The Battle in Journey to the West-Chapter 30 - 0 The Monkey Heart Receives the Supreme

Wukong asked, “Sister, who are these remnants of Various Heavens that you spoke of?”

Wusheng replied, “It’s the Heavenly Illuminating Holy King you see here. During the Middle Ancient Period, All Saints joined forces with various clans to fight in the North Sea, but there is not a single record of it in the history books; it’s a deeply hidden secret. I did not participate in that battle myself, I only heard about it from my master, who said that anyone who can use those mysterious runes is a remnant of the Various Heavens, lucky survivors of the battle in the Middle Ancient Period, who must be utterly vanquished.”

Disappointed, Wukong thought to himself that not even Wusheng knew about the matter after all. It seemed that the secrets of the Four Great Continents still had to be slowly uncovered in the future.

The world is vast, and there are many experts. All present witnessed this, and Wukong’s North Sea expedition was not without gains. At least he acquired the physical body of Yuan Hong, which, through Fetal Transformation and Easy Shape-Shifting, had condensed a second physical body that would fully mature in seven days to become a Taiyi Golden Immortal. Then, he would be able to stir up storms with this body.

Wusheng said, “Wukong, your trip to the North Sea was not in vain, having the chance to witness so many experts is beneficial for your future growth. Do not become arrogant or complacent; you are not invincible just because you’ve learned some spells.”

Wukong replied, “Sister, Wukong has taken your teachings to heart and will not forget your guidance.”

Wusheng, now in possession of the Map of Mountains and Rivers, felt joyous at heart. Even if she couldn’t obtain the Sutra of the Other Shore as Patriarch Subhuti had mentioned, she could still give an account of herself. Patriarch Subhuti had given her so many treasures; if she didn’t bring at least one back, it would be hard to explain. Patriarch Subhuti pursues the innovative concept of “Unity of the Three Teachings” saying he wants to establish a new kind of Taoist Art. The Sutra of the Other Shore is the Buddhist Sect’s most profound scripture, incredibly difficult to understand, lost to the War God Secret Realm due to the Middle Ancient Wars. This time Patriarch Subhuti had calculated that it would emerge; that’s why he ordered Wusheng to come. Otherwise, he would not have meddled in the muddied waters of the North Sea, to avoid incurring significant karma.

Wusheng thought to herself, “Where exactly is the Sutra of the Other Shore? Why has it not appeared? Could someone already have claimed it?”

Now that Wusheng had acquired the Map of Mountains and Rivers, nobody could leave without her permission. Ji Shuibao came to pay his respects, saying, “Teacher Wusheng, now that you have the Map of Mountains and Rivers, why not let us go?”

Wusheng said, “I am about to let you go.”

After speaking, she activated the Map of Mountains and Rivers. The palaces flickered, and then, in a flash, everyone was back in the plaza, with the severed Black Tower also collected into the Map of Mountains and Rivers in Wusheng’s hands.

“Hmm? The Sutra of the Other Shore is actually inscribed on the formation of the Map of Mountains and Rivers? Ha ha, ha ha! What a stroke of luck; I’ve acquired it without any effort at all. I’ve been down on my luck since the five great calamities of Ancient Times, but now, it seems my hardships have turned to sweet success.” Wusheng chuckled inwardly, never having expected that the Sutra of the Other Shore she had been desperately searching for was inscribed on the formation of the Map of Mountains and Rivers.

Suddenly, Wusheng sensed something amiss and activated her divine skills to probe. Her expression shifted instantly; the Sutra of the Other Shore was suppressing a coffin, buried beneath the formation, with death qi emanating from it, contaminating the entire North Sea. Wusheng realized this was no trivial matter and decided to hasten back to report to Patriarch Subhuti, to prevent any further mishaps.

The onlookers witnessed Wusheng’s strength and her terrifying Golden Light Divine Spell, capable of borrowing the power of the Four Imperial Rulers of the Heavenly Court. How could ordinary people covet such a thing? To vie for the Map of Mountains and Rivers now, might mean opposing the Four Imperial Rulers of the Heavenly Court. And the existence capable of teaching a formidable figure like Wusheng—how fearsome must they be? At least a Quasi-Saint-level expert, right? The powerful beings watching in secret had to suppress their restlessness and watched as Wusheng took the Map of Mountains and Rivers away.

Spiritual Treasures of this kind are rare nowadays. Many were damaged during the wars of Ancient Times, and in the Middle Ancient War, when All Saints joined forces, even more Innate Treasures were destroyed, including Divine Artifacts like the Map of Mountains and Rivers, indicating just how fierce that battle must have been!

