fantasy novels Chapter 333 - 327: Netherworld Nether, Dare to Bully My Sha Chen?【Seeking Subscription and Monthly Tickets】_1
Chapter 333 - 327: Netherworld Nether, Dare to Bully My Sha Chen?【Seeking Subscription and Monthly Tickets】_1
Chang E had never expected it. Her actions had long been exposed. The Jade Emperor was aware that she had been sending resources to Sha Chen. Even more so, the Jade Emperor believed that Chang E had sent resources to him many times before, and this was not the first instance.However, as a matter of fact, this was the first time Chang E had prepared resources to be sent to Sha Chen. After all, resources were not easy to collect. Even Chang E had spent a great deal of effort and cunning, making many exchanges, to gather a sufficient amount. She herself was already a Daluo Golden Immortal, and her own cultivation also required resources. Yet, she still sent them to Sha Chen. This highlighted the truly enormous quantity of resources she needed for herself.
「Flowing Sand River.」
Yao Shaosi had already left to return and request Zhao Gongming’s presence. But still, many people from The Mysterious Altar Department were guarding the place. It was as if they feared that once the spider spirit escaped, they would lose their evidence and their leads would be severed.
「Inside the cave dwelling.」
Sha Chen furrowed his brows. He had originally not wanted to concern himself with this matter, thinking it could be glossed over. To his surprise, Xiao Sheng, Cao Bao, Chen Jiugong, Yao Shaosi, and the others were unrelentingly persistent, even going back to request Zhao Gongming. Sha Chen hesitated for a moment before deciding to observe for a while longer.
Just moments ago, Xiao Sheng and the others likely had no idea they had just narrowly escaped death, a peril akin to walking before Ghost Gate Closed. Sha Chen had been considering whether to kill them, to end it once and for all and avoid future troubles. But in the end, he decided against it. After all, it hadn’t reached the point of no return. If he killed them, there truly would be no room for reconciliation. Offending Zhao Gongming was one thing, but it would also mean completely falling out with the Heavenly Court. Sha Chen felt that he was not yet qualified to completely sever ties with the Heavenly Court, so he decided to play dumb for the time being.
Sha Chen extracted the reward from the system: the Tian Luo Treasure Cover. This was a gigantic lid, resembling the decorative canopies often seen atop imperial carriages. However, this Tian Luo Treasure Cover was even more colossal. It radiated golden brilliance, and its detailed, intricate patterns were clearly visible. Sha Chen spent an hour refining it to recognize him as its master, then directly covered the Flowing Sand River Cave with the Tian Luo Treasure Cover, making it the third layer of protection for the dwelling. The outermost layer was the Black Tortoise Armor, the middle was the Apricot Yellow Flag of Wuji, and the third layer was this Tian Luo Treasure Cover. As for the two major protective formations, they were within the coverage of the Tian Luo Treasure Cover, acting as internal formations.
The Sky Covering Umbrella was not designed to block attacks from divine powers and magical spells. Its sole purpose was to prevent prying by divine sense, a task it had been continuously performing. Sha Chen looked up at the Tian Luo Treasure Cover above his head and nodded with satisfaction. With this magical tool that even a Peak Quasi-Saint couldn’t break, his confidence soared, and his sense of security greatly increased.
It was a magical tool from Kunpeng. Since even Kunpeng couldn’t break the Tian Luo Treasure Cover, then those at Quasi-Sage Peak and below could forget about breaching it. Even if they used other magical tools, they might not be able to break his Tian Luo Treasure Cover. After all, Kunpeng’s physical body was already comparable to a magical tool. If Kunpeng couldn’t break it with his body, others would naturally fail with their magical tools.
With these three layers of protection, Sha Chen felt that even if Yang Jian came again with the Seal of Fanning the Sky, he wouldn’t be able to damage his cave dwelling. Even shaking it from within wouldn’t work. Having set up this layer of defense, Sha Chen was considerably relieved. He also used his own divine powers to attack the Tian Luo Treasure Cover, finding it truly impregnable, which further eased his mind.
After that, he stopped paying attention to the outside situation and began to meditate and cultivate. If the people outside want to stay, let them. My most pressing priority is to enhance my own cultivation.
"Hmm?"
Sha Chen had just closed his eyes and hadn’t been cultivating for long when he suddenly opened them. A flicker of shock and anger flashed in his eyes.
