Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 253 - 247: The Phoenix is Born, Shocking the Immortals and Buddhas【Seeking Subscription and Monthly Pass】_1

Chapter 253: Chapter 247: The Phoenix is Born, Shocking the Immortals and Buddhas【Seeking Subscription and Monthly Pass】_1

Next, Sha Chen began to guide Chang E and Jade Rabbit in their cultivation.

Chang E’s cultivation had already reached the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, just one step away from the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm. She already had some insights and foundation, and now, with Sha Chen’s teachings and the aid of the phoenix tree and the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup, a breakthrough to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm seemed just around the corner.

As for Jade Rabbit, whom he hadn’t seen for nearly a hundred years, her cultivation had already reached the mid-stage Greater Primordial Golden Immortal Realm; it seemed she too had encountered some excellent opportunities. However, among Sha Chen’s many followers, she was considered rather mediocre.

Through their conversations, Sha Chen learned the reason for her slow progress despite his guidance: she was reluctant to refine the resources she had gathered for him. Knowing this, Sha Chen had mixed feelings. He made a rare show of generosity, dividing a portion of the resources Jade Rabbit had collected and giving them to her for her own refinement. He refined them into Immortal Pills to make them easier for her to absorb and assimilate. He also shared his teachings with her to fill the gaps in her cultivation over the past hundred years and imparted to her the more complete Eight-Nine Profound Art and the 72 Polymorphic Transformations.

Since Jade Rabbit was also proficient with her Primordial Spirit, Sha Chen also imparted the Spirit Summoning Decree and the Sutra of Immortality to her. With the help of the phoenix tree, the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup, and the Tai Chi Diagram, Jade Rabbit’s strength improved by leaps and bounds. The years she spent collecting resources were fraught with perilous, life-and-death situations, leading to deep insights. Now, with Sha Chen’s guidance and the supplement of resources, her strength saw an immense breakthrough.

In about three months, her cultivation broke through to the high-stage Greater Primordial Golden Immortal Realm. Her progress could truly be described as miraculously fast.

Jade Rabbit was overjoyed and even repeatedly offered to warm Sha Chen’s bed, promising a future where "Jade Rabbit hangs on the osmanthus tree." Sha Chen refused time and again, urging her to focus on her cultivation.

In the river, there is neither day nor night; in the cave, time and space stretch endlessly. Lost in cultivation, one scarcely notices the passing of years.

「A year later.」

Chang E’s cultivation broke through, and she stepped into the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, yet she did not seem particularly joyful. It wasn’t because she had consumed one-fifth of Sha Chen’s resources. Rather, it was because after her breakthrough, she would have to leave the Flowing Sand River and return to Guanghan Palace. Yet, during this past year and a half, she had made no further progress in her relationship with Sha Chen.

Several times, she deeply envied Jade Rabbit, who could unabashedly express her love for Sha Chen, even throwing herself into his arms for unrestrained kisses. Although she received a harsh beating each time in the end, she felt it didn’t matter, believing that "to be hit is to be cherished, to be scolded is to be loved." But in the end, she never acted on these impulses.

All that could be said was, damn this reserve!

Having made her breakthrough, Chang E was set to leave, her heart heavy and her spirits dampened. Sha Chen too was feeling downcast, his mood even fouler. It wasn’t that he couldn’t bear to part with Chang E, but rather that her cultivation this time had consumed one-fifth of the resources Jade Rabbit had brought back for him.

This woman didn’t even bring a parting gift and still freeloaded off him!

Sha Chen truly wanted to cry but had no tears—it had always been he who freeloaded off others, never the other way around. But this time, he had learned a lesson from Chang E.

And so, with tears in his eyes, he sent Chang E on her way. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Chang E was deeply touched, not expecting Sha Chen to be so reluctant to let her go, and she even felt a strong urge to stay. "Brother, I didn’t expect you to be so unwilling to part with me. Otherwise, your little sister won’t leave. I’ll stay here with you, Brother, until the end of time," she said.

