Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 233 - 227: The Spider spirit returns to protect its master, they surprisingly know the Daoist Trifecta skill【Fourth request for monthly ticket】_1

Chapter 233: Chapter 227: The Spider spirit returns to protect its master, they surprisingly know the Daoist Trifecta skill【Fourth request for monthly ticket】_1

Bodhisattva Manjushri’s divine power descended.

The vast handprint of Buddha struck the Flowing Sand River Cave, causing the earth to shake and mountains to crumble as the landscape shattered.

The Black Bear Spirit suddenly awoke, nearly succumbing to demonic intrusion.

It was only Sha Chen’s chant of the Spirit Summoning Decree and the reflection of his inner thoughts in the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup that saved him from falling into the demonic path.

Witnessing Sha Chen’s all-out efforts, the Black Bear Spirit was shocked and terrified.

"Master, what’s happened?"

"Could it be that those bald heads are about to break in? We better flee for our lives."

Sha Chen shook his head and said, "I’m on guard for them to break in, but I believe they won’t be able to."

He watched for a while as Bodhisattva Manjushri’s divine power had struck three times upon the Flowing Sand River Cave. Although it had caused mountains and rivers within to fracture and several palaces and towers to collapse, it was still nothing serious. It was merely the aftermath of the tremors, not even as significant as the disturbance caused by Lady Di Yong’s daydreaming shakes of her bed.

Sha Chen simply watched for a while before withdrawing his divine form, remaining vigilant but not overly worried.

「Outside.」

Bodhisattva Manjushri launched a fierce attack on the Flowing Sand River, seemingly monstrous and murderous, with unparalleled fieriness. However, the damage inflicted was insignificant. It only caused the river’s waters to splash everywhere, spreading mist around, but did not do substantial damage to the Flowing Sand River Cave.

The immortals watched, their initial shock gradually turning to sighs and head shaking in pity. Such great divine power, yet unable to breach the Flowing Sand River Cave. What exactly had Sha Chen found that was so formidable it inspired envy?

After an hour of futile attacks, Bodhisattva Manjushri ceased his efforts and used his divine sight to peer inside.

He furrowed his brows. He saw within the Black Tortoise Armor the birth and extinction of ten thousand Golden Lotuses.

HISS.

He gasped in shock. "I knew it! How could your sanctuary be so indestructible? It turns out that aside from the Black Tortoise Armor, you also possess the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji."

He had recognized the Magical Tool Sha Chen had acquired early on, snorting coldly again and again. Upon returning to the group of immortals, he informed them of this news.

The immortals were immediately startled and exchanged glances. They all looked to Li Jing, for he was a third-generation disciple of the Chan Sect, and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji was rumored to be in the hands of Lord Yuan Shi. How did it fall into the hands of Sha Chen?

Li Jing furrowed his brows and said, "I do not know how Sha Chen came to possess the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji. I only know that it had shattered in the Sword Array of Immortality during the Divine Enthronement War, its whereabouts unknown. Now it appears intact and in Sha Chen’s hands, which is truly bizarre and incomprehensible. We’ll need to inquire with our Patriarch."

However, he was unlikely to ask. As of late, he had been close with Buddhism. Even his Chan Sect master, Taoist Ran Deng, had converted to Buddhism. This effectively meant he had distanced himself from the Chan Sect. To return to Qilin Cliff on Kunlun Mountain in Da Luo Tian might result in Lord Yuan Shi striking him dead.

The other immortals knew that Li Jing’s words were merely a casual promise. Why Sha Chen had the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji would likely require a true disciple of the Chan Sect to have the right to ask deeper questions. That is to say, Nezha would be the suitable one to ask.

Unfortunately, Nezha was not here; he was said to be at Golden Light Cave in Qianyuan Mountain, seeking his master Immortal Taiyi to assist in his attempt to reach the Peak of Daluo Golden Immortal.

Li Jing said, "Let’s put aside the matter of the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji for now. The Flowing Sand River is so easy to defend yet hard to attack. Moreover, with the birth and extinction of the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji’s Golden Lotuses, it seems Sha Chen is still alive."

