Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 370 - 364: The Divine Power of the Earth Book and the Heavenly Earth Mirror [Seeking Subscriptions Seeking Monthly Tickets]_1
Zhenyuanzi had struck more than a dozen palms in a row, but all to no avail. Although his Divine Power was vast and his Mana boundless, the Flowing Sand River Cave had long since ceased to be what it once was, having become indestructible.
Even though the force of his palm strike was more than tenfold stronger than when Yang Jian wielded the Seal of Fanning the Sky, and Yang Jian had once been able to shake and even destroy the cave dwelling, now Zhenyuanzi couldn’t. This was because it was the Chaos Chicken Cover, which even the gods and demons of old might not have been able to breach. Only Pangu with his Heaven Opening Axe could have torn it apart.
Zhenyuanzi, compared to those ancient gods and demons, was far inferior. It was impossible to rely on Mana and Divine Power to break through it. He couldn’t even cause a tremor inside the Sha Chen Cave Manor, which put Sha Chen’s mind at ease. He had worried that even if the Chaos Chicken Cover could block Zhenyuanzi, the shockwaves might destroy everything inside, rendering all his efforts futile. Moreover, if Zhenyuanzi continued his assault, Sha Chen wouldn’t be able to concentrate on his Cultivation. Fortunately, all his worries proved to be unfounded.
Zhenyuanzi’s Divine Power was still unable to shake the Chaos Chicken Cover, which also meant that he could not penetrate it to infiltrate his power inside. He was unable to destroy the Sha Chen Cave Manor, and even Sha Chen’s Cultivation would not be disturbed.
Even so, Sha Chen did not fully relax but remained vigilant. He knew Zhenyuanzi certainly possessed control over spatial forces but had yet to employ them, so he couldn’t be completely at ease. Sha Chen kept his eyes fixed on Zhenyuanzi, waiting for him to employ his Mana and Spatial Divine Skill.
The Spider Spirit, Chang E, and the others breathed a sigh of relief, feeling less tense. They began to think that Zhenyuanzi was nothing special and had run out of tricks. Hence, everyone was overjoyed and started to take out wine to celebrate. Sha Chen did not stop them, so as not to cause them unnecessary worry.
Eventually, after attacking for half a day, Zhenyuanzi also had to acknowledge that he could not destroy the Flowing Sand River Cave. Instead, he had merely leveled thousands of miles of the surrounding land, destroying countless lives in the process. Numerous temples were also affected, causing Mountain Gods and Earth Gods to lament their misfortune. Even the Jade Emperor had sent Divine Officials to the mortal realm. Although there was no direct decree, the message was clear—the Jade Emperor was very displeased.
The Jade Emperor was extremely dissatisfied with Zhenyuanzi’s actions. If he could not break Sha Chen’s Flowing Sand River Cave, he should have known to retreat when faced with such difficulty, rather than continue to act recklessly, which only brought misery to more lives. In just that half-day, the Netherworld had seen countless new souls arrive. The King of Hell and others were utterly confounded and exceedingly angry, wanting to find trouble for the one responsible for such slaughter. But upon hearing that Zhenyuanzi was the cause, they immediately retreated to their domain, not daring to approach, voicing their grievances. They could only curse Zhenyuanzi behind his back but did not dare to make any move.
Zhenyuanzi also knew that his actions had provoked the anger of both Heaven and mortals, but he believed that since Yang Jian had once pressured Sha Chen out by attacking the Flowing Sand River with the Seal of Fanning the Sky, he could do the same. He had calculated that when Yang Jian attacked the Flowing Sand River, the Seal of Fanning the Sky had nearly flattened the Sha Chen Cave Manor, turning it into ruins. That was the force of the shockwave, and his shockwave would only be stronger. Even if he couldn’t break the cave dwelling, he should be able to inflict heavy losses on Sha Chen, forcing him to beg for mercy and apologize.
