I just
I think he fuckin grew. He wasn’t done growing yet, and 520 years of malnutrition (angst headcanon #399: Wukong was not eating during the journey), meant he was still teeny tiny.
Several years of easily accessed food and growth spurts later, he’s ungodly tall.
Oh lord oh lord.
He definitly didn't eat much if at all during the journey. Like loupsbane I think when wukong was under the mountain he was still very young in demons years. Demon biology is different then human so at the equivalent of 20 he was still a growing boy. I personally think demons keep growing and developing for at least 5000 years maybe more. I have so many thoughts about demon biology but yeah yeah.
He was shorter then tripitaka during the journey but steadily grew taller and taller and even after they died she kept on growing till she was a whopping 8ft something god monkey.
He even has god forms that are taller.
But yes yes
