Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 613 - 607: Comparable to a Saint [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1

Lord Yuan Shi's expression was somewhat solemn. He had not at all anticipated that Sha Chen's physical body could be so preposterously strong.

It seemed to have transcended the Quasi-Saint Realm, yet it had not reached the Saint Realm. It existed between the two but was also different from a Sub-Sage.

Within the hierarchy of cultivation realms, a Sub-Sage seemed to stand between the Quasi-Saint and the Saint. In reality, however, a Sub-Sage was quite akin to a Saint.

A Sub-Sage also received the recognition of the Heavenly Dao. Their strength had long surpassed the Quasi-Saint Realm, reaching an unimaginable level and enabling them to harness the power of the Heavenly Dao.

However, due to the limited number of Saint Positions, one who transcended the Quasi-Saint still would not be considered a Saint.

It was like the kingdoms of the mortal world: a nation could have only one emperor but several Princes. Although a Prince was lower in status compared to an emperor, in their own domain, there was no difference between a Prince and an emperor.

Strictly speaking, the relationship between a Sub-Sage and a Saint was like that between a Prince wielding king-like authority and an emperor.

The strength of a Sub-Sage was formidable, enough to transcend a Quasi-Saint. Even though they were limited by the number of Saint Positions and could not become Saints, their power was hardly inferior to that of Saints.

As soon as a Saint fell and a position became available, a Sub-Sage could naturally ascend.

Sha Chen's state was different from both a Sub-Sage and a Saint, but he had also surpassed the Quasi-Saint Realm.

Lord Yuan Shi said, "With your current cultivation strength, even those Sub-Sages are no match for you. Only a Saint can thoroughly surpass you."

Sha Chen cracked a smile. From the brief clash, he knew that even if faced with a Saint, their victory over him was not certain.

Lord Yuan Shi was extremely powerful. He had already stepped into the Saint Realm many years ago. With countless years of accumulation, he was no longer an ordinary Saint.

Even so, with just one hand, he was unable to defeat Sha Chen, which attested to the terrifying extent of Sha Chen's strength.

Perhaps Lord Yuan Shi, if he exerted his full strength, could suppress Sha Chen. However, that did not mean Sha Chen lacked the power to contend with a Saint, for Lord Yuan Shi was no longer a common Saint.

Previously, Saint Zhunti had not thoroughly absorbed and refined Ancestor Subhuti, so he amounted to nothing more than an ordinary Saint.

In his former skirmish with Sha Chen, Saint Zhunti was repelled right at the gates of the Flowing Sand River Cave.

Sha Chen was confident that with his current strength, if he were to exchange blows with the former Saint Zhunti again, he might not even need the defense of the Flowing Sand River Cave's gates to fend off Saint Zhunti.

It was not that he was arrogant or presumptuous; the confrontation with Lord Yuan Shi had made him realize how formidable his strength had become.

Lord Yuan Shi's expression grew solemn too. Sha Chen's strength indeed possessed the capacity to contend with a Saint.

This was also why he thought that Sha Chen's physical body was unlike that of a Sub-Sage, which existed between the two realms.

For Sha Chen's physical body had already surpassed that of a Quasi-Saint, rivaling a Saint.

It had just not fully reached the level of a Saint. However, for an ordinary Saint to defeat him in battle had now become impossible.

Lord Yuan Shi said, "If this were 100,000 years ago, when this sovereign first stepped into the Saint Realm and faced you in combat, the chances of victory would likely be fifty-fifty."

"But after 100,000 years, this sovereign has accumulated countless merits and recognition from the Heavenly Dao. With the condensation of merits and the enhancement of strength, this sovereign has long transcended the past, reaching a realm you cannot even imagine."

Sha Chen said, "I know your strength cannot be compared to what it was 100,000 years ago. But for you to thoroughly defeat the version of yourself from 100,000 years past would not be so easy either."

Through the exchange with Lord Yuan Shi, Sha Chen became increasingly confident, growing bolder with each battle.

Although he was no match for Lord Yuan Shi and had not the slightest chance of victory, he was confident he would not die at Lord Yuan Shi's hands.

Moreover, two allies stood by his side. If Siti and Yao Yue were to take action, his side would be even less likely to be defeated.

They might still not win, but the defeat wouldn't be so unsightly, and they certainly wouldn't die.

Therefore, this was an excellent and rare opportunity to spar with a Saint, understand his own shortcomings, and advance further.

Lord Yuan Shi furrowed his brows. Sha Chen's strength indeed exceeded his expectations. The fusion of Sha Chen's physical body, Mana, and Primordial Spirit was almost on par with his own state when he first entered the Saint Realm.

Now, wielding the Divine Sword in one hand and facing Sha Chen's all-out assault, Lord Yuan Shi gradually found himself at a disadvantage.

This caused Lord Yuan Shi's face to turn sour, and deep inside, his heart grew darker.

Although he did not take Sha Chen's trio seriously, with Sha Chen leading the offensive while Siti and Yao Yue lay in wait to seize opportunities, they indeed caused him substantial trouble.

Just as he exposed a slight flaw, Siti and Yao Yue instantly seized the opportunity. They pounced forward, nearly causing him to stumble.

Lord Yuan Shi flew into a rage. Since becoming a Saint, it had been countless years since he had last found himself so beleaguered.

Today, he had almost sustained an injury at the hands of these three. If he truly got injured, and word spread, it would deal a great blow to his authority.

Unable to suppress his fury, Lord Yuan Shi no longer focused on attacking any flaw in the Flowing Sand River Cave's defenses. Instead, he held the Divine Sword in one hand and the Heavenly Measure in the other, launching a full-powered counterattack.

"Since you seek death, do not blame this sovereign for showing no mercy! Let me show you just how ruthless this sovereign's Divine Power truly is!"

Lord Yuan Shi, intending to unleash his full might, immediately put immense pressure on Sha Chen and the others, almost causing Siti's resolve to crumble.

What she feared most were Saints, especially a Lord Yuan Shi unleashing his full power.

That overwhelming power and imposing aura, something even Saint Zhunti did not possess, naturally placed a tremendous psychological burden on her.

However, even with Lord Yuan Shi going all out, he failed to achieve an overwhelming victory against the trio.

Sha Chen also unleashed his full power. Despite the immense pressure, he still managed to withstand Lord Yuan Shi's terrifying counterattack.

This boosted Siti and Yao Yue's confidence immensely, making them realize that a Saint was not as fearsome as they had thought. It gave them the feeling that if they exerted all their might, they could withstand a Saint, perhaps even defeat one in battle.

Although a decisive victory seemed unlikely, it nevertheless instilled tremendous confidence in them, strengthening their resolve to resist a Saint.

Seeing that Lord Yuan Shi could not crush them, Siti and Yao Yue instantly gained confidence. Their conviction began to solidify. Despite the overwhelming pressure, they started to gradually counterattack.

As for Sha Chen, it went without saying; through the brief clash, he already knew the gap between himself and Lord Yuan Shi was not as great as he had imagined.

While a gap still existed, it was not insurmountable, nor was it life-threatening.

Since it was not a matter of life and death, what was there to fear?!

He fought back with all his might.