But he hadn’t expected Sha Chen to endure so much, to completely ignore him and offer no response whatsoever. Could Sha Chen have been killed by my very first palm strike? Is that why there’s no reaction? Zhenyuanzi wondered.
Ultimately, he knew that continuing this way was untenable. It would invoke the wrath of both Heaven and mortals, attracting the attention of powerful entities from all corners. Not only would his reputation be tarnished, but others would point fingers at him. The Jade Emperor would then have reason and pretext to deal with him. Even if he wasn’t afraid, he would have to accept punishment out of respect for the Jade Emperor. However, by accepting punishment, he would truly lose both face and dignity. Having lived for countless years, although he was willing to sacrifice his dignity in the pursuit of becoming a saint, to lose face without achieving sainthood was simply not worth it.
Therefore, he stopped the forceful assault and took out the Magical Tool, the Heavenly Earth Mirror, intending to use this Magical Tool to break through the Flowing Sand River defenses.
The moment the Heavenly Earth Mirror appeared, it immediately shocked countless onlookers. The immortals retreated one after another, hiding in the distance, their eyes filled with shock and horror, yet also with immense excitement.
A chill ran down Sha Chen’s spine, his expression grave and horrified. The Spider Spirit and Chang E also dared not be careless anymore, their faces grave as they watched, extremely tense. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
Chang E said, "Is that the Heavenly Earth Mirror, the Earth Scripture renowned throughout the Three Realms? Truly world-shaking and terrifying." Her face was grave, clearly aware of the origins of the Heavenly Earth Mirror.
Sha Chen, too, recognized it. The Heavenly Earth Mirror resembled a book. Held in Zhenyuanzi’s hands, it evoked a sense of profound reverence. It was said that the Heavenly Earth Mirror was the Earth Scripture, ranking alongside the Heaven Scripture, the Investiture of the Gods, and the Human Scripture, the Book of Life and Death. The three scriptures of Heaven, Earth, and Man each represented different effects. Although the Heavenly Earth Mirror had displayed its Fire Control Divine Skill during the Journey to the West, it was actually known as the Earth Scripture, containing the five elements, encompassing all things of the earth, and forming a world of its own. The Heavenly Earth Mirror was a world in itself, containing the five elements, each element exceedingly powerful and terrifyingly potent. Zhenyuanzi excelled in spatial abilities and fire, and the divine fire within the Heavenly Earth Mirror was the most powerful, which was why he used it most often.
Such an Earth Scripture, brought forth by Zhenyuanzi, was naturally world-shaking. Many powerful beings also took notice of the events unfolding here, their expressions grave and shocked.
Clearly, nobody had expected Zhenyuanzi to actually bring out the Heavenly Earth Mirror. It seemed he had gone to great lengths in his determination to enter the Flowing Sand River. Otherwise, the Heavenly Earth Mirror, as an object that stabilized Wuzhuang Temple’s fortune, would not easily leave Wuzhuang Temple. But today, Zhenyuanzi had brought it out, and his preparedness was evident. He must have been planning to deal with Sha Chen and had already considered this. Using the Heavenly Earth Mirror was inevitable.
Zhenyuanzi held the Heavenly Earth Mirror, his expression becoming solemn and sacred. He then looked towards the gate of the Sha Chen Cave Manor, as if he could see Sha Chen. He opened the title page, and Sha Chen’s image was immediately reflected on it, along with the blurred scenery nearby. Although the surrounding scenery wasn’t very clear, Zhenyuanzi still saw the Spider Spirit, some palatial structures, and immortal fields. It was very indistinct; when he tried to see it more clearly, it became even more blurred.
Sha Chen, who was inside the Sha Chen Cave Manor, could see the contents displayed on the Heavenly Earth Mirror through his Divine Consciousness. He also saw his own image on it, and his face immediately tightened as he emitted a powerful aura. As expected, his powerful aura distorted the environment around him, preventing the Heavenly Earth Mirror from surveying the surroundings clearly. It could only show Sha Chen and a vague image within a thirty-foot radius of him.
