Volume 4: The Revelation of All Secrets Chapter 415: First Display of Power

The Phoenix said it knew the secret to breaking through the Tianyan Jade Pillar’s combat technique, which naturally delighted Wukong. If so, the next major task would be to capture Xiangliu.
Wukong asked, “Elder, where shall we wait for Xiangliu?”
The Phoenix replied, “Although the plan is set, we must not rush. Though Xiangliu often practices there, it’s normal not to go for a year or so. This requires great patience.”
Wukong nodded. Most things in the world are easy to understand but difficult to accomplish. Xiangliu, being a disciple of Bodhisattva Nili, was also a key figure—there was no way he could be captured so easily.
Wukong said, “In that case, I’ll go handle one thing first before capturing Xiangliu.”
Yuan Shi said calmly, “There are still tens of thousands of years left before the calamity of Huiyuan. There’s no need to rush.”
Xuan Nu glanced at Yuan Shi, hesitating to speak.
So Wukong, along with Hou Tu, Qilin, and others, bid farewell to Xuan Nu, the Three Pure Ones, Zhenwu, and Ksitigarbha, and returned to Qitian Ridge with the Phoenix.
Upon arriving at Qitian Ridge, the Great Peng came to greet them from afar. Unexpectedly, the Phoenix showed no sign of joy upon seeing the Great Peng, acting as if it didn’t notice him at all. The Great Peng didn’t seem too concerned either and simply followed closely behind the Phoenix.
Seeing the Great Peng act like a scolded child, Wukong couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s rare to see Third Brother like this.” The Great Peng glared at Wukong but remained silent.
At that moment, Qilin said to the Phoenix, “You haven’t seen the Great Peng in years. Why don’t you say even a word?” The Phoenix looked at Qilin and replied indifferently, “Is it your business to interfere in my family matters?”
Qilin’s eyes widened, ready to explode in anger. Wukong pulled him back. Looking at the Great Peng again, his gaze turned gloomy, his eyelids drooping—clearly saddened. Wukong was also puzzled. Even if the Phoenix’s upbringing was strict, it wasn’t right to treat one’s own son like a stranger.
Upon reaching Qitian Ridge, the Gods of Metal, Wood, Fire, and Wu Zhiqi had been waiting for a long time. During Wukong’s absence, Zhu Rong had been talking nonstop about the Five Elements, his face filled with excitement. Upon seeing Wukong return, he leaped to his side, hugged his arm, and shook it, asking, “Where did you go? Where did you go?”
Wukong smiled bitterly. “Sis, calm down!”
Hou Tu glared at Zhu Rong and asked, “What are you doing?”
Zhu Rong stuck out his tongue and said, “Only Sister Hou Tu can stay calm. Hmph! Whatever happens, I’ll still get that Fire Element!”
Suddenly, the Phoenix turned around and asked, “Fire Element? You’ve actually found it?”
Wukong nodded. “That’s right!”
The Phoenix sighed. “I once wished to obtain it too. It seems fate doesn’t favor me after all.”

Wukong asked, “I wonder how much the elder requires?” He knew that the elements were extremely precious; if Pangu refused to give them, probably no one in the world could obtain them. Using even a little would reduce their supply, leaving none left. But the Phoenix had a special status—being the father of the Great Peng and also providing great assistance to their side. If he asked for little, giving him just a tiny amount wouldn’t hurt.

The Phoenix smiled faintly and said, “How could I covet what you have?”

Hou Tu sighed and said to Zhu Rong, “Such narrow-mindedness.”

Zhu Rong glared at Hou Tu and said, “Hmph, Wukong is my brother. What’s the problem?”

Seeing that Zhu Rong seemed ready to lose his temper, Wukong secretly pinched him. Zhu Rong smiled and said, “If I could beat this woman, I would have already done so.”

Hou Tu gave Zhu Rong a disdainful look and said, “At least you know when to back off.”

Zhu Rong clung to Hou Tu again, coquettishly saying, “Sister, we all share the same thoughts. Why pretend to be so pure?”

Dayu had arrived somehow and laughed, “What thoughts are those?”

Seeing Dayu, Zhu Rong immediately changed his expression, pressing his lips together and staying silent.

The Qilin said, “If you want to refine weapons, it can be done at Qitian Ridge. How about me and the Phoenix protecting you?”

Wukong nodded. The Tianji Stick ranked second in the “Weapon Canon.” Once refined, who knew what strange phenomena might arise. So hiding to refine it might not be the safest plan; it would be better to do it openly and get more people to protect them.

Hou Tu said, “I’ll find you a good place.” She pointed to a peak and said, “Although that peak isn’t the main peak of Qitian Ridge, the spiritual energy of this ridge converges here. Refining weapons at its base couldn’t be better.”

Hou Tu rose and flew toward that peak, with Wukong and the others following.

In just a short while, Hou Tu cleared a path—a slanted tunnel leading deep underground. They followed in and flew for dozens of miles, only to find a stone chamber a hundred zhang in diameter. After landing, Hou Tu waved her hand, and the tunnel immediately closed back to its original state.

Wukong praised, “Sister, you’re truly skilled.”

Ignoring Wukong’s praise, Hou Tu said, “I wonder if it’s big enough.” She cast another spell, expanding the stone chamber to a thousand zhang before feeling satisfied.

Dayu suddenly said, “I forgot one thing. No one has ever refined the Tianji Stick before. We don’t know how much time it will take. If it takes a thousand years, that would be a problem.”

