Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 355 - 349 - The Chan Sect Immortals Discuss the Journey to the West【Subscription & Monthly Ticket Requested】_1
The Spider Demon and Chang E, among others, had Jiang Ziya completely surrounded. They looked fierce and malevolent, with cold and stern eyes. It seemed that at Sha Chen’s single command, they would not hesitate to kill Jiang Ziya.
Jiang Ziya himself wore a bitter smile, feeling utterly helpless. But even so, despite the bitterness inside, he was not afraid, merely looking at Sha Chen with equanimity.
He knew that if it were anyone else, he would probably already be dead. The world of cultivation is cruel. He had learned many secrets he shouldn’t have, come uninvited, and carried with him precious treasures, his presence clearly boding ill. Any other person would have already taken action. His survival thus far was purely because Sha Chen was naturally cautious, disliked making enemies, and preferred not to provoke trouble. That’s why he had not yet moved against him.
Sha Chen had now fortified the Flowing Sand River Cave, making it impossible for Jiang Ziya to leave, and it would likely be difficult for outsiders to enter. He had no idea if a Saint could come in, or even if a Saint was aware of the situation here. If Saints couldn’t enter, or if they were unaware of what was happening here, then even if Sha Chen killed him, it would be futile.
Sha Chen looked at Jiang Ziya with a calm gaze and cracked a slight smile. Waving his hand, he said, "You must not be rude. As I said, be kind to others. Even if people slander me, deceive me, insult me, mock me, belittle me, disdain me, criticize me, or cheat me, I will still endure it, tolerate it, let it be, avoid it, be patient with it, respect it, and ignore it. Wait for a few years, and you will see—everything will pass like fleeting clouds."
Upon hearing these words, Jiang Ziya felt as if he had been struck by lightning. Then he bowed deeply, making the hand seal of the Lord Wuliang, and said, "Lord Wuliang! Master of the River, your spiritual cultivation is profound beyond measure; I am truly inferior. I will leave today, no longer descending the mountain, and I shall retreat for Siguo. If there is a chance another day, I will return to consult with the Master of the River on Dao techniques."
Sha Chen smiled and said, "If you come as a guest and announce yourself properly at the door, I will welcome you with open arms. But if you come uninvited, entering on your own accord, then I will still not be courteous."
Jiang Ziya replied, "Master of the River jests; I am ashamed. I was presumptuous before, and I’m grateful you could overlook my previous offenses. I will go back to meditate, and I will also advise my fellow disciples and students to try not to disturb the Master of the River’s rest."
Sha Chen, upon hearing these words, nodded his head, satisfied. All this was just to make Jiang Ziya convey a message so that the people of the Chan Sect would not come to trouble him.
Sha Chen continued, "With Taigong’s word, I can rest easy. Please convey my message to Matchmaker, Guang Chengzi, and Yin Jiao. I am cultivating here and have no interest in worldly affairs. I also dislike the Journey to the West and will not hinder your Chan Sect, so there is no need to disturb me."
Jiang Ziya was startled upon hearing this. This was the first time he had heard Sha Chen naming people from the Chan Sect. It seems these were the people who had previously troubled Sha Chen. Guang Chengzi wasn’t so bad, as he hadn’t directly intervened, but lending out the Seal of Fanning the Sky showed that he was indeed intent on dealing with Sha Chen.
Jiang Ziya reassured, "Rest assured, when I return, I will speak with them."
With a wave of his hand, Sha Chen opened the great gates of the Flowing Sand River. Jiang Ziya flew out, after which the gates closed again.
Jiang Ziya stood above the Flowing Sand River, treading on a cloud, turning back to give one last glance at the tranquil river below. His heart was filled with countless emotions. It’s truly unbelievable that such a secluded place, in these distant and desolate mountains, conceals such tremendous wealth. I have met Sha Chen before and even calculated his fate. He was supposed to be the weakest and most certain candidate in the Journey to the West, so why does he have such strong fortune and such great destiny? Could it be, as he said, not contending, not vying, and thus good fortune naturally comes? When I was a mere mortal, indeed I did not contend or vie, waiting for King Wen’s arrival. When he came, good fortune arrived, and I accomplished something significant. But now, always competing, always playing the sage, meddling in others’ affairs, I find obstacles at every turn and receive nothing but disdain.
