Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Fate Starts to Change Now [Requesting Collection and Recommendation Tickets]_1
BOOM.
Ao Lie felt as if struck by lightning, completely stunned.
"Why would someone with no connection to you, no reason to, offer help?"
These words struck him like a sharp warning.
He broke out in a cold sweat. "Could it just be his kindness?" he asked.
Sha Chen replied, "Perhaps he’s setting a trap for you. He knows you’re pursuing Princess Wan Sheng and also knows about the liuli Dragon Pearl. That’s something your father only recently presented to the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor hasn’t even decided how to use it yet, so how would an outsider know it’s in the Heavenly Court?"
Ao Lie sobered up completely.
Drenched in a cold sweat and trembling, he stammered, "Brother, am I... am I being targeted?"
As a member of the Dragon Clan, he naturally knew of their precarious situation.
The Dragon Clan had always been extremely cautious, as if treading on thin ice. Though he was pampered and indulged by the clan, it didn’t mean he was oblivious to their circumstances.
In fact, precisely because he loved to cause trouble, he was frequently warned.
That was why he rarely visited the Heavenly Court to amuse himself. Instead, he spent his time in the mortal realm, associating with demons, and had even pursued a Spider Spirit.
Now, infatuated with Princess Wan Sheng, he hadn’t realized he was being manipulated.
Terrified, he quickly kowtowed to Sha Chen, begging for guidance.
Sha Chen helped him up. "If I tell you," he said, "will you believe me?"
Ao Lie replied, "I believe you. I’ll believe anything you say, Brother."
Sha Chen said, "What if I were to tell you that Buddhism has targeted you? Would you believe that?"
Ao Lie exclaimed in shock, "Impossible!"
Sha Chen let go of his hand. "Very well, you can leave then. The liuli Dragon Pearl is in the mouth of the golden dragon in front of the Bright Palace. Go on, steal it."
Ao Lie trembled with fear, fell to his knees before Sha Chen, and kowtowed repeatedly.
"Brother, don’t give up on me! I know I was wrong. I’m not doubting you; I’m doubting myself. I’m just a minor dragon; I’m not worthy of Buddhism scheming against me."
Sha Chen glanced at him. "Of course you’re not worthy. But Buddhism isn’t interested in you; they’re interested in the Dragon Clan. You’re just a pawn."
Ao Lie was aghast.
Sha Chen used a mix of persuasion and pressure, helping him up again. In a soft voice, he said, "You know the history of the Dragon Clan. Buddhism is placing its bets on our clan, and at the same time, they want to find someone to monitor us."
Ao Lie shivered, feeling this was highly probable.
Sha Chen continued, "Your talent doesn’t match your elder brother Ao Moang’s, but that also makes you easier to control. That’s why Buddhism has targeted you: to make you commit a mistake, then rescue you, and finally persuade you to become a Buddha."
He patted Ao Lie’s shoulder. "At that point, would you become a Buddha, or not?"
Ao Lie was terrified. It seemed death would be certain then, and I’d have no other choice.
Sha Chen said, "Once you make a mistake, you’ll face death. If Buddhism then steps in to save you and makes you a Bodhisattva, you’ll undoubtedly be overcome with gratitude. From then on, the Dragon Clan will become Buddhism’s private preserve."
Ao Lie, his face pale with fright, asked, "Brother, what should I do?"
Sha Chen replied, "Don’t make any mistakes."
Ao Lie nodded. "But I’m dull-witted. How can I avoid making mistakes?"
Sha Chen said, "Listen to me, and you won’t. When faced with temptation, you must endure and resist."
He then gave Ao Lie a long list of warnings, essentially painting Buddhism as the ultimate villain.
He urged Ao Lie to be extremely vigilant. Ao Lie was left feeling dazed by all the advice, yet he was thoroughly convinced.
In his heart, Ao Lie had already accepted Sha Chen as his brother. This brother seemed omniscient, with extraordinary insight!
If it weren’t for Brother Sha Chen, I would have made a terrible misstep and brought ruin upon the Dragon Clan!
Thank goodness I met Brother Sha Chen!
Ao Lie promised repeatedly that he would absolutely not make any mistakes and would strictly follow Sha Chen’s words: to be strict with himself and lenient with others.
He would examine himself three times a day.
He even considered returning home and simply not going out anymore, directly entering seclusion in the Crystal Palace for dedicated Cultivation.
Sha Chen praised him highly. "Meet all changes by remaining unchanged. You’ve grasped it."
