Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 462 - 456: Uneasy Feelings [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Guanyin was utterly helpless. She had expected that the preparations for the eighty-one tribulations would have been ready by now. However, with only a century left until the Journey to the West catastrophe, only a very few tribulations had arrived, with most not yet in place.
Guanyin said, "These tribulations that have not arrived are all more or less related to Sha Chen."
"It’s him again, always him," Kassapa said, clearly angered.
Ananda said, "Ever since Sha Chen became an anomaly, many people have changed. But he has never left Flowing Sand River, so how could he influence others?"
The crowd fell silent.
Tathagata said with a smile, "Years ago, Flowing Sand River had already become difficult to divine, and later it was even harder to know what was happening there. Sha Chen must possess something capable of concealing heavenly secrets. In the past, he even had a Magical Tool that could disrupt heavenly secrets. Otherwise, as a key part of the catastrophe, any change in him would certainly have been detected."
Guanyin said, "I truly don’t know how he has acquired so many fine things. Rumor has it that he possesses numerous Magical Tools and knows many mystical spells and Divine Powers."
Kassapa and Ananda also sighed heavily, their faces troubled. "We also don’t know why he knows so much and possesses so many Magical Tools."
In fact, they had more to say but dared not speak, at least not in front of Tathagata. They kept making eye signals to the Goddess of Mercy. Guanyin understood and, after hesitating, decided to speak.
She said, "It is said that the Tongtian Holy Man of the Chan Sect once visited Flowing Sand River. When Tianpeng was outside, boasting about battling others with magic, he claimed that both he and Sha Chen had received many years’ worth of cultivation from the Tongtian Holy Man in the Flowing Sand River Cave."
When the Tongtian Holy Man was mentioned, Guanyin refrained from speaking further, while Kassapa and Ananda both fell silent, turning to look at Tathagata.
Tathagata showed no signs of disturbance. Instead, he smiled and said, "My Master is indeed a kind and benevolent person, extremely protective of his own. If he took a liking to Sha Chen, he certainly would invest a great deal in him. Nevertheless, even Master distributed many of his Magical Tools before the Divine Enthronement, leaving him with few. Although he commands many mystical spells and Divine Powers, he doesn’t possess them as comprehensively as Sha Chen does."
He smiled and said, "In light of this, it seems Sha Chen was more likely guided by all Three Pure Ones, not just favored by my Master."
Guanyin frowned and said, "Teacher Yuan Shi and The sage Laozi also guided Sha Chen? But what merits or abilities does Sha Chen possess to warrant collective guidance from the Three Pure Ones?"
She simply couldn’t believe it.
Having once been a disciple of Lord Yuan Shi herself, Guanyin understood him well enough. She doubted he would have imparted Divine Powers, Dao Techniques, and so many Magical Tools to Sha Chen without requiring him to come to Kunlun Mountain for instruction.
Tathagata said, "Sha Chen has always claimed that he is not vying with the world, which means he has yet to belong to any sect. It is very likely he has been guided by the Three Pure Ones without becoming their formal disciple."
Everyone found this unbelievable upon hearing it.
Guanyin even outright denied it, saying, "It’s impossible."
She shook her head. "I know Teacher Yuan Shi’s character. Unless one truly becomes his disciple, he would absolutely not agree to pass down his Divine Powers, Dao Techniques, or Magical Tools.
"In fact, if Teacher Yuan Shi discovered someone had secretly learned his Divine Powers or Dao Techniques, he would personally act to cripple them. It’s very strange, though. Since Sha Chen is not Teacher Yuan Shi’s student, and Teacher Yuan Shi wouldn’t impart Dao Techniques or Divine Powers, nor gift Magical Tools to a non-disciple, how did Sha Chen obtain them?"
She furrowed her brow, completely baffled.
Kassapa and Ananda were also struck silent by Guanyin’s incisive analysis, unsure of what to think.
Tathagata laughed. "Sha Chen possessing the Divine Powers and Dao Techniques of the Three Pure Ones is definitely related to them. Tianpeng mentioned that Master Tongtian visited Flowing Sand River and taught Dao Techniques, also mentioning the Tai Chi Diagram there. So, it’s likely that the Grand Master (Laozi) also visited."
He smiled slightly and said, "As for Teacher Yuan Shi, I guess he has never been to Flowing Sand River, but there is definitely a connection between him and Sha Chen."
Guanyin was about to object, but her eyes suddenly widened in shock. She exclaimed, "Could it be that Our Buddha means to say that Teacher Yuan Shi doesn’t want to see Buddhism flourish and, unwilling to act personally, plans to use someone else as a weapon—and is currently sharpening that ’knife’!?"
HISS.
Kassapa and Ananda also inhaled sharply.
If that were the case, Sha Chen would be that knife.
That was a distinct possibility.
Tathagata smiled. "We can only say it’s a possibility, but not a very likely one. The Three Pure Ones have long been in discord, and the relationship between my Master and his two peers is like fire and water, making cooperation impossible."
The unity of the Three Pure Ones was a thing of the past.
What Tathagata said was not false, and Guanyin and the others nodded in agreement.
Guanyin said, "Since this possibility is the least likely, what then is the true nature of this matter?"
Tathagata said, "I only said the possibility is very low, not that it’s altogether impossible. Moreover, it’s quite plausible that the Three Pure Ones each cultivated Sha Chen independently, with a tacit agreement not to appear simultaneously.
"Perhaps it’s to contend with Buddhism, or to compete amongst themselves to see whose guidance yields better results."
Guanyin, Kassapa, and Ananda listened, feeling it was like a fantastic tale, yet it also seemed strangely plausible.
For the moment, they were truly unsure what to make of it.
