CHAPTER 103: CHAPTER 103 LONELY SPIRIT AND WILD GHOST【VOTE REQUEST】_1

Jin Chanzi was ultimately moved by the words of the monks. He decided to set out on the Journey to the West. In his past reincarnations, he had always taken grand vows for the sake of all living beings under heaven. This time, he had a great awakening: first for Hanshan, and only then for all living beings under heaven. He now had his own desires.

The monks were all very worried. The merit of Jin Chanzi’s reincarnated body was accumulated over time, and the resentment from this life might carry over to the next.

"You all are truly ignorant."

The young head monk who had persuaded Jin Chanzi was admonishing the monks in the temple, who prostrated on the ground with utmost devotion. The head monk said expressionlessly, "Such a major event has occurred, and yet you all still kept it hidden from Lingjiu Mountain?"

The abbot hurriedly said, "Bodhisattva Hongfa, please forgive us. We dare not do it again."

This person was none other than Bodhisattva Hongfa from the lotus dais of Lingjiu Mountain in the West, commonly known as Li Jinzha, a named disciple of Tathagata Buddha.

Jinzha said, "Has that person’s identity been clarified?"

The abbot replied, "Hanshan’s identity and background are all very normal, and there is no problem with his background."

Jinzha said, "Your limited abilities prevent you from seeing it, but this seat knows that his Primordial Spirit is at least that of a Peak True Immortal."

The monks were shocked. How could a mere Hanshan, so young, possess such a powerful Primordial Spirit?

Jinzha continued, "However, I’ve also calculated his background and origins, which indeed seem fine. The problem may lie with his Primordial Spirit or soul." Finishing his words, he smiled faintly and said, "But it doesn’t matter. I will personally go down to the Netherworld and capture him."

A spirit snake emerged from his sleeve, hissing as it burrowed into the ground. Jinzha, too, disappeared from the spot.

「Flowing Sand River.」

Sha Chen furrowed his brow. Something had happened to his split incarnation. Moreover, the contingencies left by his split incarnation in the temple had informed him of the identities of Jinzha and the others. But in the end, they were all discovered by Jinzha’s spirit snake.

This is troublesome. If Jinzha personally goes to the Netherworld to capture my split incarnation, it might expose everything. He pondered deeply: should he extinguish his split incarnation’s Primordial Spirit and thus cut off this path? But then, the task of leading Jin Chanzi astray is also critical and cannot afford to fail. It seems I must not transmigrate for now. I’ll let my split incarnation’s Primordial Spirit wander as a restless spirit until the right time to undergo reincarnation. In the next life, I can’t repeat the same trick. I must be born first, learn Dao Techniques, and take Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation away before anything else, to have him study the Dao.

Sha Chen had a plan. He instructed his split incarnation to wander the mortal realm as a restless spirit, cultivating its Primordial Spirit and putting off reincarnation for now. Fortunately, his split incarnation had mastered two Dao Techniques for cultivating the soul and Primordial Spirit, capable of absorbing the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth, thus strengthening its soul. There should be no major issues.

Unexpectedly, it’s Jinzha who is in charge of Jin Chanzi. It appears that Buddhism is getting more and more serious about this matter. I must create trouble for Buddhism to prevent them from focusing their complete attention on me next time.

Sha Chen racked his brain, figuring out how to create difficulties for Buddhism. That way, they would not focus all their attention solely on him. But for the moment, he had no better plan. He could only continue his cultivation, waiting for the right opportunity.

He resumed his arduous cultivation, entering seclusion. Sha Chen’s cultivation level continued to rise steadily, but to reach the peak Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm, it would still take some time. Fortunately, he was not currently lacking cultivation resources. The resources brought back by the spider demon were quite plentiful; plus, he had ambergris, osmanthus wine, and flat peach wine. All of these things could enhance his cultivation level or Primordial Spirit, or aid in cultivation.

