"Violet Heart, attendant of Lord Lao, requests an audience with Master Sage Subhuti!"
After shouting loudly, the attendant stood at the mountain gate, gazing intently at the monastery buildings from afar.
For a long time, only the chirping of insects and birds could be heard all around, yet not a single person appeared. The crimson gate remained tightly shut.
Violet Heart could only clasp his hands and shout again: "Violet Heart, attendant of Lord Lao, requests an audience with Master Sage Subhuti!"
He secretly sighed to himself, "Could it really be as Master predicted?"
His eyes narrowed to slits as he pondered deeply.
Just then, the great doors rumbled open. Eugene, accompanied by two Daoist disciples, descended the long stone steps to greet Violet Heart, clasping his hands and saying, "You have come a long way, attendant. Forgive us for not welcoming you sooner. Please pardon us."
The attendant lifted his head high, snorted coldly, and asked, "Is your master, Master Sage Subhuti, present?"
"Master is currently cultivating in the Hall of Silent Meditation."
"Oh? Then why not hurry and take me to see him?"
Eugene quickly bowed and clasped his hands, saying, "Ordinarily, unless Master summons us, we dare not disturb his cultivation. I believe Master is aware of your arrival, but he is at a critical stage in his practice and cannot be interrupted. Please forgive us, attendant. Why not come inside with me? The monastery is currently overseen by my uncle, Elder Sky. If you have any matters, you can speak to him all the same."
As an attendant under Lord Lao, though not officially an immortal, he usually handled trivial tasks. Still, being Lord Lao's nominal disciple placed him just below the very top, and he had never been treated so coldly anywhere.
But Master Sage Subhuti was an ancient immortal. Even if Lord Lao favored him, publicly he would have to respect Subhuti, and in the end, it would be he who suffered.
Eugene bowed and smiled apologetically, "I'm afraid this inconveniences you, attendant. Since this is your first visit to our Crescent Star Cave, why not take the opportunity to let me show you around?"
"Oh?" At these words, Violet Heart immediately perked up and said eagerly, "That sounds excellent!"
A hundred thousand miles away, the sunlight was gentle.
It was still the familiar place, but the trees and grass were no longer the same.
The once barren forest was gone, replaced by lush greenery—a picturesque landscape.
After twelve long years, time had passed, stars had shifted, and countless things had changed—even the scars of the world had faded. Yet the knot in the Stone Monkey’s heart remained.
Only such a stubborn monkey could cling to those memories so tightly, refusing to let go even if shattered to pieces.
Following this strange yet familiar path, the monkey arrived step by step at Birdie’s grave, his heart uneasy.
The simple gravestone had long been eroded by wind and rain, its inscription unreadable, buried in wild grass. Yet the sapling he had planted beside it had grown taller than a man.
The flowers on the tree had bloomed and withered many times.
"Birdie, I’m back."
At that moment, a suffocating pain surged from his memories. His heart raced as he stared at the small mound for a long, long time, lost in thought.
His gaze gradually grew moist.
He let out a long, deep breath.
After twelve years apart, having traveled one hundred and eight thousand miles and endured countless days and nights, the once naive little Simon Stone had grown strong. Yet facing this lonely grave, the helpless pain remained.
After twelve years apart, having traveled one hundred and eight thousand miles and endured countless days and nights, the once naive little Stone Monkey had grown strong. Yet facing this lonely grave, the helpless pain remained.
Leaning his Cloudwalker Staff against the tree, the monkey squatted before the grave, eyes red, pulling weeds in silence.
She watched as the usually wild monkey quietly squatted before the lonely grave, head bowed, as if he were a different person.
She watched as his tears fell, mixing with the earth and merging into the grave.
She heard him say, "I thought I would never cry again."
After clearing the weeds and shaping the grave, Simon Stone found a piece of wood and sat before the grave, carving it carefully.
"Birdie, I’ve already been to Three Hearts Cave, became a disciple, and studied there for over a year."
Now I’ve reached the Divine Spirit Realm. Soon, I’ll be able to learn the Seventy-Two Transformations. Master has already promised me.
The old man has a strange temper, but he keeps his word. Hahaha, he wouldn’t lie to me.
When I become the almighty Great Sage Equal to Heaven, I’ll wear golden armor and ride on rainbow clouds to marry you.
Staring at the mound, the monkey’s gaze gradually dimmed. He wiped away his tears and laughed, saying, "I still haven’t broken my habit of making wild promises. But I’ve never forgotten a word I said to you—really. I’ll build you a palace on Blossom Mountain, and bring you back as my bride."
A gentle breeze bent the wild grass and brushed the Stone Monkey’s cheek.
Beneath the green shade, the monkey’s body was covered in scars, yet there was a surprising gentleness about him, as if he had no connection to the soul that struggled so fiercely in the monastery.
Perhaps it was just a hard shell, one he could only shed here, revealing the softness within.
It’s been twelve years. Each stroke carved into the gravestone still hurts as if etched into his heart.
Anna Yang watched quietly from afar, letting time slip by.
So even a heart as stubborn as his had a soft side. One touch and it hurt.
Gradually, she made out the crooked writing on the gravestone.
"Such a silly monkey," she said with a sad smile.
Before leaving, Simon Stone forced a smile and said, "Birdie, soon I’ll master the Seventy-Two Transformations. Then you can come back to life. I’ll keep my promise and never let you suffer."
He wanted to say more, but found himself choking up, unable to speak.
He could only bow his head in silence, turn around, and retrace his steps.
...
On the journey to Avalon Mountain, Simon Stone was gloomy, and the usually talkative Lingyunzi was also unusually silent and weary. Only Anna Yang remained proud and aloof, unwilling to speak much.
The Eightfold Compass soared across the sky.
The blazing sunset, the endless sea of clouds, and gusts of fierce wind mixed with mist rushed toward them, only to dissipate before reaching them.
It was a scene like paradise, but each of the three had their own worries and remained silent, none appreciating the view.
Finding a suitable moment, Simon Stone said, "Senior Brother Lingyun, may I ask you something?"
"Don’t stand on ceremony. Just say what you want to say."
"Senior Brother Lingyun, if a bird dies, how can it be brought back to life?"
"If the body is intact and the soul can be found, a Resurrection Pill will suffice. It’s a rare elixir, but with Master’s help, it’s not impossible."
"What if the body is not intact and much time has passed?"
"Then it’s difficult," Lingyunzi thought for a while. "You’d need to visit the Hall of Yama in the Underworld. What happens after that, I don’t know. That’s Yin-Yang magic, not my specialty. If you see Second Brother Youquan or Master, just ask them."
Simon Stone nodded and kept it in mind.
Anna Yang glanced at Simon Stone from the side, expressionless.
Only when the sky was full of stars did they finally reach the gates of Avalon Mountain.