Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 356 - 350: Secrets of Flowing Sand River Leaked【Seeking Subscriptions, Seeking Monthly Tickets】_1
Atop Qilin Cliff.
Guang Chengzi and several other second-generation disciples of the Chan Sect watched as Jiang Ziya, using the Beat God Whip as a walking stick, slowly entered. Their expressions varied, their eyes reflecting diverse emotions.
Upon seeing them, Jiang Ziya also sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat tense. He simply smiled faintly, formed a hand seal, and greeted everyone, "Ziya pays his respects to all senior brothers."
The immortals nodded.
Guang Chengzi said, "Fei Xiong, come over. Your brothers were just speaking of you, and here you are."
Jiang Ziya took a seat at the end of the row, and immediately a Xianhe transformed into an attendant boy who stepped forward to pour tea. The immortals observed him, then began to jest and laugh, their conversation meandering without getting directly to the point. Jiang Ziya responded with a smile, showing no sign of impatience.
After a while, Guang Chengzi spoke, "Brother Fei Xiong, I hear you went to the Flowing Sand River?"
The immortals looked towards Jiang Ziya, knowing the main event was about to begin.
Jiang Ziya nodded. "Yes, I did."
Guang Chengzi asked, "Then, brother, did you meet the legendary Great General for Folding the Curtain, Sha Chen?"
They all knew, in fact, that Jiang Ziya had entered the Flowing Sand River. Although Jiang Ziya, wielding the Beat God Whip, had also reached the Daluo Golden Immortal realm, making it difficult for them to divine his whereabouts, the sheer number of people monitoring the Flowing Sand River daily was overwhelming. Moreover, with the Beat God Whip allowing Jiang Ziya to come and go as he pleased, entering the Flowing Sand River posed little problem.
Jiang Ziya answered truthfully, "I went in."
The immortals’ eyes brightened. Indeed, he had entered.
Guang Chengzi sighed. "Rumor has it that the Flowing Sand River is a desolate and remote place, far removed from civilization. I wonder, Brother Fei Xiong, if what you saw aligns with these rumors?"
But Jiang Ziya shook his head. "The rumors are not entirely accurate. The Flowing Sand River is actually a grotto-heaven, a blessed land—an excellent place for reclusive cultivation."
The immortals exchanged glances, their expressions subtly shifting. However, they all nodded, as if his words confirmed the truth of the matter. After all, considering Sha Chen’s rapid advancement, claiming the Flowing Sand River was a backwater would be utter nonsense. But just how magnificent a blessed land must it be for Jiang Ziya to praise it so highly? 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮
Chi Jingzi, his face impassive, asked, "Then tell us, what makes the Flowing Sand River such a blessed land?"
Jiang Ziya said, "Inside, there are both Innate Earth and Post-Heaven Earth, and a great number of Immortal Elixirs are cultivated there. It truly evokes envy. In short, it’s no less remarkable than the Master’s immortal fields; the only difference is the absence of Elixirs."
HISS. The immortals inhaled sharply, their eyes wide with astonishment.
Chi Jingzi exclaimed in disbelief, "Are you serious? Post-Heaven Earth is one thing, but Sha Chen, a mere Great General for Folding the Curtain, possesses Innate Earth?"
Immortal Taiyi also voiced his shock. "Indeed! Innate Earth is incredibly rare. Even our Master has only a square foot of it, where he planted a few extremely precious Elixirs."
The others nodded, finding it hard to believe.
Jiang Ziya merely smiled faintly, offering no further explanation. Such things exist if you believe in them, and don’t if you don’t. More words would be futile. Moreover, he had promised Sha Chen to speak with a mix of seven parts truth and three parts falsehood. He didn’t reveal the matter of the Innate Spiritual Roots, only mentioning some rumors spread by Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation, which, through his retelling, sounded even more credible.
Seeing Jiang Ziya’s demeanor, Chi Jingzi and the others knew it was most likely true; Jiang Ziya wouldn’t dare lie. Nor would he dare lie in their presence.
