Chapter 19: Departure

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Opening his eyes once more, dusk was drawing near. The setting sun’s afterglow spread across the horizon like woven brocade, its warm light gently caressing every inch of the land. Yu Qiye lifted his gaze toward two figures not far away.

“Disciple Qiye pays respects to Master,” he said.

“Rise,” said the Patriarch Bodhi, waving the duster in his hand and helping Yu Qiye to his feet.

“Now that you have become immortal, there is no benefit in staying here. Go forth.”

...

Momentarily stunned, Yu Qiye fell silent. Though they had only spent seven years together, he had already come to regard Patriarch Bodhi as a true benefactor—a teacher like a father.

At this moment, Yu Qiye finally understood the feelings of the original Monkey King when he was sent down the mountain by Patriarch Bodhi—eyes reddening, shimmering with unshed tears.

“Master.”

Beside him, the Monkey King looked somewhat incredulous.

“Remember, from now on, no matter fortune or misfortune, do not mention my name.”

Hearing the Patriarch’s words, Yu Qiye knew there was no turning back. He knelt, bowing three times.

The Patriarch slowly closed his eyes, saying nothing.

...

After bidding farewell to the Patriarch and the Monkey King, Yu Qiye went on to say goodbye to his many senior brothers. Though his bonds with them were not deep, as fellow residents of the Three-Star Cave, they shared the ties of discipleship.

“I recall that when the Monkey King faced a great calamity, there was a fellow brother who traveled thousands of miles to assist him, but regrettably...” That was an uncertain future.

Yu Qiye did not know whether the Monkey King would see such a day. Perhaps it was just one branch in the weaving of fate.

Having said his goodbyes, Yu Qiye left Fangcun Mountain. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, he bowed three times in the direction of Fangcun Mountain, as a final farewell.

A piercing cry tore through the air, sharp as a blade through stone.

Yu Qiye transformed into his true form—a colossal black bird with wings spanning tens of zhang. His eyes resembled blood moons, like two red lanterns hung high against the sky. Each feather on his wings looked as if forged from divine iron, and behind them were three plumes reminiscent of a phoenix’s feathers.

With a thunderous beat of his wings, the clouds parted, and he streaked through the dark night like a comet.

...

The sorrow of parting is always fleeting.

As he soared eastward, Yu Qiye began to organize all that pertained to himself. Since ascending to the rank of Demon King, his body, magic, and even his spirit had undergone a profound transformation.

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No wonder the saying goes, “Beneath the Demon King, all are but ants.”

This was no exaggeration.

His internal demonic power had surged severalfold, refined and purified by the crucible of thunder. A single thread of his current power equaled several before. It was terrifying.

Moreover, some of his attributes had changed.

“I’ve gained a new attribute,” Yu Qiye noticed—a blue attribute, something about a divine bird’s bloodline.

For some reason, he sensed this attribute was anything but ordinary.

Yet now was not the time to investigate; first, he would return to Huaguo Mountain and then consider it.

“I recall the Eight-Nine Profound Skill contains the art of cloud riding.”

The Eight-Nine Profound Skill encompassed myriad techniques—not only cloud riding but also the “Wind Control Art,” “Five-Form Great Escape,” and more.

This was also one reason Patriarch Bodhi had urged him to leave. The entire Eight-Nine Profound Skill had been taught; what remained was dependent on one’s own fate and cultivation.

As for the Monkey King, he would doubtless need to master the Seventy-Two Transformations and the Somersault Cloud before he could depart.

...

Lost in thought, Yu Qiye began practicing the cloud-riding technique from the Eight-Nine Profound Skill. In moments, a slight frown appeared on his brow.

It seemed the Wind Control Art suited him better.

The Wind Control Art allowed one to travel on the wind, pursuing stars and moon without difficulty.

He muttered incantations, guiding the demonic power within.

Boom!

Already swift, his speed surged anew.

Visible to the naked eye, gusts of fierce wind entwined around his wings and body.

Coupled with his attribute—Storm Mastery—which harmonized perfectly with the wind, he seemed to merge into the breeze itself, indistinguishable from it.

His form became almost invisible within the vast expanse.

...

Huaguo Mountain lay in the Eastern He Divine Continent.

Fangcun Mountain, at least for now, was situated in the Western Cattle He Continent.

The two were far apart.

Even with his status as Demon King, it would take some time to reach there.

More importantly, Yu Qiye dared not fly at full speed.

This world was filled with powerful beings.

Who knew what demons and monsters lurked in the Western Cattle He Continent?

If he caused too much disturbance by flying at full throttle, he might attract the attention of some great figure—and that would spell disaster.

His junior brother, Wukong, bore great karmic entanglements; powerful beings dared not provoke him for fear of repercussions.

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But Yu Qiye was different.

A mere little Blood Crow that could be slain with a single slap—no one would mind.

Thus, discretion was essential.

“I nearly forgot about one attribute.”

Suddenly, Yu Qiye paused and descended onto a hilltop.

He had an attribute—Mountain Spirit (blue)—which allowed him to blend with nature when in true form, concealing his demonic aura.

Previously, he had upgraded this to a purple attribute—Mountain Elf.

Now, an opportunity arose to upgrade it again.

“Upgrade directly.”

As he spoke, the attribute shifted, tinged with a hint of red.

[Ding! Mountain Elf (purple) upgraded to Spirit of Mountains and Rivers (red).]

[Spirit of Mountains and Rivers (red)—When in true form, you become the very spirit of the mountains and rivers, as if part of nature itself. You can almost perfectly conceal your aura, hiding your demonic nature, and even draw upon the power of the earth and rivers to strengthen your essence.]

“Not bad.”

Seeing this attribute, a subtle smile curved Yu Qiye’s lips, better than he had imagined.

No wonder, during the upgrade, he had sensed wave after wave of mysterious power rising from the earth, flowing into his body.

This must be the power of earth and rivers.

The purest, most fundamental form of energy.

Long-term absorption would surely benefit his body greatly.

Just then, Yu Qiye noticed the hilltop where he had landed—it seemed quite favorable.

The call of hidden birds was near, a clear spring gurgled.

The valley was heavy with fragrant orchids, cliffs covered in moss.

A spiritual aura arose naturally, like a blessed land.

“Could it be that here lies...”

Before Yu Qiye could finish, a terrifying demonic aura surged forth from deep within the mountain.

“Who dares trespass on my territory without eyes?”

A roar echoed as a figure approached swiftly.

It was humanoid, but covered entirely in black fur.

Two massive horns crowned its head.

It looked like a black goat standing upright.

[Species: Black Demon Goat, Variant.]

[Rank: Late-stage Demon General.]

[Attributes: Pitch-Black Flame (red), Black Demon Horn (purple), Bravery (purple), Hoof Smash (purple), ...]

Yu Qiye sized it up and relaxed slightly.

A mere Demon General was hardly a threat.

As for the attributes, anything below purple could be ignored.

That single red attribute and three purple ones...

He could only say their compatibility with him was low.

Still, they might serve as backups, stored in his attribute library!