Chapter 138: Chapter 132: The Saint is Dumbfounded【Seeking Subscription】_1
The Tongtian Hierarch was not a peeping Tom. He did not constantly focus on Sha Chen’s life; he only took note when certain individuals entered his cave dwelling. Most of the time, he did not care at all. After all, he was a Saint; his thoughts could not possibly linger on someone he was only mildly interested in. It was merely because Sha Chen had refused him several times before, leaving him annoyed; otherwise, he would not have paid attention to anyone else.
However, the more he observed Sha Chen, the more the Tongtian Hierarch realized he still could not fathom the man. Sha Chen often surprised him, to the point that even the Hierarch found it somewhat inconceivable. Out of nowhere, Sha Chen would gain the favor of Magical Tools. Suddenly, he would master some kind of Divine Power. How did he accomplish these things? It was still beyond the Hierarch’s grasp.
Nevertheless, everyone has their secrets. Perhaps Sha Chen had comprehended these things on his own, or perhaps he had always known them and only recently chosen to reveal them. As for Magical Tools inexplicably seeking him out and practically landing on his head, this genuinely left the Tongtian Hierarch at a loss for words. But this was not unprecedented; in fact, during primordial times, many Magical Tools actively sought their fated owners. Subsequently, all the major Magical Tools were distributed during that primordial era. It was just like when Donghuang Taiyi acquired the Chaos Bell, and Di Jun received the River Diagram, Luo Chart, and the Nine-dragon Divine Sword—the Magical Tools found them.
Only, how could Sha Chen possibly be compared to them!? The Tongtian Hierarch genuinely couldn’t understand it, but he was not about to dwell on the matter. Sha Chen was still not worth too much of his attention. He just casually took note from time to time, as a mere diversion in his life.
「In the Flowing Sand River.」
Chang E was deeply shocked by Sha Chen. He possessed numerous Magical Tools and culinary skills that even she had never tasted before. How could a coarse man, one whose role was merely to attend to carriages and curtains, possess such delicate cooking skills?
Moreover, where did he get all these Magical Tools!? Chang E knew that the role of Juanlian, the Great General for Folding the Curtain, was largely ceremonial, primarily responsible for attending to carriages. She was quite familiar with the structure of the Heavenly Court. If Sha Chen was the Great General for Folding the Curtain, then he was indeed just for show—appealing to the eye but of no practical use. His cultivation was within the True Immortal Realm, and she recalled that a hundred years ago, Sha Chen’s cultivation should have been at the Initial Stage of True Immortal. How had he now become so formidable that even she could not gauge his depth, much less capable of leaving the Jade Emperor’s court and its ministers at their wits’ end? Was Sha Chen’s power already so terrifying? And most importantly, where did he get so many Magical Tools? This was what Chang E found most puzzling.
She said, "General, I don’t understand where your Magical Tools are from. Don’t try to fool me again with the excuse that ’they sought you out’."
Sha Chen chuckled but said nothing, simply gesturing with his hand for Chang E to continue drinking and eating. He had drugged the wine, not to incapacitate Chang E romantically, but purely as an extra layer of security for himself. Once Chang E was subdued, he wouldn’t have to worry about her refusing to comply and could make her disclose everything about the Jade Emperor’s court deliberations.
Chang E, unaware, continued to eat and drink. But Sha Chen’s silence made her restless. She lost her appetite and found no pleasure in her drink, merely sipping the wine in small gulps and then, with slight movements of her chopsticks, picking at some of the rarer dishes.
In actuality, as the mistress of Guanghan Palace, how could Chang E have tasted few delicacies? She had encountered all sorts of exquisite food; it was just that Sha Chen had prepared them with some novel twists. After a few more bites, Chang E no longer felt like drinking, which made Sha Chen quite anxious. The Immortal Elixir he had used to incapacitate Red Boy had been improved, making it less detectable, but its effects were also weaker. It would only take effect more easily if blended into wine and consumed with hearty drinking and eating. He called it the "Head-Spinning Immortal Pill." When added to wine, it was difficult to notice, but if discovered, he might be beaten to death. The Immortal Pill’s effect was to maximize the impact of alcohol, perfectly affecting the imbiber’s body. If Fairy Chang E expelled the alcohol, Sha Chen’s efforts would be in vain.
Now, since Fairy Chang E was unwilling to drink, the pill couldn’t take proper effect, which indeed gave Sha Chen a headache. If he urged her to drink, it would seem too deliberate. If he ignored her, this woman might stop drinking altogether. After all, she had her own osmanthus wine. Moreover, she had likely had her fill of peach wine when she danced for the Jade Emperor. This was why, despite finding Sha Chen’s offerings novel, Chang E was not overly astounded.
Chang E asked, "General, why have you stopped speaking?"
After she had inquired about the origin of his Magical Tools, Sha Chen had fallen silent, merely glancing at her from time to time. At first, Chang E assumed she had touched a nerve, and he was unwilling to divulge their source, so she did not press further. After all, that was indeed a very private matter. However, she was accustomed to her high status and considered Sha Chen merely the Great General for Folding the Curtain, so she didn’t take his reticence seriously. If I ask him, he must answer. When Sha Chen encouraged her to eat and drink, she had been somewhat reluctant. But on second thought, she realized it was indeed inappropriate for her to pry so much.
Yet, this thought was fleeting and did not linger. She felt Sha Chen’s lack of response was disrespectful, and not knowing the source of so many Magical Tools made her itch with curiosity. As for Sha Chen’s occasional glances, she considered them too common to mention. That’s him being comparatively restrained. If it were any other deity, like Marshal Tianpeng—who was previously demoted to a pig—during the Peach Banquet, he would have practically wanted to glue his eyes to me. His gaze would never have left. The number of those who frequently peeked is countless. Sha Chen, by comparison, is restrained.
