Chapter 69: Chapter 69: Pixiang Jade Maiden Seeking a Stable Relationship [Seeking Collection and Recommendations]_1
Sha Chen and Ao Lie had shared a mutual respect for a long time.
With the wine warming their blood, they grew tender and affectionate with each other.
But by the end of their drinking, Ao Lie unexpectedly clutched his head and wept bitterly.
Sha Chen was baffled. One moment it’s all smiles and laughter, the next he’s sobbing uncontrollably—is his flair for drama really this intense?
Sha Chen asked with concern, "Crown Prince, haven’t all the problems been resolved? What’s wrong?"
Ao Lie said, "Brother, there’s something you don’t understand. Although I make light of it, the Abyss is too terrifying. I lack the courage and the ability."
Sha Chen was startled for a moment, then felt quite sympathetic.
So, he’s afraid of death. That’s a good quality.
Ao Lie continued, "I originally thought that the resolve to enhance my cultivation and seize more cultivation resources from the Abyss to give to you, Brother, would grant me enough courage. But I’ve found that, deep down, I lack confidence."
Sha Chen paused. Other details escaped him, but he clearly heard the part about Ao Lie wanting to send him resources.
The Abyss... is it that lucrative?
He inquired briefly about the Abyss and only then understood.
It was a killing field, a place of trial for the Dragon Clan. Naturally, it contained numerous cultivation resources. However, they were difficult to obtain, which is why it was used to train the Dragon Clan.
Ao Lie said, "My body, over this past millennium, has been hollowed out by debauchery; it’s completely useless now."
Sha Chen understood; Ao Lie was well aware of his own situation. His body, drained by indulgence, was depleted. He believed that entering the Abyss meant certain death. Therefore, he was scared.
Ao Lie wept and said, "Brother, what should I do? Please, help me."
Sha Chen was thinking of brushing it off, as it seemed troublesome.
But then...
"System Announcement: Lucky Person Ao Lie faces a life-threatening crisis and is requesting the Host’s help. You have the following choices:"
"Option one: Refuse to help Ao Lie. Let him fend for himself and receive the divine artifact, the [liuli Dragon Pearl]. (liuli Dragon Pearl: A Dragon Ball Magical Tool, extraordinarily beautiful and attractive, containing dragon qi, symbolizing the power of the Dragon Ball.)"
"Option two: Help Ao Lie overcome his life-threatening crisis and receive three drops of [Zulong Essence Blood] as a reward. (Zulong Essence Blood: Blood containing the vital essence of Zulong. One drop can illuminate mountains and rivers, changing one’s bloodline and physique.)"
Sha Chen was overjoyed. At this critical juncture of life and death, Ao Lie actually came to him for help, and he even had options!
Originally, he wanted to brush it off, but now it seemed he had to help—the rewards were too generous.
Previously, a single drop of Zulong Essence Blood had made his physical body comparable to that of a Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, giving him a significant advantage when fighting the White Bone Demon.
Now, with three drops, if he were to refine them, his physical body would undoubtedly advance further.
Moreover, the previous drop of Zulong Essence Blood contained the cultivation principles for the True Dragon Body Forging Technique. Though it wasn’t entirely complete, refining these new drops would surely perfect the method. A stronger body made it easier to preserve one’s life.
Without hesitation, Sha Chen chose to give Ao Lie a hand—he couldn’t bear to lose this generous cash cow.
"Crown Prince, stop your crying. A true man bleeds; he does not shed tears," Sha Chen said, patting Ao Lie’s shoulder seriously.
Ao Lie said, "Brother, I can’t help it. My body has been hollowed out by indulgence, and I don’t even urinate with much force anymore. I am surely doomed."
Sha Chen said, "As long as your physical body can be restored, or even become stronger, then there shouldn’t be a problem, right!?"
Ao Lie replied, "That’s true, but how could that be possible?"
Sha Chen tentatively asked, "May I ask an impertinent question? What is the body-strengthening Cultivation Technique used by your Dragon Clan?"
Ao Lie said, puzzled, "Our Dragon Clan’s Cultivation Methods were lost long ago in the vast river of time. We only have the instinctual breathing techniques within our bloodline for cultivation."
Sha Chen nodded. No wonder the Dragon Clan was so weak in Journey to the West. Having lost their Cultivation Methods, they were truly in a pitiful state.
He said with a smile, "What if I teach you the [True Dragon Body Forging Technique]? Would you then have the confidence to restore your body?"
Ao Lie was shocked and delighted. "Brother, what did you say? You know the True Dragon Body Forging Technique?"
Sha Chen smiled without a word, just looking at him.
