Yellow Court Daoist-Chapter 775 - 695: Three years and another three years, in the blink of an eye, 13 years!

"Six-Eared?!" Lu Qingfeng paused upon hearing these words.

A bamboo cane in his hand sprouted a pair of eyes scanning the monkey, and indeed, at both sides of the monkey's ears, there were tiny, nearly imperceptible hidden pairs of ears, seemingly freshly grown.

Not the Intelligent Stone Monkey.

Instead, it's the Six-Eared Macaque!

Within the Celestial Cycle, there exist Five Immortals: Heaven, Earth, Divinity, Humanity, and Spirits. There are also Five Worms: namely Beetle, Scaled, Furry, Feathered, and Insect. And there are Four Monkeys of Chaos, belonging to neither Heaven nor Earth, neither Divinity, Humanity, nor Spirit; nor are they Beetles, Scaled, Furry, Feathered, nor Insect, fitting no ordinary classification.

First is the Intelligent Stone Monkey, who can alter form, discern celestial patterns, understand the advantages of the land, and shift the stars. Second is the Red Bottomed Horse Monkey, who understands Yin and Yang, grasps human affairs, and excels in moving in and out, avoiding death to extend life. Third is the Long Armed Ape Monkey, who can hold the sun and the moon, shrink mountains, discern fortunes and misfortunes, and manipulate the cosmos. Fourth is the Six-Eared Macaque, adept in listening, able to discern logic, knowing past and future, all things clear to him.

"Are you the Six-Eared one?" Lu Qingfeng looked at the monkey and asked, his voice clear as a child's.

"Indeed, the Six-Eared," the monkey grinned cheekily, smiling at Lu Qingfeng.

Not the Great Saint.

Lu Qingfeng breathed a sigh of relief in his heart.

As long as the Great Saint's mentorship wasn't delayed, the Saints likely wouldn't hold him accountable.

But seeing the Six-Eared one cheerfully frolicking before him made Lu Qingfeng hesitant again—

The fate of this Six-Eared one wasn't good!

With this in mind.

Seeing him silent, the monkey cautiously said, "Bamboo, don't leave."

Lu Qingfeng looked at the monkey, the Six-Eared's eyes clear, his little face cautious, as if worried about being abandoned again.

Pitiful.

Thinking of the past ten years together, thinking of the monkey's eventual fate, Lu Qingfeng felt somewhat reluctant to part.

"One way or another, it's just a fragment of time and space. The Six-Eared is merely one of the eighty-one trials. When the time comes, stepping in to merely make an appearance would suffice. Not going before the Buddha should guarantee no trouble."

Lu Qingfeng recalled the trial of the true and false Monkey Kings.

The Six-Eared was exposed by the Buddha, beaten to death by Wukong in the Great Leiyin Temple. But before facing the Buddha, Diting could also recognize Six-Eared but dared not expose him.

Warned beforehand, let Six-Eared threaten Diting to expose him.

He reckoned this might just help him escape calamity.

Thinking this way,

Seeing the monkey restless, fidgety, Lu Qingfeng couldn't help but laugh, "I'm not going anywhere."

"Good Bamboo!"

Hearing this, the monkey was overjoyed immediately.

Stomping forward, circling around the bamboo cane, jumping and bouncing, laughing foolishly for a long time.

Lu Qingfeng was also affected.

Joy arising in his heart.

Associating with such a pure-hearted Spiritual Monkey indeed made one cheerful.

Dismissing all sorts of thoughts in his mind.

Lu Qingfeng felt amazed.

He'd heard of this Six-Eared Macaque, who impersonated the Great Sage Equalling Heaven in the Western Tour, fought indistinguishably, and ultimately was exposed by the Buddha, beaten to death by the Great Saint.

But as for this Six-Eared's origins, he knew nothing.

Just from the present situation—

"Monkey, being the Six-Eared, you're clearly adept in listening, capable of discerning logic, knowing past and future, understanding all things. You should know that the Three Star Cave is a Saint's Daoist Field, containing supreme opportunities. After years of seeking to become an Immortal and walking the path, with the prospect of Immortal longevity before you, why would you abandon the Saint?"

Lu Qingfeng looked at Six-Eared.

Six-Eared's determination in seeking the Dao was evident to Lu Qingfeng.

