Volume 4: The End of Cosmic Secrets Chapter 554: The Art of Creating Fate

Time stood utterly silent. Wukong knew he was inside a formation. Though he felt as if he were falling, it was merely an illusion created by the formation itself.

Back then, the Yin-Yang Divine Apes had used the Cosmic Art on the ninth layer of the Kunlun Immortal Island to obtain the thousand-zhang jade, and Wukong had seen it clearly. The Yin-Yang Divine Apes’ Cosmic Art froze time around the ninth layer, allowing only them to move while they could take whatever they wanted from the jade. It took them ten attempts to succeed.

But the time-freezing formation laid out by Buddha was far more sophisticated than the Yin-Yang Divine Apes’ method. Without beginning or end, without sky or sun, with nothing visible or audible—only utter silence. How could Wukong break free?

To break the time formation, the only technique Wukong knew was the Reverse Heaven and Sun Art, which he had used in the furnace to reverse time flow. Determined, he unleashed this art. If it worked, he might be able to return to before falling into the formation. Yet after using it, there was no reaction at all. Slightly surprised, Wukong wondered if he had been in the formation for too long, rendering a single attempt insufficient.

Since his internal energy was nearly infinite, he could try ten or eight more times. He tried over a dozen times still, but nothing changed. Suddenly, Wukong realized there was not a trace of cosmic energy in this formation!

Among the Thirty-Six Transformations of the Heavenly Stars, the first technique was “Manipulating Fate.” Could it be that these techniques only worked in places with cosmic energy? Since there was none here, it seemed Buddha had done this on purpose.

Since the Reverse Heaven and Sun Art failed, the only option left seemed to be the Cosmic Art. Wukong had never used it voluntarily, but since even the Yin-Yang Divine Apes in the Yin-Yang realm could use it easily, as a true sage, surely he could too.

The Cosmic Art was a mysterious state—forgetting the present and wandering through past and future, one could use powerful magic to reverse fate, for time itself was part of fate.

Wukong used the Cosmic Art to escape the formation and stand before Buddha and Laozi. Not only was Buddha shocked, but even Laozi could hardly believe it. Then Wukong remembered that the divine thoughts passed to him by the Master of Mount Mahasumera did not mention the Cosmic Art. Could it be the Master couldn’t use it?

Wukong asked Laozi, “What’s the matter? The Cosmic Art isn’t some heaven-defying spell. Why such surprise?”

Laozi studied Wukong carefully and said, “You are truly wise.”

Wukong nodded and asked, “So what?”

Lao Zhuang said, “Since it’s already spiritual and intelligent, then one cannot learn to master the power to transcend the universe.”
“What’s the reason for that?” Wukong asked in confusion.
Lao Zhuang replied, “In this world, there are two people who cannot learn to master that power—one is you, and the other is Fuxi.”
Wukong suddenly understood and said, “So it’s related to the second form.”
Lao Zhuang affirmed, “Exactly! Back then, when the Mountain Master perfected the second form, if he had learned that power, he could have broken through the heavens and traveled through the universe!” At these words, Lao Zhuang couldn’t help but look up, as if there was some treasure beyond the sky that captivated his heart.
“Break through the heavens?” Wukong was shocked. He thought that emerging from the furnace was the ultimate goal, never imagining that it was even possible to leave this sky! Buddha also showed a puzzled expression and asked, “Lao Zhuang, do you mean… it’s truly possible to go out?”
Lao Zhuang said, “I don’t know what’s beyond the sky, but it surely isn’t empty. Perhaps it’s another splendid world…”
Wukong asked, “Then why is there a conflict between mastering that power and having the second form?”
Lao Zhuang replied, “I’ve discussed this many times with the Mountain Master. After much speculation, we came to a conclusion: even if one wants to leave, they must still leave a root in this world.”
As Wukong listened, he realized how crucial this matter was to him. He wasn’t born here but had come from modern society. Now he already possessed both the power to transcend the universe and the second form. Since these were the conditions to leave this world, could he return to his original modern world?
Wukong’s voice trembled slightly as he asked, “Do these two forms have to be separated?”
Lao Zhuang nodded and said, “More or less!”
Overjoyed, Wukong involuntarily did a somersault. With the two forms separated, he finally saw hope of returning. But after calming down, he suddenly thought—Fuxi couldn’t master that power, yet he also had the second form. Did that mean Fuxi might also have the ability to leave this world if he united yin and yang?
The Yin-Yang Divine Ape was merely formed by Fuxi’s spiritual energy in the furnace, but Wukong saw yin and yang as independent entities with no connection to others. If yin and yang were taken by Fuxi… No! He must prevent that from happening.
At that moment, Buddha suddenly said, “Nonsense! The Mountain Master once said the sky has no ceiling and the earth has no end—there’s no way to leave at all.”
Lao Zhuang wasn’t offended and replied calmly, “The idea of roaming the heavens and living freely—your vision is too limited. You wouldn’t understand even if I explained.”