Jiang Ziya had an epiphany. It was as if he had realized something significant; he nodded slightly, his eyes reflecting shock. Upon returning this time, I must retreat for cultivation. Whether for the fortune or not, I must advance my understanding of Zhou Tian’s Arithmetic even further.
Having witnessed Sha Chen demonstrate the Zhou Tian Xingchen Technique, his eyes glowed with envy, a desire he couldn’t satiate. However, having seen Sha Chen’s display, he had gained some insight and planned to ponder it upon his return, to see if he could derive this Divine Power himself. If he succeeded, he would grow stronger. As for the common people of the world, it wasn’t that he no longer wanted to manage their affairs, but as Sha Chen had said, he truly wasn’t capable; he was unable to manage them.
「At Kunlun Jade Void, Qilin Cliff」
Guang Chengzi and several second-generation Chan Sect disciples were chatting and drinking tea, casually conversing and laughing merrily.
Since the Divine Enthronement, Yin Jiao had returned to the Chan Sect and had become even more respectful toward his master, Guang Chengzi. At this moment, he was attending to his master’s side like a shadow. Whenever he saw his master’s teacup empty, he promptly refilled it. Seeing this, everyone else was envious.
"Senior Brother, you are blessed with such a good disciple as Yin Jiao; I am truly envious," Immortal Taiyi said.
The others nodded in agreement, offering their praise. Yin Jiao remained unperturbed by the adulation, bowing his head modestly.
Guang Chengzi laughed heartily and replied, "Junior Brother, you jest. You have good disciples too. I heard that Nezha recently reached the High Order of Da Luo Golden Immortal, advancing rapidly."
Chi Jingzi, who was sitting nearby, added, "Indeed. I recall that when Nezha sought out Junior Brother Taiyi a few decades ago, he hadn’t yet reached Da Luo Golden Immortal. Now he’s ascended to the high order, which is remarkable, truly remarkable."
Immortal Taiyi felt proud inside, yet he remained nonchalant on the surface, modestly responding, "It’s really nothing special. After all, he also underwent Divine Enthronement in his fleshly body. With karma upon him, there’s no way he could become weaker."
"It’s just that these past few hundred years have been delayed by Li Jing. Otherwise, he would’ve reached his current achievements much earlier."
The immortals nodded in agreement, then began to recall the events of the Divine Enthronement, each one filled with deep emotion. When the conversation turned to those who had betrayed the Chan Sect and joined the Western Sect, they each clenched their teeth with resentment, furiously condemning them as shameless.
Chi Jingzi, who was the most hot-tempered, ranted endlessly, wishing he could immediately take up his sword to Lingjiu Mountain and slaughter all those traitors.
Guang Chengzi said, "My fellow immortals, please stay calm. There’s no need to worry. The calamity of the Journey to the West is already inevitable. However, a variable has appeared. This indicates that Buddhism is gradually becoming unstable, and what flourishes must decline – an omen of Buddhism’s decay."
At these words, the immortals laughed heartily, deeply agreeing.
What flourishes must decline; such is the natural way of the Dao. During the Dragon Han’s First Calamity Period, the three great mythical beast clans were so glorious that even Hongjun and Luo Hou dared not easily provoke their chieftains. But after the great calamity, their glory faded, and the three great mythical beast clans each fell into obscurity. Afterward, the Witch and Demon Clans rose, ruling the entire vast wilderness. Even Hongjun, who had just stepped into the Saint Realm, did not dare to confront their entire clans. This was because the Witch Clan possessed the Twelve Capital Deity Kill Formation, and the Demon Clan had the Zhou Tian Xingchen Formation, both of which were formations capable of restraining and dealing with Saints. These two mighty clans, flourishing for a time, also went through the Witch-Demon Great War, then gradually weakened, and eventually, each vanished. After the Witch-Demon Great War, it was the stage for the six Saints of the vast wilderness. They created the Da Luo Tian, stepping out of the Three Realms and beyond the reach of the Five Elements. They began their own legends, signifying prosperity. Then they started to diverge. Originally, the six Saints of the vast wilderness were all disciples of Hongjun, but later on, they still diverged, which marked the beginning of their decline. After that, just before the Divine Enthronement battle, Tongtian Hierarch grew increasingly powerful, and the Sect of Interpretation was at its peak, overshadowing all other sects. However, when the battle of Divine Enthronement began, the Sect of Interpretation fell into decline, with many dying, injured, or scattering. At that time, the weak Western Sect began to spread its teachings and draw people over slyly, surpassing the Chan Sect, which should have benefited the most from the Divine Enthronement. Buddhism emerged at the opportune time, at its peak of fortune.
