Sha Chen finally managed to cheer up the Jade Rabbit.
This girl finally relented and, in high spirits, ca over to hand over what she had obtained.
With a wave of her hand, she summoned a towering Wutong tree that blocked out the sun, and on which there was a nest full of bird eggs.
The Wutong tree had spirit; upon appearing, it automatically rooted itself in the Innate Earth. The Formation that concealed the Innate Earth also dispersed, and upon seeing the Innate Spiritual Roots and various elixirs inside, the Jade Rabbit was dumbfounded.
Even Chang E was stunned. She had initially thought Sha Chen was very poor, but now it seed that he possessed imnse wealth.
The Jade Rabbit exclaid, "General, how do you have so many good things? You even lied to , saying you had no resources left!"
In the Innate Earth were planted osmanthus trees, flat peach trees, and willow trees, as well as a thousand first-class Elixirs. With such wealth, even an ordinary Quasi-Saint couldn’t compare to Sha Chen’s riches. If Sha Chen still claid he was poor, then who could truly be considered wealthy?
The Jade Rabbit pouted, wanting to take all those elixirs back. But since she had already presented them, there was no taking them back now. Without a word, Sha Chen simply collected all the nurous chests of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Then he consoled her, "Yu Er, look, are the Elixirs in the ground even ripe? None of them are. They’re all immature. Who knows how many years or months it will take for them to mature? Can I afford to wait that long?"
Still pouting, the Jade Rabbit felt there was so truth to this.
Chang E also ca to her senses. She rembered that when she first arrived, she had seen flat peach trees and osmanthus trees, but this ti they were gone; Sha Chen had hidden them. However, as Sha Chen said, the Elixirs in the ground were indeed not ripe, and Sha Chen did need more resources. Otherwise, it would be like a property owner waiting for demolition compensation; they might seem to have assets but are actually dirt poor.
Sha Chen had to use all his persuasive skills to finally placate the Jade Rabbit.
Afterwards, looking at the sky-obscuring Wutong tree, he smiled contentedly. Going over and glancing at the nest, his eyes flickered with a sharp light. "Yu Er, are these Phoenix eggs?"
The Jade Rabbit said, "Yes. It is said that this Wutong tree originally housed a Qing Luan fire phoenix. They left behind three Phoenix eggs. It has been over a hundred thousand years, and they have not yet hatched."
Sha Chen’s eyes shone. "Over a hundred thousand years? So, they contain infinite Divine Power and vitality? If fried and eaten, they could perhaps enhance imnse Divine Power."
The Jade Rabbit turned pale with shock, hurriedly leaping in front of the Wutong tree, spreading her arms wide and puffing out her small chest protectively. She said anxiously, "General, Phoenix eggs are so adorable, how could you eat them?"
Sha Chen’s face twitched. Eating her wouldn’t provide any nutrition, but Phoenix eggs contain boundless Divine Power.
Chang E’s heart softened as well. "Yes, brother, Phoenix eggs are very rare. To have three is a great stroke of fortune. Eating them would be a loss for the heavens and the earth."
Sha Chen said, "There’d be no loss. They would just exist in another form, that’s all."
Chang E said, "But still, brother, that would be too cruel."
The Jade Rabbit nodded furiously, stepped forward, and grabbed Sha Chen’s hand, pleading, "General, please, don’t eat them! If you must eat sothing, eat !"
There’s certainly a difference in value, but I am a respectable man.
Sha Chen snorted coldly. A painted skeleton, trying to sway my Dao heart?
In the end, he did not eat the Phoenix eggs. After all, the Jade Rabbit had brought them back, and he had to respect her decision. Even if I were to eat them, I’d wait until she left.
Sha Chen then beca quite busy, so much so that he even forgot to ask Chang E what Maitreya Buddha had said to the Jade Emperor. He was busy picking Wutong leaves, which were excellent for making Dao Enlightennt Tea. Fortunately, he had the Panlong Alchemy Furnace and the Nine-dragon Divine Fire Cover, and he knew how to use the Samadhi True Fire, forged with the Imperial Gods’ Thunder. The Dao Enlightennt Tea he roasted was simply top-grade.
