Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 316 - 310: Even Saints are Unreliable【Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets】_1
Li Er looked at Sha Chen and fell silent for a moment. In the end, he nodded.
He knew that since Sha Chen had made things so clear, it was impossible for him to continue taking disciples. Sha Chen would not become his disciple. Even if he forced Sha Chen to become his disciple, it would be in vain; the likelihood was slim. A melon forcefully twisted off the vine isn’t sweet.
Moreover, he, the mightiest Saint, forcing someone to become his disciple—what would that amount to!? If word got out, how could he continue to navigate his circles?
Li Er said, "Well, since you are unwilling, I will not compel you. However, I must tell you, if you change your mind, I will still take you as my disciple."
Then he raised a finger and said, "But remember, you only have one chance. Don’t wait until I’ve forgotten about you, or your talent has run its course and your opportunities are lost, before you come seeking to become a disciple. By then, you will possess no allure or value at all."
Sha Chen smiled and nodded, saying, "Thank you, Saint."
However, in his heart, he disagreed and was glad he hadn’t agreed directly. Indeed, Saints always prioritize benefits, even when taking disciples. They are interested in my talent and value; without that, the Saint wouldn’t bother with me. Even if the Saint is interested in my value now, if my talent proves insufficient later, I would likely gradually fall out of his favor and be cast aside.
Furthermore, I’ve always felt that The sage Laozi isn’t very reliable. The mightiest Saint is useless if he doesn’t know how to protect his own people; only then is he worth following. The Tongtian Hierarch is very good at this and fiercely protective. But The sage Laozi truly governs by non-interference, acting as things come. If his disciples get into trouble, he might feel a slight loss of face, but he would still let the disciple handle it themselves. He would only ensure his disciples weren’t killed or dealt with by their opponents’ seniors, but he wouldn’t help his disciples seek justice. This seems to carry the spirit of a chivalrous master teaching his juniors. One must regain their own standing.
When it applies to others, I’m completely in favor. But when it comes to myself, I’d prefer if the Saint doted on his disciples, providing utmost care as if he were their father. Otherwise, why would I become a disciple? Without security, who would follow you? So, just because their elders didn’t kill me, you won’t intervene? Being beaten half to death is still incredibly painful!
Frankly speaking, if I really had to choose a master, I might even prefer the Tongtian Hierarch because he’s protective. But he’s too aggressive. Being protective is futile if it means pushing his disciples into a fiery pit, like when the Sect of Interpretation set up the Sword Array of Immortality. All its disciples went in, and it was disastrous! I don’t want to follow in their footsteps.
Moreover, becoming a Saint’s disciple, especially Li Er’s, would likely mean being assigned undercover missions or something similar. I came here to cultivate, not to play spy games.
Li Er, having failed to take Sha Chen as a disciple, lost interest in nurturing him. After lecturing him for another three months, he planned no more.
However, in these three months, Sha Chen’s gains were substantial. His understanding of the Tao Te Ching had deepened. Because he had reached Great Perfection in the Da Luo section, Li Er focused on teaching the Quasi-Saint section. Sha Chen had grasped the basics of it.
He had just stepped into Pinnacle Daluo, yet he had already grasped the rudimentary knowledge of the Tao Te Ching’s Quasi-Saint section, equivalent to possessing the foundational insight to step into the Quasi-Saint realm! If it were anyone else, who would dare to contemplate Quasi-Saint matters while just stepping into Pinnacle Daluo?
But Sha Chen, having just entered Pinnacle Daluo, was already contemplating when to advance to the Quasi-Saint level. This wasn’t because he was greedy, like a snake trying to swallow an elephant, but because he had absolute confidence that Da Luo would not be his end, but his starting point.
「One day.」 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
Li Er said, "It seems you’ve trained the three sisters well these past few months. They’re brimming with hostility towards me, yet so reluctant to leave you. Shouldn’t it be time to let them go?"
Sha Chen felt mocked but didn’t dare retort. "Senior, you can take them away at any time. However, they’ve said they won’t leave until they reach the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm."
Then he called over the three phoenix sisters. They indeed seemed to share a telepathic bond and sensed something was amiss.
They protested one after another, "Daddy, are you going to let this mean old man take us away? Didn’t you promise we’d only leave after reaching the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm?"
Bai Luan added, "Yeah, Daddy, we haven’t broken through yet! We can’t leave!"
The three sisters chattered on, adamant about not leaving. Their cultivation hadn’t progressed at all compared to a few months prior because they didn’t want to advance, fearing that once they did, they’d have to leave.
Seeing this, Sha Chen felt helpless. After pacifying them with a few words, he turned to Li Er. "Saint, what should be done? I’ve already promised them. If I go back on my word, it wouldn’t be right."
Li Er snorted coldly, took a box from his sleeve, and opened it. Immediately, a myriad of rosy lights burst forth, dazzling the eyes. He swept his hand over it, and the brilliance vanished instantly, replaced by a refreshing, heart-penetrating fragrance. The intoxicating medicinal aroma went straight to the soul, leaving one enraptured.
