Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 464 - 458: Monk Tathagata [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
HISS.
Who is it!?
At that moment, Sha Chen felt his head was about to explode. His eyes were filled with shock, and his scalp went numb.
His face was a picture of bewilderment, his heart trembling rapidly.
There was someone, and they had already arrived more than a year ago, even listening to my preaching!
A monk?
Someone from Buddhism!
Could it be the two Western Saints!?
Sha Chen’s head reeled. Besides the two Western Saints, I can think of no one else with such capability. To be able to eavesdrop on my conversation within the heavily guarded Flowing Sand River Cave and know my situation... that’s utterly impossible! If it was indeed the two Saints, Jieyin and Zhunti, then this would be troublesome.
What Sha Chen feared most were the two Western Saints. They aren’t human; they’re extremely crafty and deceitful, and also possess formidable strength. If they were to force their way into the Flowing Sand River, I don’t know whether the defenses here would hold up.
Sha Chen wasn’t very confident about it.
Although the system reward mentioned that ordinary Saints wouldn’t be able to breach the Flowing Sand River Cave, once someone reaches the Saint Realm, what is "ordinary" anymore? Moreover, who knows if Jieyin and Zhunti are really ordinary? They are said to be second and third among the six Saints. It’s rumored that Jieyin’s strength is extremely formidable, even comparable to Lord Yuan Shi. However, I don’t know the precise details. But what’s certain is that if the two Saints truly joined forces, they are very likely to surpass the concept of an ordinary Saint. If the two Saints worked together, would breaking into the Flowing Sand River Cave become easier? The possibility is high.
As a result, he felt like he was on pins and needles, his scalp numb, his eyes filled with terror.
He looked around vigilantly while his Divine Consciousness swept out, and his ability to listen to all realms also erupted.
Pure World Eye. Illusion-Breaking Divine Eye. Six Ears of All Heavens.
Sha Chen exerted all his power to explore. Finally, he noticed something amiss. Outside the Flowing Sand River, where Huanghua Temple once stood, there was a ripple in space.
He saw the abandoned Huanghua Temple. Within what was once the centipede spirit’s bedroom, there was a painting. The painting fluctuated for a moment, then a crack appeared, and out stepped a bald, big-eared monk.
The monk was kind-looking and benevolent, smiling, his feet upon a lotus pedestal. One hand pointed to the sky, the other to the earth, with an imposing manner.
Sha Chen heard him speaking to the air, yet it felt as though he was addressing him directly, saying, "Above the heavens and below the earth, I alone am honored."
HISS.
Sha Chen sucked in a breath of cold air. Only Tathagata, that sly old fox, would utter such a pretentious and juvenile phrase. It’s actually Tathagata himself who has come!
For some reason, Sha Chen let out a sigh of relief, but then his heart seized up again.
The relief was because it was Tathagata who had come, not the two Western Saints.
Although Tathagata is very powerful, and it’s rumored he has reached the Saint Realm—or if not a Saint, then perhaps a Sub-Sage... But... I believe Tathagata is definitely not a Saint, nor even a Sub-Sage. Based on my understanding of the Journey to the West, Tathagata hosting the event likely aimed to create a golden age for Buddhism and then establish boundless merit for himself. He intended to use that merit to achieve Sainthood. Although the calamity of the Journey to the West was minor, the merit was boundless. If truly fulfilled, Tathagata might indeed become a Saint through merit. However, from what I know of the Age of Wutian, Tathagata being forced by Wutian to reincarnate likely meant that at that time, he wasn’t even a Sub-Sage. And after Tathagata fought his way back to the Western Paradise, he and Sun Wukong probably became Saints together, each achieving the status of a Sub-Sage. Sun Wukong achieved boundless merit by defeating Wutian, saving all under heaven, and becoming a Sub-Sage. That was both reasonable and appropriate. As for Tathagata, after the Journey to the West, he should have been able to achieve full merit. But during the Journey to the West, he was deceived by Wutian, causing his merit to fall short of fruition. In order to gain complete merit, he withdrew to advance, reincarnating and using an eighteen-year cycle as a mortal child to reshape his meritorious body, perfect himself, and ultimately achieve Sainthood through merit. At that time, Tathagata was likely only a Sub-Sage. If that’s the case, the Tathagata now is definitely not a Sub-Sage, at most a Peak Quasi-Saint. As just a Peak Quasi-Saint, I’m confident Tathagata cannot enter.
