NOVEL WEB Chapter 63 Scholars in Dispute
"May I ask which two categories?" The Bodhisattva Guanyin showed curiosity.
"One category consists of those with wisdom, intellect, and spirit; the other, those without wisdom, intellect, or spirit," Sun Wukong explained. "This way, all the demons of Huaguo Mountain can put aside past grievances and live in harmony."
"However, there are still some differences in the habits of each race, so even though a mix of different types of spirits live together in the seventy-two cities of Huaguo Mountain, the Demon King who governs each city tends to be of the same race as the majority."
Taibaijinxing nodded slightly.
He had already understood why the divine elephants would drive their untransformed kin; it was simply because those elephants had not yet gained enlightenment and could not be considered as having the same kind of spirit.
Immortal Zhen Yuanzi smiled and said, "My talented younger brother has made a brilliant classification. You even included the Five Immortals of the Celestial Realm and the Five Creatures of the mortal world. We deities, Buddha, and the Divine are indeed the same."
The merciful look on the face of The Bodhisattva Guanyin now accompanied a hint of a smile. "Amitabha, the Leisurely Spirit King truly has a compassionate heart."
"The Bodhisattva is too kind with praise."
Sun Wukong waved his hand nonchalantly, leading the immortals to the delicacy street of the Elephant City. The street was already filled with all kinds of gourmet foods; Sun Wukong had paid in advance, and the immortals were free to enjoy the cuisine.
The delicacies included peanuts, bananas, cold dishes, and so on.
But the methods of preparation varied.
Because within the seventy-two cities, there were humans living among them, and they had brought with them various culinary techniques.
For example, fried bananas.
All the immortals couldn't stop praising the delicacy that was crispy on the outside and tender and soft on the inside.
Although the spiritual energy was far less than the spirit fruits and fine foods of the Heavenly Realm, they could still provide the ultimate enjoyment for their taste buds.
"Delicious!"
Immortal Zhen Yuanzi packed some up, slipping them into his sleeve to take back and let his disciples have a taste.
For someone of his stature, whether the food contained spiritual energy was not important; the novelty of the flavor was what he valued.
The Bodhisattva Guanyin, Taibaijinxing, and others also packed some up.
However, among the immortals, there were exceptions, such as Marshal Tianpeng, who was gorging himself at the stalls, even befriending the elephant who fried bananas and learning to fry alongside them.
Regrettably, he didn't quite grasp it and even got splattered by the hot oil, causing him to yelp in pain.
"[What a blockhead!]"
Sun Wukong chuckled to himself and then said to the immortals, "Let me take you to the next city."
Afterwards, Sun Wukong led the immortals through the seventy-two cities, experiencing seventy-two different architectural styles. For most gods and immortals, however, it was the houses built in the trees that were more to their liking.
It was truly in harmony with nature.
Of course, some of the deities shifted their attention to other matters.
For instance, Marshal Tianpeng, aside from being talented in the aspect of "eating," also had an exceptional appreciation for "beauty" beyond the reach of ordinary people.
For example, this fellow was captivated by the various long-legged bunnies in the city of rabbit demons, his eyes nearly glued open and almost drying out without blinking.
Sun Wukong remembered that this Marshal Tianpeng in the Heavenly Dao life simulator seemed to have married into Yunzhan Cave of Fuling Mountain with Mao, a rabbit demoness.
It appeared that he had a special affection for rabbit demons.
During this time, the gods and immortals also discovered Eternal coins and Heavenly Dao coins, and they were greatly amazed.
"Stars and moons, mountains and rivers, plants and all living creatures; this currency's value is on par with the salary of gold flowers from Heaven. You've kept me in the dark so well, my dear brother!" Immortal Zhenyuan said, holding a gold coin with a slightly reproachful expression.
Sun Wukong laughed it off, saying, "Dear brother, don't blame me. This Eternal coin of the Heavenly Dao was created after my visit to you. Back then, I wasn't certain it would circulate, so I didn't mention it to you."
