Giving Gifts

Bai Jin pointed to the side, and a great tree immediately appeared in the nearby clearing, its roots deeply embedded in the earth as if it had always grown there. Wisps of mist rose from its tea leaves, carrying a delicate fragrance. It was the Big Red Robe Mother Tree he had obtained earlier at Mount Wuyi.

Bai Jin drifted into the air and circled the tea tree once. A string of tender buds floated down from the tree and danced along with him.

Bai Jin landed lightly on the ground, heat radiating from his body. Slowly raising his hands, he stepped forward, lifted his shoulders, and began practicing Taiji Boxing. The tender tea buds formed a chain like a divine dragon, circling and dancing around him. As his hands gently moved, the tea-leaf dragon wove between them, gradually forming a Taiji Diagram. Under the intense heat, the verdant Taiji Diagram slowly withered into a yellowish brown.

Taishang's eyes lit up. He did not yet know what mysteries those leaves possessed, but this boxing art was perfectly rounded and whole, with yin and yang in harmony. It deeply aligned with his own Dao. It seemed this little fellow really had learned something from him. He could not help stroking his beard, a satisfied expression appearing on his face. A child worth teaching!

A moment later, Bai Jin exhaled and withdrew his stance. With one hand held aloft, a rotating brown Taiji Diagram floated above his palm.

A jade bottle appeared in his other hand. The Taiji tea leaves immediately streamed into the bottle like flowing water, all of them entering it.

Holding the jade bottle, Bai Jin walked to the table, bent at the waist, and respectfully presented it. "First Martial Uncle, this is the tea gift this disciple has prepared for you."

Tongtian asked curiously, "What use does this tea have?"

"It is a beverage."

Tongtian said irritably, "If it is a beverage, why have you not brewed it?"

Bai Jin gave an awkward laugh. "Brewing tea requires good water and good fire. This disciple has neither."

A bottle appeared in Primordial Lord of Heaven's hand, and he tossed it out directly. "This is Three Lights Divine Water. Take it and use it!"

Second Martial Uncle was truly generous! Bai Jin hurriedly caught the bottle, cupped his hands in salute, and said in delight, "Thank you, Second Martial Uncle, for bestowing this water."

Primordial Lord of Heaven's eyelid twitched. Bestowing it? When had he said he was giving it away? He had meant that it needed to be returned after use. But upon carefully considering his own words, interpreting them as a gift was not entirely unreasonable.

Primordial Lord of Heaven cared too much about face to take back his words in front of everyone. He could only give a haughty hum, though inwardly his heart ached. My Three Lights Divine Water!

Taishang extended a hand, and a flame appeared between his fingers. "I bestow this Samadhi True Fire upon you as well."

Bai Jin hurriedly cupped his hands in salute and said happily, "Thank you, First Martial Uncle."

Tongtian said impatiently, "Why are you still standing there? Go brew the tea!"

"Yes! This disciple will go at once." Bai Jin put away the Three Lights Divine Water and Samadhi True Fire, then ran off to the side. Fire dragons danced atop the mountain peak, and steam billowed into the clouds.

A short while later, Bai Jin returned carrying a tray. On it rested six jade cups and a jade teapot.

Bai Jin walked to the table and used both hands to place a jade cup before each of the six future Saints. Then he lifted the jade teapot and poured water into the cups. The dried brown tea leaves within immediately unfurled upon meeting the hot water, releasing wisps of immortal mist.

Within the tiny cups, starlight glittered brilliantly. Green tea leaves rose and fell amid the stars, like great trees towering beneath a starry sky.

Bai Jin introduced, "When this disciple still lived in the wilderness, I once heard that there was a tea tree on Mount Wuyi that was a treasure of the world, blessed by the creation of heaven and earth. Thus, when I descended the mountain this time, my first destination was Mount Wuyi. After countless bitter battles, I finally reached Mount Wuyi, found the Big Red Robe, and brought it back as a gift for my Martial Uncles."

