Chapter 145: Chapter 139 Kui Mulang Breaks into Flowing Sand River [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Chang E was somewhat incredulous.
She was willing to believe that Sha Chen knew the Eight-Nine Profound Art; otherwise, how could he have cultivated so quickly?
But to say that Sha Chen knew the Da Luo Method, she found that hard to believe.
Without guidance, merely fumbling around here, how could Sha Chen possibly know the Da Luo Method?
Sha Chen, however, was very serious, his face breaking into a smile.
From his gaze and the smile in his eyes, Chang E understood that Sha Chen truly knew the Da Luo Method.
She was ecstatic and said, "Brother, teach me."
Sha Chen nodded and replied, "Isn’t that what I intend to do? I’ll pass on the Eight-Nine Profound Art to you first. I’ll teach you the Da Luo Method gradually; after all, I’m not very familiar with it myself."
He was indeed not very familiar; it had only been a few years since he obtained the Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching. Delving into it, he also found it somewhat obscure and difficult to understand.
To pass it on to Chang E was even more challenging.
This move, however, was his trump card to bind Chang E to him thoroughly.
Brotherly affection and taking advantage of vulnerability were only temporary; only benefits were eternal.
Sha Chen had to offer Chang E enough benefits to make her dedicate herself to his cause forever.
Otherwise, relying on affection—once that affection cooled, it would be disastrous.
After all, Chang E could ascend by stealthily consuming an Immortal Pill alone; Sha Chen didn’t believe he had the charm to bind her with affection.
Sha Chen also couldn’t possibly pass on everything to Chang E all at once; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to keep her on the hook.
Even with the Eight-Nine Profound Art, he only imparted half of it to Chang E.
Chang E, however, indeed had some talent. With just half of the Eight-Nine Profound Art, it only took her three months to learn it, and she was now engrossed in its cultivation.
Learning the Eight-Nine Profound Art, though only half of it, filled Chang E with joy and convinced her that Sha Chen genuinely treated her well.
He had even passed such Dao Techniques on to her.
She had danced for the Jade Emperor for thousands of years and hadn’t gleaned a single benefit.
Chang E had already secretly decided in her heart that in this lifetime, her heart belonged to none but Sha Chen.
Sha Chen, however, was thinking of fleecing Chang E for a lifetime.
Chang E was cultivating, and Sha Chen wasn’t idle either.
Previously, from both the Dragon Girl and Red Boy, he had obtained many resources, enough for him to cultivate for several years.
Now, the benefits obtained from Chang E also allowed him to cultivate with even more confidence.
As he cultivated, he accumulated a foundation of Divine Power while also pondering the Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching.
He had possessed it for several years, but understanding and fathoming it required a vast amount of time.
Therefore, Sha Chen’s cultivation had stalled, slowing down compared to his previous rapid progress.
However, though his cultivation had stagnated, his combat strength had not fallen behind.
He was refining his physical body, strengthening his Primordial Spirit, and deepening his understanding of Divine Powers and spells.
After all, stepping into the Da Luo realm couldn’t be rushed. Given that, he chose to enhance his strength through other means.
After all, each realm had a large contingent of cultivators, but their combat prowess varied greatly.
Sha Chen didn’t know if he could defeat those above his class, but at the very least, he wanted to be invincible within his own realm.
Now, he was practicing the True Dragon Body Forging Technique to strengthen his body, while also cultivating the Wide-hearing Decree and the Sutra of Immortality, alongside the Spirit Summoning Decree to fortify his Primordial Spirit.
A breakthrough in cultivation to step into the Da Luo Realm would enhance his physical body and Primordial Spirit.
However, by directly augmenting them to a level comparable to Da Luo, he could ensure that his combat strength was invincible within his own realm.
Beyond that, Sha Chen also refined his connection with various Magical Tools, mastering their use and associated Divine Powers.
Having just acquired the Sky Shaking Bow, he practiced with it and mastered the Shooting Sun Bow Method.
Of course, all of this was done behind Chang E’s back, cultivating secretly without her knowledge.