Wusheng called Wukong aside and said, “I am now passing on to you the top scripture of the Buddhist sect. Take it back with you and cultivate it earnestly. See if you can comprehend any principles from it. If you do, it will be your own good fortune. If not, there’s nothing that can be done. One must not force things; it is best to comply with the Heavenly Dao.”

Before becoming an immortal, one must defy the heavens to achieve longevity, yet once on the path of becoming an immortal, one should incur fewer karmic ties and follow the Heavenly Dao.

Wukong asked, “Which scripture?”

Wusheng replied, “It is the supreme scripture of the Buddhist sect from ancient times, the ‘Sutra of the Other Shore.’ By contemplating this scripture, you can reach the other shore and escape the sea of suffering. I don’t know what profound powers it holds, but in ancient times, it was widely acclaimed. Now, it benefits you. Listen well.”

Wukong hurriedly made a gesture of listening attentively, awaiting the transmission of the scripture from Wusheng.

The Scripture says, “Thus I have heard. It was asked: How does one cross to the other shore? The answer is: …”

Wusheng recited the scripture according to the Sanskrit on the Map of Mountains and Rivers, a grand scripture of a thousand words, not too many, yet each word was precious. Wukong, having transcended the Heavenly Dao, had an understanding of principles unparalleled by ordinary people. Hearing this scripture, he felt as if struck by thunder, as if nectar poured into his ears, and in his mind appeared a Buddha, sixteen cubits tall, with sixteen arms, some holding shariras, some holding scriptures, some holding the Six Routes of Pure Bamboo, and some holding lotuses. The Buddha’s lips moved in sync with Wusheng’s recitation. This was a supreme method containing spells as well as cultivation methods.

The Buddhist sect’s spells mostly depend on visualization and Zazen practice, imagining Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, or visualizing oneself as a Buddha or Bodhisattva to refine the golden body and sharira. This visualization method is excellent for cultivators but is akin to poison for ordinary people. Many who learn Zen Buddhism often deviate into madness, spending their days in illusions.

Buddhist cultivation methods conflict with those of the Taoist sect, yet Patriarch Subhuti could melt them into one furnace, using Confucianism as a mediator, which is incredibly powerful.

Having finished reading the scripture of a thousand characters, Wukong had memorized it all. Such a scripture is not something ordinary people can cultivate. Without sufficient insight, forcibly trying to remember this scripture would likely lead to deviation into madness, unable to visualize the great Buddha of the other shore in one’s mind.

“Have you remembered it?” Wusheng whispered.

“Senior Sister, I have memorized it all,” Wukong said.

Wusheng inwardly praised, “This fellow truly deserves to be a naturally born spiritual being. I get a headache just reading the ‘Sutra of the Other Shore,’ yet he was able to memorize it entirely. It seems he really does have some predestined affinity with the Buddhist sect. No wonder Tathagata chose him as the messenger for the Journey to the West. The Golden Cicada has already been reincarnated, and the one to follow Heaven’s mandate is about to be born. From here on out, I won’t be able to help this little junior brother.”

It was indeed Wukong’s good fortune to be apprenticed to such a sect and receive such a supreme method and to have Wusheng transmit this scripture to him. This scripture will surely greatly increase his mana if he contemplates it carefully upon his return.

Wusheng said, “Do not reveal this scripture to anyone else, lest it bring harm upon you. This scripture is a precious find from Amitabha Buddha.”

Wukong naturally understood the principle that an innocent man is guilty if he carries a jade of great value. Who would casually talk about such a scripture?

Wukong said, “Senior Sister, rest assured, I will not disclose this scripture. I will simply commit it to heart and contemplate it well.”

Wusheng said, “Good! I am taking the Map of Mountains and Rivers with me. The death energy in the North Sea should also gradually dissipate. It’s time for me to return to my sect and report back.”

Wukong said, “Senior Sister, you must take us with you for part of the journey. We have many enemies here, and if they join forces to attack us, it would be bad.”

Wusheng said, “No need to worry. Once we reach the Uttara Kuru Kingdom, we can part ways.”

Wukong was overjoyed, as he had been concerned about the possibility that the Five Peaks’ True Gods and other powerful figures from the Heavenly Court might band together to attack them. With their numbers, it would be a difficult fight. If they came one by one, Wukong wasn’t afraid of any of them, but how could they use their weaknesses to fight his strengths. A group beating was certain.

Wukong, the Ox Demon King, Yang Jian, and others boarded Wusheng’s war vessel. The group of enemies, red-faced and thick-necked, were helpless, as Wusheng’s strength deterred many.

Riding Wusheng’s warship back to the Uttara Kuru Kingdom, the death energy began to slowly dissipate along the way, and they encountered no issues.

Upon reaching the Uttara Kuru Kingdom, Wusheng stored the warship away and, after giving Wukong some advice, tore through the sky and departed.

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To find out what happens next, please listen to the following breakdown.