CHAPTER 37: CHAPTER 37: JADE RABBIT OF THE GUANGHAN PALACE [SEEKING COLLECTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS]_1

Sha Chen’s concept of avatars was similar to that of a queen ant’s worker ants. Once they had done their job, that was it. If his original body were to encounter trouble, he could indeed resort to borrowing another body to resurrect himself. The avatar had gone overseas, seeking Immortal Taiyi to learn from him as an apprentice, a journey that was bound to be protracted.

「On the other side.」

Spider Spirit had run into trouble and, following Sha Chen’s advice, had gone to seek help from Marshal Tianpeng. Great White Planet kept a close eye on Tianpeng, looking for every possible way to tempt Tianpeng into falling from grace. Completely at a loss, he was caught by surprise when the Spider Spirit came looking for Tianpeng and almost leaped for joy. He eagerly awaited the Spider Spirit seducing Tianpeng, although he wondered how the Spider Spirit came to be associated with Tianpeng. But, it no longer mattered. As long as Tianpeng could be brought to fall, that was enough.

And sure enough, the Spider Spirit Seventh Mother entered the Yunzhan Cave, and before long, Tianpeng emerged with her, appearing to be on quite good terms.

Great White Planet said, "This matter has succeeded."

Then, the Spider Spirit and Tianpeng left for another place. Great White Planet watched with his own eyes as they teamed up with a few other Spider Spirits to attack another demon and rescue the confined grand Spider Spirit. They drank and made merry together, yet there were no transgressions.

Great White Planet was utterly confounded.

This isn’t how things were supposed to turn out; aren’t they supposed to be indulging in pleasure and luxury, reveling without restraint? How do they seem more like comrades united in a common cause?

Great White Planet screamed inwardly, Why won’t you fall from grace? Why haven’t you given yourself over to revelry and decadence? Why do you act so much like Juanlian... Juanlian?

Thinking of Juanlian, Great White Planet felt conflicted and was even more inclined to vomit blood. The person who caused him the most headaches was Juanlian, and he had been deliberately avoiding this matter. Recalling this, he decided he must plan once more for the Flowing Sand River; otherwise, Juanlian would certainly be able to lie low indefinitely.

Juanlian doesn’t like demons, probably because he’s disdainful of their status, but that doesn’t mean he dislikes women. Good! I’ll arrange for a female immortal to tempt him. I refuse to believe there’s truly someone in this world whose resolve is so firm they resist the charms of women!

After deep thought, Great White Planet decided to arrange for a female immortal to seduce Sha Chen. Sha Chen wasn’t a Buddha; he didn’t believe that Sha Chen was truly indifferent to the allure of women, unless there was some dysfunction. However, rumor has it that those who are dysfunctional in that regard crave female company even more.

「Flowing Sand River.」

Sha Chen never imagined that after so many years, Great White Planet would remember him merely because he had arranged for the Spider Spirit to seek Tianpeng’s help. And now, Great White Planet was thinking of plotting against him again! He’d even guessed Sha Chen’s aversion to demons and was planning to dispatch a female immortal to tempt him!

Even if he knew, he wouldn’t take it seriously. Be it female immortals or female demons, they were all but fleeting skeletons in his eyes. They were nothing but obstacles on the path of his secluded cultivation. He would never allow them to impede his progress.

「That day.」

Sha Chen awoke during his meditative retreat, with debris piling high as mountains before him, all that remained of the God Source Stones he had absorbed. After absorbing vast amounts of Divine Power from the God Source Stones for a prolonged period, Sha Chen finally felt the Mana within him was as deep as an abyss. After cycling through the Primeval Chaos Dao Method tens of thousands of times, he was finally certain that he was ready to break through. And so, that day, he endeavored to reach the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal realm.

Half a day later.

Sha Chen’s cultivation had finally attained the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal realm, and his physical body had advanced in step. Within the same realm, there were likely few who could best him in combat.

"Detecting host’s cultivation breakthrough, you have the following choices."

"Option One: Emerge immediately to reveal your demon nature, claim a mountain as king, and achieve the eternal accomplishment of being a Demon King. The reward is the Magical Tool [Yin-Yang Sword]. The Yin-Yang Sword is a Magical Tool of Nezha, capable of slaying demons and banishing evil spirits."

"Option Two: Continue your meditative retreat and be rewarded with the Magical Tool [Fengshui Futon]. The Fengshui Futon is an auspicious meditation object with the Fengshui attribute, highly effective for deep meditation."

