Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 315 - 309: Li Er Can’t Avoid Convention Either, He Has To Take Sha Chen As His Disciple [Subscribe and Monthly Tickets Pleaded]_1
"Having discovered that the host has been invited by the sage Laozi to become a disciple, you have the following choices."
"Choice one: Become a disciple of the sage Laozi and receive nine [Heavenly Pseudo Qis] as a reward. Heavenly Pseudo Qi: At the onset of heaven and earth, when the primeval chaos gave birth, myriad breaths were created within the cosmos. The true Qi of chaos belongs to the Heavenly Dao, yet the inferior ones are known as Pseudo Qi. The condensation of merit into sainthood forms the Purple Qi of chaos, and for those whose merit falls short, they condense the Pseudo Qi and become Sub-Sages."
"Choice two: Refuse to become a disciple of the sage Laozi and receive thirty-six [Honghuang Creation Qis] as a reward. Honghuang Creation Qi: A strand of holy true Qi, originating from the same source as the primeval chaos, capable of strengthening the physical body. It’s rumored that each of the twelve Ancestral Witches condensed hundreds of these Honghuang Creation Qis."
HISS!
The strongest Saint is truly worthy of his title, for the rewards for taking on disciples are so lavish.
Sha Chen saw this and was dumbfounded. To be honest, these rewards were the most tempting he had ever encountered.
If one were to become a disciple of the sage Laozi, the reward would be Heavenly Pseudo Qi, which is said to be condensed by those whose merits fell short in becoming Saints, resulting in them becoming Sub-Sages instead.
The three Saints from Fire Cloud Palace and Hou Tu from the Samsara Platform all condensed Heavenly Pseudo Qi, turning into Sub-Sages.
It is said that during the Divine Enthronement War, the most divinely inspired Taoist Lu Ya, with a history of extraordinary talent, condensed all the merits from his past and present lives. During the catastrophe of the Divine Enthronement, with the support of King Wu’s campaign against Zhou, he battled the Sect of Interpretation, and his merits also made him a Sub-Sage. As for the specifics, they are unknown. But one thing is certain: The Heavenly Pseudo Qi is a truly formidable existence; just one strand could bring endless benefit to someone. This time, there are even nine strands.
Sha Chen could even imagine that if he really accepted, perhaps these rewards might be given to him through the sage Laozi by the system. However, merit is a matter most mysterious and profound, unpredictable.
Sha Chen, in the Flowing Sand River, was of no help to the world—if one were to speak of merits, that would be utterly nonsensical. To actually gain merit and condense Heavenly Pseudo Qi in the future, who knows what the price might be. Now, it is merely about becoming a disciple, nothing but a gimmick.
Sha Chen could also imagine if he really became a disciple, he would be immediately packed up and taken away by Li Er. Whatever he gained would be like working for someone else. He would have no freedom. Furthermore, following the sage Laozi might not be entirely safe either.
After all, a Saint’s own strength is formidable, ensuring his own safety, as with the Tongtian Hierarch, who remained unharmed even as the Sect of Interpretation was shattered into disarray. But the disciples of the Sect of Interpretation suffered greatly.
Although the sage Laozi himself is formidable, his disciples and followers may not be, and they would also have to work for the venerable sage. Running errands here and there might lead to conflicts. With too few monks for a large temple, Sha Chen believed that there would be innumerable demands on his time; not to mention safety concerns, even the multitude of tasks would leave him no time for cultivation. This is why Saints grow stronger while their followers struggle to make progress. Not for lack of talent or resources, but because there is not enough time. They must run errands for the Saint, spread his fame, and gild his reputation, leaving themselves with no time for cultivation.
If they had no time for cultivation, their own levels would inevitably fail to keep up, and they would soon be surpassed by others coming from behind. Sha Chen did not enjoy fighting or, to be more precise, he did not like being on the receiving end of fights. Isn’t it better to cultivate in peace?
Furthermore, isn’t receiving thirty-six Honghuang Creation Qis tempting? That’s twenty more than he had obtained before, and he didn’t even know to what extent these could enhance his physical body.
Thinking about this, Sha Chen felt a surge of excitement in his heart. But to refuse Li Er, it couldn’t be so straightforward, and certainly not too direct, otherwise it would cause Li Er to lose face. If he lost face, who knows if he might suddenly lash out or torment him for three months like Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad. That would be unpleasant.
After much hesitation, Sha Chen feigned constipation and then said, "Please forgive me, Sage. I am of limited talent and shallow learning. My capabilities are inadequate and my aptitude mediocre. If I were to follow the Sage, I fear I would only bring shame upon you. Therefore, please allow me to decline the offer to become your disciple."
Having observed the changes in Sha Chen’s gaze and the slight difficulty in his manner, Li Er already knew the outcome. That slight difficulty wasn’t about deciding whether to become a disciple, but about how to refuse him in a way that wouldn’t embarrass him.
Li Er immediately thought, How can this fellow consider rejecting me so unhesitatingly? Could it be that my reputation as a Saint no longer holds sway, not alluring enough?
Seeing Sha Chen’s prolonged hesitation and his theatrical refusal, Li Er felt even more certain of his thoughts and even more unbalanced. He is, after all, a formidable Saint, even the strongest among the Saints, the foremost among the Three Pure Ones. His disciples and former subordinates are spread across the world, yet he has only two personal disciples. Now, offering you the chance to be the third, don’t you appreciate it!?
