disguised themselves.”

“The author didn’t enter Journey to the West into any contests, so I found out too late. By the time I realized there was a Heaven-defying technique hidden in it, it was already impossible to track him down,” the assistant sighed.

Shu Zheng nodded in disappointment.

“If we can’t seek guidance from the creator, then completing the Great Celestial Immortality Art will have to rely on ourselves.”

Meanwhile, on the other side…

In Qin Mingyue’s boudoir, she flipped through Journey to the West, eyes intense, unable to stop clicking her tongue in amazement.

“What a brilliant story. What a phenomenal technique. Who would’ve thought that just to make his novel popular across the world, that brat embedded a Heaven-grade cultivation technique into it? What a divine idea—truly ruthless!”

“I’m growing more and more impressed by you. Did you really create such a miraculous technique? You’re truly a peerless genius.”

A smirk played on her lips.

Others might not know who wrote Journey to the West, but she had her suspicions. She had just given that “bookworm” to someone—and immediately after, the book appeared. It wasn’t hard to guess.

“If there’s one thing I don’t lack, it’s comprehension. I’ve mastered the Four Arts of Zither, Go, Calligraphy, and Painting. The philosophies of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism won’t stop me either. This technique is cultivable—for me.”

She tapped her fingers repeatedly on the table, visibly conflicted. She could already sense this Heaven-grade technique was far stronger than her current cultivation method.

She wanted to switch, but since the technique was created by that brat, its safety was still uncertain. Would there be defects? Side effects? That was the concern.

At last, her gaze turned resolute and her voice firm:

“This technique has terrifying potential. Even in incomplete form, it surpasses what I currently practice. With my unmatched comprehension, if I can complete it, I will gain the power of eternal life.”

“This is eternal life! If I don’t cultivate it, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”

“I, Qin Mingyue, shall cultivate this technique!”