Chapter 53: Chapter 53: Indispensable Ao Lie [Seeking Collection and Recommendations]_1
Sha Chen looked at Bai Yulong Ao Lie and asked faintly, "Has the Crown Prince submitted?"
Agonized and unable to endure the pain, Ao Lie did not dare to resist and quickly replied, "I have submitted, I have. Please spare me."
Sha Chen released his hold. Ao Lie immediately backed away and, tilting his head to the sky, let out a roar, swallowing and spitting out the waters of the Flowing Sand River. When he spoke again, a water dragon chant emerged from his mouth. He charged toward Sha Chen’s Formation with an unstoppable momentum, as if he wanted to destroy both Sha Chen and his cave dwelling.
Sha Chen smiled faintly and, with a palm strike launched through the air, scattered the water dragon chant, causing the waters of the Flowing Sand River to converge into a single stream. Ao Lie was propelled by the river current and struck the Formation, leaving him dazed and disoriented.
A hand reached out, seizing his neck. "Are you playing tricks?" a voice asked.
Ao Lie, feeling the palpable threat of death, finally submitted, saying in terror, "I’m sorry, I was wrong. I just couldn’t accept it, but now I fully yield."
Sha Chen asked, "How can I believe you?"
Ao Lie replied, "I am the West Sea Dragon King’s Third Son. My father is the Dragon King. You should believe me."
Sha Chen sneered, "The Dragon Clan has long since declined. Never mind a mere Crown Prince like you; even if your father, the Dragon King, were here and acted so deceitfully, I wouldn’t bat an eye."
Ao Lie said hastily, "Just let me go, and I’ll do whatever you say."
An idea seemed to strike Sha Chen as his eyes darted. He suddenly asked, "Anything?"
Ao Lie felt uneasy, but being at another’s mercy, he did not dare to resist. He quickly nodded in agreement.
A cold smile hung on Sha Chen’s lips. Ao Lie is one of the chosen for the Journey to the West. Although he’s the unobtrusive White-Dragon-Horse, he is indispensable. His indispensability comes from his exceptional talent and his tempting identity. As the West Sea Dragon King’s Third Son, his identity is that of a true dragon. True dragons might be in decline nowadays, but their strength has been evident to all since primeval times. To prevent the dragons from rising again, Buddhism needs someone to watch over the entire Dragon Clan. And to bet on the chance of the Dragon Clan’s resurgence, Buddhism has to win over a true dragon. All in all, it’s not a loss. If the White-Dragon-Horse Ao Lie truly undertook the Journey to the West, he would attain Bodhisattva status—a position even more prestigious than Sha Chen’s own as an Arhat—all thanks to his identity. Worthy of Buddhism’s bet, deserving of ample respect. In other words, Buddhism has to bet on the Dragon Clan, and Third Prince Ao Lie will definitely become one of the pilgrims and eventually join Buddhism.
Sha Chen thought that Ao Lie was even more indispensable than himself. Now that Buddhism is eyeing him intently, relying on Zhu Bajie alone is unlikely to withstand Buddhism’s firepower. He decided to recruit more allies to bear the brunt of Buddhism’s pressure. With Tianpeng already part of the team, Buddhism is probably already troubled; bringing Ao Lie into the fold would undoubtedly drive Buddhism mad. What he truly desired was to persuade Monk Tang and Sun Wukong to abandon the Journey. For those two are the ones Buddhism most wants to secure, especially Sun Wukong, who in the future defeated Ancestor Wutian, saved all living beings, and attained Sub-Sage status through his merit. If he could persuade Sun Wukong and Monk Tang to reject the great endeavor of the Journey to the West, Buddhism would probably lose interest in him. Then he could peacefully cultivate, lying low until the end of time. The more Sha Chen thought about it, the happier he became, feeling more and more confident in his plan.
Ao Lie, whose neck was seized by Sha Chen, could see the flicker in Sha Chen’s eyes and felt a mixture of stifled resentment and, predominantly, fear. How is this rogue so powerful? His cultivation is actually at the peak of the Golden Immortal stage! This is impossible! How could he be so strong? When he first arrived, what was his level of cultivation? And in just this short period, he has become so powerful!
