Chapter 178: Chapter 178

Sha Chen’s scalp tingled. What he dreaded most was Tongtian Hierarch bringing up this matter, asking him to expound on the Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching. It wasn’t a matter of showing off meager skills before a master, like brandishing an axe before Lu Ban or displaying swordsmanship before Guan Yu. The main issue was his inability to fathom the Saint’s true intentions.

After all, although Tongtian Hierarch and Lao Zi were martial brothers, both being of the San Qing, they did not get along. It was common knowledge throughout the heavens and earth that the Saints were not harmonious. This was especially true since the Great War of Divine Enthronement had concluded not long ago, leaving the Primordial World shattered. It had taken considerable effort for the current Three Realms to form. The grievances among the Saints were still relatively fresh. Sha Chen had no idea to what extent the relationship between Tongtian Hierarch and Lao Zi had deteriorated. He worried whether reciting the Tao Te Ching would lead to a disastrous end for him.

He said bitterly, "Saint, please don’t make things difficult for this junior. How could this junior possibly comprehend the insights of Saint Lao Zi?"

Tongtian Hierarch said, "You dare lie before me?"

Although Tongtian Hierarch spoke calmly, his words pressed down on Sha Chen with an undeniable weight, like staring into an abyss.

Startled, he hurriedly replied, "I wouldn’t dare! If the Saint commands, this junior dares not disobey. It’s just that I chanced upon the Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching, which I believe is what the Saint wishes to hear."

Tongtian Hierarch remained silent.

But Sha Chen knew he had guessed correctly.

Gritting his teeth, he decided to recite it verbatim. He would recite the Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching he had obtained; as for interpreting it, that was beyond him.

An hour later, Sha Chen finally managed to stammer his way through the Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching. It was a difficult task because as he recited, Tongtian Hierarch’s expression constantly shifted—sometimes frowning, sometimes a mysterious smile, sometimes anger, sometimes disdain...

In any case, the Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching, which could have been recited in a quarter of an hour, ended up taking him a full hour. Sha Chen had no choice. Given his cautious nature, especially in the presence of a Saint, finishing the recitation in an hour was, for him, quite fast. He desperately wanted to avoid offending the Saint; even his reluctance to accept a master had always been phrased as a polite refusal. Thus, he was constantly worried that his polite refusals would infuriate the Saint. If the Saint, in a fit of anger, found a pretext to strike, Sha Chen would be beyond tears.

Sha Chen did not want to die. If he died at the hands of another, he might still enter the cycle of reincarnation and be reborn. But to die at the hands of a Saint... Sha Chen truly didn’t know if reincarnation would even be possible. Perhaps he would simply be annihilated, his soul scattered to the winds.

After he finished, Tongtian Hierarch remained silent, his expression unchanging, as serene as an old monk in deep meditation. Sha Chen kept his gaze respectfully lowered, but he was covertly watching Tongtian Hierarch, noting every subtle shift in his expression. If things took a turn for the worse, he was prepared to drop to his knees and apologize immediately, begging the Saint to take him as a disciple. Dignity was worthless in such a moment. As for the potential dangers of becoming a disciple, those were no longer a consideration; survival was paramount. He was genuinely worried that reciting the Tao Te Ching might lead to a misunderstanding by Tongtian Hierarch, or worse, reignite the Saint’s resentment towards Lao Zi. If he were to bear the brunt of that anger, it would be a terrible injustice.

However, the anticipated storm did not arrive.

After a moment of silence, Tongtian Hierarch nodded and said, "That fellow Li Er does indeed possess some skill. This insight is extremely valuable. It’s not only useful for breaking through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm but is also perfect for cultivation within this realm."

It was a measured appraisal.

Yet Sha Chen dared not respond. Tianpeng also listened obediently, unsure whether to nod or shake his head. After all, their seniors were discussing matters between Saints; they were fully qualified to comment on another Saint. What standing did the two of them have? They had no right to comment, not even to voice agreement.

