Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 238 - 232: The Daluo Golden Immortal is One of Us [Fifth update request for subscription]_1

Chapter 238: Chapter 232: The Daluo Golden Immortal is One of Us [Fifth update request for subscription]_1

"Master, the spider spirits are all surrounded by the Heavenly Court’s forces. Judging by this formation, I’m afraid they won’t be able to escape," the Black Bear Spirit said cautiously, watching through the Wanli Soul Chasing Mirror.

Sha Chen furrowed his brows, remaining silent.

"Master, if they’re not important, we can just forget about them. But if they are, should we take action to save them?" the Black Bear Spirit asked.

"Everyone is very important to me," Sha Chen replied.

The Black Bear Spirit was deeply moved. He had casually asked to test Sha Chen, to see if he would abandon the spider spirits. Now it seemed he would not.

Such a master is truly worth entrusting one’s fate to.

"But rescuing them isn’t so easy," Sha Chen said.

The Black Bear Spirit also sighed. Indeed, rescuing them wouldn’t be easy; they could only watch helplessly as the Heavenly Court’s forces apprehended the spider spirits.

It was true. Sha Chen wouldn’t easily give up any follower, though talk of sentiment felt a little hollow. His primary concern was that the spider spirits undoubtedly carried a large amount of resources. Moreover, they had come for him; if captured, many of his secrets would likely be pried from them. Sha Chen had no desire for his secrets to be exposed. Therefore, the spider spirits had to be saved.

If it were just Wen Zhong and the Four Great Sky Kings, that would be one thing. However, there were also twenty-seven of the Twenty-Eight Lodges. All the Battle Gods of the Twenty-Eight Lodges were at the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm, and when combined, they could form a battle array against which the spider spirits definitely stood no chance. Even if another Daluo Golden Immortal were sent, it wouldn’t necessarily be easy to break free from such a lineup. This meant the spider spirits and the others might not escape unscathed. Unless Sha Chen personally went to rescue them, but that was impossible. Going out was out of the question; it was too dangerous outside. Here it was safe, plus the Black Bear Spirit always knew the right things to say.

As expected, the spider spirits clashed with Wen Zhong and the others. A battle erupted, shaking the heavens and the earth, catastrophic in its devastation. The seas roiled, and ocean waters surged backward. Casualties were countless; the scene was one of utter carnage.

The spider spirits originally held an advantage due to their knowledge of the Eight-Nine Profound Art and the 72 Polymorphic Transformations. However, the members of the Twenty-Eight Lodges also knew similar Divine Powers and Cultivation Techniques. Moreover, they were quite familiar with the Eight-Nine Profound Art and the 72 Polymorphic Transformations, as these were, after all, inherited from the Three Pure Ones. They too had once been disciples of the Sect of Interpretation, though they had joined with skills learned elsewhere, so they hadn’t switched to cultivating the Eight-Nine Profound Art, but they did have some understanding of it. Thus, the spider spirits’ advantage was completely nullified.

The Black Bear Spirit, witnessing the battle, was filled with excitement.

"We can’t keep watching from the sidelines," Sha Chen said, frowning as he pondered a strategy.

Suddenly, his expression turned peculiar. With a mere thought, he extracted a sliver of Kui Mulang’s soul. He immediately began Refining it, then gave it a slight stir. Far away in the Wanzi Mountain’s Bo Yue Cave in the Black Pine Forest, the Yellow Robe Fiend instantly writhed in agony on the ground. His subordinates, shocked and horrified, hurried to help him up.

Crying out in pain, the Yellow Robe Fiend screamed, "OW! It hurts so much! Damn you, Sha Chen! You said you wouldn’t refine my soul! Why are you Refining it again?"

Although he cursed, he also understood that Sha Chen’s sudden action meant he wanted to see him. And he knew that with the Flowing Sand River surrounded by heavenly soldiers and generals, Sha Chen likely intended to use him to escape.

Cursing and swearing, the Yellow Robe Fiend said, "I was hoping he’d send someone to plead for help. Then I could snub him a bit, let him understand my importance, and make him afraid to offend me in the future. To think he’d be so ruthless, Refining my soul and summoning me in such a manner—utterly detestable!"