Ao Lie felt wistful and resentful. He, a royal scion, had been bested by a mere Great General for Folding the Curtain—and a disgraced one at that!
Sha Chen watched him, hesitated for a moment, then pulled him into the Formation. Too many eyes were on the Flowing Sand River. Within the Formation, no one below the rank of Saint could spy—not even a Quasi-Saint. What he had to say and do was not for others to see.
After entering the Formation, Sha Chen bound Ao Lie to a stone pillar and then used the 72 Polymorphic Transformations to cast Drawing Ground into Prison, trapping him. If he dared to move recklessly, he could be swiftly killed.
Ao Lie was terrified and extremely frustrated, but he didn’t dare to resist. He also noticed that the inside of the Formation was even more awe-inspiring and magnificent than the Crystal Palace. He was immensely shocked. Was this scoundrel suffering, or vacationing and nurturing his health!? Such a cave dwelling of the Immortal Mountain! Not even an emperor’s palace could compare!
Sha Chen kept sizing up Ao Lie and did not stop him from peering at every blade of grass and tree in the cave dwelling. He even intentionally guided him to look toward the Immortal Rice fields.
Upon seeing the Immortal Rice fields, Ao Lie was dumbstruck, unable to turn his gaze away, both terrified and astonished. What am I seeing? A Pantaopeach Tree? A divine osmanthus tree? So many first-class Immortal Elixirs? Immortal Rice stretching as far as the eye can see? Mysterious Heavenly Water? Post-Heaven Earth... BOO HOO HOO! I am so poor!
Ao Lie’s confidence shattered at that moment. He considered himself tall, rich, and handsome, but he had never imagined being brought to his knees by a mere Great General for Folding the Curtain. If he was tall, rich, and handsome, then what did that make Sha Chen? The wealthiest in the Three Realms!? He finally understood why Sha Chen was guarding this place and refusing to leave. If it were him, he wouldn’t leave either. He also finally understood why Sha Chen’s strength had increased so quickly. Guarding a mountain of gold and silver, even a pig could ascend to the heavens!
Seeing the situation was ripe, Sha Chen smiled slightly and said, "Third Prince, what do you think of my place?"
Ao Lie replied dejectedly, "Older Brother, your cave dwelling is a blessed land, truly enviable."
Sha Chen’s eyes gleamed, and he laughed, "Since you’ve called me Older Brother, then I shall acknowledge you as my Younger Brother." Then he waved his hand, releasing Ao Lie.
This completely baffled Ao Lie. Calling you ’Older Brother’ is just something one says out of necessity when under duress, a term to curry favor! Are you really that straightforward!?
Sha Chen said, "The Dragon Clan has always been the race I admire the most. Throughout the ages, numerous races have come and gone, but the truly domineering one to this day has been the Dragon Clan."
Ao Lie’s blood boiled upon hearing this.
However, what Sha Chen said was pure nonsense. The Dragon Clan had long since fallen into decline; they were the least respected in the Journey to the West. But everyone loves to hear good things, and since Sha Chen planned to use Ao Lie as a shield, he naturally wanted to get on his good side.
He personally prepared a table full of delicious delicacies and brought out fragrant Immortal Rice. Worrying that this was a dragon from the north, he also served up a bowl of noodles. After that, he reluctantly dug out a jar of osmanthus brew from the cellar, hesitated a moment, and then decanted it into two smaller jars. Then, he dug out three more jars of white liquor brewed with Immortal Rice and Elixirs and placed them on the table.
"Third Prince, sit. Accompany your elder brother for a couple of drinks?"
Ao Lie’s cheeks twitched slightly. He didn’t understand why Sha Chen’s attitude had changed so much, but he was truly attracted by the tableful of delicious food. Even though he was the Crown Prince, accustomed to delicacies from the mountains and seas, the Dragon Clan’s decline meant he’d had no opportunity to find Elixirs and Immortal Herbs for cooking. Sha Chen even used Mysterious Heavenly Water for washing the rice and Immortal Rice for cooking; the whole meal was not only delicious but could also increase cultivation after eating. The Crystal Palace had none of this.
He naturally did not hold back, quickly cupped his fists to express thanks, and then sat down.
Sha Chen said, "Drink." Getting him drunk would make him easier to hoodwink.