In the grand hall of the Three Star Cave, the Patriarch Subhuti sat motionless like a statue, his whisk occasionally fluttering in the breeze from the door, enhancing his aura of transcendence and profound enlightenment.

Huineng hurried in from outside, followed by a group of young Daoist disciples with varied expressions—some anxious, some bewildered, and some seemingly taking delight in the misfortune of others.

The disciples knew well that Patriarch Subhuti was strict in discipline, advocating against anger and irritation. Seeing Huineng's demeanor, they anticipated his punishment.

Indeed, as Patriarch Subhuti's slightly lowered eyes opened, a chill seemed to pass before them, instilling a cold fear that brought everyone to their knees.

"What causes such panic?" Patriarch Subhuti asked calmly.

Huineng replied, "Please forgive me, Master. The matter is quite peculiar, and I hurried to report to you, thus my rushed steps."

"All forms are illusory; it is your mind that panics," the Patriarch pointed out.

Huineng agreed repeatedly. Subhuti then gave him a meaningful look and said, "Follow me to the back hall." He then turned and exited through the rear door, with Huineng quickly following.

In the back hall, Huineng repeated what Wukong had shared about his dream in the backyard. After listening, the Patriarch remained silent for a moment, then asked how many had heard this story before dismissing Huineng with a wave of his hand.

The idea of a Buddha with a body of gold intrigued Subhuti. Could it really be the Buddha of the current era, the supreme Tathagata, concerned with the stone monkey? Knowledge of the stone monkey was scarce, shared only among a few like the Jade Emperor and Emperor Zhenwu. Could it be that the Great Sage, the National Teacher Bodhisattva, had leaked the news? A flicker of sharp light passed through Subhuti's slightly closed eyelids.

If so, there was no time to waste. He had intended to temper the stone monkey's wild nature to prevent him from acting rashly and ruining greater plans. But the monkey's early display of intelligence exceeded his expectations. "Plans are made by the Buddhas, but success is determined by the heavens. Let's see how things unfold."

"Someone!" called out Subhuti. A Daoist disciple appeared as if from nowhere, bowing deeply. "Bring the stone monkey to me," ordered Subhuti, taking a deep breath.

At this time, the stone monkey was pondering in the courtyard. He had resorted to this strategy out of necessity, unsure of Subhuti's temperament despite knowing he was destined to become his disciple and learn his martial arts. But how long he would have to wait for the transmission of power was uncertain. If it was as written, waiting seven years would be unbearable.

By creating a mystery and involving a dream visitor resembling Tathagata, he ensured the matter would reach Subhuti. If Subhuti was determined to take him as a disciple, he would not allow interference. Hearing of Tathagata's interest, Subhuti would surely have doubts, leading most likely to an early transmission of magical powers to establish their master-disciple bond. Once the bond was formed, given the stone monkey's straightforward nature, he would unlikely betray it.

The stone monkey knew his role in the journey to the west was but a pawn. Who held the piece was not for him to decide. Only by going with the flow and gradually increasing his strength could he hope to uncover the truth behind the veil of divinity and seek the ultimate truth.

"Patriarch Subhuti, what divine being are you?" he wondered, lost in thought, when a Daoist disciple entered and called, "Brother Wukong, Master summons you." Wukong nodded and followed.

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In the back hall, facing the majestic and serene Patriarch, Wukong performed a gesture of respect.

"Have you settled in these two months, Wukong?" asked the Patriarch with a smile.

"Very well, Master, though a bit idle," Wukong replied.

"Ah, an idle mind dreams often. Starting today, I shall teach you the methods of immortality. Are you willing to learn?"

Wukong thought, this is precisely why I came, only a fool would refuse. "Yes, Master, eagerly."

"I possess 360 methods of Taoist magic. Which would you learn?"

Reflecting on the teachings within "Journey to the West," the Master delineated the doctrines of "Technique," "Flow," "Stillness," and "Motion," each purportedly not leading to eternal life. Wukong, naturally, opted not to pursue them. Was this indeed the whole truth, or had the Master no intention of imparting these specific skills to Wukong from the start?

Pondering this, Wukong expressed, "Being a novice here, I'm unaware of the profundities these teachings hold. I earnestly seek the Master's guidance."