Taibaijinxing said, "This coin is recognized by the Heavenly Dao, emblazoned with the words 'Heavenly Dao' and 'Eternal,' and it circulates thousands upon thousands in Huaguo Mountain. If His Majesty knew about this, he would surely reward you again. Maybe he'd even appoint you as the God of Wealth."
Sun Wukong hooked his arm around Taibaijinxing's shoulder, chuckling, "Taibai my old friend is joking. I, Old Sun, am not interested in money. Let someone else be the God of Wealth."
"Come, let me take you to the last city before we reach the Holy City."
Three Lives Scholarly City.
Under Sun Wukong's lead, the immortals arrived here.
Immortal Zhen Yuanzi observed the meteorological phenomena in the sky, the colors coalescing into the shape of a phoenix, a scene of ascending fortune.
This place was extraordinary!
Taibaijinxing, The Bodhisattva Guanyin, and others also realized the extraordinariness of this place, following Sun Wukong into the city.
Compared to the cities they had seen before, this city was much quieter.
The inhabitants of the city were mostly genteel and easygoing. They would approach and converse with the immortals but wouldn't cling to them. Even those with reverent gazes maintained proper etiquette.
Taibaijinxing stroked his beard with a smile, "This city is peaceful indeed. Many of the living beings here have accumulated merit and, after death, can ascend to heaven to become officials, whether minor gods or immortals."
The Bodhisattva Guanyin said, "The fragrance of books spreads like flowers in bloom; ink drifts like the heart is a flower. Such atmosphere makes even a poor monk like me want to stay a while longer to converse with the citizens."
Sun Wukong laughed, "If the Bodhisattva doesn't mind, I'd warmly welcome your extended presence!"
During the laughter, Sun Wukong led the immortals into Three Lives Academy.
Inside the academy, the students attended classes as usual. The sound of reading aloud, the chanting of sutras, and the vocalizations of martial artists did not disturb one another.
The immortals also discerned some of the principles and nodded in acknowledgment.
Some of the students in the academy also noticed Sun Wukong and the others.
Mei Jun pointed to Sun Wukong and his companions and said, "There is the Leisurely Spirit King of Huaguo Mountain. Those following him are gods from the heavens. However, I only recognize one of them, The Bodhisattva Guanyin, the one holding a jade-clean bottle."
Gods and Buddhas fill the skies, each with temples among mortals on Earth, and the people of Ao Lai Country and the Nanshan Continent had also spread their images to Huaguo Mountain.
But most of these images are too abstract to be taken as actual likenesses.
However, the likeness of The Bodhisattva Guanyin is easy to recognize, for she carries a dignified and majestic presence, her head adorned with a jeweled crown, body draped in heavenly garments, and waist cinched with a fitted brocade skirt.
The most distinctive feature is the mutton-fat white jade bottle she holds, into which a willow branch is inserted, looking lush and dripping with vitality.
The Guanyin before them displayed a feminine form.
Her brows curved like crescent moons, her eyes like twin stars.
A naturally joyful countenance graced her jade-like face, her red lips a single point of scarlet.
A jug of sweet dew is ever brimming; a willow branch dangles fresh and green each year.
Hai Feng sized her up and down and exclaimed, "She truly embodies great compassion and kindness, inciting no animosity in others, only the desire to follow her in cultivation."
Su Yonglin asked Mei Jun, "Will they really take the creatures of Huaguo Mountain as disciples?" Spotanerror?VisittheoriginalpostonM&VLEMPY&R.
Mei Jun was somewhat uncertain and said, "It should be so. This grand feast of flowers and fruit is held by the king to celebrate joining the ranks of immortals. The descent of the celestial gods naturally presents an opportunity for us."
"That's what my father said."
"It's just that we do not know what kind of disciples or acolytes the gods prefer, so we can only try our best to showcase ourselves."
Wu Ming asked somewhat anxiously, "How do we showcase ourselves?"
