Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 563 - 557: Questioning Identity [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Chapter 563: Chapter 557: Questioning Identity [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Siti was still somewhat unconvinced. She said, "Even if you become very powerful in the future, you’re still not my equal now, so show some respect."

Yang Jian grabbed his three-pointed, double-edged lance and said, "Whether I can beat you or not is something we’ll only know after we try."

He was not in the least bit afraid. Moreover, his strength had already reached such a level that he was only a minor realm away from Siti. If they really were to fight it out to determine the victor, it wouldn’t be easy. His talent was exceptional, his abilities outstanding. With the three-pointed, double-edged lance and the Treasured Lotus Lantern to aid him, should he face off against Siti, it really was not certain that he would be defeated.

Seeing the two on the verge of a confrontation, Sha Chen said, "Enough, let’s all stop arguing over such a trivial matter. Let’s continue eating and drinking."

Only then did they calm down.

The three phoenix sisters returned to their cave dwelling and once again became lively, eating, drinking, playing, and making merry with great cheer. Even the arguments among the others did not affect them.

Sha Chen asked them to repeat the events from outside once more, and this time, as everyone recounted what had happened, the stories differed from what was said before. After all, they would not disclose the truth in the presence of outsiders. Now that they were alone, they naturally spoke in great detail, explaining everything clearly and thoroughly.

After a long time, once everyone had spoken their piece and Sha Chen had learned a great deal, their accounts also served to confirm the suspicions in his mind.

He sighed and said, "It seems that the calamity of the Journey to the West truly cannot be prevented, and I didn’t expect that, apart from the calamity of the Journey to the West, other disasters are also brewing."

The crowd was puzzled.

Sha Chen sighed again and said, "I’m afraid that this time, because of the changes to destiny, the calamity of the Journey to the West will also be different. The only thing that is likely to remain the same is the fate of the Jinghe Dragon King."

Chang E said, "Brother, I have met with the Jinghe Dragon King and discussed some matters with him. His descent to the mortal world is truly out of necessity. We could help him."

Sha Chen replied, "There’s no helping him. Once he has descended to the mortal world, his fate cannot be changed. And if I’m not mistaken, it’s possible that he has already committed a crime by now and will be executed when the time is ripe."

Chang E was shocked, and the Three Holy Mother was equally astounded, because she knew that the Jinghe Dragon King was considered to be aligned with Sha Chen.

Yang Jian then said, "If the Heavenly Court wants to convict someone, it’s quite easy. Ha, once the Jinghe Dragon King descends to the mortal world, he loses his voice in the Heavenly Court, and his life and death are at the whim of the Jade Emperor."

Sha Chen replied, "You’re right, but the Jade Emperor will also wait for the right moment. Now is not the time for the Jinghe Dragon King to die. He is guilty. If he wants to save his life, his only options are to escape from prison or be rescued."

"But by doing so, he’d be branded a fugitive, and it would bring trouble to his children; the water systems of the entire continent would then fall into the hands of the Jade Emperor."

The crowd fell silent. They all knew that Sha Chen had guided the Jinghe Dragon King, won over Ao Lie and the Dragon Girl, and surely coveted control over the entire Dragon Clan. However, now, if something were to happen to the Jinghe Dragon King, Sha Chen would likely lose his grip on the Dragon Clan.

But Sha Chen said, "If the Jinghe Dragon King dies, then so be it. I could save him, but there’s little need for that. It’s better to let him be reincarnated."

He left some words unsaid, but Yang Jian looked at him and voiced them, saying, "That could also work. Then the Dragon Clan will undoubtedly bear deep hatred towards the Heavenly Court, strengthening their unity, and it will be relatively easier to subdue them."

Sha Chen gave a slight smile, nodded, and then shook his head. But he did not deny it.

The crowd did not press further, but they asked, "So when is the Jinghe Dragon King supposed to die?"

Sha Chen answered, "I’m not sure of the specific time because the variables in the Journey to the West have already greatly increased. Many things have exceeded expectations."

