Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 465 - 459: Four Options [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
"Host has discovered that Tathagata requested your attendance at the Ullambana Festival and to join Buddhism. You have the following choices," the system announced.
"Choice one: Agree to Tathagata’s request and receive the reward [Twelfth Grade Buddha Lotus]. The Twelfth Grade Buddha Lotus is an Innate Supreme Treasure of immense power, born in ancient times and condensing the great merits of Buddhism."
"Choice two: Agree to attend the Ullambana Festival but not to join Buddhism, and receive the reward [Ninth Grade Buddha Lotus]. The Ninth Grade Buddha Lotus is a Supreme Treasure of Buddhism, where the merits of Buddhist Law converge, with infinite power."
"Choice three: Agree to join Buddhism but not attend the Ullambana Festival, and receive the reward [Ninth Grade Buddha Lotus]. The Ninth Grade Buddha Lotus is a Supreme Treasure of Buddhism, where the merits of Buddhist Law converge, with infinite power."
"Choice four: Refuse to join Buddhism and also refuse to attend the Ullambana Festival, and receive the reward [Space Secret Method]. The Space Secret Method is one of the twelve secret skills of the twelve Ancestral Witches, containing a variety of Great Spatial Divine Powers."
HISS.
Sha Chen sucked in a sharp breath, his face a mask of shock and disbelief.
This was the first time he had seen the system present four choices, and each reward was incredibly substantial.
The [Twelfth Grade Buddha Lotus], an Innate Supreme Treasure of Buddhism, needed no further introduction; such treasures were exceedingly rare in all of ancient times.
Sha Chen possessed many treasures, but only the Mountain Splitting Axe qualified as an Innate Supreme Treasure; the others did not.
Although the [Ninth Grade Buddha Lotus] was somewhat inferior, it was still an Innate Spirit Treasure of boundless power.
Moreover, the Buddha Lotus was a convergence of Buddhism’s merits. If Sha Chen could obtain it, even without delving into Buddhist Law, it would undoubtedly be greatly beneficial to his understanding of Taoist merits.
What a pity.
The system was not offering it for free.
Sha Chen had no intention of agreeing to Tathagata’s terms. Doing so would be no different from being forced to leave this place. His safety could not be guaranteed. The treasures offered would essentially be on loan, and sooner or later, someone would kill him to seize them.
Sha Chen chose the fourth option, rejecting all of Tathagata’s requests.
He received the reward: the [Space Secret Method]. This was the spatial secret skill of the Ancestral Witch Di Jiang, containing numerous Spatial Divine Skills, akin to a compendium of such abilities.
It was similar to the 72 Polymorphic Transformations and the 36 Polymorphic Transformations within Taoist magical powers, which contained dozens of basic Taoist magical powers capable of evolving into countless divine techniques.
The Space Secret Method was similar; it could evolve into countless divine powers related to the Space Secret Method.
The only difference was that the 72 and 36 Transformations offered infinite variations and numerous divine powers covering a wide range of fields.
The Space Secret Method, however, pertained purely to space and did not involve other divine techniques or spells.
However, that was more than enough.
Sha Chen had currently achieved minor success in his spatial abilities and was only a step away from Great Accomplishment, making his control over space incredibly strong and profound.
Regrettably, he hadn’t grasped a single Spatial Divine Skill he could confidently use, aside from Universe in the Sleeve and Drawing Ground into Prison.
Even so, both had limited utility and played a minimal role in actual combat.
Drawing Ground into Prison could trap others within a confined space, but Sha Chen himself could not enter it. It essentially created a dividing line between friend and foe. This could be used to deter enemies, but not to defeat them.
As for Universe in the Sleeve, it was Zhenyuanzi’s divine power, equivalent to having an additional Qiankun Bag in One Breath, just a stronger version.
Now, with the [Space Secret Method], Sha Chen could accomplish much more using the power of space.
Moreover, Sha Chen had only a rudimentary understanding of constructing spatial passages. If he could master this, he could easily create channels from within the Flowing Sand River leading to various locations in the Three Realms.
By then, he could traverse the world without ever stepping foot outside his home.
Although he possessed the Void Gate, its function was primarily for penetration rather than covering long distances, so it still had flaws.
If Sha Chen could master spatial secret techniques himself, he would be able to construct something similar to the Void Gate at will.
Furthermore, using such Spatial Divine Skills, Sha Chen felt he could make the domain of the Flowing Sand River truly impregnable, as steadfast as a metal fortress.
