Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 226 - 220: A More Luxurious Lineup Than the Riot in Heavenly Palace Appears on Flowing Sand River [Seeking Subscription]_1

Chapter 226: Chapter 220: A More Luxurious Lineup Than the Riot in Heavenly Palace Appears on Flowing Sand River [Seeking Subscription]_1

Sha Chen naturally would not tell them that he could read people’s hearts.

Instead, he replied with a faint smile, "It’s quite simple. Chang E would not let just anyone come here, and she knows my temperament. I would never agree to allow those who try to force their way into my grotto against my will."

"Su E has always wanted to enter the grotto but stubbornly refuses to share her secrets, which definitely means she is up to something. As for the secret, her coming at this time must be because I injured Jinzha and Muzha."

Everyone nodded. Although it was a somewhat absolute statement, it seemed quite reasonable.

Sha Chen did not wish to dwell too much on this matter, instead saying, "Right now, I am only worried about how the Heavenly Court will deal with this situation."

Tianpeng said, "Perhaps Fairy Su E would have brought the Heavenly Court’s decision, but since you angered her and she left, we are none the wiser."

Sha Chen said, "The Heavenly Court hasn’t made a decision yet; it’s just Li Jing who has gone to lodge a complaint against me."

Everyone was puzzled. How could Sha Chen be so certain?

After some thought, Sha Chen decided to counter all changes by remaining unchanged, to meet soldiers with generals and floods with earthworks. After all, worrying blindly is useless. If worst comes to worst, I’ll just play dead here.

Sha Chen then said, "We’ll set this matter aside for now. The only way to solve the problems we encounter is not to rely on others, but to rely on our own formidable strength to resolve them."

Tianpeng and the others nodded in agreement.

The Black Bear Spirit said, "But, Master, we cannot enhance our strength in a short period."

Sha Chen said, "Don’t rush. The path of cultivation is long and arduous. I will impart the Dao Techniques to you to pave the way."

The three of them were immediately overjoyed and no longer interested in drinking and merrymaking. All they could think about was increasing their cultivation as soon as possible.

On the Lightning Platform, illuminated by the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup, Sha Chen began to preach the Dao, his voice resonating deeply within their hearts. This enabled them to listen more readily and to understand more easily the Dao Techniques that Sha Chen was expounding.

The reason Sha Chen was in a hurry to preach the Dao was mainly to enhance their strength so they could serve him better. The incident with Su E was a wake-up call for him. Strangers were hard to rely on; it was his own followers who were truly trustworthy. Secondly, if those around him and he himself were strong enough, would the Li Family brothers dare to trouble him? Would Li Jing dare to complain to the Jade Emperor, much less dare to trouble him?

Therefore, he had to become stronger. Once his strength surpassed everyone’s imagination, reaching a level difficult for all others to surpass, he would undoubtedly command the attention of the world.

Not only did Sha Chen need to become strong himself, but his followers who were out striving also needed to become powerful. Only when they were strong could they do more for Sha Chen. Therefore, Sha Chen was not stingy in imparting Divine Powers and Dao Techniques.

He first spent a month teaching them the Da Luo section of the Tao Te Ching, another month on the Qingping Scripture, and yet another month on the Yuqing Scripture. Although Sha Chen was only a beginner in both the Yuqing Scripture and the Qingping Scripture, he was able to teach them. Under the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup, they were able to integrate and understand them.

And, Sha Chen found that when he taught others, his own understanding of Dao Techniques also increased, seeming to make it easier to comprehend. This method was akin to the saying that reading a book one hundred times allows its meaning to reveal itself. Speaking of it often led to new understandings.

For this reason, Sha Chen was also willing to teach them. Not only could he win over their hearts, but he could also strengthen their capabilities, allowing them to serve him better. For himself, it was equivalent to an additional layer of comprehension. Killing three birds with one stone, why wouldn’t he do it?

Sha Chen went through the Three Pure Ones’ scriptures once, which made the Black Bear Spirit and individuals like Tianpeng gain a deeper understanding of the Dao.

The one who benefited the most was the Black Bear Spirit because, since leaving the Flowing Sand River a hundred years ago, he hadn’t learned from Sha Chen. Not to mention the Da Luo Method, he didn’t even understand ordinary Dao Techniques. Now that Sha Chen was imparting the Da Luo Method to him, it was like opening a new door to another world; with mixed bewilderment, he felt as if he was about to make a breakthrough.

Having been in the outside world for a hundred years, practicing the Eight-Nine Profound Art and the 72 Polymorphic Transformations while living on the knife-edge, his strength had increased rapidly. He was at the brink of transitioning from the middle to high stages of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm. Now, with Sha Chen’s explanation of the Dao Techniques over three months, he directly broke through to the high stage of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm.

Sha Chen was exceptionally generous this time, giving him Peaches of Immortality, osmanthus wine, and willow leaf liquor to help consolidate his cultivation, strengthen his physical body, and enhance his power. Under the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup, while observing the Tai Chi Diagram and listening to Sha Chen preach the Dao, the Black Bear Spirit’s strength progressed rapidly.

Then came Lady Di Yong. She had been staying here for many years, listening to Sha Chen preach Dao Techniques frequently. With some understanding of the Da Luo Method and the aid of the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup and the Tai Chi Diagram, her understanding of the Da Luo Method became even deeper. She, who was already at the high stage of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm, was now attempting to reach the peak of that realm.