However, she misunderstood. Sha Chen wasn’t peeking because she was attractive; it was purely out of a guilty conscience. Seeing that she wasn’t drinking and thus wouldn’t get intoxicated, he couldn’t gain the upper hand. So, he was anxious.
Sha Chen said, "Fairy, why don’t we play a drinking game?"
Chang E replied, "You haven’t answered my question yet. How do you have so many Magical Tools?"
Sha Chen insisted, "It’s true; the Magical Tools seek me out."
Seeing Chang E was about to get angry, Sha Chen felt helpless.
Chang E said, "You’re lying! Unless you prove it to me."
She didn’t believe him. And asking Sha Chen to prove it seemed like an impossible demand. She knew about Magical Tools choosing those with fated connections, but she didn’t think they would seek out someone like Sha Chen, a demoted general. Confined to this place, Sha Chen couldn’t ascend to the heavens, burrow into the earth, or even move freely through the water. As a disgraced general, how could he possibly be favored by Magical Tools, actively sought out, and have them throw themselves at him? Impossible. Utterly impossible!
Sha Chen thought, If I don’t show this woman something impressive, she won’t understand what I’m capable of. You want proof, huh? Easy. I’m just afraid it’ll scare you, widow.
His mind stirred.
Suddenly, the Formation began to fluctuate. Chang E looked over and saw a radiant light flying from afar, landing steadily in Sha Chen’s hand.
A Radiant Magical Treasure from beyond the heavens? Chang E’s heart stirred; she was somewhat shaken. Just now, she had truly sensed the Magical Tool coming from outside—unfathomable, directly seeking out Sha Chen’s dwelling and falling into his grasp. Sha Chen... he really hadn’t lied to her!
Then, she saw it: the Radiant Magical Treasure in Sha Chen’s hand turned out to be a two-meter-long bow, glittering with golden light and exuding overwhelming power. The longbow was incredibly familiar; its ends were engraved with two ancient, gilded characters: Zhentian.
HISS.
The Sky Shaking Bow! Could it really be the Sky Shaking Bow?
Chang E was jolted from her daze. She stood up and reached out to snatch the Sky Shaking Bow. But Sha Chen slightly raised his hand, brushed hers away, and stowed the Sky Shaking Bow, frowning.
Chang E said angrily, "Give me the Sky Shaking Bow!"
Sha Chen stated impassively, "Fairy, you’ve lost your composure."
Furious, Chang E repeated, "I said, give me the Sky Shaking Bow!"
Sha Chen frowned. It seems the wine and food were wasted, and the Immortal Pill was fed to the dogs. Is it time to fight?
Sha Chen wasn’t afraid of a fight. If it wasn’t necessary, he really didn’t want to. But if it came to a confrontation, he wasn’t afraid either. Within his Formation, he was invincible below the Da Luo realm. Chang E couldn’t leave, and without some special means, even with her peak Greater Primordial Golden Immortal cultivation, she couldn’t hope to defeat him. It was just that Sha Chen preferred not to fight. In fact, he had prepared at least ten different plans to deal with Chang E. Engaging in battle was the worst strategy.
The sudden appearance of the Sky Shaking Bow so disturbed Chang E that she wanted to seize it immediately for inspection. So, when Sha Chen refused her, she became enraged. I am high and mighty! I condescended to grace this Flowing Sand River and even dined and drank with him behind closed doors! I’ve already given him so much face! How dare he refuse me!? Chang E was furious.
"Don’t think that just because you offered some trivial wine and plain food, I will feel grateful to you," she declared. "Remember, I came here to question and accuse you! You dared to abduct my Jade Rabbit, and now you’ve obtained the Sky Shaking Bow and refuse to hand it over. That is a crime!"
Sha Chen retorted, "The Sky Shaking Bow sought me out. It’s my Magical Tool. Why should I hand it over?"
Chang E fumed, trembling with indignation. "Fine, fine! If you won’t give it to me, I will take it myself!"
Her delicate hand lifted, fairy energy wafting around it. Their meeting, which should have been pleasant, was now brimming with murderous intent.
Sha Chen furrowed his brows. This woman certainly has some skill. But he wasn’t weak either. If it came to a fight, he wasn’t afraid. It was just that he preferred not to; it was a last resort.
Chang E struck out with her palm. Moonlight shone from behind her, and a vision of a bright moon rising above the sea materialized, its aura immense. The waters of the Flowing Sand River, both inside and outside the cave dwelling, roiled violently. This was the first time Sha Chen had faced off against someone so powerful, and he felt a flicker of excitement.
He too struck out with his palm. When their palms collided, Sha Chen remained unmoved, but Chang E was forced back a hundred zhang.
Chang E stabilized herself, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Sha Chen. The effects of the wine had completely vanished, and she was thoroughly startled.
Sha Chen said, "Fairy, your Divine Powers are vast. I am impressed."
Chang E replied, "I never imagined you were so powerful. You’ve hidden your strength very well. No wonder you dared to let me in; you clearly didn’t consider me a threat at all!"
Sha Chen chuckled. "Fairy, you jest. I only wish to know the content and outcome of the Jade Emperor’s court deliberations. Please, enlighten me."
Chang E, however, regained her composure. A beautiful smile bloomed on her face, full of charm. "And if I choose not to tell you, will you kill me?"
Sha Chen’s brows knitted together. "Fairy, why must you mock me so?"
No sooner had he finished speaking than he lifted his head, his gaze turning sharp.