Everyone nodded. If it were a Formation, its operation could continue even if a person died, which was understandable. But a Magical Tool truly ends with the person’s death, turning to dust with the earth, and the Magical Tool would choose another owner. The Black Tortoise Armor and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji were still functional, suggesting Sha Chen was still alive.

When everyone looked at Bodhisattva Manjushri and Samantabhadra again, their faces were filled with embarrassment. They had made such a fuss with the Nail Seven-Arrow Book yet failed to eliminate Sha Chen. Even Bodhisattva Manjushri’s personal assaults on the Flowing Sand River were in vain. It was difficult for them not to find humor in the situation.

However, out of a concern for their lives, they dared not laugh in front of the two Honorable Buddhist figures and instead turned their backs to conceal their amusement, being professionals after all.

Bodhisattva Manjushri and Samantabhadra also had sullen expressions, aware of the immortals snickering behind their backs. Feeling displeased, they retreated to a side and entered the Buddhist Pagoda to meditate and recuperate.

The immortals then burst into laughter, but after their laughter ceased, they all sighed dejectedly. The Flowing Sand River was so easy to defend yet hard to attack. Even the Honorable Buddhists were unable to do anything. What were they to do?

They were only there because the Jade Emperor hadn’t issued an order. If he had, they might not even have been able to break through. If they failed to take down the Flowing Sand River and capture Sha Chen, upon returning to the Heavenly Court, punishment would await them.

Li Jing was also deeply troubled at this moment, for he had tricked the Jade Emperor into issuing the command to deal with the Flowing Sand River. If they succeeded, all would be well, but if they failed, upon their return to the heavens, surely someone would take issue with him. They would accuse him of tarnishing the Heavenly Court’s reputation, and he would have to provide the Jade Emperor with an explanation.

Jinzha knew of Li Jing’s dilemma and said, "Father, you need not worry. If the Jade Emperor’s envoy has seen the Saint, and the Saint personally takes action, how can we still fear that the Flowing Sand River cannot be broken?"

"After all, Sha Chen has obtained the Plantain Fan, and now he also has the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji. It’s as if he has received the Magical Tools of two Saints. If both Saints come, can Sha Chen end things well?"

Li Jing shook his head; his son was being too optimistic. What merit and ability did Sha Chen possess that would warrant the attention of two Saints!? That he had even garnered the attention of a Saint was his greatest fortune.

With this thought, he spoke again, "Send someone to inquire again. See if the envoy has met the Saint. Over a month has passed with no news—it’s truly infuriating."

Lieutenant Fish Fork immediately went to make arrangements.

Within the Flowing Sand River, Sha Chen once more fell into a state of Cultivation. However, his expression was somewhat grave. This assault on the Flowing Sand River by Bodhisattva Manjushri had shocked him deeply and filled him with a sense of crisis. Even with the Black Tortoise Armor and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji, Bodhisattva Manjushri could still intimidate him within his own cave. If he was fully alert, it would be one thing, but if he were cultivating and were attacked in such a way, he would definitely suffer cultivation deviation. When Li Changgeng had come to attack, it wasn’t as severe, but when Bodhisattva Manjushri attacked, it had truly shaken him.

The main reason was that Li Changgeng excelled in Swordsmanship. His technique focused on breaking the whole with a point, its effects centered on the Magical Tool itself. Bodhisattva Manjushri, with his immense Divine Power and heavy momentum, used his Divine Power to break into the cave, unleashing force in every nook and cranny of the cave. Naturally, it was a bigger commotion than that caused by Li Changgeng.

It seems I must find a way to obtain better defensive Magical Tools or Formations. Even Bodhisattva Manjushri, who is probably at most at the Initial Quasi-sage Level, or perhaps just at the Peak of Daluo Golden Immortal, can pose such a threat to me.

If someone stronger comes, wouldn’t I be in imminent danger?

Sha Chen felt that he had to acquire something better, preferably a Magical Tool or Formation with stronger defensive capabilities.

After Sha Chen had cultivated for three months, he suddenly opened his eyes with an odd expression on his face.

Outside, the celestial soldiers and generals had surrounded the Flowing Sand River for a long time without launching another attack. However, not even a fly could escape. Naturally, none could enter either.

