Chapter 196: Chapter 196

When Sha Chen saw that Golden Core, his eyes widened. This was the Golden Core of a Daluo Golden Immortal. Even if most of the Divine Power resided within Jinmaohou’s Primordial Spirit, the Divine Power contained within this Golden Core was probably even more than what the Tongtian Hierarch had gifted him last time.

Ordinary monsters are not easily plundered of their inner cores; if they die, they use their Primordial Spirit to envelop the core and flee. They basically refine the inner core and Primordial Spirit together, sharing both glory and loss. In reality, when it truly comes to escaping with the Primordial Spirit, they would not let someone take their inner core. That would be akin to erasing hundreds of thousands of years of hard cultivation and also losing the chance for reincarnation.

Therefore, when monsters fight, even if defeated, it is rare for their inner core to be plundered. At most, the Primordial Spirit is captured along with it.

However, Red Boy’s case was unique. Jinmaohou had been externally releasing his inner core while recovering from injuries, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, when he was unexpectedly ambushed by Red Boy. Like a monkey scooping the moon from water, Red Boy seized the Golden Core. Jinmaohou perished, only his Primordial Spirit escaping. Even if he were to live another lifetime, his mana would likely be greatly diminished and not to be feared.

Red Boy placed the Golden Core before Sha Chen and said, "Righteous Father, even though these years have been arduous for your son, I never consumed the Golden Core. It was all for you."

Sha Chen patted the back of his hand. "My child is thoughtful."

Without ceremony, he took it and put it away, preparing to find a suitable opportunity to refine it. If possible, he aimed to break through his current realm as soon as possible.

Seeing Sha Chen take the item, Red Boy’s face lit up with joy, all traces of his previous worry and anger vanishing. He then heaved a sigh of relief and asked, "Righteous Father, your son has nowhere to go these days. May I stay here for a while?"

Sha Chen replied, "Alright. Even if you wanted to leave now, I wouldn’t dare let you out."

After all, he had just told Guanyin he would suppress Red Boy, only to potentially release him shortly after her departure. Wouldn’t that be a slap in Guanyin’s face? Sha Chen wasn’t that audacious yet; besides, he always preferred to be amicable, antagonizing others only when absolutely necessary. Keeping Red Boy here was just a matter of providing a few meals.

But he wouldn’t ask me for cultivation resources, would he!?

Sha Chen tentatively asked, "Did you bring what you need for cultivation?"

Red Boy answered, "Rest assured, Righteous Father. I have already consumed the elixirs obtained this time, and there is still some residual medicinal power in my body. Moreover, my Father King provided me with resources sufficient for a thousand years of cultivation."

Sha Chen sighed in relief; that settled it. This child is still quite wealthy!

He then said, "Alright, you have indeed worked hard. Cultivate well. Once your cultivation improves further, I, your father, will teach you the Da Luo Method."

Red Boy exclaimed joyfully, "Your son has long heard that Righteous Father has stepped into the Daluo realm, but I never expected it to be true! Are you really willing to teach me the Da Luo Method?"

Sha Chen nodded. "Of course, my son. Between us, father and son, would I hide things from you?"

Red Boy was incredibly grateful and deeply touched.

Suddenly, Sha Chen asked, "Wait, you said you’ve heard I’ve entered the Daluo realm. Who told you?"

Red Boy was taken aback. "Overseas! It’s widely said that after the Divine Enthronement, you are the most monstrous talent to descend, reaching the Daluo realm in just over a hundred years. They also say that in the future, you have the potential to become a Quasi-Saint."

Sha Chen’s face twitched. Who is trying to harm me!?

’A man fears fame as a pig fears growing fat,’ and Sha Chen feared fame the most. He just wanted to keep a low profile, preferably with the whole world thinking he was dead. But someone always thwarted his wishes, spreading his name even overseas and praising him to the point of ruin! To say he might become a Quasi-Saint—though true, it was the kind of thing that bred hatred! There were always scoundrels plotting against him! Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs noⅴelfire.net

Sha Chen thought to himself, "It seems I need to keep an even lower profile from now on and continue to strengthen the defenses of my cave dwelling."

Meanwhile, Red Boy chattered non-stop with excitement, "Righteous Father, your fame is now known to everyone overseas!"

