Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 402 - 396: Calling a Deer a Horse [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Emperor Zhenwu stood with sword in hand, his expression also showing some embarrassment.
He frowned and once again raised his sword to strike.
This time, his face bore a solemn expression. He realized the Flowing Sand River Cave was unexpectedly sturdy. He had to give it his all.
Once more, the Sword of Exorcising Evil struck down, but the cave manor remained unbroken.
Emperor Zhenwu could no longer save face.
He became enraged. Then, his swordsmanship swept across forcefully, his Mana and Primordial Spirit poured into it.
He unleashed a total of eighty-one sword strikes, each stronger than the last, and with every strike, growing more formidable.
The final strike was powerful enough to destroy heavens and earth.
On ordinary days, even he seldom needed to wield the last of his eighty-one sword strikes.
Its power was too great, and even he found it difficult to fully unleash the might of that one strike. But now, he had no choice but to act.
When he unleashed the strike, he himself was stunned. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞
Never had he thought that anger and humiliation could awaken one’s potential; he was actually able to execute this strike so perfectly.
He was confident, determined that this strike could breach the defenses of the Flowing Sand River Cave.
This strike was too earthshattering.
All the immortals who watched were brimming with confidence, yet at the same time, their hearts shook with awe and terror.
It was truly unimaginable that Emperor Zhenwu could unleash such a heaven-shattering sword qi.
Lv Dongbin’s heart reverberated with shock. ’With this sword, Emperor Zhenwu’s reputation as a sword immortal of the Heavenly Realm is beyond doubt.’
His heart was filled with both envy and awe, but not the slightest jealousy.
His cultivation was less than Emperor Zhenwu’s, yet he believed his swordsmanship was not inferior. Once he attained the level of a Quasi-Saint, he would be even stronger.
Such was his confidence.
Lv Dongbin’s heart also throbbed with apprehension. ’With this strike, the Flowing Sand River Cave should no longer be able to hold.’
WHOOSH.
The sword technique unfolded, sword qi sweeping across everything.
This strike descended, landing upon the Flowing Sand River Cave.
Indeed, this time, the Flowing Sand River Cave was not as impregnable as before; it actually trembled slightly, revealing a small crack.
However, that was only for an instant. The crack quickly healed; it seemed that only the outer layer was damaged, while the interior defenses ran much deeper.
The sword qi ended there.
Emperor Zhenwu’s eyes were full of shock and disbelief.
Even this strike, which surpassed his usual capabilities, had neither accomplished anything significant nor completely broken through the Flowing Sand River Cave.
He found it inconceivable and unacceptable.
Emperor Zhenwu, caught between shock and fury, held his sword, his breathing somewhat heavier. That last strike had exhausted too much of his True Essence and spirit.
Yet, it was to no avail.
This time, he might truly have to retreat.
Emperor Zhenwu felt somewhat unwilling but was also somewhat greedy.
If such a cave manor were his, who in the world would dare to provoke him?
After all, no one could break through his cave manor.
Alas, it wasn’t his.
At this moment, Emperor Zhenwu was no longer thinking about avenging his disciple but rather plotting how to obtain Sha Chen’s cave manor.
All else was put aside.
Yet he could only muse over it. If he couldn’t even breach the Flowing Sand River Cave, the idea of killing someone to snatch their cave manor was impossible.
Emperor Zhenwu, with furrowed brows, found himself at a loss for what to do.
After hesitating for a moment, he frowned, contemplating whether to have all the immortals join forces.
At this time, Fuhu Arhat from the Eighteen Arhats approached him and declared loudly, "Your Majesty, the Flowing Sand River Cave is impenetrable and incredibly resilient, but there are still ways to deal with it."
Emperor Zhenwu glanced at him and asked, "What ways might those be?"
Fuhu Arhat said, "It is rumored that Mount Hua, one of the Five Great Mountains, holds an ancient divine axe, the Mountain Splitting Axe, guarded by three great immortals. Your Majesty has a close relationship with Jiang Xiong, the Heavenly Emperor of Mount Hua. Why not ask him to intercede and borrow the Mountain Splitting Axe to break open the Flowing Sand River?"
Emperor Zhenwu was taken aback and actually hesitated.
The immortals exchanged glances and whispered among themselves, also feeling that this method seemed quite feasible.
The Mountain Splitting Axe, having been forged from a fragment of the Heaven Opening Axe, possessed boundless power and could shatter anything. Breaking open the Flowing Sand River Cave with it probably wouldn’t be too difficult.
Emperor Zhenwu said, "My Sword of Exorcising Evil could not break it. Can the Mountain Splitting Axe truly succeed?"
Fuhu Arhat said, "The Mountain Splitting Axe is forged from fragments of the Pangu Axe and contains the vital essence of ancient gods and demons. Its power is boundless. It once cleaved the Linglong Tower in a single strike, so breaking through this place should not be a problem."
Emperor Zhenwu nodded. It was said that the Linglong Tower was the strongest defensive Magical Tool in the Three Realms.
If the Mountain Splitting Axe could truly shatter the Linglong Tower, then breaking through the Flowing Sand River Cave should not be a major issue either.
"This Emperor does indeed have some relationship with Jiang Xiong Divine Lord, but we are not close friends. I fear he will not lend us the Mountain Splitting Axe."
Fuhu Arhat, however, smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Your Majesty. You only need to tell him that if the Flowing Sand River Cave is breached, he will have a share of the treasures inside, and he will surely agree."
