The scorching desert winds of Chapter 2 whipped sand against my face as I stood before the colossal stone faces carved into the ancient rock formation. My heart pounded like a war drum – I was about to face Shigandang, Black Myth: Wukong's most terrifying secret boss. This wasn't just any enemy; it was a mountain come alive, a juggernaut of stone and rage that could crush me into dust with a single blow. I remembered the whispers among fellow travelers at Keeper's Shrines about this optional nightmare, and now here I was, deliberately summoning destruction upon myself. The sheer audacity of it all made my palms sweat inside my grip on the Wind Bear Staff. 🌪️

The journey to this moment had been an exhausting treasure hunt across the desert. Finding those six glowing Buddha's Eyeballs felt like solving an ancient riddle written in sunlight and sandstone. Four near Squall Hideout had been relatively straightforward – their golden glow visible like desert stars against crumbling statues. But those last two near Rockrest Flat? Oh, they tested my patience! I must've circled that blasted plateau three times before spotting the final one hidden behind a sand-drifted Buddha head. Each eyeball thrummed with mysterious energy in my inventory, heavy with the weight of what they'd unleash.

Fast-traveling between Keeper's Shrines became my lifeline during those scorching days. Without them, retracing steps across that endless sea of dunes would've broken my spirit. When I finally placed the last eyeball into that eerie rock face and selected "Deliver," time seemed to freeze. The ground trembled violently, stone grinding against stone in a cacophony that echoed through my bones. And there it rose – Shigandang, a titan of living rock casting a shadow that swallowed the sun. My throat went dry. This wasn't a boss fight; it was an earthquake given form.

Preparation had been key. I'd spent hours grinding weaker foes near Rockrest Flat, my fingers cramping from combat until I'd crafted that magnificent Wind Bear Staff. Its weight felt perfect in my hands – sturdy oak with carvings that seemed to hum with power. Remembering Shigandang's immunity to elemental attacks, I'd poured all resources into physical defense. Those Evil Repelling Medicaments from the wandering vendor cost me half my Will reserves, but downing one felt like wrapping myself in stone armor. As I stood before the awakening giant, I mentally checked my inventory:

Essential Preparations	Why It Mattered
Wind Bear Staff 🪄	Crushing physical damage output
Evil Repelling Medicament 🧪	+35% physical defense buff
Fully upgraded Gourd 💧	Emergency healing during lulls
Immobilize Spell ❄️	Critical crowd control

The first earth-shattering punch came without warning. I rolled desperately, sand spraying into my eyes as the shockwave nearly knocked me off my feet. This wasn't combat – it was survival choreography against a partner who moved with glacial slowness but apocalyptic power. Each dodge felt like cheating death; each near-miss sent adrenaline burning through my veins. That massive health bar barely budged after my opening flurry, a demoralizing sight that made me question my sanity for attempting this so early in Chapter 2.

Patience became my weapon. Between Shigandang's ponderous attacks – those terrifying ground slams that sent stone fragments flying like shrapnel – I'd dart in with quick jabs. The real magic happened when those colossal fists finally impacted earth. That precious half-second recovery window was everything. I'd scream "Now!" to my empty room, triggering Immobilize to freeze the giant mid-swing, then unleash a barrage of heavy stance attacks. The clang of my staff against living rock echoed like temple bells in the desert silence. My arms ached from the vibrations; my focus narrowed to reading those stone limbs like sacred texts.

When the final blow landed – a desperate overhead smash that cracked Shigandang's stony chest – time stopped again. The giant froze mid-roar, then dissolved into shimmering dust that glittered like a thousand stars against the sunset. I collapsed to my knees, trembling not from exhaustion but euphoria. The rewards screen flashed before my disbelieving eyes:

• 💰 1,373 Will (a king's ransom!)

• ❤️ Heart of Stone (pulsing with raw power)

• 👹 x2 Yaoguai Core (their dark energy humming in my palm)

• 🧠 Mind Core (perfect for potent elixirs)

• 🌀 Skandha of Feeling (mysterious and beautiful)

• 🧵 x3 Silk (surprisingly soft against calloused fingers)

Holding that Heart of Stone later at the forge, I marveled at its warmth. This wasn't just loot; it was a medal earned in the crucible of combat. The following Chapter 2 boss felt almost disappointingly easy after tangling with that mountain. As I set my sights on Black Loong – the desert's other legendary secret – I glanced back at the now-quiet stone faces. The sands had erased all traces of our battle, but never the memory. Shigandang had been more than a boss; it was the anvil upon which this monkey warrior's resolve was tempered, proof that even mountains can fall to relentless determination. 🌄