Chapter 134: Chapter 128 My Filial Son [Please Subscribe]_1
Immortal Ruyi continued to rant outside, becoming increasingly reckless and arrogant. This displayed not only his anger but also his immense strength.
Seeing this spectacle, the other immortals knew Sha Chen would definitely feign ignorance again. In truth, they would have done the same in his position, not just Sha Chen. After all, Immortal Ruyi was at the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal cultivation realm; his aura was overwhelming, and his Mana, boundless. How strong could Sha Chen possibly be to dare show his face before Immortal Ruyi?!
When Sha Chen had initially suppressed Red Boy without overtly using his cultivation, no one had known the true depth of his abilities. But they felt that Sha Chen was probably just that—not much more. They were certain he wouldn’t have achieved greater heights or possess many abilities to contend with Immortal Ruyi. After all, once cultivation reached the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal Realm, each advancement was like ascending to an entirely new heaven, with every minor realm vastly different from the last. Even if Sha Chen could defeat Red Boy, it didn’t mean he could defeat Immortal Ruyi.
Previously, when Red Boy had come looking for trouble, Sha Chen had stepped in to suppress him. Now that Immortal Ruyi had arrived, Sha Chen didn’t dare even make a squeak. Thus, people felt that Sha Chen was indeed inferior to Immortal Ruyi and therefore dared not appear. This was also to be expected. After all, fighting when you know you can’t win isn’t bravery; it’s foolishness.
However, was Sha Chen really incapable of defeating Immortal Ruyi? Even without using his Mana, his physical strength alone was more than enough to render Immortal Ruyi no match for him! Sha Chen’s physical body had already reached the Great Perfection of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm. It had also undergone several enhancements, leaving him only half a step away from the Da Luo Dharmakaya. His Primordial Spirit had also reached Great Perfection in the same realm. Furthermore, his Mana cultivation had entered the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm more than twenty years ago.
It could be said that he had reached this realm in all aspects and had been honing his abilities for many years. Moreover, his practice was no mere idling; he absorbed resources day and night to strengthen himself. Advancing from the Taiyi realm to the Da Luo realm wasn’t just a matter of enlightenment; aspects like Mana cultivation and the Primordial Spirit required immense accumulation. Sha Chen had used over twenty years of arduous cultivation to solidify this foundation. In the past, the Divine Power and resources he had consumed through such strenuous practice would have been sufficient for him to ascend from the True Immortal Realm to the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal Realm all over again.
Although Immortal Ruyi was at the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm, and might have been at this stage for hundreds, even thousands or tens of thousands of years, he mostly spent his days idly roaming. Even during his closed-door cultivation, he didn’t have access to the vast amount of resources Sha Chen could absorb and refine. Therefore, compared to Sha Chen, his foundation was much weaker.
Perhaps, in a real fight, Sha Chen could crush him with a single slap. Furthermore, if he employed Divine Powers like the Samadhi True Fire, the 72 Polymorphic Transformations, and the Thirty-six Transformations, or Magical Tools such as the Undefined Flying Rings, the Nine-dragon Divine Fire Cover, and the Dragon Binding Rope, Immortal Ruyi would fall even faster.
But though he could win, Sha Chen would not make a move. There were so many onlookers. Additionally, Immortal Ruyi even had people lying in ambush secretly, just waiting for him to show up. They planned to signal with the dropping of a cup, and then the executioners would step forward to chop him up. Although the strength of the demons lying in ambush was average, Sha Chen most detested those who were furtive and secretive. He was always worried about overlooking someone lying low, waiting to strike when he was vulnerable, which would be troublesome. So, just to be safe, he preferred not to go out.
As for Immortal Ruyi cursing on the shore, he let him curse; it wasn’t as if he would lose a piece of skin over it. However, he needed to find an opportunity to make Immortal Ruyi lose a piece of flesh.