Yet unexpectedly, he had forsaken the chance to become Immortal to seek out Lu Qingfeng, which Lu Qingfeng hadn't anticipated.

Hearing this, Six-Eared, grinning, said, "When I was born, I was naive and mixed with monkeys. But one day, an old monkey died, and I was shocked into seeking longevity, hence I left the mountain to seek the Dao. Along the way, I was beaten and chased by fierce beasts, until I met you, Bamboo. You protected me from the harsh seasons, aided my healing. My intention was to find Immortal Mountain and learn the Immortal techniques with you for an unrestrained life. Bamboo, if you don't favor that Immortal Mountain, naturally I won't wish to go either."

Initially, Lu Qingfeng intended to take this monkey as his disciple, yet this Six-Eared thought of bringing Lu Qingfeng to join the Bodhi Sect together.

Early on when Lu Qingfeng first met the monkey, seeing he was a gracious and grateful one from how he repaid a lumberjack with peaches, Lu Qingfeng knew he was a good monkey.

Over the years, as they traveled together, one man and one monkey, Lu Qingfeng came to understand his character well.

He knew this monkey's words were genuine.

After all, being a Six-Eared Macaque, Lu Qingfeng treated him well, and he knew it.

"That Immortal Mountain houses Immortals. If you gain entry and refuse, you might regret it later," Lu Qingfeng, touched by the monkey's sincerity, said still.

This monkey was not yet fully grown, the Six-Ears just developed, Divine Powers limited.

Perhaps not yet reaching the state of 'understanding all things.'

But once he matures in his cultivation, witnessing the Stone Monkey entering the Three Star Cave, learning the Supreme Methods and various Divine Powers, stirring up storms in the Three Realms, it might be hard to foresee his thoughts on this day.

"I surely won't regret."

"Regret would only come from leaving Bamboo!"

The monkey shook its head, its face and eyes full of pride, flicking its six ears at Lu Qingfeng, delightfully saying, "See? My six ears are Divine Powers, I canot be wrong."

The Six-Ears grew.

Signs of Divine Power began to show.

Proud indeed, the monkey, alone with Lu Qingfeng, began showing off at this moment.

"I Six-Ears, am no fool."

Six-Ears was bursting with pride.

Hands behind his back, little face raised, circling around Lu Qingfeng, continually keeping his ears facing the bamboo cane, as if flaunting a new treasure that he couldn't resist showing off.

"You monkey,"

Laughing at the sight, Lu Qingfeng thought—

"The later generations never mentioned that Six-Eared Macaque found the Mountain of Mind and Heart, nor was there any mention of Six-Eared Macaque ever taking Master Puti as his master."

"It appears his Divine Powers, equal to the Great Saint's, were stealthily learned."

Lu Qingfeng was unsure of which part was true or false.

Time flowed.

The truth remained murky.

Besides those who experienced it, apart from the All Heaven Saints, it is difficult for anyone else to discern.

Lu Qingfeng collects his thoughts without overthinking.

Just like that, he stands upright, conversing with the Six-Eared Macaque with a bamboo cane in hand.

Originally,

This Six-Eared Macaque, much like the stone monkey, was nurtured for a long time within the heaven and earth. Shortly after his birth, the macaque started to seek out Immortals and inquire about the Dao, but initially had nothing divine about him, merely smarter and more agile than an ordinary monkey.

When he met Lu Qingfeng,

Constantly together with the Qingjing Method Bamboo, he gradually opened his mind and intellect, growing six ears and gaining some Divine Skills. However, he was still immature, both in terms of his Divine Skills and his temperament.

Ordinary people do not flaunt their Divine Skills everywhere.

When he returned to seek Lu Qingfeng, he didn't claim it was due to his 'Six Ears' abilities.

As for what capabilities?

The monkey was confused and could not articulate clearly.

As the sun set,

The incessantly chattering monkey also grew tired, its arms drooping as it fell asleep in the tree.

Lu Qingfeng looked at the Six-Eared Macaque and sighed.

"Perhaps,"

"Since it is so, I shall follow my heart. It is just the Six-Eared Macaque after all. When the True and False Monkey Kings emerge during the Western Tour, I shall make an appearance; it won't really disrupt the Saints' schemes."

The overall situation remains unchanged.

