"In the ancient times, when the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was abundant, and divine beasts and immortals emerged in large numbers, we, the seven divine apes, could not bear to see the slaughter and chaos. We intervened multiple times. Naturally, those younger generations were no match for us and bowed down to our supremacy."

The Stone Monkey wondered, how had things come to this state now?

"After several interventions, all beings acknowledged us as the ancestors of creation and the gods of the world, granting us dominion over various territories."

"However, born alongside heaven and earth, we divine apes were inherently free-spirited and detested nothing more than to be bound to desks, dealing with paperwork and engaging in pretense and deceit. Thus, handling administrative duties was out of the question for us. After deliberation, we handed over our vast authority to the immortals and demons below us and went back to our carefree existence."

"Both immortals and demons, having ascended from mortals or animals, possessed extraordinary wisdom to have caught the divine apes' favor. But, with our inherently pure and straightforward nature, we couldn't foresee that these beings, once empowered, would not only advance rapidly in their cultivation but also form factions to confront us. Most fatally, they discovered how to break through the heavens' secrets, creating countless powerful magical weapons."

"Once empowered, their first act was to attempt to kill the seven divine apes! It seems a natural instinct to not tolerate anyone above oneself. Subsequently, the seven divine apes were scattered, souls shattered by the multitude of immortals and demons, their fortunes dissipated like smoke."

Hearing this, the Stone Monkey was puzzled, "Then what about you now?"

"Now, I am no longer a divine ape, just slightly stronger than you."

The more the Stone Monkey heard, the more confused he became. If their souls were shattered, how could Wuzhiqi stand before him, and how could he, supposedly a Spiritually Brilliant Divine Ape, exist in this world?

"You must understand, the seven divine apes, along with Kunpeng and Pangu, were born from the chaos. Without a place in heaven or a name in the underworld, we are eternal alongside heaven and earth. Even if our souls disperse and we turn to ash, we can still be reborn through nirvana."

The Stone Monkey was astounded, "So, we're immortal, indestructible?"

Wuzhiqi looked at him indifferently, "While that's true, there are fates worse than death."

"Being born from chaos, as long as the cycle of creation continues, we cannot die. But with each rebirth, most of our memories and intelligence are lost, like newborns slowly regaining awareness."

"But the immortals and demons would not allow us the time to grow. At every sighting, they would mobilize in masses to eradicate us. Except for my capture, I do not know how many times the other six divine apes have been killed and reborn. Eventually, they realized the truth and became more cautious in their reincarnations, either changing their forms or hiding their presence, daring not to show themselves openly anymore."

"Why didn't they kill you?"

"They did not kill me because they found a way to subdue me. See this chain on my shoulder? It was forged by the great ancient god Yu to restrain beings like me. The Great Sage National Teacher Wang Bodhisattva of this temple is a descendant of Yu, and no one else can control this chain. He imprisons me here, devoid of water, allowing his disciple to practice on me, draining my accumulated fortunes before returning me here," Wuzhiqi said with a trace of melancholy, "It has been thirty to forty thousand years."

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The Stone Monkey was silent, feeling a profound sense of kinship and understanding the torment described by Wuzhiqi. As Wuzhiqi mentioned, the fight between Little Prince Zhang and him was not a true battle but more akin to bear bile farming witnessed in his previous life.

It was tragic that such majestic divine apes had become mere tools for others to accumulate fortunes. This made the Stone Monkey recall the mysterious figure who had imparted three scriptures to him upon entering the Water Curtain Cave, enhancing his fortunes. Could these fortunes be of significant use to cultivators? He decided to keep this thought to himself, planning to investigate further in the future.

Recalling the chilling battle, the Stone Monkey asked about the source of the cold.

"That was a talisman given to Little Zhang by the Great Sage National Teacher Wang Bodhisattva, freezing all living water within a thousand miles, rendering me powerless. As a being who thrives in water, my abilities are severely diminished without it. Normally, ice and water make no difference to me, but weakened as I am, plus this restraining chain, I am nearly helpless."

"A thousand miles? If there were mortals within that range, wouldn't they be frozen stiff?"

"Of course," Wuzhiqi replied coldly, "They care not for the lives of mortals. Every seven to eight years, they do this, fearing I accumulate too much fortune, which Little Zhang cannot subdue."

"Why doesn't the Great Sage National Teacher Wang Bodhisattva act himself?"

"Hmph, finding a scapegoat is all they did, placing the sin of slaughtering beings squarely on Little Zhang's shoulders. Mortals also have their own destinies; using the guise of subduing the Goddess of the Water, the Bodhisattva caused untold suffering. How could Little Zhang, with his modest cultivation, bear such a heavy karmic debt?"

Wuzhiqi spoke as if discussing mundane matters, yet his words sent chills down the Stone Monkey's spine. It was the Bodhisattva's doing. Had it not been for his unique talents, he might have also met an untimely end. And the mortals, how many could withstand such cold? Perhaps some even worshiped statues of the Great Sage National Teacher Wang Bodhisattva in their homes. And Little Prince Zhang, tragically used as his master's instrument of slaughter, accumulated untold karmic repercussions, oblivious to the retribution that awaited him.

"What Bodhisattvas and immortals, they're just titles," Wuzhiqi said flatly.

"How can mortals accumulate destiny, and what use is it?" the Stone Monkey asked.

"What is destiny? You, a divine ape born of destiny, ask such a question? It seems you are indeed less knowledgeable than mortals just coming into this world."

"Destiny is karma, cause and effect, encompassing good intentions and malice, blessings and curses, merits and retributions. For cultivators, gaining destiny advances their cultivation. Animals and birds can become immortals, and mortals enhance their fate in the book of life and death. Without destiny, the world might as well return to chaos."

"I don't understand," the Stone Monkey shook his head after listening.

Wuzhiqi sighed, "You'll understand when it's time. There's no rush."

Suddenly, Wuzhiqi's expression changed dramatically, "The Bodhisattva is coming, likely seeking you. Whatever he asks, just pretend you've been unconscious the whole time and know nothing."

Before the Stone Monkey could react, he felt a sharp pain at the back of his head and collapsed to the ground.

Wuzhiqi transformed, growing to over five zhang tall with a fierce appearance.

With a flash of golden light, the Great Sage National Teacher Wang Bodhisattva appeared on the scene, followed by a dejected Little Prince Zhang, who seemed to have been reprimanded by his master.

Wuzhiqi roared protectively in front of the Stone Monkey.

The Bodhisattva's face darkened as he chanted a spell, causing Wuzhiqi to fall, his eyes blazing with rage. The Bodhisattva, puzzled by Wuzhiqi's protection of the Stone Monkey, enveloped the Stone Monkey with his robe for a closer examination. The Stone Monkey seemed unchanged, his destiny intact, despite being unconscious for an unknown period. It seemed Wuzhiqi, seeing a kindred spirit, was merely reluctant to part with him.

With a spell, the Bodhisattva took Little Zhang and the Stone Monkey, vanishing in an instant. When they reappeared, they were in the main hall of the Great Saint Zen Temple.

Seated upon the throne in the main hall was a person of ordinary appearance yet exuding an aura of dignity, clad in a cassock radiating precious light. This person barely acknowledged the Bodhisattva's entrance with a slight lift of his eyelids.

Approaching, the Bodhisattva unfolded his robe, revealing the Stone Monkey, unharmed. The person, expressionless, took the Stone Monkey and disappeared from the room without a glance at the Bodhisattva.