"Your son just hopes that one day, I can be a towering figure like Father King, with the world singing my name."

Sha Chen replied, "Just focus on your cultivation. Try to reach the Daluo Golden Immortal realm as soon as possible and take this ’most monstrous’ title from me."

Red Boy said, "Righteous Father jests. You are number one; your son will strive for number two."

Sha Chen had a headache; he wasn’t joking. He truly hoped someone else would take his title. He just wanted to keep a low profile.

Red Boy wanted to say more, but he noticed Sha Chen seemed unhappy again and couldn’t figure out what he had said wrong.

Doesn’t Righteous Father want me to aim for second? Then third place should be fine, right!?

Feeling uncertain, Red Boy went to cultivate. He found a palace and began using various cultivation resources to frantically recover from his injuries and improve his cultivation.

Sha Chen watched Red Boy’s frenzied cultivation and rapid increase in strength, nodding slightly. Over the years, Red Boy had been constantly pursued, his injuries never fully healing, making it difficult for his cultivation to progress. After all, he never had a chance to focus on improving his cultivation level. Even reaching the high stage of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal was the result of several near-death crises that forced him to break through. Such opportunities were rare, perhaps once in a lifetime for some, yet Red Boy had experienced several. It could be called a blessing in disguise, but he no longer wanted to endure such desperate straits.

Now, in a safe environment, his cultivation could advance undisturbed as he fully utilized previously acquired resources. The insights gained from battles were also extraordinarily valuable. He was now assimilating them all, continuously enhancing his cultivation level.

Sha Chen was certain it was only a matter of time before Red Boy reached the peak of Greater Primordial Golden Immortal, likely very soon. He didn’t disturb him, waiting for Red Boy’s breakthrough, after which he would teach him some Da Luo methods to contemplate.

As for himself, it took him three months to process the cultivation resources Red Boy had brought back, crafting them into Immortal Pills. Some needed to be traded again, while others he could directly assimilate.

Afterward, Sha Chen immediately selected elixirs that could be refined, swallowing and refining them on the spot to increase his cultivation level and temper his flesh body. At the same time, he also took out Jinmaohou’s Golden Core, swallowed it in one gulp, and felt the Divine Power inside his body surge wildly.

Thunder rolled above; it was the Imperial Gods’ Thunder, which Sha Chen used to temper his flesh body. In his arms, he held a piece of Long Yuan, sat on a Fengshui Futon, and had a Golden Core in his mouth. In front of him were piles of Immortal Pills needed for cultivation. Now, with abundant resources, he could cultivate and consume without restraint, no longer needing to worry, as before, about cultivating with fear and trepidation due to insufficient resources.

With this, Sha Chen’s cultivation level soared at a breakneck pace, advancing triumphantly.

Sha Chen completed his cultivation. He had completely refined the Golden Core, and most of the Long Yuan was also consumed. His cultivation had greatly increased, but unfortunately, the minor realms within the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm were vast and not so easily traversed. Even with such improvement, he still couldn’t step into the Middle Level of Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm.

Sha Chen felt somewhat unsatisfied, thinking that this pace of progress was still a bit slow. If others knew what he was thinking, they would probably be outraged. After all, his cultivation speed was exceedingly rare in the world. It had only been a few short years since he stepped into the Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm. With continuous fortuitous encounters, he was now on the verge of assaulting the Middle Level of Da Luo Golden Immortal Realm. For other Daluo Golden Immortals, several years might not even be enough to stabilize their position at Daluo Golden Immortal.

However, his flesh body was about to break through. Sha Chen had a strong premonition, so he planned to focus on strengthening it during this period.

"It’s just that, even after swallowing most of the Shilong Zhenyuan, it’s still difficult to break through. This last barrier seems rather challenging," he thought.

After pondering for a while, he decided to claim his system reward. Previously, by refusing Guanyin’s proposal and not handing over Red Boy, he had been awarded the innate Spiritual Root, the ’Oblivious Willow Tree’.

