Volume 4: The Revelation Revealed Chapter 448: Exploring the Back Garden

There were still many obstacles from the outer wall of the Jade Pool to the back garden, but the Jade Emperor and Empress only possessed the cultivation level of Hunyuan Jinxian, so they naturally could not see Wukong’s movements. Wukong passed through the walls one after another and arrived at the back garden in no time.

He examined them one by one. Among those over a hundred immortals, none seemed particularly formidable, and those few sages were only at the beginning stage of sainthood. Wukong thought he had nothing to fear from them.

After mastering the Five Elements, Wukong found it even easier to use his invisibility technique. Few things in the world could escape the control of the Five Elements, and applying the ability to transform between them to his movement techniques was indeed the highest level of concealment art.

Looking at the immortals outside the back garden’s wall, Wukong faced a dilemma—how could he enter without being noticed? Although his invisibility technique was extremely sophisticated, it worked fine from a distance. But up close, it was inevitable that someone would detect fluctuations in his magical energy.

Wukong racked his brains for a solution, repeatedly using the Xuan Kong Fa Secret to scan the garden in search of flaws.

He didn’t know how many arrays were set up in this garden. With the treasure of the Tianji Stick in his possession—whereas “beyond the secrets of heaven, there is nothing mysterious”—what was there to fear about arrays?

But just then, one of the immortals, who seemed to have only the cultivation level of Hunyuan Jinxian, moved. He slowly reached into his bosom, took out a pill, swallowed it, and then continued practicing without any change.

To Wukong, this small action was like a thunderbolt. At the moment that Hunyuan Jinxian moved, the fluctuations in his magical energy carried the aura of a sage.

Wukong was sure he hadn’t mistaken himself. This array also had a deceptive function—its inhabitants’ cultivation levels were perfectly concealed. If it weren’t for his skill with the Xuan Kong Fa Secret, and if that Hunyuan Jinxian hadn’t moved at that exact moment, he might have rushed in carelessly.

Even if only 30% of these hundred people were sages, he would have had no chance of escaping. What a clever trap to lure enemies!

Since he had spotted the flaw, Wukong naturally wouldn’t act rashly. He steadied his mind and continued to observe. One day in the Heavenly Court equaled one year on earth, and Wukong knew this. But at that moment, he couldn’t afford to worry about such things. He stayed in the Jade Pool for two full days.

During these two days, all the Hunyuan Jinxian moved once or twice. Wukong knew exactly each person’s cultivation level. Of the 103 people, 31 had reached the state of sainthood, while the remaining 72 were at the peak of Hunyuan Jinxian, on the verge of attaining sainthood. Seeing everyone gathered in a circle with five empty spots, Wukong realized these must be the positions reserved for the Five Elders of Taoism. With these five added, the total number of those who had reached sainthood would be 36, matching the number of the Heavenly Gang; the 72 Hunyuan Jinxian would then correspond to the number of the Earthly Fiends.

Wukong was secretly astonished. The Heavenly Court truly hid its secrets well—this faction had never revealed itself to the world, remaining inactive no matter what grievances or mistreatments they endured outside. While admiring the patience of the Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother, Wukong also wondered inwardly: How could anyone with great ambitions tolerate such humiliation?

After counting the people, Wukong naturally gave up the idea of entering the garden to steal the peaches. The peach tree had dense branches and leaves, and through them, he could see three large peaches hanging on the branches, but he could only gaze at them from afar, filled with longing.

At that moment, Wukong suddenly remembered something. He had obtained peaches from Laojun, a few more from Ran Deng, and some from Xuan Nu. Adding these to the three on the tree, he already had more than seven peaches.

The peach tree only bore seven peaches every ten thousand years. Could it be that the peaches given to him by Laojun or Ran Deng were part of that batch? If so, had the previous peaches been hidden by the Queen Mother?

Initially, seeing the peach tree so heavily guarded, Wukong felt somewhat disheartened, but now a glimmer of hope arose in him. If there were any remaining peaches, they must be hidden in a very secret place by the Queen Mother.

Sigh, if they were hidden, it would be on her person—such a precious item would never be left elsewhere. After thinking it over, Wukong gave up the idea of robbing the Queen Mother. Feeling slightly disappointed, he decided to leave the Jade Pool.

Just then, he suddenly noticed movement on the peach tree. Wukong quickly focused his gaze and saw a figure standing on the tree. The person wore a bright yellow robe, was tall and thin like a bamboo pole, with a yellow horn half a foot long growing from his head.

As soon as this figure appeared, all the immortals around him knelt down and called out, “Great Immortal Yellow Horn!”

Great Immortal Yellow Horn? Could it be the Central Yellow Extreme Great Immortal Yellow Horn?

Wukong was stunned. Among the Five Elders of the Five Directions, there indeed was such a figure. But in “Journey to the West,” Wukong remembered that this person had also attended the Peach Banquet. He never expected to meet him here.

