Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 236 - 230: Sha Chen Defeated Bodhisattva Manjushri [Third update, subscription requested]_1

Chapter 236: Chapter 230: Sha Chen Defeated Bodhisattva Manjushri [Third update, subscription requested]_1

Sha Chen grasped the Sky Shaking Bow, seizing the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow.

Bridging heaven and earth, he stood as tall and mighty as the sky itself.

In just a moment, it seemed as if the heavens and earth lost their color, and the sun and moon were devoid of their brilliance.

In front of the Flowing Sand River Cave, the clear and transparent illusion vanished, replaced by Sha Chen’s true form inside the cave, drawing the bow and nocking the arrow.

Everyone could see, right at the entrance, Sha Chen’s fearless and majestic presence.

As for what lay behind Sha Chen, that became blurred.

HISS!

The crowd, witnessing this spectacle, gasped.

Li Jing and his sons, who had originally looked down upon him, along with the other immortals, all showed expressions of shock and terror.

The Sky Shaking Bow, the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow!?

"How does he have the Sky Shaking Bow and the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow?"

"Wasn’t it said that he never left Flowing Sand River? How did he obtain the Sky Shaking Bow and Shooting Sun Divine Arrow unearthed from the East Sea?"

"What does he intend to do? Does he mean to shoot down Bodhisattva Manjushri? That’s sheer madness, an impossible feat," they said.

The immortals were all taken aback, shaking their heads simultaneously.

Jinzha, seething with rage, clenched his teeth and said, "Marshal Father, Sha Chen wounded me with the Sky Shaking Bow that day. Little did I expect, he also possesses the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow."

"But even so, it’s useless for him. To shoot the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow, one must master the corresponding heart technique and mantra. Under all the heavens, only the Great Witch Yi from the Witch Clan understands the Shooting Sun Bow Method."

Li Jing nodded, heaving a sigh of relief, and said, "The Sky Shaking Bow and Shooting Sun Divine Arrow are said to break through anything; even my own Linglong Tower dares not claim that it could withstand them."

"Fortunately, Sha Chen only has the Magical Tool, without knowledge of the bow technique and mantra. In this way, its power is greatly diminished. Moreover, it’s not certain that his physical body can draw the Sky Shaking Bow to its full depth."

The rest of the immortals, hearing the words of the Li Family father and son, immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

So that was the case.

It was good that Sha Chen did not know the bow technique and mantra and that his physical body was not strong enough. He was not at the level of a Great Witch, and therefore not to be feared.

Bodhisattva Manjushri, however, felt his scalp tingle and frowned, feeling as if he were facing a great enemy, with thorns at his back. He even thought about standing up then and there, and no longer using the Nail Seven-Arrow Book. But if he were to get up like that, it would make him the laughingstock of others, and he would lose all face in both the immortal and Buddhist realms.

In fact, he was also gambling—betting that Sha Chen’s arrow would not hit him. Sha Chen could not use the Shooting Sun Bow Method, did not know the mantra, had insufficient strength, his physical body was not strong enough, and his vital essence was inadequate. Without these, Sha Chen’s Shooting Sun Divine Arrow could not even dream of injuring him.

However, he still gave a meaningful look to the others.

Jinzha and Muzha, the two brothers, immediately shouted, "Sha Chen, you wish to harm an Honorable Buddhist? Hold your insolence!"

Sha Chen snorted coldly, "He wanted to use the Nail Seven-Arrow Book against me, losing the demeanor of an elder. Since it’s like this, he’s heartless, so don’t blame me for being discourteous."

"And you two brothers, creating troubles without reason, talking nonsense, instigating conflicts—the cause and effect of today all started with you two, and you will be the ones to bear it in the future."

Once the words were spoken, the arrow could not be taken back.

Sha Chen instantly drew the bow fully, condensing the Wings of Wind and Thunder at his back, the Imperial Gods’ Thunder above his head, bathing in the Samadhi True Fire, and stepping on the water of the Flowing Sand River.