Sha Chen unhesitatingly chose to continue his meditative retreat.

Then, he obtained the Fengshui Futon and was eager to try it out immediately. As he sat down to meditate, he found himself quickly entering a state of cultivation, feeling more tranquil and focused, less prone to distraction.

Sha Chen had been in closed-door cultivation for far too long, and he worried he might develop depression. Occasionally, he would fantasize about the beautiful world outside.

This kind of idea is terrifying, he thought. Because with desire comes the wish to leave. And if I truly leave, I could be exploited and lose my life.

For this reason, he had reproached himself several times.

Now with this futon, he felt his Dao heart could become even more steadfast. The flashy world outside was nothing but a drop in the ocean. Once his cultivation was complete, he would have plenty of time to enjoy it.

Using the futon, he could stabilize his mind even more. He probably wouldn’t even fear deviation in his cultivation. Moreover, his inherent nature was of the water attribute, which perfectly matched the futon, making his cultivation feel divinely assisted.

Sha Chen exclaimed in delight, "With this Fengshui Futon, I can safely lie low until the end of time."

Then, Sha Chen began to fall deep into his cultivation.

「Several months passed.」

Outside the Flowing Sand River, a woman’s voice could be heard.

"Is General for Folding the Curtain there? General for Folding the Curtain, are you there?"

Sha Chen opened his eyes and looked up. His Fiery Golden Eyes blazed as he saw a cloud above the river’s surface, with a stunningly beautiful female immortal standing on it. He was momentarily stunned but recognized the identity of the female immortal. It was Jade Rabbit, who pounded medicine in the Moon Palace. He had seen her a few times during his time in the Heavenly Court. However, there had been no interaction, not even a nodding acquaintance.

Why would Jade Rabbit come here?

The Jade Rabbit called out over the river for some time without a response from Sha Chen, and she became somewhat annoyed. She dived directly down into the water, only to find that the Flowing Sand River was no ordinary river. Her body nearly couldn’t withstand it. She quickly performed the water avoidance art to part the waters of the Flowing Sand River and began searching for Sha Chen.

At the same time, she shouted, "General for Folding the Curtain, I’m Jade Rabbit from the Guanghan Palace. Where are you?"

"I’m here on orders. My mistress has heard of your plight and sympathizes greatly. As the Mid-Autumn Festival is upon us, she especially sent us with osmanthus wine brewed in the Guanghan Palace, requesting that you partake."

Sha Chen stood within the Formation, stunned upon hearing these words. The Chang E of the Guanghan Palace sympathizes with me?! And sent me osmanthus wine?! We’re as unrelated as could be; how would Chang E know of me and send me such fine wine?!

Osmanthus wine was a heavenly drink, cherished by many immortals in the Heavenly Court. This was not only because it was considered a widow’s finest wine but also for its genuinely delightful taste. This wine used osmanthus trees from the Guanghan Palace, a scarce commodity. Even Heaven didn’t have enough to drink freely—how could it then be sent to him?!

Instinctively, Sha Chen grew wary and cautious. But as the system had not yet issued any alerts, Sha Chen did not know what to make of it.

He could only reply through the Formation, "The Fairy is too kind. I am a blunt man and cannot indulge in such an esteemed and exquisite drink. Please return."

Jade Rabbit’s eyes lit up, and following the voice, she arrived in front of the Formation. Wanting to enter, she found herself unable to break through the Formation.

She had no choice but to say, "General for Folding the Curtain, my mistress has commanded me to bring this fine wine. If you don’t accept it, she will punish me."

Sha Chen replied, "Just report back the truth."

Jade Rabbit pouted her lips and said, "You’re very impolite. I’ve come all this way, and you won’t even invite me in to sit?"

Sha Chen said, "My humble abode is too meager to entertain a fairy of your stature. Please leave."

His repeated dismissals gave Jade Rabbit a headache. This man truly was difficult to deal with.

Jade Rabbit said, "My mistress has sent fine wine. Whether General for Folding the Curtain accepts it or not, it still counts as having received a favor from my mistress."

Sha Chen remained silent.

Jade Rabbit continued, "I don’t ask for any return favor from the General. However, on my way here, I encountered a Daoist at Huanghua Temple. He saw my beauty and had ill intentions towards me, which I perceived immediately. He followed me here and is now waiting outside; I dare not leave."

"I ask the General to lend a hand and fend off that Daoist, so that I may return and report back."

Sha Chen paused, momentarily caught off guard.

It was then that the system’s voice finally rang out.