Chapter 80: Chapter 80: The plot deviates Jin Chanzi [Important, asking for recommendation votes]_1
「Flowing Sand River.」
After Sha Chen repelled Muzha and threw the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi across the river, he immediately closed the formation and stopped paying attention to the outside world.
This assault by Muzha further solidified his thoughts and dedication to his path. The outside world truly teems with all kinds of monsters and demons. It’s safer here. I plan to lay low until the end of time.
Moreover, Sha Chen felt it was necessary to take some countermeasures.
Just relying on Tianpeng and Ao Lie was not enough to fully divert Buddhism’s attention. Even Sun Wukong couldn’t be of use for the time being. Buddhism had already resolved to suppress Sun Wukong for five hundred years. For a short while, they would not concern themselves with him. Therefore, Sha Chen had to gather more shields to block Buddhism’s gaze.
Black Bear Spirit’s defection from Guanyin Zen Temple and the troubles he encountered overseas had long made Sha Chen take note of the unusual.
Sha Chen thought, It seems Buddhism has already planned and arranged for the demons on the Journey to the West; they are their chosen and apportioned targets.
Sha Chen stroked his chin and furrowed his brows. Black Bear Spirit must have caught Guanyin’s eye. Now that he has left, he will definitely be entangled by Guanyin, making for a good shield. The Spider Spirit wasn’t much at first, but since she killed the Centipede Spirit, she hasn’t returned for many years. She must have encountered greater obstacles.
Perhaps they too are facing immense difficulties; I wonder if Buddhism has interfered.
After deep contemplation, he realized that not only the members of the pilgrimage group were taken seriously, but all demons along the Journey to the West must be Buddhism’s forbidden fruit.
Even the Jade Rabbit had reported back that during the chase by the minions of the Nine-headed Saint, she had received some assistance from Buddhism’s followers. He speculated that the Jade Rabbit might have been targeted by Buddhism as well.
It wasn’t necessarily about recruiting her into Buddhism, but it could be a means to establish a good relationship with Guanghan Palace.
Buddhism doesn’t do things that don’t benefit them. In fact, many people do not do meaningless things.
Sha Chen muttered to himself, "In that case, I could alter the destinies of more demons and spirits from the original trajectory. That would give Buddhism a headache dealing with their deviations."
Actually, he wasn’t wrong.
In the original story, Jin Chanzi was eaten by Friar Sand at Flowing Sand River in all nine of his lives. But with so many demons and spirits along the way, how could the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, in the body of an ordinary human, make it this far? There must have been escorts. This meant everything was predestined.
Sha Chen wanted to change destiny, which would trouble Buddhism.
After pondering deeply, he decided to wait for the return of Black Bear Spirit and the others, then go find some demons and change their fates.
What he could proactively do now was create avatars to change the destiny of Jin Chanzi’s next reincarnation!
Sha Chen planned to set his scheme in motion.
Since Buddhism is constantly watching me, I’ll go after Jin Chanzi and lead him astray! Buddhism undoubtedly values Jin Chanzi more and will focus all their attention on him, leaving them no time to bother with me.
Previously, I definitely wouldn’t have dared to target Jin Chanzi. After all, that’s Jin Chanzi. Many in Buddhism are watching him. Before he grows up, everything will be smooth sailing, with plenty of people guiding him towards the Journey to the West. He’ll grow up, embark on the Journey, and then die en route, accumulating merit. This will contribute to his final life.
I don’t want to wait for that final life; there isn’t enough time. Besides, in the final life, his great vow will have been fulfilled, and leading him astray then would likely be far from easy. By that time, all the Celestial Gods and Buddhas will be focused on Monk Tang. To interfere then would be like throwing myself into a net.
The first two lives had progressed according to their trajectory, only this time he hadn’t died at the Flowing Sand River. There shouldn’t be any major deviations.
The Celestial Gods and Buddhas probably won’t pay too much attention, as long as he is guided as usual: learns Buddhism, embarks on the Journey to the West, and then dies on the road. This was Sha Chen’s exact opportunity.
He intended to lead the reincarnated Jin Chanzi astray and let Buddhism deal with the headache.
But going rashly is no different from seeking death. I must devise a plan.
Luckily, this time I obtained the [Youming Immortality Scripture] and the [Hero Spirit Formula]. With the [Duowen Formula] I had before, I now have three Dao Techniques to lay my plans.
To lead Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation astray, I must make preparations in advance. Most importantly, when I go looking for his reincarnation, I can’t just send an avatar directly; that would be too obvious. It would be best if my avatar could be born in the same era as Jin Chanzi, perhaps in the same village or clan, or as a neighbor—someone connected to him. Otherwise, Buddhism will drive my avatar out.
However, to ensure Jin Chanzi becomes wholeheartedly devoted to Buddhism, anyone with ties to him will probably ’run out of luck’ for no apparent reason. I must be careful.
First, I’ll send an avatar to reincarnate. I’ll see if it can get close to Jin Chanzi and lead him astray.
Fortunately, with the [Youming Immortality Scripture], my avatar can reincarnate and retain its memories. The [Hero Spirit Formula] can strengthen the soul and perfectly complements the [Youming Immortality Scripture].
Sha Chen secretly rejoiced and then began to practice the [Youming Immortality Scripture] and the [Hero Spirit Formula].
Both of these Dao Techniques were profoundly mysterious.
Even he, with the foundation from the [Duowen Formula], spent three years of practice just to reach the entry level.
However, this entry-level mastery was enough for now. He would find time to comprehend them further later, and his avatar would be sent to reincarnate with these two Dao Techniques.
Actually, the best method would be for me to create an avatar here, let it focus on practicing the Dao Techniques, and then just send that avatar to reincarnate when the time comes. But this place isn’t safe either. At least the Saints would know what I’m doing. So, until I can completely shield myself from the Saints, I won’t reveal that I know the One Qi into Three Pure Ones technique. Nor will I let the Saints know I have an avatar.
Once these matters were settled, Sha Chen faced a long wait. He was waiting for someone to return and take his avatar away.
During this period, he continued his secluded cultivation.
But as he continued to cultivate, he found it increasingly difficult. Once he reached the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm, it was no longer just about accumulating mana. He also needed to comprehend the universe and various other things to improve swiftly.
Luckily, Sha Chen possessed the Fengshui Futon and ambergris, which aided his comprehension, so he wasn’t entirely clueless.
Most importantly, he discovered that cultivating under the osmanthus tree greatly aided his comprehension of Divine Powers and cultivation techniques, as well as his cultivation in general.
I’m looking forward to the phoenix tree even more! Cultivating under it would probably make comprehension even more convenient!
Consequently, he found himself missing the Jade Rabbit.
"Save me, General for Folding the Curtain, save me! I am a friend of the Seven Immortal Maidens from the Cave of the Silken Web! Please, help me!"
At this moment, someone was calling for help outside the Flowing Sand River. Judging by the sound, it seemed to be a woman.
Sha Chen furrowed his brow. His divine sight extended outward, and indeed, he saw a beautiful and dignified woman on the shore. However, she was in a somewhat sorry state.
It seemed she had just survived a great battle and fled here, now calling for help.
The Flowing Sand River was vast, however. She knew of General for Folding the Curtain but didn’t know his exact location.
"General for Folding the Curtain, help me! I’m being chased! I truly am a friend of the Seven Immortal Maidens; they told me to find you!" the woman called from the shore.
Sha Chen, however, did not rush to respond. His divine sight had already revealed the woman’s true form: she was a golden-nosed, white-haired mouse spirit.