Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 301 - 295: I didn’t join Buddhism either [Seeking subscription and monthly ticket]_1
Yunxiao and Qiongxiao, the sisters, were both very confident in their youngest sister, Bixiao. Moreover, they had deliberately allowed Bixiao to enter, without even vying for the opportunity themselves or letting Qiongxiao go instead. The reason was that Bixiao had a fiery temper. If Sha Chen dared to refuse or made any inappropriate moves, Bixiao would definitely teach him a lesson. Therefore, Yunxiao felt that securing Sha Chen was a sure bet this time.
「Inside the Flowing Sand River.」
Bixiao, Sha Chen’s clone Chen Sha, and Fairy Yunyao had all entered. However, what they saw was not the entirety of the Flowing Sand River’s interior, but approximately one-third of it. At this moment, the Flowing Sand River had undergone a transformative change under Sha Chen’s Eight Gates Heavenly Lock Formation. From within, every place looked different. On regular days, when the Formation was not activated, it would appear the same as before. Once the Formation was activated, some parts would be concealed, or new parts would appear.
Sha Chen had integrated and hidden the Innate Earth, leaving only plots of Post-Heaven Earth as celestial fields. Most of the palaces were also hidden, and those Magical Tools had been taken into his Dan Fields of Stone Sea. As for resources, there were none left. What was stored were some immortal wines and various Immortal Pills for trading for resources, and Sha Chen had put them all away.
In short, when Bixiao and the others arrived, they saw the Flowing Sand River as a picture of abject poverty. Although it couldn’t be called desolate, it was certainly far from prosperous. Indeed, even a beggar seeing it would shed tears. A rat venturing here would starve to death.
After seeing this, Fairy Yunyao was utterly shocked and exclaimed, "How could such a destitute place support your Cultivation from True Immortal to Daluo Golden Immortal in just a little over two hundred years?" She immediately regretted her words, as such a remark seemed belittling and somewhat offensive.
Sha Chen, however, said, "The fairy is right, this place is indeed poor, but I did not steal or rob. Relying on my own perseverance and effort, I practiced in retreat here and eventually made some modest achievements."
Yunyao said, "Such poverty cannot support your ascension from True Immortal to Daluo Golden Immortal in just over two hundred years."
Sha Chen said, "The fairy is right, so I also need to thank some seniors who have come here."
Yunyao’s eyes sparkled as she said, "Others have been here too?"
Bixiao also looked over, with a trace of confusion in her eyes. Soon after, her eyes sharpened, and she looked toward a cliff directly in front, where there was a Tai Chi Diagram that faintly seemed to be emitting light.
HISS. She drew a sharp breath and said, "That’s a Tai Chi Diagram, containing the essence of the Dao. It’s undoubtedly the work of a Saint."
Sha Chen said, "The fairy has keen eyesight. That is indeed the handwriting of a Saint, precisely left by Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad from the Tushita Palace of Paul et Virginie."
"What!?" Yunyao was startled.
Bixiao too was stunned, her face slightly unpleasant, but more serious as she said, "I didn’t expect him to have been here too. What did he come for?"
Sha Chen calmly said, "He was just passing by, came in for a cup of tea, and seeing my earnest Cultivation, imparted his knowledge for a few months.
"Then, feeling increasingly compatible with me, he wanted to take me as his disciple, but I refused. He left the Tai Chi Diagram in his frustration and departed. He also said that if I ever changed my mind, I could seek him out any time."
Having said this, he looked at Bixiao and Yunyao. Indeed, both were shocked.
Yunyao said, "No, there’s a flaw.
"What do you have to make you so worthy in the eyes of a Saint? Moreover, you actually refused a Saint."
Bixiao kept silent, but her meaning was clear. What qualifications did Sha Chen have to refuse the invitation of a Saint?
Sha Chen said, "The fairy is right. To make the fairy understand, I have always been indifferent to fame and fortune, nor do I wish for strife and bloodshed. Naturally, I do not wish to join any faction. Even if it’s a Saint, if they are pursuing fame and profit, I would be reluctant to become their disciple."
