Chapter 10: Chapter 10: Buddhism’s Incense Oil, Cleanse The Worldly Dust【Requests for collection and recommendation votes】_1
The Elixir Immortal Grass still required some time to mature.
Sha Chen was unwilling to remain idle for even a moment and immersed himself in endless Cultivation.
His talent hadn’t changed; it remained utterly ordinary. However, he now possessed a better Cultivation Method.
Thus, he cherished this opportunity and eagerly anticipated breaking through again, hoping for better options to arise.
He hoped that, by then, he could gain more cultivation resources, find something to change his living environment, or perhaps even enhance his talent.
In short, he was not satisfied.
He always felt that he was lacking many things.
He continued his Cultivation, remaining in seclusion.
Half a month passed. Sha Chen suddenly opened his eyes, sensing that someone seemed to be spying outside the Flowing Sand River.
People had spied on him before, but never so blatantly.
After waiting for a moment, it appeared the watcher had no intention of leaving, yet they seemed not to have discovered his presence.
He sensed the watcher’s gaze merely sweep over his location, without lingering.
He chuckled. The Black Tortoise Divine Array isn’t just formidable for defense; its ability to evade prying eyes is also unparalleled.
I suppose the person on the bank, looking through the now-strengthened Flowing Sand River, didn’t notice the location of my palace.
Just as he was about to continue his secluded Cultivation, the person on the bank could no longer hold back. They dove into the water, heading straight down the river in search of him!
"Help! Help! What’s wrong with this water? I’m drowning!"
"This Flowing Sand River has no buoyancy at all! And how can its corrosiveness be so strong? Help! Save me! I don’t want to die!"
The one who had jumped into the river began to shout loudly for help. Drifting with the current, he eventually reached the section of the river where Sha Chen was located.
Sha Chen could see it was a rhinoceros demon. It had reverted to its original form under the effects of the Flowing Sand River and was now struggling helplessly.
It seemed he truly was about to drown.
Sha Chen furrowed his brow.
"A Lucky Person has been discovered: King Bi Chen, the rhinoceros demon. While searching for a host, he fell into the water and is about to drown. You have the following options:"
"Option One: Save King Bi Chen, the rhinoceros demon, and establish good karma. Reward: Magical Item [A Jar of Buddhism Fragrance Oil]. Buddhism Fragrance Oil: Fragrance oil offered before the Great Thunder Sound Temple, imbued with the sanctifying power of Buddhist meditation, capable of altering one’s potential."
"Option Two: Ignore him and let him die in the Flowing Sand River. Reward: Magical Tool [Water-Repelling Pearl]. Water-Repelling Pearl: Within a specified radius, this pearl ensures not a single drop of water can enter, keeping the area bone dry."
Sha Chen was overjoyed. He had been lamenting his mediocre potential, and now, unexpectedly, a reward of Buddhism Fragrance Oil appeared—something that could enhance it!
King Bi Chen, the rhinoceros demon... he must be one of those three infamous rhinoceros demon monsters from Jinping Prefecture in India who later impersonated Buddhas during the Journey to the West. His Mana is formidable. As a group, they caused even Sun Wukong considerable trouble.
He initially seemed to be looking for me, priding himself on his skill in water. Yet, he clearly didn’t know how extraordinary the Flowing Sand River is, and now he’s on the verge of drowning. If I save him, regardless of his original intentions, I’ll have to consider this karmic connection.
After only a moment’s consideration, Sha Chen decided to intervene and save him.
He did not leave the Black Tortoise Divine Array. Instead, he controlled the Crescent Shovel, sending it flying out to retrieve King Bi Chen from the Flowing Sand River.
Then, the Crescent Shovel returned within the Formation. Holding both the Parent-child Sword and the Crescent Shovel, Sha Chen waited to see what King Bi Chen would do next.
By this time, he had already received the system’s notification, confirming his reward: a jar of Buddhism Fragrance Oil.
「On the bank.」
King Bi Chen, having narrowly escaped death, gasped for breath. Still shaken, he shouted towards the Flowing Sand River, "It must have been the General for Folding the Curtain who saved me! Thank you very much!"