He then added, "But I can be certain that when the Jinghe Dragon King falls, that will be the moment the calamity of the Journey to the West begins."

Chang E was stunned for a moment and said in astonishment, "I didn’t expect that old Dragon King to possess such influence, to be able to trigger the calamity of the Journey to the West."

Sha Chen chuckled and said, "He’s just a damned soul. If this ’influence’ were yours, would you want it?"

Chang E immediately shook her head, as she had no desire to die.

The Three Holy Mother said, "If the calamity of the Journey to the West were to begin, how much would it affect us? Big Brother, I always feel that you care a lot about the calamity of the Journey to the West. You’re here, and even a Saint can’t enter. What are you afraid of?"

Sha Chen said, "I have only blocked one Saint, and Zhunti is not the strongest among the Saints. Moreover, he wasn’t in his strongest state, so I can’t be certain that I will be completely safe."

"Actually, I don’t care that much about the calamity of the Journey to the West itself; it’s just that, as far as I know, it’s the tribulation that will have the greatest impact on me."

Everyone was baffled and somewhat at a loss.

Chang E then said, "Brother, you are powerful, your mana is boundless, and you have extensive Divine Powers. Even if the calamity of the Journey to the West is widespread, if you avoid the world and don’t come out, it shouldn’t have much impact on you."

Everyone nodded in agreement, believing that if Sha Chen hid here, he could avoid even a Saint, not needing to show them any deference. If that’s the case, why would he care about a mere calamity of the Journey to the West?

They knew that the calamity of the Journey to the West was a trial for Buddhism; if overcome, it would bring great benefits to Buddhism. Various major forces would participate to get a share of the spoils, but Buddhism stood to gain the most. Sha Chen was avoiding the world here, not needing to show deference to the Buddhist Saints, so why the worry?

Sha Chen secretly shook his head, as he would not reveal the truth. He was the designated candidate for the calamity of the Journey to the West, but after receiving the system, he defied fate and had been struggling against the calamity ever since. Many hoped he would return to the path of the calamity of the Journey to the West, but he did not want to go back.

For many, the calamity of the Journey to the West had not yet started, but for Sha Chen, it had already begun. Five hundred years ago, he had already been bearing the so-called calamity of the Journey to the West. He simply hadn’t made his move yet. However, the calamity of the Journey to the West still wanted him to return to the intended path; this was the tribulation Sha Chen was undergoing.

He could ignore it and not care about it.

But the calamity of the Journey to the West still had a huge impact on Sha Chen because he had already made mortal enemies of both the Celestial and Buddhist factions. They would not give up and would try every means to make Sha Chen embark on the Journey to the West. If Sha Chen did not want to partake in the Journey to the West, his only recourse was to find ways to strengthen his defenses and enhance his own power.

Everyone was puzzled; even the clever Yang Jian looked completely confused.

Sha Chen sighed and decided not to continue the topic, as he could not possibly reveal the truth.

"Sister Chang E, are you sure your identity in the Heavenly Court has been exposed?" Sha Chen suddenly asked.

Chang E said, "Positive!" Her face grew somewhat solemn as she continued, "The Jade Emperor knows my identity now, and he has even turned my good sister Su E against me. Now, although I am still in charge of the Guanghan Palace, it is practically filled with the Jade Emperor’s informants. This descent to the mortal realm was also a ruse. I used the pretext of visiting my relative, the Queen of the West on Kunlun Mountain, which gave me the chance to come down. Otherwise, I would have been under constant surveillance."

Sha Chen nodded slightly and said, "Although you’ve been exposed, from what you’ve said, it seems the Jade Emperor hasn’t openly dropped all pretenses with you yet."

Chang E said, "He thinks I don’t know I’ve been exposed, so naturally, he won’t drop the pretense with me."

Sha Chen laughed and said, "In that case, you are still quite safe. When the time comes, just go back and continue doing what you need to do."

"Moreover, now that the Jade Emperor knows your identity, you can also gather information more openly."