Volume 4: The End of Cosmic Secrets, Chapter 492: From the Beginning

Leaving heaven? Wukong was shocked. Leaving heaven—was it that easy? Something that even Tathagata couldn’t achieve after seven cosmic eras—could he and the Yin-Yang Divine Apes really do it?

If they could leave heaven, wouldn’t that mean leaving this great furnace? Then, in the next cosmic era, wouldn’t the seven divine apes no longer be able to gather together? If they could leave heaven, wouldn’t it imply they already possessed the ability to traverse the Gale Layer? Where did the Yin-Yang Divine Apes come from? Did that mean the Kunpeng might also exist beyond heaven? Thinking of the Kunpeng, Wukong felt confused. Both Pangu and Tathagata came from beyond heaven, yet the origin of the Kunpeng remained a mystery.

Leaving heaven… Just these two simple words could trigger countless chain reactions. But these thoughts flashed through Wukong’s mind in an instant. Of course, he wanted to leave heaven—driven by curiosity, anticipation, and excitement at finally uncovering the mystery.

Wukong calmed his emotions and said, “Then let’s search everywhere for elements of creation, first helping the Intelligent Divine Ape reach the Heavenly Saint realm.”

The Yin-Yang Divine Apes replied, “We’ll do our best.”

Only the two of them were worried. The Five-Element Divine Apes had greatly improved their cultivation and were already jumping around excitedly. Wukong glanced at the five of them—Wang Yu had lost his aloofness, Feng Tong forgot to be cautious, Wu Zhi Qi was no longer simple-minded, Tong Bi lost his silence. Although the Intelligent Divine Ape was slightly unhappy, reaching the peak of the Heavenly Saint realm so quickly was indeed a stroke of luck.

Noticing Wukong’s slightly surprised expression, the Yin-Yang Divine Apes said, “Those five are only as genuine in front of you and me.”

Wukong nodded, but a strange thought arose in his mind. The Yin-Yang Divine Apes protected, helped, and disciplined the Five-Element Divine Apes. More importantly, the five elements originated from the Yin and Yang. To use an inappropriate analogy, the Yin-Yang Divine Apes seemed like the parents of the Five-Element Divine Apes.

As for himself, the Five-Element Divine Apes seemed slightly fearful of the Yin and Yang but felt much more at ease in his presence—almost like a relationship between ancestors and descendants. Wukong couldn’t help but laugh at his own thoughts. He was still trying to define the Creative Divine Apes using mundane relationships—how trivial.

As they pondered where to find so much pure creative energy, Feng Tong hopped over and said, “I wonder if my master has succeeded in crafting the Creative Furnace?” Wukong was stunned. How foolish he was! Wasn’t the Creative Furnace the best artifact for absorbing creative energy? Why had he been struggling over this?

Hearing about the Creative Furnace, the Yin-Yang Divine Apes were also delighted. “With that, things will be much easier. But crafting the Creative Furnace isn’t that simple.”

They were about to go find Yuan Shi when a clear female voice came from outside the cave: “Have you finally left the cave?” It was Xuan Nu. Hearing Xuan Nu’s arrival, Wukong was overjoyed. Back then, Xuan Nu had replaced the Five Divine Apes to guard Yuan Shi. Since she had come here, it was highly likely that Yuan Shi had already crafted the Creation Furnace.

The Seven Divine Apes leaped out of the cave. Upon seeing these seven people, Xuan Nu felt dizzy. As for Yin and Yang, she had never been able to discern their cultivation levels before. As for Wukong, he was already at the Tian Sheng realm. And the Five Elements Divine Apes, who had once been Hun Yuan Jin Xian or even Tai Yi Jin Xian, were now almost all at the Tian Sheng realm. Was this the power of creation? She herself could barely be considered part of the creation lineage, but compared to the Seven Divine Apes, she truly seemed like an inferior existence.

