CHAPTER 19: CHAPTER 19: REBUILDING THE SECT OF INTERPRETATION [SEEKING FAVORITES AND RECOMMENDATIONS]_1

Tongtian Hierarch?

Upon hearing this name, Sha Chen’s scalp instantly numbed. Before he could react, the middle-aged Daoist outside had already entered the Formation on his own, ignoring it and coming straight in. Truly a Saint, without a doubt.

Sha Chen’s heart sank with unease, but he quickly masked it with a smile, hurrying forward to clasp his fists in a respectful salute. There was no avoiding a Saint; one could only be polite. If the Saint is pleased, he won’t make things difficult for me.

Yet Sha Chen didn’t even have time to wonder, How could my humble place attract the attention of a Saint? Moreover, he noticed that the Tongtian Hierarch seemed to have mentioned returning from the edge of the universe.

After the war of Divine Enthronement, the Tongtian Hierarch was defeated and taken away by the Daoist Ancestor, his whereabouts unknown. Thinking about it now, he probably went to the edge of the universe.

Sha Chen approached with utmost politeness and said, "I wasn’t aware of the Saint’s visit and failed to welcome you from afar. Please forgive me, Saint."

The Tongtian Hierarch appeared as a middle-aged Daoist, tall and upright. Sha Chen himself was already two zhang tall, yet the Tongtian Hierarch towered over him by half a head. One could only imagine how majestic the Tongtian Hierarch was.

He sized up Sha Chen, then inspected the Formation, the medicine field, and the palace. His eyes gradually filled with surprise. "Post-Heaven Earth, Mysterious Heavenly Water, Fog Dew Universe Net, peach trees—where did you get these things?"

Sha Chen knew these secrets couldn’t be kept. However, he had already thought of a way to deal with it.

Without betraying any emotion, he said, "They were all obtained through serendipitous encounters. It wasn’t I who sought them, but rather they chose me."

The Tongtian Hierarch had been observing Sha Chen closely; if he were lying, the Hierarch would have detected it immediately. But this time, he saw that Sha Chen wasn’t lying and was genuinely taken aback for a moment.

They say treasures choose their fated ones, he thought. It seems this junior truly is one such person.

The Tongtian Hierarch wasn’t worried about Sha Chen attempting to deceive him; after all, no one could successfully lie to his face. In fact, Sha Chen hadn’t lied. These treasures were indeed given to him by the system, which was tantamount to them choosing him. "Serendipitous encounters" wasn’t wrong either, as each acquisition had involved a choice.

Clearly, the Tongtian Hierarch wasn’t going to dwell on the origins of a few trinkets; he was interested in Sha Chen himself.

He walked straight to the medicine field, casually plucked an unripe peach, took a bite, and then tossed it aside. Sha Chen watched, his heart aching. I’m already struggling and can’t bear to see such waste, especially when it’s my own property! But who made Tongtian a Saint? I dare not provoke him.

The Tongtian Hierarch glanced at him. "As a guest from afar, surely eating one of your fruits won’t upset you?"

Sha Chen awkwardly replied, "Not at all, Saint. It is my good fortune."

The Tongtian Hierarch laughed heartily. "You possess great determination, have had some fortuitous opportunities, and even dare to lie to my face. You have courage. I like that."

Sha Chen was speechless. I want to cry. I didn’t want to lie either, but telling the truth would offend the Saint, wouldn’t it?

The Tongtian Hierarch said, "Sha Chen, do you know why I am here?"

Sha Chen immediately shook his head. He truly didn’t know. What could the insignificant Flowing Sand River possibly have to attract a Saint?

The Tongtian Hierarch stated, "I want to rebuild the Sect of Interpretation. I lack followers. Are you willing to help me?"

Ever since the war of Divine Enthronement, the Sect of Interpretation was nearly decimated. Its members had either ascended to become deities or scattered like monkeys when a tree falls. The Sect of Interpretation existed in name only.

Sha Chen, however, had never expected that the Tongtian Hierarch would actually want to rebuild the Sect of Interpretation and even consider recruiting him.

"The host has been approached by the Saint, Tongtian Hierarch, to join his cause. You have the following options:"

"Option One: Agree to help the Tongtian Hierarch, leave to assist him, join the Sect of Interpretation, and spread its great name. Reward: Magical Tool [Primeval Chaos Gold Funnel]. Primeval Chaos Gold Funnel: A Magical Tool of the Tongtian Hierarch, the primary artifact of the Nine-Curve Yellow River Array."

"Option Two: Refuse the Tongtian Hierarch and continue your secluded cultivation. Reward: Three [Infinite Golden Elixirs]. Infinite Golden Elixir: One pill can increase one’s cultivation by one hundred thousand years and is an essential Immortal Pill for breaking through to the Golden Immortal realm."