But the fact that Sha Chen possessed Innate Earth was difficult for them to accept, as it was something none of them had. Even Immortal Taiyi, with his unique devotion to alchemy, did not possess Innate Earth. After he founded the Qingwei Sect, Lord Yuan Shi had gifted him a cup of Innate Earth to cultivate unique Elixirs. Even so, that cup of Innate Earth had become Immortal Taiyi’s most treasured possession, valued as dearly as life itself. And yet, Sha Chen possessed it; how could that not provoke jealousy? Still, the amount Sha Chen possessed must not be plentiful.
The immortals shook their heads. Chi Jingzi said, "It’s likely true that Sha Chen has Innate Earth. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have stayed in one place for so long; he must have some backing. Perhaps he has about a square foot of it?"
The immortals looked to Jiang Ziya, awaiting his reply.
Jiang Ziya stated, "It’s hard to discern the exact size, but it’s certainly bigger than the Master’s divine field."
HISS. Bigger than Lord Yuan Shi’s Innate Earth! It was inconceivable, utterly terrifying! The immortals were stunned, and Chi Jingzi even tore out a tuft of his beard in shock.
Immortal Taiyi shot to his feet, his eyes fixed wildly on Jiang Ziya. Grabbing his arm, he asked fervently, "Is that true? Does he really have that much?!"
Jiang Ziya replied, "As I said, the exact size is unclear."
Immortal Taiyi, however, paid no heed, rose to his feet, and left abruptly.
The immortals asked, "Where is Taiyi going?"
Immortal Taiyi called back, "To find Sha Chen and ask for some Innate Earth!"
The immortals shook their heads, knowing Immortal Taiyi was obsessed, but they didn’t try to stop him. They thought it highly likely that Immortal Taiyi would be met with refusal. Innate Earth was incredibly precious; Sha Chen probably treasured it as his own life. Why would he simply give it away?
Jiang Ziya’s expression, however, turned peculiar, for only he knew the true extent of Sha Chen’s Innate Earth. The area was larger than other people’s Post-Heaven Earth, with over a thousand first-class Immortal Elixirs and several Innate Spiritual Roots planted there, and still, there was surplus land used for cultivating precious Second Grade Immortal Medicines. The expanse was immense.
If Immortal Taiyi truly went to ask for it, the chance of success was high. But the cost Immortal Taiyi would likely have to pay was huge; he might even have to sell himself. Jiang Ziya understood well how cautious Sha Chen was to survive in the Three Realms. He would unite all possible forces to contend with Buddhism and the Heavenly Court. Immortal Taiyi might very well be used by Sha Chen, or even bought outright.
However, he did not intervene. Everything followed its own patterns and laws. Not to mention, his mindset had already shifted to letting things take their natural course; even if he wanted to stop Immortal Taiyi, he wouldn’t be able to. He suspected that if he tried to stop him, Immortal Taiyi would turn on him directly.
The others didn’t stop him either, knowing how obstinate Immortal Taiyi could be. Moreover, Immortal Taiyi had founded his own sect and was a patriarch; his ways had long been unconventional. Once he decided on something, likely no one but Lord Yuan Shi could change his mind.
Chi Jingzi remarked, "Sha Chen really does possess remarkable things. No wonder he can remain so comfortably in the Flowing Sand River."
Jiang Ziya silently shook his head. He knew Sha Chen’s ability to remain steadfast in the Flowing Sand River wasn’t solely due to these treasures. He could endure loneliness and maintain a simple life purely because he possessed a firm and aspiring Dao heart. Going out would only destabilize his Dao heart, so he wanted to stay and continue his secluded cultivation.
Guang Chengzi asked, "Brother Fei Xiong, are these the only things in Sha Chen Cave Manor? I heard he has also mastered our Chan Sect’s Eight-Nine Profound Art and the 72 Polymorphic Transformations, as well as the Imperial Gods’ Thunder. Is this true?"
Jiang Ziya replied, "It is true."
Chi Jingzi and the others immediately erupted in curses, vowing to deal with Sha Chen and cripple his Divine Powers and Cultivation Techniques.