After driving away his subordinates, he grabbed a Magical Tool and flew off on a cloud. Along the way, he ranted, "Damn you, Sha Chen! How come the heavenly soldiers and generals haven’t killed you yet? Just you wait! When I get there and you’re begging me for help, we’ll see how you beg then!"

At the Flowing Sand River, Sha Chen closed his eyes to meditate, no longer watching the battle between the spider spirits and the Heavenly Court’s forces. This left only the Black Bear Spirit feeling anxious.

「Half a day later.」

A challenge came from outside the Flowing Sand River. "Great General for Folding the Curtain of the Flowing Sand River, I am Li Xiong, Kui Mulang of the Twenty-Eight Lodges. I have been ordered to negotiate. May we step out and speak?"

Upon hearing this, the Black Bear Spirit was furious. "Master, this is Li Xiong, Kui Mulang of the Twenty-Eight Lodges! He is the White Tiger Star Position among the lodges, ranking in the top three. It’s even said he had a great opportunity, entering the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm before the Azure Dragon, Suzaku, and Black Tortoise Star Positions. His strength is ranked first among the Twenty-Eight Lodges, and he’s implicitly their leader. Rumor has it that he descended to the mortal realm and became a demon for a woman—an utter disgrace! He fought with you before, Master, and was defeated. His coming here now is undoubtedly to show off his might!"

The Black Bear Spirit despised Li Xiong to the core; hearing him announce himself made him grit his teeth in hatred.

But Sha Chen simply grinned. After all his preparations, wasn’t he just waiting for Kui Mulang?

"No need to be so angry," he said. "He’s one of us."

The Black Bear Spirit was startled. "One of us? But he’s an enemy... Huh?"

He was bewildered. Suddenly, a possibility struck him. His scalp tingled, a prickling unease spread down his spine, and he was filled with utter dread.

Could it be that Kui Mulang was also subdued by Sha Chen and had become a spy planted in the Heavenly Court?!

HISS! If that were the case... Master, you’re incredible!

The Black Bear Spirit was overwhelmed with joy and excitement. If this were true, they would have an inside man in the Heavenly Court, and a Daluo Golden Immortal Divine General of the Heavenly Court at that! With such a revered status, he might be able to help them escape this dire situation.

Outside, all the immortals felt that Kui Mulang had no way of calling Sha Chen out, as they had tried many times before without success. It was only when Bodhisattva Manjushri wielded the Nail Seven-Arrow Book, intending to put Sha Chen to death, that he had been forced to show himself.

Now, Kui Mulang, with mere empty words, intended to deceive him into revealing himself?

Possible? Impossible.

But then, as Li Jing and the others were preparing to watch the spectacle from a great distance, they were suddenly stunned.

The waters of the Flowing Sand River parted. The Black Tortoise Cave emerged, and then a colossal figure made of light appeared, stretching from earth to heaven, towering and imposing.

It was Sha Chen. He had actually appeared!

Why!? Inconceivable!

All the immortals were bewildered, finding the situation beyond belief.

Wang Lingguan said, "There are rumors that General Li has an unresolved grievance with Sha Chen. Their confrontation was fierce, almost ending in General Li’s death at Sha Chen’s hands. Now that General Li has come here, I can understand it’s probably to flaunt his might, especially since news from the front suggests that the twenty-seven lodges have been battling the spider spirits for half a day, with the outcome nearly decided. General Li is probably seizing this opportunity to ridicule Sha Chen. But I never thought Sha Chen would reveal himself; I assumed he wouldn’t show up."

Li Jing stroked his beard and said, "He’s still just a brash youngster, unable to withstand provocation. Had I known he was so easily provoked, why would we have gone through such trouble?"

Upon hearing this, everyone deeply agreed.

Kui Mulang, seeing Sha Chen, had a pleading look in his eyes, yet his face was filled with rage and mockery. He bellowed, "Sha Chen, do you admit your guilt?"

Secretly, he transmitted via voice projection, "Mr. Sha, why have you summoned me here?"

Sha Chen calmly replied, "I know of no guilt. I am not in the wrong; the Li Family brothers are."

