Chapter 169: Chapter 163: You and I are Fatefully Connected with Buddha [Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets]_1
Sha Chen was stunned.
There was a monk outside, calling at the door.
He and Marshal Tianpeng were instantly terrified, looking at each other, goosebumps rising all over their skin.
They had just been discussing Empress Shiji and Ran Deng Buddha, and now a monk was at their door, demanding the return of the Sky Shaking Bow.
Such a person, at such a time, couldn’t help but make them draw connections.
Sha Chen hurriedly activated his Divine Eye to look outside and immediately, his scalp tingled. His eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
Ran Deng Buddha. It was really him.
After checking several times, he was certain. It was Ran Deng Buddha, his Buddha light illuminating everything, his mana so profound that Sha Chen’s Dharma Eye couldn’t penetrate it.
Marshal Tianpeng also looked outside. He, who only possessed Heavenly Vision, also recognized the great monk at the door as Ran Deng Buddha. This was because he had seen him several times before.
HISS!
Marshal Tianpeng sucked in a sharp breath of cold air. "Why would Ran Deng Buddha come here? How could he have tracked us down so quickly?"
Sha Chen also wanted to ask someone why Ran Deng Buddha would come to this place.
Ran Deng Buddha had already entered the water. The waters of the Flowing Sand River automatically parted for him as he stood firmly before the entrance to their underwater immortal cave. It was as if even the water of the Flowing Sand River feared him. Yet, he didn’t appear to be using any Buddhist Law; he simply stood there, and the water dared not approach. Moreover, the entire Flowing Sand River was preternaturally calm, as still as dead water. It was as if by merely standing in the Flowing Sand River, he was the king of this domain. Even Sha Chen could not contend with him.
Sha Chen secretly channeled the power of the water sources, but he still couldn’t contend with Ran Deng Buddha.
It’s rumored that he obtained the twenty-four Sea-Pinning Beads, which connect heaven and earth and possess the power to calm the seas. I never expected even the Flowing Sand River to be subdued by him, Sha Chen muttered to himself.
From outside the door came Ran Deng Buddha’s voice, chuckling, "Master Sha Chen, you flatter me. This old monk merely obtained them by chance. Please, Master, come out so we may meet."
HISS!
Sha Chen drew in another sharp breath. He had been speaking inside the immortal cave, yet Ran Deng Buddha, outside, had apparently heard everything.
Then, a chill ran down his spine, and he was filled with utter horror.
Could Ran Deng Buddha also see inside my immortal cave? If that’s possible, I’ll lose all my secrets and will no longer be safe, Sha Chen thought.
Marshal Tianpeng was also deeply shaken. "I never expected the old monk to be so formidable as to hear our voices."
Ran Deng Buddha stood outside the immortal cave, his gaze fixed on Sha Chen and the others, as if he could see right through the entire dwelling.
He smiled. "Marshal Tianpeng, you have such good fortune. This old monk sees that you have an affinity with Buddhism. Why not accompany me to Lingjiu Mountain to cultivate?"
Marshal Tianpeng was immediately startled. He quickly retreated, hiding in the depths of the palace, and cried out in fear, "No, no, no! I don’t want to!"
Ran Deng Buddha appeared disappointed. "That is a pity. However, this old monk believes that in time, Marshal Tianpeng will come to appreciate the virtues of Buddhism."
Sha Chen felt a surge of fear and worry. Can Ran Deng Buddha really see and hear us? If so, this is truly dangerous.
Sha Chen tried making a face, but Ran Deng Buddha showed no reaction. He even stuck his tongue out at Ran Deng Buddha, but still, there was no response. When Sha Chen moved to the side, Ran Deng Buddha’s face seemed to turn towards his direction of movement, always maintaining that calm, composed smile.
Sha Chen asked in a low voice, "Honorable Buddha, why have you come here?"
Ran Deng Buddha smiled. "Naturally, I have come to retrieve Buddhism’s treasure, the Sky Shaking Bow. Please return it, Master Sha Chen."
Sha Chen’s expression turned peculiar. He grabbed the Sky Shaking Bow, nocked an arrow, drew the bowstring, and aimed it at Ran Deng Buddha.
And yet, Ran Deng Buddha had no reaction. It wasn’t until Sha Chen condensed a light arrow and drew the bow to its fullest extent that Ran Deng Buddha finally frowned. Sha Chen could see Ran Deng Buddha’s head tilt slightly. That’s the posture of listening.
Sha Chen’s heart settled as he simultaneously put away the Sky Shaking Bow.
I’m certain now. When he’s close enough, Ran Deng Buddha can hear the slightest stirrings within our immortal cave. But he can’t see clearly. He’s just putting on an act, pretending to have insight into everything.
Marshal Tianpeng, ignorant of this, was genuinely terrified. Sha Chen had no intention of telling him the truth, because Tianpeng’s fear and trepidation were precisely what could mislead Ran Deng Buddha.
The idea was to mix truth with deception. Let Ran Deng Buddha believe they were panicking, that their every move was seen through, thus falling within his grasp. However, Sha Chen knew Ran Deng Buddha actually knew nothing about their situation, and he could respond calmly. He could even lay a trap for Ran Deng Buddha.
