Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 516 - 510: Siti [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Chapter 516: Chapter 510: Siti [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Sha Chen had killed Maitreya.

However, Maitreya’s soul had managed to escape, which made Sha Chen’s expression turn slightly grave.

Still, he wasn’t particularly worried, or at least not frightened and panicky.

Although the Buddha light belonged to a Saint, and Sha Chen was concerned that the two Saints might come together, he was not completely without the power to resist. With his current strength, he indeed couldn’t confront two Saints. But relying on the Flowing Sand River Cave, fending off an attack or two, parrying a few blows—that was still feasible.

Nevertheless, for safety’s sake, Sha Chen planned to enhance his power as quickly as possible, aiming to advance either his physical body or his cultivation. The most likely path is my physical body, he felt. My mana requires sufficient resources to advance, and my current reserves are nearly depleted. In fact, they’re completely exhausted. I must increase my resources as soon as possible.

Sha Chen returned to the cave.

Tianpeng immediately rushed over. "Old Sha, how could you be so reckless and kill that old monk? Now you’re in deep trouble!"

Sha Chen glanced at him and said indifferently, "You were right here and witnessed me kill him. You can’t wash your hands of this matter either."

Tianpeng’s expression changed dramatically. "Old Sha, be fair! This has nothing to do with me. Don’t try to drag me into this; I had no part in it whatsoever!"

Sha Chen grinned. "Not participating was your greatest fault. You could have stopped me, but you didn’t."

"Old Sha, you—you—don’t scare me! You’re not such an unreasonable person!" Tianpeng stammered, frightened out of his wits, and hurriedly tried to defend himself.

However, Sha Chen said, "It’s not me being unreasonable; it’s Buddhism. As for this matter, you can go and explain it to them yourself."

Tianpeng ground his teeth, his eyes filled with resentment. He felt thoroughly ruined by Sha Chen.

If I had known, I would have found a chance to leave, Tianpeng thought bitterly. Witnessing all this and not stopping Sha Chen’s murderous act—that was truly damning!

Sha Chen ignored Tianpeng, planning instead to enter seclusion for cultivation, striving for a breakthrough as soon as possible.

But Tianpeng was extremely anxious. "Old Sha, since you already made your move, why didn’t you completely annihilate the old monk’s body and soul? Why leave such a lingering threat for yourself?"

He already felt the urge to ensure no traces were left. Since I can’t escape implication, he reasoned, the only thing I can do is try to minimize the impact as much as possible.

Sha Chen said calmly, "I did wish to eliminate all future troubles. However, that old monk had the mark of a Saint within him. It wrapped around his soul and allowed it to flee. But don’t worry; in his next life, he shouldn’t be able to reach his current level of attainment."

HISS.

Tianpeng stared, terrified and overwhelmed with fear. Trembling, he stammered, "What did you say? That golden light was a mark left by a Saint? Impossible, impossible! Doesn’t that mean we’re doomed!?"

He had initially thought that this would only offend Buddhism. Even if Buddhism wants to settle scores, I won’t be in excessive danger, he had thought.

But being implicated with a Saint... that makes things truly troublesome. If a Saint truly directs their anger at me while I’m wandering outside, I could very well be annihilated!

"Old Sha, Old Sha! I’m done for this time, all because of you! You’ve killed me!" he cried in panic. His eyes full of resentment, he added, "You have to compensate me for this! Otherwise, I’ll feel utterly wronged!"

Sha Chen chuckled, paying him no mind.

He then summoned the Bodhi Tree.

WHOOSH.

A streak of green light shot from outside the Flowing Sand River Cave and directly entered it.

Startled, Tianpeng turned pale. "What is that? HISS! The Bodhi Tree!?" He was so frightened he nearly foamed at the mouth. Terrified, he stammered, "The Bodhi Tree! Could it be Saint Zhunti from Buddhism has come?"

It was no wonder he thought so, for it was rumored that Saint Zhunti of Buddhism was an incarnation of a Bodhi Tree. Now, seeing a Bodhi Tree again, he was naturally terrified, thinking Saint Zhunti himself had come calling.

He hid behind Sha Chen, petrified, while Sha Chen remained unmoved, showing no fear whatsoever. It was as if everything happening before him was trivial, or perhaps he had anticipated it all along.