Sha Chen roasted hundreds of pounds of Dao Enlightennt Tea, storing away the majority and setting aside a small portion for tasting. He also took out a pound to be divided between the Jade Rabbit and Chang E for them to take back and slowly enjoy. Sha Chen considered himself quite generous. After all, Chang E had co empty-handed this ti, and he had even prepared Dao Enlightennt Tea for her. Who could be more generous than him?
Sha Chen had picked a good portion of the Wutong leaves, leaving the tree looking sowhat sparse, like the thinning hair on a middle-aged man’s head. Eventually, he resisted the urge to pick more for making Dao Enlightennt Immortal Pills. He would wait until more grew back before considering it further.
Moreover, cultivating under the Wutong tree made Dao comprehension easier and was incredibly effective for studying the Three Pure Ones Taoism and Divine Power cultivation techniques. The Wutong tree, much like the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup, had the effect of clearing confusion and showing the way. Combined, their effects doubled.
Sha Chen even considered using branches of the Wutong tree to make charcoal and then lighting it inside the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup. If I basked in that light for Dao comprehension, wouldn’t the effects increase exponentially?
In the end, he did not attempt it. After all, it’s better to have regular als than one big feast that leaves you hungry later.
Only after roasting the Dao Enlightennt Tea did Sha Chen cover the Phoenix eggs with so Innate Earth and a few leaves, illuminating them with the light from the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup. Now, the Taiqing Colored Glaze Cup was not only used for Sha Chen’s cultivation but also acted like a sun, providing light and warmth to the Elixirs and Immortal Herbs in both the Innate Earth and the Post-Heaven Earth, making them grow even better.
Once all this was settled, and Sha Chen had confird that the Jade Rabbit wasn’t holding anything else back, he joined them for a good al.
「When the wine had ward their spirits」
Sha Chen again brought up the matter of the Jade Emperor and Maitreya Buddha.
As they discussed serious matters, both Sha Chen and Chang E’s expressions turned somber, while the Jade Rabbit listened quietly. She frequently lifted her wine cup to her lips without drinking, simply staring at Sha Chen. It was as if Sha Chen were a delicacy she was savoring with her wine.
But the wine doesn’t intoxicate; it’s the person who becos intoxicated by their own feelings. The Jade Rabbit, entranced, held her cup unsteadily; she even forgot to swallow the wine that entered her mouth, letting it trickle down from the corners of her lips and dampen her clothes. Yet she didn’t care. At tis she would giggle foolishly, then smile shyly, then laugh coquettishly, and sotis she would even frown.
As Sha Chen conversed with Chang E, the Jade Rabbit’s gaze made him feel extrely uncomfortable.
Sha Chen muttered to himself, Is my physical body not strong enough, or am I not tough enough? Why do I get goosebumps when she looks at like that? He contemplated throwing the Jade Rabbit out of Flowing Sand River.
But to cast her aside right after she’d been helpful? To expect her to bring more resources next ti would be pure fantasy. He could only endure it.
Chang E just pressed her hand to her forehead, feeling utterly embarrassed. This rabbit completely disregarded her as her mistress and was even more infatuated than she was. How mortifying.
She quickly changed the subject. "Maitreya Buddha went to see the Jade Emperor, mainly to discuss your situation, brother. Apparently, Lingjiu Mountain has already entrusted Maitreya Buddha with the task of converting you to Buddhism."
Sha Chen’s expression turned grave. "What are Maitreya Buddha’s plans?"
Chang E replied, "He t with the Jade Emperor and clarified many matters concerning Buddhism. He also ntioned that Jin Chanzi abandoned Buddhism to follow Daoism, causing an uproar within Buddhism. Tathagata has given Guanyin full authority to handle it, including finding Daoist Hanshan, the one who led Jin Chanzi to cultivate Daoism, and eliminating him. He hopes for the Jade Emperor’s cooperation.
