Chapter Eight: Transformation of Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends

This time, Yuan Wuji did not go to Xiao Yu’s palace. He had yet to examine his own physical condition, and although the Lady of Golden Spirit had helped him to smooth out his energy, he still did not know exactly what had happened to his body. Should anything go wrong while he was with Xiao Yu, it would only cause her more worry. Yuan Wuji disliked seeing anxiety cloud Xiao Yu’s gentle face on his account.

Back in his own quarters, Yuan Wuji carefully examined himself. His body was much the same as before, save that his vitality now surged more powerfully than ever—perhaps because his heart had absorbed the essence of the malevolent dragon, making it stronger. Given the Lady of Golden Spirit’s profound cultivation, it was unlikely any hidden troubles remained; nothing could escape her meticulous care.

“My master once said this is my innate divine ability, and I must slowly explore it myself. Yet how am I to know how to wield such a power?” he mused. “I try to absorb…no, that isn’t it. I attempt to swallow…hmm…”

“Never mind. Master will teach me the divine arts tomorrow. For now, I simply cannot find the key on my own. I’ll just wait until then!” Yuan Wuji changed postures after each attempt, every movement fierce and determined, but alas, no miracle occurred. At last, he settled into meditation to cultivate his energy.

...

“Master, I’ve come to see you.” Yuan Wuji, knowing that today he would be taught a divine art, arrived early at the Doumu Palace.

“Master, I am here to learn a divine art,” he said respectfully, seeing that the Lady of Golden Spirit still sat with her eyes closed.

“What sort of divine art do you wish to learn?” The Lady of Golden Spirit, aware that this disciple of hers had long yearned for such teachings, asked with a knowing air—over the years, he had inquired about divine powers more than anything else.

“Master, I have heard of the transformations of Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiends. Others say they are most formidable, so I wish to…” Yuan Wuji recalled that Sun Wukong had learned the seventy-two transformations of Earth Fiends, but he did not know which was superior. Thus, he sought the Lady of Golden Spirit’s guidance.

“Hmm? Could it be he already knows what I am about to teach him?” The Lady of Golden Spirit was startled, though Yuan Wuji, unaware of her thoughts, simply waited below, grinning in anticipation.

“Since you are interested in the transformations of Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiends, I shall teach you their mysteries. But tell me: do you wish to learn the thirty-six transformations of Heavenly Gang, or the seventy-two transformations of Earth Fiends?” she asked.

“The name of Heavenly Gang sounds more imposing, but there are fewer transformations. I do not know which to choose. Master, whichever you deem best suited to me, that is the one I wish to learn.” Yuan Wuji trusted that the Lady of Golden Spirit would select the most appropriate art for him, and so left the matter in her hands.

“Very well, then. Let me tell you: the transformations of Heavenly Gang and Earth Fiends number one hundred and eight in total. Heavenly Gang is the number four times nine: four for metal, nine also for metal, thus signifying an eternal and unchanging wondrous art. Earth Fiends is eight times nine: eight for wood, nine for metal. Metal and wood combine, representing the subtle workings of yin and yang—the union of which gives rise to transformation. Thus, eight times nine is a wondrous technique, four times nine is the ultimate principle. Put simply, the Heavenly Gang transformations are the path of offense, while the Earth Fiends transformations are the path of adaptation and survival. There is no strict superiority between the two; each has its strengths. Now, which do you wish to learn?” The Lady of Golden Spirit explained.

“Disciple wishes to learn the thirty-six transformations of Heavenly Gang,” Yuan Wuji replied, for he naturally wished to master the art of attack, and the innate gifts of the Long-Armed Ape were well-suited to the Heavenly Gang transformations.

“That aligns perfectly with my intentions,” said the Lady of Golden Spirit, well aware that the thirty-six transformations of Heavenly Gang were the most fitting for a Long-Armed Ape, just as the seventy-two transformations of Earth Fiends seemed tailor-made for the Clever Stone Monkey. The outcome of such training always depends on one’s innate nature.

“I shall now impart to you the thirty-six transformations of Heavenly Gang.” With that, the Lady of Golden Spirit transmitted the art to Yuan Wuji. She was confident that, with his talents, he would take to the art as a fish to water and fully realize the extraordinary power of the thirty-six transformations.

(The Thirty-Six Transformations of Heavenly Gang include: Spinning the Wheel of Creation, Reversing Yin and Yang, Moving Stars and Shifting Constellations, Returning the Heavens and Bringing Back the Sun, Summoning Wind and Calling Rain, Shaking Mountains and Quaking the Earth, Riding Mist and Soaring on Clouds, Dividing Rivers and Forming Land, Leaping with Golden Light, Churning Rivers and Stirring Seas, Turning Earth to Steel with a Touch, Great Escape of the Five Elements, Six Yang Mystical Gates, Foreseeing the Future, Lashing Mountains and Moving Stones, Raising the Dead, Flying and Leaving No Trace, Nine Breaths to Ingest Qi, Drawing Out Original Yang, Subduing Dragons and Tigers, Mending the Sky and Bathing in the Sun, Pushing Mountains to Fill Seas, Turning Stone to Gold with a Touch, Casting No Shadow, Transforming the Fetus and Changing Form, Changing Size at Will, Blossoming Flowers in an Instant, Roaming Spirit and Commanding Qi, Seeing Through Walls, Returning the Wind and Sending Back Fire, Mastery of the Five Thunders, Diving into the Abyss and Shrinking the Earth, Flying Sand and Rolling Stones, Carrying Mountains and Crossing Seas, Scattering Beans to Create Soldiers, and the Seven-Arrows Nailhead.)

With the transmission of the thirty-six transformations of Heavenly Gang, Yuan Wuji had acquired thirty-six great divine arts. Yet, some of these powers he could not yet sense, and their offensive might was not yet apparent—some seemed merely supportive in nature. It seemed the true offensive power of the Heavenly Gang lay hidden, waiting to be understood.

Yuan Wuji believed that, with his Long-Armed Ape heritage, comprehending these martial divine arts would not prove difficult.