Therefore, he breathed a sigh of relief. But then his heart tightened again, because he didn’t know how Tathagata had managed to hide for over a year without his knowledge.
Logically, only a Saint would likely know the situation inside. Those below Saint status probably couldn’t be aware of it. Could it be that Tathagata also possesses a capability like that of the Six-Eared Macaque, able to listen to all realms, thus hearing my preaching?
Sha Chen simply couldn’t figure it out. Since he couldn’t understand, he decided not to dwell on it, instead turning his gaze towards Huanghua Temple.
Slowly, Tathagata stepped out from the painting. From within Huanghua Temple, he looked towards the Flowing Sand River.
It was as if he could see across a hundred miles, through the cave dwelling, and meet Sha Chen’s gaze.
Sha Chen’s face stiffened. He didn’t know why, but his heart shook, and he felt a chill run down his spine.
Why does he give me the illusion that he can see me, hear me, and perhaps even come in?
Sha Chen was shocked. His scalp tingled, and he felt like he had a thorn in his side.
However, he kept his expression normal, pretending to be calm; indeed, he had to remain calm.
Although I don’t know how Tathagata did it, it’s all about keeping cool right now. Showing any sign of weakness could give him an opening.
Sha Chen’s expression was serene. He had already covered the spider spirits and others with the Sky Covering Umbrella and the Tian Luo Treasure Cover.
They’ve likely been exposed already. Shielding them isn’t to hide them from sight, but purely to prevent any disruption from Tathagata. They are in the midst of cultivation. If Tathagata intentionally disturbs them, a single word could send them into qi deviation. And I have to face Tathagata, possibly without the spare capacity to use my Pure World Eye to protect them. They’ll have to bear it if things go awry.
Tathagata spoke with a smile, "Great General for Folding the Curtain, your abode is truly a blessed land, a place of profound fortune. And you, General, indeed have boundless potential and outstanding comprehension. This humble monk admires you."
Sha Chen responded indifferently, "Buddha, you jest. Under the whole sky, aside from Saints, who dares to speak of potential and comprehension before you?"
"With your comprehension, Buddha, casually contemplating both Buddhist and Taoist teachings and effortlessly breaking through in cultivation, I am truly an ant, not worth mentioning."
Tathagata said, "All beings are equal. Even an ant, in this humble monk’s view, stands high and lofty, majestic without limit."
He then added, "Moreover, this humble monk indeed sincerely recognizes your talent, General for Folding the Curtain. It’s a shame that such a talent suffers in the Flowing Sand River Cave. The doors of Lingjiu Mountain are always open for you, should you wish."
Sha Chen immediately showed a wary look and asked, "What do you mean by that, Buddha?"
Tathagata smiled and said, "Why don’t you open the door, General for Folding the Curtain, and let this humble monk come in to discuss Buddhist Law in detail?"
Sha Chen replied, "There’s no need. My humble dwelling is too simple to accommodate Buddha’s radiant presence."
Tathagata added, "It’s no trouble. This humble monk can dwell in the Heavenly Palace or live in a dog’s kennel. All beings are equal, without distinction of noble or lowly."
Sha Chen sneered inwardly. The more certain phrases are repeated, the less those things are truly regarded.
He continued, "It’s better for Buddha to stay in Daxiong Hall. My place truly cannot accommodate Buddha’s glorious and magnificent body."
"And if Buddha has no pressing matters, please avoid appearing again. I am faint-hearted and can’t withstand being frightened."
Tathagata replied, "General, you jest. This humble monk is a Buddha, not a demon. I only seek to enlighten all beings, not to slay innocents. How could there be any talk of terror or fright?" 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢
"Rather, it is you, General for Folding the Curtain, who, despite having remarkable talent and profound cultivation, is extraordinarily faint-hearted. This is merely the mischief of inner demons. Why not accompany this humble monk to Lingjiu Mountain, attend the Ullambana Buddhist assembly, and listen to the Buddhist Law? It might improve your condition. And if it suits you, you can join our Buddhism and enjoy the illumination of the Buddhist Law."
The host has been invited by Tathagata to attend the Ullambana Buddhist assembly and join Buddhism. You have the following choices.
