Wukong, having bid farewell to the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave, did not employ his cloud-somersaulting technique, but instead, he rode the mists and ascended the clouds. As he traveled further and further away, glancing back, he saw the spiritual Mount Sumeru fading from his sight, stirring a hint of sorrow in his heart.

Regardless of why Master Subhuti had imparted him with such skills, he had led Wukong to witness the capabilities of the Great Dao, broadening his horizons and enriching his knowledge. Given the choice, Wukong would undoubtedly choose this path again. In a world of immortals, who would settle for mediocrity? Thus, his heart held nothing but gratitude for Master Subhuti.

After that day, Wukong never saw Master Subhuti again. The mysterious figure seemed to have vanished into thin air. From their first meeting, Wukong felt a peculiar familiarity with the master, as if they had met before. But after careful consideration of the few he had encountered in this world, he chalked it up to a dream.

Master Subhuti's cryptic words lingered in his mind, "When we meet again, you might not recognize me..." Had Master Subhuti changed his appearance and reappeared? Despite much thought, Wukong found no clues.

Alas, if Master Subhuti were to reappear, it would not be under the same name. From then on, the world would no longer know of Subhuti. Amidst his sighs, Wukong's gaze upon the earthly scenery slowed his pace. Spotting a small mountain peak ahead, he decided to land there.

To his surprise, the more Wukong looked, the stranger he found it. He had practiced his cloud-ascending technique in this area, circling numerous times, yet he had never noticed this mountain peak. Could it have sprung from nowhere?

This thought led Wukong to retrace his steps using his cloud-somersaulting technique, revisiting the path he had taken that day. To his astonishment, it was as if he had entered an unfamiliar world. Compared to Mount Sumeru, the spiritual energy here was significantly weaker, lacking in beautiful scenery and the company of divine birds and beasts.

Recalling his practice of the cloud-somersaulting technique, Wukong remembered clearly, even after flying tens of thousands of miles, he saw not a single dwelling. Yet today, the ground below was neatly organized with cities and villages, presenting a peaceful scene. Returning to the spot where he had practiced manipulating the seas and rivers, he found instead a field of wheat.

Wukong cast a spell to descend to the ground, transforming into a woodcutter. Approaching a toiling old farmer, he was certain this was no disguise.

What could this mean? Wukong was baffled. Had he remembered incorrectly? Taking to the clouds again, he scoured the surroundings. Within a thousand miles, there were only vast plains, no seas, not even a lake in sight.

Suddenly, it dawned on him: even the spiritual Mount Sumeru was gone! The cave dwelling filled with immortal essence, the children with the demeanor of sages, the elder with the youthful face and profound powers, all had disappeared. Every divine figure and landscape vanished like smoke—no, even passing smoke leaves a trace.

Wukong boldly guessed, could it be that Mount Sumeru, where Master Subhuti resided, was not real? No, not unreal, but rather a mysterious separate space! Surely, this must be the case, for if it could be found again, Wukong, by his nature, would not rest until he did.

With this realization, Wukong ceased his search and chose a high mountain to sit upon, waiting for something. If what he awaited came to pass, it would greatly benefit his future.

Wukong calmed his mind and focused on mastering the art of "Transformation and Easy Shape-shifting." His recent transformation into a woodcutter felt awkward, a sign of infrequent practice. In his journey to the West, Wukong had often relied on this skill to escape peril. Without perfecting it, he dared not flaunt it.

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Of the thirty-six heavenly powers, Wukong could manifest all but the six grand celestial powers. To ordinary immortals, mastering such powers was akin to ascending to heaven. Immortal greats guarded their magical techniques like precious treasures. However, with the right opportunity, mantra, and application, these powers were within reach.

Wukong's mastery was akin to being handed a golden key by Master Subhuti, unlocking the door to immortality and enlightenment—a chance others might not encounter in thousands of calamities.

Wukong meditated there until nightfall, when silence enveloped the wilderness, punctuated only by the occasional chirp of insects.

Soon, the sky twinkled with stars, and Wukong lay atop the mountain, counting: five, ten, fifteen... until he reached over thirty thousand.

As dawn approached and the stars faded, Wukong leaped up, exclaiming, "I understand now, Master! I've figured it out!"

From the first star's appearance, Wukong had sensed the truth, but he waited until daylight to confirm his speculation.

During his time in the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave, Wukong had also lain on the ground to observe the stars, which appeared significantly different—larger and brighter—than in his previous life, unforgettable at a glance.

During his nocturnal observation, Wukong discovered that the stars in the sky were identical to those from his previous life, showing no difference whatsoever. In his time at the Water Curtain Cave, the natural disposition of the monkeys was to work at sunrise and rest at sunset, rarely witnessing the stars.

Unexpectedly, Wukong's only two experiences of stargazing were under completely different heavens!

This Wukong was not the same as the original; his experiences were far richer than those of the naturally born stone monkey. In his previous life, he had read online novels and learned of masters creating their own realms, harboring countless beings within.

His inability to find the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave had already made him suspect: could this cave dwelling be a realm created by Master Subhuti? Now, he was certain there was no Mount Sumeru or Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave in this world. His journey of cultivation might have taken place within a mustard seed, and from now on, he would likely never find that place again.

Wukong sighed deeply, understanding the profound significance of this realization.

His greatest trial in the journey to the West was being trapped under the Five Elements Mountain for over five hundred years, likely a result of somersaulting within a realm created by the Buddha.

With this in mind, Wukong laughed heartily: "Buddha, oh Buddha, had I not been forewarned, it would be one thing, but now that I am prepared, you will not be able to trap me again with the same method."

In the East Victory Divine Continent, within the nation of Aolai, lies the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit. To the west, it faces the vast ocean, and to the east, it borders the realm of Aolai, separated by a mere two hundred miles of sea.

The mountain is filled with unusual rocks and cliffs, countless peaks, forests inhabited by deer and foxes of longevity, trees home to spiritual birds and cranes. Everlasting exotic grasses and flowers, evergreen pines and cypresses. The peach trees bear fruit continuously, and the bamboo groves are always shrouded in clouds. A dense thicket covers one ravine, while fresh greenery surrounds the plains on all sides. It's a place where countless rivers converge to support the heavens and an unshakable foundation of the earth remains through all calamities.

At this moment, atop the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, a gathering of monkeys chattered incessantly.

Among them sat four elder monkeys, specifically two Gibbon monkeys and two Red-Buttocked horses.

One Gibbon monkey spoke, "Quiet! The king has been left here for two years. As the saying goes, 'A country cannot be without its ruler for a day.' Our kind numbers over ten thousand on this mountain, and occasionally we're attacked by fierce beasts. If we do not unite, we'll end up scattered like sand, an easy advantage for others."

Another Gibbon monkey chimed in, calming the crowd slightly, secretly pleased with the effect.

However, the two Red-Buttocked horses strongly disagreed. One argued, "Seeking immortals and pursuing the Dao is a lifetime's fortune. Two years is insignificant. Entrusted by our king, we should devote ourselves to uplifting our clan. Where does this notion of being without a ruler come from?"

The other countered, "Indeed, if we elect a new king today, what should we do upon the great king's return?"

The Gibbon monkey replied, "Without a king, we lack authority. When the king left, nearly ten thousand responded to his call. Now, only five or six thousand remain. Don't you see the urgency?"

The Red-Buttocked horse questioned, "What exactly are you suggesting? Do you intend to become the ruler of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit?"