His clone, Daoist Hanshan, had specifically journeyed to the Netherworld, into the domain known as the Nether World, to avoid pursuit by the Heavenly Court and Buddhism, while also searching for traces of the Six-Eared Macaque. But unexpectedly, upon reaching the Nether World, problems arose. The beings of the Nether World detained him and then escorted him to the Hall of Hell.
「Nether World.」
Sha Chen’s clone, Daoist Hanshan, possessed the physique of a lotus tuber with an indestructible primordial spirit, and his soul could not be captured. Because of this, he stood out considerably in the Nether World. Then, he caught the attention of the Ghost Kings of the Nether World. After the Ghost King reported the matter, the King of Hell immediately instructed the spectral bailiffs to coordinate with the Ghost King. They ambushed Daoist Hanshan, shackled him, and escorted him to the Hall of Hell. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ novel·fire.net
「Hall of Hell.」
The King of Hell was seated on the highest throne, with Judges and Zhubu to his left and right. Two rows of Ox-Head, Horse-Face, Black and White Impermanence, and various spectral bailiffs lined the hall, while the entire Hall of Hell was filled with grim ghostly energy, gloomy and terrifying.
After the spectral bailiffs brought Daoist Hanshan in, one of them shouted loudly, "Kneel!"
Daoist Hanshan, however, remained defiant. "I have celestial energy protecting my body and a physical form. My lifespan is not yet exhausted. I don’t fall under the jurisdiction of the Nether World, so on what grounds do you demand that I kneel?"
The spectral bailiffs were furious. The King of Hell’s face also showed displeasure. "Do you realize what crime you have committed?"
Daoist Hanshan said, "I don’t know, and I was just about to demand an explanation from you, King of Hell. Otherwise, I may have to seek justice myself."
All the spectral bailiffs laughed heartily, and the Judge also sneered, "You seek justice? Try reclaiming your own freedom first."
The King of Hell banged his gavel and then bellowed, "Who stands below the hall? State your name."
Daoist Hanshan replied, "Your humble Daoist is called Hanshan."
The King of Hell asked, "Of what origin?"
Daoist Hanshan then clearly recounted his rebirth alongside Jin Chanzi, including the solar calendar dates associated with it, his background clear and unambiguous.
The King of Hell opened the Book of Life and Death, checking each detail, and found it to be true. Then frowning, he said, "Your origin and past are all correct. Your lifespan still extends for over a hundred thousand years."
The Judge said, "Sire, his origin poses no issue. However, he has been sneaking around places in the Nether World frequented by many Ghost Kings. Since they have accused him, we must ascertain his purpose."
The King of Hell nodded, then said, "Daoist Hanshan, this King asks you, for what reason do you linger around the domains of the Ghost Kings? Do you harbor ill intentions?"
Daoist Hanshan replied, "I was merely searching for some herbs necessary for my cultivation, with no intention of offense."
But the King of Hell countered, "Nonetheless, the Ghost Kings claim you disturbed them."
Daoist Hanshan said, "If I have caused any disturbances, then I apologize."
The Judge scoffed, "How ludicrous. If apologies were effective, what need would there be for us?"
The King of Hell glared at him, clearly implying that he shouldn’t steal his lines. The Judge hurriedly bowed his head.
The King of Hell banged the gavel again. "Exactly! What need would there be for us?"
Daoist Hanshan retorted, "Then let us both take a step back. I won’t apologize, and you release me."
The faces of the King of Hell and his entourage twitched. And then, fury erupted.
The King of Hell shouted angrily, "Insolence! Are you mocking us?"
Daoist Hanshan furrowed his brow. "I am not mocking you. I’m speaking reasonably and offering you a chance to mend your ways."
The King of Hell laughed scornfully. "What audacity! Is that a threat? Do you realize you are our prisoner now?"
Daoist Hanshan’s eyes shifted. "Then, are you aware of my background and identity?"
The King of Hell said, "Your entire history is recorded in the Book of Life and Death. What could we possibly not know?"
Daoist Hanshan replied, "But clearly you have no idea who I studied under to have acquired such formidable abilities."