Otherwise, she might once again become morose, crying and wailing. What if she begins to see me as her lost husband and, unable to control her emotions, throws herself into my arms?
Sha Chen was after her wealth and had no intention of giving himself up in the process.
Both of them were cultivating in the cave dwelling. Chang E shifted to practicing the Eight-Nine Profound Art, while Sha Chen refined his physical body, tempered his Divine Power, and honed his Primordial Spirit.
At the same time, he was practicing with the Sky Shaking Bow.
Sha Chen discovered that the Sky Shaking Bow was indeed formidable. Although lacking the Shooting Sun Divine Arrow significantly reduced its power, simply drawing the bow would automatically condense a light arrow.
It was an arrow formed by Mana, and as long as he had sufficient Mana, he could condense as many as needed.
The killing power was also astonishing.
Once shot from the Sky Shaking Bow, the power was immense.
Sha Chen made a rough estimate: once he drew the bow and nocked an arrow, enhancing the power of this archery technique, merely reaching the Small Achievement Realm would allow him to severely batter a cultivator of the same rank thousands of miles away. Repeated use could even injure them.
If he reached Great Accomplishment, drawing the bow and nocking an arrow, just one shot could injure, perhaps even kill, a same-rank opponent tens of thousands of miles away.
As long as the target was unprepared, killing them was not an issue.
The Sky Shaking Bow could be used for long-range attacks by drawing and nocking arrows; even at close quarters, it wasn’t entirely useless, as it could be wielded like a blade.
Nevertheless, Sha Chen had the Giant Que Sword, so he had no need for this.
In any case, the Sky Shaking Bow could condense his Mana cultivation into an arrow, unleashing immense power when shot. Anyone struck would find it difficult to defend.
Because the arrows shot by the Sky Shaking Bow were fast and fierce, and they possessed inherent armor-piercing qualities.
No matter how strong one’s defense, it would be difficult to withstand an arrow shot by the Sky Shaking Bow.
Sha Chen was overjoyed as he practiced with it.
He discovered that this bow was perfectly suited for him, capable of killing from thousands of miles away, annihilating life without a trace.
He would usually just hunker down at Flowing Sand River, never venturing out.
If someone provoked him and he wanted to take action, but the opponent was hiding far away, he could only sigh in helplessness.
For instance, the centipede demon had previously established its cultivation ground far away, hidden within Huanghua Temple.
Though Sha Chen’s Divine Consciousness could lock onto the centipede demon, to actually kill it, he had to go there personally to suppress it.
Otherwise, he couldn’t kill it.
At that time, he was not much stronger than the centipede demon, and his attack range wasn’t that far.
Even if he controlled a flying sword, such a great distance would grant the centipede demon the opportunity to prepare its defenses.
Moreover, it wasn’t easy to control and could be easily blocked.
The depletion of his spiritual energy was also enormous, a loss outweighing the gain.
Now, with the Sky Shaking Bow, as long as his Primordial Spirit locked onto an opponent and his Mana condensed into an arrow, he could instantly slay an enemy thousands of miles away.
Furthermore, the archery techniques included with this bow were not just straightforward shots; there were various techniques like ’Triple Star Succession,’ ’Seven Star Succession,’ and even curving arrows.
The variations were numerous, and the power was boundless, significantly increasing Sha Chen’s long-range offensive options.
Sha Chen was thrilled. From now on, if anyone dares to provoke me, perhaps thinking I can’t leave or trying to lure me out, I can strike as long as conditions permit!
Thinking this, Sha Chen found that familiarizing himself with the Sky Shaking Bow and practicing the Shooting Sun Bow Method were indispensable.
He cultivated day and night.
His archery skills became increasingly refined, and his abilities also grew stronger.
During this time, he also took the opportunity to cultivate his Swordsmanship, using the Giant Que Sword to practice a grand and sweeping close-combat sword style.
After all, the Giant Que Sword was a heavy sword without an edge, and Sha Chen’s immense strength complemented it perfectly.
Close combat with the Giant Que Sword, long-range attacks with the Sky Shaking Bow.
