Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 446 - 440: The Six-Eared Macaque is Captured into the Heavenly Prison [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Looking at the Elixir, Sha Chen’s eyes brimmed with increased yearning.
He was itching to devour the Nine Nether Purple Orchid in one go, but he restrained himself. This was a unique Elixir. There was only this one plant in his possession. If he consumed it now, he would surely enjoy it immensely, but later he would be slapping his own face in regret. Because that would be too wasteful. If he ate it just like that, he could only enjoy it once, and it would greatly squander the Elixir’s potency.
Sha Chen planned to plant it in the Innate Earth to cultivate it, leveraging its divine properties to spur the vigorous development of his entire field of Immortal Elixirs.
Another point was that he could pluck some leaves from the Nine Nether Purple Orchid. Though small in quantity, they still held medicinal effects.
When Sha Chen decided to act, he did so immediately. He plucked three leaves and then combined them with other Immortal Elixirs that enhanced the Primordial Spirit to concoct Elixirs.
Then he planted the Nine Nether Purple Orchid, setting it directly into the Innate Earth.
As expected, after being planted in the Innate Earth, the Nine Nether Purple Orchid began to flourish, and the surrounding Immortal Elixirs also received nourishment.
All of them started to grow at a rapid pace, at least twice as fast as before.
HISS!
Sha Chen gasped in amazement, his eyes widening in disbelief.
I didn’t expect the stimulating effect of an Elixir to be this significant! Just one plant... if there were several more, wouldn’t they be able to stimulate all these Immortal Elixirs to grow rapidly? My need for Immortal Elixirs is great right now. Although the total quantity is increasing, the rate is slow and limited. If I can speed up their growth cycle, I’ll be able to refine them in the shortest possible time.
Sha Chen began to calculate. He discovered that a First-class Immortal Elixir, which used to take several decades to be ready for refining, now only needed twenty to thirty years. This significantly reduced the Immortal Elixir’s maturation period.
This way, his cultivation speed would also improve significantly.
It wasn’t only the maturation period of the Immortal Elixirs that had changed; their propagation had also been enhanced.
A First-class Immortal Elixir normally required three maturation periods, about one hundred and fifty years, to propagate a new plant.
Now, Sha Chen had shortened this breeding cycle as well.
For instance, he had ten thousand First-class Immortal Elixirs in his Innate Earth. Previously, to double this number, he would have needed at least one hundred and fifty to two hundred years.
Now, the time had been halved.
In several decades to a hundred years, they could double.
By then, I might worry about having too many Immortal Elixirs and not being able to consume them all. What should I do then?!
At the thought, Sha Chen’s eyes couldn’t help but shine with excitement, his desire for Elixirs growing even greater.
I can’t leave; I can only rely on the system rewards to obtain Elixirs. This is too passive!
After careful consideration, Sha Chen felt it necessary to have his followers help him primarily obtain Elixirs and First-class Immortal Elixirs.
Their strength has already reached the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm. Among them, the Golden Winged Dapeng is at the Intermediate Stage of Semi-saint. With such power, if they are still only collecting second and third-grade Immortal Elixirs for me, it would be far too demeaning! Sha Chen couldn’t accept that; he must have these people help him bring back greater benefits. Otherwise, what’s the point of keeping them around!?
With just a thought, Sha Chen sent this idea out through the mysterious communication between them.
Although it was vague, his followers would receive it.
However, what they would do then, or how well they would do it, depended on their capabilities.
Sha Chen couldn’t expect that just because he had given orders, they would indeed be able to bring back these things.
That was impossible.
Elixirs are treasures one can encounter but not seek. Even for Daluo Golden Immortals who step into places where Elixirs are found, it’s a mortal danger. Even for Quasi-Saints, it would likely be more perilous than auspicious.
Therefore, Sha Chen did not demand it; he only wished for it.
If they can accomplish it, then bring it back. If not... then there’s no need to return—a bunch of useless wastes.
