Beneath a lush, towering tree, Tongtian said with a cold laugh, "My two junior brothers have taught such excellent disciples. What eloquent tongues they have!"
Zhunti, his face glowing red, said with a smile, "You flatter them, Senior Brother. They are still young. If their words have offended our three senior brothers, I hope you will be forgiving."
Yuanshi narrowed his eyes and said mockingly, "Young? I think they are quite bold!"
Taishang leisurely said, "Enough. Let the juniors handle their own affairs. We need only watch their contest."
Tongtian suddenly turned to look outside. "Oh—he has returned."
Yuanshi and Taishang also turned toward the east, smiles flashing through their eyes. Without that little fellow coming to pay his respects lately, they had truly grown a little unaccustomed to it.
Nuwa glanced eastward, her gaze piercing through layer upon layer of space. She saw an honest-looking young man leading a Kui Ox through the clouds. She looked at the Three Pure Ones with a trace of disappointment. For this ordinary-looking disciple to draw the attention of all three of them, he surely could not be so simple. A faint smile appeared on her lips. What interesting things would his arrival bring?
Tongtian said, "Bai Jin, go to Youquan Waterfall."
Bai Jin, standing atop the cloud, froze. Youquan Waterfall? Was that not Senior Disciple Brother's territory? What was he going there for?! He cupped his hands and replied, "Yes!"
Straightening up, he patted the Kui Ox and said, "You will have to endure this for now."
The Kui Ox nodded. Its body immediately shrank into a pale white ray of light and entered Bai Jin's sleeve.
Zhunti cast Tongtian a glance, then looked at Bai Jin with interest. For this little fellow to be valued by the Three Pure Ones, he must possess something extraordinary. Yet Zhunti also had absolute confidence in his own disciples. They had prepared for this debate for a hundred years!
Within the waterfall, the Western disciples wore smiles, while the disciples of Shangqing Peak all looked grim. A heavy, silent atmosphere blanketed heaven and earth.
"Ha ha! Senior Disciple Brother, Senior Sisters, after being apart for so many days, why has it become so lively?" Amid laughter, Bai Jin slowly descended on a white cloud.
Holy Mother Wudang abruptly rose to her feet, delight in her eyes. Her junior brother had returned.
The other disciples of Shangqing Peak, along with Mahasthamaprapta, Ksitigarbha, and the others, all watched Bai Jin drift down.
Among the disciples of Shangqing Peak, some were curious. So this was their master's legendary third disciple? He looked entirely ordinary!
Others did not care much. Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, for instance, looked at Bai Jin with contempt. He had merely entered the sect a few days earlier. What achievements could a mere Azure White Crane possibly have?
Holy Mother Wudang said with a smile, "Junior Brother, was your journey smooth?"
Bai Jin nodded and said with a smile, "It went even more smoothly than expected." He looked around in confusion. "Who are these people?"
Holy Mother Wudang said, "Let me introduce them to you." She gestured toward Holy Mother Jinling beside her. "This is Master's newly accepted personal disciple, Jinling."
Bai Jin's heart stirred. Holy Mother Jinling?! He immediately cupped his hands and bowed. "Greetings, Junior Sister Jinling."
Jinling returned the bow. "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother."
Daoist Duobao suddenly said, "Bai Jin, Junior Sister Jinling is a personal disciple, while you are merely an Outer Sect Disciple. Regardless of who entered the sect first, you must address her as Senior Sister."
Bai Jin paused and turned to glance at Duobao, smiling. "Then I was indeed in the wrong." He bowed again. "Greetings, Senior Sister."
For a moment, Holy Mother Jinling was at a loss. She vaguely sensed a subtle tension between Daoist Duobao and Bai Jin.
Holy Mother Wudang immediately pulled Bai Jin to one side and stopped before a woman, introducing her. "This is Junior Sister Shi Ji."
"Greetings, Junior Sister Shi Ji."
Shi Ji hurriedly floated to her feet and cupped her hands. "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother."
"This is Junior Sister Guliang."
"This is Junior Brother Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears."
"This is Junior Sister Qingyu."
Bai Jin greeted them one by one. When greeting Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, he could clearly sense his disdain, so he gave him a few extra looks. The Interception Sect's foremost future traitor.
Finally, Holy Mother Wudang gestured toward the Western group and introduced them. "These are Mahasthamaprapta, Ksitigarbha, Medicine Master, Sunlight, and Moonlight, disciples of our two Western martial uncles."
Bai Jin studied them. These names had been thunderous in his previous life! Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, Ksitigarbha King Bodhisattva, Medicine Master Lapis Buddha, Sunlight Bodhisattva, and Moonlight Bodhisattva.
Mahasthamaprapta said with a smile, "Senior Disciple Brother, is something amiss?"
Bai Jin cupped his hands in greeting and said with a smile, "I am Bai Jin. Greetings, fellow Daoists!"
Mahasthamaprapta, Ksitigarbha, and the others also cupped their hands and said, "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!"
After exchanging greetings, everyone sat down once more, and the atmosphere remained as tense as ever.
Bai Jin sent a voice transmission. "Senior Sister, what happened? This atmosphere does not seem right!"
Holy Mother Wudang replied via voice transmission, "These people from the West have come to challenge us."
With a thought, she transmitted everything that had happened earlier to Bai Jin. All the events appeared in his mind.
Bai Jin understood. His gaze swept over Mahasthamaprapta and the others. Buddhism's disciples were indeed skilled debaters! Judging from their discussions of the Dao, Buddhism had already taken rudimentary shape.
Mahasthamaprapta, Ksitigarbha, and the others smiled faintly at Bai Jin, secretly becoming wary. They did not know how he would make his move.
Bai Jin suddenly stood, raised his head toward the sky, and respectfully said, "Martial Uncles and Master, along with the other martial uncles, are all supreme powers of the primordial world and are destined to become saints. A Dao discussion among saints would be a grand occasion indeed. Might we disciples be permitted to observe?"
The other disciples were also moved. If they could hear even a few words from a discussion among supreme powers, it would be an honor. Yet only Bai Jin dared to extend such an invitation.
Even Duobao, Mahasthamaprapta, and the others began to look forward to it.
In the distant mountains, the Three Pure Ones instinctively looked toward Jieyin and Zhunti. Watching from behind the scenes allowed them to pretend ignorance, but if they went over openly, whichever side's disciples fell short would lose face.
Zhunti said with a smile, "Senior Brother, your disciple has invited us. How do you think we should decide?"
Tongtian said, "Then let us go."
In an instant, time and space shifted. A great tree suddenly appeared on the shaded grass beside the waterfall, with a table beneath it. The Three Pure Ones, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Nuwa sat around the table.
Everyone immediately rose and respectfully cupped their hands. "Greetings, Master, Martial Uncles, and Martial Aunts! (Greetings, Master and Martial Uncles!)"
Taishang said calmly, "Do not concern yourselves with us. Continue on your own." His gaze lingered briefly on Bai Jin.
"Yes!" The disciples rose and continued sitting cross-legged upon the ground.
Bai Jin hurried forward and said with a smile, "How can a Dao discussion be without fine tea?"
Walking up to the table, he cupped his hands and bowed. "First Martial Uncle, when I went out this time, I brought back a gift for you. I hope First Martial Uncle will appreciate it."
A gift? Taishang's heart stirred, and he instantly saw through Bai Jin's intentions. He nodded with a smile. "What gift?"
Before you continue