Tongtian Hierarch continued, "However, this Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching is ultimately flawed, simply because that fellow Li Er enjoys feigning incompetence too much. The Tao Te Ching was intended to be his eternal legacy, to establish his undying merit. Yet, he didn’t want everyone to fully grasp his insights, so he deliberately left flaws in it."

Tongtian Hierarch, his voice full of disdain, glanced at Sha Chen and Tianpeng. "With your abilities, naturally, you wouldn’t notice."

Faced with such contempt, neither Sha Chen nor Tianpeng could refute it. In fact, they had to nod shamefully in agreement.

However, In his heart, Sha Chen scoffed. The system had given him the Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching. While he truly couldn’t spot any flaws, he trusted the system implicitly.

As if noticing his unspoken dissent, Tongtian Hierarch frowned. "You wretch, just because you relied on the Tao Te Ching to reach the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, you think I’m wrong?"

Sha Chen hurriedly denied it.

Tongtian Hierarch declared, "Let me show you what a true Da Luo scripture is. It’s not the Tao Te Ching, but my own Qingping Scripture!"

The Qingping Scripture!? Could it be the scripture that Tongtian Hierarch comprehended from the Qingping Sword, the supreme Connate cardinal treasure that suppressed the destiny of the Sect of Interpretation!?

While Sha Chen was still reeling from the shock, Tongtian Hierarch had already begun to lecture.

This was completely different from the Tao Te Ching Sha Chen had recited. The Qingping Scripture was suffused with killing intent; every word seemed like a sword, its baleful aura permeating the surroundings. Tianpeng broke into a cold sweat as he listened. Sha Chen, however, listened with gleaming eyes.

This lecture on the Dao lasted for three years. During this time, the Flowing Sand River, which should have been turbulent, remained exceptionally calm.

Regardless, after listening to the Qingping Scripture for three years, both Sha Chen and Tianpeng felt their comprehension of the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm had deepened considerably. As for Tianpeng, the benefit was enormous. He was now only a step away from breaking through to the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm, lacking only sufficient Mana accumulation. His comprehension was no longer lacking. It was a massive gain for him.

When Tongtian Hierarch finished speaking, he asked, "How does my Qingping Scripture compare to the Tao Te Ching?"

Tianpeng quickly interjected, "The Saint’s is naturally the best."

Sha Chen, however, said, "This junior is dull-witted and cannot discern the relative merits of the two Saints’ teachings. I only feel that both have enlightened me profoundly. Thank you, Saint, for your guidance."

Tianpeng froze, a cold sweat trickling down his back. Old Sha is treacherous! Why didn’t he give me a heads-up? I was almost done for!

He hastily added, "I also don’t know which is superior. I’ve benefited immensely from the Saint’s teachings!"

Tongtian Hierarch glanced at Tianpeng, his expression turning stern in an instant. With a wave of his hand, he flung Tianpeng onto the Lightning Attraction Platform and sealed his movements.

Instantly, the lightning strikes accumulated over three years descended upon Tianpeng, beating him until he knelt, begging for mercy and kowtowing in apology.

Sha Chen, meanwhile, felt a pang of regret. It wasn’t that he felt sorry for Tianpeng, but rather for the three years of accumulated lightning punishment, all wasted on him. If those strikes had landed on him, his Divine Power would have increased considerably.

Tongtian Hierarch harrumphed. "That fellow Li Er’s work has flaws, but it is indeed excellent. Compared to him, I haven’t fallen short, nor have I surpassed him. Mine simply has more variables."

Sha Chen asked, "Is it the killing intent?"

Tongtian Hierarch replied, "Correct. The Tao Te Ching emphasizes profound virtue and nurtures all things, excelling in softness. My Qingping Scripture is about unbridled slaughter, excelling in hardness. Softness and hardness, yielding and unyielding—only when these complement each other can it be considered true Great Accomplishment. And even then, it is merely one-tenth of what my former master taught."