Tathagata smiled coldly and said, “What is the second form anyway? Once my Dao energy reaches perfection, all the sages in the world will become my avatars!”
Wukong seemed to remember then that the one before him was still a major enemy he urgently needed to defeat. Tathagata was the master of the Great Furnace; if he didn’t eliminate this enemy, the lives of all beings in the furnace would be at risk. Not only would he fail to fulfill Pangu’s trust, but he would also feel guilty.
Standing before Tathagata, Wukong glanced at the giant elephant beneath him and the wheel treasure before him, frowning slightly. The Wheel King? He was familiar with this name. It was said that the Wheel King possessed seven treasures, including the wheel treasure and the elephant treasure—things that Tathagata had actually managed to create?
Just then, Laozi and Zhuangzi suddenly transmitted a message: “The Words of Creation.”
The Words of Creation? What did that mean? After thinking for a moment, Wukong suddenly remembered that among the Dao teachings passed down to him by the master of Mount Mahamaya, there was an explanation related to the Words of Creation. However, those teachings were extremely complex, and he hadn’t had time to study them yet.
At that moment, Laozi and Zhuangzi stepped forward, pulled Wukong’s sleeve, and drew him back, then said to Tathagata, “The Theory of Beyond Heaven may seem like nonsense, but every realm in the universe operates just like the one we created, with its own unchanging rules.”
Wukong was puzzled. Why were Laozi and Zhuangzi bringing this up? Suddenly, he realized that they were trying to buy him time. Clearly, the Words of Creation must be an extremely powerful ability. Wukong reproached himself for being too hasty. If only he had understood the master’s teachings earlier—why rush at the last moment? So he focused his mind and began to study them.
Tathagata was also quite interested in the Theory of Beyond Heaven. Something that could draw such attention from Laozi and the master of Mount Mahamaya must be extraordinary. After some thought, he said, “Are you asking me to abandon everything I have now and cultivate the second form?”
Laozi shook his head. “Not at all. You have already mastered the Power of Beyond Heaven; you can no longer cultivate the second form.”
Tathagata asked, “Why is that?”
Laozi replied solemnly, “That is simply the rule of this realm.”
Tathagata pointed at Wukong and said, “Then how about him—” As he mentioned Wukong, Tathagata suddenly had an epiphany. He remembered something and became overjoyed.
Who was Wukong? He was the embodiment of the master of Mount Mahamaya’s Dao. The master had failed to master the Power of Beyond Heaven, but Wukong had succeeded. If they entered the Great Furnace together again and merged their Dao energies, Wukong would become the first person to possess both abilities simultaneously.
Tathagata currently possessed the Power of Beyond Heaven. So, if he poured his Dao energy into the furnace to let it cultivate the second form, and then merged with it after coming out, wouldn’t he achieve his goal?

The Tathagata remained calm on the surface but thought to himself that this matter must not be known by others. Yet Laozi and Zhuangzi saw through his thoughts at a glance and said, “You think your spiritual cultivation is as naturally gifted as clarity itself. Once the spiritual energy is separated, it is no longer under your control. Whether the second aspect can be achieved or not depends solely on fate.”

Hearing this, the Tathagata’s enthusiasm was greatly dampened. There were countless cultivators in the world, yet only two had succeeded in attaining the second aspect. Despite his own supreme cultivation, he still did not understand the profundity and mystery of this method. Annoyed, he said, “It would be best if it works. If not, I still have a way out!”

Laozi and Zhuangzi merely sneered in silence.

The Tathagata realized something and asked, “Why are you telling me these things?” Seeing Wukong’s indifferent expression, he grew suspicious. Laozi and Zhuangzi laughed and said, “As fellow cultivators, if we can find a way together, wouldn’t that bring joy to all? Why go to the trouble of killing and creating karma, thus displeasing fate?”

“Fate?” the Tathagata asked in surprise. “Fate is meant only for my use. It has no nature or spirit—what’s there to be displeased about?”

Laozi and Zhuangzi replied loudly, “Fate is supreme; it governs all beings and things. Its mysteries are beyond human comprehension. Do not speak disrespectfully of it.”

Wukong, meanwhile, was deeply pondering the mysteries of the “language of fate.” At first glance, he was utterly captivated. He had previously thought that all cultivators in the world—whether Buddhists, Taoists, immortals, or demons—had their own methods to protect themselves. These methods could be talismans, spells, formations, restrictions, or innate powers. But no matter what the means, they all shared one thing in common: mantras and incantations.

Wukong also knew that all supernatural powers stemmed from the workings of fate, but he had never understood the deepest principles behind these mantras. The concept of the “language of fate” explained the origin of mantras and incantations, giving Wukong a sudden sense of clarity.

No wonder the master of Mount Sumeru was so powerful—he had grasped the principles of fate. Among cultivators, the more their cultivation improved, the more control they had over fate. And any cultivator, no matter how humble, would eventually develop a sense of superiority, believing they were the masters of fate.

But the master of Mount Sumeru did not see it that way. The two words most frequently used in his spiritual concept were—“borrowing”! In this world, no matter how many millions or billions of years one lives, one is ultimately just a passerby. Everything one possesses, controls, or owns must eventually be returned to the world.

At the beginning of life, one has nothing; after death, nothing remains. All the striving and fighting in this life are merely temporary possessions. Who can take even a speck of dust with them when they die? Thus, “borrowing” is the most fitting term.