Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years

Chapter 338 - 332 Sha Chen Fights the Immortal【Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets】_1

At this moment, Shen Gongbao truly felt a pang of insecurity. Sha Chen’s power had far exceeded his imagination, to the point of disbelief. A sense of fear welled up within him. If Sha Chen is truly as formidable as Yang Jian, then I really don’t stand a chance, he thought. During the Divine Enthronement, he had clashed with Yang Jian and had nearly been killed. The psychological scar it left was as vast as the Flowing Sand River. If Sha Chen was indeed as capable as Yang Jian, then he could just beat a retreat.At that moment, he was filled with apprehension and suspicion.

Sha Chen bellowed, "What do you think you’re doing?"

It wasn’t just Shen Gongbao who was inwardly uneasy; Xiao Sheng and the others also felt apprehensive. Before they had encountered Sha Chen, they were arrogant and condescending, speaking with dazzling eloquence and carrying themselves with a flourish. They hadn’t taken Sha Chen seriously in the slightest, nor had they ever imagined he could be so formidable.

But now, having witnessed Sha Chen’s physique and felt the overwhelming power emanating from it, they were afraid. Although Sha Chen’s aura was deeply concealed, preventing them from sensing his exact cultivation level, a single glance at his physical body now incited sheer terror. The visual impact was incomparable.

If Xiao Sheng and his companions felt this way, it was even more so for the others, whose hearts were gripped by an even greater dread. Before Sha Chen’s massive form, they were as insignificant as specks of dust.

Xiao Sheng said, "Daoist Shen Gongbao, please use your arts to capture Sha Chen. We will support you."

Shen Gongbao swallowed hard, already contemplating escape routes. How could I possibly make a move now?

Hearing this, he said, "Let’s not be hasty; we are not unreasonable people. As we agreed before coming, diplomacy first, then force. Let’s ask him about the situation. If it’s not favorable, it won’t be too late to act then."

Xiao Sheng nodded, though he was puzzled. But we never said anything about ’diplomacy first, then force’ before we came, he thought. Instead, Shen Gongbao had said that if Sha Chen was disobedient, they’d just take him down directly. No need for any pointless talk with him. So how did it become ’diplomacy first, then force’ now?

Seeing their expressions, Sha Chen knew they had become fearful, and a sense of urgency grew within him. I must find a way to make them attack, then I’ll deliberately feign defeat and ’hand over’ the Mountain-driving Whip.

Shen Gongbao said, "Lord Wuliang! Fellow Daoist, your abilities are impressive. This humble Daoist, Shen Gongbao, bears a heavenly mandate to pursue and capture the spider spirits of The Cave of the Silken Web. However, my subordinates lost their trail here and suspect they entered the Flowing Sand River. Dare I ask, Fellow Daoist, are they within?"

Xiao Sheng and the others were dumbfounded. Since when was Shen Gongbao so polite? That wasn’t your attitude before we arrived. Nor was it your attitude when you ordered the attack on the Flowing Sand River!

Sha Chen said, "If I say they aren’t in the Flowing Sand River, would you believe me?"

Shen Gongbao replied, "This humble Daoist naturally trusts your character, Fellow Daoist. Since you say they are not here, then they certainly are not."

Sha Chen frowned. "If that’s the case, then you should immediately take your men and depart."

Shen Gongbao nodded. "This humble Daoist was hoping to share a couple of drinks with you, Fellow Daoist, to get to know you better. I was previously unaware of such a world-shakingly heroic figure as yourself. Now that we’ve met, I wish to form a deep friendship." He paused. "Might this humble Daoist have that honor?"

He smiled slightly, stroking the beard on his chin, his face exuding composure, as if no one could refuse his smile.

Sha Chen registered this, his mind shaken.

So it’s the Mind-Shocking Art! Rumor has it that during the Divine Enthronement, Shen Gongbao could persuade any demon he met on the road to join his faction. I had assumed it was merely his eloquence, but now it seems he also uses enchantment arts. Enchantment arts aren’t exclusive to women; any magic that beguiles the heart can be used by both sexes. For women, it’s called bewitchment; for men, it’s termed personal charisma. It’s like how I can make the spider spirits trust me and obediently call me ’Big Brother.’ Shen Gongbao also has his unique personal charisma, but his is enhanced by a special spell. His rhetoric is deeply persuasive, compelling belief. By simultaneously using subtle spells that are difficult to detect, he can easily make people follow him. At the very least, they will be guided by him.

Shen Gongbao was now employing this technique against Sha Chen. He was smiling, but his Primordial Spirit was frantically exerting itself, severely draining his mental energy. Cold sweat was already streaming down his back. If this fails, I must find a way to flee, he thought frantically. Sha Chen is too strong. If I can’t win him over, I have to run. Otherwise, if he discovers I used a spell, he’ll definitely take his anger out on me!

But Sha Chen had indeed discovered the ruse, yet he didn’t expose him.

Instead, he sneered inwardly. Such insignificant tricks, daring to show off before a master! Even though I’ve detected his spell, I can’t expose him. This could be a secret ace up my sleeve. However, I must devise another way to provoke him into attacking.

After a moment’s thought, Sha Chen said contemptuously, "What do you amount to, thinking you’re worthy of being my friend?"

Then, as if swatting a fly, he waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, scram. Before I stop being polite."

He then turned to head back into his cave dwelling.

Shen Gongbao, however, was enraged. He could admit cowardice, he could concede he was no match for Sha Chen, but Sha Chen could not insult him! He was an inherently competitive man; otherwise, he wouldn’t have struggled against Jiang Ziya for so long, resentful that Jiang Ziya received importance and recognition, which led him to proactively leave his mountain to become Jiang Ziya’s enemy. All of that was driven by his competitive nature and his self-esteem.

