Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 470 - 464: Primordial Big Shot [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Hearing that chilling cackle set Sha Chen’s teeth on edge.
At the same time, his brows furrowed. This voice was unfamiliar; he had never heard it before.
But merely hearing the voice made his flesh creep, as if thorns pricked his back and a chill seeped up from the soles of his feet.
This person was extraordinary.
Moreover, the fact that he could call out Tathagata’s name so directly, completely disregarding him, suggested this person’s strength was comparable to, if not greater than, Tathagata’s.
And with Sha Chen’s understanding of the Three Realms, few who had reached such a level of strength still possessed such a sinister, mocking cackle.
Just one glance outside, and he knew who had arrived.
A wizened, skinny old man with hair sparser than his eyelashes, no eyebrows to be seen, deep-set eyes, and a withered appearance, was hunched over as if on the brink of death. Yet, just one look at this person was enough to make one feel as if they were plunging into an abyss, with mountains of corpses and seas of blood seeming to loom behind him, and rivers running red.
The gaunt, skinny old man also wore a black robe, his mouth sharp and cone-like, his cheeks sunken, and his jawbones protruding, giving him an appearance of utter malice.
His body was covered in inscriptions, making him look like a nefarious old man.
He stood nonchalantly in mid-air, the clouds beneath his feet a crimson expanse. Ever since his arrival, it was as if all living beings within ten thousand miles lay prostrate on the ground, shivering uncontrollably.
It was evident just how terrifying this person’s murderous aura was.
Sha Chen’s brows knit together; he had already discerned the man’s identity.
Tathagata didn’t turn around because he, too, knew the man’s identity, and his heart was even more anxious than Sha Chen’s.
Because this newcomer boded no good.
It was none other than the Nine-winged mosquito, a notorious figure from the primordial era, rumored to possess the ability to penetrate heaven and earth and ranked alongside the Ancestor of the Ming River as one of two great old monsters.
Sha Chen’s heart was struck with shock. The rumor was that the Nine-winged mosquito had died, dismembered by the Ancestor of the Ming River with the divine swords Yuantu and Avici, and then incinerated by the red lotus karmic fire, condemned to an existence without rebirth or reincarnation! How could he still be alive?
Hearing Sha Chen’s words, Tathagata replied indifferently, "You can’t possibly believe that a Peak Quasi-Saint could die so easily, can you?"
"Moreover, to be killed by a peer of equal strength... If they could die so easily, what would being a Quasi-Sage Peak even mean?"
Sha Chen was deeply shaken; so that was the case. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
Then he noticed something different about the Nine-winged mosquito, and a trace of puzzlement flashed in his eyes.
Tathagata said, "It seems you’ve noticed. That old monster indeed didn’t die, but he was gravely wounded and has been suppressing his injuries for a hundred thousand years."
"Heh, the war of Divine Enthronement was a battle for karmic fortune. Anyone who participated stood to gain immensely. Given that old monster’s greed, his absence from it proves just how severe his injuries were. He must have expended all his energy suppressing them, rendering him incapable of threatening others."
The Nine-winged mosquito, hearing the two disregard him and continue their conversation and battle, was instantly enraged.
He cackled, "Tathagata, youngster, are you saying you want to test this old man’s capabilities?"
Tathagata replied calmly, "There’s no need for that, Senior. I have no desire to be your enemy, at least not right now."
He was thinking that once this matter was resolved, he would have to find the Nine-winged mosquito to ’play’ with him and make that old monster live a life of hiding and fleeing once again. How dare he try to take advantage of my current predicament!
As for the Nine-winged mosquito’s offer to help, Tathagata didn’t believe a single word.
It would be a blessing if the Nine-winged mosquito merely refrained from kicking them when they were down. And now, with Tathagata and Sha Chen locked in a tense struggle, he was the least likely person to lend a hand.
He would help neither side and would more likely kick them while they’re down, aiming to take them both out in one fell swoop. That was the most probable scenario.
Thus, while Sha Chen was vigilant, Tathagata was even more wary.
After all, Sha Chen was inside the Flowing Sand River Cave, protected by layers of defenses. Forget the Nine-winged mosquito; even Tathagata, despite his forceful assault, couldn’t break in.
If the Nine-winged mosquito truly intended a sneak attack or to kick someone when they were down, he would definitely target Tathagata.
