The Grandmaster had no other choice but to summon the Stone Monkey.
"Wukong."
The Grandmaster said, "You've been here for fifteen years, it's time to go back."
Upon hearing this, the Stone Monkey understood that the Grandmaster's decision was made.
"The Master's command, I dare not disobey."
The Stone Monkey bowed in return and said, "But the Huaguo Mountain is separated from here by two vast oceans and the Southern Continent; the journey is long. Please teach me the Cloud Walking Skill, Master."
"You cheeky macaque, you've already planned this with me."
The Grandmaster laughed and said, "Well, since it's my request, I shall grant it."
He couldn't find a reason to chase away the Stone Monkey, so he had no choice but to impart the Somersault Cloud.
The Stone Monkey, having mastered the great Tao, knew that once one aperture was clear, all apertures became clear. He honed his divine powers and refined the spell, and within a single night, he mastered the Somersault Cloud.
In this way, not only did he not miss any of the spells that he should have achieved in the Three Star Cave, but he also gained an extra one.
The next day, as dawn broke, the Stone Monkey returned to the dormitory to bid farewell to his fellow disciples.
"My fellow brothers, I shall accomplish great things and build great enterprises. Who will join me?"
The Stone Monkey suddenly asked.
The fellow disciples laughed and cursed, "Little brother, you can't even protect yourself, how are we supposed to accompany you?"
The Stone Monkey wasn't angry and asked each one again, yet to no surprise, none agreed.
To think what sort of person the Grandmaster was, but upon closer examination, he taught according to each disciple's ability. Without meeting an exceptional person, he could only teach what ordinary Cultivators could learn.
These Cultivators failed to see through the Stone Monkey, a mere Stone Monkey, with mediocre strength. Even though the disciples were close, being practitioners themselves, none was willing to join him in causing chaos.
The Stone Monkey's ambition was higher than the heavens, and although he had not managed to recruit any brothers, he did not force them, yet felt somewhat regretful.
Amidst this regret, a voice suddenly came from outside.
"I want to join you."
Following the voice, the Stone Monkey turned to look and saw that it was the Stone Lion outside that had spoken.
The Stone Lion, having listened to profound teachings year after year, had developed intelligence, and greeted disciples as they came and went. So, nobody was surprised when it spoke.
Though not surprised, the disciples started to laugh.
"The Stone Lion is talking nonsense again!"
"It has no hands or feet, how could it leave?"
The Stone Monkey ignored these teasing voices and quickly went to the Stone Lion's side.
"I want to join you."
The Stone Lion spoke again, "But my legs are weak; I'm truly helpless."
The Stone Lion had gained intelligence but had not yet transformed, thus couldn't walk.
The Stone Monkey was extremely curious: "Why do you want to join me?"
"Of all who pass by and greet me, only you have always responded."
The Stone Lion gave a sincere answer. It turned out that out of all its daily greetings, only the Stone Monkey's response was never absent.
The Stone Monkey smiled, and made up his mind.
"Wukong."
At that moment, another voice came.
The Stone Monkey turned to see that the Grandmaster had arrived.
"Didn't I tell you to leave? Why haven't you gone yet?"
The Grandmaster asked.
The fellow disciples were all startled, it turned out the Grandmaster was urging the Stone Monkey to depart.
"Master."
The Stone Monkey had an idea, "There's one more thing I wish to ask of you."
"What is it?"
The Grandmaster stroked his beard, thinking that this time he could not agree to the monkey's request.
The Stone Monkey bowed to the Grandmaster, "Master, I plan to accomplish great things and build great enterprises. I hope for your support."
He repeated what he had said to his fellow brothers to the Grandmaster.
The Grandmaster laughed and shook his head, "Do you know I swore to the heavens I would not leave this place?"
The Stone Monkey nodded. The Grandmaster had told him that with his profound mana, in order not to cause trouble, he had chosen to live in seclusion in the deep mountains and delight in educating others.
"But, Master."
The Stone Monkey thought for a moment and asked again, "If I change this heaven, and your vow no longer stands, would you then leave the mountain?"
With these words, just like when he first sought the Tao, it was an earth-shattering surprise, and not a single disciple was not astonished.
Has this monkey gone mad?
Does he know what he's saying?
Yet, the Grandmaster laughed heartily.
After a spell of laughter, he finally nodded and said, "If you change the heaven, then I agree."
"Thank you, Master!"
The Stone Monkey, having received the answer he wanted, thanked the Grandmaster again.
Afterward, the Stone Monkey turned back to the fellow brothers and gave a farewell bow.
"Stone Lion, let's go."
The Stone Monkey said to the Stone Lion.
The Stone Lion, baffled, asked, "How do we go?"
"That's easy."
The Stone Monkey plucked a hair and blew on it, transforming it into iron chains that bound the Stone Lion.
Before the other disciples could react, the Stone Monkey performed a hand symbol and cast a spell, suddenly leaping upward and turning into a golden rainbow, flying away.
"Ahh!"
The Stone Lion's shout was only heard for a moment before fading away.
The disciples looked up at the golden rainbow streaking through the clouds, its speed astonishingly swift.
"How can this be!"
"I must be seeing things!"
They couldn't believe their eyes.
"Is that really our little brother?"
"How does he possess such profound abilities?"
That golden rainbow, majestic as it soared across the sky, was truly unprecedented, and none of the disciples' Cloud Riding techniques could match.
"What a Somersault Cloud!"
The Grandmaster, watching the disappearing golden rainbow, couldn't help but sigh.
With this monkey's departure, it seems the world is bound for an upheaval.
"Master."
The disciples, coming to their senses, inquired of the Grandmaster, "When did our little brother achieve enlightenment?"
The Grandmaster shook his head and then intoned:
"Arriving with a mortal frame so heavy, upon enlightenment, light becomes the body and spirit.
In this world, none dares to aspire; but with aspiration, the profundity of the Tao naturally becomes clear."
After reciting the couplet, the Grandmaster left the disciples behind and went off alone.
With the monkey's departure, he would have one less joy.
The disciples stood in the courtyard, exchanging looks that revealed their shame, and then each fell into deep thought.
The Stone Monkey, carrying the Stone Lion, utilized the Somersault Cloud to travel swiftly through the clouds, reaching the sea in no time.
"Slower, slower!"
The Stone Lion, both thrilled and fearful, kept screaming, while the Stone Monkey gazed at the horizon.
It wasn't long after dawn when a golden light ignited across the eastern sky; the sea, too, turned golden under its radiance.
The Stone Monkey accelerated again, the Stone Lion fainted with fright, but he laughed heartily.
Twenty years from home, today his efforts had come to fruition, and he could finally return.