Chapter 129 - 123 Red Boy Fights Sha Chen【Seeking Subscriptions】_1

Chapter 129: Chapter 123 Red Boy Fights Sha Chen【Seeking Subscriptions】_1

Red Boy was flabbergasted. He had boasted boldly, merely to lure Sha Chen out. Wasn’t it normal for a monster to spout fierce words? Yet Sha Chen asked him to take an oath, which was beyond his imagination.

However, he was full of confidence, prideful and conceited. He also knew many eyes were upon him; should he shrink back now, wouldn’t he become a laughingstock?

This wretch is surely trying to embarrass me, hoping I’ll back down at the difficulty. Little does he know my strength surpasses others; he is no match for me, he sneered inwardly. He regarded himself highly skilled, with Sha Chen no match for him. Therefore, he was not afraid and agreed to the challenge.

"Fine, I accept your terms, but you have no chance of winning," he said.

Sha Chen scoffed, "First, make your vow."

He planned to defeat Red Boy and, at the same time, intimidate those petty individuals, ensuring they dared not misbehave again. Furthermore, Red Boy was, after all, a rich second-generation. If I can beat him and make him sincerely kneel and apologize, then I could possibly recruit him later, bringing him under my own banner. Would I then worry about selling my Immortal Pills?

Moreover, Red Boy was a disciple Guanyin had acquired using misappropriated funds—one of the three golden rings gifted by Tathagata. Sha Chen was intent on poaching what Guanyin had her eye on. Anyway, he had poached more than once before; one more poach to vex her wouldn’t make a difference. It had been a long while since Guanyin last made an appearance, presumably riddled with headaches by now.

Sha Chen’s general strategy was to do everything within his power to recruit and lead astray people and matters related to Buddhism and the Heavenly Court. That way, they would have no time to deal with him.

Red Boy pledged his oath and demanded Sha Chen do the same, making it fair for both parties. The loser must kneel and apologize to the victor, and thereafter not disturb each other.

「In the air above.」

Many were surprised that Sha Chen had actually accepted Red Boy’s challenge. Could it be that his strength had greatly increased, emboldening him? They all shook their heads, deeming it improbable.

"How could his strength have changed so drastically in just a few years? If he didn’t dare to accept before, how could he dare to now?"

"No, that’s not it; he’s really cunning. So that’s how it is." Many had already discerned the implications in the words exchanged between Sha Chen and Red Boy, smiling and shaking their heads as if seeing through Sha Chen.

Li Changgeng was also paying attention to this battle, somewhat shocked when Sha Chen first appeared. Thereupon, he simply shook his head and chuckled.

Although his strength has reached the rank of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, he is still far from Red Boy’s level, he thought. I never expected him to dare agree to a duel. If it weren’t for the oath, I would have believed he had some special trick up his sleeve. It seems he plans to surrender directly, kneel and apologize, then hold Red Boy to his word to leave him be. After all, bowing his head won’t endanger his life; it’s only a blow to his dignity.

He figured this must be what Sha Chen was thinking. Otherwise, there was no other explanation for Sha Chen being confident of winning and making such an oath.

Li Changgeng smiled faintly, reasoning that letting Red Boy teach Sha Chen a lesson and dent his pride and confidence might prompt Sha Chen to think about leaving or doing something drastic. If Sha Chen remained unchanging, the Heavenly Court would be hard-pressed to explain. After all, Buddhism valued face and sought to save beings from the sea of suffering. If Sha Chen did not express resentment and face dangers, how could his situation be considered a ’sea of suffering’? Therefore, Sha Chen must be taught a lesson, must be surrounded by perils, must face grave dangers, and must resent Heaven and blame others.

However, Li Changgeng was taken aback by what happened next, because Sha Chen didn’t simply concede defeat; instead, he actually stood his ground against Red Boy. A surge of concern rose in Li Changgeng’s heart. Could Sha Chen genuinely be thinking of fighting Red Boy? No, he is no match.