Sha Chen said calmly, "No need to worry. This is indeed a Bodhi Tree, but it’s not Zhunti’s one."

Then he briefly explained the matter of the Yin-Yang Subhuti Tree, leaving Tianpeng utterly dumbfounded, eyes wide and mouth agape. It took him a long moment to process it.

Tianpeng pointed at the Bodhi Tree, which now occupied a palm-sized space within the Innate Earth, and exclaimed in shock, "Are you saying that is a Yin Bodhi Tree, on the same level as Zhunti!?"

Sha Chen nodded. "You could say that. However, the opportunities and destinies of individuals differ, let alone those of trees."

Although there are only two such Bodhi Trees in existence, one Yin and one Yang, it doesn’t mean their ultimate potential is identical. At the very least, Zhunti had already taken form long ago, obtained recognition from Taoist Hongjun, and directly became a Saint, renowned for ages. This particular Bodhi Tree, however, was currently insignificant and unknown. Although it could take form at any time, it was impossible for it to possess Zhunti’s level of attainment.

Those in the world who aspire to become Saints are as numerous as the hairs on an ox, but even powerful beings like Zhenyuanzi and Tathagata Buddha can only look on with unattainable longing.

Tianpeng nodded and approached the Bodhi Tree, wanting to see if there was anything unusual about it.

However, with a sweep of its branches, the Bodhi Tree sent him flying.

Terrified, Tianpeng exclaimed, "This tree is strange!"

RUSTLE, RUSTLE, RUSTLE.

The Bodhi Tree rustled its leaves, seemingly mocking Tianpeng, causing his face to flush red with embarrassment.

Sha Chen laughed. "This is a Bodhi Tree from the same era as Zhunti; how could it not be strange!?"

"Zhunti!?"

Suddenly, a voice emerged from within the Bodhi Tree. Its voice was ethereal and melodious, soothing the soul like a refreshing spring breeze.

Hearing it, Tianpeng felt as if he were ascending to an ethereal realm.

Sha Chen, however, frowned. He quickly manifested his Law of Heaven and Earth, appearing with three heads and six arms, holding the Xuanyuan Sword and various other Magical Tools.

Startled, Tianpeng backed away further. Only then did he realize—the Bodhi Tree could speak!

Sha Chen shouted sternly, "Who are you?"

"I am the Bodhi Tree," it replied. "I sensed this place was very safe, so I came seeking refuge."

Sha Chen furrowed his brows. "You are being pursued?"

The Bodhi Tree answered, "For a million years, there hasn’t been a single day I haven’t been hunted."

Sha Chen’s cheek twitched. That sounds incredibly miserable, he thought.

WHOOSH.

The Bodhi Tree instantly transformed into a young maiden with long, flowing hair and fluttering robes.

A single glance at her was enough to petrify an onlooker. She was incredibly beautiful.

Both Tianpeng and Sha Chen considered themselves experienced men of the world, having encountered countless women, many of them great beauties. Especially Sha Chen; whether Chang E or Lady Di Yong, all were top-tier beauties. Three of the Heavenly Court’s four great beauties were smitten with him, and he, too, acknowledged their stunning allure.

But now, Before this woman, he thought, Chang E seems old, Yunlou immature, and the Three Holy Mother lacks sufficient grace and grandeur.

One might say that, across the vast heavens, only Saint Nuwa from the Ninth Heaven could compare to the woman the Bodhi Tree had become. In appearance, temperament, and figure, she was unlike anyone Sha Chen had ever seen.

Tianpeng was drooling uncontrollably, his eyes glazed over, his body petrified and hard as rock.

Sha Chen fared slightly better, yet he too found her presence remarkably pleasing to the eye. But he did not lose his composure. Just another woman, he thought. Alluring, but predictable.

Seeing Sha Chen’s calm demeanor, the young woman was slightly surprised. "Since I took form many years ago," she said, "you are the first person to remain so composed upon seeing me for the first time."

Sha Chen asked, "You are the Bodhi Tree?"

"I am a Bodhi Tree," she replied. "However, you can call me Siti. Zhunti and I are both Bodhi Trees, yet we are as incompatible as fire and water. You don’t need to worry about me."

Sha Chen’s cheeks twitched again. I’m not worried about this Bodhi Tree turning against me; it was a reward from the system. But this name... it’s rather vexing. Siti? Corpse?