Chapter 143: Chapter 137: Offering Everything on a Plate [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Sha Chen rarely enjoyed himself like this. The meal Fairy Chang E prepared was quite fragrant.
He smiled and said, "Sister, it’s surprising that despite your pampered lifestyle, you’re skilled in the culinary arts."
Chang E replied with a smile, "Brother, please don’t tease your little sister. I usually enjoy cooking for myself."
Sha Chen nodded with a smile and began to eat and drink.
During the meal, they chatted about all sorts of things, as if they had endless topics to discuss. Even if Chang E had nothing to say and just wanted to quietly watch Sha Chen, she felt content.
Sha Chen, however, kept talking—or rather, he kept probing. He wanted Chang E to talk so he could verify her loyalty through her speech patterns and the details she shared. At the same time, it was an opportunity to understand the situation in the Heavenly Court.
Indeed, Chang E held nothing back, sharing everything with Sha Chen whenever he asked. Even when the topic shifted to Tianpeng, it was Sha Chen who initiated the conversation. Chang E shared freely as well, even smiling without taking it too seriously.
"Brother, you may not be aware, or you might think that I caused Marshal Tianpeng’s downfall, but in fact, I helped him," she said. "The Jade Emperor wanted to send him on the Journey to the West. However, since he was head of the Heavenly Court’s Water Division, a simple accusation wouldn’t suffice for his conviction. So, they needed my help. As I hold the position of Tai Yin Star Monarch, his inappropriate actions towards me naturally led to his sentencing."
Then she smiled and continued, "He was then demoted to the mortal world and born into a pig’s body. It seemed like a mistake, but actually, everything was prearranged. This was all to make him suffer hardships, preparing him for eventual enlightenment by Buddhism."
Sha Chen nodded inwardly; he knew about these matters. The fact that Chang E also knew and had honestly shared this with him suggested that she was genuinely sincere towards him. She truly acknowledged him as her elder brother. This left Sha Chen feeling content and slightly reassured.
Chang E then continued, "Brother, you have to be careful too. The Heavenly Court also wants to force you into Buddhism. However, they want to maintain an image of benevolence, so they haven’t forcibly issued a decree to abolish your Flowing Sand River Cave."
Sha Chen understood that the Jade Emperor indeed wanted to appear benevolent; it was to make him an undercover agent for the Heavenly Court within Buddhism.
Upon mentioning Sha Chen, Chang E began to strategize for him, considering his welfare. She said, "This court session is very unfavorable for you, Brother, but don’t worry too much. As long as the Jade Emperor doesn’t completely turn against you, those ministers won’t go too far."
"Although they wish to curry favor with the Jade Emperor, they don’t want to offend you completely, especially since if you truly embark on the Journey to the West, you will be a person of great fortune. They won’t be foolish enough to act against you," she explained.
Sha Chen frowned slightly. The fact that Chang E knew about it suggested this matter was already a consensus among the Heavenly Court’s upper echelons. In other words, the Heavenly Court’s decision to send him on the Journey to the West was a unanimous agreement among the high-level officials, irrevocable!
Sha Chen was unwilling. Chang E might not have cared before, but now she too was reluctant.
"Brother, you must remain true to your principles and avoid any missteps. Don’t give Buddhism a chance to convert you, and more importantly, don’t give the Heavenly Court another opportunity to convict you," she advised.
She was earnest, not wanting Sha Chen to embark on the journey. Otherwise, if Sha Chen were to spend his days with an ascetic ancient Buddha and a solitary lamp, she would truly become just a sister to him.
Sha Chen was moved by Chang E’s words, for they reached deep into his heart. He neither wanted to be converted nor to give the Heavenly Court any leverage against him.
So, he hid here, diligently cultivating, striving to improve himself, careful not to get involved in worldly affairs, avoiding entanglements of karma. If not for needing Chang E to gather information for him in the Heavenly Court, Sha Chen would have preferred her not to leave at all. Having a like-minded companion by his side made cultivation less lonely.
Sha Chen said, "What Sister says makes sense. Indeed, I cannot afford to make any mistakes; that’s why I’ve been eking out an existence here. Alas, it is a helpless situation."
Chang E was touched, and her heart filled with anger against the Heavenly Court and Buddhism. So that was why Sha Chen was hiding here, so vigilant and wary of everyone. It all stemmed from this. She also secretly resented her own lack of power, feeling useless to help Sha Chen. And she felt she had to do something for Sha Chen; otherwise, her heart would not be at peace.
She then said, "Brother, is there anything this little sister can do for you?"
Sha Chen replied, "Sister, all you need to do for me is to keep an eye out in the heavens for anyone who might wish me harm; I’ll handle the rest."
He had actually been hoping for Chang E to ask so he could tell her.
Chang E responded, "Brother, that is natural."
She added, "I mean, besides that, if there’s anything else this little sister can help with, just ask, Brother."
After thinking for a moment, he realized there wasn’t much else. Perhaps ask her to perform a dance occasionally? Honor lies in perseverance and struggle, shame in opulence and indulgence. How could I entertain such ideas? Absolutely not.
After some consideration, he said, "Actually, there is something you can do, Sister. Your brother has mastered alchemy and often concocts elixirs. Since I cannot go out, I have to rely on Sister to sell them."
Chang E’s eyes lit up. "I didn’t know Brother is so talented and capable! Not only is your cultivation profound and your physique powerful, but you’re also skilled in alchemy! This little sister is truly impressed, Brother," she praised.
She added, "Brother, could you show this little sister the quality of your elixirs?"
The elixirs Sha Chen had previously concocted had already been taken out by Dragon Girl and Red Boy, leaving him with very few. He wanted to give some to Chang E to take out, as a way of paving the way for future endeavors. However, first, it would be wise to let Chang E evaluate them to determine potential buyers and prepare accordingly.
