CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35 - DIED BEFORE ACHIEVING SUCCESS [PLEASE COLLECT AND RECOMMEND]_1

Sha Chen furrowed his brows, but he had no clue.

He could only continue his Cultivation, pondering over the One Qi into Three Pure Ones technique.

I can’t just passively defend against others’ schemes; I must take the initiative to strike, to resolve the traps they’ve set for me. It’s like a cunning rabbit having multiple burrows.

The Journey to the West involves Buddhism plotting against me the most. I must draw in more people to act as my shields and also find more people to collect resources for me.

Being confined to the Flowing Sand River is too passive; resources could run out at any moment, and the next harvest from the ground also requires time.

Sha Chen’s eyes gleamed as he pondered how to better develop his strength.

I am definitely not going to leave the Flowing Sand River; after all, it’s safe here.

But the resources for Cultivation are gradually becoming insufficient; I have to actively acquire them. Now, with the clone provided by the One Qi into Three Pure Ones technique, it’s the perfect opportunity.

Moreover, I can have the clone persuade others, disrupt Buddhism’s plans, and keep them too busy to bother with me.

Thinking this way, Sha Chen felt that creating a clone seemed more urgent than his Cultivation.

「A month later.」

Sha Chen had mastered the One Qi into Three Pure Ones technique.

In front of him appeared a person whose aura was somewhat weaker, of similar stature to his own, but with a different appearance.

Sha Chen looked at the clone before him with surprise and delight. They could communicate mentally, yet there was no external connection between them.

To sever the karmic ties with the clone, Sha Chen did not even endow it with any Cultivation Technique or Divine Powers. He merely fed it some Immortal Herbs, giving it the basic Cultivation of a Celestial Immortal.

Then, he sent the clone away.

After the clone left the Flowing Sand River, it cautiously made its way into the distance.

Sha Chen controlled the clone. It feels as if I’ve left the Flowing Sand River myself. This sensation is like operating a drone—truly marvelous!

As the clone traveled further from the Flowing Sand River, it quickly arrived at a Taoist temple named Huanghua Temple.

Upon seeing it, the clone immediately took a detour.

However, even though he took a detour, the centipede demon from Huanghua Temple had already fixed its sights on him and blocked his path.

The clone, remaining outwardly calm, engaged him. "Taoist Huanghua, why do you block my path? Are you seeking alms for your journey?"

The centipede demon, disguised as Taoist Huanghua, laughed. "What this humble priest desires is not alms, but a road toll."

The clone replied, "I have no money."

Taoist Huanghua replied, "No matter. Your life will suffice as payment."

The clone, greatly alarmed, hastily asked, "May I be permitted to go and raise the money?"

Taoist Huanghua burst into laughter, reverted to his centipede demon form, and then, opening his blood-red, cavernous maw, swallowed the clone whole.

Then, feeling quite pleased with himself, he returned to the temple to sit in meditation and Cultivation. He laughed and said, "Raise money? Emerging from the Flowing Sand River, he must surely be that brute’s spy."

Sha Chen, who was in Cultivation within the Flowing Sand River, was so enraged his eyes turned scarlet.

Damn centipede demon! How dare you eat my clone!

I will absolutely not forgive you!

But as angry as he was, he would not leave the Flowing Sand River to take revenge on the centipede demon.

At the same time, he frowned intensely. Why is that centipede demon so fixated on me, even stationing itself outside the Flowing Sand River? At this rate, even if I create more clones, they won’t be enough to feed it. I must find a way to get the clones out. Ideally, I would kill the centipede demon; otherwise, they’ll never be able to leave. But since I’m not venturing out, and the centipede demon is keeping some distance, killing it won’t be easy.

At that moment, Sha Chen suddenly felt the lack of helpers.

He could only put the issue aside for the moment and focus on his Cultivation, aiming to break through to the peak of the Golden Immortal realm before considering his next move.

「A year passed.」

Outside the Flowing Sand River, someone was issuing a challenge.

It was a spider demon, but only one had come—Seventh Mother.

Through the Formation, she laughed, "General for Folding the Curtain, I’ve brought you more Cultivation resources."

Sha Chen was overjoyed. After verifying that there were no issues with Seventh Mother, he specially allowed her inside the Formation.

Seventh Mother was filled with a mix of surprise and joy. This is my third visit, and at last, I’m able to enter the Formation! This is a step further in winning over Sha Chen. She barely managed to hold back her tears.

