Journey to the West: Signing in for 500 Years-Chapter 653 - 647 Meeting the Tathagata【Subscribe Requested】_1

Guanyin Bodhisattva and the others were run ragged by Tang Sanzang's tricks, and they were furious. But since Tang Sanzang was the chosen one to retrieve the scriptures, they could only fume, having no better recourse. They still wanted to use their Buddhist status to make Tang Sanzang listen obediently. However, for some unknown reason, Tang Sanzang, who had previously been utterly respectful and compliant, now treated them with a duplicitous attitude—agreeable to their faces, but disrespectful behind their backs. He would make a show of agreeing to everything in person but would only follow through depending on his mood. Sun Wukong also cooperated with Tang Sanzang, spinning Guanyin Bodhisattva and the others until their heads whirled.

「Flowing Sand River.」

Sha Chen had ended his seclusion, and not a single event from Five Finger Mountain escaped his senses.

He had originally wanted to communicate directly with Sun Wokong and Tang Sanzang to offer some guidance, but he later reconsidered, deciding to let them walk their own paths.

What he could teach were Dao Techniques and Divine Power, but how much one could comprehend and how far one could go still depended on individual enlightenment and karmic law.

He couldn't cover every little detail, nor could he control Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong like puppets on strings.

Letting them go and allowing them to walk on their own was the only way they could go further.

At this time, the Spider Spirit Sisters also emerged from their breakthroughs. They had been diligently cultivating in seclusion, striving for the breakthroughs of Seventh Mother, the eldest sister, and San Niang. Now, the three sisters had broken through, reaching the Quasi-Saint Realm. United in heart and mind, the three sisters' breakthrough also inspired sensations and realizations in the remaining four. Breaking out of seclusion this time was for them to seek more Dao Techniques from Sha Chen, followed by even deeper cultivation.

Sha Chen withheld nothing, openly imparting the Three Pure Ones Taoism and advising them on the Daoist principles most suited to them. The Spider Spirit Sisters listened, intoxicated and deeply engrossed in the Dao Techniques, feeling on the verge of a breakthrough. Sha Chen's own comprehension of Dao Techniques had already reached an inconceivable level. His explanations were utterly different from before, enabling them to understand much more profoundly.

However, it was at this precise moment that Sha Chen stopped his teaching.

The Seven Sisters were puzzled. They were deeply engrossed, and just at the crucial moment, Sha Chen had ceased speaking.

Seventh Mother asked, "Big Brother, why have you stopped your instruction?"

Yang Jian, his sister, and the Six-Eared Macaque were also listening, and they too looked equally puzzled, their brows furrowed. The Dao Techniques Sha Chen taught them were abstruse, yet not difficult to understand. Listening to these Dao Techniques stirred something within them, and they felt an exhilarating sensation, as if on the verge of a breakthrough at any moment. How could Sha Chen stop speaking at such a crucial time? It left them feeling like something was unfinished.

Sha Chen spoke gravely, "Because uninvited guests have arrived—two of them, in fact. Although the cave mansion can keep them out, a forceful attack would still affect your comprehension of the Dao."

"If that happens, not only will you fail to understand, but you may even fall into devilry, which would be a loss far outweighing the gain."

Everyone was befuddled and did not understand.

Yang Jian suddenly had a flash of insight. His third eye looked straight toward the heavens, his expression becoming solemn.

The Six-Eared Macaque's ears twitched, and he said in shock, "No way! How could those two come here? Are they unwilling to give up and seeking to trouble Master?"

The Spider Spirit Sisters were lost. Being the weakest and least capable, they had no idea what had happened.

At that moment, Siti also transformed back into her human form. "It's Tathagata Buddha and Ran Deng Buddha, two supremes of Buddhism," she said, her expression grave as she came to Sha Chen's side. "I too am clueless about their intentions here. We should respond as the situation demands."

Sha Chen's grave expression became somewhat nonchalant. Tathagata and Ran Deng had previously been very powerful, leaving him feeling breathless. However, he was now certain that Tathagata was no match for him. He could sense that Tathagata's power had changed beyond compare; it was definitely much stronger than before. But as long as Tathagata had not become a Saint, he was definitely not Sha Chen's match. Though not a Saint himself, Sha Chen's power was on par with one; even Saint Zhunti was only his equal.

The arrival of Tathagata Buddha and Ran Deng Buddha might pose some difficulty for him at most. However, making him suffer or even defeating him was out of the question.

The Spider Spirit Sisters and the Three Holy Mother all looked grave, exchanging worried glances. They did not know the extent of Sha Chen's power, nor whether he could withstand Tathagata Buddha and his companion. They only knew that Tathagata Buddha was extremely powerful, probably second only to Saints in all the heavens. And with Ran Deng Buddha by Tathagata's side, if the two joined forces, couldn't they challenge even the Saints?

As they spoke, the two supreme figures of Buddhism had already arrived outside. Their Buddha light illuminated everything, parting the waters of the Flowing Sand River as they stood firmly outside the cave mansion.

A century later, Tathagata once again stood before the Flowing Sand River. Looking at the now even more impregnable Flowing Sand River Cave, his heart filled with a mix of sentimentality and anticipation.

Today, his power had not only reached the Sub-Saint Realm, but his physical body had also achieved a breakthrough. Furthermore, his mastery of spatial power was even closer to perfection.

His power had doubled since before.

He was certain that his strength now exceeded that of ordinary Quasi-Saints, perhaps even rivaling Saint Nuwa herself.

Tathagata held this confidence. He felt that Sha Chen would definitely not have fallen behind him, but also doubted Sha Chen could have surpassed him by much.

To his knowledge, Sha Chen had indeed refused Saint Zhunti entry. However, according to Saint Zhunti's estimation, Sha Chen's power at the time was merely that of a Peak Quasi-Saint.

Had it not been for the Flowing Sand River Cave, Saint Zhunti would have captured Sha Chen long ago.

Sha Chen, in the Flowing Sand River, had established no great merits, accumulated no virtue, and had no disciples or followers. Therefore, he certainly lacked the power of faith and, naturally, the means to achieve Sainthood through merit.

Thus, no matter how Sha Chen cultivated, he would remain a Peak Quasi-Saint.

Therefore, Sha Chen would definitely not be his match.

Tathagata stood outside the cave mansion entrance, reflecting for a moment, then began to call out, "Tathagata Buddha of Lingjiu Mountain in the Western Pure Land, requests an audience with Sha Chen, Lord of the Flowing Sand River."

Ran Deng Buddha whispered by his side, "Buddha, this Sha Chen is extremely timid and overly cautious. I fear we've come in vain."

"He may not deign to acknowledge us. Unless we force an attack, we can only leave."

Tathagata said, "Courtesy before force."

Then he called out again, though he held little hope that Sha Chen would respond.

But to his surprise, Sha Chen did respond this time.

However, Sha Chen did not open the doors of the cave mansion. Instead, he used his tremendously powerful spatial abilities to transform the entire Flowing Sand River into a separate dimension. Then he stepped out slowly, standing before the entrance of the Flowing Sand River Cave, face to face with Tathagata Buddha and Ran Deng Buddha.

Tathagata and Ran Deng were stunned. They had never expected Sha Chen to respond so quickly, much less dare to confront them directly.