「Perhaps another year had passed.」
Sha Chen had already refined that Elixir. During this period, he had consumed many Immortal Elixirs, mainly to strengthen the power of his Primordial Spirit.
And finally, on this day, his Primordial Spirit’s power stepped into the High-rank Quasi-Saint Realm, advancing even further.
This was no easy feat.
Sha Chen was very happy and excited, but since the Six-Eared Macaque was present, he, as a master and elder, certainly couldn’t jump around excitedly. He had to conceal his inner excitement and joy, appearing as calm as a breeze and unconcerned.
The Six-Eared Macaque sensed the spiritual change in Sha Chen, feeling shocked and awed.
Master has grown stronger again! Is that the power of his Primordial Spirit? So vast and overwhelming! Could it be that Master’s Primordial Spirit has reached the High-rank Quasi-Saint realm, or even the peak? HISS! How terrifying! Master’s strength is truly formidable. It’s said that only a few hundred years ago, Master was but a True Immortal, and now he stands shoulder to shoulder with the greats. As expected of Master.
The Six-Eared Macaque’s reverence for Sha Chen deepened, and he became more impressed, daring not to have any dissatisfaction or defiance.
Of course, he also trusted Sha Chen more deeply.
Originally, Sha Chen had offended Buddhism, making the Six-Eared Macaque somewhat uneasy. Being commanded to raid the Heavenly Prison scared him even more.
Although he didn’t dare to say it, he still had some complaints in his heart.
But now, all was well.
Sha Chen’s formidable strength made the Six-Eared Macaque dare not harbor any dissatisfaction, and it gave him more confidence in Sha Chen, making him feel that this mission would most likely be successful.
Master shouldn’t harm me; after all, I am Master’s proud disciple.
At the same time, the Six-Eared Macaque’s face was full of longing. He remembered that after Sha Chen consumed an Elixir he had concocted, his Primordial Spirit had surged drastically.
Moreover, he had noticed that Sha Chen had planted an Elixir in the Innate Earth.
That was an Elixir, a treasure that could be encountered but not sought after. It was the first time in his life that he had actually seen one; he had only heard of them and seen them in books before. Several times, he was itching with temptation, wanting to claim that Elixir as his own, but he had the desire without the courage. He wanted to ask Sha Chen to refine an Immortal Pill for him as well, but he was too embarrassed to voice the request. After all, Sha Chen had already been very good to him, and it would have been grossly ungrateful to ask for more. If I’m too greedy, Master Sha Chen might look down on me.
Therefore, the Six-Eared Macaque did not dare to bring it up.
Sha Chen naturally knew how tempting the Elixir was. The Six-Eared Macaque certainly wants to consume it, but this thing... I don’t even have enough for myself, how could I possibly share it? I have plenty of flat peaches and ginseng fruits, so I can spare one of those. But this Elixir... I only plucked a few leaves, essentially fleecing it, and it’s still not enough for myself. It’s impossible to share.
He pretended not to notice and continued to instruct the Six-Eared Macaque in his cultivation.
「Another year passed.」
The Six-Eared Macaque’s Primordial Spirit finally reached the high-rank Da Luo realm, even showing signs of approaching the Da Luo pinnacle. His strength had also seen a tremendous improvement, and his cultivation had become profound and inscrutable.
However, he had not yet stepped into the high-rank Da Luo realm and was still at the Mid-level Da Luo realm. Even so, he was only a step away from the high-rank Da Luo realm, and given time, he would be able to break through.
He had been following Sha Chen in cultivation for several years now. With the accumulation of various resources, he had the potential to rise two levels consecutively. But he hadn’t achieved that, not because his strength and talent fell short, but because he also spent time practicing his Taoist magical powers and techniques.
Now, the Six-Eared Macaque had thoroughly mastered the Eight-Nine Profound Art, the 72 Polymorphic Transformations, and the Thirty-Six Transformations. He had also learned the Heavenly Splitting Palm and the Imperial Gods’ Thunder.
Sha Chen had even passed the Qingyun Zong to him, ensuring that he could quickly escape danger and avoid capture.
