Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 438 - 432: Ullambana Festival [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Chapter 438: Chapter 432: Ullambana Festival [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Seeing the choice, Sha Chen chuckled.

Get him to come out of seclusion? That wouldn’t be easy. And to join Buddhism? Wasn’t that just courting death?

Sha Chen was well aware of his deep enmity with Buddhism.

Buddhism had tried every means to deal with him, and if he really went to Buddhism, it would be akin to a sheep entering a tiger’s den, with no return.

Thus, his choice was without question.

What surprised Sha Chen was that after choosing to refuse, the reward he received was actually the Nine Nether Purple Orchid.

That was an Elixir!

Medicinal herbs in the world are graded, with Spiritual Medicine being the lowest grade, yet it is also what countless cultivators covet.

The most common in the Heavenly Realm is the Immortal Elixir, which is also graded, with first-class being the highest and ninth-class being the lowest.

In Sha Chen’s cave dwelling, there were nearly ten thousand first-class Immortal Elixirs.

After four hundred years of trials and tribulations, Sha Chen had cultivated over ten thousand first-class Immortal Elixirs from the hands of his followers and within the Innate Earth.

Such a rich variety and abundant quantity of Immortal Elixirs could only possibly be found in the back gardens of a Saint.

Even a Peak Quasi-Saint or a Sub-Sage did not possess them.

Yet, Sha Chen had so many.

But even so, Sha Chen did not have any Elixir.

Elixirs were a higher grade than Immortal Elixirs, growing in deadly places, where even Quasi-Saints might encounter great danger.

Even a Daluo Golden Immortal searching for it in those deadly lands would have a 99% chance of perishing.

Thus, Elixirs were extremely rare. 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

There were rumors that the Queen of the West in Kunlun Mountain had an Elixir of immortality, from which she had refined many Magical Medicines that made all the gods covet it.

Chang E had once consumed one such Magical Medicine and then ascended to immortality in broad daylight; her body became immortal, unharmed even by the downfall of the Witch Clan.

Knowing the terrifying power of the Magical Medicines refined from such Elixirs, one could only imagine how immense the medicinal power of the Elixirs themselves must be.

At this moment, Sha Chen’s body was trembling slightly. Never having left the Flowing Sand River, he had given up hope on Elixirs and never dreamt he would one day obtain them.

Yet now, he was unexpectedly able to attain it with ease just by refusing Buddhism’s invitation to the Western Heaven, Lingjiu Mountain.

Although this Elixir only enhanced the Primordial Spirit, it could also increase one’s lifespan.

With eternal life and a powerful Primordial Spirit, one could activate more potential and unlock more qualities.

Sha Chen felt that a single Nine Nether Purple Orchid Elixir was worth as much as a Spiritual Root.

Sha Chen was somewhat excited, but with the Six-Eared Macaque kneeling on the ground, he had to maintain the demeanor of a boss. With Kassapa and Ananda outside, he had to restrain his emotions even more, not letting his feelings show.

Seeing that Sha Chen was slow to respond, Kassapa and Ananda continued to extend the invitation.

"We earnestly request Master Sha Chen to go to the Western Heaven, Lingjiu Mountain, to attend the Ulambana Buddhist Assembly."

Sha Chen said indifferently, "You may go back. I won’t attend."

Kassapa and Ananda frowned. Although they were quite prepared for Sha Chen’s refusal, they were still angry when he declined.

Dared to refuse!?

For a moment, they were both somewhat at a loss, so accustomed to their usual high status.

No one could refuse them.

Kassapa composed himself and said, "Master Sha Chen, do you realize how many desire to go to the Ulambana Buddhist Assembly yet lack the qualifications?"

Instead of answering, Sha Chen questioned, "Isn’t it said that all beings in Buddhism are equal? Then how come your Buddhist assembly has a threshold?"

Kassapa was left speechless with fury.

Ananda, as a Buddhism Great Wisdom Buddha, said, "Our Buddha advocates the equality of all beings, which is a grand wish yet to be fulfilled. The Ulambana Buddhist Assembly is not closed to all beings; it’s just that many do not possess the Wisdom to withstand the profound Buddhist Law, and might harm themselves by attending."

