Chapter 8: The Transformation of the Immortal Pool

The Planetary Deity of Venus also spoke to Mu Changsheng, saying: "This is merely the First Heaven; the Heavenly Pool is located in the Ninth Heaven above. Come, I will first take you to the Heavenly Pool for a rebirth."

Gao Ming and Gao Jue, upon seeing Mo Liqing arrive, immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said: "Heavenly King!"

"Senior Taibai, what place is the Heavenly Pool that you just mentioned?" Mu Changsheng asked again

Various celestial birds and auspicious beasts gather in groups, the colorful phoenix flies across the sky, the qilin lies majestically on the rockery, and there are also the legendary flowers and precious herbs that have lived for a thousand years, all of which leave one in awe at the breathtaking scenery

The entire archway shines brilliantly, as if it were cast in gold, standing approximately 30 feet high and extending over 100 feet in length, with auspicious vapors continuously swirling beneath the archway

The Planetary Deity of Venus returned to the path, and did not forget to say some flattering words to praise this divine general. Indeed, upon hearing this, the smile on the face of the approaching divine general became even more radiant.

There are thirty-six heavens in the celestial realm

The Star of Venus nodded and said: "Young Master Mu is a virtuous person who has cultivated himself through nine lifetimes, bearing the fruits of goodness. Today, he has attained the Dao and become an immortal"

Upon hearing the shepherd Changsheng inquire about the Heavenly Pool, the amiable countenance of the Taibai Jinxing also became solemn, and he said: "The Heavenly Pool is a significant place in our heavenly court. It is a spring that originated from the divine well in the heavenly realm at the dawn of creation, possessing incredible power. When mortals bathe in the water of the Heavenly Pool, they can shed their mortal bodies and transform into celestial beings, their mortal roots becoming celestial bones, allowing them to attain immortality on the spot. Therefore, it is also known as the Pool of Transformation into Immortality."

Is it the Growth King? Is it Mo Liqing?

What! A benevolent person from nine generations?

It perfectly echoes the old saying: This scene should only exist in heaven, rarely to be encountered on earth.

When Sun Wukong initially returned from learning the arts from Patriarch Bodhi, he had subdued all the various demon kings of the Flower-Fruit Mountain, totaling seventy-two in number. These included transformed creatures such as wolves, insects, tigers, and leopards. Subsequently, Sun Wukong soared through the clouds daily, roaming the four seas and visiting heroes far and wide, ultimately befriending the six great demon kings, including the Bull Demon King and the Flood Dragon Demon King.

The Planet Venus, with a smile and hands clasped, said: "So it is the King of Growth. Why must you mock me? This old man lacks the remarkable abilities of the King to subdue demons and vanquish monsters, thus I can only lead a life of toil, doing some minor errands for Your Majesty."

Mu Changsheng's mind stirred, and he immediately recalled the information about this great deity

Upon hearing that one could instantly become an immortal, Mu Changsheng's eyes immediately brightened.

That self-proclaimed virtuous person of nine lifetimes... is merely one lifetime short of Tang Seng. He wonders if eating a piece of his own flesh could grant him immortality, as Mu Changsheng indulges in fanciful thoughts.

Mo Liqing gave a faint "hm" and then turned his gaze to Mu Changsheng, smiling as he said: "This young brother from the mortal realm is indeed the one you have come to bring down this time, truly a person of remarkable appearance"

After much contemplation, Mu Changsheng ultimately refrained from asking. However, he resolved in his heart that when he had the time in the future, he would certainly inquire privately with his two elder brothers, Gao Ming and Gao Jue.

Mu Changsheng was surprised: "Heavenly King, what happened to the benevolent person of the Nine Generations?"

"Heavenly King, I will first take Young Master Mu to the Heavenly Pool, where he will bathe in its waters and undergo a transformation, shedding his mortal form to become an immortal."

Mu Changsheng looked up and saw the celestial palace shrouded in clouds and mist, with rows of magnificent palaces arranged in order

Mu Changsheng had the intention to inquire a few people about Sun Wukong, but upon further reflection, he ultimately suppressed the excitement in his heart and restrained himself

Looking at these three characters, Mu Changsheng, who was originally stunned into silence by the Southern Heavenly Gate, immediately felt frustrated again, because the three characters engraved above were "Southern Heavenly Gate," not "Eastern Heavenly Gate"

A large, imposing general clad in golden armor, holding a sharp green sword, strode forward as the white clouds slowly drifted to the entrance of the Southern Sky Gate

Upon hearing Gao Ming's words, Mu Changsheng suddenly recalled that the Journey to the West indeed describes the Flower-Fruit Mountain as being filled with all sorts of demons and monsters

Just as Mu Changsheng was deep in thought, Taibai Jinxing and a few others arrived on clouds beneath a magnificent and resplendent grand archway

Mo Liqing, upon hearing that the Jade Emperor was waiting to summon him, did not dare to disturb any further. With a serious expression, he turned his body slightly and said: "Please!"