Sha Chen cared deeply for this disciple.
The Six-Eared Macaque had not disappointed him either; he had mastered all the Dao Techniques and Divine Powers taught to him, distinguishing himself with exceptional abilities and formidable strength.
「Finally, on this day.」
When the Six-Eared Macaque finished his cultivation, he felt his left eyelid twitch uncontrollably, sensing that something inauspicious was about to happen.
Indeed, Sha Chen called him over and instructed him to leave the mountain, deliberately cause trouble, and get himself captured and thrown into the Heavenly Prison.
Sha Chen ignored the Six-Eared Macaque’s constipated expression and said calmly, "When you go this time, you can’t just announce your intention to be captured and thrown into the Heavenly Prison. You must commit an offense. It can’t be too serious, but it also can’t be too minor. Your strength is sufficient for them to imprison you in the Heavenly Prison. After you’re locked up, you need to remain silent for a while. Then, find the people you’re looking for and bring them out safely."
The Six-Eared Macaque cupped his fists and said, "Master, your disciple will follow your instructions to the letter."
Then, kneeling on the ground, tears immediately welled up as he said, "Master, your disciple does not know if he can return from this mission. If I cannot return, I will be unable to serve you any longer, which fills me with shame."
Sha Chen said, "No worries. If you die, your master will simply find another disciple."
The Six-Eared Macaque: "???"
What happened to the deep bond between master and disciple?! With you like this, how can I possibly ask for more benefits!?
Seeing the Six-Eared Macaque’s dispirited look, Sha Chen smiled slightly and said, "I was joking. Rest assured, nothing will happen. I’ll be praying for you here."
Praying!? What good will that do!
The Six-Eared Macaque felt like crying; he wanted more life-saving items, but Sha Chen wasn’t inclined to give more.
You have to give out good things little by little to keep someone tied to you. If you give everything at once, they’ll just run off.
Sha Chen then said, "All right, off you go. Remember to disguise yourself when you leave, and don’t let anyone detect your connection with me."
Reluctantly, the Six-Eared Macaque took his leave.
「Within three days.」
He had a dispute with a Land Deity in the mortal world and killed a malevolent Land Deity who usually committed evil deeds.
That act enraged the Heavenly Court.
The Heavenly Court sent its celestial soldiers and generals to capture him, but they were easily defeated by the Six-Eared Macaque, who even managed to injure the Pagoda-carrying Heavenly King, Li Jing.
Afterward, the Jade Emperor dispatched the idling Zhao Gongming.
Zhao Gongming was already infuriated by Sha Chen’s previous rejection and his inability to pry information from the Spider Spirit and others. He welcomed the chance to vent his anger.
He swiftly attacked, and the Six-Eared Macaque was promptly defeated and captured.
After tormenting the Six-Eared Macaque for a while, Zhao Gongming realized that this monkey somehow shared a connection with Empress Nuwa. Furthermore, Buddhism seemed to be very interested in him.
He restrained himself from killing the Six-Eared Macaque. Instead, he decided to throw him into the Heavenly Prison, planning to keep him there for a century before considering his release.
As for how Buddhism will subdue him then, that will no longer be my concern!
Thus, the Six-Eared Macaque was methodically thrown into the Heavenly Prison. After a period of dejection, he began to stir things up.
「Wealth God Palace.」
Xiao Sheng, the leader of the four great generals of The Mysterious Altar Department, approached Zhao Gongming.
He bowed and said, "Lord Zhao, the Six-Eared Macaque has started to dominate in the Heavenly Prison, claiming himself as king. Should we suppress him?"
However, Zhao Gongming smirked mysteriously. "No need," he said. "He thinks he’s hidden his intentions well, but I saw through him. When I fought him, he used the Eight-Nine Profound Art and the 72 Polymorphic Transformations, identical to those demons."
His gaze flickered as he continued, If my guess is correct, he must be connected to the Black Bear Spirit, the Spider Spirit, and the others. He’s here to rescue them!