The King of Hell and the others exchanged looks, genuinely taken aback by Hanshan’s words. Daoist Hanshan did indeed possess remarkable strength, having reached the pinnacle of the Golden Immortal realm. Yet, in the presence of the King of Hell, he was nothing extraordinary. However, the King of Hell noted that Daoist Hanshan was only about a hundred years old but had achieved such a high level of cultivation, indicating a distinguished origin. Perhaps he was a student of a powerful entity.
He then asked, "Who is your master?"
Daoist Hanshan replied, "I would like to know why you have apprehended me. The excuse involving the Ghost Kings is far too flimsy."
The King of Hell and his companions exchanged looks, and then said, "Very well, the truth is, your features are strikingly similar to an individual wanted by Buddhism."
So that’s how it is! Daoist Hanshan suddenly understood. It was indeed Buddhism that was hunting him. Little did he expect that the denizens of the Nether World would stoop to being Buddhism’s lackeys.
Daoist Hanshan questioned, "Since it is Buddhism’s people who are after me, why didn’t you hand me over to them after catching me?"
The King of Hell replied, "This King is no lapdog of Buddhism. After capturing you, I merely wished to understand what you have done and why Buddhism seeks you."
Daoist Hanshan was taken aback. "You don’t know? You captured me without knowing why?"
The King of Hell explained, "The reward from Buddhism was too tempting. Besides, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva resides in the Nether World. Upon his request, we naturally complied."
Daoist Hanshan angrily retorted, "By doing this, aren’t you afraid I’ll wreak havoc in the Nether World, just like Sun Wukong did?"
The King of Hell replied, "You are but a peak Golden Immortal, unable to cause any real disturbance. As for Sun Wukong, he had backing. This King merely played along and staged an act with him."
All the spectral bailiffs laughed confidently, not concerned in the least.
Daoist Hanshan nodded slightly, then looking at them, declared, "Indeed, you, King of Hell, should be a Daluo Golden Immortal. The Judge and the Zhubu are perhaps Greater Primordial Golden Immortals. Both Ox-Head, Horse-Face, and the Black and White Impermanence are mere ordinary Greater Primordial Golden Immortals."
"With your power, Sun Wukong indeed could not have had his way back then. Yet he did create a tremendous uproar in the Nether World. Quite an act indeed."
The King of Hell said, "Enough chatter. Reveal your master’s identity. If he is of significance, this King may consider releasing you. After all, this King does not wish to offend a person of consequence. Should your master prove unremarkable, then don’t blame this King for turning you over to Buddhism."
Daoist Hanshan fell silent for a moment, then said, "You don’t want to know my master just to release me. Rather, you want to find out if I am connected to Sha Chen of the Flowing Sand River, don’t you?"
The expressions of the King of Hell and his associates changed slightly, their eyes filled with shock. They hadn’t anticipated that Daoist Hanshan would see through their scheme.
Daoist Hanshan sneered, "Because I converted Jin Chanzi, guiding him to abandon Buddhism for Daoism, Buddhism has pursued me relentlessly. Then, attempting to frame Sha Chen of the Flowing Sand River, you eagerly try to push various charges onto him. Heh, wishful thinkers! I did not study under Sha Chen of the Flowing Sand River; I am self-taught."
The King of Hell furiously exclaimed, "Insolence! You claim to be self-taught? What great ability could you possibly have?"
Daoist Hanshan answered, "I encountered a fortuitous event, received an ancient inheritance, and thus became accomplished through self-study. It’s quite normal."
The King of Hell scoffed, "You’re self-taught? Fine. Then, would you like to shorten your struggle by ten thousand years?"
Daoist Hanshan frowned, tentatively replying, "If possible, who wouldn’t wish to avoid such struggle?"
Thereafter, the King of Hell took out the Book of Life and Death and struck off ten thousand years from Hanshan’s lifespan. Daoist Hanshan instantly felt as though something was draining from his body, a mix of shock and anger rising within him.
"You abuse your power! If you dare, then kill me outright!"
The King of Hell said, "Rest assured, that will happen. Take him to the Samsara Platform. But before that, lead him across the Lethe Naihe Bridge."
Daoist Hanshan struggled furiously, but as he lowered his head, his eyes glinted with a hint of triumph.
Flowing Sand River, Sha Chen was already aware of what had transpired. His expression grew somber as he coldly stated, "Netherworld! Nether World! Do you presume there is no one to stand for me?"