Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 520 - 514: Buddhism’s Ancestress [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Chapter 520: Chapter 514: Buddhism’s Ancestress [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Ji Gong arrived.

Sha Chen was slightly startled, a faint smile playing on his lips.

In fact, a hundred years prior, Xianglong Arhat had already been demoted to the mortal realm to refine his heart. Sha Chen had long wished to meet him.

The former Honorable Xianglong, with his formidable strength, ranked high within Buddhism, but his unrestrained heart made him unpopular there.

Having controlled the Arhat Hall for years without engaging in corrupt practices, he was one of the rare independent figures within Buddhism.

However, the fate of such an independent figure was tragic: he was targeted by Maitreya Buddha and sent directly to the mortal realm.

Consequently, members of other factions also remained silent and did not speak up for him.

The Arhat Hall was then controlled by Fuhu Arhat. However, both Fuhu Arhat and Maitreya Buddha perished at Sha Chen’s hands. It was feared that Buddhism’s power structure would be significantly reshuffled.

Xianglong Arhat’s visit at this moment undoubtedly had a purpose.

He took a sip of wine outside and waited for Sha Chen’s response.

Sha Chen watched him intently but remained silent.

Tianpeng and Siti approached Sha Chen. Tianpeng said, "That mad monk is quite famous in China; I’ve encountered him before."

Sha Chen asked, "Do you know who he was in his previous life?"

Tianpeng replied, "Who?"

Sha Chen said, "Xianglong Arhat."

Tianpeng was stunned. "What? He’s Xianglong Arhat?" he exclaimed in disbelief. "Impossible! How could Xianglong Arhat have fallen to such a state, so unkempt?"

Sha Chen then said, "According to the information I’ve received, Maitreya Buddha likely acted against him to seize control of the Arhat Hall. He banished Xianglong Arhat to the mortal realm, took over the Arhat Hall, and handed its management to Fuhu Arhat. However, both Fuhu Arhat and Maitreya Buddha met their downfall."

Tianpeng gasped, completely stunned.

His expression turned odd. Buddhism really has too much of a ’connection’ with Sha Chen, he thought.

Both Fuhu Arhat and Maitreya Buddha had targeted Sha Chen and successively met their doom at the Flowing Sand River.

With Xianglong Arhat here now, what exactly is his purpose?

Tianpeng asked, "So, is this monk here to stand up for Buddhism?"

Sha Chen replied, "I don’t know. However, it’s said he had a good relationship with Jin Chanzi. They shared similar ideals but were never well-regarded by orthodox Buddhism."

The mention of Xianglong Arhat sparked some recognition in Tianpeng.

He nodded. "Yes," he said. "Rumor has it that Jin Chanzi and Honorable Xianglong were considered rising talents within Buddhism. Both possessed exceptional gifts and formidable strength."

"But Jin Chanzi refused to obey Tathagata’s teachings. He often quarreled with Tathagata at Buddhist assemblies and even fell asleep during one, for which he was demoted to the mortal realm."

He sighed and added, "After that, Honorable Xianglong pleaded on Jin Chanzi’s behalf. As a result, though he was on the verge of being enshrined as an Honorable Buddha and taking charge of the Fighting Buddha Zen Institute, he was instead sent back to the Arhat Hall to continue as an Arhat."

Sha Chen chuckled. "Buddhism often speaks of the equality of all living beings. However, if there is no equality within Buddhism itself, how can they convince the world of their ideals?"

Siti said, "The people of Buddhism are truly vile. After all, it’s *his* sect, hmph..."

She was quite displeased. Sha Chen, of course, knew she was referring to Saint Zhunti.

Siti continued, "There are no good people in Buddhism. That mad monk outside is definitely not a good person either. Wouldn’t it be better to kill him and use him as fertilizer?"

Sha Chen glanced at her. "Don’t be so extreme," he said. "There are no absolute good or bad people in this world, nor are there absolute good or bad factions—only factions that are exploited by others."

Siti asked, "What do you mean?"

Sha Chen said, "There are good people in Buddhism too; I believe the majority are good. However, most of them don’t hold power. And while many are not productive in a material sense, they offer faith to people."

He believed there were indeed many good people within Buddhism. The real villains were those within Buddhism who misused their authority for personal gain—those who not only failed to contribute but also fought for power and status.

Sha Chen wasn’t particularly averse to this, as it didn’t concern him much.

However, the actions of Buddhism’s high-ranking members had infringed upon his interests, so he would fight for what was rightfully his.

Xianglong Arhat, or Ji Dian as he was now known, was no longer a high-ranking individual and was also at odds with the upper echelons of Buddhism.