Hou Tu smiled and said, “That’s easy. Just create a new realm.”

Dayu shook his head and said, “Everyone here must participate in refining the weapon. How can we dare to divert our attention to controlling a realm?”

Wukong thought for a moment and said, “There’s no other choice but to summon King Ksitigarbha for help.” Wukong remembered that Ksitigarbha had said he could be called wherever there was land. So Wukong shouted, “Bodhisattva King Ksitigarbha, Divine Beast Diti, could you lend me a hand?”
The others looked at each other in confusion—would this really work? Only Hou Tu said, “You all belong to the same lineage of creation; Diti should be able to hear you.”
In just a moment, Ksitigarbha’s voice came from all directions, asking, “What should I do?”
Wukong rejoiced, “Thank you, King Ksitigarbha. Today we need to forge the Tianji Stick. I’m afraid it will take too much time, so I ask you to create a realm to help us succeed sooner.”
King Ksitigarbha remained silent for a while before saying, “The realm is created.”
Wukong said happily, “Great.” He took out the Five Elements Essences from his bosom. Five bright stones hung in the air, capturing everyone’s attention. Wukong saw a fierce glow in everyone’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant as they returned to their normal expressions. Wukong thought to himself that greed was human nature, and it was truly not easy to remain so rational.
Dayu took out the Xirang Furnace and said, “If the Tianji Stick is to be of the desired size, it must still be forged in the Xirang Furnace.”
Wukong said, “I’m really an amateur when it comes to forging weapons. I’ve only heard that to forge the Tianji Stick, one needs earth as the foundation, wood as the guide, fire as the medium, water as the finish, along with the essence of creation—then the golden essence will be formed.” With that, Wukong took out the Tianji Stick and placed it in the Xirang Furnace.
Hou Tu pondered for a long time, showing extreme caution. After much thought, she took the Earth Essence in her hands and stroked it for a while. Suddenly, she widened her eyes and said, “Hurry and hold these stones!”
Zhu Rong and Jumang also reached out to grab the Five Elements Essences and held them, feeling them carefully. Hou Tu said, “To forge a weapon, one must first understand the nature of the five elements. This Earth Essence is the essence of all earth. I need to merge my spiritual energy with it without any obstacles before I can start forging. You must feel the same way.”
After saying that, Hou Tu ignored the others, sat cross-legged on the ground, held the Earth Essence, and closed her eyes in meditation. The other four followed suit, leaving only Wukong and Dayu looking at each other helplessly. After a while, Dayu transmitted a message, “I don’t know how long they’ll sit like this.”
Wukong thought for a moment and also sat down to meditate. Only Dayu stood there in his green robes, staring intently at the Xirang Furnace spinning slowly in the air.
On the peaks, the Qilin and the Phoenix sat facing each other, while the Great Peng stood quietly beside the Phoenix. His excited emotions still hadn’t settled, along with a hint of undeniable disappointment.

That day, Zhenwu and the Phoenix arrived at Qitian Ridge, filling the Great Peng with extreme joy. He had only two loved ones in the world: the Phoenix and the Peacock. He knew the Peacock was under Buddha’s imprisonment, and he always believed the Phoenix had also fallen into Buddha’s trap, unable to act freely. In his heart, his father was the greatest being in the world—certainly not a villain.

When the Phoenix saw the Great Peng, his expression didn’t change at all, which naturally disappointed the Great Peng. But he knew his father was someone who accomplished great things. Sure enough, the Phoenix, along with the Qilin and Zhenwu, went into the cave to talk for a long time, while the Great Peng waited outside.

Finally, the three of them came out and flew straight up into the sky without stopping. The Great Peng wanted to follow, but the Phoenix turned and glared at him, causing him to halt immediately. After a while, the Phoenix turned back, and the Great Peng was overjoyed. He could sense that his father wouldn’t leave this time. Although his father ignored him, the Great Peng felt that bond of blood—no one in the world was closer to him than this.

Well, it didn’t matter if he said nothing or did nothing. As long as he could stay by his side, he would feel at peace. What more could he ask for?

The three of them stood motionless on the peak, like three statues. Suddenly, the Phoenix stood up and looked westward. The Qilin followed, muttering, “Faster than me?”

The Great Peng quickly looked west and saw clouds filled with auspiciousness, carrying dozens of Buddha figures in gray robes who arrived in an instant. He didn’t recognize any of them; they were all strangers.

Without a word, battle ensued.

Seeing that these Buddhas were highly skilled, the Phoenix grabbed the Great Peng and threw him behind him. The Great Peng smiled bitterly, but a profound sense of happiness spread through his body. His father cared about him!

Using the momentum from the throw, the Phoenix rushed forward, flashed twice, and reached one of the Buddhas. With a wave of his right arm, a rainbow-colored feathered fan appeared. The Buddha tried to block it, his golden body shining, his arms as thick as wheels. A look of disdain flashed in the Phoenix’s eyes, and his wings solidified instantly, covering the Buddha completely.

What golden divine body could compare to these wings? It paled instantly. The Buddha’s bald head was almost crushed into his skull. Though not killed, he fell from the clouds, unable to fight again.

Seeing the Phoenix’s fierce determination, the Qilin, filled with fighting spirit, immediately transformed into his true form and charged into the enemy ranks, fighting everywhere. Dozens of them surrounded the Qilin and the Phoenix in the center, while the remaining twenty or so rushed toward the base of the peak.

Only to hear a sharp shout from another peak: “Be careful!” Immediately afterward, countless arrows shot through the air, blocking their path just in time.