Li Er said, "This is the Creation God Transformation Pill. I refined it from tens of thousands of Immortal Elixirs. It contains the Essence Blood of all kinds of divine beasts and is imbued with endless strength. A single pill will not only help them step into the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, but its sustained effects can also boost them to the pinnacle of Da Luo."
He continued, "Each of you three sisters take one pill. Swallow it, and you will step into the Da Luo realm in an instant. Afterward, the medicinal power will settle, and I will help you slowly digest it."
The three phoenix sisters didn’t stand on ceremony. Each took an Immortal Pill but didn’t swallow it immediately. Instead, they brought them to Sha Chen.
Bai Luan, offering hers like a treasure, said, "Daddy, this Elixir is truly wonderful! It’s for you. May your Mana become boundless!"
Qing Luan also held hers to Sha Chen’s lips. "Daddy, please eat it. When you’re strong, you can protect us."
Hong Luan even tried to pry open Sha Chen’s mouth, cooing, "Daddy, ahh, time for your Elixir."
Li Er watched, a pang of jealousy striking him. What kind of love potion has Sha Chen given them? They’re willing to forsake their breakthroughs and future prospects just to curry favor with him!
Sha Chen also felt helpless. Although he really wanted to eat the pills, he wouldn’t take what was meant for his daughters.
He gently pushed their hands away. "Don’t give them to me. You eat them. Only when you are strong can you protect me. Have you forgotten the promise you made?"
He continued, "Remember, learn your skills well, and then return. Once you’re strong enough, Daddy won’t let anyone bully him. Understand?"
The three sisters looked at each other. Their eyes, initially filled with tears, grew resolute, and they nodded vigorously. Sha Chen had made a pact with them: they would become strong and then return. By then, it would be their turn to protect him. The children of the poor mature early and take on responsibility. The Flowing Sand River is too poor; it’s time for us to step up.
Sha Chen was touched. He soothed the three sisters, urging them to quickly consume the Immortal Pills and begin refining them.
「Two hours later.」
Bai Luan was the first to step into the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm.
「Another hour passed.」
Qing Luan also let out a long cry, her cultivation reaching the Da Luo realm. Hong Luan followed closely, transforming into a phoenix. She circled once, cried out, and landed beside Sha Chen, holding his hand. Her aura was already that of a Daluo Golden Immortal.
She gave Sha Chen a sweet kiss. "Daddy, thank you! I’ve reached the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm!"
Qing Luan and Bai Luan also came to hold Sha Chen’s hand, kissed him, and sweetly expressed their gratitude.
Li Er stood by, his expression complex, his feelings even more so. I gave them the Immortal Pills, I imparted the teachings, and their breakthroughs were thanks to my support, yet they thank someone else!?
He felt incredibly conflicted. But he knew the three phoenix sisters were saying goodbye to Sha Chen. If he tried to draw attention now, it would surely make them resent him. So, he chose to remain silent.
Sha Chen embraced all three sisters. "After you leave, be careful. Don’t think that just because you’re disciples of a Saint, you can do whatever you want."
All three sisters nodded, then cried bitterly, tears streaming down their faces.
Two hours later, Sha Chen had gathered their clothes, prepared their travel belongings, and packed plenty of their favorite osmanthus cakes and flat peach juice for their journey. Then, under the three sisters’ reluctant gazes, he opened the great gates of the Flowing Sand River and saw them and Li Er out. Finally, the gate closed.
The three sisters followed Li Er, drifting away like a cloud. They kept looking back every few steps, gazing at the unassuming Flowing Sand River, their tears flowing unchecked like a torrent.
"Daddy couldn’t bear to see us cry, and he couldn’t bear to part with us either. That’s why he wouldn’t see us off any further."
"BOO HOO HOO! I miss home already, and we just left."
"BOO HOO HOO! I miss Daddy so much! Sisters, should we go back?"
All three sisters cried heartbrokenly. Even Hong Luan could no longer stay strong and wanted to turn back. Li Er, startled, quickly swept them up in his sleeve, transformed into a holy light, and carried them away.
「Within the Flowing Sand River.」
It became desolately quiet once more. Sha Chen walked through every corner, quietly reminiscing. He smiled faintly, then shook his head slightly. After all, they had lived together for decades. It was impossible for him to feel no emotional turmoil at sending the phoenix sisters away so abruptly. At this moment, he too felt a tinge of sadness.
Caught in his melancholy, Sha Chen suddenly snapped out of it. What am I doing, getting all sentimental like this? They’re not gone forever. Besides, women only slow down my cultivation speed. Without them around, I’ll have more peace of mind and can even save on cultivation resources.
Sha Chen patted his cheeks and smiled faintly. They’ve finally left. In the end, no one can accompany me to the end of days. I need to grow stronger.
Even so, this was merely Sha Chen trying to cover the slight feeling of loss in his heart.
He took out the Essence Blood of Yuanfeng. The small bottle originally contained ten drops, but he had secretly given one drop to each of the three phoenix sisters during their time together. He now had seven drops left for himself.
Now, he planned to begin refining them to enhance his physical body!
