Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 275 - 269: The Moon-Eating Heavenly Dog and the Mountain Splitting Axe [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
"The host has been asked by Erlang God Yang Jian, a Grand Destiny Carrier, to spar in a test of mana. You have the following choices."
"Option One: Accept Yang Jian’s invitation to spar, and receive the loyalty of the fierce beast [Moon Devouring Heavenly Dog] as a reward. Moon Devouring Heavenly Dog: A remnant species of primordial fierce beasts, the mount of the Great Witch Hou Yi, possessing cultivation of Daluo Golden Immortal or higher upon reaching adulthood."
"Option Two: Refuse Yang Jian’s invitation to spar, and receive the treasure [Mountain Splitting Axe] as a reward. Mountain Splitting Axe: An Innate Spirit Treasure, one of the top-tier tools for breaking seals, forged from fragments of the axe used to cleave heaven and earth, hidden beneath Mount Hua."
When Sha Chen saw the rewards for the choices, he couldn’t help but grin from ear to ear.
Both options offered highly generous rewards, yet without much hesitation, he decided to refuse the invitation to spar.
The Moon Devouring Heavenly Dog was indeed a Daluo Golden Immortal, a very decent mount. Even if not used as a mount, it could serve as a follower. Using it to guard the house, protect the domain, or dispatching it to gather resources were all good choices. However, Sha Chen didn’t want to spar with Yang Jian. It wasn’t because he was afraid, but simply because he was no match and saw no need to humiliate himself. Furthermore, Yang Jian’s sudden arrival was definitely for reasons more complex than a simple spar. If they truly came to blows and he were defeated, returning safely to the Flowing Sand River Cave would not be so easy. To invite him into the Flowing Sand River Cave to fight was even more out of the question. Without understanding Yang Jian’s purpose for coming, even if Sha Chen liked and trusted him as a person, he couldn’t possibly invite him in. Moreover, maintaining an air of mystery was one of the methods Sha Chen used to feel a sense of security. If others were to find out his trump cards or true strength too easily, next time they would simply send someone even stronger against him, or purposefully target him. Wouldn’t that just be disastrous? Sha Chen favored bullying the weak; why would he fight someone who clearly held greater strength? This Yang Jian seemed very powerful. Although he might still be at the peak of Daluo Golden Immortal, who knew if he might suddenly step into the Quasi-Saint Realm? Or whether he was hiding his true strength—that was also unknown. If Yang Jian weren’t so formidable, would the rewards be so substantial? Receiving the Mountain Splitting Axe was something Sha Chen desired; that item in his hand would propel his combat prowess to a much higher level. The Mountain Splitting Axe itself was of a high grade and especially effective in breaking seals. Powerful and weighty, it was precisely the perfect choice for someone like him who cultivated his physical body. Sha Chen even felt that if there was someone as physically strong as him wielding the Mountain Splitting Axe, they could easily break through his Flowing Sand River Cave’s defenses! Though his Black Tortoise Armor and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji provided strong defense, the Mountain Splitting Axe was specifically designed to breach such defenses. If a sufficiently powerful person wielded the Mountain Splitting Axe, penetrating his defenses wouldn’t be too difficult. It was better to have such a thing in his own hands, so that no one else would have the chance to break through his defenses.
Without uttering another word, Sha Chen immediately refused Yang Jian’s invitation to spar.
He said, "True Lord, I’m sorry. Your mana is boundless, and my strength is mediocre. I’m no match for you; sparring with you would only bring shame upon myself. Let’s forget about it."
Yang Jian said, "How do you know you are not up to it if you haven’t tried?"
Sha Chen continued, "I’m not up to it."
「Inside the Flowing Sand River Cave.」
The White Bone Demon was also awakened by the commotion and gathered around Sha Chen with the three phoenix sisters, their expressions grave.
Then, after hearing what Sha Chen said, she offered a reminder, "Master, a man shouldn’t say he can’t do it."
Sha Chen’s face twitched.
The three phoenix sisters asked, puzzled, "Auntie White, why can’t a man say he can’t do it?"
Hong Luan’s eyes lit up, and she said, "Is it because men are particularly proud and therefore can’t admit they can’t do something?"
The three sisters nodded seriously as if they had an epiphany.
Sha Chen glared at the White Bone Demon and huffed, "Whether one can or cannot isn’t a matter of talking, but doing."
The White Bone Demon’s face turned red, and she nodded, "Master, your servant is willing to prove that you can."
Sha Chen nearly unleashed a set of military boxing moves on her. What nonsense! What was there for her to prove?!
Bai Luan asked, "Daddy, can you do it or not?"
Sha Chen’s cheeks twitched once more. "I can, but I won’t fight him."
Qing Luan questioned, "Then why not agree? That three-eyed man looks so fierce; Daddy, fight him!"
Hong Luan also nodded. "Otherwise, let me fight him on Daddy’s behalf."
All three sisters’ eyes darted around as they clamored about taking to the field in their father’s stead, keen to help Sha Chen deal with Yang Jian.
He knew exactly what they were thinking. He flatly vetoed it and had the White Bone Demon pull them back to stop them from bothering him.
「Outside.」
Sha Chen’s phantom remained steady as he said, "True Lord, there is no need for further words. I will not accept your challenge, and there is no point in discussing a spar."
Yang Jian said, "That’s truly a pity. Then, I wonder if the General for Folding the Curtain could open the gates of the Flowing Sand River and invite this True Lord in for a drink?"
Sha Chen refused again, "My abode is humble, unfit to entertain a great True Lord like you."
Yang Jian responded, "I’ve seen it before. The General’s dwelling is glittering with gold, a palace of a thousand layers, with birds singing among fragrant flowers. It’s not humble in the slightest. General, please don’t make excuses."
