Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Huanghua Temple’s Hongmen Banquet [Seeking Collection and Recommendations]_1
The Spider Spirit looked at Sha Chen and earnestly said, "Brother, it’s normal for women to be inferior to men."
Sha Chen’s cheeks twitched. "You can’t have that kind of feudal thinking. You need to be independent and strong."
Thinking it over, the Spider Spirits felt there was some truth to it.
Seventh Mother said, "But, Brother, we do need to deal with those troubles, and we currently don’t have the strength."
Sha Chen immediately became alert. This woman wouldn’t be coveting his cultivation resources, would she?
Seventh Mother continued, "We have been finding cultivation resources for Brother, and you have also taught us the Eight-Nine Profound Art. However, our cultivation is too slow, and it’s difficult to make further progress."
Sha Chen said, "Overcoming difficulties and facing challenges head-on—that is the true spirit of heroines not conceding to men."
Seventh Mother said, "Brother, we have something to say, but we’re not sure if we should."
Sha Chen replied, "If it’s not appropriate, then don’t say it."
Seventh Mother said, "Since Brother is allowing us to speak, then we’ll just say it."
Sha Chen’s eyes widened. Was that what he meant?
Seventh Mother went on, "We would like Brother to teach us some Divine Powers so we can have more ability to protect ourselves."
At this point, they all felt somewhat embarrassed. To dare ask for Divine Powers after gathering just a few cultivation resources for Sha Chen—it really wasn’t a good look.
Sha Chen, however, was relieved. As long as they didn’t want his cultivation resources, anything else was negotiable. Just some Divine Powers, after all. He had already passed on the Eight-Nine Profound Art; why would he care about some mere Divine Powers?
Without any hesitation, he declared his intention to teach them the complete 72 Polymorphic Transformations, allowing them to use these changes to, as he put it, enhance their forms and fortunes.
The Spider Spirits were instantly thrilled, each of them loudly praising Brother’s righteousness, willing to go through fire and water for him and dedicate themselves completely.
Seventh Mother’s eyes also gleamed. It was she who had brought it up, yet Sha Chen had still agreed to such an ’unreasonable’ request. She felt this was a sign of Sha Chen’s affection for her. Secretly, she resolved to go to any lengths for Sha Chen, even at the cost of her life.
Sha Chen had received enough resources from the Spider Spirits to sustain his cultivation for a year. After all, his cultivation level had risen, and so had his absorption rate. Resources that previously would have lasted years were no longer sufficient.
This was also why he was willing to pass on the 72 Polymorphic Transformations; you can’t catch a wolf without baiting it. If the Spider Spirits weren’t powerful, they wouldn’t be able to collect more and better resources, and he would be the one to suffer.
Then, Sha Chen specifically set aside a month to teach the Spider Spirits the 72 Polymorphic Transformations, hoping they would learn quickly and gather resources for him against the clock. Previously, he had taught them only a part of the 72 Polymorphic Transformations, and they had been practicing for a long time. Now, it seemed their aptitude wasn’t quite up to par. Even with the complete art, it took them a full six months of arduous cultivation just to grasp the basics.
During that half-year, he also had to provide them with food. They consumed quite a bit of Immortal Rice, which pained Sha Chen deeply.
However, what consoled him was that during this period, Seventh Mother of the Spider Spirits had a breakthrough in her cultivation, reaching the middle stage of Golden Immortal, which was indeed a cause for celebration. The others also made some gains, more or less, with the eldest sister even on the verge of reaching the peak of Golden Immortal.
They were extremely grateful to Sha Chen, constantly hinting at their willingness to repay him, even offering themselves, ready to undress at his word. Sha Chen always felt they were trying to disturb his Dao heart and covet his possessions.
Finally, after six months, they mastered the 72 Polymorphic Transformations. However, they hadn’t all learned everything. Instead, each learned a part, planning to slowly teach each other in the future.
The Flowing Sand River wasn’t going to keep them any longer. If they stayed on, they wouldn’t want to leave, and Sha Chen would eventually lose his patience and have to evict them.
「That day.」
The Spider Spirits packed their bundles, reluctantly came to the entrance of the cave dwelling, and gazed at Sha Chen with eyes brimming with deep emotion. They also perceived the glint of reluctant tears in Sha Chen’s eyes!!