Sha Chen looked at Red Boy and said, "Boy Sage, how substantial is your Uncle Immortal Ruyi’s family wealth?"
Red Boy replied, "My uncle is skilled at amassing wealth; he has a considerable family fortune and is the richest among my father’s many brothers." Then, puzzled, he asked, "Foster Father, why do you ask this?"
Sha Chen smiled and said, "Seeing that he has many followers and his Mana is profound, I imagine he must have a considerable family fortune to possess such confidence to flaunt his power here."
Red Boy’s face reddened slightly. Guiltily, he said, "Foster Father, my uncle is doing all this for my sake, but I can’t go out to explain to him right away. I truly feel sorry."
Sha Chen shook his head with a smile. "Don’t worry, he’ll leave when he gets tired. Besides, I don’t blame him. After all, he doesn’t know the truth, so misunderstandings are normal. I won’t take it to heart."
He then smiled again and said, "Furthermore, I am very happy that he cares so much about you. Now, you’ve brought Elixirs to sell, haven’t you? I estimate many of them would be useful to your uncle. You should give them to him. If you’re afraid he might feel awkward accepting them as a gift, then sell them to him."
Upon hearing this, Red Boy was deeply moved. With tears in his eyes, he said, "Foster Father, you are so good to me. Despite my uncle’s insults, you are still willing to sell Elixirs to him."
"Indeed, Foster Father, as a cultivator with many disciples and long-standing associates, you have a great demand for various Elixirs. If you allow me to sell some to him, he will surely be overjoyed." Then he asked, "But regarding the price, what do you plan to charge, Foster Father?"
Sha Chen smiled. "What do you think?"
Red Boy replied, "The price you gave me was already eighty percent of the market rate, which is extremely favorable. But I’ve already bought back so much that I’ve caused you a great loss. If my uncle also buys at that price, it would really be unfair to him."
Sha Chen nodded inwardly. My son is filial.
Red Boy pondered for a moment and said, "It’s better to let my uncle purchase them at the normal price. After all, he’s rich. In fact, if I were to ask, I could probably sell them for twenty percent more than the regular price."
Mark up the sale price?! Sha Chen couldn’t help but applaud inwardly, yet he chuckled and said, "Is that appropriate? Would your uncle dote on you that much?"
He would have been better off not saying that. Hearing it, Red Boy felt his sincerity was being questioned and absolutely couldn’t accept it.
He patted his chest in assurance, "Foster Father, if the price of the Elixirs sold to my uncle isn’t thirty percent more than what others pay, I’ll bring you my head!"
What a guy! The conversation took a turn, and suddenly there was an increase of another ten percent.
Sha Chen couldn’t help but give a thumbs up inwardly, yet he said with a smile, "My son, no need to be upset. If you can’t do it, you don’t need to bring me your head; that’s too dramatic. At most, I’ll just let you have one less drink next time."
Red Boy couldn’t stand Sha Chen’s goading.
He patted his chest again. "Foster Father, please prepare some fine wine for when I return! I will definitely come back laden with success. If the sale to my uncle falls short by even half a coin, I’d rather not live!"
Then he turned his head and continued to stare at Immortal Ruyi on the riverbank. At this moment, however, he wasn’t moved by Immortal Ruyi making such a fuss for him; rather, he was pondering how to sell the Elixirs for a handsome price.
Sha Chen merely smiled faintly. Immortal Ruyi was putting on a grand display of power outside, completely unaware that he had already been outmaneuvered by Sha Chen.
Finally, Immortal Ruyi ceased hiding his men and shouted, "Everyone, come out! Follow this Daoist to flatten the Flowing Sand River!"
The demons emerged from their hiding places in droves, their aura overwhelming, numbering over ten thousand strong. Most of these demons were dressed as Daoists, followers of Immortal Ruyi’s cultivation path. Despite their bizarre appearances, they donned Daoist robes, somewhat reminiscent of disciples from the Sect of Interpretation during primeval times.