Sha Chen quickly composed his sorrowful expression. This woman actually plans to keep freeloading, eating and living here? Wants to stick around, depleting my resources and leeching off me? No way. It’s always been me taking advantage of others, not the other way around!

Sha Chen quickly replied, "No, no, your cultivation has broken through. If you don’t return to Guanghan Palace now, things will fall into disarray."

"Besides, I’m counting on you to help me gather information about the Heavenly Court. If you don’t go back, wouldn’t I become blind and deaf?"

Chang E nodded emphatically. Indeed, I am still very important to Sha Chen, and he relies on me a great deal.

In the end, Chang E chose to leave, because if she delayed any longer, she felt she would never be able to bring herself to go. Sha Chen’s consideration for others, his selfless dedication, and his noble character, all so clearly displayed, had irrevocably captured her heart.

Chang E left. She was in tears; Sha Chen, however, was smiling.

Finally, she’s gone! That woman nearly ate me into poverty. Next time, if she comes without a gift, she won’t get in, even if she brings life-or-death news.

Afterward, Sha Chen found himself somewhat missing the Black Bear Demon and the Spider Spirits. The Spider Spirits had repeatedly tried to enter the Flowing Sand River before but couldn’t. Now that the celestial soldiers and generals were gone, why hadn’t they come yet?

The Black Bear Demon had stolen resources from the White Horse Camp Store. A long time had passed without its return. Perhaps it secretly consumed them? Sha Chen mused with a touch of malice.

Jade Rabbit saw Chang E off but didn’t leave with her. Instead, she popped out and hugged Sha Chen’s arm, acting incredibly affectionate.

Jade Rabbit smiled sweetly. "General, this is great! No one will disturb us now."

Sha Chen was bewildered. He lifted her up and asked, "Why didn’t you leave with her?"

Jade Rabbit attempted a ’rabbit twists eagle’ move, about to put Sha Chen in a cross armbar, but he easily broke free.

Pressing down on her head, he said, "I forgot about you. Hurry up and return to Heaven with your master."

Jade Rabbit hastily replied, "General, if I return, who will be there to shed their blood for you and meticulously care for your well-being?"

Sha Chen said, "I don’t need anyone to tend to my well-being."

Jade Rabbit said, "But I can still gather more resources for you, General! Especially since I’ve discovered a primordial treasure trove. If we can open it, we might obtain the legacy of an ancient great god."

Sha Chen immediately released her, guided her to a seat at the table, and poured her a cup of tea. He chuckled. "You’re right. That bothersome master of yours has finally left. Now, I can explain the Dao Techniques to you with full concentration. This will help you make breakthroughs even faster."

Jade Rabbit immediately grinned from ear to ear. She understood Sha Chen well: gathering resources for him would make him happy. And she was more than happy to do so.

Jade Rabbit said, "General, my cultivation has reached the high-stage Greater Primordial Golden Immortal Realm. To reach the peak will require much more time."

Sha Chen said, "No problem. The Dao Techniques I teach you can greatly shorten that time."

Jade Rabbit smiled. "General, you’re so good to me. I have no way to repay you except to offer myself to you."

Sha Chen said, "Yu Er, you must remember, I see you as a younger sister. Don’t harbor any of those messy thoughts."

Suddenly, Jade Rabbit exclaimed, "Oh no!"

Sha Chen asked in alarm, "What’s happened?"

Jade Rabbit said, "I’m having those messy thoughts again! What should I do?"

Sha Chen was silent for a moment, suppressing the urge to beat her to death.

My composure is still lacking.

Primordial treasure trove, primordial treasure trove, he chanted inwardly. Sha Chen repeated it to himself over a hundred times, and a smile reappeared on his face. He felt better.

He coaxed her, "Yu Er, if your cultivation isn’t strong enough and your abilities aren’t high enough, how can you do things for me?"

"Besides, if you aren’t strong enough and get bullied outside, I won’t be able to help you."

Jade Rabbit was instantly moved to tears. "General, I never imagined you’d be so considerate of me! I even secretly drank a jar of your aged wine. I’m truly sorry."

Sha Chen clutched his chest; it ached a little.

Forget it, just bear with it. It’s already been drunk anyway.