Sha Chen’s heart stirred, and he suppressed his inner delight. I was just worrying about lacking the resources to break through to Golden Immortal, and now this Infinite Golden Elixir appears! Not only can it increase my cultivation base, but it’s also the crucial Immortal Pill for breaking through to Golden Immortal. This is truly a gift in my time of need!

Naturally, I don’t want to agree to the Tongtian Hierarch. After all, the future mainstream event is the Journey to the West calamity, which has nothing to do with him. Secondly, the Sect of Interpretation is already a thing of the past; siding with Tongtian is truly unwise. Continuing my secluded cultivation and obtaining more rewards—isn’t that far more appealing!?

However, Sha Chen worried that rejecting Tongtian would provoke the Saint’s wrath.

Therefore, he cautiously asked, "Saint, if I were to refuse, would you be angry?"

The Tongtian Hierarch was taken aback for a moment, then said in astonishment, "You haven’t even considered it, and you’re already refusing?"

Sha Chen clarified, "I said ’if.’"

The Tongtian Hierarch replied, "I believe I roughly understand your meaning. But could you tell me the reason?"

Sha Chen gave an embarrassed smile. "This junior shattered the Liuli Lamp and was banished to the Flowing Sand River to endure hardship. This is a heavenly decree, and I cannot defy it."

The Tongtian Hierarch said disdainfully, "If I personally go to Haotian, would he dare refuse to release you?"

Sha Chen countered, "Didn’t the Saint promise the Daoist Ancestor not to interfere in affairs beneath the Saintly realm?"

Noticing the Tongtian Hierarch’s displeasure, Sha Chen quickly added, "Actually, this junior dislikes fighting and killing. I prefer to stay in one place to cultivate, unconcerned with worldly affairs."

The Tongtian Hierarch said, "By cultivating like this, aren’t you just seeking a powerful cultivation base? I can grant you that."

Sha Chen replied, "But I wish to cultivate it myself. And most importantly, I don’t want to contend with others."

The Tongtian Hierarch pressed, "Without contention, how can there be gain? You desire such a strong cultivation base, yet you neither contend nor strive for it. What exactly do you plan to do?"

Sha Chen asked, "To live a bit longer, is that possible?"

The Tongtian Hierarch was completely speechless. This fellow, with his full beard and dark skin, looks like a rugged, uncultivated man, yet he’s more timid than a mouse!

The Tongtian Hierarch was somewhat angry; the very first person he tried to recruit upon his return had actually refused him. This displeased him greatly.

Sensing the Tongtian Hierarch’s displeasure, Sha Chen trod carefully, not daring to say much.

The Tongtian Hierarch said, "If you join the Sect of Interpretation, I can accept you as a nominal disciple."

A nominal disciple of a Saint—that was an incredibly high honor. Even Sun Wukong hadn’t received such a privilege.

Despite this, Sha Chen gave an awkward smile. "Saint, I’m a simple man. I’m truly afraid of death."

The Tongtian Hierarch, thoroughly incensed, said, "Then when will you come out of seclusion?"

Sha Chen replied, "I will come out of seclusion when I feel it is safe to do so."

The Tongtian Hierarch retorted, "Even when I was a Quasi-Saint, I dared not claim the world was safe. Do you intend to cultivate directly into a Saint?"

Sha Chen smiled but said nothing.

The Tongtian Hierarch, fuming, flicked his sleeve and declared, "Fine! Then abide by your promise. If you leave seclusion prematurely, you must join the Sect of Interpretation."

Then he turned and exited the Formation. Sha Chen respectfully saw him off. Before he could even turn back, the Tongtian Hierarch’s voice drifted over again, "I will be watching you. If you leave and still refuse to join the Sect of Interpretation, don’t blame me for being impolite."

Sha Chen didn’t answer. Instead, he hurried back to the medicine field, picked up the peach the Tongtian Hierarch had partially eaten, carefully scraped off the remaining flesh, and planted the pit.

Just after planting it, he looked up. The previously somewhat barren medicine field was now teeming with a large expanse of divine elixirs, their divine power rich and palpable.

The Tongtian Hierarch’s voice echoed from above, "I do not take your things for free. Consider these three hundred first-class Immortal Elixirs as repayment."

First-class Immortal Elixirs were among the finest, second only to divine-grade Immortal Elixirs. The ones Sha Chen had consumed before were merely of the eighth or ninth grade. He never expected the Tongtian Hierarch to casually offer first-class Immortal Elixirs, and three hundred stalks at that!

He was overjoyed and hurriedly clasped his fists in thanks towards the sky.

"This is fantastic! With these three hundred stalks of first-class Immortal Elixirs, I won’t have to worry about resources for my entire Golden Immortal cultivation period!"

Sha Chen was ecstatic. It’s just a pity that first-class Immortal Elixirs are so difficult to cultivate. Once these three hundred are consumed, it will take a very long time to grow the next batch. Still, breaking through is the priority for now.

Sha Chen took out the Infinite Golden Elixir he had received as a reward and swallowed it directly, preparing to make his breakthrough.