CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33 - ONE QI INTO THREE PURE ONES [SEEKING COLLECTIONS, SEEKING RECOMMENDATIONS]_1

On the banks of the Flowing Sand River, the woodcutter and Monk Xuanzang were agonizing over how to cross it. The monk hadn’t yet noticed any problem, but the woodcutter kept glancing towards the depths of the Flowing Sand River.

The woodcutter said, "Master, there might be demons in this river. You must be very careful. Don’t reveal that your flesh can grant immortality and boundless Mana."

The monk, taken aback, said, "Disciple, you shouldn’t have mentioned that."

The woodcutter scratched his head, then began to chop wood, planning to make a bamboo raft to cross the river.

「At the bottom of the river.」

Sha Chen said calmly, "That woodcutter is suspicious."

Tianpeng said, "I agree, he seems off. I almost saw through his true form with my Heavenly Vision, but a flash of light stopped me."

Sha Chen’s eyes filled with a golden light as his Fiery Golden Eyes flared. He then frowned and muttered, "So it’s him."

Tianpeng inquired, "Who?"

Sha Chen replied, "Muzha."

Tianpeng was momentarily stunned, then seethed with anger. "Back when I was in the pigsty, I begged him to plead my case to the heavens, but he turned a deaf ear! To think he’s now disguised as a woodcutter to harm people! That wretched child! I must confront King Li about this one day."

Sha Chen said, "He won’t admit it."

He then added, "Muzha’s aim is simply to lure us into committing misdeeds, causing us to degenerate into demons. Then, Buddhism will intervene, offering us a chance to achieve enlightenment on the spot, thereby ensuring our unwavering devotion."

Tianpeng nodded. "Actually, if we could achieve enlightenment, that wouldn’t be too bad."

Sha Chen said, "You won’t achieve enlightenment. At best, you’ll be an Altar Cleanser. You won’t even be considered a Bodhisattva."

Tianpeng’s eyes widened in shock, and he fumed, "Damn it! Can’t I even become a Bodhisattva? Then what’s the point of becoming a monk?"

Then, puzzled, he asked, "Old Sha, how do you know all this?"

Sha Chen replied, "Just a guess. Believe it or not."

Tianpeng said, "I believe you."

For some unknown reason, he had immense faith in Sha Chen’s words. Since Sha Chen said he couldn’t achieve enlightenment even if he joined Buddhism, Tianpeng completely lost faith in it and became even more guarded.

He then asked, "So, what about the monk on the riverbank?"

Sha Chen replied, "We’ll observe and see what happens."

「On the riverbank.」

The woodcutter made several attempts with bamboo rafts, wooden boats, and various other means, but none could get him across the Flowing Sand River.

He then said, "Master, please wait here. I’ll ascend to the heavens to find out what’s going on with this Flowing Sand River."

Xuanzang said, "Disciple, go quickly and return soon. This place feels unsettling; I fear there are demons about."

The woodcutter nodded, then, stepping onto a cloud, he vanished.

「In the sky.」

He hid among the clouds, his eyes fixed on the Flowing Sand River.

I left specifically to create an opportunity for Juanlian. Now, with no one by Xuanzang’s side, eating him would grant immortality and boundless Mana. How could he resist?

The woodcutter, having reverted to Muzha’s appearance, wore a confident smile.

However, even after three days and nights, there was still no activity from the Flowing Sand River.

Muzha’s expression gradually turned ugly. I can’t believe he’s so composed! It seems I’ll have to force his hand.

His eyes darted around. With a flick of his finger, insects, fish, birds, beasts, and even trees along the path he had taken began to sway. They sprouted limbs and awakened to consciousness.

They transformed into mountain spirits and tree monsters, then headed towards the Flowing Sand River.

Muzha laughed. "Now that all these mountain spirits and tree monsters want to eat Xuanzang’s flesh, let’s see what you do."

The mountain spirits and tree monsters exuded a potent demonic aura. Xuanzang, on the riverbank, turned to see them and was terrified.