Seeing this man’s cultivation level, Wukong was truly terrified. This Yellow-Horned Immortal was so formidable—although they were far apart, his strength seemed no less than that of the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden. Wukong didn’t dare move at all, fearing the Yellow-Horned Immortal might notice him. Then the Yellow-Horned Immortal asked, “How many days have the Five Elders been away?” Someone replied, “Nearly two days.” After asking just that, he vanished again, hiding somewhere among the Peach Tree. Wukong searched for a long time but couldn’t find him, wondering in amazement how the Yellow-Horned Immortal could evade the secrets of the Mysterious Sky Art. Seeing that the Yellow-Horned Immortal remained motionless, Wukong cautiously left the Jade Pool. The Jade Emperor had already left at some point, leaving only the Queen Mother sitting alone in the hall with her eyes closed—whether in meditation or dozing, it was unclear. Upon seeing the Yellow-Horned Immortal, Wukong dared not cause trouble in the Jade Pool any further, inwardly cursing that stealing the peaches had become even more difficult. Yet discovering the hidden strength in the Heavenly Court wasn’t entirely in vain. He was also puzzled by the long absence of the Five Elders of Taoism—after all, one day in heaven equaled a year on earth; surely the Five Elders hadn’t been killed by Ksitigarbha or Guanyin. He left the Thirty-Six Heavens and rushed toward Mount Luojia at lightning speed. Before reaching it, he saw that the top of the mountain had completely changed. Where Guanyin’s lotus throne used to be, there now stood a Taoist temple with three large characters inscribed: “Five Elders Temple.” Wukong’s heart sank—had Guanyin’s Mount Luojia been taken over by the Five Elders of Taoism? If so, it meant Ksitigarbha and the others had been defeated! He searched the Ten Continents and Three Islands but found no trace of Guanyin, the Dragon Maiden, Maitreya, or anyone else. Changing his plans, he flew toward Mount Ling. Anxious and restless, Wukong was furious that Guanyin’s Mount Luojia had been taken. Given her nature, if she had any means to fight back, she would never allow others to set foot there. Wukong moved swiftly; just after passing Lion Camel Ridge, he saw two figures fighting fiercely in the sky. One was an old Taoist in a red robe, wielding a beam of multicolored light—none other than the True Elder Danling among the Five Elders of Taoism. The other was none other than Guanyin Bodhisattva. Seeing that Guanyin was unharmed, Wukong was overjoyed. Ignoring the risk of exposing himself, he picked up his Heavenly Fate Staff and rushed to join the battle. When the True Elder Danling saw Wukong approaching, he showed no fear and sent a beam of multicolored light at him. Wukong raised his staff to block it, and the light penetrated straight into it. With a quick sense, Wukong realized that this light was also a form of creative energy, merely disguised. Since it was creative energy, it wasn’t truly terrifying. Seeing that the light couldn’t harm Wukong, the True Elder Danling exclaimed in shock, “Who are you?” Wukong ignored him and turned to Guanyin, asking, “Great Goddess Guanyin, why have you abandoned Mount Luojia?”

Guanyin smiled and said, “It’s just a small island—what’s the need?” Luojia Mountain embodied Guanyin’s countless efforts; she had lived there for tens of thousands of years. Now that her cultivation level had improved, her mind was free from distractions. More importantly, since only Guanyin resided on Luojia Mountain and it was so close to Kunlun Immortal Island, it was impossible to defend against the interference of the Five Elders of Taoism. She might be fine, but the Dragon Maid, Mu Zha, and others on the island couldn’t match the Taoists. Thus, after that battle, Guanyin decisively moved Luojia Mountain to Ling Mountain.

Wukong asked, “Why did the fight start here?”

Guanyin snorted and said, “These five demons were resentful that we took the treasures from the Ten Continents and Three Islands, so they tried to destroy mortal kingdoms to vent their anger. How could I allow that?” “Ah!” Wukong was shocked—Taoism had even come up with such a tactic. This wasn’t just about venting anger; it was outright persecution of mortals, no different from the disasters in Benbo Country back then.

Wukong asked, “Where are those four demon cultivators?”

Guanyin replied, “Ksitigarbha and Maitreya are searching for them. We keep patrolling the earth constantly—we can’t let them succeed.” Seeing Guanyin’s righteous expression yet also signs of fatigue, Wukong silently admired her. Over the past two years, Guanyin and Maitreya must have traveled countless distances—this truly reflected the kindness of a true Buddha!

Upon seeing Danling Zhenlao again, Wukong’s hatred surged. Destroying mortals was an unforgivable crime. In the eyes of the Divine Ape, nothing was worse than such acts.

Wukong used a movement technique to appear in front of Danling Zhenlao and unleashed his Qi Tian Gun technique, attacking mercilessly. Danling Zhenlao knew that the five-colored glow couldn’t harm Wukong, and he didn’t understand how he had angered this mad monkey. He took a branch from the Peach Tree and, with his magic, made countless green leaves grow on it. With a shake of his hand, the leaves flew like blades across the sky, aiming at Wukong.

Wukong saw clearly that these leaves were also imbued with the magic of the mother tree, which in turn came from Pangu’s essence. Since they shared the same source of magic, how could Wukong fear them? He swung his Tianji Gun—gold could overcome wood—and shattered those leaves. Seeing the branch in Danling Zhenlao’s hand, Wukong grew even angrier. The Peach Tree, just like Pangu’s body, was broken by the heavens to be used as a weapon—how hateful!

Wukong secretly channeled his magic, making his Tianji Gun move like a flexible whip, combining hardness and softness as it wrapped around Danling Zhenlao. With nowhere to escape, Danling Zhenlao tried to use the branch to defend himself, but it was instantly entangled by the gun.

Wukong sent his mind out and was pleased. He then silently exerted his mystic power, causing the thick branch to wither and turn yellow in an instant before shattering into powder that scattered everywhere.

Dan Ling was utterly shocked. He knew the origin of this peach tree branch—it had always been invincible and unbreakable. How could it be destroyed in just one move by this monkey? Even more astonished, he asked, “Who are you?” Wukong did not answer. After absorbing the essence of the peach tree branch, he felt an overwhelming surge of strength and charged at his enemies like a madman. He knew that if he did not kill these five Taoist elders, it would be the ordinary people of the world who would suffer! There was no room for mercy at this moment.