CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: THE OLD MAN IS TONGTIAN HIERARCH [SEEKING FAVORITES AND RECOMMENDATIONS]_1

Xiaobai’s eyes shone brightly. He gave a thumbs-up and said, "Thank you, Daoist friend, for showing me the way. If I succeed in winning the beauty’s heart, I shall return to express my gratitude."

Then he soared into the sky and sped away, impatient to claim his beauty.

The demons he left behind on the shore looked at each other in dismay.

Suddenly, the Crescent Spade and the Parent-child Sword flew out from the Flowing Sand River, circled once, and slaughtered all the demons.

Sha Chen declared, "Under a clear sky and bright universe, how can demons be allowed to hold sway? You all deserved to die!"

Having slaughtered the demons, Sha Chen resumed his secluded cultivation. By doing this, he was demonstrating his resolve not to become a demon, extinguishing any such hopes the other demons might have harbored.

The deities observing the situation, such as the Great White Plane, were all dumbfounded.

The Great White Plane, in particular, said in astonishment, "He killed all those demons! The Cave of the Silken Web will never accept him now."

"He’s dead set on not joining The Cave of the Silken Web and not emerging from the water as a demon."

A complex look filled his eyes; he hadn’t expected that even Xiaobai’s personal intervention would fail. He had also overheard the conversation between Sha Chen and Xiaobai, realizing that Sha Chen had completely bamboozled the young dragon. The Spider Spirits testing Xiaobai? Don’t be ridiculous; they were just using him. And Sha Chen, having Xiaobai drain the Wash Dirt Spring and replace its water with wine, would absolutely drive the Spider Spirits mad.

The Great White Plane chuckled to himself. "Who would’ve thought a brute like him could be so cunning? That’s more like it. Who wouldn’t seek revenge after being targeted like that?"

His eyes flickered. "However, since the Spider Spirits targeted him and he retaliated so fiercely, he must surely hold a grudge over His Majesty’s Formation."

"I shall go and test him myself. If he truly harbors resentment towards the Heavenly Court, he absolutely cannot be allowed to return to Heaven—he must join Buddhism. If he bears no ill will, then he might be worth recruiting."

The Great White Plane chuckled. Using his Heavenly Vision, he had been keeping an eye on Sha Chen all along.

He silently admired the palace Sha Chen had built. But then he was suddenly stunned as he saw Sha Chen walking towards the rear hall.

What a vast spiritual herb field! Just when he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him, it seemed he saw a Peach of Immortality Tree!?

Then, suddenly, he could no longer peer into Sha Chen’s Formation.

He was stunned. Hurrying to cast a divination spell, he found he couldn’t discern anything. Even with his Heavenly Vision, he saw nothing.

The Great White Plane panicked. "What’s going on? What has that brute done that I can’t see his situation?"

Muzha from Luo Jia Mountain in the Southern Sea was equally astonished.

He rushed to the Purple Bamboo Forest and said, "Teacher, I can no longer observe Sha Chen’s situation."

Guanyin smiled. "Your Heavenly Vision isn’t fully cultivated, is it?"

Then she began to divine. "Oh? I wouldn’t have expected him to encounter that evil dragon from the West Sea. And he even managed to trick the Spider Spirits of The Cave of the Silken Web and that evil dragon."

"Well, I haven’t paid attention to him for a while. Let me see how destitute he’s become in the Flowing Sand River... Eh?"

Guanyin’s expression suddenly changed. She then cast another spell to divine, even standing up and brushing her eyes with a willow leaf. But her expression grew increasingly troubled and puzzled.

Needless to say, Muzha realized that even his teacher could no longer see the situation in the Flowing Sand River.

As expected, Guanyin’s expression shifted, and she sighed. "It seems he’s had some fortuitous encounter, managing to set up a Formation that even I cannot detect."

Muzha asked, "Teacher, what should we do now?"

Guanyin said, "Although his Formation can shield against my prying, I can still enter it myself without issue."

"However, making him emerge from the water as a demon probably won’t be so simple anymore."

Muzha asked, "Should we give up then?"

Guanyin smiled. "Humans possess seven emotions and six desires. Right now, the seven Spider Spirits in The Cave of the Silken Web are tempting him; he might not be able to resist. Even if he does, once his power grows, he won’t be able to stop himself from coming out."

Muzha nodded. "So, we just ignore him for now?"

Guanyin shook her head. "Only by helping him when he is weak and helpless can we ensure his complete devotion. If he becomes powerful and then emerges as a demon, he might not be willing to sincerely join Buddhism."

Muzha said, "Disciple understands."

He knew Guanyin still intended for Sha Chen to emerge as a demon—the sooner, the better. The more Sha Chen fell, the more grateful he would be to Buddhism for rescuing him.

However, now unable to spy on Sha Chen’s situation, Muzha also felt a headache, unsure what to do.