Kui Mulang then shouted back, and Sha Chen responded in kind. To outsiders, it appeared as if Kui Mulang held the moral high ground, reprimanding and judging Sha Chen. They all silently commended Kui Mulang.

In secret, Kui Mulang and Sha Chen were engaging in a whispered exchange.

Kui Mulang humbly said, "Mr. Sha, I am unable to break this encirclement by the Heavenly Court. Please do not make things difficult for me."

Sha Chen replied, "I am not making it difficult for you, nor do I need you to rescue me here."

Kui Mulang sighed in relief, then asked, "Then, Mr. Sha, why did you summon me? What is it you wish?"

Sha Chen answered, "I need you to go to the shores of the Southern Sea and rescue the seven spider spirits besieged by your brothers. I believe you’re aware of this."

Kui Mulang responded, "I am aware. But the spider spirits are mere demons. Why does Mr. Sha care about them?"

Sha Chen stated, "They are my people."

Kui Mulang was taken aback but then nodded, indicating he understood. Secretly, he cupped his fist to his chest and said, "I dare not disobey Mr. Sha’s command. Even if this mission is as treacherous as climbing a mountain of swords or descending into a sea of flames, I will not so much as frown."

Sha Chen was speechless. All you need to do is visit the Southern Sea, ask your brothers to stand down, and find an opportunity to release the spider spirits—easier than eating and sleeping. And yet, you talk of climbing a mountain of swords and descending into a sea of flames?

However, Sha Chen naturally wouldn’t expose him. Instead, he encouraged, "Thank you. You agreed so readily, it makes me feel rather ashamed. I was beginning to think that after being away for so many years without any word, you had forgotten about me out there."

Kui Mulang broke out in a cold sweat. He had initially agreed to act as Sha Chen’s spy and relay messages. Yet, when the army surrounded the Flowing Sand River, he had sent no word, nor had he shown his face. This was indefensible, no matter how he tried to explain it.

He quickly replied, "Please forgive me, Mr. Sha. I was at a critical juncture in my Cultivation and couldn’t get away. Please, quell your anger, Mr. Sha."

Sha Chen chuckled. "Oh, I see. And here I thought you were dead."

Kui Mulang’s cheek twitched. He then said, "Mr. Sha, I shall head to the Southern Sea now. Rescuing the spiders is as urgent as putting out a fire."

Sha Chen nodded in agreement, then shouted, "Kui Mulang! You think you can act as a mediator? You conspire with the Li Family brothers! You have no right to speak to me!"

Then, in front of everyone, he shot out a palm strike. The attack scared Kui Mulang into turning and fleeing.

The immortals rushed forward to help, but after making his one move, Sha Chen returned to his cave, closing the door tightly and refusing to engage further. The immortals missed their chance and surrounded Kui Mulang instead.

Li Jing asked, "General Li, are you alright?"

Kui Mulang replied, "I’m fine, thank you for your concern, Great Marshal. But that Sha Chen is truly abhorrent. Did the Great Marshal say those spider spirits are his people?"

"Yes, that’s right," Li Jing affirmed.

Kui Mulang snorted. "In that case, I will personally go and capture them, then kill them to vent my anger!"

Li Jing was both surprised and delighted. "Then I shall have to trouble General Li. However, please, after you capture them, do not kill them immediately. Wait until we have interrogated them thoroughly."

Kui Mulang nodded in agreement and then departed.

Seeing Kui Mulang leave, his brilliant aura radiating the powerful presence of a Daluo Golden Immortal, everyone was filled with confidence.

Wang Lingguan exclaimed in amazement, "Who would have thought that after General Li stepped into the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, he would make such progress in just a few short years! Truly a gifted individual."

No wonder His Majesty values him so highly, Wang Lingguan mused secretly. He really has insight.

The immortals were very satisfied with Kui Mulang’s strength and felt certain that he would quickly capture all the spider spirits.

「The next day.」

News arrived. General Fish Spear knelt before the many great immortals, panicking as he reported, "Disaster! General Kui Mulang, underestimating the enemy and being careless, was wounded and taken hostage by the spider spirits in a joint effort, allowing them to escape!"