CHAPTER 445: THE MONKEY WHO CAME TO SEEK ENLIGHTENMENT

Chapter 445: The Monkey Who Came to Seek Enlightenment

...

"Hey, why is there a monkey squatting at the sect's entrance?"

"Maybe just curious? After all, the grand gate Sect Master Xiang built for us is quite impressive."

At the entrance of the Moon Shadow Sect, a small macaque squatted before the massive gate.

It appeared nervous and fearful under the scrutinizing gazes of the surrounding cultivators.

"That monkey has demonic aura, but it's not fully developed yet. Probably just a mountain sprite."

"A mountain sprite dares to come right to our sect's gate? That's some nerve!"

Hearing the cultivators' discussion, the monkey knew it couldn't hesitate any longer.

Hadn't it crossed mountains and summoned all its courage to reach this magnificent sect's entrance precisely to gamble with fate?

Just then, a tall figure parted the crowd.

"Little monkey, what brings you to our sect's gate? We don't have any fruit for you here."

Yue Qianchi examined the monkey demon closely. Unlike the wild, untamed monkey demons usually encountered in the mountains, this one had clear, intelligent eyes. Strangely, it gave her an impression of refinement.

Some beings were naturally endowed with spiritual grace.

Generally, those who appeared so spiritually attuned wouldn't have poor talents.

Yue Qianchi had little experience with demons - usually her encounters ended with their deaths. But she suspected the principle of spiritual grace applied to demons as well.

This monkey demon didn't avoid cultivators like others of its kind. Instead, it had actively sought them out. That marked it as extraordinary!

"Honored lady, I... I've come to seek the immortal path."

The little monkey clasped its hands together and spoke in human language with an awkward smile.

Though its tones were strange, the words were clear enough.

The crowd exchanged surprised glances.

"You? Seeking enlightenment?" Yue Qianchi was stunned.

"Why would a monkey demon come to a human sect for enlightenment?" a disciple asked curiously. "Shouldn't you be bowing to some mountain king?"

"Our troop is constantly bullied by other demons. I'm tired of being preyed upon," the little monkey explained with repeated bows. "And I seek the true Great Dao, not a lifetime as a bloodthirsty monster."

"But even if you learn our ways, you'll still be a demon," someone pointed out.

The little monkey fell silent, its head drooping.

The divide between human and demon was unbridgeable.

No matter how human-like it acted, it could never truly be human.

Perhaps these cultivators would never accept it.

"Whether you can join isn't our decision to make."

Yue Qianchi found the monkey demon's request intriguing. The workings of fate were mysterious, so she didn't outright refuse.

"We're merely disciples here. Only the Sect Master, elders... oh, and our sect's Patriarch can decide on new disciples."

"Patriarch?" The monkey's eyes lit up as it recalled the legendary figure who had split mountains with three punches and one sword. "Might your Patriarch be an immortal?"

"An immortal? Our Patriarch isn't an immortal."

Yue Qianchi shook her head. "Our Patriarch is at the Great Ascension Stage. Do you know what that means? Only after surviving the Heavenly Tribulation at Great Ascension can one become an immortal."

The monkey's eyes shone even brighter. Clapping its hands, it exclaimed, "Then he's practically an immortal already! I want to learn from the Patriarch!"

It threw itself to the ground, kowtowing repeatedly.

"I beg you, honorable disciples, please put in a good word for me with the Patriarch! I... I truly wish to learn from him!"

The Moon Shadow Sect disciples exchanged helpless looks.

Whether from the former Sword Pavilion or True Martial Holy Land, they all knew the Patriarch's caliber and what an honor it would be to learn from him.

Despite his immense power and unfathomable age, the Patriarch had only ever taken one disciple - Li Qingran.

To learn directly from the Patriarch?

What an impossible dream!

Even they could hardly hope for such an opportunity.

For a seemingly clever monkey demon? The chances were vanishingly small.

"This isn't something our recommendations can decide," someone said. "Only the Patriarch's approval matters. But our Patriarch seems to dislike demons..."

This information came from Li Qingran herself.

She'd said the Patriarch slaughtered tens of thousands of demons daily until the heavens darkened and rivers ran red with blood - clear evidence of his hatred.

The monkey's expression dimmed momentarily before determination reignited.

"I'll kneel here until the Patriarch accepts me as his disciple!"

Yue Qianchi: "..."

She thought she'd been quite tactful in her refusal.

Why wasn't the monkey getting the hint?

"Fine," she sighed. "I'll convey your request to the Patriarch and Sect Master. The rest depends on fate."

"Thank you, honorable disciple! Thank you!"

The monkey kowtowed vigorously, its forehead pounding against the stone pavement.

Unable to bear the sight, Yue Qianchi quickly turned away.

...

"Patriarch? Sect Master? Are you there?"

Finding neither Li Qingran nor Chen Huaian in the main hall, Yue Qianchi followed her sharp nose to the Slanted Moon Three Stars Cave - the Patriarch's grotto.

She never understood why the Patriarch chose such a tongue-twisting name.

Perhaps that was just the style of Great Ascension cultivators...

"Present."

Chen Huaian emerged from the cave adjusting his disheveled robes.

Hitching up his pants, he asked seriously, "What is it?"

"Patriarch, you might not believe this, but there's a monkey seeking to join our sect... and it wants to learn from you!" Yue Qianchi peeked curiously behind Chen Huaian, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Patriarch, where's Sect Master Li? What were you two doing in there? Discussing the mysteries of life, perhaps?"

Chen Huaian felt dizzy.

Ever since visiting Earth Star, Yue Qianchi had picked up all sorts of phrases.

"Wait, what did you say? A monkey wants to join?"

Only now did Chen Huaian register the information, his eyes widening in astonishment.

"Yes," Yue Qianchi nodded. "It's kneeling outside right now! Says it won't leave until you accept it."

Chen Huaian glanced back at the grotto's plaque - Slanted Moon Three Stars Cave. Then he recalled yesterday's whim when he'd renamed the entire mountain: Spiritual Platform Inch Mountain.

Spiritual Platform Inch Mountain, Slanted Moon Three Stars Cave.

And now a monkey comes seeking enlightenment.

Holy hell.

It all fits!

Everything fits!

"What's the monkey's name?" he asked urgently.

"What name would a monkey have..." Yue Qianchi said strangely. "Demons don't name themselves until they gain some cultivation, then they call themselves some king or lord or great sage."

"No name? No name is perfect!"

Chen Huaian paced excitedly.

Could such parallel circumstances hint at future events?

"Patriarch, you're not seriously considering taking this monkey as your disciple, are you?!"

Seeing Chen Huaian's expression, Yue Qianchi began to suspect something was amiss.

"Accept it? Of course I'll accept it!"

Chen Huaian waved grandly, about to order Yue Qianchi to bring the monkey in, when he suddenly paused.

"Hmm... but not right away!"

After a moment's reflection on that Great Sage's legendary journey, he gritted his teeth and declared:

"Let it kneel outside for ten days to half a month first!"

...