In the mortal realm, he was also known for punishing evil and promoting good—a good person indeed.

Sha Chen said, "The mad monk outside is a good person. I’ve long wanted to meet him. Since he has come, I shall do just that." 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Siti was still dissatisfied. "What’s there to see in a mad monk?" she complained. "Wouldn’t it be better if I killed him?"

Sha Chen glanced at her. "Remember," he said, "I am the master of the Flowing Sand River. You are just a tree I planted."

Siti pursed her lips but didn’t dare to retort.

Tianpeng stepped forward to console her. "Fairy Siti," he said, "you are my darling."

SLAP!

Siti sent a slap flying, leaving Tianpeng completely stunned.

She snorted. "That’s disgusting! Don’t ever say that again."

Seeing Tianpeng dumbfounded, she added, "I mean, such words are too cheesy for me. I’m not used to it. Don’t say it again, okay? Did I hurt you? Oh, blow on it... Just blow on it yourself."

「Outside the Flowing Sand River.」

The mad monk Ji Dian was drinking. He called out a few times, but Sha Chen didn’t respond. Still, Ji Dian wasn’t discouraged.

Instead, he continued, "Master Sha Chen, this humble monk Ji Dian is passing through your esteemed domain and merely requests a cup of wine. Is there truly none to be offered?"

Suddenly, a whirlpool appeared in the river. The mad monk Ji Dian saw it, laughed heartily, and jumped straight in.

Soon, he arrived before the Flowing Sand River Cave.

Outside the Flowing Sand River Cave, earth converged to form a pavilion. The surrounding river water was held at bay, not encroaching upon it.

Ji Dian stood in the pavilion and sat down directly.

Shortly after, the gates of the cave opened. Out walked Sha Chen, a towering figure of eight feet, appearing as vast as heaven and earth, his muscles like those of an ancient behemoth.

He entered the pavilion, sat down, and looked down at the mad monk Ji Dian.

Ji Dian glanced at Sha Chen and laughed heartily. "So the renowned Master of the Flowing Sand River is indeed as majestic as described!" he said. "But you’ve kept me outside and haven’t invited this humble monk in. Is that proper?"

Sha Chen replied, "I would normally invite Great Master inside, but given your status, I must be cautious. Since we are just drinking, doing so outside is fine."

He snapped his fingers. The doors of the Flowing Sand River Cave opened, and Siti walked out carrying a tray with wine and food.

Her eyes filled with resentment, she glared at Sha Chen’s back and then at Ji Dian, as if she wanted to devour the mad monk.

Ji Dian was instantly taken aback by this. Where did such a beauty, willing to be ordered about by Sha Chen, come from?

He was truly baffled. After all, he had seen countless women and considered himself worldly-wise, with a heart he believed to be as firm as stone.

But now, upon seeing Siti, he felt an impulse to return to secular life.

However, he managed to restrain himself.

The mad monk said, "Who would have thought the River Master would be so fortunate in love, hiding such a beauty in the Flowing Sand River. No wonder the riches of Heaven and Earth hold no appeal for you."

Sha Chen then said, "Great Master, you misunderstand. This is merely a tree I planted that has taken humanoid form. You only see her today because you happen to be passing by; otherwise, you would not have had the chance."

A tree that has taken humanoid form?! The mad monk Ji Dian was stunned.

Then he looked closer and saw Siti’s true form—it was actually a Bodhi Tree!

He gasped in shock. "This... this is actually the Bodhi Tree!" he stammered. "No, no, impossible! The Patriarch is clearly in the World of Ultimate Bliss..."

Sha Chen chuckled. "This is not your Patriarch, Saint Zhunti, but Siti, the primordial mother tree."

With that, he raised his cup, and Siti obediently stepped forward to pour him wine.

Ji Dian, still somewhat stunned, also raised his cup. However, Siti looked at him as if he were an idiot, making him feel awkward.

Ji Dian then realized his oversight and quickly poured wine for himself.

His eyes flickered, and he hastily said, "Forgive my impudence. Greetings, Ancestral Matriarch."

Siti snorted. "Cut the nonsense. I am not your Ancestral Matriarch. I have a feud with Zhunti."

Although they both originated from the Yin and Yang Double Trees born in the primordial era, after Zhunti achieved sainthood, he pursued perfection and constantly sought to refine Siti.

Because of this, a deep hatred had formed between them.

Ji Dian naturally knew of the enmity between Zhunti and Siti. He awkwardly brought his palms together in a gesture of respect.

Yet, he dared not show the slightest disrespect.

Even though Siti harbored hatred towards Zhunti and Buddhism, her status was such that Ji Dian dared not be disrespectful.