Sha Chen did not respond. He merely observed from the vast depths of the water, his gaze fixed on King Bi Chen on the riverbank.
Sha Chen wasn’t concerned with King Bi Chen’s goodwill; he simply hoped not to be disturbed.
However, King Bi Chen clearly wouldn’t rest until he saw Sha Chen.
"Although I am a demon, I have also studied some Buddhist Law. I’m a good demon! I understand gratitude. General for Folding the Curtain, you saved my life. Could you please come out so I can repay your kindness?"
"If you don’t come out, it will weigh on my conscience. I’ll always feel this emptiness inside. I beg you, please meet me, just once!"
Sha Chen still didn’t emerge, but this time, he spoke.
"You may leave now."
King Bi Chen’s heart leaped with joy. As long as Sha Chen was willing to speak, everything was negotiable. What he feared most was the silent treatment.
The Flowing Sand River had grown stronger. Despite his skill in water, his rash entry had nearly cost him his life, making it even more difficult to find someone within it.
Therefore, he decided to change his strategy: he would try to persuade Sha Chen to become a demon.
"General for Folding the Curtain, you saved me, and I must repay you. How would you like me to do that?"
Sha Chen replied, "Just leave. Don’t disturb me."
King Bi Chen said, "Why don’t you leave this dreadful place with me? I have two older brothers whose Mana is boundless. If they knew you saved me, they would surely protect you."
"From then on, the four of us could roam the world together, free and unfettered!"
Sha Chen remained silent. King Bi Chen continued, "I know you were once a celestial being and might look down on demons. But there are good and bad demons, you know! You can’t be so rigid."
"My two brothers and I have it all planned out. Even though we’re demons, we intend to protect a region and ensure its peace. We won’t eat or harm people. We’ll protect them and live off the daily offerings they provide."
I remember from the original story, Sha Chen recalled, these three peculiar demons actually did manage to do that.
Yet, he remained unmoved. "I am currently undergoing a tribulation," he stated. "I hold no ill will towards demons. I simply do not wish to leave, nor do I wish to become a demon, nor do I want to get involved in the affairs of the mortal world."
King Bi Chen’s eyes darted about. "If that’s the case," he said, "then why not join Buddhism? They also steer clear of worldly disturbances."
After saying this, he mentally congratulated himself on his cleverness.
Sha Chen, however, grew wary. So, King Bi Chen is finally showing his true colors, he thought.
He then said, "The Buddha wouldn’t take a liking to a coarse fellow like myself."
I didn’t outright reject him or speak ill of Buddhism. Instead, I shifted the onus onto Buddhism itself. I don’t want to cause myself unnecessary trouble.
He’s so evasive! King Bi Chen muttered to himself. How can such a seemingly straightforward brute have such a subtle mind?
King Bi Chen then continued trying to persuade him for a long time. In the end, however, he was just talking to himself, as Sha Chen offered no further response.
He persuaded until he was blue in the face, but still didn’t hear another word from Sha Chen. This is infuriating! King Bi Chen thought, thoroughly exasperated. He’s actually ignoring me! Normally, I’d drain this river dry and drag him out! But... he saved my life. If I still did that, wouldn’t I become a laughingstock?
With that thought, King Bi Chen departed, feeling utterly helpless.
In truth, Sha Chen had been watching King Bi Chen the entire time; he had simply chosen not to reply.
Seeing King Bi Chen finally leave, Sha Chen secretly breathed a sigh of relief and began to take stock of his gains.
A jar of Buddhism Fragrance Oil... it can change a person’s potential! Those three rhinoceros demons significantly increased their Mana and improved their innate potential by secretly consuming this fragrance oil. They also eavesdropped on Buddhist Law, which deepened their cultivation before they descended to the mortal realm to become demons.
Sha Chen took out the jar of fragrance oil. Just a sniff made his entire body feel comfortable and relaxed, and his eyes lit up with eager anticipation.
GLUG. GLUG.
He drank the fragrance oil straight down.
Instantly, all the impurities and filth within Sha Chen’s body were cleansed by the fragrance oil and expelled.