Chapter 158: Chapter 152: Reporting to Lingxiao Palace [Seeking Subscriptions and Recommendations]_1
Nezha clamored in the sky, eager to challenge Sha Chen.
However, Sha Chen remained unmoved.
Nezha was annoyed and proclaimed that if Sha Chen did not accept the challenge, once Nezha achieved his breakthrough, Sha Chen would lose any chance to fight him.
Chang E remarked, "Actually, what Nezha said isn’t entirely without merit. He’s one of the few deities from the Divine Enthronement who achieved divinity through his physical body, and his merits surpass others. It’s only a matter of time before he becomes a Daluo Golden Immortal."
"But he’s too arrogant. Even if he entered the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm now, he might not be able to defeat Big Brother. How dare he make such boasts!"
Sha Chen smiled, indifferent.
He already possessed a Daluo Dharmakaya. With his physical body alone, he could rival a Great Witch. The Divine Powers he commanded were numerous and formidable. Water, earth, fire—all were at his fingertips. The 72 Polymorphic Transformations, 36 Transformations, Samadhi True Fire, Wings of Wind and Thunder, Illusion-Breaking Divine Eye, Downwind Ear, Qingyun Zong—all kinds of Divine Powers and spells were too numerous to count. This wasn’t to mention his various Magical Tools, all of which were among the top-tier Magical Tools of the current age. The Undefined Flying Rings, Nine-Dragon Divine Fire Cover, Dragon Binding Rope, Fog Dew Universe Net, Giant Que Sword, and Sky Shaking Bow were all suited for both long-range and close combat. He hadn’t even factored in Magical Tools like the Sweeping Cloud Robe, Eight Diagrams Immortal Clothes, Golden Cloud Crown, God Needle of Usagi Day, and the Twin-Blade Sword.
Nezha, despite his terrifying three heads and six arms, was still no match for Sha Chen’s Daluo Dharmakaya. Although Nezha possessed many Magical Tools—counting the Wind Fire Wheels, probably eight or nine—they were insignificant before Sha Chen. Challenging Sha Chen one-on-one was simply masochistic. Nezha couldn’t defeat Sha Chen now, and even entering the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm wouldn’t make him a match.
Moreover, it wasn’t even certain who would enter the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm first.
Nezha might possess the karmic fortune from the Divine Enthronement, but Sha Chen had the Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching, which could also grant him the opportunity to enter the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm. Besides, Sha Chen already possessed the Daluo Dharmakaya, making him little different from an ordinary Daluo Golden Immortal.
He would only become stronger and would not cease his progress.
There was absolutely no need for him to engage in combat with Nezha.
He cultivated only to become stronger and to acquire more life-saving methods, not for the sake of competition. Moreover, fighting Nezha in front of so many people would yield no benefits even if he won; it would only bring him fame and a great deal of trouble. Everyone would know how powerful he was. Both the Jade Emperor and Buddhism would become aware, and then they would dispatch even more formidable foes to harass him.
It was better to keep the Heavenly Court and the Jade Emperor guessing, unsure of his true strength.
After all, a clenched fist, yet to strike, held more deterrence than one already thrown.
Sha Chen wanted them to know he was strong; defeating the gods of the Thunder Department and Wen Zhong was sufficient. There was no need to let everyone know exactly how powerful he was.
Outside the Flowing Sand River, Nezha continued to bellow, demanding to challenge Sha Chen.
However, Sha Chen paid him no heed.
Nezha was furious and even wanted to lead his troops down, to force Sha Chen to accept his challenge. Yet, Sha Chen remained unmoved.
Nezha couldn’t truly lead his troops down; firstly, it was against the rules, and secondly, he was aware of the might of the Black Tortoise Armor. Never mind the forces he had at hand; even if they were doubled and he brought the Four Heavenly Kings along with his father, they probably still couldn’t break through.
Unless a Great Divine Power Holder was willing to help him breach the Flowing Sand River, only then would he have a chance to face Sha Chen directly.
Otherwise, he was destined to be snubbed today.
Frustrated, Nezha led his troops away.
The other immortals also dispersed, leaving only the eight gods of the Thunder Department looking at each other, unsure what to do.
Taoist Master Gou gritted his teeth and said, "Fellows, though Sha Chen may be innocent in the recent matter, he deliberately avoided explaining himself for the sake of the scripture seekers and even injured us. He must not be let off lightly."
