CHAPTER 375: CHAPTER 369: IMMORTAL TAIYI SEEKS SUPPORT 【SEEKING SUBSCRIPTIONS AND MONTHLY TICKETS】_1

Immortal Taiyi, upon hearing Sha Chen’s words, was suddenly filled with surprise and joy.

"Thank you, River Master."

But Sha Chen said, "Don’t be in a hurry to thank me. Remember what you just said: you have to work for me. But don’t worry, I won’t make you do anything heinous or unjust, or anything detrimental to the Chan Sect and the Qingwei Sect."

Immortal Taiyi was somewhat hesitant. His previous words had just been spoken off the cuff. However, he had now said them. Since Sha Chen had put it that way and the conditions weren’t too harsh, if Sha Chen truly wouldn’t make him do anything heinous or unjust, or betray the Chan Sect and the Qingwei Sect, then it didn’t really matter.

Sha Chen seemed to know what he was thinking and simply said calmly, "Rest assured, I only act to better my own cultivation. Cultivating here gives me a sense of security, and I don’t want anyone to disturb my cultivation."

"But cultivation isn’t as simple as just deciding to cultivate; without resources, it’s impossible."

He glanced at Immortal Taiyi. "You founded the Qingwei Sect and probably have a considerable number of disciples, all scouring for resources, right? I’m lacking resources for my cultivation. From now on, the resources your Qingwei Sect obtains will be split seventy-thirty with me—I get seventy percent."

Immortal Taiyi was shocked. "What? Seventy-thirty? No, no! If I give you thirty percent, my Qingwei Sect won’t be able to develop."

Sha Chen chuckled. "You’re mistaken. It’s not thirty percent for me; it’s seventy percent for me. You keep thirty percent for your own slow development."

Immortal Taiyi was astonished. "River Master, isn’t that being a little too insatiable?"

Yet Sha Chen responded, "Insatiable? How many Elixirs and Immortal Elixirs can one unit of Innate Earth help you cultivate? Cultivating just one could offset many of your losses."

"Furthermore, I won’t ask you to hand over resources for nothing. If you contribute substantial enough resources, I will share a portion of the Innate Earth with you and provide guidance in alchemy."

Immortal Taiyi was overwhelmed with excitement. Could he actually obtain more Innate Earth? Moreover, Sha Chen’s alchemy skills were indeed extraordinary; he felt inferior in comparison. If he could receive guidance, it would be of great help to him. It was just that Sha Chen’s asking price was too steep, demanding seventy percent, which gave him quite a headache. It was bound to impact the development of their Qingwei Sect.

But on second thought, it seemed they would gain more. And wasn’t the Qingwei Sect all about serving him? If making these sacrifices now would lead to him acquiring Innate Earth and alchemy guidance, wouldn’t that be a contribution to him? This was a good thing; fundamentally, nothing changed.

Most importantly, through this connection, he could establish a good relationship with Sha Chen. And their Chan Sect’s policy should be to maintain a good relationship with Sha Chen. By disrupting Sha Chen’s participation in the Journey to the West, ensuring Sha Chen would eventually join the Chan Sect, he was simply establishing the relationship in advance.

But then, Immortal Taiyi suddenly felt something was amiss. If he disrupted Sha Chen’s joining the Journey to the West, and Sha Chen himself didn’t want to join Buddhism, then how could Sha Chen avoid joining? A chill suddenly ran down his spine; it seemed he had agreed too hastily. Sha Chen most likely intended to use him as a shield and a pawn against Buddhism.

Sha Chen transmitted a message to him, saying, "Immortal, your guess is correct. I don’t want to join Buddhism, but alone I am no match for them. With the Qingwei Sect’s involvement, that would be ideal."

"Don’t worry; I won’t let you become cannon fodder. I only hope that when the time comes, you can create obstacles for Buddhism—just disrupt some of their decisions. Besides alchemy guidance and Innate Earth, I’ll also teach you other things, like the Quasi-Saint Chapters of your master’s Jade Clear Scripture. You haven’t cultivated much of those, have you?"

Immortal Taiyi was stunned.

The offer Sha Chen made was too tempting. Besides, he always felt something was off. He was one of the twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, his master being Lord Yuan Shi. Yet Sha Chen was using his master’s Jade Clear Scripture to tempt him, giving him a peculiar feeling.

As for Sha Chen’s comment about how much of the Jade Clear Scripture he had cultivated, that was a great overestimation. Ever since founding the Qingwei Sect, he hadn’t received teachings from Lord Yuan Shi. He was thoroughly familiar with the Da Luo Chapters of the Jade Clear Scripture, but as for the Quasi-Saint Chapters, he had only grasped the basics.

Immortal Taiyi was tempted; the bait Sha Chen offered was too alluring.

As for what Sha Chen said about confronting Buddhism, that was the Chan Sect’s very purpose. The Qingwei Sect’s plan to expand also involved snatching faith and territory from Buddhism—essentially taking food from the tiger’s mouth. To be frank, there was no conflict. And to gain benefits on top of that? Where else could he find such a deal? At most, the decision-making power would no longer be his but would fall to Sha Chen, meaning he’d have to follow Sha Chen’s orders.

After a moment of hesitation, Immortal Taiyi agreed.

Sha Chen smiled slightly; he wasn’t worried that Immortal Taiyi would refuse. Even if he hadn’t offered additional benefits, Immortal Taiyi wouldn’t have declined.

But he had offered them just to better win the man over.

Immortal Taiyi was talented. By binding their interests together now, he would be obliged to follow Sha Chen’s directions.

