Chapter 90: Chapter 90: Breakthrough in Cultivation, Return of the Spider Spirit【Extra update, seeking recommendation votes】_1
The incident of Jin Chanzi violating the monastic rules in his reincarnation did not reach Lingjiu Mountain, because the monks were afraid and dared not report it. Secondly, they felt that Jin Chanzi was still young and could be reformed.
Before long, they realized that Jin Chanzi had not violated the killing precept; it was Hanshan who had acted. They breathed a sigh of relief. At the same time, they also felt conflicted. Jin Chanzi had learned to lie in his reincarnation, and he protected his cousin to such an extent. Moreover, this cousin, Hanshan, was truly horrible—a great demon in his youth, killing dogs for food. Many decided it was time to expel him from the sect. But the reincarnated Jin Chanzi stated that wherever his cousin went, he would follow. The monks had no choice but to drop the matter. They even began planning to find an opportunity to make Hanshan disappear from the human world.
Hanshan, however, was always on guard, worrying the monks might play dirty. So he kept hinting to Jin Chanzi that he might die, and even be killed by the monks. This led the reincarnated Jin Chanzi to tell the monks that if Hanshan died, he would not want to live either. Only then did the monks dare not act rashly, though they made life difficult for Hanshan, hoping he would back down and leave of his own accord. But Hanshan persisted.
「On the back mountain.」
With a complex expression, the reincarnated Jin Chanzi, Chen Liu’er, said, "Brother, what about the promise of never abandoning each other? How could you betray me like this?"
Hanshan said, "I’m helping you, letting you understand the evils of the world ahead of time."
The reincarnated Jin Chanzi said, "But this hurts our brotherly bond."
Hanshan said, "Don’t be angry. Let’s both take a step back. I’m still your brother, and you don’t get hurt. How about that?"
The reincarnated Jin Chanzi grinned. "Okay, Brother."
The two grew up slowly on the mountain, and Hanshan took on the responsibility of instructing the reincarnated Jin Chanzi. As a result, his status in the heart of the reincarnated Jin Chanzi grew ever higher. The monks, on the other hand, felt like they were about to become redundant, flustered to no end.
「Flowing Sand River.」
Sha Chen had finished his Cultivation and had made minor achievements with the Samadhi True Fire, with his cultivation level nearing a breakthrough. He was aware of the situation with the Hanshan incarnation. Minor achievements, but nothing to be optimistic about. After all, Buddhism valued the reincarnated Jin Chanzi greatly and certainly wouldn’t allow any unexpected changes to happen to him. If Hanshan could not change the situation, he was likely to be secretly executed.
However, he was not without contingencies. When Lady Di Yong had left, Sha Chen had given the Hanshan incarnation the Golden Cloud Crown, allowing him to become invisible. He also passed on two sets of Dao Techniques to the incarnation, who had been cultivating for years and reached a certain level of understanding. The monks of the mortal world might not be a match for him. And in case he was indeed schemed against by Buddhism, he could reincarnate again as an indestructible spirit and continue his schemes, continue leading the reincarnated Jin Chanzi astray. Whether he could succeed was irrelevant; upsetting Buddhism was enough.
I am now about to reach the high stage of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal in Cultivation, but after over a decade of arduous cultivation, my God Source Stones are running low, and resources are becoming scarcer. Lady Di Yong had brought many resources, but no matter how plentiful, they were not enough. Sha Chen cultivated both his flesh and Mana, synchronously, and the consumed resources were astronomical. The resources brought by Ao Lie and Lady Di Yong had been used up by Sha Chen years ago. Now, there was only one vein left in his God Source Stone mine, and the Immortal Herbs in the ground had been harvested over and over again.
To Sha Chen’s slight comfort, however, the three hundred first-class Elixirs given by the Tongtian Hierarch had matured after seeds had been extracted and a century of cultivation. Sha Chen had been waiting for them to fully mature, then harvest and refine them, to break through his current cultivation level at once.
Finally, after waiting on and off for half a year, the three hundred first-class Elixirs ripened one after another. Eagerly, Sha Chen harvested the healing ones, storing them for when he could refine them into Healing Pills or simply consume them directly. He sorted the rest that could be made into immortal wine or had other effects, and lastly, picked out half that could be refined to increase his cultivation level. Eager to progress, he directly consumed them, and his cultivation level soared rapidly.