Yunyao was dumbstruck.
The hot-tempered Bixiao furrowed her brows. Sha Chen’s words made sense. Most people pursue fame and fortune, Saints included. Even more so, Saints chase after fame and fortune; their merit is born from their reputation. With a name comes merit, and with merit comes sainthood. But she had not anticipated that someone could withstand the temptations of fame and wealth. At that moment, Bixiao actually felt a trace of admiration for Sha Chen. She also contained her fiery temper as well as her previous intent to find a pretext to beat up Sha Chen. Yunyao felt the same, having initially thought that a brute like Sha Chen would have been more covetous of fame and fortune, only to find that he was so aloof from such desires.
Chen Sha, naturally, was beside him boasting nonstop, praising how amazing Sha Chen was, his lofty principles and integrity shining bright. Reciting the poem "Picking Chrysanthemums beneath the Eastern Fence, the Hermit Sees the Southern Mountain" immediately elevated Sha Chen to an exalted position. Sha Chen and his clone worked in tandem, praising each other as though lamenting a meeting that came too late, eliciting admiration from others.
Bixiao said, "If you are so detached from fame and fortune, then I indeed should not force you to join the Sect of Interpretation."
Sha Chen immediately clasped his hands together and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Fairy."
In truth, Bixiao herself was not confident of successfully persuading him. Someone so indifferent to fame and wealth, who had even refused Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad? What made her believe she could outdo Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad? Perhaps only if their own master personally came. For Bixiao was actually seeking to recruit Sha Chen in hopes of having him join under the Golden Spirit Holy Mother. Otherwise, a visit to Jinao Island could arrange an introduction to the Tongtian Hierarch. However, whether the Tongtian Hierarch would agree to meet was another matter entirely. In any event, their bargaining chips were not as substantial as those of Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad, and they truly lacked confidence in their ability to persuade Sha Chen to their side.
Sha Chen had prepared some food, with both vegetarian and meat dishes, but they all looked quite ordinary. He also served some immortal wine, but these too were ordinary brews, without any osmanthus wine or fermented peach liquor.
Sha Chen said, "Since all of you are guests, I apologize for any lack of hospitality before. Please forgive me.
"I have prepared some simple wines to welcome you and cleanse you of the dust of travel. If you are willing, you may also stay for a few days."
Yunyao said, "No, no, we won’t be staying..." But after speaking, she realized she should not have been the one to speak and promptly closed her mouth.
Although Bixiao was known for her fiery temper, having lived countless years, she was astute and well-versed in the ways of the world. Often, her hot-headedness was nothing more than a protective facade. At this moment, she gave Yunyao a glare and then nodded, "In that case, we shall impose upon your hospitality. Although you are indifferent to fame and wealth, it may only be that you have yet to find a goal worth striving for. I am confident that joining the Sect of Interpretation will serve you far better than staying idly in this place."
Sha Chen chuckled and invited them to drink and eat.
After three rounds of wine and a variety of flavors from the dishes, Bixiao suddenly frowned, "Why do I sense another presence?"
Sha Chen furrowed his brow, then smiled, looked back and waved towards the grand hall. He laughed, "It seems nothing can be hidden from the fairy. That would be my little sister and a few children I’ve taken in.
"Come on out, you don’t need to hide anymore. But stay quiet and don’t forget your manners."
The Jade Rabbit and the three Phoenix sisters timidly made their appearance, moving cautiously, their eyes filled with fear and shock. They gathered beside Sha Chen, hiding behind him as they stole glances at Bixiao. This was the woman who had launched a fierce assault on the Flowing Sand River. She had left a lasting impression, which was why they were so fearful. However, their fear was half real and half feigned—the feigned aspect being a natural byproduct of their inherent trait to appear weak, a form of natural defense.
Sure enough, seeing their frightened state, Bixiao felt a touch of regret for her previous rudeness. Yunyao was even more embarrassed. If they had arrived more respectfully, they would not have caused Sha Chen’s sister and adoptive daughters to be so scared.
