Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 594 - 588: Backed Down [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Sha Chen looked at Matchmaker and his two companions with a calm expression.

He spoke slowly, "You wish to enter my cave dwelling? You intend to capture me and bring me to justice?"

Opening his arms with a smile, he said, "I'm right here. If you want to catch me, go ahead and try."

"Behind me is my Flowing Sand River Cave. If you dare, go inside. There, you'll find wealth and secrets beyond your imagination."

Dominant, arrogant, conceited, and self-assured, Sha Chen at this moment was like a defiant and lofty man. It was as if he were not facing some of the top High-rank Quasi-Saints in the world, but three weaklings instead.

The Jinghe Dragon King also stood up, moving to one side, his eyes filled with a mix of shock and disbelief.

Deep within his eyes, however, surged hatred and anger. He had not anticipated that three 'tails' would be trailing him.

He also broke out in a cold sweat, relieved that Sha Chen had discovered these three. Bringing them into the cave dwelling would have been disastrous, potentially causing endless trouble and freezing his relationship with Sha Chen to an absolute zero.

At this point, Matchmaker and the other two were utterly terrified and astounded.

They wanted to leave immediately, without any hesitation. Although they had been talking tough before, believing that the three of them together could surely take down Sha Chen, that was, after all, just bluster.

Moreover, they had never had any close contact with Sha Chen before and thus couldn't truly grasp his strength, having only ever heard tales.

But now, having witnessed Sha Chen's power and terror with their own eyes, merely sensing his faint aura was enough to crush their spines. He was indeed terrifying and powerful.

They were already cowed and frightened, lacking any desire to contend with Sha Chen.

Furthermore, they were in an unfamiliar space, obviously a casual creation by Sha Chen, yet for them, it was indestructible, trapping them inside.

This demonstrated that Sha Chen's mastery of space had reached Great Accomplishment.

With such terrifying spatial abilities, even if Sha Chen's cultivation wasn't as advanced as theirs, his use of this Great Spatial Divine Power alone could crush all three of them.

Moreover, they had long heard that Sha Chen's cultivation level had already reached the upper echelons of Quasi-Saints.

They had not believed it initially, but now, with just one look, they understood that the rumors were true; there was no great name without merit.

Sha Chen was powerful. His strength was at the very least that of a High-rank Quasi-Saint, and it was even quite possible that he had reached the Quasi-Sage Peak.

Otherwise, on what basis could he have killed the Honorable Maitreya Buddha, a High-rank Quasi-Saint, causing him to fall into the cycle of reincarnation?

At this very moment, they thoroughly understood the truth of the rumors: Sha Chen had not only stopped Tathagata Buddha but had also defeated Maitreya Buddha and Xianglong Arhat, and finally, kept Saint Zhunti at bay.

Beyond the contribution of the Flowing Sand River Cave, it was primarily Sha Chen's own formidable strength that enabled him to stand against them.

Matchmaker hastily said, "Fellow Daoist Sha Chen, we were merely passing by and had no intention of causing harm. If we have caused any disturbance, please forgive us."

Taoist Master Chen also hurriedly said, "Yes, indeed! We were truly just passing by and did not intend to disturb. If we have caused any offense, we offer our apologies here."

The two of them promptly cupped their hands in apology, their attitude utterly respectful, a stark contrast to their previous posturing and imperious demeanor.

The Barefoot Immortal was terrified as well. He had previously encountered Sha Chen and been severely wounded by him, left on the brink of death.

Now, as Sha Chen's gaze swept over him, he avoided eye contact, desperate to leave.

But he couldn't escape. Feeling as if thorns pricked his back, he said, "Master Sha Chen, it has been a long time. I am the Barefoot Immortal from the Heavenly Court. There were some misunderstandings and conflicts between us in the past, for which I ask your pardon."

"We truly were just passing by and didn't intend to cause any disturbance. Moreover, we all carry responsibilities from the Heavenly Court. We plan to return to the Heavenly Court to report, so we ask that you, Master, allow us to leave."

All three were begging pitifully, devoid of the manly spirit they once possessed, with no trace of their earlier confidence and authority.

Sha Chen, however, merely sneered. "Did you think I didn't hear your earlier conversation? I understand perfectly well the thoughts of His Majesty the Jade Emperor, those of the Heavenly Court, and your own desires."

Seeing their pleas go unheeded, Matchmaker and the others became wary. They drew out their Magical Tools and unleashed their Cultivation Techniques, their combined aura surging like a mighty ocean.

But their previous groveling had already diminished their imposing manner. Now, despite their powerful joint display, in Sha Chen's eyes, they were no more than clay chickens and pottery dogs, utterly pretentious.

Even the Jinghe Dragon King could tell that the three were merely putting up a brave front, an arrow at the end of its flight—strong on the outside but depleted within.

Matchmaker shouted, "Sha Chen! Since you know we are from the Heavenly Court and were sent by His Majesty the Jade Emperor to supervise the Jinghe Dragon King, you should let us go!"

"Do you truly wish to become an enemy of the entire Heavenly Court? If you do, the Flowing Sand River region will never know peace! The grand armies of the Heavenly Court will descend at any moment, swarming with countless experts. What will you do then?"

Taoist Master Chen also nodded. "I am a confidant of His Majesty the Jade Emperor, and I can tell you clearly that His Majesty holds you in high regard and wishes to protect you."

"It was due to certain reasons that you were demoted to the mortal realm. Now, however, he has realized his mistake and wants to recruit you back to Heaven to continue your role as the Grand Marshal of the Divine Generals."

When their pleas failed, they resorted to intimidation, invoking the Jade Emperor and the entire Heavenly Court as their backing to negotiate with Sha Chen.

Only the Barefoot Immortal remained silent, his face solemn as he closely observed Sha Chen's expression.

Sha Chen laughed heartily. "The Jade Emperor appreciates and protects me? If he appreciated me, he wouldn't have demoted me to the mortal realm to suffer the agony of ten thousand arrows piercing my heart for five hundred years."

"If he protected me, he wouldn't have sent people every few decades to disturb me, even to try to kill me, pushing me towards becoming a demon or a monster."

"I am well aware of his intentions. Buddhism needed manpower for the Journey to the West, and I was simply a pawn he readily handed over to them. But he never expected me to grow to my current stature. Hence his regret and his desire to have me under his command once more."

Taoist Master Chen's and Matchmaker's faces grew grimmer. Sha Chen apparently knew everything.

He just hadn't spoken of it, silently enduring, silently growing stronger.

Finally, when his strength peaked, he revealed his fangs. And when those fangs were bared, no one under the heavens could match him.

Sha Chen said, "If the Jade Emperor truly possesses sincerity and good faith, let him personally come to the Flowing Sand River, kneel, and apologize to me. Furthermore, let him hand over the position of Ruler of the Three Realms. Then, perhaps, I might consider forgiving him."

Matchmaker's and Taoist Master Chen's faces grew even uglier. Sha Chen's words clearly signaled a complete breakdown in negotiations.

But they did not wish to face death. Since Sha Chen had trapped them in this space and made such earth-shattering remarks, he must surely be prepared to silence them permanently.

In desperation, Matchmaker pleaded, "Old Dragon King, speak on our behalf, please! We were escorting you here to the Flowing Sand River, harboring no ill intentions."