This Oblivious Willow Tree was the origin of the willow leaves in Guanyin Bodhisattva’s Vase of Mutton-Fatjade; the one Guanyin held was merely a sapling. It was said that Guanyin had obtained a small piece of an innate Spiritual Root during the Apocalypse Epoch and had raised it until now, though it hadn’t grown much. Yet, it had helped Guanyin considerably. It was said that when Guanyin condensed her Buddha image Legal Body, the willow leaves lent great aid; it was an object that could enhance the Legal Body. Guanyin had quite a few treasures: the Sweet Dew Jade Liquid in the Vase of Mutton-Fatjade could increase cultivation, and willow leaves could enhance the flesh body.

Sha Chen claimed his reward with a hint of anticipation. He was unsure how large his Oblivious Willow Tree would be, or if it would be as small as Guanyin’s—merely the length of an arm. If that were the case, he would forgo cultivating it and refine it directly. If it was half the height of a person, it would be worth cultivating.

Suddenly, a golden light flew in from beyond the sky, directly entering Sha Chen’s cave dwelling and firmly landing on the Innate Earth. Sha Chen looked carefully and immediately gasped. It was an enormous Oblivious Willow Tree, three zhang tall, radiating a brilliant divine aura as it took root in the Innate Earth. It stood alongside the osmanthus tree and the flat peach tree, rooting itself in the Innate Earth and drawing nutrients. The water level in the Mysterious Heavenly Water Pool was visibly dropping, while the Oblivious Willow Tree became more vigorous.

Sha Chen gasped. How can it be such a towering tree? What a windfall!

He was overjoyed. Guanyin’s willow spiritual root was only as long as an arm, while his was more than three zhang tall. In front of his tree, the one in Guanyin’s hands was like a single one of its willow leaves.

Sha Chen hadn’t expected the system to be so generous, always providing the best.

Without hesitation, he went up and plucked off a willow leaf. The whole tree immediately shuddered.

Thousands of willow leaves lashed at Sha Chen, sending him flying.

Sha Chen clutched a willow leaf, his cheek twitching. "So it has developed sentience, and quite a temper too," he muttered.

Instantly, he wielded the Imperial Gods’ Thunder in one hand and the Samadhi True Fire in the other. With three heads and six arms, he grabbed the Giant Que Sword and the Sky Shaking Bow with its Shooting Sun Divine Arrow. He also summoned the Undefined Flying Rings, the Nine-dragon Divine Fire Cover, and other Magical Tools. A potent Daluo Golden Immortal aura erupted from him. His Legal Body grew larger, until the Oblivious Willow Tree was merely as high as his knees.

Looking down at it, Sha Chen said, "Since you have sentience, you should understand my words. Now that you’re here, you have to listen to me. If you don’t comply, I will chop you up for firewood."

The Oblivious Willow Tree seemed quite defiant, shaking its trunk and extending its willow branches provocatively, continuing to lash at Sha Chen.

Sha Chen was enraged. He immediately rained down thunder and burned it with True Fire. The Giant Que Sword sliced towards it, and the Nine-dragon Divine Fire Cover was thrown, all with the intent to utterly destroy the Oblivious Willow Tree.

Sha Chen was a reasonable person, but if someone pushed him too far, he didn’t hold back. Moreover, this was an innate Spiritual Root summoned by his system.

It comes here, occupies a spot on my Innate Earth, guzzles my Mysterious Heavenly Water, and now it wants to play the master? Snapping off one measly leaf throws it into such a tantrum? It definitely needs to be taught a lesson!

Without any courtesy, Sha Chen made his move, determined to teach the Oblivious Willow Tree a lesson.

Tongtian Hierarch was meeting with several of his former disciples. He realized that the Sect of Interpretation was falling apart, with only a few people showing up. Of the four great Holy Mothers, only Golden Spirit Holy Mother and Fire Spirit Holy Mother arrived; the other two had already converted to Buddhism and treated his summons with disdain.

Tongtian Hierarch was unfazed. After experiencing the fickleness of human relationships, he now only wanted to be kinder to those who still obeyed him. He planned to personally pass on some precious teachings to them.

But then, he suddenly sensed something unusual at the Flowing Sand River. Upon checking, he was so shocked that the hand holding his Qingping Sword almost trembled.

The Oblivious Willow Tree had also found its way to the Flowing Sand River!?

The Oblivious Willow Tree—the entity he had searched for tens of thousands of years but could not find—had unexpectedly taken the initiative to seek out Sha Chen.