Erlang God Yang Jian was inherently immensely strong and indestructible as a diamond.
Seeing Sha Chen at that moment, swinging the sky-supporting pillar with intimidating prowess, Yang Jian couldn't help but itch to take it and try a set of his own staff techniques.
Yet, no sooner had he grasped the pillar than the situation proved entirely different from when it was in Sha Chen's hands.
In Sha Chen's hands, the pillar was as light as a feather, seemingly nonexistent, ripping through space with his strikes.
However, when it reached Yang Jian's hands, even he couldn't help but feel the weight, his arm sinking, almost causing him to lose his grip.
One could thus imagine just how heavy this sky-supporting pillar really was.
Nevertheless, as Yang Jian's excitement grew, he took a deep breath and began to swing the staff, performing a domineering and unparalleled set of staff techniques.
He then threw it back to Six-Eared Macaque, who could only catch it with both hands, his body sinking into the ground as he did so.
Yang Jian said, "This sky-supporting pillar truly is immeasurably heavy. I fear it might be ten times heavier than the Golden Cudgel in the hands of The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong."
Sha Chen said, "At least twenty times heavier."
Six-Eared Macaque said, "I will definitely get used to it. And from what you've said, it seems you hold that Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong in high regard."
"I will certainly surpass him for you to see."
Sha Chen laughed heartily. "With your current strength, he may not be your match, but his potential is limitless. Once he breaks free from his constraints and grows rapidly, you might not be able to catch up."
The Six-Eared Macaque, defiant, said, "I will definitely surpass him."
Sha Chen smiled and nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
This very attitude spurred the Six-Eared Macaque to vow silently in his heart that he would surpass The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong. For he knew that as long as there were people around, they would always compare him to Sun Wukong, Sha Chen included.
But only those who knew Sha Chen, like the spider spirit and others, understood that Sha Chen's words were only meant to stimulate the Six-Eared Macaque to strive harder. Sun Wukong, no matter how talented or appreciated by Sha Chen, was ultimately an outsider to them. After all, they were the confidants of Sha Chen, and in his eyes, they were more important.
Tongtian Hierarch, seeing Sha Chen getting along well with everyone, felt somewhat emotional and at the same time amazed. As a superior, he had never seen someone who mingled with subordinates so freely, devoid of any superior's authority. Yet everyone obeyed him and was willing to follow his instructions. Tongtian Hierarch even felt that if Sha Chen were to command the Six-Eared Macaque to die, he would do so without a second thought.
Whether it was the spider spirit or the Three Holy Mother, or other followers not present, it was likely they all shared the Six-Eared Macaque's attitude. These people had their own calculations and wisdom, but no matter how clever they were, they would still offer their purest sincerity and loyalty in return for Sha Chen's genuine kindness.
Tongtian Hierarch understood this was about sharing joy and sorrow together, and having a relationship with subordinates that was both as a mentor and as a friend. However, he couldn't do it because he needed to maintain his authority. Moreover, the number of his disciples was countless, and he might not even be able to name some of them. They might have come to him out of admiration or been randomly accepted by him and taught by other disciples. Therefore, he didn't have much interaction or understanding with them. If this were to continue, their relationship would only be based on the fact that he was a Saint. Such a master-disciple relationship would be unbreakable at the peak of his power, but once he fell, these people would definitely scatter like monkeys when a tree falls, each fleeing for their own life.
Tongtian Hierarch said, "I truly envy you for having a good disciple, but my household has suffered misfortune."
Sha Chen knew he was alluding to something, possibly the recent ascension of Tathagata Buddha to the Saint Realm, which prompted his sudden visit, likely concerning Tathagata. The others, being wise as well, naturally understood the meaning behind Tongtian Hierarch's words. However, their status was not high enough, and they couldn't join the conversation.
Sha Chen then said, "The Saint need not worry. The rebuilding of the Sect of Interpretation is underway, and your disciples are all outstanding, eager to return to Penglai Island. This is a good thing."
Tongtian Hierarch said, "My disciples are indeed loyal, but there are some…"
Sha Chen did not wait for him to finish speaking and said directly, "Those who are loyal are disciples. Others are outsiders."
"Let the past be the past. Treat him as a stranger now, and consider your foremost disciple Duo bao as having fallen in the battle of the myriad immortals."
Tongtian Hierarch was momentarily stunned. He had not anticipated such words from Sha Chen. After a long moment of contemplation, he finally nodded slightly.
Sha Chen understood that Tongtian Hierarch had come to terms with it. It wasn't that he had some demonic obstacles, but rather some grievances to air. Otherwise, he would have long since attacked Lingjiu Mountain and razed Daxiong Hall to the ground. Instead, he came here, discussing Tathagata Buddha in front of so many people.
Tongtian Hierarch said, "Tathagata has gained the recognition of Heavenly Dao. His ascension to the Saint Realm is imminent. With his current level of cultivation, once he fully gains the acceptance of Heavenly Dao and gathers the merits of Buddhism to forge his faith-based golden body, the position he achieves in the Saint Realm will surely be above us old fellows."
He looked deeply at Sha Chen and said, "Since you have a grudge against him, once he steps into the Saint Realm, he will definitely come seeking vengeance. By then, even the Flowing Sand River might not stop his advance."
Sha Chen asked, "Does the Saint have a plan?"
Tongtian Hierarch said, "Don't you want to know why he was able to gain the recognition of Heavenly Dao?"
Sha Chen said, "I once fought with Lord Yuan Shi for three days and nights without victory on either side. At that time, the strength I exhibited was enough to threaten the Heavenly Dao, which aroused its displeasure. It even boosted Lord Yuan Shi's strength to a higher level, so he was no longer below The sage Laozi."
Tongtian Hierarch nodded. Evidently, he was aware of this incident.
Though the area around the Flowing Sand River, spanning ten thousand li, blocked the Heavenly Dao, the moment Yuan Shi stepped out of the bounds of the Flowing Sand River, Tongtian Hierarch would be able to sense the change in him.
He naturally sensed that Yuan Shi's strength had become immensely powerful, but he could not understand why Yuan Shi's visit to the Flowing Sand River precipitated such a significant breakthrough.
It wasn't until he personally witnessed Sha Chen swinging the sky-supporting pillar that Tongtian Hierarch felt a subtle change in the Heavenly Dao within him. It was as if he sensed a tremendous threat, which then spurred his own mana to boil. Only then did Tongtian Hierarch realize that Sha Chen's strength must have threatened the Heavenly Dao, forcing Yuan Shi to advance further.
Even he, in that very moment, achieved greater progress than what he had made from eons of arduous cultivation.
Tongtian Hierarch couldn't comprehend how Sha Chen cultivated to threaten the Heavenly Dao with only the power of a Quasi-Saint.
He took a deep look at Sha Chen and said, "Although your strength is enough to threaten the Heavenly Dao, if Tathagata truly gains its approval, his strength may rank among the top in the Saint Realm."
"By that time, will you really be able to withstand his Buddhist light?"
