WuKong: The Monkey King

Chapter 16 The Heavenly Gang's Transformation

Upon seeing that Wukong possessed such a predestined connection, the Patriarch Subhuti, undistracted, began to wholeheartedly impart the knowledge of the Heavenly Gang's transformation to Wukong.

"The thirty-six transformations of the Heavenly Gang are the supreme magical powers of our Daoist sect. With them, your spirit can leave your body, you can ride the clouds and mist, fly through the sky or burrow into the earth, and even ascend to immortality. With the transformations of the Heavenly Gang as your foundation, you will surpass others by far."

"The thirty-six transformations are divided into six major categories, with six types in each. The first category is that of the Heavens. This category contains six types of immortal arts, each capable of shaking the universe. Wukong, remember, even if you have the fortune to learn this, you must use it cautiously."

Wukong was itching to learn these powerful magical powers immediately, nodding eagerly in agreement.

The Patriarch then detailed the six types of immortal arts: Spinning Creation,Inverting Yin and Yang, Moving Stars and Changing Constellations, Reversing Time, Summoning Wind and Rain,Mending Heaven and Bathing the Sun. After imparting the incantations to Wukong, he demonstrated the "Reversing Time" by chanting softly. A red sun, which had just risen in the east, was made to set again as if it were sunset, turning the sky back to the dim light of dawn. Wukong was astounded by such power, realizing it could reverse day and night, and alternate yin and yang.

"The magical powers of the Heavens are not yet within your grasp. When your own Fate is sufficient, you will understand their power," the Patriarch explained, indicating that such powerful arts were beyond Wukong's current ability due to his lesser spiritual cultivation.

"The second category is called Wishful Arts. Once your fortune and spirit are aligned, whatever you wish can be achieved. The six arts include Shrinking and Growing at Will, Instant Blossoming of Flowers, Transforming and Changing at Will, Turning Stone into Gold, Predicting the Future, and Resurrecting the Dead. These are simpler; you may try them one by one." After teaching the incantations to Wukong, he successfully used the art to make a flower bud outside the window bloom, experiencing the joy of using his own immortal arts for the first time. However, he felt a vague essence leaving his body, wondering if this was the cost of using such arts.

The Patriarch ensured Wukong mastered the Wishful Arts before moving on to the third category, Escape Arts, which included Wandering Spirit and Controlling Qi, Dashing with Golden Light, Great Escape From the Five Elements, Flying Tracelessly,Riding Clouds and Mist, and Submerging in the Abyss and Shrinking Land.

After a day of imparting these skills, Wukong spent the night awake, contemplating the thirty-six transformations he could now partially perform. He recalled from "Journey to the West" how the original Wukong mastered seventy-two transformations through self-study and self-cultivation. Realizing his bodily talents were no different from the original Wukong's, he understood the superiority of the Heavenly Gang's transformations over the Earthly Fiend's, aiming to further inquire about the latter from the Patriarch.

The next day, the Patriarch took Wukong out of the cave, summoned a cloud, and demonstrated cloud riding, explaining the ease of manipulating natural clouds. This left Wukong eager to learn more, reassured by the Patriarch's reminder that such skills were minor and not to be rushed.

Within moments, the cloud gently descended onto a perilous peak, revealing a stunning mountain vista. "Rock cliffs rise abruptly, moist with green moss; overhanging precipices stretch tall, adorned with long emerald ferns." Since arriving in the world of Journey to the West, Wukong had seen countless scenic beauties, but none as bizarre and magnificent as this.