Jiang Ziya remained silent.
Seeing this, Guang Chengzi said, "Brother, since you know he stole our Chan Sect’s arts and Divine Powers, and you met him, why didn’t you apprehend him?"
Jiang Ziya’s expression was complicated as he responded, "Senior brother, do you think I am his match?"
Guang Chengzi and the others fell silent instantly.
Chi Jingzi said, "Now that we know, use the Beat God Whip to take us there, and we’ll capture him."
Jiang Ziya said, "No. I don’t wish to return to the Flowing Sand River for the time being. I only want to go back into seclusion and strive for further advancement."
Chi Jingzi was furious. "You scoundrel! You know someone has stolen our Chan Sect’s Divine Powers and Cultivation Techniques, yet you stand idly by?"
Jiang Ziya replied, "The Eight-Nine Profound Art and the 72 Polymorphic Transformations are not exclusive to our Chan Sect, and many practitioners know the Imperial Gods’ Thunder. He might have learned them from other sources. To cripple his Divine Powers and Cultivation Techniques on this basis alone would be tyrannical."
Chi Jingzi accused, "You’re still speaking up for him!"
Jiang Ziya said, "I’m not speaking for him, but stating facts. During the half-year I was in contact with Sha Chen, I came to realize what a genuinely pure person he is. Besides, he has never left the Flowing Sand River. How could he have stolen them?"
Chi Jingzi retorted angrily, "Simply knowing them is unacceptable!"
Jiang Ziya said, "Senior brother has a point. In that case, I leave the matter of dealing with Sha Chen to you. In any case, I will not go."
Chi Jingzi was enraged, pointing at Jiang Ziya’s nose and berating him harshly. But Jiang Ziya let the insults wash over him, paying them no mind at all. If Sha Chen could endure being slandered, cheated, ridiculed, slighted, debased, cursed, and tricked by others, yet still show compassion—tolerating them, yielding to them, letting them be, avoiding them, being patient with them, respecting them, and ignoring them—was he not capable of doing the same? Jiang Ziya considered his own self-control to be decent; Chi Jingzi’s insults were of no concern to him.
Seeing Jiang Ziya’s attitude, Guang Chengzi frowned and said, "Junior brother, say no more."
Only then did Chi Jingzi quiet down, though he was still clearly displeased that Jiang Ziya had dared to ignore him.
Guang Chengzi then said, "Brother Fei Xiong, rumor has it that Sha Chen associates with demons, has had contact with members of Buddhism, and has privately interacted with Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation on several occasions. It seems your visit was timely. Is Sha Chen planning to embrace Buddhism?"
The others fell silent, looking at Jiang Ziya.
Jiang Ziya, however, said, "I don’t know about any demons. As for private interactions with Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation, that is merely hearsay to me. As for my recent visit, I returned empty-handed."
Hearing his earlier words, the crowd frowned, Chi Jingzi especially so. But when Jiang Ziya continued, they were first stunned, then their eyes lit up. They all knew that Jiang Ziya’s trip to the Flowing Sand River was to persuade Sha Chen to join Buddhism. Yet, he claimed to have returned with nothing.
Could it be? Sha Chen had refused?
Indeed.
Jiang Ziya declared, "The Lord of the Flowing Sand River, Sha Chen, is a man of resolute will. He is unwilling to join Buddhism. He repeatedly stated that despite all my persuasions, his Dao heart and decision could not be changed." He sighed deeply and added, "He even made me question my own convictions, to doubt whether I myself was mistaken."
Chi Jingzi immediately stood up and declared, "Of course, you were wrong! Sha Chen of the Flowing Sand River is such a sensible person, yet you tried to lead him astray! Fortunately, he adhered to his principles and ignored your counsel!"
The others looked at Chi Jingzi with peculiar expressions. Jiang Ziya’s look was also odd. Just moments ago, Chi Jingzi had seemed ready for Jiang Ziya to destroy Sha Chen, but now his stance had completely changed. Incredibly, he was speaking up for Sha Chen!