Three heads and six arms, he stood as tall and mighty as the sky.

Four hands grasped the bow and arrow, while two hands drew the bow.

In just an instant, the bow was fully drawn.

His vital essence flowed throughout his body like water, coursing through him, and the tri-flower seal on his forehead shone brilliantly.

Sha Chen yelled out and let go of his hands.

The arrow flew like a dragon, its sound like thunder.

In that instant, the waters of the Flowing Sand River were cleaved as if by a sharp sword, leaving a scar ten thousand miles long that would take a long time to heal.

In that instant, all immortals were frightened into a state of shock, as if facing death. The weaker gods were so frightened that their legs gave way; they sat down on clouds, some even shaking uncontrollably, wetting themselves.

Li Jing and the others were dumbfounded.

Sha Chen indeed had the audacity to shoot, and he could shoot after all. He had actually drawn the bow fully without any issue, not exhausting his energy and essence from the Sky Shaking Bow and Shooting Sun Divine Arrow.

How could he have such immense strength, and how could he have such a terrifying force of vital essence? Inconceivable. How terrifying!

No matter what the immortals thought, the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow had already been fired, heading straight for Bodhisattva Manjushri.

At this point, Bodhisattva Manjushri, feeling as if he had a sword hanging over him and sensing the threat of death, did not dare to keep up pretenses and sought to stand and dodge. But in that split second, at such a short distance, it was already too late to dodge. His only option was to take the hit. But with his reaction, even taking the hit meant that the outcome would not be much better.

Nevertheless, Bodhisattva Manjushri still used a Buddhist protective divine power of the lion, bathing his body in golden Buddhist light, as from every pore burst forth one golden swastika after another, forming a barrier of light. A golden lion phantom appeared at his back.

THUMP.

The Shooting Sun Divine Arrow arrived, easily tearing through the wall of light, piercing the Nail Seven-Arrow Book, and striking Bodhisattva Manjushri who was even further behind it. It flung Bodhisattva Manjushri a thousand miles away, his bright red blood scattering across the sky, his brilliant vital essence filling the entire region of the Flowing Sand River.

A million heavenly soldiers and generals watched, dumbstruck, their scalps tingling.

Over a hundred Buddhist Arhats and Bodhisattvas saw this and were terrified and shaken.

Jinzha, Muzha, and the others had already been scared speechless; if that arrow were shot at any one of them, death would have been certain. At the same time, they felt fortunate that Sha Chen hadn’t used the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow against them before; otherwise, they would have been the ones dead.

Li Jing felt even more insecure and immediately hid behind the crowd of immortals, while he took the Linglong Tower in his hands, intently watching Sha Chen. But that wasn’t enough; he immediately threw the Linglong Tower out to protect himself.

Wang Lingguan’s expression was also grave, his eyes filled with shock, his heart pounding as he secretly wondered if he would be able to block it were he in their place. In the end, he could only shake his head; blocking was out of the question—at most, he could try to dodge. However, at such a close distance, he also lacked confidence in dodging; he was very likely to be hit, so he could only try his best to avoid vital parts. In other words, if Sha Chen aimed the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow at him, it would be enough to threaten him.

Terrifying indeed. Unexpectedly, the mere Sha Chen has grown to such a terrifying extent. His Majesty the Jade Emperor truly lacked foresight to actually demote him to the mortal realm and hand him over to Buddhism.

After Bodhisattva Manjushri was hit, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva burst out of the Buddhist Pagoda, pointed at Sha Chen, and shouted loudly, "Sha Chen, how dare you harm an Honorable Buddhist, committing such heinous crimes? Will you not surrender and accept your punishment?"

He then executed the thousand hands and thousand eyes, stepped on the Three Dharma Golden Lotuses, grabbed the Wu Hook Twin Swords and the Tai Ji Symbol, and took up the Rainbow Lock. His entire person was majestic with a Buddha-like presence, his aura solemn and righteous. He looked as if he was about to charge down, to shatter the Flowing Sand River, and capture Sha Chen.