For this reason, Sha Chen unhesitatingly rejected all of Tathagata’s requests and, in doing so, received the system’s reward.
He immediately began to refine this secret technique in his mind. Since it was a system reward, he could master it directly and achieve a minor accomplishment.
Instantly, Sha Chen’s understanding of space deepened profoundly.
Looking again at Huanghua Temple, Sha Chen discovered it was actually a spatial fortress, and the spot where the painting had been was the entrance to a spatial passage.
He was certain these features had not existed before; they must have appeared only after Tathagata’s arrival.
Sha Chen pondered with a solemn heart, It is said that Tathagata’s Buddha Country in the palm is invincible, capable of suppressing anyone below the Quasi-Saint realm with a mere flip of his hand, ensuring they never rise again. During the contention for the title of Buddha, he single-handedly faced Ran Deng Buddha, Maitreya Buddha, and Medicine Buddha, ultimately emerging victorious—a testament to his terrifying strength. Even Ran Deng and Maitreya, both Peak Quasi-Saints, were no match for him when they joined forces. According to rumors, it was his powerful Spatial Divine Skills, his consummate mastery, and the Buddha Country in his palm that allowed him to suppress and individually defeat them, demonstrating his unmatched power.
This meant that not only did Tathagata possess spatial abilities, but he must have also reached a profound realm with them.
Sha Chen thought to himself, Tathagata’s spatial power is probably not inferior to mine. The fact that he could lurk in Huanghua Temple for over a year without my noticing suggests his power is likely even superior. I have now reached minor accomplishment in space, but if he is still above me, he might have reached Great Accomplishment. Although it is said that those who have achieved Space Greatness are fewer than three under the heavens, Tathagata might be one of them.
Sha Chen’s expression turned grave instantly. He decided to test the waters and said, "Buddha, you need not try to persuade me further. I will not leave the Flowing Sand River, so please do not mention the Ullambana Festival or joining Buddhism again."
Tathagata said, "As long as you join Buddhism, it matters not if you remain here; cultivation is cultivation, regardless of location. As for the Ullambana Festival, if General for Folding the Curtain is willing, this humble monk can discuss Buddhism with you right here. The festival is merely an occasion for expounding on Buddhist Law."
Sha Chen replied, "Buddha, say no more. I have no intention of joining any faction, be it Buddhism or Taoism."
Tathagata said, "Since you have not joined Taoism, why then do you employ Taoist magical powers? And you speak of the Three Pure Ones Taoism so adeptly; surely such understanding cannot be achieved by an individual without guidance from a master."
Sha Chen chuckled. "Buddha makes a good point. I have indeed received guidance from a master. And Buddha, you know him too—it is your former mentor, the Tongtian Hierarch. He has visited this place several times already."
Tathagata Buddha fell silent for a moment, then smiled and said, "It seems the master truly appreciates talent, to have offered guidance upon encountering someone like you. In that case, why did you not join the master’s sect?"
"Buddha jests," Sha Chen said. "I am of low status, and my words carry little weight; I am not worthy of joining a Saint’s sect. Moreover, as I’ve said, I do not wish to leave this place or become entangled in the chaos of the mortal world."
Sha Chen explained with a calm expression, yet his words clearly did not put Tathagata at ease.
Tathagata continued, "Since General for Folding the Curtain feels this way, why then do you cultivate the Three Pure Ones Taoism? Having cultivated Dao Techniques, do you truly believe you can escape karma?"
Sha Chen said, "If I do not venture out, I will not be tainted by karma; that is enough. Furthermore, these divine powers and Dao Techniques all came to me through serendipity. The Saint was willing to instruct, and I was willing to learn. I have also given some things back to the Saint, so we are even, with no inevitable karmic ties between us."
Tathagata’s gaze flickered with the light of wisdom, as if pondering what exactly Sha Chen might have given in return.
Then Sha Chen suddenly said, "Buddha’s spatial techniques are truly remarkable, to be able to construct a void passage within a painting in Huanghua Temple and keep me in the dark for over a year."
Tathagata was taken aback and cast a deep look at Sha Chen.
He then said, "This humble monk had long sensed that the Flowing Sand River domain possessed special spatial restrictions. I initially thought it was constructed with a Space Magical Treasure. Now, it seems it was arranged by General for Folding the Curtain himself." 𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚
He smiled. "Amitabha. General for Folding the Curtain, you truly surprise this humble monk. Among the myriad beings of the nine netherworlds and ten classes, those who master spatial abilities are few and far between. General for Folding the Curtain is truly blessed with peerless fortune."