Sha Chen felt that his combat methods had become more varied.
But he did not plan to leave this place; having more combat methods only meant having more means to defend himself.
He couldn’t just go out and act recklessly.
He continued his cultivation and also refined his physical body.
「Half a year passed.」
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Sha Chen was in the midst of tempering his body, feeling that his physical form was about to step into the Da Luo Dharmakaya Realm.
But outside Flowing Sand River, a commotion suddenly arose.
Chang E was awakened and came to his side, exclaiming, "Brother, what’s happening outside?"
Sha Chen said, "Let’s take a look and we’ll know."
He used his Sweeping Cloud Robe to part the obstructive barrier of Flowing Sand River, allowing them to clearly see the situation outside.
At the same time, he instantly employed his Divine Eye and Downwind Ear.
Chang E, observing by his side, was shocked.
I thought I already understood enough about him, but it turns out, I only knew the tip of the iceberg.
She was shocked but also pleasantly surprised.
The greater Sha Chen’s abilities, the happier she was.
Meanwhile, she clearly saw the situation on the shore: a massive wolf demon with golden fur, exuding a dense demonic aura. This wolf demon, clad in a yellow robe with a bell at its waist, was none other than the Yellow Robe Fiend.
Chang E recognized the true identity of the Yellow Robe Fiend at a glance and exclaimed, "Star Lord Kui Mulang, Li Xiong? What is he doing here, and why is his demonic aura so intense?"
Sha Chen also observed the wolf demon Kui Mulang’s abilities with his Divine Eye, his brow furrowed in a grave expression.
Kui Mulang was causing a ruckus on the shore, wielding a steel blade and a Wolf Fang Club, displaying overwhelming strength.
Seeing this, Sha Chen felt quite troubled.
He guessed the reason for Kui Mulang’s arrival was most likely related to Bai Huaxiu’s confession here decades ago.
What he did not expect was that Kui Mulang would come after so long.
And upon arrival, without discerning right from wrong, he immediately started attacking, aiming to destroy Flowing Sand River while cursing loudly.
The Mountain God, Earth God, and River God dared not approach and fled far away.
The Day and Night Roaming Gods and the patrolling Immortal Guards who witnessed this all kept their distance, hiding far off.
Chang E said, "Brother, when did you provoke this person? He is notoriously cruel and tyrannical, and he has the trust of the Jade Emperor. We shouldn’t offend him lightly."
She added, "Rumor has it that his cultivation has reached the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm; he’s not someone we can afford to provoke."
Sha Chen said indifferently, "It’s not that I provoked him; he’s stirring up trouble for no reason. I’m here, striving to be amicable and to turn the other cheek. How could I possibly have provoked him?"
Chang E thought about it and felt that it made sense.
Then she said, "Brother, since that’s the case, why don’t I go out and talk to him for you, explain things, and get him to leave?"
Sha Chen shook his head and said, "There’s no need. He can’t come in; he’ll leave after making a scene."
Chang E said, "Although this cave abode is impregnable, wouldn’t a Da Luo Golden Immortal be able to break the formation with ease?"
Sha Chen chuckled. "Let’s not even discuss whether he’s truly a Daluo Golden Immortal. Even if he were, he couldn’t dream of breaking this formation."
If Li Changgeng couldn’t break it, much less a mere Kui Mulang.
He remembered that in the original work, Kui Mulang was one of the hundred thousand celestial soldiers and generals, who was scared off by Sun Wukong.
Later, twenty Zhu Bajies couldn’t defeat one Kui Mulang, while Sun Wukong defeated him within fifty moves.
If the Kui Mulang who faced his tribulation in the Journey to the West hundreds of years later had reached the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, Sha Chen would believe it.
But now, Kui Mulang was at best digesting the Divine Enthronement calamity, his strength at the peak of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal at most.
He checked with his Divine Eye, and indeed, Kui Mulang’s cultivation was at the peak of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal.
Thus, Sha Chen was at ease, letting him make a fuss since it would not affect him at all.