CHAPTER 8: CHAPTER 8: THUG’S SEVENTY-TWO VARIATIONS [PLEASE SAVE AND RECOMMEND]_1

「Flowing Sand River.」

Sha Chen practiced asceticism for a long time but still felt that the power of Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart was too weak. After more than half a month, he had refined the last three Taiyi Creation Pills, yet his Cultivation had not stepped into the Middle Stage of True Immortal.

Unforgivable.

Apart from the meager amount of Immortal Elixir given by Jinmaohou, he had no more Cultivation resources. He was solely counting on the transformation of the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart Formation to increase his Cultivation!

But he had no better plan; he couldn’t just go and tell the Jade Emperor, "Your punishment is not severe enough. You should enhance the power of Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart."

That would be too arrogant, and he would be smacked to death.

So, he could only continue to stoically practice Cultivation.

「Meanwhile, in Zhu Zi Country, Qilin Mountain.」

Jinmaohou had already returned and was now drinking and making merry, laughing heartily with three powerful rhino Demon Kings. These three rhino Demon Kings had remarkable origins. They had come down from the West, having stolen the fragrant oil offered before Buddha, which greatly enhanced their Mana. Jinmaohou discovered them, then threatened and forced them to devise strategies.

The three rhino demons were known as Bi Han, Bi Shu, and Bi Chen, and would also be notable figures on the Journey to the West.

Fearing that Jinmaohou would expose them, they offered a scheme: they transformed into demons that had come in contact with Sha Chen and then "accidentally" let God Riyou and the attending Jia Lan discover their "secret."

It turned out they were framing Sha Chen. They expressed great dissatisfaction towards the Jade Emperor, telling the other demons that His Majesty’s Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart Formation was mediocre. Every day Sha Chen endured it, he felt neither pain nor itch.

God Riyou and the others were duped upon hearing this, thinking Sha Chen truly was discontented with the Jade Emperor and mocking the Jade Emperor’s Formation for being weak and ineffective.

They went back to the Heavenly Court to report.

The demons’ scheme had succeeded, and now they were back at their lair celebrating!

Jinmaohou toasted the three rhino demons and laughed heartily, "Thanks to the brilliant strategies of the three brothers here, it’s marvelous indeed. The Jade Emperor is surely filled with hatred for Sha Chen by now, and he will definitely strengthen the Formation.

"By then, Sha Chen will certainly be beaten down and unable to bear it, and he will escape from the Flowing Sand River to wreak havoc. That’s when my plan will be deemed complete."

The three rhino demons laughed heartily and waved their hands, with Boss Rhino Monster Bi Han saying, "We only hope that brother won’t reveal our actions."

Jinmaohou laughed loudly, "Of course not, and if this affair succeeds later on, I will even plead for your achievements in front of our master."

The three rhino demons were overjoyed and thanked him profusely, almost going as far as to perform an oath of brotherhood.

Afterward, the four Great Demon Kings indulged in pleasures while simply having someone watch the Flowing Sand River, waiting for the news of Sha Chen causing mischief to arrive.

「Bright Palace.」

The Jade Emperor was listening to reports from Great White Planet when God Riyou came in with his report.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I have news regarding the Flowing Sand River’s Great General for Folding the Curtain," said God Riyou.

The Jade Emperor was taken aback and laughed, "It’s been almost three months now, hasn’t it? Even the toughest man, under the power of the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart Formation, should be ready to yield by now, right?"

Great White Planet also laughed, "Juanlian’s strength is average; he should be unable to bear it and planning to beg for mercy. But Your Majesty must not be lenient."

The Jade Emperor chuckled and nodded.

God Riyou said awkwardly, "Your Majesty, I have overheard a conversation between demons who have been in contact with Sha Chen. They claim that Sha Chen often says that the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart Formation is really weak. Every time he endures it, he’s nearly falling asleep, and it’s completely inadequate for making him reflect."

The Jade Emperor: "???"

Great White Planet’s cheek twitched.

BANG!

The Jade Emperor slammed the table angrily and said, "That insolent Great General for Folding the Curtain! He’s showing contempt for me and challenging my authority."

"With his stubborn resistance, I want to see just how tough he can be. Great White, you have my command: enhance the power of the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart Formation to the middle level, and also increase the corrosiveness of the Flowing Sand River by tenfold."

Great White said with alarm, "Your Majesty, if so, I fear he’ll die before he goes mad, won’t he?"

The Jade Emperor sneered, "Don’t worry, he won’t die so quickly; I still want to wait for him to beg for mercy."

Great White had no choice but to go and carry out the order.

He then calculated a bit further to understand what had recently happened to Sha Chen and was somewhat shocked.

Isn’t he just an Attendant? How has his Cultivation improved so quickly? And he’s endured three months of Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart without any emotional change. It seems he has some ability.

His Majesty is actually sending a genius straight to Buddhism! But His Majesty must regret it now. The more monstrous Sha Chen becomes, the more His Majesty wants to lead him to ruin, or else he loses face. It’s just that Sha Chen is bull-headed too, even daring to mock His Majesty.

He shook his head and chuckled. Sadly, a mere Great General for Folding the Curtain like him will face a very miserable outcome for defying authority.

Immediately, he performed a conjuration over the Flowing Sand River, brought a Magical Tool, and poured even more corrosive river water into it, simultaneously strengthening the power of the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart Formation.

Then he stood in the sky to enjoy the show. He couldn’t wait to see Sha Chen’s demise!

「Inside the Flowing Sand River.」

Sha Chen was meditating, but he constantly felt restless.

He suddenly sensed that the river water of the Flowing Sand River had become even murkier, and his flesh was suffering erosion. Moreover, the light inside the water cave had become more than ten times brighter.

Sha Chen was startled.

"Notice to the host: The corrosiveness of the Flowing Sand River water in your abode has increased tenfold, and the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart Formation has gone up a grade. You have the following choices."

"Option one: Apologize to Great White Planet and ask him to plead with the Jade Emperor on your behalf, to retract the order and agree to become a demon outside the river, avoiding the intensified punishment. Reward: [Tiangang’s Thirty-Six Changes]. Thirty-six Variations of the Heavenly Gang: Thirty-six types of Heavenly Gang divine powers."

"Option two: Endure the increased punishment, absolutely refuse to submit, and certainly not bow to the Heavenly Court. Reward: [Thug’s Seventy-two Variations]. Thug’s Seventy-two Variations: Seventy-two kinds of Thug’s spells."

Sha Chen was delighted. As an Attendant, he actually didn’t know many spells or divine powers, but now he did.

Without hesitation, he chose to silently accept the increased punishment. Although he did not know why the punishment had increased, it seemed that the increase was more advantageous for him.

The system notified him that he had obtained [Thug’s Seventy-two Variations].

Sha Chen was overjoyed—the 72 Polymorphic Transformations offered him seventy-two spell variations, solving the problem of his lack of combat methods.

At the same time, Sha Chen discovered that although the corrosiveness of the Flowing Sand River water had strengthened, it could also be transformed into Cultivation!

The power contained within the Flowing Sand River water could be transformed!

He rejoiced internally, How wonderful! The water of the Flowing Sand River can be transformed into Cultivation after being strengthened. I now have another means to increase my Cultivation.

And the Cultivation gained from this transformation of the Flowing Sand River water is similar to what was previously transformed by Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart. I hope the strengthened Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart can transform even more.

While Sha Chen was still in the midst of his joyful surprise, today’s session of the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart punishment also began!

God Riyou in the sky, the attending Jia Lan, and Great White Planet were all there to watch the fun.

They all wanted to see how Sha Chen would scream miserably and then how he would beg for mercy.