It was the first time Xuan Nu had shown such an expression, and Wukong couldn’t help but smile inwardly. Xuan Nu steadied herself and said, “Wukong, Yin and Yang, follow me to Yuan Shi’s Yu Qing Palace.”

Yuan Shi’s Yu Qing Palace was also on Mount Wanshou. Lao Jun and Ling Bao had already reserved the highest peak for it. When the three arrived at Mount Wanshou, they found Yu Qing Palace as deserted as before. Clearly, Yuan Shi had hastily set up this palace without even assigning any attendants at the entrance—some urgent matter must have prompted this.

Inside Yu Qing Palace, they saw Yuan Shi placing the Creation Furnace on the desk and standing beside it, gazing at it intently for a long time, clearly lost in thought.

Xuan Nu asked, “What are you still looking at?”

When the three entered, Yuan Shi acted as if they weren’t there. He waved his hand to silence Xuan Nu and continued to stare at the Creation Furnace. Realizing that this was a crucial moment for enlightenment, the three waited quietly aside.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Yuan Shi let out a long sigh and nodded with a smile.

Xuan Nu asked, “What kind of mysticism is this?”

Yuan Shi replied, “Sister, what brings you here?” He glanced at Wukong and Yin and Yang, his gaze immediately fixing on them. His expression was similar to Xuan Nu’s—clearly, he was extremely shocked.

Xuan Nu said, “If there were no reason, why would I come to find you? I want to ask you—after studying the thousands of formations in the Creation Furnace, have you gained anything?”

Yuan Shi said, “Of course. None of the formations in the Creation Furnace are ordinary. Even grand cosmic formations are not rare. After studying them for over three hundred years, I can say that—”

Xuan Nu waved her hand to stop him from boasting and asked, “Do you know the formations on the Pillar Supporting the Heavens?”

Yuan Shi was stunned for a moment before laughing heartily. “It seems we’ve thought of the same thing. I left Yu Qing Palace and went to Qingqiu Mountain in the east to verify it. The formations on Qingqiu Mountain share a striking similarity with some of the formations in the Creation Furnace.”

Wukong thought for a moment and was delighted again. “Could it be that we need to seal off the source of anti-creation?”

Xuan Nu said, “You’re truly astute—how did you figure that out so quickly?”
Wukong replied, “If we can prevent Tathagata from forging his Great Sun Tathagata body, that would truly leave him with no way out.”
Yin Yang added, “If all the Five Elements Divine Apes reach the level of Heavenly Saints, they won’t fear the Great Sun Tathagata. But if things really reach that point, this great battle might bring about a transformation of the heavens and earth and sufferings for all living beings. The method of the Primordial Heavenly Venerable is still better.”
Xuan Nu asked the Primordial One, “How confident are you?”
The Primordial One said, “Right now, only about 50-60%. I still need to explore further. This matter cannot afford any mistakes.”
Xuan Nu pondered for a moment before making a decision. She said, “In that case, let’s divide our efforts. If you need anything while studying the formation, just let me know.” She then turned to Wukong and said, “It’s up to you to gather the forces of creation to help the intelligent divine apes overcome obstacles.”
Yin Yang said, “I’ll go.”
Xuan Nu was slightly surprised—why not let Wukong go? But there must be a reason behind Yin Yang’s choice. She suspected that Yin Yang might have already broken through the barriers of heaven and earth, and there were many things she still needed to learn from him.
Wukong said, “Good. Using both methods ensures we’re prepared for anything.”
Xuan Nu said to Yin Yang, “I’m going to Qi Tian Ling actually to find you.”
Yin Yang nodded and said, “I know what you want to ask, but what I know might disappoint you.”
Xuan Nu asked, “Where have you been all these years? You still remember, right?”
Yin Yang instinctively looked upward, his gaze piercing through the roof of the Jade Pure Palace. He said, “The place I’m from isn’t this world, but it’s not that I’ve escaped either.”
The three of them were confused—what did that mean?
Yin Yang continued, “It seems to be on the edge of this world. I have a premonition that I might be able to take another step and break free from that confinement, but the Kunpeng won’t allow it.”
Wukong thought for a moment and asked, “The Kunpeng won’t allow it? Does he want you and me to go together?”
Yin Yang replied, “Exactly!”
Xuan Nu asked, “Is there any force that can reverse creation there?”
Yin Yang said, “Yes.”
Xuan Nu then asked, “Where is the Kunpeng now?”
Yin Yang shook his head. “He was still there when I left, but I don’t know where he is now.”
Wukong asked, “Did the Kunpeng say anything else to you? Do you know his origin?”
Yin Yang replied, “I don’t.”
Xuan Nu nodded and said, “That’s enough. It seems that the force to reverse creation indeed comes from beyond the heavens. Since that’s the case, sealing the Pillar-Piercing Jade Formation is the right move. If the Great Sun Tathagata appears in the world, great disaster will surely follow. We must stop him.”
Wukong said, “Of course. Then let’s split up and act!”