Minor details should not matter.

Thinking of another time-space where the Heavenly Dao Sect Hierarch perished before enlightening his path, Lu Qingfeng cast aside his concerns.

A bamboo and a monkey settled down in the mountain.

...

The Six-Eared Macaque was naive.

Unacquainted with cultivation.

Lu Qingfeng imparted to him the "Twelve Heavenly Demon God Skill."

Although this monkey was among the Four Monkeys of Chaos, it wasn't an innate divine being aware and versed in longevity; it still needed gradual cultivation to achieve the Dao and longevity.

Lu Qingfeng didn't know where in the future he learned skills such as the Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill and the Seventy-two Changes, which were no weaker than those of the Great Saint.

Yet, Lu Qingfeng believed his "Twelve Heavenly Demon God Skill" - a Sect Leader Level, refining the physical body, might not be inferior to the Eight-Nine Mysterious Skill.

As for Divine Skills like the Seventy-two Changes and the Somersault Cloud, he had transformation techniques and Cloud-Topping Steps - all part of the Great Divine Powers, and not to be underestimated.

Thus, he imparted these one by one.

The Six-Eared Macaque, joyous upon hearing the Dao, practiced diligently every day.

His progress was so swift it astounded Lu Qingfeng.

For the first three years, he didn't practice cultivation.

Lu Qingfeng taught him to read and write, to speak politely, discuss scriptures and principles; leisurely times were spent building courtyards, sweeping, tending gardens, nursing trees, gathering firewood, hauling water.

Such refinement.

Three years of calming the heart.

Only then did Lu Qingfeng genuinely transmit the techniques and Magic Gates to him.

The Six-Eared Macaque began formal cultivation.

From nothing to something.

Merely another three years passed.

He had reached the late-stage of refinement, and the First Layer of the Great Heavenly Tribulation was looming.

This pace was astonishingly rapid.

This monkey had absorbed too much Sun and Moon Essence and Star Essence Qi while incubating, accumulating richly and bursting forth once he embarked on the cultivation path, far surpassing ordinary beings.

Likely, the Stone Monkey was similar.

Lu Qingfeng could not but envy him.

One day.

The monkey sat cross-legged under a green bamboo, meditating with eyes closed.

Suddenly, the Six-Eared Macaque twitched its ears, looking toward the west.

Lu Qingfeng sensed something.

Gently shaking the bamboo leaves, he made a sound: "Has that Stone Monkey entered the Immortal Mountain and found a master?"

The west was precisely where the Mountain of Mind and Heart was located.

Calculating the time.

It was about right.

"It's indeed the Stone Monkey."

The monkey cocked its ear, listened for a while, then nodded: "Indeed, he sought out the Immortal Mountain and has taken a Daoist as his master."

If the Six-Eared Macaque stands in one place, it knows occurrences thousands of miles away.

Even the Saints' Daoist Fields couldn't block him.

"According to legend, the Tongfeng Great Saint Macaque King, also a spiritual ape produced by heaven and earth, and a kin of the Six-Ears. Capable of summoning calamities and communicating with spirits, thus, outside Nuwa Palace, he overheard the teachings of Nuwa and comprehended the mysteries, cultivating the Upper Echelon Fruit, and residing at the peak of Shangxing Mountain in Western Continent - truly a diligent demon."

The Macaque King's ability to eavesdrop on Nuwa teaching isn't surprising for the Six-Ears overhearing what went on in the Three Star Cave.

However,

The capabilities of Saints are unimaginable.

This kind of eavesdropping and learning, whether the Saints truly don't know, or clearly know but don't bother,

Lu Qingfeng didn't understand.

"Focus on your cultivation."

"Don't let someone who started before you surpass you," Lu Qingfeng encouraged.

With his guidance now, the Six-Eared doesn't have to eavesdrop and invite unnecessary karma or plots.

If the Stone Monkey surpasses him, it means the Six-Eared didn't strive hard enough, and it has nothing to do with him.

"I understand."

"A simple-minded, stone-headed monkey thinks to surpass me?"

The Six-Eared Macaque snorted.

Yet, deep down, it was spurred on, cultivating even harder with a stubborn determination, refusing to let the Stone Monkey get ahead.

In a blink of an eye.

Another seven years passed.