Sha Chen was pleased. If the Black Bear Spirit and Lady Di Yong continued their cultivation, it was likely that they could step into the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm in a few decades. Originally, the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm was a chasm that they might never have been able to cross in their lifetimes. But now, with the Three Pure Ones Taoism, the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup, and the Tai Chi Diagram left by the Saints, if they still couldn’t step into the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm with such supportive conditions, they would truly be failures. Even if their innate talents were insufficient, having drunk so much peach and osmanthus wine here, especially after eating the Peaches of Immortality, their talents had already been subtly and profoundly strengthened.

The most important thing on the path of cultivation is talent. Without talent, one would struggle to advance further in their entire life. However, their talents had already changed subtly and profoundly. Stepping into the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm, which for their past selves was harder than ascending to the heavens, now seemed almost within easy reach for them.

The two had become deeply engrossed in their cultivation, unable to extricate themselves. Even if Sha Chen stopped imparting his teachings, they could still immerse themselves in that state of cultivation.

Tianpeng’s talent was no less than theirs, perhaps even better; otherwise, he wouldn’t have received the Nine-Tooth Rake from Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad and been valued by Buddhism. He was already at the Early Stage of Da Luo Golden Immortal. Listening to Sha Chen’s teachings had been immensely beneficial to him, yet there were no signs of a breakthrough. At this realm, one must understand deeper Dao Techniques, comprehend more, and absorb more divine power. Otherwise, it’s all in vain.

However, Tianpeng also benefited tremendously from listening to Sha Chen’s lessons, likewise immersing himself in the state of cultivation.

Sha Chen had them each choose a palace to cultivate in. They could not leave until they made progress. Alternatively, they could not leave until the cultivation resources they had brought were exhausted.

With this condition in place, Lady Di Yong was ready to bid farewell to Sha Chen in less than half a year. She had packed her luggage, and when leaving, she felt somewhat reluctant.

"Master, I need to venture out. My cultivation resources are gone, and I have no face to continue staying here," Lady Di Yong said, her eyes brimming with tears and filled with reluctance.

Sha Chen said, "Your strength has actually made a tremendous breakthrough, but to ascend to the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm, and even step into the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm, a vast amount of resources is needed. Only by venturing out can you find those resources."

"Fine, I won’t keep you any longer. Once you’re out there, take good care of yourself. If you get into a conflict with someone, remember to run. If you can’t run away, then grit your teeth and don’t sell me out."

Lady Di Yong said with tears, "Master, I only wish to serve you. Once I make a breakthrough in my strength and collect enough resources, I will definitely return."

Sha Chen was very pleased. This is what a qualified follower should be like. How could they only think about their own cultivation and forget about him, the one who dug the well?

Sha Chen said, "You have cultivated with me for many years, and your knowledge of the Da Luo Method is sufficient for you to step into the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm. Go collect resources and deepen your understanding."

Lady Di Yong nodded heavily and said, "Master, may I hug you?"

Sha Chen felt the request was not excessive and so nodded in agreement.

Lady Di Yong then plunged into Sha Chen’s arms and began to cry violently. Sha Chen was about to pat her back and offer some comfort. He mused that it was natural for young adults to leave the nest; she couldn’t remain so attached.

Lady Di Yong said, "Master, I’m leaving. Could you... make me a bowl of noodles before I go?"

Sha Chen was momentarily stunned, then said, "A reasonable request. Have a bowl of noodles before you leave then."

He turned around to cook the noodles, even adding a poached egg and a chicken drumstick. Knowing Lady Di Yong’s fondness for food, Sha Chen also added a chicken wing, serving a full bowl.

However, he found Lady Di Yong gone, only a letter left behind: "Master, take care."

Sha Chen held the noodles, bewildered. "Damn woman, leaving just like that, and she said she wanted noodles."

Then he began eating heartily himself.

Tianpeng also came out and said, "Old Sha, I should be going too."

Sha Chen asked, "Why the rush? Don’t you usually like staying with me? Why the sudden hurry to leave?"

Tianpeng replied, "I plan to travel around. It’s said that traveling ten thousand miles is better than reading ten thousand books."

Sha Chen heard Tianpeng’s true thoughts, but because Tianpeng’s strength was considerable, he didn’t hear them very clearly. He had a rough idea, though: this fellow wanted to leave because Lady Di Yong was gone, and the Flowing Sand River had lost its feminine charm. He was restless and wanted to roam.

Sha Chen didn’t try to keep him, just sighed. "There really aren’t many who can accompany me to the end of time."

Still, he cautioned him, "After you leave, be sure not to make any mistakes, and don’t forget the incident with Jinzha and Muzha. I’m afraid Buddhism has taken even more notice of you because of it."

Tianpeng stated, "Understood. Who am I? How could I be duped again?"

With that, he took his leave.

No sooner had he left the Flowing Sand River than he soared directly upward for ninety thousand miles. He planned to find Lady Di Yong and travel with her, but he could find no trace of her. He could only sigh in resignation.

"Can’t believe Lady Di Yong left so swiftly. What a pity. I wanted to team up with her and become a formidable duo, roaming the Three Realms."

Tianpeng shook his head. Just as he was about to leave, his expression suddenly changed dramatically. He turned and gazed toward the eastern sky.

In the heavens, clouds billowed. A million celestial soldiers and generals had assembled, riding on clouds, led by Li Jing.

Their destination was none other than the Flowing Sand River.

A million celestial soldiers converged, heading straight for the Flowing Sand River. At the forefront was Li Jing. Tianpeng even spotted many familiar old faces among them, such as Thunder God Wen Zhong and the military inspector Wang Lingguan. The Chief Deity of the Fire Department, Huode Xingjun Luo Xuan, and the Chief Deity of the Water Department, Shuide Xingjun Lu Xiong, were present. Indeed, the chief deities of all three major departments had come. This display of force had not been seen even during the confrontation with Sun Wukong. It was both frightening and awe-inspiring.