Volume One discusses the art of iron smelting, covering tens of thousands of words yet its usefulness remains unclear. Volume Two, also tens of thousands of words long, focuses on the techniques of cultivating energy and qi, perfectly matching the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Rod. Volume Three finally addresses combat techniques—still without any specific moves, but rather explains the principles of staff usage and the essence of controlling the staff, advocating a fighting style where no move is necessary.
When Wukong arrived at the Water Curtain Cave, he devoted himself to studying it obsessively. Thanks to his innate wisdom and extraordinary fortune, he managed to combine these two unique treasures, one from heaven and the other from earth.
Indeed, by using the techniques described to wield the Sea-Stabilizing Divine Rod, Wukong immediately noticed a difference—the weapon became as responsive as his own arm, granting him the power of unity between himself and his weapon. He practiced diligently for four months until he reached mastery. By then, his martial skills had not only doubled but his strength when using the staff had also greatly increased.
One day, Wukong returned to the bookstore with another thick book. The shopkeeper, recognizing the old man from four months earlier, was overjoyed. His small bookstore made meager profits, so the earnings from that sale alone were more than half of what he usually made in half a year—how could he not be happy?
The shopkeeper went up to greet him from afar, and Wukong repeated his previous request, asking the clerk to read the thick book slowly for him. The book was titled “The Treasury of Wonders,” detailing ancient treasures and immortal artifacts from ancient times; its origin was unknown.
The young clerk, being an ordinary mortal, knew nothing about these techniques. He grew drowsy as he read, so Wukong gave him a silver ingot to keep him alert.
Wukong listened to the book for two days, growing increasingly astonished. Items like the Purple Gold Red Gourd, the Sheep Fat Jade Pure Vessel, the Vajra Chisel, the Banana Fan, and the Golden Pagoda were all listed within it. At the top was the Pangu Axe, which was not mentioned in the Journey to the West, likely having been lost to history.
To Wukong’s disappointment, the Ruyi Jingu Bang was only ranked 81st, behind Erlang Shen’s Three-Pointed Dual-Bladed Sword and Hong Hai’s Fire-Pointed Spear. Even more puzzling was the fact that the Nine-Ring Tin Staff given to Tang Seng by Guanyin was ranked in the teens—this item seemed utterly useless throughout the entire story, which was truly strange.
Wukong patiently listened for two days, jotting down all the magical artifacts described in the book, before returning to Flower-Fruit Mountain.
The next morning, Wukong gathered the Four Great Marshals and the 72 Demon Kings of the Caves, informing them that he was going on a journey across the lands to meet great heroes, and that Flower-Fruit Mountain needed to be well guarded.
Wukong used his supernatural powers to impart a secret technique to the Four Great Marshals. If any formidable enemies attacked, they could use this technique, allowing him to return instantly.
With Wukong’s support, the Four Great Marshals became very confident. They led their subordinates and pledged to protect every inch of Flower-Fruit Mountain.
Seeing that he had nothing to worry about, Wukong let out a loud howl, then rode on the auspicious clouds and set off to roam the world at will.
In a certain area of Xiniuhexiu, amidst vast mountains and lush forests, there was a man and a woman in a pitiful state, covered in blood, hiding in dense bushes. Both of them were extremely handsome, clearly not ordinary people. The man said, “Yuer, if this is the case, we’re not lucky today. I’ll go and distract the heavenly soldiers.” The woman, with her delicate face gaunt from worry, urgently replied, “No! We’ve been together for a thousand years—don’t you still understand my feelings?” The man resolutely said, “Everything can be done as you wish, but for the sake of the child in your womb, I must do as I say!” Hearing the word “child,” the woman burst into tears but still clung tightly to the man’s clothes. The man said, “If there’s an afterlife, we’ll be together again. I’ll never become a demon again.” The woman nodded, “Even if we become ordinary foxes and live for just ten or twenty years in peace, that would be enough.” At that moment, thunder roared in the sky, and more than a dozen heavenly soldiers appeared out of nowhere. The leader laughed maniacally, “You demons still have the nerve to talk about love! Hand over your lives!” The couple’s faces turned pale; they were utterly despondent. The man spat out a golden inner core and said firmly, “Yuer, listen to me once. When the core explodes, use earth magic to escape and take good care of… take good care of the child.” Yuer cried until she was almost unconscious, nodding faintly. Then the man leaped into the air and shouted, “We’re here to practice in peace—what does it matter to you? Why do you persist in hunting us relentlessly?” The leading heavenly soldier sneered, “How can demons exist in this world? You brutes of the mountains deserve to die without even a proper burial!” The man laughed bitterly, “Very well. If that’s the case, come then!”