Volume 4: The End of Heavenly Secrets Chapter 403: The Extremes of the Five Elements

Wukong saw Buddha committing more acts of violence and was furious, but what Randeng had said was not an exaggeration. It was well-known that Buddha intended to control the pure yin energy. If he truly went all out, it was uncertain whether Randeng and Xuan Nu could protect Wukong.
Randeng said with a wry smile, “All the pure yin energy in the country has been used by Buddha. It’s truly pitiful for the people of this land.”
Xuan Nu added, “Buddha is using this pure yin energy to connect to the underworld. If my guess is correct, it will lead to the Buddhist hell.”
Wukong asked, “Can the Stupa and the Buddhist hell really be connected?”
Randeng replied, “They were originally connected. I don’t know how Buddha severed that connection and came up with this method. But no matter what he does, it will cause great harm to the natural balance.”
Xuan Nu said, “Buddha anticipated this day. He has always looked down on others. If it weren’t for his current limited power, how could we ever catch his attention?”
Wukong suddenly calmed down. Buddha destroying the Kingdom of Women wasn’t anything unusual. He hadn’t known the pure yin energy could be used in this way.
Wukong sighed deeply and said, “Since we can’t do much here, why stay? Master, from now on, Mount Ling will be like my home. I can go wherever I want. Haha.”
Randeng was surprised, “You seemed determined to fight just a moment ago. How have you changed so much?”
Wukong replied, “Complaining is useless. I’ll find a quiet place to refine my Heavenly Secrets Staff.”
Xuan Nu said, “Alright. We still need to discuss the Stupa matter with Ksitigarbha. We need to figure out how to get inside. All the forces in the Buddhist hell have been trapped in the Stupa. If we don’t stop him soon, the consequences will be severe.”
Randeng added, “Wukong, be careful in the future. No one can stay by your side all the time.” Wukong thought to himself that there were severaldodge technique in the True Martial God’s white jade bead, which were similar to the Thirty-Six Transformations. If he learned these powers as well, with his own saintly cultivation, no one could capture him.
So he said, “Don’t worry, Master. If I can’t defeat them, I can always escape.”
Xuan Nu added, “Be careful of the formations. It should be fine.” Wukong remembered that Xuan Nu had said Buddha’s formation skills were unmatched in the world. He needed to be extremely cautious, otherwise, even Yuan Shi might not be able to rescue him if he got trapped.

Xuan Nu and Ran Deng left one after another. After some thought, Wukong headed straight for the Abyss of Nine Netherworlds. To forge the Heavenly Secret Staff, earth should be used as the foundation. According to Ran Deng, only the extremes of the five elements could be used to create a true Heavenly Secret Staff. Wukong didn’t care how Ran Deng knew this secret. But he definitely wanted to figure out what the extremes of the five elements were. The strongest earth controller in the world was undoubtedly Hou Tu.

Upon arriving at the Abyss of Nine Netherworlds, he happened to meet several heavenly generals who had gone to the netherworld to obtain vital energy. Wukong concealed his presence and sighed inwardly, thinking that the heavenly court was indeed constantly busy. Gathering vital energy here was not as easy as Buddha directly drawing it into the Stupa Tower.

Wukong quickly found his way to Hou Tu’s palace. What he saw there filled him with great joy—the Armless Divine Ape was almost fully materialized. Hou Tu placed her hand on the Ape’s head, continuously channeling energy into it. Wukong couldn’t help but admire her efforts; surely Hou Tu had played a significant role in helping the Ape solidify its body.

Seeing Wukong, Hou Tu said cheerfully, “Wukong has arrived.”

Wukong, realizing that talking to her didn’t interfere with channeling energy to the Ape, replied, “Thank you, Sister Hou Tu, for helping my divine ape.” Hou Tu scolded, “There’s no need for formalities among family. You must have come here for a reason. Speak up.”

Wukong, of course, didn’t hesitate and asked, “What are the extremes of the five elements?”

“The extremes of the five elements?” Hou Tu’s expression changed slightly. “Why do you ask this?”

Wukong replied, “Someone taught me a method, saying that using the extremes of the five elements can turn the iron staff in my hand into a powerful magical weapon.” He didn’t mention it was the Heavenly Secret Staff—not out of fear that Hou Tu might covet his weapon, but because explaining it would be too complicated. Noticing her strange expression, he asked, “Is there perhaps some taboo related to the extremes of the five elements?”

Hou Tu said, “The extremes of the five elements are all deep underground. I’ve never seen the others, only the extreme of earth. It’s said that the extremes of the five elements are the essence of Pangu’s five internal organs. What’s so special about your iron staff that you dare to think of using the extremes of the five elements?”

Wukong hadn’t expected it to be related to Pangu. He asked again, “Exactly how much of the extreme of earth can be utilized?” Hou Tu replied, “Pangu’s body was enormous, and even his five internal organs were vast, but their essence was only about a foot square.”

Wukong was momentarily stuck. Ran Deng had been vague about how much of the extremes of the five elements were needed to forge the Heavenly Secret Staff. If it caused damage to Pangu’s body, it would be his fault.

Unable to decide for now, Wukong changed the subject and said, “The extremes of the five elements must be extremely important. Has anyone ever tried to obtain them?” Hou Tu replied with a smile, “How many people can even reach such a place? If it weren’t for my specialization in the earth element, I doubt I could reach there in my lifetime. Besides, the Great God Pangu is the ancestor of all things. No one with even a hint of reverence would dare to touch his body lightly.”

Wukong thought to himself, “If you knew Pangu is still alive, you’d be even more surprised.” Though he was the Divine Ape of Creation, this matter involved Pangu’s vital organs, so it was not something he could decide on alone. After some thought, he realized he needed to consult Yuan Shi, Xuan Nu, and Ksitigarbha first.

