Each ordeal paves your path to what you are meant to be.
Shoes on feet, hat on head, embroidered shirt, Daoist robe—free as can be, doing as you please!
A walking vault of arms you have become!
What to drink, how to drink, and above all, who to drink with.
Take more as fruit as your plants take root.
Humans, beasts, yaoguais, and the Bodhisattvas. All recorded and noted.
Transformations and Spirit Skills, you have mastered them all!
Every rare wonder the world can offer, collected and kept.
"All the tattered pages can now be compiled in full."
All spells we know are derived from the same source.
After all that strife and struggle, what's truly been gained?
"Through fire, armor is refined; through trials, strength is defined."
The most marvelous places for meditation have all met your gaze.
Two minds' long fray leaves but one to stay.
You are fully fitted. Now, swing that staff and fight!
Six frogs, six skills—how intriguing!
"Let go of him, and you let go of all."
"Here, have it, have it all."
"For what deed, must the four waters they governed roam free?"
The merging of ice and fire, swift and severe.
"All the four vessels now belong to me!"
The golden child brought fire and smoke; when they cleared, the family broke.
"With my life I'll repay the title he gave me!"
How odd to encounter this old man at every corner!
More eyes do not see more than the mortal trifles.
Long and short, far and near, each span has its year.
Fields kept trim leave time to skim.
The fat monk failed, for he spoke too much.
There will be more sages if their maker still engages.
The beetle came with drumbeats' call, and left with waves' gentle fall.
Tonics are well and good, but not to be wolfed like food!
Of all things to learn, you chose to play with fire?
Now at an end is the elder's long wait for the journeyer.
Fresh brew in an old cask. May it stir a great task!
Nothing sparks your talents more than a spark of thought.
The old monkey has told his tale. Onward you must go.
