Tathagata's voice echoed through Yunxiao, piercing into everyone's ears.
Yang Jian, Six-Eared Macaque, and the others' complexions changed slightly. Exchanging glances in surprise, none had expected Tathagata to ascend to sainthood at this moment.
Anomalies occurred between Heaven and Earth; the Three Realms and Six Paths were enveloped in Buddha's light.
Countless people prostrated in worship at this instant; all spirits and creatures of the netherworld submitted.
Even from beyond the Flowing Sand River, everyone could feel a vast and immeasurable aura, oppressing them like a sky-covering, sun-blocking force.
Yang Jian said, "Such a terrifying aura, even scarier than Tongtian Hierarch a few years back. Is this the strength of Tathagata after becoming a Saint?"
The Six-Eared Macaque's face also turned solemn. "He was originally complacent about his breakthrough to a high-rank Quasi-Saint, but now, feeling that intensely powerful Saintly aura from Tathagata, his scalp tingles, as if needles were on his back."
The Spider Spirit was equally filled with dread; that all-conquering, world-suppressing aura was like the heavens to the demon kind.
Three Holy Mother said, "Big brother, now that Tathagata's cultivation has broken through and he has stepped into the Saint Realm, what should we do?"
Everyone turned their gaze towards Sha Chen, waiting for his decision.
Sha Chen just smiled faintly. "It seems I've overestimated Tathagata. With his cultivation stepping into the Saint Realm, he's not much different from Lord Yuan Shi that day."
"Although I am not his match for now, he won't be able to do anything to me either. If the Saint Realm is divided into lower, middle, and upper levels, without a doubt, Tathagata's strength is of the upper level."
"But the Saint Realm is boundless, and that's why many Saints continuously establish themselves, work for the Realm of People, earn merits, and vie for faith."
He comforted everyone with a look. "You need not worry. Even if Tathagata is among the upper echelon of Saints, he has just reached it. His strength is no different from Lord Yuan Shi, who had been forced to increase his cultivation during our confrontation."
"Even though he is new to the Saint Realm and doesn't fully grasp the Heavenly Dao, if they really came to blows, he might not even be able to defeat Lord Yuan Shi. In a fight with me, even if I cannot beat him, he won't be able to kill me."
Hearing this, everyone felt slightly relieved, yet they still harbored some worry deep inside.
Even if Tathagata couldn't kill Sha Chen, defeating him and dealing with his underlings wouldn't be an issue.
Tathagata remained a grave concern for them. As Sha Chen said, Tathagata was only unfamiliar with the Heavenly Dao for now; once he fully grasped it, his strength would surely leap forward.
By then, they would all probably be in danger.
Sha Chen, however, remained utterly composed. Tathagata's breakthrough wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
The stronger Tathagata became, the severer the pressure Sha Chen felt. Under such circumstances, he could develop a sense of urgency, searching for survival in adversity and breakthroughs in dead ends.
It had always been the case, and this time would be no exception.
Sha Chen now felt the pressure and intended to use it to drive himself, to further improve his own strength.
Yang Jian was the most steady among them. Seeing Sha Chen genuinely not too concerned, he felt somewhat reassured.
He then asked, "Big brother, it's ultimately not good that Tathagata has broken through to the Saint Realm. He will surely seek revenge. If he can't overpower you, he might well come after us."
"We know we can't grow under your protection forever, and we don't want to drag you down. In fact, if we leave here, Tathagata might not bother with us, for he is now a Saint and would disdain to take action against us."
"But if he continues to target you, how will you withstand him? Can the Flowing Sand River really stop a Saint's advance?"
Yang Jian's expression grew increasingly solemn as he surveyed the surrounding barriers. "Even if it can stop one Saint, can it really withstand the approach of three Saints?"
Sha Chen's expression also turned serious. He knew the three Saints Yang Jian referred to were the Western Paradise World's two Sect Hierarchs—Zhunti and his counterpart—along with Tathagata.
Indeed, the Flowing Sand River could stop one Saint. As for whether it could stop three, or even two, he wasn't sure.
For now, he could only adapt as circumstances arose, countering every move as it came.
If it really couldn't hold, he would have to rely on his Spatial Divine Skill to flee far away. With his potent spatial mysteries, not even a Saint could stop him.
It was just a pity to lose such a fine refuge.
After a moment of contemplation, Sha Chen said, "I don't know if it'll hold. For now, we can only adapt as each move presents itself. If you can quickly gather more cultivation resources and bring them back to me, I could break through my current realm at the fastest speed."
"Once my strength surpasses all beneath the heavens, not even the Saints might be my match. At that point, what do I care if they are one Saint or two?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Jian and the rest felt the pressure mounting on them.
At the same time, they were also filled with determination, all thinking about leaving this place as soon as possible to gather cultivation resources for Sha Chen, aiding his breakthrough.
The Spider Spirit said, "Big brother, since that's the case, we'll leave now. Rest assured, we won't be a burden to you. As soon as we obtain the Eye of Cultivation, we will bring it right back."
Sha Chen nodded. "The sisters care for me most. Thank you for your hard work, and be safe out there."
Over these past few years, he had continually lectured them and imparted Divine Powers and spells to strengthen them.
They might not be unbeatable in their own realms, but they would not be easily defeated either.
Therefore, letting them go out to gain experience was more reassuring than before.
Yang Jian and the others also said their goodbyes one after another. They owed Sha Chen too much. Over these years, they had seen him cultivating without resources, merely absorbing Divine Power from the world around him.
This wasn't unusual, as many cultivated this hard way—not just for a few years but sometimes for a lifetime.
But they felt it was their negligence that Sha Chen lacked cultivation resources for breakthroughs. They believed their own advances to their current levels were entirely due to his guidance and grace.
In essence, they were indebted to him and guilt-ridden for not being able to reciprocate the favor.
Sha Chen wanted them to leave with this sense of guilt so that they would remember their duty and bring back sufficient cultivation resources.
Sha Chen would use his Spatial Divine Skill to send them away, and the refuge would be left with just him and Siti.
Siti stepped forward, dignified and calm. "If Tathagata were to come now, do you really have the confidence to withstand him?"
Sha Chen smiled slightly. "He would need the courage to come first. Over the years, he's not the only one who has progressed!"
