Three years passed quickly, and the patriarch ascended the dais again to give teachings to the congregation. He discussed public cases and engaged in discussions on external appearances and superficial matters.

Suddenly, he asked, "Where is Sun Wukong?"

Sun Wukong stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "I am here, Master."

The patriarch inquired, "What have you been cultivating during this time?"

Sun Wukong replied, "Lately, I've been delving deeper into the teachings, and my spiritual foundation has become stronger."

The patriarch said, "Now that you have grasped the Dharma[1] and stabilized your roots, you must be cautious of the three calamities and dangers."

Sun Wukong thought for a moment and responded, "Master, I think you got it wrong. I've heard that those who follow the Dao live long and healthy lives, and when you balance the elements, there's no room for illnesses. So, why worry about these so-called 'three calamities and dangers'?"

The patriarch explained, "These are extraordinary events: challenging the natural order of heaven and earth, violating the mysteries of the sun and moon, and after attaining the Elixir, being unable to coexist with gods and ghosts. Although it grants prolonged youth and longevity, heavenly thunder will strike you after five hundred years, and you must seek your true nature and mind to avoid it. If you can escape, your longevity will match heaven's; if not, your life will end here. After another five hundred years, heavenly fire will burn you. This fire is not ordinary fire, nor is it heavenly fire; it is called 'Yin Fire.' It rises from your Origin Cave, piercing through your inner organs, reducing your five viscera to ashes and your four limbs to decay, making your thousand years of asceticism all but illusions. Five hundred years later, the Wind Calamity will blow upon you. This wind is not the ordinary wind from the east, south, west, or north, nor the wind of spring, summer, autumn, or winter; it is known as 'Bì Wind.' It enters through your nine orifices, passes through your elixir field, and pierces your nine apertures, disintegrating your bones and flesh, causing your body to self-destruct. Hence, you must avoid all of these."

Upon hearing the Patriarch's words, Sun Wukong couldn't help but feel a chill down his spine. He bowed and paid his respects, saying, "I sincerely hope you'll show mercy and teach me how to avoid the three calamities. I will never forget your kindness."

The patriarch replied, "It's not difficult, but you are different from others, so I cannot teach you."

Sun Wukong asked, "How am I different from others? I have a head that reaches the heavens, feet that touch the earth, and just like humans, I have nine apertures, four limbs, and five viscera. What sets me apart?"

The patriarch said, "Although you look like a human, you can’t blush."

Sun Wukong touched his face and chuckled, "Master, you miscalculated. Ah, but in a hush, I've got a secret stash of blush! When I apply makeup, cheeks bloom with a blush divine, and this monkey looks simply fine!"

The patriarch then asked, "Which skill do you want to learn? There are the thirty-six transformations of heaven and the seventy-two transformations of the earth."

Sun Wukong replied, "I want to explore the earth's transformations."

The patriarch said, "Alright, come closer, and I will impart the oral instruction to you." He whispered some mysterious teachings into Sun Wukong's ear. With his natural gift for understanding, Sun Wukong quickly mastered the techniques, self-cultivated and practiced, and learned all seventy-two transformations.

One day, the patriarch and his disciples were enjoying the evening scenery outside the Three Stars Cave.

The patriarch asked, "Wukong, have you succeeded in your endeavors?"

Sun Wukong beamed, "You're the best, Master! Thanks to your teachings, I've completed my training and can now fly up into the skies with the clouds!"

The patriarch said, "Show me your skill in flying."

Wukong demonstrated his abilities, leaping up with a series of somersaults. He flew through the skies for a time before landing not far away. "Master, this is flying and soaring through the clouds."

The patriarch chuckled and remarked, "This can't be considered soaring through the clouds; it's more like crawling through the clouds. As the saying goes, 'Immortals travel from the North Sea in the morning to the Cangwu Mountains in the evening.' Your half-day journey of not even three miles can't be regarded as soaring through the clouds."

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"How can it be considered 'traveling from the North Sea in the morning to the Cangwu Mountains in the evening'?"

"Those who truly soar through the clouds rise from the North Sea in the early morning, travel through the East Sea, West Sea, and South Sea, and then return to the Cangwu Mountains. Cangwuis a part of the Lingling region near the North Sea. Only when you have traveled through the four seas in a single day can it be regarded as soaring through the clouds." The patriarch explained.

"That sounds hard." Wukong scratched his head.

"There are no difficult tasks in the world; it only depends on whether one is determined. "

Upon hearing this, Wukong bowed and pleaded, "Master, I beg you to show compassion and teach me the skill of soaring through the clouds. I promise I will always be grateful for your kindness."

The patriarch replied, "Most immortals soar by stamping their feet and leaping up, but you are different. When I saw you leave, you somersaulted before taking off. Given your approach, I'll teach you the skill of the Somersault Cloud, also called Flying Nimbus."

