Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 472 - 466: Discussing Talent, You Are Not as Good as Me [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Tathagata ceased his fierce attack on Sha Chen. Sha Chen had already activated the defenses of the Black Tortoise Armor and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji, and behind Tathagata, Buddhism now stood defenseless, completely exposed. Since these two items could not fend off Tathagata anyway, Sha Chen simply withdrew them. This allowed him to concentrate his spirit on resisting.
If the Nine-winged Mosquito Man decided to join Tathagata in a strong attack on the cave, Sha Chen might still manage to hold them off. However, if the Nine-winged Mosquito Man launched a sneak attack on Tathagata, that would indeed create an opportunity for him.
And indeed, the Nine-winged Mosquito Man launched a sneak attack on Tathagata. However, the Nine-winged Mosquito Man also saw Tathagata halt his assault. He dared not get too close, instead attacking from a distance. He claimed he wanted to help Tathagata, but he was actually backstabbing him with a sneak attack. The Nine-winged Mosquito Man felt no guilt whatsoever.
Tathagata was somewhat angry, but he did not seethe with humiliation. He simply regretted that he could no longer continue to attack the Flowing Sand River. From then on, he could only stop here, unable to advance an inch further, because Sha Chen would strengthen his defenses, which Tathagata could not break through.
Tathagata turned around and delivered a palm strike—the Tathagata’s Palm, earth-shattering and sky-splitting. The Nine-winged Mosquito Man’s attack was directly scattered.
He jeered, "Little Tathagata, this old man meant well in helping you, so why did you sneak attack this old man? You bald donkey, you really have no integrity!"
Tathagata did not waste words with him, snorting, "Old demon, today I shall act in Heaven’s stead to rid the world of evil by capturing an old demon like you!" Then he shattered space and reached for the Nine-winged Mosquito Man.
Clearly, the Nine-winged Mosquito Man was well-prepared; he had greased the soles of his feet and turned to flee without hesitation. He also shouted loudly, "Sha Chen, my... brother, you must keep your promise!"
Sha Chen offered no reply. Instead, he sped up his defensive arrangements, strengthening the Flowing Sand River Cave’s defenses. As for Tathagata Buddha, he had already gone to pursue and kill the Nine-winged Mosquito Man. He had been only a hair’s breadth away from breaching Sha Chen’s cave when this old fiend suddenly appeared, ruining his plan. Naturally, he vented all his fury upon the Nine-winged Mosquito Man.
「Three days later.」
Sha Chen had already thoroughly strengthened the defenses of the Flowing Sand River, reinforcing the spatial barriers layer by layer and setting numerous spatial traps. Only then did he begin to feel slightly at ease. He also strengthened his control over the Chaos Chicken Cover and the Sky Shielding Talisman, integrating them into the surrounding space, thereby enhancing their defensive capabilities. Sha Chen was confident that even if Tathagata attacked again, he definitely would not be able to break through the cave’s defenses.
However, the Black Tortoise Armor and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji outside the Flowing Sand River Cave were useless against Tathagata. This meant Tathagata could still step halfway into the cave, stopping just at its entrance. Many aspects of the entire cave were almost transparent to Tathagata; he could discover them. Because of this, Sha Chen divided the cave into sections, isolating and shielding each one to reduce the chances of Tathagata spying on him.
「Another month passed.」
Tathagata returned and then continued his strong assault on the Flowing Sand River Cave, exactly as Sha Chen had anticipated. He stopped before the cave’s entrance.
Tathagata ceased his offensive, brought his palms together, and said, "Master Sha Chen, this humble monk kindly invited you to join Buddhism. So why do you oppose our Buddhism and support that great demon!?"
"If you don’t wish to come out, then stay in there forever!!" Tathagata was enraged. He usually had a good temper and was adept at concealing his emotions, but today he was seething with anger. His face was as dark as still water, his expression as sharp as a knife.
Even separated by the Flowing Sand River Cave, Sha Chen could feel the chill assaulting him, causing his heart to flutter slightly. He then reinforced his defenses several more times. He was determined not to let Tathagata step even half a foot into the cave. Although Sha Chen knew they had irreconcilably turned against each other, possibly to the death, he did not want to provoke Tathagata further. Otherwise, Tathagata might just summon all the Buddhas from Lingjiu Mountain. If a myriad of divine powers descended, the Flowing Sand River might be razed to the ground. Sha Chen wasn’t sure if the Flowing Sand River Cave could withstand the relentless bombardment of numerous Buddhas. If it can’t, then I’ll really be in trouble. So, at this moment, he chose silence. He didn’t want to provoke Tathagata, risking his fury and a direct confrontation.
