Chapter 32: Chapter 32 Jin Chanzi reincarnates and arrives at Flowing Sand River [Seeking favorites and recommendation tickets]_1
Xuanzang left Fuling Mountain and headed west.
As soon as he was gone, Marshal Tianpeng emerged from Yunzhan Cave and took to the clouds, flying ahead of him.
「Flowing Sand River.」
Sha Chen was deep in his cultivation, undisturbed for several years, and felt very comfortable. This kind of life, free from mutual interference, was exactly what he desired. Over these years, Sha Chen had consumed several cycles of Immortal Rice, and the next batch had yet to grow. Now, he could only rely on the Thousand Swords Piercing The Heart Formation and the corrosive power of the Flowing Sand River to increase his cultivation. His body had become enormous and imposing, clearly not someone to be trifled with.
Time hurried by. One day, Sha Chen opened his eyes, muttering, "Why do I have this uneasy feeling?"
He hadn’t felt this way in a long time; it only surfaced when someone disturbed him or plotted against him.
Could it be that someone is still fixated on scheming against me from behind? he wondered. The Spider Spirit has been gone for years and hasn’t sent any resources. Without any news from the outside world, this passive feeling is really uncomfortable.
Sha Chen frowned. While he was lost in these thoughts, a familiar voice came from outside the Flowing Sand River.
"Old Sha, it’s me, Tianpeng. Open up the Formation."
Sha Chen’s brow furrowed. Didn’t we agree not to bother each other? Why has he come?
Through the Formation, he saw that Tianpeng outside was bristling with strong energy; apparently, he had fully recovered his Mana. His Fiery Golden Eyes confirmed that it was indeed Marshal Tianpeng.
He hesitated for a moment, then tested Tianpeng with a few questions about things that had occurred within the Formation—details only Tianpeng would know. Satisfied with the answers, Sha Chen finally opened the way.
Once inside, Tianpeng grumbled, "Old Sha, you’re too cautious. Apart from me, who else would visit this place?" Then, his eyes widened. "My goodness, Old Sha, what have you eaten? How come you’re as massive as the Mighty Miracle God?"
With a thought, Sha Chen’s body returned to its previous size, but anyone could tell that his physical form was now terrifyingly strong.
He smiled and said, "Nothing much. I’m cultivating my physical body, letting it grow wild and untamed so it can be tempered faster."
Tianpeng said, "What’s the use of cultivating the body? If you really want to get huge, just use the Law of Heaven and Earth."
Then he added, "I almost forgot the important matter. I came to tell you, your foresight is truly divine."
Sha Chen was taken aback. "What do you mean?"
Tianpeng recounted in great detail everything about establishing his cultivation ground on Fuling Mountain and encountering Xuanzang and the woodcutter.
Sha Chen listened, his expression growing serious.
Who would have thought that Jin Chanzi could travel so far? It seems my guess was indeed correct.
Sha Chen felt a grave weight in his heart. The original story didn’t mention what happened to Jin Chanzi’s ten monastic incarnations. However, many theories suggested that these monks had all died in the Flowing Sand River, eaten by the original Sand Awakened to Sha Wujing.
With this in mind, Sha Chen became vigilant. He knew that if he were to eat the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, there would be no turning back. Therefore, he had to avoid it at all costs.
Seeing Sha Chen’s grim expression and flickering eyes, Tianpeng said, "Old Sha, what’s the matter? Why so nervous? If I can resist not eating his flesh, you must hold back as well."
He then added, "If you really can’t resist, don’t hog it all—share with your brother." As he spoke, he wiped a dribble of saliva from his mouth.
Sha Chen rolled his eyes, quite speechless.
He said gravely, "Your cultivation has recovered, and you’ve established a cave abode on Fuling Mountain. You’ll likely face more temptations soon, so you must control yourself."
He thought to himself, If you can’t control yourself, then I won’t have any shield left.
Tianpeng said, "Don’t worry, my Dao Heart is still very strong."
Then, eying Sha Chen up and down, he said, "On the other hand, Old Sha, with your shallow cultivation, make sure you don’t end up eating that Monk."