In this rare stalemate, Sha Chen devoted himself entirely to Cultivation, striving to improve his cultivation level and strengthen his physical body. The Black Bear Spirit was doing the same; both master and servant were making progress in strength.

But one day, Sha Chen opened his eyes with an odd look and took out the Wanli Soul Chasing Mirror. With a gesture towards the divine beast on it, an image appeared.

The Black Bear Spirit also awoke, came over, and asked, "Master, what has happened, to cause such a commotion outside after three months of quiet?"

As it turned out, above and below the Flowing Sand River, the celestial soldiers and generals had suddenly gotten into some trouble, scattering in disarray.

Sha Chen threw the Wanli Soul Chasing Mirror out. It grew larger with the wind, and an image was projected on it. This image showed south of the Flowing Sand River, within the Hundred Thousand Mountains, where celestial soldiers and generals were fighting demons.

The celestial forces were rounding up demons, but they were being routed by the demons.

Sha Chen saw a familiar figure—the Spider Demon. All seven sisters were present, each wielding different Magical Tools and casting Great Divine Powers, scattering the celestial soldiers and generals in utter disarray.

Sha Chen could hear that when news reached Li Jing, he was furious and directly sent the Mighty Miracle God and other favored generals to subdue the demons.

"How dare these mere demons act so rashly?"

"Let Mighty Miracle God lead Generals Heng and Ha with thirty thousand celestial soldiers to take them down."

Li Jing issued the command, but after half a day, a subordinate returned to report that all thirty thousand celestial soldiers and generals had died. Mighty Miracle God, Generals Heng and Ha, and other celestial generals were severely wounded and were rescued in time by Wen Zhong.

Li Jing was furious and said, "Who exactly are these demons, so formidable that they can kill thirty thousand of my soldiers?"

The subordinate reported, "To report to the Great Marshal, they are the seven Spider Demons from The Cave of the Silken Web. Their cultivation is exceptional. By now, they are all at the level of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, with some even at a high stage of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal."

Li Jing snorted coldly, "I had not expected the mere Spider Demons from The Cave of the Silken Web to be so bold, daring to attack the troops of the Heavenly Court openly."

He waved his hand, "There are a million celestial soldiers and generals waiting here, already bored; let them go and capture the demons."

The subordinate immediately went to pass the order, and many great immortals also treated it lightly, continuing to rest with closed eyes, waiting for the edicts from the Heavenly Court.

However, another day passed, and a subordinate came to report again.

"To report to the Great Marshal, our celestial soldiers have suffered over a hundred thousand casualties, yet the demons remain at large, impossible to capture."

Li Jing roared with anger, "Who led the troops that still could not capture them? This is truly detestable!"

The subordinate reported, "The four Great Sky Kings personally led the troops to encircle and suppress them, but the demons were too formidable; together, the Sky Kings were no match."

Li Jing was stunned, utterly astonished. He then saw the four Great Sky Kings, looking ashen, arriving with their subordinates in a sorry state.

He frowned. "Tell me exactly what happened! How dare these mere demons challenge the authority of the Heavenly Court?"

The four Great Sky Kings exchanged looks, then said, "We ask the Great Marshal of Demon Subjugation to punish us for our incompetence."

Following that, Mo Liqing said, "We had previously clashed with those seven demons. They caused trouble in the human realm from The Cave of the Silken Web and fled at the sight of us. Unexpectedly, they have grown so formidable now that we are no match for them."

Li Jing shouted, "What is the reason? How could mere demons beat you to such a state?"

Mo Liqing said ashamedly, "Great Marshal, please calm your anger. Those seven demons are extraordinary, each of them highly skilled in cultivation. Moreover, every one of them is capable of the Eight-Nine Profound Art and Thug’s Seventy-two Variations!"

Li Jing was dumbfounded.

The immortals were equally stunned.

All were flabbergasted, their eyes wide in disbelief.

The spider demons from the measly Cave of the Silken Web were capable of the supreme arts of the Three Pure Ones, the Eight-Nine Profound Art, and the 72 Polymorphic Transformations?