"Beyond that, it concerns you, brother. Maitreya Buddha intends to convert you, so he inford the Jade Emperor in advance to prevent any misunderstandings."
Chang E continued, "Brother, I never imagined the Jade Emperor would be willing to give you up. But it was only after my repeated pleas that he agreed to betroth Lady Bai Huaxiu to you. If you accepted, you wouldn’t need to convert to Buddhism. What a pity."
However, Sha Chen just chuckled. "Not a pity at all. For to marry Bai Huaxiu? That’s impossible."
CLAP! CLAP! CLAP!
The Jade Rabbit applauded, tears of emotion welling in her eyes. "General, you’re truly great! Bai Huaxiu is not worthy of you at all! Her wanting to marry you is pure wishful thinking!"
Sha Chen nodded, for once agreeing with the Jade Rabbit. Chang E, however, gave a bitter smile and shook her head. "But brother, if you married her, you could return to the Heavenly Court and wouldn’t have to worry about converting to Buddhism anymore."
Sha Chen laughed. "Why would I return to Heaven? I’m free and at ease here. I eat when I want, sleep when I want, and cultivate peacefully all day. Sipping fine wine, enjoying tasty dishes, soaking in a nice bath—isn’t that comfortable? Isn’t that delightful? Return to Heaven? To be soone’s dog?"
He shook his head, his face full of contempt. "Beco soone’s dog, and you’ll eventually be kicked aside. Today, the Jade Emperor wants back in Heaven as his dog. Tomorrow, he could just as easily give away to soone else, or serve up like dog at on a chopping block."
Hearing this, Chang E broke out in a cold sweat. "Brother, aren’t you being a bit too extre? The Jade Emperor might not think that way. He genuinely values your talent, potential, and character."
Sha Chen laughed. "I followed him for tens of thousands of years, and he kicked out just like that, all because of the Liuli Lamp. If he pulls back this ti, what do you think will be the pretext for kicking out next ti?"
Chang E fell silent for a long while before finally nodding deeply. Frowning, she said, "If that’s the case, it’s indeed not worth returning to the Jade Emperor’s side. But staying here isn’t safe either." After so thoughtful consideration, she added, "Brother, let suggest a good place for you. Why not stay at Guanghan Palace? Few would dare to enter my Guanghan Palace."
Sha Chen chuckled. "Thank you for your kindness, sister, but Guanghan Palace is even less safe than my Flowing Sand River." He was serious. People don’t dare go to Guanghan Palace, not because its defenses are strong, but purely because there’s a widow there, and they’re afraid of ruining their reputations. If he went to Guanghan Palace, its reputation would be ruined, and then they’d co flocking.
Chang E felt sowhat dejected as Sha Chen rejected her suggestions one after another. But she also knew that Sha Chen was right. This place truly seed the safest. A million celestial soldiers and generals had surrounded it, yet they couldn’t do anything to Sha Chen—how could it not be safe!?
Sha Chen noticed Chang E’s spirits dipping. I can’t let this informant from the Heavenly Court beco disheartened.
So he said, "Let’s not talk about these things for now. As for how Maitreya Buddha plans to deal with , we can only respond to his moves as they co. Instead, sister, it’s your cultivation. Many years have passed, yet you’ve made no progress?"
Chang E was still at the peak of the Greater Primordial Golden Immortal realm and hadn’t broken through, which indeed disappointed Sha Chen a little.
Chang E’s face flushed. "Thank you for your concern, brother. I have neglected my cultivation over the years. After leaving Flowing Sand River, I had no one to guide , so my cultivation stagnated."
Sha Chen nodded. "Alright then. Since you’re here, I’ll teach you a few things. You can reach the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm before you leave."
Chang E imdiately bead with joy.
The Jade Rabbit also jumped up. "General, what about ? What about ? I want to learn from you too! I want to beco stronger so I can gather more resources for you, General!"
Sha Chen patted her head. This girl really had so sense and lofty aspirations. Worth teaching, worth praising.
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