When Tathagata saw Sha Chen remain silent, he grew even angrier, interpreting it as contempt and outright disregard. He bellowed in rage, "Sha Chen, don’t push your luck! I told you, if you don’t want to come out, then stay in there forever!"
Sha Chen hesitated before replying, "Buddha, you needn’t remind me. I won’t be venturing out anytime soon. Not until I am invincible in this world will I leave. There are too many like you out there—insane, powerful, and harboring ill intentions."
Tathagata laughed. "Invincible in this world? Sha Chen, so that’s your ambition. Yet, I’ve never heard of a cowering turtle achieving supremacy."
"Every powerful individual harbors the ambition of invincibility. Even when facing formidable enemies, they advance courageously, their hearts unwavering, their minds clear and bright. Only then do they have the potential to reach greater heights."
He chuckled. "One with a heart cowed by fear, a creature shrinking back in hesitation—such a cowering turtle will absolutely never become the foremost in the world."
He continued, "Listen well. I am telling you plainly: you will never be invincible in this world. Your future will go no further than where you stand now. At most, High-rank Quasi Saint is your limit."
Having said this, he laughed heartily and turned to leave.
But Sha Chen suddenly retorted, "You’ve got some nerve!"
Tathagata turned back, his face as dark as water. Sha Chen had actually dared to call him by his name, and so impudently at that.
Sha Chen sneered. "I respect you as the Buddha of Lingjiu Mountain, revered by all in Buddhism, and as a former disciple of the Tongtian Hierarch. That’s the only reason I showed you any courtesy. Do you really think you can do anything to me!?"
Tathagata said furiously, "Sha Chen, what do you mean by that?"
Sha Chen snorted coldly. "What do I mean? Little Tathagata, listen carefully! I know your earlier words were meant to unsettle my Dao Heart, but I’ll be honest with you—you’re deluding yourself."
"My Dao Heart is unshakable, my will indomitable. You think a few mere words from you can shake my Dao Heart? Impossible!"
Tathagata’s gaze turned icy. He understood that Sha Chen had seen through his motives. But so what? Sha Chen’s agitation suggested that his words had indeed affected him.
Sha Chen continued, "If anyone’s journey is to end here in this life, I think it’s yours. You are the one who will stop progressing! Dreaming of stepping into the Sub-Sage realm or becoming a Saint? You don’t have what it takes, and you never will!"
Tathagata sneered. So Sha Chen is trying to shake my Buddhist Heart? Is that even possible?
Just as he was about to mock him, Sha Chen continued, "Remember this, Old Tathagata! You are a traitor to your sect. Someone like you, ungrateful and a betrayer of your own master, doesn’t deserve to attain Sainthood through virtue. Even with your exceptional talent, do you still dare claim it’s unmatched when facing me today?"
He proclaimed proudly, "My low profile doesn’t mean I lack a temper, and my humility doesn’t mean I lack pride! To be frank, Tathagata, I began cultivating as a True Immortal four hundred years ago. Now, I am at the Intermediate Stage of Semi-saint. My physical body has achieved minor success in the Primeval Chaos Law Body and is on the verge of stepping into the Great Achievement Realm."
"With my strength and potential, you say my journey ends here? I only need a hundred years to reach your level, even surpass you! In a hundred years, when the calamity you call the Journey to the West begins, you, Tathagata Buddha, will be nothing before me!"
Grinning, he declared, "If you don’t believe it, just wait and see!"
After that, he said no more, simply reinforcing the defenses of the Flowing Sand River even further.
「Outside.」
Tathagata Buddha was stunned for a moment, then remained silent for a long while. He wanted to laugh it off, but his expression grew darker; he was evidently unable to contain his irritation. Sha Chen could say many things, but bringing up Tathagata’s master had struck a nerve; he had crossed Tathagata’s bottom line. Furthermore, Sha Chen had demonstrated his immense talent and boldly claimed he would trample Tathagata underfoot in a hundred years. All of this was a trampling of Tathagata’s dignity. How could he not be furious?