Immortal Ruyi waved his hand grandly, declaring, "Sha Chen, this Daoist gives you one last chance! Come out, kneel before me, and hand over Red Boy! Otherwise, I will flatten the Flowing Sand River!"
Sha Chen chuckled.
"The host has been demanded by the Lucky Person, Immortal Ruyi, to emerge from the water, kneel, and hand over Red Boy. You have the following choices:"
"Option one: Agree to Immortal Ruyi’s demand. Go out, kneel, and hand over Red Boy. You will be rewarded with the Magical Tool ’Will-following Hook.’ This is Immortal Ruyi’s Magical Tool, capable of catching people off guard, and is both sneaky and unpredictable."
"Option two: Refuse Immortal Ruyi’s demand and ignore it completely. You will be rewarded with the Magical Tool ’Giant Que Sword.’ This sword was crafted by Yun Zhong Zi from withered tree branches. It exorcises evil spirits within three days and is extremely heavy—a great sword without a blade."
Without a second thought, Sha Chen chose to ignore the demand completely. His overall strategy would not change. If word got out that Immortal Ruyi’s actions could force him out, others would surely try the same. How would he ever continue his cultivation then?
Immortal Ruyi was causing a commotion outside, leading his disciples and grand-disciples to charge the Flowing Sand River, intending to drag Sha Chen out.
But then, an awkward situation occurred.
Immortal Ruyi’s disciples were mostly demons still in their cultivation, many of them born from moisture or eggs, and had only recently transformed. Most of them possessed abilities between the True Immortal and Golden Immortal realms. Moreover, most couldn’t swim, despite their grand ambitions to flatten Flowing Sand River.
As a result, they misstepped and plunged into the Flowing Sand River, and were howling in agony from its potent corrosive force. River water flooded into their mouths and bellies, making them feel increasingly heavy. They actually began to drown, struggling and calling for help in the river.
The demon Daoists further back, upon seeing this, hesitated, thoroughly shocked and terrified.
Immortal Ruyi was furious. These idiots! A mere river was capable of nearly drowning those with considerable cultivation. Useless trash!
However, his expression also turned grave. The Flowing Sand River was indeed Weak Water, and even more terrifying than the rumors suggested.
In reality, the Weak Water River had indeed become more dangerous than before. This was because a hundred years ago, Sha Chen had offended the Jade Emperor and the Great White Plane, leading them to reinforce the Flowing Sand River. Consequently, the river had become treacherously perilous. These demons, unable to swim, were trapped. They would have been fine if they had used a water-repelling barrier, but alas, they were not versed in this Divine Power. So, they sank deeper and deeper, and drowned.
Immortal Ruyi intervened to save them but was too slow; a dozen of his disciples and grand-disciples perished. He was so enraged that he howled, stamping his feet and cursing loudly.
He personally intervened, cleaving the waves and parting the Flowing Sand River to search for any trace of Sha Chen.
However, Flowing Sand River was too vast. His Divine Consciousness was hindered within the river, and with the Formation shielding it, he couldn’t locate the cave manor at all. He could only roam near the rumored location of Sha Chen Cave Manor, and eventually, he did find the Formation.
Then, he sneered, "Hiding in your Formation like a cowering turtle! This Daoist will destroy your Formation, avenge the Boy Sage, and seize your manor!"
It turned out he was covetous. Sha Chen’s cave manor was easy to defend and hard to attack, a place of excellent geomantic fortune, and he wanted it for himself.
Red Boy, behind the Formation, heard Immortal Ruyi’s words and hung his head in shame.
Sha Chen patted the back of his neck. "Don’t feel guilty. If you really feel bad about it, just sell the Elixirs to him for double the asking price."
Red Boy said, "Foster Father, if that would make you happy, I would willingly sell them to him for triple the price!"
Sha Chen gave a thumbs up. "My son is filial."