The dilapidated courtyard was engulfed in flames, reaching for the sky. Zhong Yuan, immersed in the study of his staff technique, noticed a small wolf appearing within the inferno.
It was a young wolf demon, filled with an envy for humanity, yearning to become human.
Other scenes unfolded around the wolf demon.
He often transformed into a human form and went to the town to play, but he was always recognized and chased by people. He asked other demon kin for the reason, and they all said: “You may look like a human, but you lack the human touch, so you are easily identified. If you want to learn to be human, you should immerse yourself among them, interact with them, and learn their manners and customs.”
He believed them and went to seek permission from his king. His king, Ling Xu Zi, was close friends with the Black Bear Demon of the mountain. The Black Bear Demon turned him into a young monk and recommended him to the Jin Chi Elder, who was meditating on Zen principles, to be his disciple.
At first, the monks in the temple disliked him and often played tricks on him, but he always remained quiet, falling for their schemes.
The old monk gave him the Dharma name Guang Zhi, hoping he would be clever and sharp, no longer bullied by his fellow monks.
Under the old monk’s care and guidance, Guang Zhi truly learned to read and write, the rules and regulations of the monastic life, and slowly integrated with the monks.
On this particular day, Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong arrived at the Guanyin Zen Monastery. The old monk saw the cassocks they brought and desperately wanted them. Guang Zhi, wanting to repay the old monk for his kindness, started to carefully plan.
Guang Zhi never anticipated that his single act would result in the flames engulfing his familiar monastery. Afterwards, the old monk committed suicide, Ling Xu Zi died under the Golden Cudgel, and even the Black Bear Demon surrendered to the South Sea.
He deeply understood that he had implicated many people, believing that his attempt to become human was a complete failure. He abandoned his monk identity and returned to the mountains, diligently reflecting on the Buddhist teachings he had learned from the old monk.
"Stop the fire, stop the fire, it's all my fault, just burn me."
In the midst of the flames, Guang Zhi's soul reappeared and cried out in anguish, allowing the flames to consume him.
Within the boundless flames, it seemed someone was repeatedly calling, “Guang Zhi, Guang Zhi.”
Zhong Yuan gathered the flames with his long staff, realizing something.
"So, Guang Zhi was actually a demon from the beginning."
"The Great Sage's Six Roots, the Six Roots are the eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, and mind."
"The one in the Black Wind Mountain must be the 'eye that sees joy'."
"Guang Zhi saw humans, wanted to be human. Jin Chi saw the cassocks, wanted the cassocks."
"Humans are no better than demons, demons are also humans."
"Were the Great Sage's Six Roots truly manifested as tangible objects, visible to all, or were they hidden within these acquaintances?"
"Guang Zhi, you were determined to be human, but ended up trying to repay Jin Chi Elder with demonic means. You were indeed wrong, but your error was failing to adhere to your true heart."
"When you were young, you had a human heart, but entering the world, learning to be human, you lost your initial humanity. It's a shame."
"Jin Chi Elder's desire for the cassocks was evident to everyone. Even if you didn't say it, could he not see through it?"
"So, you're leaving?"
Zhong Yuan wrapped Guang Zhi in the sky-reaching flames, causing them to gradually subside. Guang Zhi transformed back into a small wolf, howling once before dissipating completely.
The fire in the courtyard vanished.
The Bloodtide, originally planted in the ground, slowly burned and melted, sinking into the earth.
Zhong Yuan looked at the last remaining embers, his eyes also faintly glowing.
When the Bloodtide finally disappeared, a spark of light ascended, falling onto the long staff in Zhong Yuan's hand, turning it crimson.
【You have gained some insight in your comprehension of the Eye Root, your magical power has greatly increased. Your Primal Chaos Staff Technique has evolved into the Crimson Fire Staff Technique.】
【You have reforged your magical artifact. You have obtained the Crimson Fire Copper Staff.】
The fire in Zhong Yuan's eyes extinguished. He picked up the copper staff in his hand, examined it carefully, and let out a hearty laugh.
It seemed he had gained some unexpected benefits.
"This Black Wind Mountain, the fire from that day has yet to be extinguished. Let me help you all transcend."
He was now incredibly strong.
Zhong Yuan put away the copper staff, noticing a large bell hanging in the back of the courtyard. It seemed to be used to notify those on the mountain.
Zhong Yuan simply walked over and struck it with force.
The booming bell resonated throughout Black Wind Mountain, startling countless birds in the night.
"Heeheehee, you monkey, your mischievous nature never fades."
"This is not good, everyone knows you've entered."
"The sound of the bell is clear and loud, it has alarmed the demons here. Be extremely careful as you move forward."
The voice of the Black Wind Mountain Earth God echoed once more.
Zhong Yuan did not respond. He did not mention anything about the Earth God's observation of his practice or his effortless handling of Guang Zhi.
It was unclear whether he didn't care or if, despite the power he displayed, he was still inferior to the Black Bear Demon.
However, the Black Bear Demon was a disciple of Guanyin Bodhisattva, and seemingly possessed the ability to revive the dead, so it was truly unwise to underestimate him.
"Unfortunately, I still don't have a proper cultivation technique."
"Even more, I don't know what realm my current magical power belongs to compared to the immortals."
Zhong Yuan retrieved the copper staff from his ear, lightly tapped it against the ground, and continued his ascent from the other side of the mountain.
No matter what, he had no way back.
The Earth God was ultimately an immortal. Perhaps his status was not high, so he didn't know much. Therefore, he might genuinely want to help.
But there might be someone else from the Heavenly Court watching him.
The Earth God's words were not necessarily meant to warn him, but to inform him that he had only one choice: to move forward.
Otherwise, why wouldn't he even advise him to rest for a while?
He had been fighting for a whole day.
If he had not grasped the technique of Earth Vein Breathing, relying solely on pills, even with the help of the Earth God to restore some of his magical power and stamina during his visit to the Earth Temple, it would not have been easy.
As Zhong Yuan continued his ascent, the demons seemed to know they could not stop him, and no more appeared until he reached a completely intact zen monastery.
The rebuilt Guanyin Zen Monastery.
"Shhh, be quiet, don't alert the big dog."
"The guy in the backyard is Black Wind Demon's friend, calling himself Ling Xu Zi. With your current cultivation, you might not be able to handle him."
The Earth God's voice rang directly in Zhong Yuan's ears.
Zhong Yuan looked up. Just then, a wolf's howl erupted from behind the monastery. A giant white wolf emerged from the roof of the Guanyin Zen Monastery.
One of its paws was as big as a normal human.
Earth God: "Oh no..."