In "Journey to the West," it is said that Tang Seng is a virtuous person of ten lifetimes. Can eating a piece of meat lead to immortality

Mu Changsheng nodded slightly, indeed, it is not easy to become a benevolent person across nine lifetimes, as the conditions are exceedingly stringent

Mo Liqing exclaimed in astonishment

The Planetary Deity of Venus smiled nonchalantly and said, "The Southern Heavenly Gate is the main entrance to our Heavenly Court. I believe it is best for Young Master Mu to enter the Upper Realm through the main gate. By the way, I can also show you the way.

Mu Changsheng was captivated by the beautiful scenery, and it was not until he had walked quite a distance that he realized that Gao Ming and Gao Jue had not followed him. He hurriedly inquired of the Taibai Jinxing.

One must engage in good deeds continuously for nine lifetimes, accumulating a substantial amount of merit. Moreover, if during these nine lifetimes one commits even a single act that contravenes the principles of heaven, all accumulated merit will be completely nullified, and one will have to start anew as a good person from the first lifetime.

Although I am unfamiliar with this place in the Heavenly Court, I have at least received an education and can recognize a couple of characters

This is indeed not the Eastern Heavenly Gate, but the Southern Heavenly Gate

The Star of Tai Bai smiled and said: "Young Master Mu, you will soon become an immortal. By then, the three of you brothers will all be in the Heavenly Court. There will be plenty of opportunities to reunite in the days to come"

Mu Changsheng quietly noted the name of the Heavenly Pool, preparing to ask the Star of Taibai what it was later. The Star of Taibai immediately conjured a white cloud beneath his feet, gently carrying the two of them into the Southern Heavenly Gate

As he spoke, the white clouds beneath his feet gently lifted the shepherd Changsheng upward

If the plot of Journey to the West has not yet begun, then it is of little consequence for a mere mortal to inquire about this matter for the time being. However, when Sun Wukong re-emerges in the future, the Jade Emperor will not be foolish and will certainly harbor doubts about himself.

After pondering for a moment, Mu Changsheng agreed, since he had also arrived in the Heavenly Court, there would indeed be plenty of time to reunite in the days to come

This Mo Liqing is one of them

If the Journey to the West comes to an end, it would indicate that this Sun Wukong has already caused a commotion in the heavens

Pointing at the Venus of Tai Bai, he laughed heartily and said: "Venus of Tai Bai, you old fellow, you actually came down to the mortal realm again. Your descents to the human world are simply more frequent than your meals and drinks, truly making us all quite envious!"

Mu Changsheng nodded after listening, and this was somewhat acceptable

In "Investiture of the Gods," there are four brothers known as the Four Generals of the Demon Clan, who followed the Shang Chancellor Wen Zhong in his military campaign against the West Qi. They were later all killed by Huang Tianhua, the son of Huang Feihu, using the unique hidden weapon, the Heart-Piercing Nails, passed down from his master, the Daoist Zhenjun Qingxu. They were subsequently listed on the Investiture of the Gods and were later conferred the title of the Four Heavenly Kings, guarding the four main gates of the Heavenly Court

"Senior Taibai, is this your Eastern Heavenly Gate?" Mu Changsheng feigned surprise as he pointed to the three large characters of the Southern Heavenly Gate.

Mo Liqing smiled and said: "It is not that there are none, but rather that virtuous individuals are indeed too few. As far as I know, Brother Mu is the first person in a thousand years to be a nine-time virtuous person."

The Planet Venus quickly nodded and said: "Really, really"

Really

Beneath the archway stands a nine-tiered platform, upon which more than one hundred imposing silver-armored heavenly soldiers stand as pillars, wielding spears and whips with great majesty. Above the archway are carved three powerful characters.

Taibai Jinxing said: "Finally, we must go to Lingxiao Palace to meet His Majesty. It is getting late, we can chat again when we have time"

However, the Heavenly Court lost its dignity and became the laughingstock of the Three Realms because of the commotion caused by that monkey. If one were to bring it up without awareness, would it not be akin to deliberately reopening old wounds and inviting discomfort upon oneself

The Fengshen War has now concluded, and following the Fengshen, there comes the Journey to the West. However, regardless of whether the Journey to the West has ended or not, at this moment, he absolutely cannot inquire about matters concerning Sun Wukong

The archway is supported by four grand golden pillars, each measuring one meter in width, with a majestic golden-scaled red-bearded dragon coiled around each pillar, creating an extraordinarily spectacular and awe-inspiring sight

Hmm

They are the subordinates of the Growth Heavenly King who guards the Southern Heavenly Gate, and they are usually responsible for watching over the Southern Heavenly Gate. This time, they had the opportunity to descend to the mortal realm only because they were sent to escort you to the heavens. Now that Young Master Mu has arrived in the Heavenly Court, their mission is complete, and they will return to continue guarding the Southern Heavenly Gate

Why didn't my elder brother and second brother come along

As they arrived at the Heavenly Court, the cloud of the Venus Star, Taibai, moved slowly. Mu Changsheng took this opportunity to quickly observe the Heavenly Court, which was renowned in mythology for its power over the three realms