Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 305 - 299 Sha Chen is the Real Formation Great Grandmaster [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Sha Chen was at a loss for words, yet also felt immensely relieved.
Thankfully, he hadn’t lured Bi Xiao into the death gate or any other gate to confront her from the start. Instead, he had taken a step back to move forward, courting an alliance.
Thank goodness.
Sha Chen took a deep breath, his surprise and joy undeniable.
It seemed that Bi Xiao’s knowledge of formations exceeded his expectations, which would undoubtedly help him perfect the Eight Gates Heavenly Lock Formation. After all, although the formation was powerful, he had merely scratched the surface, unable to see its many flaws himself.
Sha Chen said, "Sister speaks the truth; it is indeed this Eight Gates Heavenly Lock Formation I hope you can help me reinforce."
Bi Xiao nodded and answered, "Certainly. Although it has quite a few flaws, the formation is very powerful. If perfected, even if I were to step into the death gate, my chances of survival would be slim."
Upon hearing this, Sha Chen’s heart leapt with joy. That was exactly the effect he was aiming for.
Bi Xiao then looked on with disdain, remarking, "Brother, did you have someone else lay out this formation? The quality is rather poor. If I had detected earlier that you were setting up this formation here, I could have completely disrupted your stance within the formation, potentially leading to your own demise within it."
Sha Chen was immediately shocked, then sheepishly responded, "Is it truly that perilous? This formation wasn’t laid out by others; I did it myself.
"Truly, faced with Sister’s overpowering approach and my inability to fend for myself, I hastily arranged it in response."
Bi Xiao’s face turned red, embarrassed by her words. Then suddenly, she was taken aback, utterly astonished.
She asked in amazement, "Brother, you’re also versed in formations? How long have you been studying this formation, and how long did it take to set it up?"
Sha Chen admitted with shame, "To my embarrassment, I first learned the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation by a stroke of luck, then spent two months developing the Eight Gates Heavenly Lock Formation and another month to master the basics. It’s truly shameful."
This time, Sha Chen wasn’t feigning modesty; he genuinely felt ashamed.
In the realm of Array Dao, he was a mere elementary student, not even fit to carry San Xiao’s shoes.
However, Bi Xiao was dumbfounded, utterly shocked.
Yunyao was also stunned; her understanding of formations was limited, but she was equally amazed by Sha Chen’s talent in Array Dao.
Bi Xiao was even more astounded, then she bowed deeply to Sha Chen.
She said emphatically, "Brother is truly peerless in talent, number one in cultivation, and in the world of Array Dao as well."
Sha Chen replied, "Are you not mocking me, Sister?"
Bi Xiao hurriedly said, "You misunderstand, Brother; it’s not mockery at all but sincere praise. With the cultivation of a Daluo Golden Immortal, Brother, you managed to derive the Eight Gates Heavenly Lock Formation from the Eight Gates Golden Lock Formation. This formation could even stand shoulder to shoulder with my Nine-Curve Yellow River Array. If perfectly arrayed, it’s even superior."
Sha Chen felt guilty inside; it was not his achievement, but the credit of the Wordless Heavenly Scripture.
Bi Xiao continued, "Moreover, for Brother to figure it out in just two months and master the basics in another month is truly humbling to me."
She praised him, "Anyway, when I was at your cultivation level, Brother, I was no match for you in Array Dao."
Sha Chen only felt more embarrassed.
His rapid understanding was due to the Wordless Heavenly Scripture, as well as the aid of Enlightenment Tea, the Tai Chi Diagram, the Wutong Tree, and various other enhancements. Otherwise, it might have taken him tens of thousands of years to reach the basics.
Bi Xiao said, "Even for myself, if I were to attempt learning it, I would need at least a year and a half, whereas Brother only needed one month; I feel inferior."
Sha Chen really wanted to find a hole to crawl into. Such praise made him feel unbearably sheepish.
However, he kept his composure and humbly waved his hand, saying, "Having talent is pointless without the ability to endure and the perseverance to go far. Sister, you have already come a long way; I hope you will guide me too."
Bi Xiao immediately responded, "Rest assured, Brother, if there’s anything you need me for, just give the order."
Sha Chen didn’t hold back, asking Bi Xiao right away to help perfect the entire Eight Gates Heavenly Lock Formation.
Bi Xiao said, "Don’t worry, Brother. Perfecting the entire Eight Gates Heavenly Lock Formation is fairly easy. Alone, I’d need three to five days to handle it; if we ask my two sisters to join, we could finish it in three hours."
Sha Chen immediately grew concerned.
Seeing this, Bi Xiao’s face flushed slightly.
She knew Sha Chen was likely worried about allowing the wolf into the fold. After all, since they had previously come aggressively, shouting and demanding battle, Sha Chen’s concern was natural.
She assured him, "Don’t worry, Brother; you’re my brother, and theirs too. And we have nothing but respect for our brother."
Sha Chen didn’t ponder for long; after all, if something did happen, Bi Xiao would be there. As a last resort, he could always bring out the Tongtian Hierarch and address them as Senior Sisters. I yield, I’ll become a disciple, alright!? But that was the path Sha Chen intended to take only if left with no other choice, to save his life. If possible, who would choose to be a younger brother when they could be an elder?
Sha Chen said, "Sister misunderstands; I wasn’t concerned about you taking me as your brother but whether it would leave your sisters bearing a grudge."
Bi Xiao immediately put her hands on her hips and declared, "They wouldn’t dare!"