He took out some elixirs; most were Post-Heaven Spirit Products, with only a few Post-Heaven Supreme Elixirs of Life.
Chang E took one look and was immediately shocked. She had assumed that Sha Chen’s alchemy would, at best, produce Post-Heaven Spirit Products, with the majority likely being even lower-grade spirit elixirs. After all, not everyone knew how to practice alchemy, and since Sha Chen claimed to know it, she thought it would probably just be some very ordinary spirit elixirs. She never expected that Sha Chen, who seemed like a rough fellow, could actually refine Post-Heaven Supreme Elixirs of Life, and that even his most common Post-Heaven Spirit Product elixirs were of top quality. Such a level of alchemy was truly remarkable, even in the Heavenly Realm.
When Chang E looked at Sha Chen again, the hidden admiration in her eyes deepened further. After all, for a man to completely capture a woman’s heart, merely taking advantage of her vulnerability wasn’t enough; he also needed capability. Sha Chen possessed cultivation, a strong physique, and Magical Tools—he was indeed ’tall, rich, and handsome.’ But a ’tall, rich, and handsome’ man who also possessed talent was even more captivating. Sha Chen’s skill in alchemy, a profession considered rather high-class even among Immortals, was genuinely attractive.
Immortals skilled in alchemy were highly sought after in the Three Realms. After all, on the path of cultivation, Immortal Pills were indispensable, and one would inevitably deal with them regardless of type. Therefore, Immortals who could refine Immortal Pills were naturally very popular. Most Immortals knew some basics of alchemy, but the Immortal Pills they could produce were often abysmal. For instance, Sun Wukong possessed immense mana, and his 72 Polymorphic Transformations included alchemical techniques, yet even he couldn’t refine Post-Heaven Spirit Product elixirs. Because he didn’t have the talent. Many lacked this talent and capability.
Sha Chen, however, possessed it. He had genuinely refined Immortal Pills, which truly startled Fairy Chang E. This attracted her even more. This gave her hidden affection a more solid basis and reason. It was no longer like rootless duckweed.
After all, Fairy Chang E, despite having reached the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm and lived for countless years, excelling in song and dance, knew nothing of alchemy. She found Sha Chen’s alchemy skills incredibly impressive and alluring.
However, while Chang E didn’t know alchemy, she could appraise elixirs; she had the discernment and ability for it. A single glance was enough for her to recognize that the elixirs Sha Chen refined were of excellent grade and would have outstanding effects.
She praised, "Brother, did you really refine all of these yourself?"
Sha Chen laughed and said, "You flatter me."
Chang E insisted, "Not at all, Brother. Your skills are exceptional, and this little sister truly admires you."
Sha Chen then asked, "Sister, do you have a way to sell all of them?"
Chang E replied, "With such a small quantity, if Brother really wants to sell them, this little sister can take them all."
Sha Chen had only taken out a few brocade boxes, each containing just two or three Immortal Pills, so the total quantity was indeed small.
But Sha Chen replied with a smile, "Sister, you jest. These are just samples. If you can sell them, give your brother three years and sufficient materials, and I can increase the quantity by hundreds of times."
Chang E’s eyes widened in disbelief. Taking a sharp breath, she said, "Brother is truly remarkable! This little sister deeply admires your alchemy skills."
Then she said, "If there are truly that many, this little sister will have to use her connections. I can definitely sell them for Brother."
Sha Chen smiled and said, "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Sister. However, your brother has run out of materials for now. I’ll have to wait for the next batch of immortal herbs to mature before I can refine more."
He now had an additional sales channel. Sha Chen felt that Chang E alone could sell ten, or even a hundred times more, than Dragon Girl and Red Boy combined. Because Fairy Chang E had access to individuals whom Red Boy and Dragon Girl could never hope to meet. Furthermore, Fairy Chang E’s status would make selling them much easier for her.
Sha Chen also breathed a sigh of relief. From now on, he wouldn’t have to worry about being unable to sell the Immortal Pills he refined. These Immortal Pills could become a steady source of income, providing him with an additional layer of security for his cultivation here.
But he still needed to remind her, "Sister, when you sell these elixirs in the future, you mustn’t say that I refined them."
Chang E asked, "Why? If Brother gains renown for his alchemy talent, perhaps the Jade Emperor might have a change of heart and choose someone else for the Journey to the West."
Sha Chen replied, "That’s impossible. Even if the Jade Emperor wanted to stop, Buddhism wouldn’t allow it."
He understood that the more outstanding he was, the less likely Buddhism would be to let him go.
Chang E nodded and said, "But if Brother has such talent, both Buddhism and the Heavenly Court would have to be somewhat more considerate and wouldn’t make things too difficult for you."
Sha Chen gave a bitter smile and said, "Sister, you’re thinking too simply. The more outstanding I am, the more impatient they will become."
He added, "More importantly, your brother is accustomed to solitude. Fame and fortune are like fleeting clouds to me; I don’t want too many people to know of my existence."
Chang E sighed, "Brother is truly detached from fame and fortune, perhaps even more so than a Saint."
She continued, "Brother, if you’re so detached from fame and fortune and cannot go out, where do your cultivation resources come from?"
Sha Chen was just about to say they came from what he grew in the fields and what his helpers brought back, but Chang E interrupted, "This little sister can’t bear to see Brother cultivating in such solitude and poverty. Here are some cultivation resources. Please, Brother, don’t refuse them."
She then took out a Qiankun Bag. Upon opening it, an overwhelming fragrance wafted out.
Sha Chen merely swept it with his Divine Consciousness, and his eyes immediately lit up.
So many resources! This sister is a rich woman!