Li Er said, "Sha Chen, think it over. I am a Saint, and furthermore, it has been a long time since I have taken a personal disciple. Countless individuals yearn to enter my tutelage, whom I do not even spare a second glance. By refusing me, you are turning down an immense opportunity—one that not everyone has, one in a billion."
Sha Chen hurriedly bowed with his fists again, yet inwardly he thought, Was I not hesitant long enough, or was my acting too crude that he still refuses to give up?
Yet he feigned terror and said, "Please forgive me, Saint. This junior possesses neither virtue nor talent, and that one-in-a-billion chance of destiny—it seems we’re fated but not destined."
Li Er took a deep breath. To tell the truth, he had lived for so long, and even during the Divine Enthronement War, he had never felt so helpless. But facing Sha Chen, he truly felt he had no recourse. Who could refuse when a Saint personally offers to take them in as a disciple? If it were someone else, Li Er could be certain that they were just pretending to be modest, waiting for a better offer. But this was Sha Chen. He could be certain that if he let go and stopped insisting, Sha Chen would definitely be overjoyed, dancing with happiness.
Sha Chen was absolutely not pretending to be modest, nor was he holding out for a better offer; he genuinely did not want to take a master. Li Er possessed infinite wisdom, yet, he could not fathom why Sha Chen would refuse him.
He said indifferently, "Sha Chen, I know my junior, Tongtian Hierarch, once sought you out. He wanted to take you as his disciple, but you refused."
Sha Chen felt a shock in his heart; indeed, nothing could be hidden from a Saint.
Li Er continued, "His nature remains unchanged, still wishing to rebuild the Sect of Interpretation, and even aiming to create a new world from the basic elements, all to disrupt Buddhism’s Journey to the West and to become renowned once again. But you are smart; you refused. It seems you guessed that he wouldn’t succeed. During the Divine Enthronement, he looked down upon the world, the Sect of Interpretation stood proud over all, yet he failed. And now, even more so!"
There was a trace of disdain in his words, mixed with a bit of regret and helplessness. Then he added, "However, I cannot figure out why you would refuse me. I do not compete nor strive; joining me would only benefit you. Why would you, a man focused solely on profit, not join?"
Sha Chen’s cheek twitched slightly. Speak properly! Why call me a profit-seeker? And why is the Saint being so verbose? If I don’t want to join, I simply don’t join. Why all these questions? Is he getting too familiar? However, he dared not argue with a Saint.
Sha Chen dared only to think this way and then, with an apologetic smile that seemed very ’sincere,’ said, "Please forgive me, Saint, I truly am fated but not destined..."
SMACK.
Li Er slapped Sha Chen’s forehead and said, "Speak plainly."
Sha Chen knew that if he continued to beat around the bush, he might be in for a severe beating, so he didn’t dare to spout nonsense anymore. He quickly said, "Please permit me to report, Saint. I am cautious and prudent, not fond of fighting and killing, and even less fond of running around. The Saint must surely know this."
Li Er stayed silent; he certainly knew. Sha Chen was a lazy good-for-nothing, never making a move.
Sha Chen continued, "This junior prefers to stay at Flowing Sand River, cultivating here, and when bored, finding someone to talk to or simply cultivating some more, untainted by the dust and karma of the world. Because once karma is involved, it brings not only the fire of retribution upon oneself but also trouble. This junior fears trouble and fears death even more; thus, I don’t wish to venture out, invite trouble, or court death."
Li Er was so angry he nearly died. Sha Chen’s words were infuriating.
He demanded angrily, "With the status of a Saint’s disciple, who would dare to bully you, who would dare try to kill you? Fear of trouble and death, that’s common to all; no one isn’t afraid. But should you become my disciple, who would dare trouble you, and who could claim your life?"
Sha Chen’s expression was complex as he said softly, "Saint, it is said that during the Divine Enthronement, Master Xuandu nearly lost his life in battle..."
Li Er was momentarily at a loss for words.
Sha Chen continued, "It is also said that Immortal Huolong once fought with the Honorable Xianglong over a Dragon Ball and was nearly killed by the Honorable Xianglong..."
Li Er felt completely undone. He had just said that by becoming his disciple, carrying the title of a Saint, there would be no threat to one’s life, no troubles to face. Yet, Sha Chen’s words struck home.
His eldest disciple, Master Xuandu, was almost overpowered by the invincible Quasi-Saint Kong Xuan during the Divine Enthronement, barely survived encounters with San Xiao, and was beaten into seclusion by the Golden Spirit Holy Mother. As for Immortal Huolong, his situation was even more pitiful; at least Master Xuandu was dealt with by famous great Quasi-Saints and still walked away with his life. Immortal Huolong was outright defeated by Xianglong Arhat, and though his life wasn’t at risk, oh, the disgrace! Xianglong Arhat was not even a Quasi-Saint!
Of course, at that time, Immortal Huolong was not a Quasi-Saint either. But still, even being a disciple of a Saint wasn’t entirely safe; those one couldn’t defeat, one still couldn’t defeat. The real strength isn’t in the title of a Saint’s disciple, but in oneself.
Seeing Li Er’s embarrassment, Sha Chen did not dare to provoke him further and softly said, "Saint, in truth, this junior only wishes to cultivate in peace and quiet, to practice steadily and devoutly. Moreover, all three of my most extraordinary daughters have taken you as their master. If I, as their father, were to also call you master, with them calling me senior brother, wouldn’t that be preposterous!?"
That statement was a critical hit and thoroughly extinguished Li Er’s idea of taking him as a disciple.