Jade Rabbit then said, "General, you’re right. I indeed need to improve my own strength. I can’t let you worry about everything for me."

Sha Chen nodded, instructing her to continue cultivating.

However, Jade Rabbit was a restless woman, always prone to wild thoughts. She said, "General, let me ask you: if my master and Lady Di Yong both fell into the Flowing Sand River and were about to drown..."

Sha Chen had told her about Lady Di Yong just to annoy her and make her give up her foolish fantasies. He wasn’t even interested in someone like *that*, so how could he possibly have feelings for Jade Rabbit? However, Jade Rabbit never seemed to get the hint and even frequently compared herself to Lady Di Yong. Now, she was bringing up Lady Di Yong again.

It was the same old cliché about one’s girlfriend and mother falling into the river. Can’t she come up with anything new?

Just as Sha Chen was about to answer, Jade Rabbit continued, "If they both fell into the water, would you marry me then?"

Sha Chen opened his mouth, then closed it, ultimately remaining silent. A frustrated sigh was caught in his chest; he felt he had to let it out, yet feared that if he did, it wouldn’t be air he’d expel, but blood.

What on earth is going on in that head of hers?

He tapped Jade Rabbit on the head. "Enough nonsense. Hurry up and cultivate properly. Until you reach the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal Realm, you are not allowed to leave, nor are you allowed to do things for me."

Jade Rabbit said, "General, if that’s the case, you might as well kill me! I can’t *not* do things for you. Otherwise, what if your cultivation falls behind?"

Sha Chen said, "Then cultivate diligently."

Only then did Jade Rabbit comply.

Sha Chen rubbed his forehead, preparing to advance his own cultivation as well. For more than a year, he had possessed resources, but most of his time had been spent preaching and refining Elixirs. The time available for his own cultivation was far too little. Every time, he wished he could split himself into countless copies, each handling different tasks. Actually, the One Qi into Three Pure Ones technique could achieve this, but Sha Chen didn’t dare use it openly. Every time he employed it, he did so secretly, terrified of being discovered by the peeping Tongtian Hierarch. His avatars were his greatest trump card. Even when Li Bai interacted with Chang E, he didn’t use an avatar identity but posed as one of Sha Chen’s followers.

As Sha Chen sat down and prepared to cultivate, he suddenly sensed a change in the phoenix tree. Startled, he quickly looked over and saw the bird’s nest on the phoenix tree: the three phoenix eggs were trembling!

Leaves rustled down as the phoenix tree seemed to shake itself with vigor. The numerous Elixirs in the Innate Earth seemed to come alive at this moment, scattering pollen and perking up with vitality. Waves of medicinal fragrance permeated the air, then converged above the three phoenix eggs and were absorbed by them.

Watching this, Sha Chen felt a pang of heartache. The pollen and medicinal power of thousands of first-class Elixirs had been partially absorbed by the phoenix eggs, causing them to wilt somewhat. It was unknown how many more years they would need to mature again.

He secretly thought, Should I just eat them before they hatched? Perhaps I could still retain some of their Divine Power.

Just then, Jade Rabbit, who had only just settled into meditation, rushed over in delight, so excited her head nearly touched the eggs. "General," she exclaimed, "our children are about to be born!"

Sha Chen stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

CRACK. CRACK. CRACK.

The three phoenix eggs finally hatched. Instantly, a dazzling radiance shook the heavens and earth, soaring into the sky, piercing the clouds, its aura reaching for the stars.

Countless immortals were aghast. The multitude of Buddhas were profoundly shaken.

The Jade Emperor exclaimed from the Lingxiao Palace, "This is the light of the phoenix! It has been over a hundred thousand years. How can there still be such pure phoenix light? And three strands, no less! Three phoenixes born all at once!"

On Lingjiu Mountain, Tathagata Buddha, who was preaching, also remarked with admiration, "The Phoenix Clan has been in decline for over a hundred thousand years. To think that three would be born at once now! Speaking of phoenixes, they have a great connection with this Seat... Therefore, these three phoenixes belong to Buddhism. Who can go and bring them back?"