CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 4 CHOOSING TO BE A DEMON? [SEEKING FAVORITES]_1

Sha Chen furrowed his brow. He split the water and ascended to the river’s surface! His cultivation had been disrupted by these demons. He had reached the Initial Stage of Immortal Taiyi and was eager to continue taking Taiyi Creation Pills to strike for a higher realm! Yet these demons were always causing trouble, and now they even intended to sneak into the Flowing Sand River.

Sha Chen decided to teach them an unforgettable lesson, once and for all.

As the Flowing Sand River parted, the demons saw a twelve-foot-tall man rising upon the water! The giant had disheveled, flame-red hair and round eyes that shone like lamps. His face was lapis lazuli blue, neither black nor cyan, and his voice boomed like thunder, his shouts like the rolling of drums. He wore a goose-yellow cloak, his waist girdled with a twin-stranded white vine.

Upon seeing Sha Chen suddenly emerge, the gods in the sky were momentarily stunned, then their faces filled with mockery!

The demons, on the other hand, gnashed their teeth in hatred, their eyes brimming with ferocity!

"You hairy god! I thought you were a cowardly turtle, yet you dare to show your face!" the Blue-Eyed Wolf Demon cursed loudly.

"Get to the shore, quick! Let your grandpa here beat you to death!" the Iron-Backed Bear Demon bellowed.

Sha Chen ignored them and instead turned his gaze to the Old Turtle Demon.

This Old Turtle’s cultivation was profound, at the Peak True Immortal realm, but that was the extent of it. My own cultivation is even higher, but I have yet to face real combat, so I don’t know what tricks this old turtle has up his sleeve. Thus, I intend to start with courtesy before resorting to force.

He cupped his fists towards the demons, then fixed his gaze on the Old Turtle Demon and said, "I am Sha Chen. I have been diligently cultivating in the Flowing Sand River. It seems I haven’t offended any of you fellow Daoists. Why, then, are you causing such a disturbance at the entrance to my immortal cave?"

The Old Turtle Demon hadn’t recognized Sha Chen’s strength at first and felt a flicker of uncertainty. But seeing Sha Chen’s courtesy, an idea formed in his mind. If this hairy god wasn’t weak, why would he be so polite? Just as their investigation had shown, this hairy god was merely the Jade Emperor’s Attendant, only at the Initial Stage of True Immortal!

Reassured, he grew even more arrogant.

He sneered. "You instigated others to destroy my children’s lairs and kill many of their subordinates, yet you dare claim you haven’t offended us?"

It didn’t take a genius for Sha Chen to realize that the ’others’ this old demon spoke of must have been Jinmaohou in disguise. Their aim must have been to incite these demons’ hatred, to have them come and kill me, leaving me no way out except to seek help from Buddhism. That would tie me to the karma of their scripture-seeking journey! Or perhaps to force me to join the demons, to become one of them.

However, Jinmaohou certainly hadn’t anticipated that Sha Chen’s current cultivation surpassed that of these demons.

Seeing the demons’ clamor and aggressive posturing, Sha Chen knew they wouldn’t let this matter rest.

He felt a surge of helplessness. All I want is to cultivate until the end of days! This world is far too dangerous. So why must they disturb me?!

Sha Chen sighed and said, "If I said I don’t know the person you’re referring to, you certainly wouldn’t believe me."

The Old Turtle Demon sneered. "HEH HEH..." Clearly, he didn’t believe a word.

The Old Turtle Demon scoffed again. "Enough nonsense! Your Grandpa Turtle has taken a liking to your immortal cave. It’s a perfect spot for my winter hibernation. Scurry off to the shore and let my children kill you to vent their spleens.

"I’ll go down and see what treasures you’ve hidden that made you willing to endure so much cursing without daring to come out!"

Just then, the system’s voice echoed in Sha Chen’s mind.

"Host detected to be facing demonic threats. You have the following options."

"Option One: As the saying goes, take a step back to find peace and quiet; retreat to discover a broader world. If you cannot defeat them, join them. Become a demon and receive the reward [Swallow Heaven Bead]. Swallow Heaven Bead: Possesses immense devouring power, a Magical Tool for subduing enemies."

"Option Two: When patience runs out, there’s no need to endure further; retreating only fuels anger. Kill all the demons, thereby foiling Jinmaohou’s scheme. Reward: [Parent-child Sword]. Parent-child Sword: A sword containing another sword, a pair of flexible and versatile flying swords."

A grin spread across Sha Chen’s lips, his eyes glinting sharply.

The Old Turtle Demon said, "Hairy god, have you been scared witless? What are you laughing about?"

Sha Chen replied, "Just a moment ago, I made a decision."

The Old Turtle Demon scoffed. "Thinking of begging for mercy? It’s not too late. Go kneel on the shore!"

Sha Chen’s face turned cold. "Wrong. I’ve decided to kill all of you!"

The Old Turtle Demon flew into a rage.

Sha Chen rubbed his hands together, and a long weapon materialized in his grasp—a Crescent Moon Shovel.

Seeing him prepare for battle, the demons were momentarily stunned, then burst into uproarious laughter.

"This insignificant hairy god truly doesn’t know his own strength!"

The Old Turtle also chuckled, feeling insulted that Sha Chen dared to draw a weapon against him. With a cold laugh and an enraged roar, he unleashed his Peak True Immortal cultivation, instantly stirring heavens and earth!

The sky turned dim, sun and moon losing their luster. Sand flew and stones rolled as the river’s surface churned with waves.

The gods in the heavens watched, utterly shocked and uneasy. The demons on the ground, however, cheered and waved their banners in excitement.

Jia Lan, on duty for the day, exclaimed in terror, "That Old Turtle Demon is at the Peak True Immortal realm! Juanlian must be mad to provoke him!"

God Riyou said, "It seems we must intervene together! We can’t just stand by and watch any longer. Otherwise, that fool Juanlian will die by the Old Turtle Demon’s hand!"

From afar, a streak of Buddhist light flew over, descending from the clouds. It was Guanyin’s disciple, Muzha Walker.

He cried out in alarm, "This is disastrous! I’m a step too late! That vile beast Jinmaohou will be the death of him!"

The gods in heaven and Muzha amidst the clouds all believed Sha Chen was doomed to die at the hands of the Old Turtle Demon. After all, he was merely at the Initial Stage of True Immortal! They likely thought that the memory of the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart alone would be enough to make him wish for death, even if he wasn’t currently showing signs of the violent madness that such torment could induce.

Truthfully, Sha Chen was a little nervous at first. He hadn’t truly mastered his own strength yet, nor had he ever fought a demon. He was worried he might not be able to defeat this Old Turtle Demon!

But when the Old Turtle Demon finally made his move, Sha Chen was stunned. Is this old turtle toying with me? So weak?! He now understood: the old demon was genuinely weak!

His Crescent Moon Shovel swept out. Simultaneously, he stomped his foot, and the eight-hundred-mile Flowing Sand River instantly churned, sending colossal waves surging forward!

The Old Turtle Demon staggered, and in the next instant, saw the Crescent Moon Shovel arcing towards him. Its power was immense, its speed incredible—he had no time to dodge.

Terror filled his heart. Then, his head was severed from his body!

The Old Turtle Demon was defeated, and so incredibly quickly!

Sha Chen held the demon’s head aloft. He pursed his lips and said, "At first, I thought you were toying with me, deliberately holding back your full strength. Now I see. You really are just weak!"