Yet, the power of Ran Deng Buddha was beyond Sha Chen’s expectations. The sheer ability to hear the slightest movement within his dwelling was terrifying enough.
If Ran Deng Buddha can shatter the Black Tortoise Armor and breach the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji, then I’ll be completely at his mercy, Sha Chen thought.
If it had been anyone else, Sha Chen wouldn’t have been worried. But Ran Deng Buddha’s strength was unmatched. He had stolen the limelight in the Divine Enthronement, once the Deputy Master of the Chan Sect; even the Chan Sect’s twelve Golden Immortals had to address him as Teacher. His junior fellow disciples were Yun Zhong Zi and Nanji Xianweng, supreme immortals in the Chan Sect, second only to the Sect Hierarch and above tens of thousands. In the Divine Enthronement, his combat achievements were formidable. Most impressively, he had slain the Golden Spirit Holy Mother, a direct disciple of Tongtian Hierarch.
Ran Deng Buddha later joined the Western Sect, along with Taoist Ci Hang and the two sages Manjushri and Samantabhadra. Wielding the twenty-four Sea-Pinning Beads, he established the twenty-four heavens of the West and attained the fruition of an Ancient Buddha, his prominence unparalleled. Only Tathagata could somewhat overshadow him.
Sha Chen was genuinely worried that the Black Tortoise Armor and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji wouldn’t be able to withstand Ran Deng Buddha.
Hearing no sound from within for a while, Ran Deng Buddha spoke again, "Master Sha Chen, if you refuse to come out, this old monk will enter personally."
Sha Chen immediately became vigilant.
Tianpeng was also afraid. "Old Sha, if the old monk comes in, we’ll likely be in deep trouble! What should we do?"
Ran Deng Buddha, outside, naturally heard Tianpeng’s panicked voice and smirked with satisfaction. As long as Sha Chen and his companion were thrown into disarray, they would reveal an opening. Once they came out, it would be his domain.
Tianpeng said, "Old Sha, maybe we should hurry out, return the Sky Shaking Bow to them, and let this matter be."
Sha Chen said, "Stay calm. Don’t rush."
Tianpeng panicked. "Not rush? If we don’t go out now, and he comes in, we’ll have no chance left!" Then he reproached, "This is all your fault! You must have been after the hidden treasure, and while everyone was unprepared, you snatched the Sky Shaking Bow. Didn’t you consider that even if you could snatch it from Empress Shiji of the Sect of Interpretation, could you really snatch it from Ran Deng Buddha?"
Sha Chen scolded, "Shut up! What do you know?"
Tianpeng shrank his neck from the scolding but still muttered, "It’s the truth. I thought you were so good at lying low, but you couldn’t resist going out to snatch the Magical Tool, could you? Still, managing to snatch it without being discovered—you truly are sly."
Sha Chen gave Tianpeng a beating until he stopped muttering, then slowly exhaled. He looked towards Ran Deng Buddha, his expression grave, filled with doubt and uncertainty. He wasn’t sure if Ran Deng Buddha could actually enter, but he was eighty percent confident that Ran Deng could not.
Because if Ran Deng could enter, he would have done so directly, without all this idle talk! As for leaving, that’s out of the question. The Black Tortoise Armor and the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji are my greatest security. If it’s not safe in here, how could it be safe outside?!
Ran Deng Buddha said, "Master Sha Chen, what are you still hesitating for? Beating Marshal Tianpeng, who was trying to persuade you, is pointless. He’s right; you shouldn’t have taken my Sky Shaking Bow."
Sha Chen replied, "Honorable Buddha, you are mistaken. It wasn’t I who took the Sky Shaking Bow; it chose me."
Ran Deng Buddha laughed. "You jest, Master. How could a treasure of my Buddhist faith choose you? Unless... you are a person destined for my faith?" He made a show of calculating and said, "Indeed! It seems you are. Master, would you be willing to join Buddhism? If so, consider the Sky Shaking Bow a gift to you."
Sha Chen immediately became guarded.
The damnable old monk is lying in wait for me! He’s beating around the bush, trying to get me to join Buddhism. And then what could I do once he reclaims the Sky Shaking Bow? Besides, the Sky Shaking Bow was never Ran Deng’s in the first place! He’s trying to gain favor by offering something that isn’t his to give! Shameless!
Sha Chen snorted coldly, pondering to himself, Truly fitting for the deity with the worst reputation in the Divine Enthronement. He not only betrayed Taoism but also led his fellow disciples into the Western Sect. His combat record in the Divine Enthronement is almost entirely built on sneak attacks. Now he wishes to offer what’s not his and even lure me out—utterly delusional!
Sha Chen sneered inwardly while remaining extremely vigilant.
I will never join Buddhism, nor will I be swayed by a few words from Ran Deng Buddha. But what is Ran Deng Buddha really after this time? The Sky Shaking Bow, or to convert me? Or perhaps both? I don’t know. I also don’t know if Ran Deng Buddha has the ability to come in. If he truly can, then I’m in danger.