Sha Chen’s expression remained grave, but he also breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, I completely understand now, Sha Chen thought. The Heavenly Earth Mirror is terrifyingly powerful, and, just as I predicted, it possesses spatial capabilities. It can see the situation inside, even through my Sky Covering Umbrella and Deception of Heaven Talisman, penetrating multiple defenses to reveal what’s happening here. Incredible, utterly terrifying!
However, if this is the extent of the Heavenly Earth Mirror’s ability, then I don’t need to be overly worried, Sha Chen mused. After all, being able to see me doesn’t necessarily mean it can get in. As long as it can’t get in, just seeing me is useless. I can ensure Zhenyuanzi only sees the area within a thirty-foot radius around me; that won’t reveal any of my secrets. Moreover, I feel that if I hide under the Sky Covering Umbrella, Zhenyuanzi probably won’t be able to see me at all.
Zhenyuanzi and Sha Chen stared at each other through the Heavenly Earth Mirror, their gazes both sharp, with no useless words exchanged. Both were aware of the other’s intentions. Zhenyuanzi wanted to enter; Sha Chen didn’t want to let him. Sha Chen had said he was in seclusion, but in reality, he was standing there, watching Zhenyuanzi. Zhenyuanzi also knew this, but he wouldn’t call Sha Chen out for it, as it would be pointless. Now, all pretenses were dropped. Zhenyuanzi, under the pretense of demanding an apology from Sha Chen, had forcefully attacked the Flowing Sand River. There was no need to use the images from the Heavenly Earth Mirror to claim Sha Chen had deceived him. Similarly, Sha Chen had no need to accuse Zhenyuanzi of being a disrespectful elder with malicious intent; it was unnecessary. They both understood each other perfectly.
Zhenyuanzi wasted no more words and turned directly to the second page. Immediately, a vast ocean appeared, an endless world of water. He flipped another page, revealing lightning—endless thunder that could make one despair at a single glance, feeling phantom electricity coursing over their body.
This time, Zhenyuanzi formed a hand seal and uttered an incantation, then reached into the page and pulled out a thunder dragon. Then, he threw it straight at Sha Chen.
RUMBLE!
The thunder dragon immediately swelled with the wind, transforming into a colossal sky dragon, flickering with electric arcs, spanning a hundred miles. It descended directly, striking the Flowing Sand River Cave.
The entire ground trembled. The whole of the Flowing Sand River, under the thunder dragon’s strike, was covered in an electrical net, flashing with bursts of purple lightning. The ground turned pitch black under the bombardment of thunder. The Flowing Sand River transformed into an ocean of electricity and thunder.
But the Flowing Sand River Cave merely trembled slightly before stabilizing, showing no further issues. Zhenyuanzi’s expression changed slightly, and he furrowed his brows.
The other Celestial Gods retreated in terror; that thunder strike had made them feel hopeless. If we were struck by that thunder, we would disintegrate immediately without any chance of survival! they thought. Even the Barefoot Immortal and the others would have had no chance. They sensed that if an ordinary Quasi-Saint, even at full alert, were to receive that thunder strike, they would perish. It was simply unstoppable. The power was too immense.
Inside the Sha Chen Cave Manor, Sha Chen’s expression was also solemn. He had taken a brief look and felt the overwhelming presence. I know, Sha Chen thought, his expression grave. With my current Primeval Chaos Law Body and Initial Quasi-Saint Level Cultivation, even if I went all out to intercept that thunder strike, I likely couldn’t withstand it. I might not die, but I would definitely be severely injured.
RUMBLE!
Zhenyuanzi attacked again, pulling out forty-nine thunder dragons in rapid succession. They fell continuously, all striking the same single point. He intended to break through the defenses by concentrating his attack, to breach Sha Chen’s cave manor.
Sha Chen watched all along, his expression growing increasingly grave.