Sha Chen’s eyes were indeed often filled with tears, but not from reluctance. It was relief. Pure relief. Those wasteful women had finally left! In the past six months, they had devoured hundreds of loads of Immortal Rice from his stores. They truly had voracious appetites!
Seventh Mother said, "Brother, don’t miss us too much. Now that we have successfully learned our arts, we will surely bring back more resources for you. We will meet again soon."
That was comforting to hear. Sha Chen nodded in satisfaction and then sent them on their way.
But less than two hours later, Seventh Mother returned alone.
Sha Chen asked in confusion, "What happened?"
Seventh Mother said, "Brother, before we left, we went to visit Brother Huanghua. He said he had misunderstood you in the past and has given up on targeting you. He also wishes to apologize to you in person."
"Moreover, he has prepared a banquet at Huanghua Temple and would like to invite you. He wants to apologize to you personally and let bygones be bygones with a smile."
Sha Chen was stunned for a moment, his expression turning strange. If the Master of Huanghua Temple wanted to bury the hatchet with a smile, why didn’t he come here to apologize in person? Why should the offended party be the one to go seeking an apology!?
"Detected that the Host has been invited by the Master of Huanghua Temple, the Centipede Spirit, to be a guest. You have the following choices:"
"Option One: Accept the invitation of the Master of Huanghua Temple, happily attend the banquet, and receive the reward Divine Power [Thousand Eyes]. Thousand Eyes: The Divine Power of the Master of Huanghua Temple, the Centipede Spirit, enables one to grow thousands of eyes on one’s body that can unleash powerful gazes to kill people."
"Option Two: Refuse the invitation of the Master of Huanghua Temple, do not attend the banquet, and receive the reward of ten drops of [Ghoul Essence Blood]. Ghoul Essence Blood: Strengthens the body, grants the ability to devour; half fortifies the body, and half improves cultivation."
Sha Chen was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. Gluttonous essence blood was something he had always longed for; a single drop previously had benefited him immensely. Now there were ten drops! This would definitely allow his devouring speed to make a qualitative leap. As for the [Thousand Eyes] Divine Power, he hadn’t considered it at all.
Seventh Mother seemed worried that Sha Chen might misunderstand and kept explaining, speaking favorably on behalf of the Centipede Spirit.
Sha Chen observed Seventh Mother’s expressions and smiled. "Seventh Mother, do you and the Master of Huanghua Temple share the same master?"
Seventh Mother said in surprise, "No, we are disciples of the Great Sage Pansi. Brother Huanghua is an independent cultivator. But we get along well, so we address each other as siblings."
Sha Chen breathed a sigh of relief and smiled. "Are you closer to me, or to the Master of Huanghua Temple?"
Without hesitation, Seventh Mother replied, "Naturally, we are closer to you, Brother." Then she added, "But Brother Huanghua has also guided us quite a bit. If Brother could let bygones be bygones with him, that would be for the best."
Sha Chen realized something. The Spider Spirits still held some old affection for the Master of Huanghua Temple. Forcing her to turn against him might cause displeasure. And he felt certain that the Centipede Spirit’s invitation to a banquet was a trap. Since the Centipede Spirit was being treacherous, he had no obligation to be righteous.
He then said, "Seventh Mother, if I told you that Centipede Spirit harbors ill intentions toward me, you surely wouldn’t believe me."
Seeing Seventh Mother about to defend the Master of Huanghua Temple, Sha Chen continued, "Don’t listen to what he says; watch what he does. His invitation to a banquet this time is most likely a trap. Help me test the waters. If it’s not, I will personally go to his temple to apologize."
After pondering for a moment, Seventh Mother asked, "How should I test it?"
She trusted Sha Chen a great deal but didn’t know the full extent of the enmity between him and the Centipede Spirit. She assumed Sha Chen was still brooding over the Centipede Spirit’s previous threats. She also intended to help Sha Chen probe the situation to ease his wariness.
Sha Chen smiled and said, "Didn’t you learn the 72 Polymorphic Transformations? Among them is the art of transformation. You can change into my appearance, attend the banquet in my place, and see what he’s planning, can’t you?
"But be careful. Whatever food and drink he offers, don’t actually consume them. Afterward, pretend to faint and see how he reacts."