Although she was hot-tempered, she showed great respect to her two sisters publicly. But behind the scenes, she was the little emperor, with her sisters indulging her; they let her have her way.
Therefore, Bi Xiao almost revealed her true form, but hastily pretended to be docile again, saying, "Brother, don’t worry, they won’t."
Seeing this, Sha Chen felt reassured.
Then he said, "Alright, let’s open the door together and invite them in."
「Outside the Flowing Sand River.」
The eldest of the San Xiao, Yunxiao, and the second, Qiongxiao, were having tea at Huanghua Temple, eating pastries they brought with them during their travels, and were fiddling with flowers and drawing diagrams in their books.
They were both masters of Array Dao, and could form arrays with every flower, every blade of grass, and every stroke of their brushes. Even during their leisure time, they would study the Array Dao.
Yunxiao said, "Second Sister, do you think our younger sister could be tricked and suffer at the hands of Sha Chen? Why has it been so long without any news?"
In front of others, Qiongxiao usually maintained a cold demeanor, but she let her guard down with her own people, especially her elder sister.
She casually said, "Sister, you need not worry. Our younger sister’s strength is already at the Intermediate Stage of a Semi-saint, her cultivation profound, her mana boundless. That Sha Chen is merely a Da Luo; how could he be her opponent?"
Yunxiao said, "But there’s been no news for so long, I’m worried."
Qiongxiao said, "Since you’re worried, let’s not wait any longer and just barge in."
Yunxiao shook her head and said, "One must keep their promises. Since I’ve already said I’d leave it to our younger sister, I should let her handle it. How could I go back on my word?"
Qiongxiao rolled her eyes and said, "Sister, you’re too honorable for your own good. That’s why you suffered, deceived by that old rogue Li Er, and suppressed at Qilin Cliff. Thankfully, our master released your physical body, or it’s uncertain if you could have retained your Great Perfection cultivation."
Yunxiao shook her head and said, "That’s all in the past now; let’s not bring it up again."
Qiongxiao pouted and said, "Fine, fine. We won’t mention it. But truly, if we’re really worried, let’s just storm in. Sha Chen is nothing but a child. Why should we keep our word with him?
"We’ll give him two choices: agree to join the Sect of Interpretation, or else, we’ll kill him and not give him a chance to join Buddhism."
Just at that moment, the waters of the Flowing Sand River split apart, radiating brilliance.
The two sisters immediately looked over, vanishing from a hundred miles away in an instant, and reappeared above the Flowing Sand River. With clouds under their feet, they were only seven or eight zhang above the river, as if a wave could reach them.
The Flowing Sand River had parted, and the cave’s door was also open.
Qiongxiao transmitted her voice, "Sister, it must be our younger sister who has settled Sha Chen, and soon we’ll be able to enter the most mysterious place in the Three Realms to spend the winter."
Yunxiao said, "Something’s not right. I don’t feel any killing intent at all."
The gate to the Flowing Sand River Cave was wide open.
The two sisters saw Sha Chen and Bi Xiao standing together, smiling at them from the doorway.
Both sisters were stunned.
Bi Xiao beckoned and said, "Sisters, come down and quickly enter the Flowing Sand River. I’ve prepared delicious food and drinks for you."
The two sisters immediately looked grave and became vigilant.
Qiongxiao said, "Sister, this is bad! Our younger sister must be held hostage by Sha Chen to speak such words."
Yunxiao frowned slightly; her divine consciousness swept over, but the Sky Covering Umbrella blocked her view, preventing her from seeing the situation inside.
However, she was not the slightest bit panicked; instead, she strolled leisurely up to the entrance of the cave.
She scrutinized Bi Xiao and Sha Chen from head to toe, while Qiongxiao also followed, no longer transmitting her voice but staring coldly at Sha Chen.
Sha Chen wore a slight smile. Gone was the subservience and caution he had when he first met the three sisters. What remained were only calmness and composure, as well as a touch of inscrutable depth.
Yunxiao became even more unsettled. His gaze was off; he dared to look at us squarely, as if he had become someone else. Could it be that he was possessed?!?
She cursed to herself internally, but she also realized that Sha Chen was still Sha Chen, albeit with a changed attitude, not possessed.
Yunxiao asked, "Younger sister, what’s going on?"
Her gesture as she tilted her chin was very clear.
How could you be so familiar with Sha Chen? Given your temperament, you should be beating him, striking him, shouldn’t you?
Very warmly, Bi Xiao then took the two sisters by the arms, laughing and saying, "Sisters, let’s go inside and talk. What can we say standing at the door?"
Then, she pulled the two sisters towards the inside.
Yunxiao couldn’t hold out against Bi Xiao’s enthusiasm and was pulled inside. Qiongxiao, however, looked Sha Chen up and down with a face full of distrust.
Bi Xiao pulled her in and then said, "Second Sister, stop acting cool. That kind of attitude won’t attract any man’s affection."
Qiongxiao’s eyes widened. When had her younger sister ever brought up her shortcomings in front of an outsider?! Something had changed. Her sister had changed.
But still, they were dragged inside, and then the door closed again.
The Immortals keeping watch above the Flowing Sand River, who were constantly monitoring the situation, suddenly panicked and rushed to report the news.
The people of Buddhism also hurriedly communicated with Lingjiu Mountain.
The Empress San Xiao of the Sect of Interpretation had come to the Flowing Sand River, and what’s more, they had gone inside. This was a major event.