Yunyao raised her cup, "River Lord, it was our turn to be presumptuous before. Please, forgive us." Then she drained her cup.
Sha Chen smiled, raised his cup in return, and then had the Jade Rabbit and the others toast Bixiao and her companions before guiding them to have a seat.
Bixiao frowned and asked, "Sha Chen, are these three whom you’ve taken in to raise? Do you know who they really are?" She had already identified the true nature of the three Phoenix sisters.
Sha Chen replied, "I am aware. When I found them without a home to return to, I couldn’t help but take them in. It’s been twenty to thirty years since, and I’ve grown deeply attached to them, as if they were my own."
Yunyao was somewhat puzzled. What was so different about the three girls?
Bixiao explained, "They are phoenixes, with an exceptionally pure lineage. HISS. You just said you’ve raised them for only twenty to thirty years?"
Sha Chen affirmed, "Yes."
Bixiao exclaimed in astonishment, "Impossible! In just twenty to thirty years, how could they have reached their current level of development, on the verge of stepping into the realm of Daluo Golden Immortals?
"No, that’s not right. Indeed, they are only twenty to thirty years in age; such young phoenixes from ancient times would merely be infants."
She was shocked, her face a mix of amazement and disbelief.
Yunyao was utterly stunned, her body visibly trembling. As a Xianhe, or crane, and thus belonging to the bird family, she felt an innate fear of the phoenixes, the rulers of all feathered creatures. Before, it had been manageable, but upon hearing the name of the phoenix and learning that there were three with pure bloodlines, her fear surfaced naturally.
Sha Chen patted the three Bai Luan sisters, indicating they should return to the grand hall, and sent the Jade Rabbit to keep them company. Bixiao did not object. She just watched intently, her eyes flickering with thought.
Sha Chen continued, "The fairy is correct, they are indeed phoenixes, with a pure bloodline. I never anticipated their extraordinary talents when I first took them in. In just twenty to thirty years, they’ve achieved what they have now.
"However, they’ve reached a bottleneck. If they can’t break through, they might remain stagnant for ten thousand years."
Bixiao nodded, her mind in a tumult. Her confidence in winning Sha Chen over had greatly diminished. A man indifferent to fame and fortune, accompanied by three phoenixes of pure lineage, and possessing such formidable power—what more could he desire!? Bixiao had previously thought of offering generous benefits to win him over, but now she realized that the perks she could think of were not nearly enough to persuade Sha Chen. Moreover, the emergence of three phoenixes would create a considerable stir in the Three Realms.
Sha Chen seemed to read her thoughts, "The fairy need not worry. They are very home-loving and won’t venture out."
Bixiao suggested, "How about letting them join the Sect of Interpretation? You don’t have to join."
Sha Chen replied, "If they are willing, I have no objections. However, as their strength has not yet reached the level of Daluo Golden Immortals, I will not let them make any decisions."
Bixiao nodded, briefly excited at Sha Chen’s initial response but then saw the sense in his subsequent remark. If the phoenixes truly joined the Sect of Interpretation, it would grow significantly more powerful; after all, their potential could reach or even surpass that of her and her sisters. The Sect of Interpretation would surely flourish. Furthermore, the Sect of Interpretation never discriminated, and the addition of phoenixes to their ranks would not tarnish their reputation.
Seizing the moment, Sha Chen said, "Fairy Bixiao, since you just mentioned that if they are willing to join the Sect of Interpretation, you will no longer try to recruit me, how about this: we wait until they reach the Da Luo realm for them to decide their path, and then you can decide if you still wish to recruit me?"
Bixiao felt dizzy from Sha Chen’s words but grasped the gist. She stated bluntly, "That won’t do; we can’t come all this way for nothing. If you won’t join the Sect of Interpretation, you must not join Buddhism. To prevent you from joining Buddhism, I must..."
Before she could lose her temper, Sha Chen immediately said, "I haven’t joined Buddhism, either!!"