「Flowing Sand River.」

Sha Chen emerged halfway above the river, not truly facing off against Red Boy, but vigilant of his surroundings. He was worried about ambushers lurking nearby. After a thorough check revealing no one else around, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Upon seeing Sha Chen agree, Red Boy immediately deployed his Divine Powers, possessing boundless mana and extensive divine abilities. Crimson clouds blazed in the sky, while a sea of fire surged on the ground. The flames soared, akin to a fierce sun. The roasting light scorched mountains and boiled seas.

Red Boy’s hands formed mudras, while a ball of firelight coalesced inside his abdomen, rapidly rising to his chest, then to his throat. His body tilted backward until the fire reached his mouth and nose; then, with his lower body firm like an old tree and his upper body coiled like a spring, he suddenly lunged forward.

The Samadhi True Fire burst forth from his mouth in an instant. Samadhi Fire, powerful enough to burn the Nine Heavens! Its terror was known to all from the last time, having nearly dried up the entire Flowing Sand River. Sha Chen, a mere General for Folding the Curtain, what was he in comparison? Surely, under this move, he would be directly killed.

After Red Boy made his move, he inwardly thought, Not good! My Divine Power is too potent; I fear I might burn him to death. Then how could he apologize?

However, he was only stunned for the merest fraction of a moment before deciding that if Sha Chen died, he’d chase his soul to the Nether World to make Sha Chen kneel, apologize, and admit his inferiority.

But he was overthinking it. The Samadhi True Fire he spewed out might have been strong, but in Sha Chen’s eyes, it was nothing much. The fire he used daily for alchemy was far more intense than this.

Sha Chen simply raised his hand and, with one palm strike, snuffed out the Samadhi True Fire.

Red Boy was dumbfounded. All the immortals were stunned. Was it really that simple? That was Samadhi True Fire, no less, expelled by a Greater Primordial Golden Immortal—snuffed out so easily by Sha Chen?

Impossible!!

Yet, the fact unfolded before their eyes; they couldn’t believe it, but it was true.

Red Boy was startled and said, "You, you, you... how could you extinguish my Samadhi True Fire? It must be because I hadn’t eaten earlier and didn’t spray it well." He added, "This time, I’ll burn you to death. But first, I need to go back and have a full meal."

With that said, he turned around and was about to leave. As long as I haven’t been defeated, I don’t consider myself a loser. And as long as I don’t lose, I don’t have to kowtow and apologize, Red Boy thought, planning to make a run for it.

Sha Chen sneered coldly, stretched out his hand, and in an instant, his palm covered the sky. With a swift descent from above, he smacked Red Boy right into the Flowing Sand River.

BOOM!

Giant waves surged in the Flowing Sand River, reaching the sky. Numerous immortals were shocked and pale. Then, before they could react, Sha Chen disappeared. When they checked with their Divine Consciousness, they found that Red Boy had also vanished.

Some bold individuals went down to the shore to investigate for a while and then entered the Flowing Sand River to search, but they found no trace of Sha Chen or Red Boy.

Li Changgeng also transformed himself, searching for traces of the two in the Flowing Sand River and locking onto Sha Chen Cave Manor with his Divine Consciousness. He found it tightly closed, impenetrable to him.

Many furrowed their brows, simultaneously shocked. They had thought it would be either an earth-shattering battle or one where Red Boy overwhelmingly crushed his opponent. They never expected that it would be Sha Chen who one-sidedly crushed Red Boy.

Inconceivable.

Many were still so shocked that they couldn’t regain their composure. This outcome was beyond all their predictions. They were also astonished—when did Sha Chen become so powerful? Moreover, it seemed that he hadn’t even revealed the level of his mana just now! Was it merely physical strength that wiped out Red Boy in one move?

Li Changgeng returned to the Heavenly Court, intending to report this news to the Jade Emperor and also relay it to Buddhism. Sha Chen had exceeded all expectations, and a new strategy was imperative.

「Inside the Flowing Sand River Cave.」

Sha Chen stood with his hands behind his back. In front of him, tied to a stone pillar, was Red Boy. Restrained by the Dragon Binding Rope, Red Boy kept kicking and swearing profusely.

"Release me, release me! You are truly despicable. Had you not smacked me into the Flowing Sand River, I would not have lost!" he raged. "If you dare, fight me on the Flaming Mountain, and I will show you how formidable I am!" he challenged.