Sha Chen looked deeply at Ananda and nodded slightly. This Ananda, truly worthy of being the Buddhism Great Wisdom Buddha, had a profound understanding of Buddhist Law. Moreover, he could resolve many people’s misinterpretations of Buddhist Law, which evidenced his wisdom.

Sha Chen did not wish to compete with Ananda in wisdom; instead, he took the hint and said, "What Buddha said is right; I am that creature without wisdom. Going there would only bring injury upon myself, so I will not go."

Ananda was taken aback for a moment, then said, "A person devoid of wisdom could not cultivate to the level of a Quasi-Saint. Master Sha Chen has vast abilities and countless opportunities, with many followers; how could you possibly lack wisdom?"

He specifically mentioned followers and emphasized the word.

Sha Chen furrowed his brows. From Ananda’s statement, he sensed something amiss. His complexion grew dark; Ananda was using his followers to threaten him. Buddhism probably already knew the identities of some of his followers, such as the well-known Spider Demon, Black Bear Demon, and Red Boy. They were Sha Chen’s followers, and their identities were no secret to anyone. Tianpeng was no different. Therefore, they had always been targeted. Buddhism likely knew some of this information, but it was uncertain how many of Sha Chen’s followers Buddhism was aware of. If they were all under the control of Buddhism, then they would indeed be at risk. If it was only those well-known followers, letting them operate out in the open was dangerous, but those who remained unknown were much safer.

Sha Chen fell silent for a moment.

Ananda knew that Sha Chen must have understood his implication.

With a faint smile, Ananda delivered the final ultimatum to Sha Chen, saying, "Master Sha Chen, please consider the invitation to the Ulambana Buddhist Assembly. Buddha is very much looking forward to your visit to Lingjiu Mountain."

"Rumors say your Dao Techniques are profound, and those who follow your teachings have gained much. I wonder if your understanding of Buddhist Law is equally profound?"

Sha Chen’s countenance instantly darkened. It seemed that Buddhism had gathered quite a bit of information on his followers.

His powerful aura spread out, instantly locking onto Kassapa and Ananda.

The entire Flowing Sand River suddenly became tumultuous with fierce winds and surging waves.

Kassapa and Ananda’s expressions changed slightly, and they frowned, yet they did not fear. However, only they knew the turmoil in their hearts and the terror in their eyes.

Sha Chen’s aura was so powerful that it targeted both of them.

With just this alone, they could sense that Sha Chen’s cultivation had definitely reached the level of a Quasi-Saint—and not an ordinary one at that.

It was very likely that he was a Middle-level Quasi-Saint, or even stronger!

So terrifyingly powerful! He had secretly become so strong, astonishing them both and filling them with immense horror.

Kassapa and Ananda’s complexions turned unpleasant, having not anticipated Sha Chen’s strength to have reached such levels.

That aura had already made them feel a chill in their hearts.

It was not that Sha Chen could easily deal with them, nor were they afraid to engage with Sha Chen in combat.

Indeed, if Sha Chen were to come out and fight them, they would gladly accept, taking the opportunity to strike.

Rather, it was Sha Chen’s progress that made their blood run cold.

About four hundred years ago, Sha Chen’s cultivation was only at the level of a True Immortal, easily threatened by any minor demon.

How long had it really been? In a mere few hundred years, Sha Chen had grown to their level, able to stand as an equal.

Such rapid progression left them in despair and made it clear that if this continued, they would undoubtedly be left far behind by Sha Chen.

Sha Chen’s power would surpass them, and in no more than a hundred years, perhaps even a few decades, he would completely outstrip them, trampling them underfoot.

Even now, Sha Chen’s cultivation level was on par with Ananda. In a real one-on-one fight, Sha Chen would probably win by a large margin.

No wonder Kassapa and Ananda were so emotionally stirred.

Sha Chen, with his Divine Consciousness locking onto them, said in a low voice with a sullen face, "What do you mean by this? I am a cultivator, deeply understanding the Dao Techniques; is there a mistake in that?"

"Remember, I am not a person of Buddhism, and I know nothing of your Buddhist Law. As for the Ulambana Buddhist Assembly, let me make myself clear once again—I will not go. Even if you killed yourselves, I won’t go."