Taishang lifted his cup and took a sip. A rich fragrance blossomed between his lips and teeth. On his tongue, he could sense the vastness of the starry sky and the beauty of mountains and rivers. The fragrance spread far and grew ever purer, bringing tranquility and distance.

Taishang's eyes lit up, and he praised, "Fine tea! You have put thought into this."

Primordial Lord of Heaven could not help nodding. "It truly is fine tea."

Jieyin opened his eyes and sighed. "Heaven, earth, mountains, and rivers in a single cup of tea; life is like a fleeting dream. The Dao of tea is not inferior to wine in the slightest."

Taishang nodded and took another sip.

As his disciple received praise, a flash of pride passed through Tongtian's eyes. Yet he instead rebuked Bai Jin, "Rather than cultivating and comprehending the Dao each day, you study these pleasures. What accomplishments can you possibly achieve in the future?"

Bai Jin immediately lowered his head. "Master's reprimand is correct! This disciple will certainly cultivate diligently from now on."

By the distant waterfall, Daoist Duobao watched Bai Jin fawn over the Three Pure Ones, and a trace of displeasure flickered in his eyes. His aptitude was poor and he possessed no Dao heart. He was merely a petty man who knew only how to flatter others.

The other disciples of Shangqing Peak also watched Bai Jin, and his importance in their hearts instantly rose. This senior brother did not seem to be an ordinary Outer Sect Disciple.

Ksitigarbha transmitted, "Medicine Master, what is he plotting?"

Medicine Master calmly transmitted back, "Wait."

Bai Jin looked toward Primordial Lord of Heaven and said with a smile, "Second Martial Uncle, during this disciple's journey of experience, I also visited the East Sea and became friendly with the East Sea Dragon Clan. I obtained a treasure from them and have specially brought it as a gift for Second Martial Uncle."

A flicker of satisfaction crossed Primordial Lord of Heaven's eyes. He had a gift too. The slight displeasure of having his Three Lights Divine Water taken from him immediately vanished. No matter what the gift was, the thought alone was rare enough. With faint anticipation, he asked, "What treasure?"

Bai Jin pointed to the side. Boom! The Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage appeared beside the tea tree, resplendent with countless auspicious rays, magnificent and luxurious, grand and imposing.

Joy flashed through Primordial Lord of Heaven's eyes. This carriage immediately touched his heart, and he was exceedingly pleased. How could he not be? It had originally been his destined carriage—perhaps more accurately, a carriage fated to be his.

Bai Jin said respectfully, "Martial Uncle, this is the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage. It was originally a carriage forged by the myriad scaled races for Ancestral Dragon.

However, the Dragon-Han Tribulation erupted just as this carriage was completed, and Ancestral Dragon was slain in battle. Thus, though this carriage was nominally Ancestral Dragon's mount, no one had ever ridden it.

The moment this disciple first saw the carriage, a stirring arose in my heart. In all heaven and earth, only you, Second Martial Uncle, are worthy of this carriage. That was why this disciple took the risk of seizing it."

Primordial Lord of Heaven raised a brow. "Took a risk?"

Bai Jin answered respectfully, "At the time, the Demon Race was also forcing the Dragon Clan to hand over this carriage. But the Dragon King gave the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage to this disciple first. Later, when this disciple left with the carriage, I was pursued by demon gods. Had my two Martial Uncles not bestowed protective treasures upon me, this disciple likely would not have returned. Because of this, I have also formed karmic enmity with the Demon Race."

Primordial Lord of Heaven's expression darkened. He gave a cold laugh. "The Demon Race!" Then he said directly, "I accept this gift, and I will take on this karmic entanglement as well."

Bai Jin said gratefully, "Thank you, Second Martial Uncle."

Primordial Lord of Heaven looked at the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage, finding it more pleasing the longer he looked. His favorable impression of Bai Jin greatly increased. In the future, he would certainly take in a Bai He disciple as well. The Bai He clan might lack aptitude, but they were filial! Even if one could not become a disciple, one could still serve as a Dao attendant.