As Sha Chen listened to Red Boy ramble on without pause, he entered the kitchen and began to cook, preparing a meal far more lavish than what he had made for the Dragon Girl. Unlike the Dragon Girl, Red Boy had a forthright nature. To win his allegiance and loyalty, I must offer superb hospitality, establishing a bond based on camaraderie and loyalty,

So, with a heavy heart, Sha Chen prepared a very sumptuous dinner. He fetched several jars of immortal liquor, including a jar of osmanthus wine and a jar of Flat Peach Wine. He also brought out a Gourd of Immortal Pills, specially crafted to get one intoxicated easily. They were prepared specifically for people like Red Boy. Turning away, he slipped a pill into a jar of wine and shook it well, feeling satisfied.

The feast was ready. Red Boy, tired of cursing, was now hungry and thirsty. He watched warily as Sha Chen laid out forty-nine dishes, each unique and exquisite. There was also fine wine in abundance, so many jars one could practically step on them while drinking to his heart’s content. His throat betrayed him with a gulp, and his stomach grumbled loudly. GULP. RUMBLE RUMBLE.

Sha Chen approached with a smile and said, "Boy Sage, once I release you, you mustn’t lash out. It wouldn’t be nice to spill the wine and food."

Red Boy, half-convinced, asked, "You’re really going to release me?"

Sha Chen blew a breath, and the Dragon Binding Rope unwound, freeing Red Boy.

Sha Chen stood smiling, hands behind his back, watching Red Boy with an air of nonchalance that left Red Boy feeling both shocked and ashamed. He truly released me, so nonchalantly, Red Boy thought.

However, the hands that Sha Chen kept behind him were tapping the Undefined Flying Rings all the while. Should this brash child act out of turn, I’ll just loop them over his head and tie him back to the pillar for a good beating, Sha Chen thought.

Fortunately, Red Boy was aware that he was no match for Sha Chen, and besides, he was in Sha Chen’s cave, so he dared not make a reckless move.

Sha Chen said, "Boy Sage, we might say we got to know each other through a fight. You lost, and I forgive you. But you have to tell me, why did you come to trouble me?" He smiled. "I don’t believe it was just for the so-called title of ’undefeated beneath Da Luo.’"

Red Boy paused, then pursed his lips and kept silent.

Sha Chen laughed and said, "Fine, if you don’t want to speak, it doesn’t matter. Since we got to know each other through fighting, let’s have a meal. Once you’ve eaten, you can go, and we’ll be even. How’s that?"

Red Boy kept his mouth pursed. He was merely of a child’s disposition, prioritizing camaraderie. Sha Chen’s noble demeanor—having defeated him without humiliating him, never even mentioning the matter of kowtowing and apologizing, and now treating him to a meal—inspired respect in Red Boy’s heart. Being a child, his mind was easily swayed by emotions.

So he knelt down immediately and said, "My skills are inferior to yours; I apologize to you."

After giving three resounding kowtows, Sha Chen helped him up and invited him to sit down. He then poured him wine—indeed, the spiked one.

Red Boy drained the cup in one gulp, feeling an immediate rush of warmth and vigor, though his head gradually began to lag. Sha Chen grinned, constantly urging him to drink more. After downing over ten jars, Red Boy was thoroughly dizzy. Before Sha Chen even needed to question him, the words tumbled out.

"General, it’s... it’s okay if I call you that, right?" he slurred.

Sha Chen feigned annoyance and patted his shoulder. "What General? That’s so distant. Call me Uncle," he said.

Red Boy was befuddled but caught up in the heat of the moment. Plus, with Sha Chen’s form being similar to the Bull Demon King’s, and being intoxicated, he didn’t sense any deceit.

So he said, "Uncle, I have wronged you. I was impetuous this time, misled by others into making this mistake."

Sha Chen’s interest piqued. "Who misled you?" he asked.

Red Boy replied, "Who else but that old hag Guanyin from the Southern Sea? Her mount, Jinmaohou, found this nephew of yours, boasting of your strength, Uncle, and even said that Guanyin herself was helpless against you. He promised that if I could defeat you, Uncle, Mount Luojia in the Southern Sea would be turned over to me to become my backyard."