Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 654 - 648 Past Future Eye【Subscribe Requested】_1

Tathagata studied the Sha Chen before him closely, his gaze intensifying.

To his surprise, it was Sha Chen's true form.

This astonished and filled him with incredulity; at the same time, a sense of gravity settled in his heart.

The Ancient Buddha and Tathagata exchanged glances, both noting the shock and confusion in each other's eyes.

Sha Chen was timid and cautious. He had refused to meet them on many occasions, always avoiding a direct confrontation.

But now, Sha Chen actually dared to emerge. He had transformed the Flowing Sand River into an impenetrable fortress and reconstructed a minor world within it. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

However, to experts like them, this minor world was as fragile as paper, easily pierced through.

Sha Chen daring to meet them could only mean one thing: he had enough confidence to contend with them both.

Otherwise, given Sha Chen's character, he would never dare to appear.

Thus, both became somewhat grave. They had arrived full of confidence, only to encounter a Sha Chen who seemed even more self-assured.

Both parties were supremely confident.

Tathagata felt this might be an opportunity. Although Sha Chen might have achieved a breakthrough, he was surely not as advanced as himself.

As long as Sha Chen hadn't broken through to the Sub-saint Realm, he was not to be feared.

The Sub-saint Realm, while not the realm of a true Saint, differed little in terms of actual strength.

For it was not that those known as Sub-Sages lacked power, but that there weren't enough Saint Positions available for them to ascend to. The Daoist Master had only six Saint Positions. If previous Saints didn't relinquish their positions, those who came after, even if they achieved sainthood through merit, could only become Sub-Sages.

However, the strength of Sub-Sages varied. The most powerful could stand shoulder to shoulder with Saints, while the weaker ones were only slightly stronger than ordinary Peak Quasi-Saints.

Tathagata's strength was well-known, his talent unmatched throughout the ages. He also had the support of two Saints and the karmic fortune of all of Buddhism underpinning him.

After becoming a Sub-Sage, he had advanced by leaps and bounds, his strength now comparable to that of a Saint.

At least among the six Saints, Saint Nuwa was no longer stronger than him.

However, Tathagata had never actually fought Saint Nuwa, so this was merely his own confident speculation.

Moreover, his physical body was exceptionally powerful, and he had achieved Great Accomplishment in the power of space. Combined, his true combat prowess was definitely not inferior to Saint Nuwa's.

In contrast, Sha Chen had no faith, no merit, and no foundation to rely on; naturally, he couldn't compare.

The most important thing was that he couldn't break through to the Sub-saint Realm. He would forever remain a Peak Quasi-Saint. No matter how strong he became, he was ultimately just a Quasi-Saint.

Tathagata himself was once hailed as peerless within the Quasi-Saint Realm, so he knew where the peak of this realm lay.

Sha Chen might be somewhat stronger than his past self, but that was all.

Tathagata smiled lightly, palms together as he chanted a Buddhist mantra, "I did not expect, fellow Daoist, that you would come out so readily."

Ran Deng Buddha stood at his side, also with hands joined and chanting a mantra. However, his eyes lingered on Sha Chen, as if trying to see through his true nature.

But no matter how he tried or how deeply he probed, he couldn't see through Sha Chen.

Sha Chen stood openly, hands on hips, allowing Tathagata and Ran Deng Buddha to size him up, a smile always playing on his lips.

His Divine Sense had already spread out; any slightest movement within millions of miles would not escape his senses.

Sha Chen said, "For the Buddha to come from afar, if I were to turn you away, would it not be exceedingly rude?"

Tathagata replied, "If that's the case, fellow Daoist, would you be willing to invite us into your cave dwelling for a chat?"

"Host detected: Tathagata Buddha requests entry into the cave dwelling. You have the following options:"

"Option One: Allow Tathagata Buddha into the cave dwelling. Reward: [Nine-leaf Buddha Lotus]. (Nine-leaf Buddha Lotus: Rumored to be transformed from the World-Annihilating Green Lotus, possessing immense destructive power, further enhanced by the mental power of Buddhism)."

"Option Two: Refuse Tathagata Buddha entry into the cave dwelling. Reward: [Eyes of Past and Future]. (Eyes of Past and Future: Gathers the ability to discern the past and divine the future into one's eyes. Opening them reveals past events; closing them allows one to perceive the mysteries of the future)."

A smile appeared on Sha Chen's lips. He hadn't made a choice for a long time. The unexpected arrival of Tathagata Buddha at the Flowing Sand River had once again triggered the selection system.

This was exactly to his liking, and of course, he would not let Tathagata enter his cave dwelling.

Although he was confident he could suppress both Tathagata and the Ancient Buddha, Tathagata's mastery of spatial power was renowned. If they caused destruction inside the cave dwelling, the entire place could be leveled to ruins.

Even within the cave dwelling, anyone other than Sha Chen himself could potentially die at Tathagata's hands.

Moreover, should Tathagata set foot inside, capturing him would take some time. If the two Saints of the Western Sect then arrived and they coordinated an attack from both inside and out, his cave dwelling would definitely be breached.

He had no desire to court trouble or, as the saying goes, invite the wolf into his home.

So, Sha Chen replied with a smile, "Buddha, let's not joke. My relationship with Buddhism isn't that good, and you and I are irreconcilable enemies. Letting you in would be tantamount to handing over my life and safety."

Tathagata was taken aback. He hadn't expected Sha Chen to be so blunt, completely tearing away any pretense of civility.

He showed no signs of maturity or composure. Normally, a scheming person would feign politeness to one's face while plotting behind their back.

But Sha Chen had laid it all out, openly stating their mutual enmity. Inviting him into the cave dwelling? Impossible.

Tathagata smiled and replied, "I have come this time hoping to turn hostility into friendship with you, fellow Daoist, to resolve the hatred in our hearts and join hands to strive for the greatest benefits."

Sha Chen replied, "If you genuinely have this intention, let's talk here. If not, please leave."

Tathagata and Ran Deng Buddha exchanged another glance, neither having expected Sha Chen to be so resolute.

Sha Chen then added, "If you don't want to talk here and don't want to leave, and you want to fight, then feel free to make your move."

Tathagata and Ran Deng Buddha were even more astonished. They hadn't expected Sha Chen to be impervious to both soft and hard tactics, and to be so aggressive.

He showed no fear of Buddhism's power whatsoever and even dared to provoke the two of them.

Tathagata's expression grew complex. He recalled how, back then, Sha Chen was like a mouse seeing a cat, hiding fearfully in his cave dwelling, not daring to come out.

Barely a hundred years had passed, yet Sha Chen now dared to confront him face-to-face, even threatening him fearlessly.

Seeing Sha Chen willing to come out, Tathagata assumed he wanted to negotiate, and he himself didn't want to resort to brute force immediately.

So, he said, "Since fellow Daoist is so sincere, let's talk right here at the entrance to your cave dwelling."

Sha Chen grinned. Shortly afterward, Siti emerged from the cave dwelling to arrange food and pour wine for the three of them.

Tathagata stared, his eyes wide when he saw her.

Then he said, "No wonder Saint Zhunti was so enraged and wanted to attack your cave dwelling. So the Mother of Buddhas is here with you."

Siti retorted, "I am not a part of Buddhism! If you spout any more nonsense, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Tathagata put his palms together and murmured an apology, saying no more.

But his heart grew heavy. No wonder Sha Chen was so audacious, he thought. It turned out he had another helper in his cave dwelling.

If Siti also made a move, it would indeed be difficult for the two of them to prevail!