He shouted, "Sha Chen, surrender yourself at once, or else I will personally take action and capture you, not giving you even a chance for regret."

But no sooner had these words left his mouth than he saw Sha Chen reach out, incredibly seizing another Shooting Sun Divine Arrow and, once again, drawing the bow fully, aimed right at him.

HISS!

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva inhaled sharply, terrified and shaken, his scalp tingling.

Sha Chen actually has another Shooting Sun Divine Arrow, and he can still draw the bow fully? Doesn’t he get tired? Isn’t his qi and blood exhausted? To pull the Sky Shaking Bow is harder for ordinary people than ascending to heaven; without the mighty Da Luo Dharmakaya, it’s impossible to draw. Without the corresponding bow technique and mantra, it’s even more difficult. How can Sha Chen draw it so effortlessly!? Terrifying indeed.

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva was momentarily petrified. He dared not approach, though he didn’t retreat either, but watched Sha Chen warily.

His strength is about the same as Bodhisattva Manjushri’s. Since Manjushri couldn’t block it just now, he certainly won’t be able to either. However, Manjushri was struck because he responded hastily. I, on the other hand, am on full alert now; it might not be impossible for me to defend. But if it can be avoided, it’s better not to try.

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva didn’t wish to test the sharpness of the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow, yet having made such bold claims, if he didn’t act, he would lose all face.

It was Muzha, who had once received guidance from him during the Divine Enthronement, who understood him; he quickly said, "Honorable Samantabhadra, please show mercy. Let’s set aside Sha Chen’s matter for now and save Bodhisattva Manjushri first."

Upon hearing this, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva nodded, seemingly quite troubled to stop, yet he did not put away his magical tools. He only stepped back a bit before turning around to look for Bodhisattva Manjushri.

Soon, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva brought back Bodhisattva Manjushri, and numerous Arhats quickly surrounded them, all the while keeping a vigilant watch on Sha Chen in case he made another move. Jinzha and Muzha also gathered around, and the other immortals looked on with much concern.

Bodhisattva Manjushri was not dead, but he was severely injured, coughing blood, his breath faint and weak. He was on the verge of breaking into the Quasi-Saint Realm, but because of his injuries, he would likely not make progress for quite some time. His mount, the Green Lion, would probably surpass him soon.

Bodhisattva Manjushri’s face was as pale as paper, his body weak beyond measure, showing the terrifying power of the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow. This was because Sha Chen had not dealt a killing blow but had only severely wounded him; otherwise, he would have followed in the Golden Crows’ footsteps and perished directly.

Of course, I understand this. Sha Chen showed me mercy; otherwise, with my hasty defense, I would likely have died. But how can I admit it?

Under his pale complexion, he said in a low voice, "Sha Chen holds a rare treasure yet disrespects Buddhism; his heart is deserving of death."

Suddenly, he felt danger again, like a thorn in his back, as if he could die at any moment.

Sha Chen must have aimed at me again. In my current state, how could I possibly dodge?

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva also felt it, saying in alarm, "Sha Chen, don’t act rashly; you have already made a grave mistake, do not continue down this path."

Sha Chen said, "I have done no wrong; it is you who are at fault."

"Now I ask you, why target me, why frame me, why harm me in public?"

The crowd was rendered speechless by his question. Only those who had wronged him knew just how unjustly he had been treated.

But how could they possibly admit to this? Otherwise, wouldn’t they become the laughingstock of the Three Realms?

Did we come here just for a joke?

Sha Chen yelled, "Answer me! I have toiled alone here, and for merely breaking the Liuli Lamp, I was stripped of my official status and demoted here, already miserable enough; yet you still came to harm me!?"

"Although I, Sha Chen, am of lowly rank and little influence, insignificant as an ant before the vast sea, I am like a mantis trying to stop a chariot."

"If you give me no way out, then no one shall live!!"