He kept shouting the woodcutter’s name towards the sky, but there was no response.

He could only sigh, "It’s over, it’s over. The Journey to the West has failed, and I’m going to lose my life here today."

Rather than being eaten by demons, it’s better to drown in the river. At least I’ll leave a whole corpse.

Thinking this, Xuanzang prepared to jump into the river to end his life.

「Within the Formation.」

"The Grand Destiny Carrier, Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation Xuanzang, has been detected planning to commit suicide by jumping into the Flowing Sand River. You have the following choices:"

"Option One: Ignore it. Act as if you haven’t seen anything. Reward: Magical Tool [Nine-ring Tin Staff]. The [Nine-ring Tin Staff] is Jin Chanzi’s protective Magical Tool, possessing the power to subdue demons."

"Option Two: Save him and help him cross the Flowing Sand River. Reward: Divine Power [One Qi Achieving Three Pure Ones]. [One Qi Achieving Three Pure Ones] is a Great Divine Power for creating External Incarnations. The created avatars can be completely unrelated to the main body, like independent individuals, yet their minds are connected."

When Sha Chen saw these choices, he was taken aback. Such substantial rewards.It must be because I’ve encountered a Grand Destiny Carrier that the rewards are so generous.

Sha Chen felt a surge of excitement. If I ignore this and let Xuanzang die here, I’ll get his Magical Tool. Is this like a monster dropping loot?Although I don’t want to meddle, if he dies here, it will definitely become my karmic burden. So, he absolutely must not die in the Flowing Sand River.

Without a second thought, Sha Chen broke through the Formation and parted the waters.

Tianpeng, surprised, said, "Old Sha, what are you doing? Can’t resist eating him? Leave a leg for me!"

Sha Chen replied, "What are you thinking? I’m going to save him. His death here would bring me nothing but harm."

As Xuanzang leaped into the vast Flowing Sand River, Muzha, watching from the sky, was momentarily stunned and frowned.

Just as he was about to intervene and save Xuanzang, he saw a whirlpool form in the Flowing Sand River, and a figure emerged.

Muzha smiled. Finally, he couldn’t hold back.

Sha Chen strode across the water. His body was colossal, like a giant. He lifted Xuanzang with one hand, half of his own massive form emerging from the river.

In his palm, Xuanzang looked as small as a chick, utterly insignificant. Seeing a giant appear in the river holding him, Xuanzang was terrified.

Before he could speak, Sha Chen asked, "Master, are you undertaking the Journey to the West?"

Xuanzang replied, "Yes."

Sha Chen asked, "Your great vow is unfulfilled. Why attempt to drown yourself in the river?"

Xuanzang replied, "There are demons on the riverbank who want to eat this humble monk. To preserve my body intact, I decided to jump into the river."

Sha Chen extended his hand. The Parent-child Sword flew out and instantly slew all the pursuing mountain spirits and tree monsters.

He then said, "Master, please look. They are dead."

Xuanzang pressed his palms together, recited a Buddhist scripture, and then said, "Thank you for saving my life, Benefactor. May I ask for your esteemed name?"

Sha Chen replied, "My name is unimportant. Master, your pilgrimage is of great importance. I will help you cross the river."

Xuanzang was overjoyed and then said, "However, I must cross the river step by step."

Sha Chen told him, "You can walk across my palm. By the time you reach the end of my palm, you will have crossed the river."

Xuanzang indeed began to walk across his palm, while Sha Chen glided over the water. By the time Xuanzang stepped off his fingers, Sha Chen had already crossed the ten-thousand-mile-wide river.

He gently set Xuanzang down on the opposite bank.

Xuanzang gratefully said, "Thank you, Benefactor. If this humble monk meets the Buddha, I will surely report this matter."

Sha Chen replied, "There is no need. Master, please continue on your way. The road ahead is long; please be careful."

Xuanzang said, "Benefactor, why not accompany me on the Journey to the West? Our Buddha is merciful; perhaps you too could achieve supreme enlightenment."