Seventh Mother was also taken aback when she saw the splendor within the Formation, where everything one could wish for was readily available.

Sha Chen said, "Seventh Mother, you are truly too courteous. Why haven’t the other fairies come?"

Seventh Mother replied, "General for Folding the Curtain, some of my sisters have run into trouble outside, while others are trying to gather resources. Please allow me to deliver the harvest from these past few years to you, General."

Then she took out a Qiankun Bag and handed it to Sha Chen.

Sha Chen was overjoyed and asked, "May I inquire what kind of trouble they have encountered?"

Seventh Mother explained, "On our journey, we encountered some powerful demons who coveted my sisters’ beauty and endlessly harassed us."

Sha Chen nodded. "In that case, after you leave the Formation, go to Yunzhan Cave on Fuling Mountain and find their cave master. Tell him I sent you, and ask him to help you resolve the trouble."

With Tianpeng’s strength at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm, nearing that of a Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, dealing with the spider demons’ trouble shouldn’t be a big problem.

Seventh Mother was thrilled. I hadn’t expected Sha Chen to care so much about us! Her heart was deeply moved.

Sha Chen thought to himself, It’s rare for these spider demons to be so loyal and righteous. If they were to die, I’d lose a source for collecting resources. Initially, I hadn’t expected them to bring back resources after the last time, but to my surprise, Seventh Mother returned.

Therefore, he decided to invest a bit more in them. He planned to develop the spider demons into his informants.

Sha Chen said, "Seventh Mother, it seems your Cultivation levels haven’t improved at all over the past few years, have they?"

Seventh Mother lowered her head in shame. "You’re too kind, General. We have but mediocre talent, and our Cultivation progresses slowly."

Sha Chen said, "Never mind. If talent is lacking, one can still increase their strength by improving their Cultivation Techniques and learning Great Divine Powers."

Seventh Mother replied, "We are demons; where would we find good Cultivation Techniques and Divine Powers?"

Sha Chen smiled and said, "I’ll teach you."

Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Sha Chen thought, deciding to invest in developing the spider demons. With enhanced strength, they’ll be able to obtain better and more resources. This is also a form of mutual benefit.

Seventh Mother was ecstatic and promptly said, "Thank you, General!"

However, in her heart, she thought, Sha Chen is merely a demoted general; what impressive Cultivation Techniques could he possibly possess? She simply didn’t have the heart to wound Sha Chen’s pride, so she feigned happiness.

Then, after she sat down, Sha Chen imparted the Eight-Nine Profound Art to her, as well as parts of the 72 Polymorphic Transformations.

When she began learning, Seventh Mother was somewhat indifferent. But upon hearing it was the Eight-Nine Profound Art, she was utterly stunned.

I can learn such a profound Taoist technique? And... Sha Chen knows it too?!

Even after she learned it, she remained in a state of dazed disbelief for a long time.

And after she learned parts of the 72 Polymorphic Transformations, her astonishment was beyond measure.

Only after a year of study, when Sha Chen sent her out of the Formation, did she gradually come to her senses.

During that year, her reverence for Sha Chen had grown to be like an endless, mighty river. When she emerged, her eyes were filled with pure admiration.

A demoted general who actually knows the Eight-Nine Profound Art and parts of the 72 Polymorphic Transformations! It’s astounding!

Moreover, he taught them to me selflessly and even permitted me to teach my sisters!

Deeply moved, Seventh Mother repeatedly expressed her willingness to devote her life to him.

Each time, Sha Chen firmly refused, and his gentlemanly demeanor only made Seventh Mother’s heart flutter even more.

During that year, Sha Chen had also been busy, using the resources sent by Seventh Mother to enhance his Cultivation.

Still, with an outsider present, he inevitably felt somewhat uneasy.

It was after sending her away that he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

When Seventh Mother left, Sha Chen’s Divine Consciousness followed her.

Seventh Mother went to Huanghua Temple, paid a visit to the temple master, and then departed.

After Seventh Mother had traveled some distance from Huanghua Temple, a seed from the parcel Sha Chen had given her fell to the ground, unnoticed by anyone.

Once Seventh Mother was far away, the seed transformed into a human figure—it was, in fact, a clone of Sha Chen.

Deep beneath the Flowing Sand River, Sha Chen grinned. "Finally, I’ve sent the clone out. Go now, find your own opportunities, and bring back more resources for me."