Sha Chen gasped. Tongtian Hierarch’s master... isn’t that Hongjun!? Does this mean he indirectly received some of Hongjun’s teachings!? He knew that after Hongjun’s first sermon, Daluo Golden Immortals began to appear everywhere in the Primordial World. After three sermons, Daluo Golden Immortals were as common as dogs. So, this lecture from Tongtian Hierarch, combined with the Da Luo Chapter of the Tao Te Ching, is equivalent to one-tenth of Hongjun’s first sermon? What a massive windfall!

Sha Chen was inwardly ecstatic, but Tongtian Hierarch continued, "Actually, there’s much more. After all, insights like these cannot be fully expounded upon in just three years. Some people take a lifetime to traverse the Daluo Golden Immortal path, others take ten thousand years. How could it possibly be fully explained in a mere three or five years!?"

Sha Chen’s heart stirred. He understood Tongtian Hierarch’s implication: become my disciple, and I will teach you the rest. So devious! He’s also holding things back, yet he has the gall to criticize Li Er for doing the same!

However, Sha Chen didn’t dare voice this thought and merely feigned ignorance. He simply expressed his gratitude to Tongtian Hierarch. For more chapters visit novelꜰire.net

Tongtian Hierarch said, "You are like a cowhide lantern; you won’t become transparent unless lit! I spent three years imparting the Da Luo Dao Techniques to you, and all I get is a mere ’thank you’?"

He stood up, looking down at Sha Chen. "Sha Chen, I ask you, are you willing to become my disciple? If you become my disciple, no one in the Three Realms will dare to bully you; you will be the one bullying others. Furthermore, you will be able to complete your journey through the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm in the shortest possible time."

Given the current shortage of members in the Sect of Interpretation, I’d probably complete the Daluo Golden Immortal Realm journey in the shortest time alright—not by breaking through, but by dying. Sha Chen thought. The Sect of Interpretation was burdened with too much karma, and Tongtian Hierarch was too entrenched in his obsessions. The Chan Sect was weakened, the Human Religion prosperous, and Buddhism at its zenith, with all major powers watching like tigers eyeing their prey. For the Sect of Interpretation to attempt to defy heaven and change its fate, it was destined to pay an enormous price. Even past direct disciples like the Golden Spirit Holy Mother had perished, their souls consigned to the Netherworld and their names entered onto the Investiture of the Gods. Sha Chen didn’t think he currently measured up to those figures. Being sent out to fight for Tongtian Hierarch was far less safe than continuing to lie low here.

Tongtian Hierarch added, "Become my disciple, and I will accept you as an inner-sect disciple."

This wasn’t an offer to be a nominal disciple or an outer-sect disciple, but an inner-sect disciple—only one step removed from a direct disciple. In truth, the distinction wasn’t vast. Such an offer was enough to make anyone burn with envy. Even Tianpeng, still being struck by lightning, momentarily forgot his pain out of sheer jealousy.

’System Notification: You have been invited by the Saint Tongtian Hierarch to become his disciple. You have the following options:’

’Option One: Accept Tongtian Hierarch’s invitation. Become the Saint’s disciple. Reward: Trap Immortal Sword. (The Trap Immortal Sword is one of Tongtian Hierarch’s Four Slaying Immortal Swords, possessing infinite power and a formidable Sword Intent).’

’Option Two: Decline Tongtian Hierarch’s invitation. Reward: One Shilong Zhenyuan. (Shilong Zhenyuan: Legend says that after Zulong’s kinsman, Shilong, perished, his physical body’s elemental power transformed into seven Long Yuan, scattered across the various realms of the Primordial World, each containing boundless Divine Power).’

Sha Chen chose to decline without hesitation. If he had intended to accept, he would have done so long ago.

He cupped his fists, a hint of apology in his tone. "The Saint overestimates me. This junior is unworthy. I only wish to continue my secluded existence here."

Tianpeng was stunned. Sha Chen refused!?

Tongtian Hierarch said, "You have refused me again. Why?"