The two bid farewell to Xuan Nu and Yuan Shi. Wukong said to Yin Yang Dao, “I’ll go to Laojun first to get some elixirs, then to Zhen Wu, Zi Wei, Maitreya, Guanyin, Dayu…” Before he could finish, Xuan Nu rushed out from the Jade Pure Palace and said, “Wukong, I almost forgot something.” Wukong asked, “What important matter?” Xuan Nu replied, “It’s not really that important. It’s just that while you were in seclusion, Guanyin came to Qi Tian Ling. Her daughter, the Dragon Maiden, wants to see you.” Wukong was both surprised and delighted—the Dragon Maiden wanted to see him? This was the first time such a thing had happened since the creation of the world. Surely she had many things to say to him. Wukong said, “I’ll go right away!” Yin Yang Dao said, “Let me handle gathering the elements of creation. You go ahead.” Anxious, Wukong leaped in a somersault to Mount Luojia on Spirit Mountain. From afar, Guanyin saw him and said to the Dragon Maiden, “He’s here.” The Dragon Maiden nodded slightly but frowned and said, “I don’t know if what I say will be useful.” Guanyin replied, “I don’t know what you want to say.” The Dragon Maiden sighed and said, “Just act according to your heart.” She slowly walked down from the platform and headed toward Wukong. Wukong climbed the steps and, when he reached the top, stood face to face with her, just a few inches apart. The Dragon Maiden asked, “You came when I called you?” Wukong nodded. She then said, “If there’s coming, there’s also going. I called you—will you go?” Wukong blurted out, “Where?” The Dragon Maiden replied, “The Buddhist scriptures say, ‘From the beginningless.’ That means there is no start, no end—through endless lifetimes, there is no coming or going, no beginning or end.” Wukong pondered the meaning of her words—“no coming or going, no beginning or end.” What did that mean? “Do you know about the calamity of the Primordial Era? Do you know about the cycle of heaven and earth?” Wukong thought he had found the answer. The Dragon Maiden shook her head and said, “I wouldn’t know about those great matters you mention. I’m only talking about you.” About me? That I have no coming or going, no beginning or end? Of course I know where I came from, but how I came here cannot be told to outsiders. As for where I’ll go, I naturally don’t know. No beginning or end? No start, no end—those words are too mysterious and nonsensical. How could I guess?” Wukong struggled for a long time but still couldn’t understand what the Dragon Maiden meant. She then said, “You are Nagarjuna.” Wukong nodded. This was the first time the Dragon Maiden had directly mentioned his past life’s identity. “I know your past life, but not your present one. You must seek it yourself.” Wukong asked, “Where should I look?”

The Dragon Girl said, “Longshu traveled throughout the four great continents to spread Buddhism. He gained much in return. Perhaps that is what you desire as well.”
“What did Longshu find?” As he asked this, Wukong felt extremely depressed. Among the Divine Apes, his cultivation level was nearly the highest, yet only he could not remember anything about his past life. He even wondered if it was because of his identity upon arriving here that everything that should have come had not arrived.