Mei Jun replied, "Don't be hasty. I've heard that this feast will last for three days and nights. After it ends, these deities won't immediately depart; they are likely to visit around Huaguo Mountain and Ao Lai Country for a while, considering a day in the heavens is a year on Earth."
Wu Ming rubbed his head and suddenly said, "Isn't that just like us going on vacation?"
Mei Jun paused, and after thinking for a moment, replied, "What you say seems quite right."
But Su Yonglin objected, "How can we discuss gods in such a way? It should be referred to as experiencing the mortal world!"
Wu Ming sneered, "What bootlicking; truly befitting of a Confucian scholar."
Su Yonglin narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "You fool, do you want to spar with me?"
Not one to shy away from trouble, Wu Ming shouted back, "Bring it on, who's afraid of whom?"
Then, the two of them started to fight on the open ground.
Wu Ming had only learned martial arts, his body surged with Qi-Blood, his moves bold and broad, powerful and heavy, each punch roaring fiercely.
And Su Yonglin, a scholar of Confucianism, was both literate and martially adept.
Though not as strong as Wu Ming, he often used softness to overcome hardness, jumping up and down, preventing Wu Ming from utilizing his punching and kicking skills effectively.
"What kind of ability is this, dodging and hiding? Have the guts to take a punch from me!"
Wu Ming was furious.
Because Su Yonglin was leaping around, not unlike a monkey rather than a man.
"Use your own strengths against the enemy's weaknesses," Su Yonglin smiled faintly. "Don't you understand this principle, you big oaf?"
"Hmph! I can afford to make countless mistakes, but the moment you slip up and I land a hit, it'll be the end for you," Wu Ming retorted.
"Wishful thinking," Su Yonglin scoffed.
He leaped back three meters, widening the distance between them, "Your strength is at most three parts stronger than mine, not thirty. How could you beat me with a single punch?"
"Just you wait!"
Unconvinced, Wu Ming lunged at Su Yonglin again.
Unfortunately, Su Yonglin remained as elusive as before, and Wu Ming couldn't touch him at all. Instead, he ended up gasping for breath, and in the end, was forced to admit defeat...
"Wukong, these few people are quite interesting," said Nezha with a snicker. "Moreover, in terms of martial prowess, if they were to forge Divine Bodies, some would be much more formidable than certain divine generals in heaven."
Since the visiting immortals were quite interested in Three Lives Scholarly City, they split up to wander freely in the Three Lives Academy, to observe and watch.
Those accompanying Sun Wukong were only Nezha, Immortal Zhenyuan, Taibaijinxing, and Guanyin of the South Sea.
Immortal Zhenyuan flicked his horsetail whisk, his star-like eyes scrutinizing Wu Ming, said, "This lad seems to have a simple wisdom but is slightly impulsive."
Stroking his beard, Taibaijinxing spoke ponderously, "Immortal Zhenyuan has an eye for talent. However, I feel that the Confucian scholar in white is a moldable talent, skilled in both literary and martial arts, and possesses the bearing of a celestial being."
Sun Wukong knew that these two were not truly taken with these youngsters; they just found them amusing.
Even The Bodhisattva Guanyin, who could intuit thoughts, was already aware of the inner desires of these four to showcase themselves, to win the gods' favor, make a lasting impression, and thereby ascend to the heavens one day.
One can only say that these young lads are too naive.
All immortals present, without exception, were shrewd beings. How could they not see through such small schemes?
However, if the immortals truly found them pleasing, no matter what the youngsters thought, Zhenyuan and the others would still take them as disciples. But for now, they were only objectively assessing them.
"Simple wisdom" and "bearing of a celestial being" were just ways of saying that they were qualified for immortality.
And the qualification for immortality, as long as one kept the right mindset and practiced diligently, was attainable by everyone.
Put in more common terms, anyone with intelligence and the nine orifices has the potential to become immortal. To immortals like Zhenyuan and others, the caliber of one's innate Qi Cultivation capacity isn't of much importance.