Sha Chen laughed. "My cultivation is shallow? How about we have a little spar?"
He had been in solitary cultivation for a long time and hadn’t sparred with anyone in ages. Tianpeng was trustworthy, so a friendly sparring session with him would be no problem.
Tianpeng’s eyes lit up, and he laughed. "Sure, but be careful. My cultivation is at the peak of the Golden Immortal realm."
Sha Chen said, "I’m at the advanced stage of the Golden Immortal realm, just half a step away from the peak."
Tianpeng laughed. "Advanced stage of Golden Immortal, eh? That’s good. Keep trying, and you’ll catch up... Wait, you’re at the advanced stage of Golden Immortal?!"
He was flabbergasted. He recalled his past dealings with Sha Chen; back in the heavens, didn’t Sha Chen only possess cultivation at the Initial Stage of True Immortal? How long had it been since Sha Chen was banished to the mortal world—a mere dozen years or so? How could he have reached the advanced stage of Golden Immortal so quickly?
Incredible. Utterly terrifying.
Sha Chen smiled and sent a palm strike surging towards Tianpeng like a vibrant rainbow.
Tianpeng confirmed that Sha Chen truly possessed the cultivation of an advanced stage Golden Immortal and dared not take it lightly. He quickly retaliated, and the two exchanged blows, thoroughly enjoying the fight.
However, Tianpeng’s 36 Polymorphic Transformations were all known to Sha Chen. In fact, Sha Chen also knew the 72 Polymorphic Transformations and possessed many more techniques. Most importantly, Sha Chen’s physical body was incredibly strong, so Tianpeng didn’t dare to clash head-on, relying only on Divine Power.
As the fight progressed, they eventually moved on to combat with weapons.
Tianpeng’s Nine-Tooth Rake whooshed with power, while Sha Chen took out his Crescent Shovel and Parent-child Sword. The God Needle of Usagi Day remained a hidden trump card, one he had yet to use.
When their weapons collided, Tianpeng found himself getting beaten even more miserably. He discovered that Sha Chen’s strength was truly immense, the impacts almost jarring his own weapon from his grasp.
Finally, Tianpeng unleashed his signature move—a fierce backward strike with his rake. He struck Sha Chen directly, laughing with satisfaction, "This is my ultimate technique! Let’s see you dodge this!"
However, Sha Chen met the strike head-on with his physical body. A flash of purple-gold brilliance erupted from him, and the Nine-Tooth Rake struck as if hitting solid iron.
In the next instant, Sha Chen’s Crescent Shovel was at Tianpeng’s neck. With just a bit more force, he could have beheaded him.
Tianpeng was drenched in cold sweat, his eyes wide with disbelief.
He had lost. He, a peak Golden Immortal, had been unable to defeat Sha Chen.
"H-how... how is your physical body so strong? Even my Nine-Tooth Rake couldn’t break through?"
Sha Chen said, "My physical body is indeed strong, capable of withstanding attacks from ordinary Golden Immortals. However, it alone couldn’t block your Nine-Tooth Rake."
Then, a radiant purple-gold light emanated from his body as he smiled. "What blocked your weapon was this Magical Tool I’m wearing—the Purple Illuminate Immortal Robe."
The Purple Illuminate Immortal Robe: invulnerable to swords and spears.
Tianpeng’s eyes practically glowed purple with envy. "Old Sha, where do you get all these amazing things?"
Sha Chen smiled. "Treasures choose those with destiny. They chose me, and so they are mine."
Tianpeng, drooling with envy, was about to ask if he could try it on.
Just then, from outside the Formation, a burly voice called out, "Little Master, this Flowing Sand River is so treacherous that not even a goose feather can float on it, and boats cannot cross. We might as well take a detour."
Another, younger voice replied, "No. The Flowing Sand River stretches as far as the eye can see; it’s probably boundless. Taking a detour could mean we won’t cross it for who knows how many years or months."
Tianpeng and Sha Chen exchanged a look. They both had the exact same thought: The scripture pilgrims... they’ve arrived.