Ao Lie was even more overjoyed. "Then I’ll return immediately. I won’t leave home until my Cultivation reaches the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm! If I do leave, it will only be to find you, Brother!"
Sha Chen said, "That’s not entirely necessary. Just stay comfortably at home."
Ao Lie stood up to take his leave. "Brother, your hospitality today... I have no way to repay such kindness. From now on, the special products of the Crystal Palace will be prioritized for you, Brother."
Sha Chen said, "In that case, we should visit each other more often."
Then Ao Lie parted the waters, exited the Formation, and departed.
After leaving, he didn’t return directly to the West Sea but headed for the Heavenly Court instead.
However, upon arriving at the Bright Palace, he confirmed that the liuli Dragon Pearl was indeed in the mouth of the golden dragon in front of the hall. Strangely, not a single guard was present.
It was as if it was tempting him, urging him to steal it quickly.
Yet Ao Lie felt the liuli Dragon Pearl no longer looked beautiful. Instead, it seemed like a demon, frightening him so much that he turned and fled.
Brother truly didn’t deceive me! I’ll never leave the Crystal Palace again!
After returning, he plunged into the West Sea, went straight into the Crystal Palace, found the water vortex where the Golden Cudgel had once been, and settled there to meditate and undergo Cultivation.
Everyone in the Dragon Clan thought he had gone mad.
A prodigal son actually engaging in serious Cultivation?
However, the Dragon King was very pleased when he saw this. He ordered that the Dragon Clan’s treasures be prioritized for the Third Crown Prince’s use, supplying whatever he needed for his Cultivation.
The Dragon Clan’s treasury was immense. The Third Crown Prince himself possessed exceptional talent; even without dedicated Cultivation, he already had such a high level of attainment. With diligent Cultivation, his strength naturally soared.
However, the Third Crown Prince set aside a portion, planning to bring it to Sha Chen later.
Brother has shown me kindness as weighty as a mountain. If I have a mouthful to eat, Brother must have his share too. I’ll save some of these for him.
Sha Chen hadn’t expected Ao Lie to be so loyal and righteous.
If I had known, I could have been even more dramatic with my words.
「Inside the Bright Palace.」
The Jade Emperor and Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad were receiving an important figure from the West—Maitreya Buddha.
At that moment, the three of them stared blankly at the water screen before them.
The water screen reflected the golden dragon outside the hall, as well as the West Sea.
Initially, when they saw Ao Lie ascend to the heavens, they were all smiles, believing everything was under control.
When they saw Ao Lie’s eyes practically bulging as he stared at the liuli Dragon Pearl in the golden dragon’s mouth, they grew even more confident.
The plan has succeeded!
Great White Plane even began to flatter Maitreya Buddha, declaring him to be practically omniscient.
Maitreya Buddha responded modestly, saying it was merely a trivial skill.
Then, they saw Ao Lie, who should have stolen the Dragon Ball, suddenly turn around and leave, heading straight back to the Crystal Palace in the West Sea.
It all happened too fast, like a whirlwind.
They hadn’t the slightest warning, nor were they the least bit prepared.
It seemed like the matter was over before it had even truly begun.
Ao Lie didn’t steal the Dragon Ball?!
This seems a bit different from the plan!
Great White Plane looked embarrassed. The Jade Emperor remained expressionless, while Maitreya Buddha’s smile stiffened.
"Ahem..."
Great White Plane coughed. "Why didn’t that wretched dragon fall for the trap? Could it be he found out something?"
Maitreya Buddha said, "That beast is incorrigibly mischievous; it’s impossible for him to know."
The Jade Emperor said, "I had already moved the guards away, yet he still didn’t steal the Dragon Ball. There must be a flaw in the plan."
The three of them were completely baffled.
Great White Plane asked, "Could it be... he no longer fancies Princess Wan Sheng?"
Maitreya Buddha said, "Impossible. Princess Wan Sheng is naturally alluring. Moreover, I personally ’enlightened’ her. Her allure to that beast is irresistible."
Great White Plane asked, "Then what does this mean?"
Maitreya Buddha formed hand seals and began to divine. "He went to the Flowing Sand River. After that... I cannot ascertain."
Great White Plane and the Jade Emperor exchanged a look, both dumbfounded.
"The Flowing Sand River again? Could it be... Juanlian told him something?!" Great White Plane exclaimed in shock.
Maitreya Buddha snorted coldly. "If you want to know what was said, just go and ask him."