Bai Jin looked at Tongtian with a smile and said, "Master, I prepared a gift for you as well."
"Oh? What gift?" Tongtian asked.
Taishang and Yuanshi also looked toward Bai Jin. They were both very satisfied with the gifts he had prepared for them, so they wondered what he had prepared for his master.
With a sweep of his sleeve, Bai Jin said, "Come out!"
A pale beam of light shot from his cuff and landed on the ground, transforming into the Kui Ox. Brilliant light shimmered over its body as bolts of lightning coursed across its hide, making it look exceptionally majestic.
Tongtian's eyes lit up, and a thought arose in his heart. This was a mount.
Bai Jin immediately said, "I have seen Master traveling everywhere by cloud-riding and mist-soaring, which must be quite exhausting. This disciple could not bear to see it.
"This disciple once heard that there was a primordial beast called the Kui Ox in the East Sea, capable of riding clouds and commanding lightning. I specially sought it out to serve as Master's mount."
The Kui Ox dropped to one knee and respectfully called out, "Greetings, Master!"
Tongtian examined the Kui Ox, satisfaction flashing through his eyes. Smiling, he said, "You do have some filial devotion. I shall accept this gift."
Taishang stroked his beard and smiled. "The Kui Ox possesses a bull's solidity as well as lightning's fierceness, combining hardness and softness in one. It is perfectly suited to be your mount. It seems Bai Jin truly put considerable thought into this."
Yuanshi also nodded. "As a primordial beast, it is indeed somewhat precious. It is more than adequate as your mount, much better than the one you chose yourself."
Bai Jin's expression turned strange. Was Second Martial Uncle talking about him?
Empress Nuwa smiled from the side. "Congratulations, three senior brothers. Seeing this makes me want to take in a disciple as well."
Tongtian burst into laughter, then asked, "Why did you suddenly think to give us gifts?"
Bai Jin immediately knelt, kowtowed three times, then said emotionally, "Ever since this disciple entered the sect, Master and my two Martial Uncles have shown me immense care. Master bestowed magical treasures and guided me upon the path of the Great Dao, while my two Martial Uncles have instructed me in cultivation many times. Such grace is like that of parents who gave me life anew.
"This disciple is not some useless disciple who only knows how to take while smugly congratulating himself. A truly good disciple should understand how to repay kindness. Master's grace in imparting the Dao is as weighty as Mount Buzhou itself. If I still demanded that Master scour heaven and earth for heavenly treasures to refine magical artifacts for me, what kind of disciple would that make me? Even jackals and wolves would be no worse.
"That is why this disciple left the mountain and endured countless hardships to find these three gifts for Master and my Martial Uncles. Though the gifts are humble, they contain this disciple's sincere gratitude. I only ask that Master and my two Martial Uncles do not disdain them."
In the distance, Mahasthamaprapta, Ksitigarbha, Medicine Master, and the others wore stiff expressions. The magical treasures they had once been proud of suddenly felt scorching hot in their hands. One side had artifacts refined and bestowed by their master, while the other offered treasures to his master and Martial Uncles. How were they supposed to play the emotional card now? The difference was obvious at a glance!
Sect Master Tongtian laughed heartily. "Good! Good! This master is very pleased that you have such a heart!"
He straightened his back and looked down at Jieyin and Zhunti. "Two junior brothers, what do you think of my disciple?"
Zhunti said enviously, "Such a disciple is truly the envy of all."
Tongtian laughed again, his laughter brimming with pride.
Yuanshi smiled and said, "All of you, rise."
"Thank you, Martial Uncle!" Bai Jin and the Kui Ox rose from the ground.
The more Yuanshi looked at Bai Jin, the more satisfied he became. A trace of regret arose in his heart. Why was such a disciple not mine? What a pity, what a pity.
Beneath a tree in the distance, Holy Mother Jinling said emotionally, "Senior Brother spoke so well. From now on, Senior Brother will be my example."
Holy Mother Wudang also smiled. I knew he could do it.
The other disciples of Shangqing Peak immediately perked up as well, looking at Mahasthamaprapta, Ksitigarbha, and the others with mocking half-smiles. Useless disciples who only knew how to take?!
Mahasthamaprapta felt uncomfortable under their gazes. He hurriedly rose and respectfully bowed to Bai Jin. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. This junior brother has learned much."
Ksitigarbha, Medicine Master, Sunlight, and Moonlight also rose and cupped their hands in salute. "We have learned much."
Bai Jin looked at them in surprise. They endured it? As expected of figures who would one day become Buddhas and patriarchs. Every one of them was deeply calculating!
Mahasthamaprapta respectfully said, "Recently, this junior brother has encountered several doubts in cultivation. I wish to discuss the Dao with Senior Brother and ask for your guidance. I hope Senior Brother will not begrudge your instruction."
Yuanshi unconsciously frowned, a trace of vigilance rising in his heart. For some reason, ever since the Dao Ancestor had expounded the Dao, the Dao of the West had changed completely. They knew themselves, yet he did not know them. Under such circumstances, discussing the Dao gave them almost no chance of victory. Just like Duobao and the others earlier, they had been completely controlled by the other side.
Yuanshi said, "Let today's discussion of the Dao end here!
"You should all try the tea Bai Jin brought back as well. It has quite a unique flavor."
Zhunti smiled. "Senior Brother, since Mahasthamaprapta wishes to seek instruction, why forcefully stop him? Would that not hurt the younger generation's hearts in pursuing the Dao? Or is Senior Brother worried that the teachings of the Three Pure Ones will be leaked?"
Yuanshi's expression darkened. "Junior Brother, is it not rather unfair to discuss the Dao under such circumstances?"
Before Zhunti could answer, Bai Jin had already cupped his hands and bowed. "Martial Uncle, this disciple is willing to discuss the Dao."
Tongtian said unhappily, "Do you know that the Great Dao of the West is entirely different from ours?"
Bai Jin nodded. "Master once told this disciple that there are three thousand Great Daos and eight hundred side paths, and that all things in the world lie within the Dao. Since it lies within the Dao, this disciple has something to say."
Yuanshi said, "Bai Jin, do not show off! How could it be as simple as you say? Do you think your comprehension is greater than Duobao's and Wudang's?"
Daoist Duobao was speechless. I was just sitting here quietly. Why am I being dragged into this again?
Taishang smiled. "Let him go."
Yuanshi hurriedly said, "But, Senior Brother..."
Taishang said kindly, "Do not put too much pressure on yourself. Just do your best."
Bai Jin cupped his hands in a bow and said gratefully, "Thank you, Martial Uncle!"
Tongtian also said, "Since Eldest Brother has spoken, go ahead! Just do your best."
Yuanshi took a deep breath and said, "Go on, then! Do not cry if you embarrass yourself."
Bai Jin said emotionally, "Thank you, Master and Martial Uncle. This disciple will never bring shame upon you."
By the waterfall in the distance, Daoist Duobao felt sour as he watched. When had Master and Martial Uncle ever treated me so kindly? I am the eldest direct disciple, all right? That damn flatterer.
Bai Jin walked toward Mahasthamaprapta and the others, cupped his hands, and bowed. "Which junior brother would like to offer guidance first?"
Moonlight stepped forward, returned the bow, and said, "Mind, body, and all living beings are all empty. The true nature of phenomena is emptiness. There is no enlightenment, no delusion, no sage, no ordinary being, no giving, and no receiving. This is this junior brother's understanding. I ask Senior Brother for guidance."
All the disciples of Shangqing Peak furrowed their brows deeply.
Duobao pondered it for a moment, then helplessly shook his head. This line of thought was already quite mature and truly difficult to refute.
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