Tathagata interrupted their thoughts. "There’s no need for further speculation. I will go personally and inquire; then we will know."
Afterwards, he disappeared from the spot.
Guanyin, gazing at the empty lotus throne, asked in astonishment, "Will Our Buddha succeed?"
Kassapa and Ananda chose silence. Ordinarily, they would have affirmed without hesitation, but this time, they too felt uncertain.
Zhenyuanzi had failed, and Zhao Gongming had experienced setbacks.
Although Tathagata was stronger than them, even he couldn’t confidently claim he could breach Flowing Sand River.
After all, Tathagata was only stronger than them, not unimaginably so. They were all still Quasi-Saints.
Zhenyuanzi was a Peak Quasi-Saint, and so was Tathagata. Although Tathagata now had the fortune of Buddhism bolstering him and was aspiring to become a Sub-Sage, being a Sub-Sage was primarily about having ample merit; it didn’t significantly increase one’s actual power.
Moreover, Tathagata was not yet a Sub-Sage!
In this situation, they could only hope that Tathagata’s Great Accomplishment in spatial power would be effective.
However, they felt the possibility was not very high.
「Flowing Sand River.」
Sha Chen had already dealt with the envoys from the Heavenly Court. He extracted the Pure World Eye and began to integrate it into his body.
He originally possessed the Illusion-Breaking Divine Eye, which could see through deceptions, but the Pure World Eye’s function was even more powerful.
It allowed for undivided concentration during cultivation, undisturbed by inner demons. It could also be projected externally to help others resist mental disturbances and even repel inner demons!
Such a heaven-defying Divine Eye was rarely seen in the world, something that only an ancient, primordial demon god could refine.
After Sha Chen integrated it into his body, he found it also benefited his spiritual realm, strengthening his Primordial Spirit and making it more stable and impregnable!
HISS.
What a terrifying Divine Eye! From now on, my eyes are equivalent to the Demon-revealing Mirror and the Haotian Mirror. Not only can no art of external transformation escape detection, but even the invisible and insubstantial miasma of inner demons can be avoided and dispersed.
With this Divine Eye, I’ll no longer fear distractions during cultivation. Moreover, I can teach Dao Techniques to my followers more boldly.
Previously, when Sha Chen taught Dao Techniques to his followers, like the spider spirits, they would be completely befuddled. Due to the profound and mysterious nature of the Dao Techniques, Sha Chen had to slow down and repeat his explanations.
Only when they understood could he continue teaching the Dao.
This wasted a lot of time.
However, if he didn’t slow down and explain clearly, letting them comprehend on their own, they risked succumbing to cultivation deviation.
Forcing comprehension of profound Dao Techniques often led to cultivation deviation; it was quite normal.
If Sha Chen observed them with the Pure World Eye as they forcibly comprehended, he could pull them back even if they started to suffer cultivation deviation.
Moreover, experiencing such deviations multiple times could temper their spirit and will!
Two birds with one stone. This is a good thing.
Furthermore, the Pure World Eye, combined with his Illusion-Breaking Divine Eye, greatly enhanced Sha Chen’s discernment. From now on, no ghosts or goblins could hide from him.
Given Sha Chen’s current strength, some Peak Quasi-Saints might still have been able to deceive him through transformations.
But now, it wouldn’t matter if Peak Quasi-Saints or even Sub-Sages tried; it would be futile.
Even if Saints transmitted messages, Sha Chen would now be able to pinpoint the direction they came from—a qualitative leap.
Now I have another tool in my arsenal. From now on, I’ll be even safer from others’ deceptions and trickery.
However, my cultivation, physical body, and Primordial Spirit also need to advance further. I must put in more effort.
Sha Chen’s physical body had long reached the intermediate stage of the Primeval Chaos Law Body, and his Primordial Spirit had reached the intermediate stage of a Quasi-Saint.
His cultivation realm had broken through more recently, but all aspects were progressing in tandem.
This cultivation speed was actually quite fast. Yet, Sha Chen felt that with only a hundred years left until the Journey to the West catastrophe, it was still too slow.
He didn’t know what would happen when the catastrophe arrived, but he had to become stronger by then.
Only by being strong himself could he face all potential variables.
The spider spirits, the Black Bear spirit, Lady Di Yong, and Red Boy all gathered around Sha Chen. They watched as he refined the Pure World Eye and then murmured to himself.
Under the sweep of Sha Chen’s eyes, they all felt as though they were laid bare.
Lady Di Yong’s face flushed. She actually found the feeling somewhat thrilling.
The spider spirits also blushed. Was Sha Chen using his Divine Power to gaze upon their graceful figures?
At this thought, they yearned to engage in more intimate activities with Sha Chen.
Therefore, looking at the Black Bear spirit and Red Boy, they found them particularly obstructive.
If it weren’t for these males, they wouldn’t even need to be behind closed doors. They could be free in the fields, on stone tables, under trees, even in the trees.
Anywhere would do, completely free and unrestrained.
The Black Bear spirit felt somewhat guilty. Had Sha Chen discovered the resources I secretly hoarded?
Red Boy also felt a pang of guilt. I also hid some resources. Moreover, while Sha Chen was refining the Divine Eye, I stole a jar of aged wine from his cellar!
Sha Chen smiled faintly; he had indeed seen through their thoughts.
Just as he was about to tease them a little, his mind suddenly grew restless. He frowned, an unsettling feeling washing over him, like thorns pricking his back.
His followers were astonished. Seventh Mother asked, "Big Brother, why do you look so grim?"
Sha Chen made some calculations for a moment then said, "With the Journey to the West catastrophe approaching, my divinations are not very accurate anymore. However, I keep sensing that something ominous is about to happen, as if a very dangerous presence is drawing near."
