Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 660 - 654 Tathagata’s Dao Heart Breakdown【Subscribe Requested】_1

Tathagata's expression grew increasingly solemn. Only in this way could he feel slightly relieved. If indeed there were a time wormhole within Sha Chen Cave Manor, that would explain everything. Hiding within the confines of the Cave Manor and not stepping out, Sha Chen was cultivating inside the time wormhole, where a day outside would be a year within. 500 years had passed outside, which meant at least 180,000 years had passed inside. Yet, the more he thought about it, the less likely it seemed. Firstly, the conditions for a time wormhole to appear were extremely harsh. Secondly, there were not enough resources and Divine Power inside the wormhole to facilitate such swift advancement. Above all, Tathagata could not perceive any increase in Sha Chen's age. It was as if the last time he saw him was only about 100 years ago. If there really were a time wormhole, and Sha Chen had been cultivating within it, at least tens of thousands of years would have passed by now. This meant that the hypothesis of a time wormhole existing inside Sha Chen Cave Manor was invalid. Yet, Sha Chen had been able to quickly bring his Great Divine Powers to Great Perfection and harmonize various magical tools, without his cultivation lagging in the slightest. Sha Chen's talent, energy, and potential must be truly terrifying!

Upon closer contemplation, realizing there was no time wormhole in Sha Chen Cave Manor, Tathagata's Dao Heart began to waver once more.

Moreover, this time when he made his move, he directly exerted Mahayana spatial power, causing the entire spatial world to tremble ceaselessly. However, no matter how exquisite his Great Spatial Divine Powers were, Sha Chen easily neutralized them. Furthermore, Tathagata had discerned that Sha Chen's spatial power had also reached the Mahayana Realm, and he was on the verge of Great Perfection.

Tathagata found this somewhat unacceptable. He had known that Sha Chen possessed spatial power from the beginning, but it had only been at the Small Achievement Realm. Not much time had passed, and now Sha Chen's spatial power was no longer inferior to his own. What was most terrifying was that Tathagata had discovered Sha Chen's mastery over space was extraordinarily refined, clever, and unfettered. Not only that, but Sha Chen was also immensely powerful in terms of physical strength, mastering it to an unparalleled degree.

Tathagata's proudest attributes were his spatial power and his physical strength. Outsiders praised his mana and cultivation as unrivaled under the Saints, with no equal. Yet, Tathagata was most proud of his spatial power and physical strength. His spatial power had reached Great Accomplishment, and just one step further would allow him to rival the ancient spatial deity, Di Jiang. Similarly, his physical strength was extremely terrifying, nearing Great Accomplishment, enabling him to obliterate mountains and rivers with a flick of his fingers.

Most thought that strength was not particularly important. Especially as one's realm of cultivation reached extremely profound levels, they would find that strength was too simplistic and often put them at a disadvantage during combat. After all, in battles between experts, victory or defeat could often be decided in an instant, and life or death in the blink of an eye. All the brute force in the world, capable of shouldering mountains and crossing seas, playfully tossing the Five Sacred Mountains with a clap of the hands, was for naught if one could not close in on an opponent; one would simply be beaten to death. Having immense physical power but being unable to engage opponents closely meant one's full strength could never be truly exerted, ultimately proving unimpressive on the grand stage. Not everyone could be like Sun Wukong, engaging in close combat with the Golden Cudgel in hand—that was all too cheap.

Still, Tathagata always believed that 'supreme force could overcome all manner of skill.' Hence, he continually cultivated his strength, refining his physical body to the extreme. In battle, from afar he had Great Divine Powers, and up close, he possessed limitless strength and an undying physical body. Capable of both long and short-range attacks, and augmented by his exceptional Great Spatial Divine Power, this was why he held the title of being unbeaten within his realm. Even now, having reached the Sub-saint Realm, he was comparable to Saints, surpassing many previous Sub-Sages. Tathagata had ample confidence and belief, all stemming from his overpoweringly strong abilities. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Strength was always something Tathagata deemed reliable and promising. When someone's mana was depleted and they needed to engage in physical combat, strength became precious. Moreover, certain magical tools truly required close combat. Without ample strength, it was impossible to counter incoming magical tools and Divine Powers. After all, casting Great Divine Powers requires preparation time, and there is a cooldown period between each Divine Power. Only with endless strength and vitality could one continuously cast and maintain pressure.

With the Mountain Splitting Axe in hand, Sha Chen exerted immense pressure on Tathagata. Even his mighty Tathagata's Palm was cleaved open by an axe blow. This is where strength is needed. Sha Chen could swing his axe blow after blow, but Tathagata could not perpetually cast Tathagata's Palm. This was the gap, the difference.

Tathagata's face grew uglier by the moment. His pride in his spatial power and physical strength seemed insufficient before Sha Chen. This dealt a major blow to Tathagata's self-esteem and Dao Heart, yet he gritted his teeth and continued the attack, aware that any sign of cowardice or wavering Dao Heart would impact Ran Deng Buddha. Ran Deng Buddha was a fair-weather follower, remaining in battle only because Tathagata stood at the forefront. Otherwise, he would have long since fled.

Together, Tathagata and Ran Deng Buddha battled Sha Chen but were still suppressed by him alone. Whether it was Divine Powers, magical tools, strength, spatial power, or spirit, Tathagata and Ran Deng Buddha were no match for Sha Chen, being firmly suppressed. Tathagata had even utilized the power of merit, hoping to completely suppress Sha Chen with the capacity of a Saint, only to find that despite having mastered merit and holding faith, he was still unable to defeat Sha Chen.

This nearly drove Tathagata to a frenzied collapse as he roared, "How can your strength be so great? Merely a hundred years have passed, yet you've caught up and even surpassed me!"

Tathagata said unwillingly, "This is absolutely impossible. A person's talent, potential, and energy are all limited, so why can you bridge this gap?"

Sha Chen chuckled, "I can only tell you that my talent is beyond your imagination, and my future is definitely not something you can chase. You are merely a stepping stone on my path of growth, just a passerby in my life. What right do you have to consider me your rival, and what right do you have to compare yourself with me?"

Tathagata's eyes darkened, his Dao Heart shattered in that moment. Sha Chen's words inflicted a massive blow, striking at his pride and dignity.

Seeing this, Ran Deng Buddha grew anxious and worried. Initially, he had hoped that Tathagata could join him in defeating Sha Chen, but he hadn't expected Tathagata's Dao Heart to collapse so early. With that, he also wanted to flee the scene.

Yang Jian, Six-Eared Macaque, Three Holy Mother, Spider Spirit, and others who were watching the battle from within Sha Chen Cave Manor were left utterly stunned and speechless.