Now, Sha Chen was trampling on his self-esteem, stomping on his dignity, kicking him and then kicking him again while he was down. How could Shen Gongbao tolerate this? He was utterly enraged, seething with fury.

Yet, he held back. "Fellow Daoist, please stay your steps!" Shen Gongbao called out, extending his hand, uttering those words that had resonated throughout the Divine Enthronement.

Sha Chen had already turned his back, yet his cheek still twitched. I deliberately turned to go back to my dwelling precisely to give Shen Gongbao and the others a chance to attack! Such a perfect opening, and you still don’t make a move? Are you waiting for dinner to be served or what!?

Because of this, Sha Chen turned back, looking quite impatient. "What is it now? I told you to scram. Didn’t you hear? Do you really need me to make a move?"

Shen Gongbao’s face darkened, his eyes filled with rage. His self-esteem wouldn’t allow him to be trampled upon like this. He wanted revenge; he was furious.

Xiao Sheng and the others were even more incensed because Sha Chen clearly disregarded them. Given their power and status, who would dare to look down on them? As the foremost department of the Heavenly Court, The Mysterious Altar Department wouldn’t be treated with such contempt even by the Jade Emperor himself. Who does Sha Chen think he is? Just a demoted general! At his peak, he was merely the Great General for Folding the Curtain—nothing more than the Jade Emperor’s lackey! On what grounds does he look down on us!? They were enraged.

Xiao Sheng roared, "Sha Chen, you’re too outrageous! I say you’re harboring those spider spirits, too afraid to hand them over or let us go in and check!"

Cao Bao added sharply, "That’s right! Kneel and apologize to us at once, or we won’t be so polite anymore! Don’t think your far-reaching reputation gives you the right to be insolent before us. We represent the Heavenly Court, and we are not weak either!"

Sha Chen glanced at them. "I have never underestimated the Heavenly Court, nor have I ever held it in contempt. But you seek to punish without prior warning, without an imperial edict, with nothing at all, and you expect my cooperation?"

Then he roared, "Though I have been demoted to this place, I am still a Daluo Golden Immortal! My strength still surpasses yours! What right do you have to order me about, to summon and dismiss me at your whim?"

Xiao Sheng and the others were instantly startled, intimidated by Sha Chen’s imposing aura.

Sha Chen felt a flicker of annoyance. Was I too fierce? Don’t tell me I scared them off. I’ve humiliated them this much, and they still haven’t attacked. What a bunch of useless trash! he thought, turning to leave once more.

And this time, the opening he presented was even larger. His entire back was exposed. He even retracted his Wind Fire Thunder God Wings and withdrew his three-headed, six-armed form. His Magical Tools and everything else were put away. His aura was also restrained, no longer as domineering or seemingly invincible as it was initially.

Sure enough, this gave Shen Gongbao, Xiao Sheng, and the others immense confidence, making their eyes gleam.

Shen Gongbao glanced at Xiao Sheng and the others, sending a telepathic message, "I’ll attack. Don’t just stand there and watch the show."

Then, he hurled the Heaven Opening Bead from his hand, aiming directly at Sha Chen’s head. At the same time, he shouted, "Sha Chen, you’ve gone too far! This venerable one will subdue you first, then we’ll talk!"

As the Heaven Opening Bead flew, Shen Gongbao yelled, "Watch out for my sword!" Dıscover more novels at NoveI[F]ire.net

Sha Chen turned, raising a hand to block. Seeing it was the Heaven Opening Bead, he roared, "Despicable! A sneak attack!"

He immediately raised his hand to parry, swatting at it.

The Heaven Opening Bead struck Sha Chen’s hand.

Shen Gongbao chuckled. "Audacious beyond belief! You’re simply courting death! Daring to catch my Heaven Opening Bead barehanded? Just wait for your hand to be turned into bloody froth!"

However, Sha Chen’s palm connected, but he found that although the Heaven Opening Bead was powerful, making his palm tingle, it wasn’t as devastatingly potent as he had imagined. It merely caused a slight numbness, not even enough to inflict pain.

Sha Chen was dumbfounded. Is it this weak?

Actually, it wasn’t. It wasn’t that the Heaven Opening Bead was weak, but that his physical body was too powerful—so powerful it could contend with the Heaven Opening Bead. Sha Chen’s physique was already a Primeval Chaos Law Body, equivalent to that of a Quasi-Saint expert. Relying on his physical body alone, with each punch and kick, channeling his own Divine Power to envelop his body, was tantamount to a Quasi-Saint expert casting spells and Divine Powers. Shen Gongbao was only a high-ranking Daluo Golden Immortal. If he had used the Heaven Opening Bead in a direct sneak attack on an ordinary Quasi-Saint, he might have injured them. But he had struck Sha Chen, whose physical body was already equivalent to a Quasi-Saint with defensive Divine Powers constantly active. No matter how matchless Shen Gongbao’s Mana, how vast his Divine Powers, or how potent his Magical Tool, he couldn’t use the Heaven Opening Bead to injure a Quasi-Saint who had defensive spells active. Sha Chen was currently in such a state.

But if Sha Chen appeared completely unscathed, it would be too shocking, enough to scare Shen Gongbao away directly.

Sha Chen paused for a moment, then staggered backward repeatedly, clutching his arm and crying out in feigned pain. "HISS! You despicable, shameless cur! To ambush me! My arm is ruined!" Sha Chen roared furiously.

Shen Gongbao was also dumbfounded. I bloody well hit his palm, so how did the shock travel to his arm? he wondered. But whatever. As long as it worked, that’s all that matters.

A savage grin spread across Shen Gongbao’s face. "Sha Chen, you’re finished! Just as I expected, you couldn’t withstand a single blow from my Magical Tool, the Heaven Opening Bead!"