Wukong continued to implore with sincere respect, and the patriarch eventually taught him the incantation, saying, "With this cloud, hold the mantra, concentrate your energy, clench your fists, and then shake your body to jump up. One somersault will cover a distance of tens of thousands of miles."

Upon hearing this, the crowd laughed and teased, "Wukong, if you master this technique, you can become a courier, delivering letters and reports anywhere you want."

After a joyful day, the master and his disciples returned to their abodes in the cave.

That night, Wukong practiced his magical arts and mastered the skill of soaring through the clouds. From then on, he enjoyed boundless freedom and lived carefree, which was the beauty of eternal life.

One day, as spring turned to summer, the group gathered under a pine tree for a lengthy discussion. They asked, "Wukong, how did you come to possess such extraordinary skills? Did you really master all the transformations the patriarch taught you?"

Wukong smiled and replied, "Well, I've got to admit, I've been putting in the work day and night, and I've mastered all the techniques the master taught me."

The others said, "This is a perfect opportunity. Show us your skills, and let us witness your transformations."

Wukong, eager to display his abilities, asked, "What should I transform into?"

They suggested, "How about becoming a pine tree?"

With a wave of his hand and reciting the incantation, Wukong transformed into a majestic pine tree. Indeed, it looked just like a pine tree with no trace of a mischievous monkey; every branch seemed to withstand frost and snow.

The crowd couldn't contain their excitement and burst into applause and laughter, exclaiming, "Well done, Monkey, well done!"

The noise caught the attention of the Patriarch, who hurriedly stepped out and asked, "Who is causing such a commotion here?"

The crowd quickly composed themselves, straightened their clothes, and approached. Wukong also revealed his true form and stood among them, saying, "Respected Master, we were gathered here for discussion, and there was no one causing any disturbance from outside."

The patriarch furrowed his brows and scolded, "Such loud noise and laughter! This is not the conduct of those on a path of cultivation! A true cultivator maintains serenity and does not spread gossip with their words. How can you all be making such a ruckus here?"

The crowd humbly replied, "We dare not hide anything from our Master. Just now, Sun Wukong demonstrated his transformation skills. When we asked him, he became a pine tree. We all cheered and praised him, which created quite a lively scene. Please forgive us."

The patriarch said, "You all may leave."

He called out, "Wukong, come here! What's the point of showing off your skills and transforming into a pine tree? Is this something you should boast about in front of others? If you see someone with a skill, shouldn't you seek to learn it from them? And if others see you with a skill, they will surely seek to learn it from you. If you are afraid of trouble, then you should pass on your knowledge. If you don't share it, you will undoubtedly face harm, and your life will be at risk."

Wukong bowed and said, "I only hope for forgiveness from the master."

The patriarch replied, "I don't blame you, but you must leave."

Upon hearing this, Wukong burst into tears and asked, "Master, where should I go?"

The patriarch replied, "You came from somewhere, so just go back there."

Wukong suddenly realized and said, "I came from the Water Curtain Cave on the Flower Fruit Mountain in the Aolai Country of the Eastern Divine Continent."

The patriarch said, "Then go back there quickly, and it will ensure your safety. If you stay here, it will undoubtedly bring trouble."

Wukong admitted, "It's been twenty years since I left home. I really want to visit my old children and grandchildren, but I can't forget the kindness you have shown me, Master. I just can't bring myself to leave."

The patriarch said, "There is no debt of gratitude between us. I don't want any trouble or involvement from you."

Wukong, seeing no other option, bid farewell to everyone.

The patriarch warned, "You're bound to get into trouble wherever you go. Just remember, don't dare mention that you were my disciple. If you so much as hint at it, I'll know, and I'll make sure you suffer unimaginable consequences, with your soul banished to the depths of the underworld, never to return!"

Wukong replied, "I swear not to utter a word about being your disciple. I'll claim all the skills as my own."

Wukong expressed his gratitude, then turned around, gestured with his fingers, and with a swift motion, leaped upon his cloud, flying straight back to Flower Fruit Mountain and the Water Curtain Cave. In no time, he arrived at his beloved home.

The Monkey King felt delighted and couldn't help but say to himself:

> “When I set forth, my mortal self, so heavy, burdened weight,

> But now enlightened, body light, as I transcend my mortal state.

> Throughout the world, few dare to dream, with purpose to embrace,

> To cultivate the mystic path, and find their inner grace.

>

> Once, crossing the ocean was a formidable task,

> But now, returning is a journey I can easily unmask.

> Farewell words and advice still echo in my ear,

> Yet, in a blink of an eye, I see the Eastern horizon appear.”

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[1] "Dharma" refers to the teachings, principles, and spiritual path of Buddhism. It encompasses the teachings of the Buddha and encompasses various aspects of Buddhist philosophy and practice.