Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 541 - 535: Do You Have Ancestor Subhuti as Your Avatar? [Subscription and Monthly Tickets Required]_1

Saint Zhunti was shocked. Even with his saintly composure, he could not contain himself. He had thought Sha Chen’s cultivation level was at most similar to that of Honorable Buddha Maitreya, merely a High-rank Quasi Saint. Because the realm of Quasi-Sage Peak and a High-rank Quasi Saint are two completely different levels, with a significant gap between them. Sha Chen must have relied on various means to kill Maitreya Buddha. A few hundred years ago, Sha Chen was merely a True Immortal, and to have reached the High-rank Quasi Saint level now was already incredibly rare. Even as a Saint, he could not help but inwardly praise him. But that was it. While becoming a High-rank Quasi Saint is quite impressive, since ancient times, Saints have only paid attention to Sub-Sages and Peak Quasi-Saints, disregarding the others. The only ones that can truly pose a threat to a Saint are Quasi-Sage Peaks and Sub-Sages; all others are insignificant. Throughout history, those powerful beings who have left a mark in the annals of time, which one wasn’t a Peak Quasi-Saint? Those who dominated the primordial era were essentially Peak Quasi-Saints; the rest were not worth mentioning. Reaching the Quasi-Sage Peak level signifies reaching the pinnacle of cultivation; the next realm is beyond what cultivation alone can achieve. Thus, cultivating to the Quasi-Sage Peak level means that such an individual belongs to an absolute monstrous category within the Three Realms and Six Paths. They demonstrate the utmost pinnacle characteristics in talent, potential, destiny, comprehension, ability, and roots. Even Saints dare not claim that without the Heavenly Dao, they could cultivate to the Quasi-Sage Peak level. For example, Great God Nuwa, who does not have a penchant for cultivation, does not dare assert that she could cultivate to the Quasi-Sage Peak level without the Heavenly Dao. From this, one can see how terrifying the realm of Quasi-Sage Peak is. And the degree of importance it holds is absolutely not to be underestimated, not even by Saints. This is why Saint Zhunti was so astonished upon seeing that Sha Chen’s displayed cultivation level was at the Quasi-Sage Peak level.

His face turned somewhat dark and sullen as he said, "Sha Chen, how is it possible that you have cultivated to the Quasi-Sage Peak level in such a short period of time?"

"Impossible! The Quasi-Sage Peak realm is the strongest realm within the Three Realms and Six Paths. You cannot cultivate to it that easily. Without the tempering of time and integration with space, it is absolutely impossible for you."

He shouted sternly, "The Three Realms, the Six Paths, and all Nine Netherworlds and Ten Species must all grant their recognition! Only by fully integrating with the Three Realms and Six Paths should you be able to break through to Quasi-Sage Peak! How could you possibly have achieved a breakthrough by just hiding here!?"

He was jealous. Someone secluding themselves somewhere for centuries and then reaching a level unreachable by others in their lifetimes—anyone would be jealous in such a case. Even as a Saint, he was jealous of Sha Chen at this moment. Had he possessed Sha Chen’s level of cultivation before receiving the Heavenly Dao, then he would have been the absolute strongest among the Six Saints by now. Under all the heavens, I alone would be supreme.

Sha Chen just chuckled and said, "What’s so strange about my level of cultivation? Or are you afraid!?"

Sha Chen’s demeanor completely changed. Although he was still very cautious and careful, not venturing out, it did not mean he was a pushover, nor did it mean he would play subservient to anyone who showed up. Previously, he could not fight against a Saint because the Saint was a threat to him. Furthermore, he did not know if the Saint could break into the Flowing Sand River Cave, or if its defenses could withstand a Saint. But now, it was different. Other Saints might not be aware, but Saint Zhunti could not break through the Flowing Sand River Cave. Even if he possessed the capability, Sha Chen could hold him off. Given the circumstances, why should he even bother considering Saint Zhunti’s feelings!? After all, the gloves were off between them. Sha Chen had initially wanted to maintain some semblance of dignity for both parties, but Zhunti showed no courtesy, forcefully attacking the Flowing Sand River Cave. Therefore, he wouldn’t extend any courtesy either.

Fury was written all over Saint Zhunti’s face, his anger boundless as he continued to assault the Flowing Sand River Cave, his heart filled with annoyance. It wasn’t that he was frustrated with not being able to break through the cave. It was purely because he felt threatened by Sha Chen’s rapid advancement, as well as his cultivation and Magical Tools. At this point, Sha Chen had reached the Quasi-Sage Peak level. If he continued to cultivate and harmonize with the Chaos Bell, his power would be enough to threaten a Saint.

For this reason, Zhunti’s expression was anything but pleasant.

"Do you really think you can defend it? I have not yet exerted my full strength. You haven’t even seen the true power of a Saint’s Heavenly Dao," Zhunti declared.

This time, Sha Chen didn’t respond. He could tell that Saint Zhunti wasn’t giving it his all, yet it wasn’t as effortless as Zhunti claimed. However, he honestly didn’t know what a Saint’s Heavenly Dao power was like. If Zhunti’s Heavenly Dao was indeed formidable, then he would have to be extra cautious.

Sha Chen had already refined the Chaos Bell this time, deploying it to protect the entire cave and bolster its defenses. He also used the power of the Chaos Bell to counterattack, neutralizing Zhunti’s offensive. Even through the cave’s barrier, he could counter with the Chaos Bell. Not only that, but he could also manipulate the power of space. He squeezed Zhunti from the outside with spatial forces, causing him trouble.

It must be said that Sha Chen’s tactics were indeed clever. Facing a Saint, he was not entirely defenseless. Even if he needed to rely on the Flowing Sand River Cave’s defenses to stand his ground, he could still fight back under these conditions. And indeed, his offensive did cause some trouble for Saint Zhunti, making his attacks less sharp and less coherent. But that was all.

He was still unable to stop Zhunti’s offense, and the Flowing Sand River Cave continued to suffer considerable damage.

Luckily, Sha Chen had refined the Chaos Bell. Its protection meant the interior of the Flowing Sand River Cave was no longer damaged, and the Immortal Elixirs were unaffected. Sha Chen managed to defend the cave well. He figured that as long as the cave wasn’t destroyed and Zhunti couldn’t get inside, that would be good enough.

Unable to breach the cave after a long time, Zhunti was seething with anger.

He scoffed, "Sha Chen, do you think that hiding inside will keep you safe from me? Or do you believe you’ve seen the full extent of my power?"

"You must have realized that I am just a tiny bit short of breaking your cave. If my power were just a little stronger, I would definitely break through."

Sha Chen hmphed, "In the cultivation of Saints, a miss is as good as a mile. It’s not so easy for you to bridge that tiny gap."

Zhunti, however, smiled mysteriously and said, "That’s not necessarily so."

Sha Chen suddenly had a revelation and was taken aback, asking incredulously, "Could it be that you’re saying... you have another aspect, Ancestor Subhuti, whom you plan to refine and integrate to enhance yourself!?"

HISS!

Zhunti was shocked and bewildered, his face incredulous. "You, you, how could you know of his existence!?"

He was genuinely stunned and dumbfounded. The existence of Ancestor Subhuti was top secret; not many within Buddhism were aware of it. Even among the Taoist ranks, apart from Saints, none were privy to this knowledge. Ancestor Subhuti was indeed his other aspect, the one he intended to use to discipline Sun Wukong and to participate in the Journey to the West. For such a closely guarded secret, how on earth did Sha Chen, holed up in the Flowing Sand River, come to know of it!?