Their only hope now rested with The Cave of the Silken Web. After all, those seven demonesses were truly nation-toppling beauties; few men could resist their allure. Sha Chen was suffering. If he encountered such beauties, he would surely seek to vent his frustrations and degenerate.

「The Cave of the Silken Web.」

Seven Spider Spirits were chatting, each one feeling smug and satisfied.

"Sisters, what do you think? Will Bai Yulong bring the Great General for Folding the Curtain back with him?"

"Second Sister, with our nation-toppling beauty, that Celestial God is bound to be tempted. It’s just that, due to his status, he hasn’t made the switch yet. With Bai Yulong personally making a move, he’ll surely feign resistance but ultimately agree."

"I’m just afraid Bai Yulong might accidentally kill that Celestial God and ruin our plan. A few years ago, word was that the Celestial God was dissatisfied with the Heavenly Court’s punishment and harbored deep resentment. If we can force him to become a demon, he could transform into a Great Demon King. If we then control him, we could command the entire Demon World!"

Originally, three rhinoceros demons spread various versions of the news, all aimed at forcing Sha Chen to become a demon. The most widely circulated rumor was that Sha Chen, due to his demotion to the mortal realm, was filled with discontent and simmering resentment. Once he became a demon, this overwhelming resentment would allow him to transform into a Great Demon King.

Since the great battle of Divine Enthronement, the Sect of Interpretation, where demons had once gathered, had disintegrated. Its members scattered, each fending for themselves, and demons became universally hunted. Therefore, many demons eagerly awaited the appearance of a wise and powerful Great Demon King to lead the Demon Clan. The seven Spider Spirits of The Cave of the Silken Web shared this ambition, and they further schemed to control this Great Demon King, hence their tireless efforts.

"Mother, after the Third Prince of the West Sea returned, he went to the Wash Dirt Spring. He even sent word for us to invite you, saying he has a surprise for you."

The Spider Spirits paused, then beamed with delight.

The Great Spider Spirit said, "Bai Yulong must have captured Sha Chen and brought him back!"

The other Spider Spirits all chuckled and, transforming into a fragrant breeze, departed.

「The Wash Dirt Spring.」

Bai Yulong had already removed all the spring water, refilling the basin with wine. Secretly, he felt immense gratitude towards Sha Chen.

When the Spider Spirits arrived, they exchanged some pleasantries with him, then asked expectantly, "Where is the Great General for Folding the Curtain?"

Bai Yulong chuckled. "He didn’t come."

The Spider Spirits paused, their disappointment palpable. Then, losing interest, one said, "So, you failed. Why did you summon us here then?"

Bai Yulong replied, "Hehe, Seven Immortal Maidens, no need to pretend. The General for Folding the Curtain has already told me the truth of the matter."

The Spider Spirits were aghast. Could Bai Yulong possibly know they were using him?

Bai Yulong continued, "I know you were testing me! Come, let us enter the wine pool and enjoy ourselves!"

The Spider Spirits were stunned. What wine pool?

They looked at the Wash Dirt Spring and nearly fainted from rage. The spring water was gone, replaced by an intoxicating wine.

"Bai Yulong, you did this?" one of the Spider Spirits hissed through clenched teeth.

Bai Yulong grinned. "That’s right."

He had originally planned to attribute the idea to the General for Folding the Curtain, but it was such a brilliant stroke of genius, he decided to claim it as his own.

BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!

The seven Spider Spirits instantly reverted to their true forms, their navels spewing forth silken threads that ensnared Bai Yulong.

"Damn you, evil dragon! You destroyed our Wash Dirt Spring and still dare to be so brazen?"

A great battle erupted.

「The Flowing Sand River.」

Sha Chen was in secluded cultivation. After receiving the Sky Shielding Talisman, he found that the unsettling sensation of being watched had vanished. He could cultivate much more smoothly now, often with a smile.

Half a year had passed since Bai Yulong’s attack on his Formation. The first batch of Spiritual Medicines and Immortal Herbs Sha Chen had harvested was nearly depleted, and he was still just short of breaking through to the Golden Immortal realm.

Sha Chen rose, intending to use this opportunity to fully master and perfect his Divine Powers, especially the 72 Polymorphic Transformations.

Suddenly, a figure appeared outside his Formation. "To think that a mere Flowing Sand River would hide such an astonishing, divine Formation."

Sha Chen was startled, suddenly feeling as if he had been completely exposed. The Sky Shielding Talisman could block prying from anyone beneath the level of a Saint! How could someone now see him through the Formation!?

Laughter drifted from outside the Formation. "Surprised? I am the Tongtian Hierarch. I’ve just returned from the desolate edges of the cosmos and happened upon someone as interesting as you. Aren’t you going to invite me in for a visit?"

The Tongtian Hierarch!!?