"...I honestly can't believe it."
Sun Wukong's sunglasses slipped down his nose, his lips twitching violently. Back in his youth, he had been praised as a once-in-an-eon genius because he managed to master the 72 Earthly Transformations in a mere three years. Most immortals couldn't grasp the concept in three lifetimes.
Yet Finn? He had learned it instantly.
"It's a highly efficient skill," Finn nodded, flexing his fingers, deeply satisfied with the trademark technique of the legendary Monkey King.
Frankly, compared to the 36 Heavenly Transformations—which was a supreme technique that could literally alter reality—the 72 Earthly Transformations were conceptually weaker. But tactically? It was the absolute best survival skill in existence. It could be cast instantly, and it consumed a microscopic amount of Demonic Power.
While many in the modern era were unfamiliar with the true depths of Journey to the West, the epic wasn't just about battling demons on the road to India. It contained profound, universe-altering techniques.
What exactly could these transformations do?
The 36 Heavenly Transformations allowed the wielder to manipulate the foundational laws of reality. If mastered, one could Reverse Yin and Yang, Shift the Stars and Constellations, Resurrect the Dead, Scatter Beans to Create an Army, and completely rewrite physics. It was the ultimate cheat code for reality warping.
However, it was incredibly tedious to master and consumed an astronomical amount of magical energy. In the original mythology, Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) mastered this technique, yet because he lacked combat IQ and discipline, all he could do was make himself slightly bigger or turn into a heavy boulder.
Sun Wukong, on the other hand, had chosen the 72 Earthly Transformations. While it was technically the 'weaker' shapeshifting version, it suited a brawler perfectly. It required minimal energy, cast instantly, and provided unparalleled versatility in combat and evasion.
Normally, fantasy creatures spent centuries trying to master just one of these paths. How did Finn master it instantly?
Because he had the Manager!
Across the multiverse, the other Suzukis had encountered various techniques that mimicked the effects of the 36 Heavenly or 72 Earthly Transformations. But these Chinese techniques were the ancient originators. By cross-referencing the foundational data through the Manager, Finn effortlessly bypassed the grinding process.
Still, I probably won't use the flashy stuff very much... Finn thought pragmatically.
While the Chinese mythology was incredibly impressive, Finn's primary goal had simply been to acquire Senjutsu and perfect his Absolute Redaction (Invisibility). Senjutsu was the raw manipulation of natural life force, a foundational power that made many of the top-tier entities in the DxD universe so devastating.
As fascinating as celestial shapeshifting was, cultivating it the traditional way took centuries. Given the rapidly approaching apocalyptic crises in this world, Finn preferred things that instantly expanded his survival toolkit.
Hmm... besides the Sacred Gears, what else is there?
Finn wasn't entirely sure, but as long as he had the Unknown Dictator, he was financially and technologically set. If Trihexa (666) or some other cosmic disaster actually managed to destroy the planet, Finn had already made several plans for such a situation.
With his absolute wealth and the Unknown Dictator's technological domination, he could easily construct a highly advanced spacecraft or hijack a UFO to flee into the cosmos. If he needed to survive the vacuum of space? He could just use the 72 Earthly Transformations to alter his biology, or simply rely on his Self-Made adaptation skill to become immune to the void.
It was the ultimate, foolproof escape plan.
Nevertheless, with Sun Wukong acting as his personal tour guide, Finn and Akeno spent the next few days thoroughly exploring the hidden, supernatural realms of the East.
"Of course you wouldn't be able to find these places on your own!" Sun Wukong boasted proudly as they walked through a hidden celestial market. "If you don't have the connections, or someone as great as me to lead you, these realms remain completely invisible to outsiders!"
Wukong was acting surprisingly kind to Finn. Because Finn had officially learned his signature techniques, in the eyes of the Eastern pantheons, Finn was now Wukong's direct junior.
Unlike the Christian Mythology—which based its entire hierarchy on pure bloodlines, noble families, and genetic inheritance—the Chinese Mythology was built entirely on Connections and Mentorship. It operated much like a martial arts sect.
The supernatural world was essentially a mafia. If a living being didn't belong to a specific social group or faction, they would be ruthlessly crushed and robbed by everyone else. But occasionally, a pure anomaly was born—a 'mutant' who violently shattered all social norms and common sense.
Sun Wukong was exactly that kind of anomaly. He started as a literal rock, but through sheer audacity, he became one of the most famous deities in existence, capable of causing chaos in Heaven, Earth, and Hell alike.
In Wukong's eyes, Finn Balam was the exact same type of mutant. In fact, Wukong suspected Finn's life would turn out vastly better than his own, simply because Finn was infinitely more cunning and politically savvy.
"What's wrong?" Finn asked, noticing Wukong staring at him.
"No... well..." Sun Wukong suddenly looked incredibly awkward, scratching the back of his furry neck.
"Your descendant... Bikou, right? He joined that strange terrorist organization, the Khaos Brigade, didn't he?" Finn asked smoothly.
"....." Sun Wukong froze.
"Don't worry. If he crosses my path, I won't kill him," Finn offered casually.
"Thank you very much!" Wukong sighed in profound relief.
Wukong and Indra were fully aware of the Khaos Brigade secretly brewing in the shadows, waiting to unleash chaos. However, as long as the terrorists didn't actively target the Chinese or Hindu Pantheons, the Eastern Gods didn't care. Why do the thankless job of policing the world when they could just sit back and let the Biblical factions and the local protagonists deal with the mess?
"I'll make sure to tell that foolish grandson of mine to stay far, far away from you," Wukong promised. Compared to Finn's monstrous talent, Wukong had to admit his descendant was severely lacking.
With their mutual interests firmly aligned, the dynamic between them smoothed out perfectly.
Finn thoroughly enjoyed his time in Hong Kong, absorbing centuries of martial arts theory while Sun Wukong genuinely enjoyed teaching someone who didn't need everything repeated a thousand times.
Later that evening, the trio sat in a highly exclusive, hidden restaurant, enjoying authentic, mouth-numbingly spicy Sichuan cuisine. Akeno was happily feeding Finn a piece of spicy pork, completely relaxed.
However, mid-chew, Finn's golden eyes casually drifted toward a seemingly empty corner of the restaurant. He didn't say a single word, merely taking a sip of his tea.
He didn't need to act. Sun Wukong was already on it.
"Come out right now, or I will literally smash you both into a bloody paste," Wukong said. His voice was perfectly calm, but his playful uncle persona instantly vanished.
A terrifying, suffocating aura of absolute violence erupted from the Monkey King's small frame. It was a pressure so dense it felt like it could casually wipe the entire city of Hong Kong off the map.
The air in the corner shimmered, and the cloaking spell shattered.
Two figures were forced to step out of the shadows. Their expressions were incredibly tense, sweating profusely under Wukong's crushing aura. They had assumed this would be a simple reconnaissance mission, but they never expected their 'easy target' to be having dinner with the Victorious Fighting Buddha.