Thus, the Master proceeded to elucidate each pathway in detail, prompting Wukong to deeply reflect: The "Technique" pathway, dedicated to "Inviting Immortals with a Planchette and Divination by Achillea," aims at discerning auspicious and inauspicious omens; the "Flow" pathway integrates the philosophies of Confucianism, Buddhism, Daoism, and the Yin-Yang School, focusing on scripture reading and recitation; the "Stillness" pathway involves Zen meditation and the art of entering meditative absorption; the "Motion" pathway, somewhat more familiar to Wukong, concentrates on "Gathering Yin to Supplement Yang and Rubbing the Navel to Pass Qi," alongside alchemical processes for concocting elixirs.

The Patriarch laughed, "Seeking immortality is simple; a few magical pills can extend life. But without true skill, how will you face dire threats?"

Wukong realized then that the Patriarch never planned to teach him mere longevity but was preparing him for greater challenges, including the 72 transformations and profound martial arts.

Wukong immediately prostrated himself and said, "Master, your disciple understands that consuming the elixir for immortality grants life, but I also fear lacking the ability to preserve it. I beseech you, Master, to teach me a method for enduring longevity, to attain the marvelous path to eternal life."

Subhuti nodded and said, "You've grasped the concept swiftly. You must understand that you are born of nature and unlike any other. I will impart to you a rapid cultivation method that will spare you the hardships of meditation and Qi cultivation, enabling you to achieve great things."

Wukong was secretly delighted, feeling the moment he had been waiting for had finally arrived. The Master instructed Wukong to lie flat on the ground and with a sweep of his dust whisk, Wukong fell asleep.

"Nine Turns Internal Alchemy will ensure your creation and transformation are endless; do not waste my effort," the Master chanted. A stream of air began to swirl around Wukong, with milky-white Qi emerging from within, flowing out of his nine orifices and cycling back through the fontanelle at the top of his head. "Indeed, his fate is extraordinary!" the Master praised as the silver threads on his dust whisk stood erect, pointing into the void.

The milky-white Qi coursed through Wukong's body, growing denser and faster until it finally converged within his Dantian, forming a radiant golden elixir.

After completing the spell, the Master internally praised, "Fate!" He credited the achievement to the Golden Elixir of Laojun, which, without, would have taken at least two to three years to lay the foundation. Despite Wukong's natural gifts, he was clueless about how to utilize them. The marvel of Laojun's Golden Elixir naturally integrated his innate potential into the Dantian, gathering streams like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea.

Master Subhuti then woke the stone monkey and imparted to him a Qi Cultivation Dharma Decree, a profound and mystical method. If fully comprehended, it could unlock endless transformations of nature. However, how much one could understand depended on their innate abilities.

This mantra was identical to one found in the original Journey to the West, and it went as follows:

The ultimate secret, blending the visible and invisible, holds true wonder,

Cherishing the cultivation of one's nature and life, there lies no other doctrine.

Essentially, it's all about the vital forces of essence, energy, and spirit,

Securely conserved, deeply stored, prevent any dissipation.

Prevent the dissipation, treasure it within,

By receiving my teachings, prosperity will begin.

This verse, once memorized, offers substantial gain,

By removing base desires, one achieves serene coolness.

Within this serene coolness, clarity shines bright,

Aim for the alchemical platform to admire the moon's light.

Where the moon conceals a jade rabbit, the sun a crow,

Naturally, the tortoise and serpent in harmony grow.

In this harmonious growth, vitality and spirit are robust,

Even amidst flames, golden lotuses are thrust.

Employing the five elements in an artful reversal, mastered through and through,

Upon completion, seamlessly, one transcends to the domain of Buddhas and immortals anew.

Wukong had already memorized this technique by heart, not for any reason other than Subhuti's mystique; his words and actions were not to be taken lightly. After listening once, Wukong recited the technique back, pleasing the Master, who happily expounded further on the mantra.

"Reveal and Integrate" refers to the need to understand both Exoteric and Esoteric teachings. Relying solely on Esoteric teachings is heretical, and following only Exoteric teachings leads to slow progress. However, the Master did not elaborate on what Exoteric and Esoteric teachings entailed, merely touching upon the subject lightly.

Wukong, having investigated in his previous life, knew that Exoteric teachings were clear and understandable, encompassing the various schools of both Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. These teachings adapt to the capacities of sentient beings, clarifying delusions, and establishing theories and methods for cultivating causes and attaining effects. They are considered accessible teachings, their rationale evident, hence termed Exoteric.