He bid farewell and prepared to leave, but Hou Tu scolded, “Come back! Leaving after keeping us in suspense—shouldn’t I punish you?” Wukong laughed, “I’m indeed in a hurry.” Hou Tu said, “Let me see your staff. What’s so special about it?”

With no choice, Wukong took out the Tianji Staff and handed it to Hou Tu. She took it with one hand, and despite her supreme cultivation, her wrist felt heavy. She exclaimed, “It’s so heavy!”

Wukong said, “It’s not just heavy—it’s incredibly heavy.”

Hou Tu examined the Tianji Staff carefully and praised, “Having lived underground for so long, I’m well-versed in all the mineral veins in the world. I’ve never seen such pure gold essence before. It must be the one Da Yu gave you.”

Wukong replied, “That’s right. By chance, I obtained all four Ruyi Golden Cudgels, and from those I forged this Tianji Staff.”

Hou Tu sighed, “Although Da Yu had the gold essence, he didn’t know how to refine it before meeting you. Instead, he divided it up. It seems this staff was indeed meant for the Divine Ape of Creation. Even so, why did you name it Tianji Staff?”

Wukong said, “It wasn’t I who named it. It’s the name from the ‘Instrument Canon’.”

“The ‘Instrument Canon’? What is that?” Hou Tu asked in confusion.

Wukong then briefly explained the origin of the Instrument Canon, omitting the part about Ran Deng. Hou Tu was surprised and said, “Strange! I’ve never heard of it. Could it be a precious book that fell from the heavens?”

Wukong, eager to refine the Tianji Staff, said anxiously, “Sister, I’ll be back soon. I’ll discuss this in detail with you later.” Hou Tu laughed, “Seeing how anxious you are, go ahead. I’m not worried you won’t return.”

Wukong took back the Tianji Staff and rushed to the Jade Pure Palace in the Qingwei Heaven. Upon arriving, he found Xuan Nu there, discussing with Yuan Shi the matter of Buddha relocating the Stupa Tower. Wukong simply walked in without being noticed, and they continued their discussion as if nothing had happened.

Yuan Shi said, “You say that the Tathagata has connected the Stupa Tower with the Buddhist hell, which must mean he is transmitting the essence of creation. From this, it seems the Furnace of Creation must also be inside the Stupa Tower.”
Xuan Nu replied, “I have a vague sense of foreboding. If we don’t destroy the Stupa Tower immediately, we may soon be unable to control the Tathagata.”
“Oh? Why do you say so?”
Xuan Nu said, “Last time I saw the Tathagata, he was only at the level of Hunyuan Golden Immortal. This time, he has already reached the state of sainthood. His rapid progress must be related to the Stupa Tower. In the Buddhist hell, all the Bodhisattvas practice using the essence of creation. The Tathagata likely has also mastered this secret of cultivation. Given time, neither you nor I will be able to match him.”
Yuan Shi said, “There’s no need to rush. The essence of creation created by Pangu is already stable. If the Tathagata wants a large amount of it, he can only seize it from ordinary people on earth. If he continues to disrupt the balance of heaven and earth, I certainly won’t stand by idly!”
Xuan Nu shook her head and said, “Great Heavenly Venerable, you have lived high in the heavens for so long. How can you compare to me, who has been with the Tathagata for so long? The Tathagata is as cunning as an eagle, as ruthless as a wolf. He remains quiet like a virgin when restraining himself, but once he acts, he strikes with the force of thunder and lightning. If we don’t strike first, once he moves again, will we even have a chance?”
Jizang listened for a long time before saying, “Xuan Nu is right!”
Laojun said to Yuan Shi, “Senior brother, now is the perfect time to act! Even if we can’t destroy the Stupa Tower, we must destroy the Buddhist hell. In any case, we can’t let them continue to wreak havoc.”
Yuan Shi pondered for a while before saying, “There are countless deadly traps inside the Stupa Tower. Once the Furnace of Creation is activated, its consequences are uncertain. Therefore, I find it hard to decide on a plan right now.”
At first, Wukong felt his blood boil, eager for these experts to act immediately and destroy the Tathagata’s lair. But after much discussion, they still hesitated. So he stepped forward and said, “Since it’s hard to decide, let’s put it aside for now. Help me discuss the extremes of the Five Elements instead.”
“What, the extremes of the Five Elements?” Everyone was surprised upon hearing this. Only Xuan Nu said, “How? Even Hou Tu doesn’t know?”
Wukong replied, “It’s not that I don’t know. It’s just that this matter is of great significance, and I need to consult with all of you first.”
Xuan Nu said, “The extremes of the Five Elements are the essence of Pangu’s five internal organs. It’s difficult for me to discuss this with you. It’s better if you go and get it directly. That way, I won’t have to worry about it.”
Wukong was pleased, thinking that Xuan Nu approved of his plan.
But Jizang exclaimed, “What? That’s absolutely unacceptable! If Pangu dies, I don’t care what you do. But since Pangu is still alive, taking his internal organs directly—what if something goes wrong with the earth beneath our feet? Who can control that?”
Yuan Shi smiled bitterly and said, “Wukong, while this problem here remains unsolved, you’ve added another worry to your life.”

Wukong said, “Great Heavenly Venerable, there’s really nothing I can do. To forge the Heavenly Mechanism Staff, the extreme elements of the five elements are necessary. If there were another place in the world, why would I think of Pan Gu?”
Laojun laughed and said, “If you’re worried about harming Pan Gu, then just take a little bit—how about that?”
Wukong frowned and said, “I don’t even know how much of the extreme elements of the five elements are needed to forge the Heavenly Mechanism Staff.”
Everyone started talking at once, until Lingbao Daozun said, “Why go through such trouble? Just go and ask Pan Gu directly!”