Then, he took a step forward.
Sha Chen’s phantom became somewhat unstable, and his expression tensed slightly.
He had not expected that Yang Jian could truly see through his cave-dwelling, nor did he know how much Yang Jian had seen. And now, could he still see anything at all?!
Yang Jian showed no intention of elaborating further; he was very calm and composed, brimming with confidence.
At this moment, the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi suddenly said, "Erlang God, since he does not wish to spar with you, why must you insist so forcefully?"
"Besides, it is clear that he does not welcome you, yet you still want to force your way into someone else’s dwelling. This is not the behavior of a gentleman."
The reincarnation of Jin Chanzi looked at him with disdain and said, "True Lord, why don’t you go back? On my Journey to the West, I do not wish to associate with someone who bullies others into submission."
Yang Jian frowned. He hadn’t expected the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi to speak of him this way. However, he did not take it to heart and simply responded indifferently, "Holy Monk, you misunderstand. I only came here with you to see the General for Folding the Curtain, not to join you on the Journey to the West."
The reincarnation of Jin Chanzi said, "You have seen him already, so now you can leave."
Yang Jian, however, smiled and replied, "Holy Monk, you are not the master of the Flowing Sand River. Why do you usurp his place and speak for the General for Folding the Curtain?"
"Moreover, what I wish to see is the true form of the General for Folding the Curtain, not this current phantom."
The reincarnation of Jin Chanzi was at a loss for words, but after pondering for a moment, he said, "But clearly, he does not wish to see you. Why force someone against their will?"
Yang Jian, tall and imposing, stood half a head taller than the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi. He glanced at him and said calmly, "Holy Monk, you are the one on the Journey to the West. You shouldn’t talk so much."
The reincarnation of Jin Chanzi replied, "This humble monk is trapped here, unable to advance or retreat. I have no choice but to seek help from the immortal of the Flowing Sand River, so naturally, I must speak for him. How is that talking too much?"
Yang Jian reached out and grabbed the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi’s collar.
Startled, the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi froze for a moment and exclaimed, "Erlang God, are you intending to kill this humble monk?"
The assembled gods and buddhas were utterly astonished.
Inside the Bright Palace, Li Jing, Wang Lingguan, Li Changgeng, and others had already stood up.
The Jade Emperor squinted, his gaze profound.
Li Jing exclaimed angrily, "Yang Jian is really too presumptuous! He previously tolerated Sha Chen humiliating my son, and now he even intends to personally deal with the Holy Monk?"
"His actions will only cause trouble for the Heavenly Court and Buddhism, and will only worsen relations between our two factions." Then he cupped his fists towards the Jade Emperor and said, "Your Majesty, please issue a decree to punish Yang Jian immediately."
Li Jing bore a grudge against Yang Jian. Yang Jian had previously refused to help Muzha, causing Muzha to flee in fright and resulting in an utter loss of face for the Li Family. Now, seeing Yang Jian’s rash behavior, he naturally had to speak out.
Before the Jade Emperor could respond, everyone, through the Tongtian Mirror, saw Yang Jian holding up the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi. He said indifferently, "You want to cross the river? I will help you. Why rely on others?"
Then, he threw the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi straight across to the other side of the Flowing Sand River.
As the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi flew through the air, his eyes bulged with a mixture of shock and anger.
"Yang Jian, you are trying to kill this humble monk!"
Yang Jian replied indifferently, "Don’t worry, you will fly over steadily; you won’t fall to your death."
Then, he blew out a breath, and a cloud appeared, carrying the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi towards the other side of the Flowing Sand River.
At this critical juncture, a hand reached out from the Flowing Sand River, aiming for the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi.
It was a colossal hand that could block out the sky, its movement swift as a dragon, its power earth-shattering.
The assembled gods and buddhas watched in alarm, petrified.
That’s Sha Chen’s hand! Is he actually trying to capture the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi? Indeed, he harbors resentment towards Buddhism! He’s planning to take revenge on the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi!
The phantom disappeared. The gates to the Flowing Sand River Cave opened, but the waters of the Flowing Sand River did not part.
Only a hand reached out, aiming for the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi.
The reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, however, showed not the slightest hint of panic; instead, his eyes filled with surprise and anticipation.
Yang Jian chuckled, "General for Folding the Curtain, you are an exiled General. This True Lord is sending the Holy Monk across the river. Could it be that I have offended you, and you seek to put him to death?"
From within the Flowing Sand River came Sha Chen’s voice, "Erlang Zhenjun, you jest. I simply feel a connection with the Holy Monk and wish to invite him into my cave-dwelling for a chat."
Erlang God said, "This True Lord feels a connection with you too. Why don’t we go in together!?" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺
He then reached out and grabbed his three-pointed, double-edged glaive. Activating his Law of Heaven and Earth divine power, his form grew enormously large.
Vanishing from his spot, he reappeared above the Flowing Sand River. Like a black tornado, with the three-pointed, double-edged glaive in hand, he chopped towards that arm.
「Inside the cave-dwelling.」
Sha Chen’s face was stern. He had already manifested his three heads and six arms. In his hands, he held the Sky Shaking Bow and the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow, the Giant Que Sword and the Undefined Flying Rings, the Dragon Binding Rope and the Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover.
He held various magical tools, his fingers forming mudras to unleash the Imperial Gods’ Thunder. Instantly, the sky above became dense with thunderclouds.
The Flowing Sand River, under the influence of Sha Chen’s Plain-Colored Cloud Border Flag, roiled with terrifying waves.
Yang Jian frowned upon seeing this, but his three-pointed, double-edged glaive continued to fall without hesitation.