At this moment, Tathagata’s back was to the Nine-winged mosquito, an extremely dangerous position.
The only thing that gave Tathagata a slight peace of mind was that he wasn’t completely outside the Flowing Sand River Cave.
Instead, he was inside the entrance of the cave, unable to fully enter, lingering at the intersection of the interior and exterior.
After all, he had entered using spatial power, passing directly through the Black Tortoise Armor and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji.
Currently, these two layers of defense were effectively serving as Tathagata’s protection, resisting the Nine-winged mosquito’s potential attacks and allowing Tathagata some measure of reassurance.
The Nine-winged mosquito also didn’t dare to approach directly, fearing Tathagata might abandon his assault on the Flowing Sand River Cave and attack him instead.
He was injured and relying on secret techniques and stolen Magical Medicines to barely suppress his wounds; he could not withstand even two attacks from Tathagata.
However, as he glanced at the Flowing Sand River Cave, which seemed so close he could enter at any moment, he couldn’t bear to leave.
Legend had it that this place was a grotto-heaven, a blessed land, where Immortal Taiyi, the Sect Hierarch of the Qingwei Sect, had obtained the Innate Earth. There had to be Elixirs planted within.
Even if there were no Elixirs, Immortal Elixirs would surely be plentiful, along with countless other benefits.
What made the Nine-winged mosquito even more covetous was the cave’s impregnability; even Tathagata had been attacking for a long time without successfully entering.
If I were inside, he thought, perhaps not even a Saint could break in.
The Nine-winged mosquito had grown tired of hiding and living a vagrant life. If he could settle here, it would be ideal.
Moreover, with numerous treasures and abundant Elixirs and Immortal Elixirs inside, obtaining them might help his injuries.
Regardless, the Nine-winged mosquito desperately wanted to seize the Flowing Sand River Cave for himself.
And if I could dispose of Tathagata in the process, seizing his karmic fortune and Buddhist essence, I might advance even further!
The Nine-winged mosquito’s eyes glinted with greed, his gaze profound. He then advanced step by step, preparing to strike.
Without turning his head, Tathagata suddenly said, "Senior, are you planning a sneak attack? Or do you think you’ve lived long enough!?"
The Nine-winged mosquito gave a dry laugh. "Tathagata, I’m here to help you. What are you talking about?"
Tathagata replied indifferently, "Senior, it would be help enough if you just stood still and kept your distance."
"If you approach, Senior, I will assume you intend to ambush me. And with my temperament, I will undoubtedly turn around and kill you as a sacrifice to the heavens."
He didn’t turn his head, yet his domineering words and chilling aura made the Nine-winged mosquito hesitate to draw closer, at least for that moment. The Nine-winged mosquito merely frowned, his eyes flickering as he seemed to ponder whether Tathagata could still spare the effort to retaliate.
As if anticipating the Nine-winged mosquito’s thoughts, Tathagata continued, "Senior, you need not concern yourself with whether I can handle the Flowing Sand River and you simultaneously."
He stated calmly, "If I were ambushed by you, Senior, I would undoubtedly be severely injured, perhaps critically. Then I’d have no chance of entering the Flowing Sand River. Since that would be a losing proposition, why would I neglect the primary goal for a secondary one, allowing myself to be attacked only to withdraw in disgrace?"
Tathagata added, "Given your shrewdness, Senior, surely you don’t think I’m such a fool as to be inflexible?"
The Nine-winged mosquito’s frown deepened. His expression turned grave, and he could no longer manage even a chuckle.
Just as Tathagata had said, if the Nine-winged mosquito were to launch a sneak attack, Tathagata would certainly be injured and thus unable to enter the Flowing Sand River.
Being injured and failing to enter—such an unprofitable outcome for both goals—Tathagata would surely not resign himself to being ambushed.
At that point, he might genuinely abandon his assault on the Flowing Sand River and turn to attack the Nine-winged mosquito to vent his fury. But if the Nine-winged mosquito backed down because of this, he could only watch as Tathagata breached the Flowing Sand River. It was highly probable that Sha Chen would then be killed and the cave dwelling seized.
And he, the Nine-winged mosquito, would become a laughingstock. He might even have to turn and flee, or risk losing his life there.