Another half year passed, and finally, Sha Chen’s Cultivation had entered the high rank of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal. At the same time, his physical body had further improved; both progressed hand in hand.
"Notice of Host’s Cultivation breakthrough, you have the following options."
"Option one: With the breakthrough, make a name for yourself in the world and receive the reward Magical Tool ’Blood Transforming God Knife’—a blood-transforming God Knife belonging to the ranks of Immortal. Incredibly poisonous, it requires an antidote for salvation."
"Option two: Continue to cultivate in seclusion, striving for further advancement and receive the reward Divine Power ’Qingyun Zong’—a Divine Power of flight, crossing 108,000 li in one step, not inferior to the Somersault Cloud."
Without any hesitation, Sha Chen chose to continue his secluded Cultivation and thus obtained the Divine Power Qingyun Zong. After carefully studying it, he realized this Divine Power was simply a must-have for stealth attacks and escapes.
Sun Wukong’s Somersault Cloud covers 108,000 li in one somersault, while this power allows me to do the same in a single step, neither superior nor inferior. If it really came down to a comparison, you get tired and dizzy from somersaulting, whereas if I took a few more steps, I’d widen the distance. It’s not useful for me, but I can give it to my clones, and to the Black Bear Spirit and Spider Spirit, to increase their ability to protect themselves. Also, to get them to bring back what they’ve found as soon as possible. It’s been so long already, and our resources are running low, yet they still haven’t returned.
When Black Bear Spirit and the others were around, Sha Chen couldn’t wait to send them away. But after a long absence, he found himself missing them. This must be like the saying: "The thread in a loving father’s hand becomes the clothes on the wandering son."
「Approximately two months later.」
Sha Chen had fully mastered Qingyun Zong. Outside the Formation, someone came knocking—it was the Spider Spirits he had been yearning for. And this time, all seven sisters had returned together. They were valiant and spirited, bursting with vitality and vigor. Sha Chen couldn’t help but cheer for them, and after repeatedly ascertaining that it was indeed the Spider Spirits, he let them in.
As soon as they entered the Formation, the seven sisters knelt on the ground and paid their respects to Sha Chen.
Seventh Mother said, "Eldest Brother, we have wronged you."
The smile on Sha Chen’s face stiffened instantly.
I’m done for! All that anticipation for nothing... They haven’t come back empty-handed, have they?!
Tentatively he asked, "You came back with nothing?"
Seventh Mother replied, astonished, "Not at all, we’ve returned with a full load."
Sha Chen was immediately delighted. "That’s good, please get up. Allow me to prepare a feast for you to wash away the dust of travel."
The Spider Spirits looked at each other, apparently finding it difficult to speak.
Sha Chen’s heart sank once more. Don’t tell me they lost the resources on the way back?
"Did you lose the resources on the way?" he asked.
Seventh Mother said, "Eldest Brother, it’s not about the resources."
Sha Chen breathed a sigh of relief again; that was fine then. But the Spider Spirits still didn’t rise, and seeing their blushing faces, they seemed to have something difficult to say.
He suddenly understood and said, "After so many years away, you couldn’t hold yourselves back... Have you given yourselves to someone else?"
The faces of the Spider Spirits blushed even more. Rolling their eyes at Sha Chen, they said, "We will always be yours, Eldest Brother."
Sha Chen staggered backward, vigilant in his heart.
I lusted after your treasures, and to think you’re even more ruthless, lusting after my body.
Sha Chen hesitated, wondering whether to surrender without resistance. In the end, he decided that women were all trouble and absolutely not to be capitulated to.
Quickly he said, "If it’s not this and not that, then what exactly do you want?"
The Spider Spirits said, "Initially, we wrongly accused you because of our senior brother. Please forgive us, Eldest Brother."
Sha Chen was startled. Was it about the Centipede Spirit?
He waved his hand with a smile. "It’s a trivial matter. Can you stand up now?"
Still kneeling, and so close to my belt... I’m afraid of being bitten.
The Spider Spirits stood up but still held their heads low, hesitating to speak.
Sha Chen probed again, "What is it now?"
Seventh Mother said, "Eldest Brother, Tianpeng has been captured by the Nine-headed Saint. He coveted Princess Wan Sheng’s beauty and was lured to Luanshi Island."
"We tried several times but couldn’t rescue him, so we had no choice but to ask for your help, Eldest Brother."
Sha Chen was stunned.
That Tianpeng is such a pig of a teammate, isn’t he!? Never mind. He actually is a pig.