The time came when the other disciples asked Sun Wukong of the magics he had learned. The monkey was eager to talk, attributing his mastery of the spells to the Immortal as well as to his own practice. This only excited the others more, and they asked him to show it.
Sun Wukong flashed a grin and asked, “What’s it to be? Tell me what I should turn into.”
“Turn into a pine tree!” one clamored, and he did so. Everyone clapped and chuckled upon seeing the dramatic display, and the tree changed back into a monkey.
Hearing the racket, Subhuti emerged from his room and inquired, “Who’s making all this noise?”
They were quick to explain what had happened so as to ease any worries about outsiders. However, the master was not pleased at their antics. The disciples were sent away until only the Immortal and the Monkey King remained.
“Is that the way you wish to use those spells, for showing off? Might they not ask you to teach them? You can easily get in trouble this way.”
Sun Wukong balked at the admonishment, and desperately apologized. Subhuti made it clear that there was no anger, only disappointment.
“You will have to leave. Return to where you came from, or explore, but you will never be able to come back here.”
I claim no ownership of the image.