Now, Buddhism plans to go even further by creating the calamity of the Journey to the West, propagating Buddhist Law, saving all beings, increasing faith, and accumulating merit. Everything is the doing of the two Saints of Buddhism; they seek to gain more faith and merit to advance further. All preparations have been made; nothing can be changed. The people of the Chan Sect don’t plan to cause any trouble anymore.
But unexpectedly, a variable has appeared. Seeing a glimmer of hope, the people of the Chan Sect will naturally try their best to cause disruption.
Guang Chengzi said, "Buddhism is now declining from its peak; our Chan Sect’s destiny has arrived. If we disrupt the Journey to the West and ruin Buddhism’s elaborate preparations, all the fortunes will shift in favor of our Chan Sect."
Hearing this, the immortals’ eyes glowed with anticipation.
Chi Jingzi said, "We really should do something to show those traitors just how wrong their choice was."
Immortal Taiyi said, "But disrupting the calamity of the Journey to the West is extremely difficult."
Chi Jingzi retorted, "Difficult? You’ve been actively involving your disciple all along, haven’t you? Now you mention difficulty; don’t you just want him to refrain from giving up on the karma to be gained from the calamity?"
Immortal Taiyi frowned. The air of brotherly joviality amongst the disciples suddenly became tense.
Immortal Taiyi said, "What do you mean by that, Senior Brother? Nezha has his own choices, and I have never interfered. If he can gain some benefits from the calamity of the Journey to the West, that’s his good fortune. If not, then it’s his fate."
Chi Jingzi snorted, "His father is Li Jing, that turncoat who serves as the Jade Emperor’s lapdog. And since the Jade Emperor is close with Buddhism, isn’t he doing everything possible to curry favor with the Li Family? It’s unquestionable that Nezha will gain something from the calamity of the Journey to the West, and as his master, you will also benefit. So, you don’t want to disrupt the Journey to the West!"
Immortal Taiyi angrily retorted, "If you continue to spout nonsense, don’t blame me for forgetting our fellowship as disciples of the same sect!"
Unyielding, Chi Jingzi declared, "Ridiculous! Do you think I’m afraid of you?"
The two looked as if they were about to come to blows.
Immortal Yuding, who was always kind, hurriedly interjected to mediate, "My fellow disciples, there really is no need for this. Everything is predestined. Why hurt our fellowship over trivial matters?"
Guang Chengzi nodded and said, "Indeed, we should remain calm. By the way, it’s said that Jiang Ziya went to the Flowing Sand River to persuade its river lord, Sha Chen, to actively participate in the Journey to the West?"
Chi Jingzi snorted, "He is someone who plays both sides, favoring outsiders. Sooner or later, he will join Buddhism." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
At that moment, Jiang Ziya entered, wielding the Beat God Whip.
The immortals turned their gaze towards him, their eyes filled with various sentiments. Those who supported the calamity of the Journey to the West, Immortal Taiyi and Immortal Yuding, wore smiles. The others, who opposed it, looked cold, especially Chi Jingzi, whose eyes bore a murderous intent.
Guang Chengzi, unmoved, said, "Since Junior Brother Ziya is here, why don’t we ask him about the intentions of the Flowing Sand River’s lord?"
His words conveyed a murderous intent, not towards Jiang Ziya, but towards Sha Chen. It seemed they all understood that if Sha Chen decided to support the Journey to the West and was successfully persuaded, they would have to take action against him.
