Siti was somewhat shocked. She simply couldn't imagine; Sha Chen's idea was so fantastically whimsical, truly inconceivable. She also hadn't expected that Sha Chen had already harbored this whimsical idea hundreds of years ago, and it seemed he had recently found a way to realize it.
Siti asked, "Then what do you plan to do?"
Sha Chen replied, "I have already integrated the Celestial Shen Sha Array and the Zhou Tian Xingchen Formation into my body. Now I just need to wait until I achieve the Perfect Rule of Power to push my physical body to an even higher level."
"At that time, my physical body might even surpass the combined might unleashed by the 12 Ancestral Witches. Moreover, I also have the Zhou Tian Xingchen Formation, which can absorb the primordial energy of all things between heaven and earth for my own use."
Siti was extremely shocked and dared not imagine it. Sha Chen's idea was truly inconceivable. However, if he really managed to do it, Sha Chen might truly forge a unique path for himself, even comparable to the ancient God Pangu.
"When will your Rule of Power reach Great Perfection?" Siti asked the most critical question.
Sha Chen laughed heartily. "Soon. If quick, it could be within a year or two, but if slow, it might take tens of thousands of years."
This vast range in time actually seemed normal to Siti. No one could guarantee their strength would advance within a specific timeframe, much less Sha Chen, who was attempting to break through to a realm unprecedented and hitherto unachieved. Whether Sha Chen could reach the heights of God Pangu by doing this remained unknown. However, it was certain that even Pangu had not undergone such experiences.
Just then, a voice came from outside the Flowing Sand River, "This humble monk Tang Sanzang, passing by the Flowing Sand River, seeks the convenience of the river's divine being."
Tang Xuanzang had arrived.
Sun Wukong had been released by Tang Xuanzang a few years ago because they truly couldn't continue the charade any longer. Tathagata Buddha had entered the Saint Realm. If they dared to continue their mischief, they would undoubtedly be severely suppressed once again.
After Sun Wukong came out from Five Finger Mountain, his strength directly broke through to the Daluo Golden Immortal level and reached the Quasi-Saint Realm. He advanced swiftly, finally stopping at the Intermediate Stage of Semi-saint.
Over the past few years, he had been diligently cultivating. Finally, half a year ago, he broke through to the High-rank Quasi-Saint Realm.
Siti gave Sha Chen a meaningful glance, and he waved his hand for her to step back.
He had known for quite some time that Tang Xuanzang and Sun Wukong would be reaching the Flowing Sand River around this time. Their appearance now was as expected.
「Outside the Flowing Sand River.」
It was not just Tang Sanzang; Sun Wukong and several people dressed as villagers were following him. These villagers were none other than Celestial Gods and Buddhas from the Western Heavens, disguised to supervise Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong's Journey to the West.
At this moment, they stood outside the Flowing Sand River, gazing at the vast, ocean-like expanse of flowing sand before them, and their hearts pounded with nervousness.
For Buddhism, the Flowing Sand River had become akin to forbidden ground. Ever since Sha Chen killed the Ran Deng Buddha and defeated the Tathagata Buddha a few years ago, this place had become one where followers of Buddhism dared not tread.
Now that they had reached the Flowing Sand River, they held little hope that Sha Chen would appear. They were simply on this path because Tang Xuanzang and Sun Wukong insisted on coming, and they couldn't stop them. Otherwise, they would have chosen to take a detour, even if it meant an extra ten or twenty years of travel.
A hunter stepped forward. Half a month ago, he had advised that Tang Xuanzang might pass through the Flowing Sand River. This river, he warned, hosted a fearsome demon who devoured people without blinking and had killed many from their Buddhist ranks.
However, upon hearing this, Tang Xuanzang expressed his desire to convert this demon with actions and faith. Sun Wukong, claiming he could ensure Tang Xuanzang's safety, also insisted on going to the Flowing Sand River. These individuals, seeing no other option, had no choice but to follow.
The hunter at this moment was actually Jinzha, a disciple of Tathagata Buddha, in disguise. After Tathagata became a Saint and provided guidance, Jinzha's current strength had reached the High Order of Daluo Golden Immortal. He appeared very powerful, but among Sha Chen's numerous followers, any single one could effortlessly defeat him. Jinzha was aware of his own limitations and had not wanted to come. However, forced by the circumstances, he had no choice but to accompany them.
Seeing Tang Xuanzang continuously calling out to the Flowing Sand River, Jinzha too felt trepidation; his heart pounded with dread, his scalp tingled, and he felt as if spikes were pressed against his back. The other disguised villagers kept giving him meaningful glances, compelling him to reluctantly step forward and attempt to persuade Tang Sanzang.
Jinzha said, "Master, there truly is a fierce demon in the river who devours people without blinking. Several supreme Buddhas of our Buddhist order have been slain by him. Even the Buddha Himself could not convert him; you are being overconfident."
Monk Tang replied, "If I cannot even convert a mere demon, then why bother going to the West to obtain the scriptures? That would be a waste of time."
Jinzha was rendered speechless by his words. He looked at the others, but no one dared to step forward to object.
Then he turned to Sun Wukong and said, "Great Saint, the demon in that river is exceedingly powerful. He even repelled the Tathagata Buddha, the very one who suppressed you under Five Finger Mountain."
"Are you certain you want to subdue such a fierce demon? And with your strength, can you really do it?"
Sun Wukong arrogantly said, "I, Old Sun, am now at the High-rank Quasi-Saint Realm. I don't claim to be invincible under the heavens, but subduing a mere demon shouldn't be a problem."
"As for the Tathagata Buddha you mentioned, he merely resorted to a sneak attack back then. Otherwise, how could he *only* have managed to suppress me under Five Finger Mountain?"
Jinzha replied, "Great Saint, you must be responsible for your words. Five hundred years ago, the Tathagata Buddha was already the foremost being beneath the Saints. Even ten of you combined would be no match for him now."
"Not to mention, the Tathagata Buddha has now become a Saint. If you continue to be so insolent and he hears of it, he might suppress you for another five hundred years."
Ordinarily, these words would have been enough to intimidate Sun Wukong. However, here at the Flowing Sand River, Sun Wukong was particularly defiant and refused to yield this time.
Sun Wukong brandished his Golden Cudgel, making as if to strike. This frightened Jinzha and the other disguised villagers, who hastily retreated and pleaded for him to stop.
"Great Saint, calm your anger! Great Saint, calm your anger! It was a joke, just a joke!"
"However, it is true that Tathagata Buddha has entered the Saint Realm. When he broke through, he explicitly stated that we must earnestly complete the Journey to the West. If we disobey, he will surely be angered."
Sun Wukong snorted. "Don't try to use that Old Tathagata to pressure me, Old Sun! Besides, aren't we on our Journey to the West? We're merely delayed here at the Flowing Sand River."
"Didn't they say there are eighty-one tribulations on the Journey to the West, and that we must rely on our sincerity to convert others and overcome these challenges? Now is the time to prove our sincerity!"
Tang Xuanzang said with a smile, "Wukong makes a good point."