Naturally, Sha Chen would not let Immortal Taiyi become mere cannon fodder. A living Immortal Taiyi, as well as a stronger Qingwei Sect, would bring him the greatest benefits.

Having agreed on the terms, Sha Chen immediately had Immortal Taiyi hand over the several dozen first-class Immortal Elixirs he was carrying, then gave him a portion of Innate Earth.

When he brought the remaining Immortal Elixirs and established an oath with Sha Chen to fulfill today’s agreement, Sha Chen would then give him a unit of Innate Earth.

Immortal Taiyi was overwhelmed with excitement at this moment, and he dashed back, looking as if he were about to empty out the entire Qingwei Sect.

Sha Chen turned to Nezha, saying indifferently, "Nezha, do something for me."

Nezha cupped his fists. "River Master, whatever you command, I dare not disobey."

Sha Chen said, "Go to the Netherworld. I want the King of Hell’s arm, and on the plaque of the Hall of Hell, carve the words ’Behave Yourselves’ for me."

Nezha was stunned.

He asked in astonishment, "Did the King of Hell offend you, River Master?"

He was puzzled. Sha Chen had never left the Flowing Sand River, so why did he want to deal with the King of Hell like this?

Sha Chen said indifferently, "If I tell you to do it, just do it. Remember, you can carry out this task openly, but you must not reveal that I sent you."

"Also, from now on, do not act under the banner of the Flowing Sand River. If you don’t want to implicate the Li Family, don’t act under their banner either. Just use your own title, Three Altars Sea General."

Nezha’s expression turned grave. Sha Chen’s intention was to make him a lone wolf; he feared his future now held more peril than fortune.

But then again, when was the path of cultivation ever simple? He had missed the opportunity to share joys and sorrows with Sha Chen. If he still wished to pursue the Dao, he naturally had to obey. Besides, he had been expelled from his sect, and Sha Chen hadn’t officially taken him in. Moreover, acting under the Li Family’s banner would likely bring trouble to his family. As Sha Chen said, acting under his own name seemed safer.

Nezha cupped his fists and left.

Sha Chen had not offered him any benefit, only a promise and hope.

After all, giving rewards before the task was even completed would be utterly foolish.

「Inside the cave dwelling.」

Chang E asked, "Brother, did someone from the Netherworld offend you?"

Sha Chen answered, "They did."

Chang E immediately said, "Alright, Brother, leave this to me! I’ll handle it perfectly and turn the Nether World completely upside down for you!"

Sha Chen glanced at her. "Forget it, don’t get involved. I have my own methods for this."

The truth was, the Netherworld had already pledged allegiance to Buddhism and had even attacked his avatar, trying to pry out his secrets. His avatar was still in the Netherworld. Since the River of Forgetfulness had no effect on him, the King of Hell’s men had taken him to the Yellow Springs, planning to use lost souls to force the avatar into submission.

Sha Chen had previously asked the Three Holy Mother to find time to go to the Nether World and resolve this, but she had family matters and hadn’t yet set out.

He decided to teach the Nether World a lesson first, to let them know he wasn’t to be trifled with. Even if they knew he was the one who sent someone, they would be powerless.

Seventh Mother said, "Big Brother, is Nezha reliable?"

Sha Chen replied, "I don’t know either. We’ll see how well he handles this task. Anyway, now that the matter is settled, you should also pick a time to leave."

"However, Zhenyuanzi left not long ago and might be hiding nearby. You should stay for about another year. During this time, consolidate your cultivation. I will teach you Dao Techniques, and you should strive for greater achievements."

The spider spirits and Chang E were thrilled and overjoyed.

Sha Chen then resumed his shameless and unrestrained—no, his arduous—cultivation life.

He took time to explain Dao Techniques to them and then began crafting Immortal Pills, which he planned for them to sell later.

「Half a month later.」

Immortal Taiyi brought all the first-class Immortal Elixirs, as well as sixty to seventy percent of the second and third-grade Immortal Elixirs, and gave them all to Sha Chen.

Sha Chen didn’t equivocate; he made a solemn oath with him and then handed the remaining Innate Earth to him.

Immortal Taiyi was overjoyed. If Sha Chen could bring out one share, there must be more, and he naturally hoped for as much as possible.

He thumped his chest, guaranteeing he wouldn’t dare disobey any of Sha Chen’s commands.

Sha Chen’s task for him was to help Tianpeng and prevent Buddhism and the Heavenly Court from dragging Tianpeng into the quagmire of the Journey to the West.

Immortal Taiyi felt it was a difficult task, but he was willing to try.

First, he had to visit Zhenyuanzi at Wuzhuang Temple with his fellow disciples, as Tianpeng was at Wuzhuang Temple.

As for Sha Chen, he continued to cultivate in seclusion.

After about a year, he let the spider spirits and Chang E leave the Flowing Sand River Cave.

Once they were out, they were indeed targeted.

Upon returning to the Guanghan Palace, Chang E always felt like she was being watched. Her good sister Su E, in particular, seemed unusually sarcastic around her.

She knew then, just as Sha Chen had predicted, that she was under suspicion and began to prepare ways to extricate herself.

「Meanwhile.」

The spider spirits were less fortunate. As soon as the sisters appeared in public, they were pursued by the Heavenly Court’s Mysterious Altar Department, numerous Earth Immortals from Wuzhuang Temple, and many Great Demon Kings from the Demon World.

Luckily, they possessed significant mana, having already advanced to the Daluo Golden Immortal realm. They could also wield the Heavenly Splitting Palm and the Qingyun Zong, catching their pursuers completely off guard.