Ao Lie suddenly felt this brother of his was unfathomably profound and immediately kowtowed. "Brother, please teach me! That’s the supreme Cultivation Method lost by our Dragon Clan!"
Sha Chen didn’t hold back and passed on the portion of the True Dragon Body Forging Technique he had mastered to Ao Lie.
「Two months later.」
Ao Lie had learned it all, and his physical body had become even stronger. He was overjoyed and showed even more respect to Sha Chen, repeatedly promising that he would definitely bring more treasures to Sha Chen upon his return.
As they were parting, Ao Lie felt somewhat embarrassed and said, "Brother, can I share this Cultivation Technique with my family?"
He wanted to strengthen the Dragon Clan and didn’t wish to keep it to himself.
Sha Chen replied, "After you emerge from the Abyss, you can pass it on to them. Then, tell them you obtained it from the Abyss."
Ao Lie understood immediately. "I understand, Brother. You prefer to remain low-key."
Sha Chen smiled. "When you come next time, I’ll impart the complete True Dragon Body Forging Technique to you."
Ao Lie, thrilled and full of anticipation, clasped his fists in farewell and departed.
After Ao Lie left, the system confirmed that Sha Chen’s assistance was complete and dispensed the reward.
Sha Chen joyfully began refining the Zulong Essence Blood.
This time, it took him even longer to completely refine the three drops of Essence Blood.
「Three years later.」
His physical body had advanced further, reaching the mid-stage of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm, a step ahead of his cultivation.
Moreover, the Essence Blood indeed contained the cultivation principles of the True Dragon Body Forging Technique, making his understanding of it more complete.
Sha Chen also spent some time to grasp the basics of the technique, and then another three years to achieve minor mastery.
Because his body had grown stronger, it required more Divine Power for further improvement.
Previously, Sha Chen’s devouring power was too formidable, and his cultivation speed couldn’t keep pace, so there had been some waste and he had to exercise restraint.
Now that his physical body had caught up, coupled with the needs of his cultivation, the Divine Power he devoured was just sufficient!
Sha Chen then went all out, devouring God Source Stones and other cultivation resources to strengthen both his physical body and his cultivation realm. He neglected neither.
At the same time, because the water of the Flowing Sand River was corrosive, he planted the various flora Ao Lie had sent in the Mysterious Heavenly Water Pool, allowing them to thrive.
These were all types of Elixirs and Immortal Herbs, merely planted in the sea before.
Sha Chen wanted to harvest more, so he refrained from refining them for now and planted them as seeds instead.
In a few years, or perhaps a decade or more, he would reap a much larger harvest.
The fields and water areas were planted to the brim, giving Sha Chen a profound sense of fulfillment. A satisfaction akin to that of an old farmer arose within him.
But looking at the increasingly depleted God Source Stones, he felt a growing headache. As his cultivation deepened and his physique was enhanced, his resource requirements had also significantly increased.
Previously, a single lode of God Source Stones could last him several years. Now, he consumed an entire lode in just two years, making him acutely aware of their scarcity.
「Just as he was vexed about this.」
A strong warning was transmitted back from his clone, Li Bai.
Not long ago, Jin Chanzi’s third incarnation had passed by Five Finger Mountain.
Sha Chen furrowed his brows. He hadn’t expected Jin Chanzi to come again, and this time, he didn’t know who was escorting him.
What kind of trouble are they planning to stir up this time?
His eyes flickered. Better to meet changes with constancy. If Buddhism dares to cause trouble, next time I’ll have my clone go and thoroughly deceive Jin Chanzi’s third incarnation.
"General for Folding the Curtain, open the Formation and let me in, will you? I’ve come to see you."
Sha Chen was startled. She’s arrived so soon!?
However, he was mistaken. The arrival wasn’t Jin Chanzi’s third incarnation, but a woman—Pixiang Jade Maiden.
Sha Chen had often encountered her in the Heavens. He was a palace guard, while Pixiang Jade Maiden was a high-ranking celestial attendant, her status slightly higher than his. Ordinarily, these celestial attendants most looked down upon unrefined, dark-skinned men like him.
What is Pixiang Jade Maiden doing here!?
Sha Chen decided to observe the situation quietly. But as Pixiang Jade Maiden continued calling from outside, she started to cry.
"General for Folding the Curtain, for your sake, I have already renounced my immortal register! I’ve come all this way specifically to seek refuge with you, to live with you as a devoted couple. Please, I beg you to take me in."
Sha Chen was flabbergasted. Is this woman trying to pull a con? It reminds me of Ao Lie and Princess Wan Sheng, looking for someone to take the fall!