Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 650 - 644: The Pilgrim Who Doesn’t Want to Work [Seeking Subscriptions]_1

Flowing Sand River!?

The normally indifferent Sun Wukong's hair bristled at the mention of these words. Golden light burst forth from his eyes as he stared intently at Tang Xuanzang.

"Are you talking about the Flowing Sand River?"

Tang Xuanzang smiled, "What else do you think I was talking about, Great Saint?"

A hint of suspicion flashed in Sun Wukong's gaze as he tested the waters, "Your past and present lives are as a disciple of Buddhism, and you are none other than the second disciple of the Tathagata Buddha, the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi. Thus, your master should be the Tathagata Buddha."

Tang Xuanzang laughed, "You are not wrong. But from the moment he banished me to the mortal realm, erased my memories of my past and present lives, attempting to turn me into his marionette, he ceased to be my master."

"A person who does not allow his disciples to have different thoughts does not deserve to be a teacher. I merely had some differences with his Buddhist Law, and for that, he banished me to the mortal realm, attempting to turn me into his shadow."

Tang Xuanzang uttered these words nonchalantly, but they made Sun Wukong's scalp tingle. At the same time, his confidence in the man before him grew a little.

What Sun Wukong actually feared was that Tang Sanzang was here to deceive him, a spy sent by Buddhism to test his words and see if he had any dealings with Sha Chen. But the words Tang Sanzang had spoken were sufficient to be deemed treasonous. Even if Buddhism wanted to test him, they wouldn't utter such rebellious words. If they did, they wouldn't be true adherents of Buddhism.

However, Sun Wukong had been tricked countless times and had learned to be shrewd. He probed again, "You say you are the disciple of that man from Flowing Sand River, but do you have any proof?"

Tang Sanzang smiled, "Both you and I have benefited from the grace of my master. His blessings have brought me limitless benefits, and it was he who allowed me to find myself and discover my own worth."

"As for you, if it weren't for my master, you probably would have submitted to Lingjiu Mountain long ago. The fact that you could cultivate so peacefully to your current level of strength, even a thousand times stronger than before, is entirely a gift from my master."

Sun Wukong was silent for a moment. Although he didn't want to admit it, he had to acknowledge that his current achievements were indeed thanks to Sha Chen. If it weren't for Sha Chen's incarnation, Li Bai, bringing him cultivation methods, and Sha Chen constantly providing him with various cultivation resources, including meat and wine, he suspected he would've gone mad. Being truly trapped for hundreds of years, he didn't know whether he would eventually have submitted, but a trace of fear deep inside told him that he indeed would have given in if things had continued in that way!

Sun Wukong said, "Even if you say all this, how can you prove that you are his disciple?"

Tang Sanzang replied, "My master is the reason I walk this path of cultivation. Since you can perceive the Dao Techniques and mana within me, you naturally understand that I am, at the very least, not exclusively tied to Buddhism."

"Moreover, just like you, I have practiced the Eight-Nine Profound Art, and I am thoroughly familiar with both the 72 Polymorphic Transformations and the 36 Transformations. He also taught me the Heavenly Splitting Palm, the Samadhi True Fire, the Imperial Gods' Thunder, and various other Divine Powers and Dao Techniques."

Sun Wukong replied, "If that's the case, show them all to me, let Old Sun witness them."

Tang Sanzang shook his head, "All the Celestial Gods are above Five Finger Mountain, watching from the high skies. If I display my Dao Techniques, they will certainly perceive it. Then, not only will you not be able to protect me, but I may also be cast back into Reincarnation."

"My master told me to strive for Great Perfection in this life. At this moment, I am in a pinnacle state. My cultivation may only be at the Pinnacle Daluo, but my Primordial Spirit power has reached the Intermediate Stage of Quasi-Saint."

He stepped forward, extended a finger, and wrote the Taoist Nine-character True Words on the ground.

All warriors arrayed before me, built to fight.

Each character contained infinite Dao, yet none were visibly active.

Upon seeing the Nine-character True Words, Sun Wukong was immediately certain that this monk was indeed a master of profound Dao Techniques. And the Nine-character True Words, being a secret of Taoist teachings, definitely was not something that a person from Buddhism could master. Even if someone from Buddhism acquired this divine technique's general outline, without the support of the Three Pure Ones Taoism, it could not be manifested. The fact that Tang Sanzang could write out "All warriors arrayed before me, built to fight" completely, and with the Dao lying dormant, showed his profound understanding and high level of Three Pure Ones Taoism. Tathagata Buddha would never allow those on the Journey to the West to practice Dao Techniques, let alone comprehend them to such an advanced level.

Sun Wukong now fully trusted Tang Sanzang before him. This was indeed a disciple of Sha Chen.

Then, Tang Sanzang smiled again. "Let me talk to you about Dao."

He started reciting the Three Pure Ones Taoist doctrines, proving beyond doubt that he was indeed a person of Taoism.

As long as it was proved he was a person of Taoism and not from Buddhism, that was enough.

Sun Wukong asked, "Since you are a disciple of Sha Chen, why not stay with him at Flowing Sand River instead of continuing on the Journey to the West?"

"With your master's capabilities, allowing you to stay at Flowing Sand River and providing you food to ensure a life of peace is no trouble at all."

Tang Sanzang nodded, "Your point makes sense. But my master said that with my restless heart, it's impossible for me to stay at Flowing Sand River for a lifetime."

"Besides, he doesn't restrict my cultivation of Buddhist Law; he even encourages me to fully comprehend and integrate the Mahayana Buddhist teachings."

Sun Wukong was somewhat bewildered, "What is he trying to do?"

Tang Sanzang said, "One cannot speculate on my master's thoughts. His actions naturally have their reasons."

"Since he's allowing you to study Buddhist Law, why not just proceed to the Journey to the West? Why hesitate and drag your feet?" Sun Wukong was perplexed.

Tang Sanzang laughed, "If I went directly to Lingjiu Mountain, given my current cultivation and realm, I absolutely could not hide it from the Tathagata Buddha."

"If I did that, wouldn't I be walking right into a trap? Better to delay and strive to advance my Spiritual Realm further."

Sun Wukong nodded. He had not anticipated that Tang Sanzang had such far-reaching plans.

He then asked, "So you wish to cultivate under Five Finger Mountain?"

Tang Sanzang replied, "If the Great Sage could accommodate me, I would like to cultivate my Primordial Spirit just about thirty feet away."

Sun Wukong said, "Since you are a disciple of Sha Chen, it's no problem for you to cultivate here, nor to take care of your daily needs."

"But Old Sun has one condition. You must bring me some meat and wine, and preferably some bananas and other fruits. I have not had these things for over a hundred years!"

Sun Wukong practically shouted this last request.

Tang Sanzang laughed heartily and took out his Purple Gold Bowl, handing it to Sun Wukong. To Wukong's surprise, it contained a large amount of meat, wine, fruits, and vegetables.

Sun Wukong's eyes lit up. He casually tossed a roast chicken to Tang Sanzang and poured a jug of wine for him as well.

Tang Sanzang was not one to refuse, immediately indulging in food and drink.

Watching this scene, Sun Wukong was completely reassured. The monk before him was indeed a gluttonous monk who let wine and meat pass through his system.

After feasting, Sun Wukong casually inquired, "How long do you plan to cultivate before you release Old Sun?"