Everyone knew that there were countless treasures and many secrets within the Flowing Sand River Cave.
Everyone wanted a piece of the pie but could not obtain it.
If it was really as Fuhu Arhat said, and a portion was shared, Jiang Xiong Divine Lord would definitely agree.
The Eight Immortals, overhearing their conversation, felt somewhat contemptuous and distanced themselves.
They were here to capture the suspect, the Jinghe Dragon King; the charges themselves were unfounded, perhaps even a deliberate misrepresentation of facts.
The accusation that Sha Chen was harboring the Jinghe Dragon King was mere conjecture, utterly baseless. Their actions already lacked any legitimate grounds.
And yet, Emperor Zhenwu and Fuhu Arhat were brazenly discussing how to divide the treasures inside Sha Chen’s Cave Manor.
Never mind whether they had even seen any treasures; this intention alone was too malevolent!
What were they here for?
Certainly not to murder for treasure or commit home robbery.
In short, the Eight Immortals found it despicable.
Emperor Zhenwu had made up his mind to go to Mount Hua and borrow the Mountain Splitting Axe.
But just then, an anomaly occurred at the Flowing Sand River Cave. The waters of the Flowing Sand River uncontrollably returned to their original state, and then violent winds and towering waves surged.
SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!
The violent winds and towering waves crashed upwards, directly striking some of the celestial soldiers and generals high above, flinging them into the Flowing Sand River.
Not even their bones remained.
The immortals were aghast and quickly increased their altitude, hiding within the clouds, not daring to show themselves.
Emperor Zhenwu’s expression changed slightly, and he exclaimed in anger, "Audacious Sha Chen! How dare you attack my celestial soldiers and generals! You have violated the Heavenly Laws!"
From within the Flowing Sand River, Sha Chen’s voice rang out, "The Flowing Sand River is unruly and not under my control. If it has killed some of your people, you cannot blame me."
Then, as the Flowing Sand River surged and receded, the complexions of all the immortals changed in fright.
Emperor Zhenwu’s expression was grim. Sha Chen was threatening him, openly defying him.
This enraged him.
Wang Lingguan quickly said, "Sha Chen... General Juanlian, we are under orders to capture the Jinghe Dragon King and bring him to the Heavenly Realm. It is said he disappeared in your territory. Please open the gates of your cave manor and cooperate with us."
The Flowing Sand River parted once again. Just when everyone thought Sha Chen was about to cooperate...
The mud below writhed and transformed into a clone of Sha Chen, ten thousand zhang tall, with a massive body and sharply defined muscles.
Upon seeing this, the immortals all wore solemn expressions.
Emperor Zhenwu also frowned. This Clone Technique revealed Sha Chen’s strength; he was not to be underestimated.
A mere breath of immortal qi could create such a lifelike, well-defined clone; his power was certainly extraordinary.
Sha Chen’s clone looked down disdainfully upon the assembly of immortals, then turned to Wang Lingguan and said indifferently, "Someone randomly disappears in my territory, and I am expected to cooperate?"
"Next time, if you lose a cat or a dog and claim it vanished here, am I supposed to open my gates and let you in?"
The immortals were speechless.
Fuhu Arhat shouted, "But Wu Qu Xing said he personally saw the Jinghe Dragon King enter your Flowing Sand River territory!"
Sha Chen chuckled. "Then have Dou Rong come out and confront me. Let me ask him which of his eyes saw it."
Fuhu Arhat said angrily, "You’re talking utter nonsense! It’s because Wu Qu Xing is dead that we came here!"
Sha Chen laughed heartily. "Ah, so he’s dead? Good riddance! I heard he went on a rampage in the Jinghe Crystal Palace, bullying men and abusing women, and even drove the Jinghe Dragon King out of his own Crystal Palace. Such a vile traitor deserves to be executed by anyone. His death calls for three cups in celebration! May I ask, who among you performed this great, righteous deed?"
With these words, he effectively labeled the killing of Wu Qu Xing a commendable act.
The immortals’ faces flushed red with extreme embarrassment.
Fuhu Arhat was both shocked and enraged but found himself at a loss for how to retort.
Emperor Zhenwu was even more furious. That was his disciple being slandered so grievously; he too was losing face.
Wang Lingguan felt he had to say something.
He hurriedly said, "Sha Chen, whatever Lord Dou Rong did was his own doing, and besides, the matter is fraught with suspicious points. Moreover, everything has a cause and effect. Rumor has it that the Jinghe Dragon King encouraged the Dragon Girl to flee her marriage, and Dou Rong retaliated out of resentment."
Sha Chen laughed heartily. "Let’s not even discuss whether this is a rumor. Even if it were true, if Dou Rong couldn’t get a wife, he should have gone to the Jade Emperor, the Dragon Girl, or the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea! He shouldn’t have imprisoned the Jinghe Dragon King’s entire family and destroyed the Crystal Palace. Would that be called a personal grievance?"
He sneered, "Are you saying that because you led people to besiege my Flowing Sand River today, even if I emerge unharmed, I can then lead people to exterminate your entire clan on another day?"
As he spoke these words, his eyes filled with an icy chill.
It was as if, should Wang Lingguan dare to say yes, he would immediately make him understand the consequences.
This terrified Wang Lingguan, his face paling in utter shock.
His heart pounded. A mere clone could instill such a deep-seated fear in him!