"I don’t need you all to bend the law for personal reasons with me; just perform your duties with due diligence when it comes to enforcing the thunder punishments," he added.
Everyone who heard his words understood exactly what he meant.
Far from performing his duties diligently, it was clear he planned to abuse his position for personal revenge.
But they were all colleagues, and indeed, Sha Chen had made them lose face before; now the Thunder Department had become a laughingstock. Abusing their position for personal revenge didn’t seem to be a psychological burden.
One after another, they nodded in agreement, deciding to tamper with the thunder punishment to make Sha Chen suffer a huge loss and have no recourse.
Given how formidable Sha Chen is, they mused, a day will come when he begs us for help. They all looked forward to that day.
BOOM!
Thunder struck once again.
Bathed in the lightning, Sha Chen actually felt somewhat comfortable, allowing the thunder to temper his body. What others found unbearable, he relished. Whether he transformed it into Divine Power through the Five Elements or used it to refine his Daluo Dharmakaya, it was a windfall.
Chang E witnessed the terrifying force of the thunder and couldn’t help but frown.
"Big Brother, the people from the Thunder Department are seeking personal revenge and have intensified the thunder punishment," Chang E huffed. "I want to go to the Lingxiao Palace and report them."
But Sha Chen just smiled and said, "There’s no need for that. This is actually quite good."
The eight gods of the Thunder Department thought they could overwhelm him this way, little knowing he actually preferred it. And he hadn’t forgiven the Thunder Department, not only because he wanted to strip Taoist Master Gou of his position completely, but also because he could benefit from their intensified punishment.
Thinking of Taoist Master Gou, Sha Chen was also irked. Failing to finish him off this time meant leaving a troublemaker alive. The look in Taoist Master Gou’s eyes irritated Sha Chen, always giving him the impression the man was plotting something.
This time, Taoist Master Gou’s fickle actions suggested he was acting under someone else’s orders, as Sha Chen had no prior conflicts of interest or dealings with him. If he were truly acting on behalf of the Jade Emperor, he wouldn’t need to fear Sha Chen reporting him to the Heavenly Court. His fear this time, however, suggested it wasn’t merely a matter of serving the Jade Emperor. Or perhaps, the Jade Emperor was unaware of his actions.
After much consideration, Sha Chen still decided to find an opportunity to eliminate Taoist Master Gou. However, before doing so, he wanted to find out who Gou was truly working for.
However, since he couldn’t leave, he had to entrust the task to someone else.
He looked at Chang E and said, "Sister, there’s a favor I need to ask of you."
Chang E replied, "Big Brother, you jest. If you have any commands, I dare not disobey. Whether it’s making the bed, chopping wood, or carrying water, none of it is a problem."
Sha Chen said, "I wouldn’t let Sister do such heavy work."
Chang E’s face flushed slightly. I can handle delicate work too, she thought.
After the thunder punishment subsided, Sha Chen stepped forward, took her hand, and said with earnest warmth, "Sister, help your Big Brother take down Taoist Master Gou. It would be best if you could strip him of his official position."
Chang E was taken aback and said with a hint of grievance, "Big Brother, I don’t want to use seduction."
Sha Chen’s cheek twitched. "Who asked you to use seduction? If you were to suggest it, I couldn’t bear to let you."
Chang E’s face lit up with joy. Big Brother is truly kind! she thought.
Sha Chen continued, "You have so many beauties under your command; just send any one of them. Frame Taoist Master Gou just as Tianpeng was falsely accused before."
Chang E said, "Big Brother, if you truly want to bring him down, there’s no need for such schemes. Taoist Master Gou has indeed erred this time; perhaps the Jade Emperor himself will not spare him."
Sha Chen shook his head. "That won’t happen. Even if he isn’t acting on the Jade Emperor’s orders, he has done what the Jade Emperor wanted to be done."
Then he added, "In any case, whatever method you use, just strip Taoist Master Gou of his official position. It would be ideal if you could have him demoted to the mortal realm."
Chang E was startled. "Big Brother, are you tired of seeing him strut around in Heaven? Those demoted can often be reinstated before long; it seems unnecessary."
But Sha Chen laughed, his eyes darkening. "He won’t have the chance to be reinstated," he said, his words filled with murderous intent.
Upon hearing this, Chang E suddenly understood and drew a sharp breath. I never expected Big Brother, usually so indifferent to fame and fortune, to harbor such murderous intent! That Taoist Master Gou must truly deserve death! she realized.