Now, his cultivation was not merely about the arduous increase of his cultivation level, but also about enhancing his Primordial Spirit and strengthening his physical body. He was even honing the compatibility between himself and his Magical Tools, and cultivating his Divine Powers. After all, combat prowess wasn’t only about cultivation level, but also included the Primordial Spirit, the physical body, and Divine Powers and spells. He had mastered the Samadhi True Fire, the Qingyun Zong, the Downwind Ear, the Wings of Wind and Thunder, as well as the 72 Polymorphic Transformations, the Thirty-six Transformations, and many other Divine Powers and spells. Previously, he had only grasped them, not yet perfected them or even able to use them as easily as pointing a finger. He must practice diligently; he must become proficient until reaching Great Perfection. Take Red Boy, for instance; just by mastering a single Samadhi True Fire, he could give Sun Wukong a hard time. If Sha Chen perfected all his numerous skills, not to mention fighting above his level, he would be invincible even amongst his peers.

Sha Chen, cautious and fearing death, naturally thought of every possible way to enhance his strength. Only by improving in all aspects would his combat power become stronger. For this reason, he added the difficult practice of Divine Powers to his daily routine of arduous cultivation. Though he did not venture out, he could not neglect his Divine Powers, preparing for unexpected needs. As for his physical body, its cultivation had always been ongoing; strong bodily defenses were one of his greatest sources of security.

My physical body is still not strong enough. I must enhance its defenses. Only a body that cannot be killed will provide sufficient security.

Yet Sha Chen wanted to further enhance his physical body. This could only be done through the arduous cultivation of the True Dragon Body Forging Technique, though it would likely require a great deal of time and resources. Since ancient times, cultivating the physical body has been the hardest. He suddenly longed for more of Zulong’s Essence Blood. With more Essence Blood, his physical body would unquestionably become even more formidable.

Suddenly, Sha Chen felt a sense of unease in his mind and frowned. Why do I feel uneasy? Moreover, this feeling is growing stronger and stronger. This shouldn’t be possible, nor should it be happening.

「At this moment.」

「White Bone Cave.」

A sharp laughter echoed out, and a terrifying presence caused all demons, monsters, and living creatures within a thousand miles to tremble in fear.

"My cultivation has finally advanced further, stepping into the mid-stage Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm! Furthermore, the White Bone Bible has reached Great Accomplishment. Once my Ice Soul Divine Fire is released, I will be invincible within my realm!" came the shrill voice of the White Bone Demon, followed by hearty laughter. "Being at the mid-stage Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm means invincibility! Now I can take my revenge!"

Speaking of revenge, she gnashed her teeth with hatred. With a shake of her body, she transformed into a beautiful woman, her eyes briefly flashing with a ghoulish fire. "That minor god of the Flowing Sand River dared to hurt me back then! Now that my cultivation is accomplished and my strength has greatly increased, I am invincible in my realm. You’re doomed!"

Subsequently, she packed her things, left the White Bone Cave, and headed for the Flowing Sand River.

「In the sky.」

Li Jing, holding the Linglong Tower, questioned Nezha, "Why haven’t you found that woman after such a long time?"

Nezha replied, "That demoness disappeared in the region of the Flowing Sand River and hasn’t been seen since."

Li Jing said, "Then go and turn the Flowing Sand River upside down. She consumed a Buddha Offering; this will make her a karmic factor in the Journey to the West. We must capture her."

Nezha said with a wry smile, "I also wish to turn the Flowing Sand River upside down, but the Great General for Folding the Curtain is formidable, and I fear I am no match for him in the water."

Li Jing responded, "Then lure him out of the water, or drain the water away. He is a candidate for the Journey to the West. Creating some problems for him will earn gratitude from His Majesty and Buddhism."

Nezha nodded. "I take my leave. I will think of a solution."

Li Jing nodded. "If it doesn’t work, you can ask for help from your fellow disciples or even your master."

Nezha paused in surprise. Asking for help from the Chan Sect? He suddenly understood Li Jing’s intentions. It was to drag the people from the Chan Sect into the fray, making them the villains who pressured Sha Chen. If Sha Chen were to join Buddhism, the people of the Chan Sect would end up in an awkward position, pleasing neither side. The Li Family’s standing in the eyes of Buddhism and their position in the Heavenly Court would become even more solid.

After the Divine Enthronement War and the impending calamity of the Journey to the West, Li Jing had seen that the future belonged to Buddhism and planned to shift the Li Family’s focus even more towards it.