The Dao Discussion Ends

Holy Mother Jinling's eyes lit up in the distance, and she said softly, "Sister, the senior brothers from the West treated us the same way just now, didn't they?"

Holy Mother Wudang nodded, a smile on her face as she looked at Bai Jin and said, "This is what's called using their own methods against them."

Under the big tree, Zhunti's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but say, "What insight! Brother, are you selling this disciple of yours? I'll offer three Innate Spiritual Treasures."

The Three Pure Ones all glared at Zhunti unhappily.

Jieyin quickly said, "Junior Brother is always joking, please don't be offended, three Senior Brothers."

Zhunti also quickly laughed, "That's right, I was just joking, only joking."

On the grass, Medicine Master bowed and said, "Senior Brother speaks the truth. My mind is now full, and I cannot accept Senior Brother's Dao." He immediately sat cross-legged on the ground.

If this were anywhere else, Medicine Master wouldn't have surrendered so easily. At worst, it would have been a battle of wits and sharp tongues, a war of words, which was what the West excelled at.

But now, in front of so many Martial Uncles and Masters, no one dared to play such petty tricks. Just like the Outer Sect Disciple from Shangqing Peak earlier, if they lost, they lost. No one dared to quibble.

Bai Jin looked at Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha and said, "Who among you will come?"

The two looked at each other and simultaneously bowed, saying, "Senior Brother's Daoist magic is profound. We willingly concede defeat."

Bai Jin was surprised and said, "Concede defeat?!"

Mahasthamaprapta straightened up and said, "Just as Senior Brother said, our hearts can no longer accept Senior Brother's Great Dao, so we can only concede defeat."

Bai Jin pouted. What a good excuse. Weren't they just afraid of getting beaten?!

"Hahaha~" A burst of laughter erupted from the disciples of Shangqing Peak.

Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha sat cross-legged on the ground, pretending not to hear.

Bai Jin looked around at everyone and said, "Today's discussion of the Dao, what have my fellow disciples gained?"

The laughter immediately disappeared, and silence fell. They had been eagerly anticipating it, so what could they have gained?!

Bai Jin felt a little awkward. No one responded. There wasn't even a single person to play along. They were really giving him no face! At this moment, he suddenly missed Ao Guang and wished he were here.

Holy Mother Wudang spoke with a smile, "The Dao of the West is now completely different from ours. Although our paths are different, it contains great wisdom."

Bai Jin breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "The two Junior Uncles from the West, with their supreme great wisdom, have already opened up a completely different Dao. No! It shouldn't be called Dao anymore. I'll give it a name: Zen."

Under the big tree, Zhunti's expression stirred, and he murmured, "Zen~"

Ksitigarbha couldn't help but ask, "May I ask, what is Zen?"

"Zen is stillness, concentration, and wisdom. It is to observe the great thousand worlds with a calm heart and awaken great power."

Mahasthamaprapta, Ksitigarbha, and the others all seemed lost in thought, with a glint of joy in their eyes. It was indeed Zen.

Bai Jin looked down at Ksitigarbha and said, "Since you have conceded defeat, Senior Brother will bestow a poem upon you. Listen carefully."

Ksitigarbha looked up at Bai Jin.

Bai Jin recited, "The body is the Bodhi tree, the mind is like a bright mirror stand. Constantly wipe it clean, and do not let dust alight."

Ksitigarbha was stunned on the spot, with a single sentence echoing in his mind: Constantly wipe it clean, and do not let dust alight.

Bai Jin then looked at Mahasthamaprapta and said, "I will also give you a poem."

Mahasthamaprapta quickly said, "Many thanks, Senior Brother."

Bai Jin thought for a moment and recited, "The Bodhi is originally not a tree, nor is the bright mirror a stand. Originally there is nothing, so where can dust alight?"

Under the big tree, Zhunti's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Good!" His gaze towards Bai Jin became even more fervent.

Jieyin also looked deeply at Bai Jin, regret in his eyes. If only he could have taken him as a disciple, what a pity! What a pity!

Mahasthamaprapta murmured, "Originally there is nothing, so where can dust alight?"

He immediately stood up, bowed deeply, and said, "Many thanks, Senior Brother."

Ksitigarbha snapped back to attention and quickly floated up, asking, "Senior Brother, why are the poems bestowed upon us so different?"

Bai Jin feigned profundity and said, "Because your realms of Zen enlightenment are different."

Ksitigarbha suddenly understood and immediately knelt on the ground, bowing his head, "Many thanks, Master, for bestowing the poem."

Mahasthamaprapta also knelt on the ground, bowing his head, "Many thanks, Master, for bestowing the poem."

Everyone instantly gasped in amazement, looking at Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha kneeling on the ground in disbelief. Was this the courtesy of a half-master?

Daoist Duobao's eyes widened suddenly. How could this be?

Medicine Master, Sunlight, and Moonlight all stood up instantly, looking at Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha somewhat flustered, then looking at Jieyin and Zhunti.

Bai Jin quickly bent down to help them up, feeling a sudden unease in his heart. He forced a smile and said, "What are the two Junior Brothers doing?"

Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha took the opportunity to stand up.

Mahasthamaprapta said respectfully, "Senior Brother's poem has given us much enlightenment. It can be called the grace of a half-master."

Ksitigarbha also nodded repeatedly, "Yes! Thank you, half-master."

Bai Jin quickly said humbly, "Not at all! Not at all!"

Tongtian glared unhappily at Zhunti and said, "Junior Brother, what are you trying to do?"

Zhunti smiled and said, "Bai Jin has guided them in their understanding of the Great Dao."

Tongtian's face darkened, and he suddenly said, "Since the two martial uncles wish to leave, we won't see you off."

Jieyin and Zhunti were taken aback, then immediately stood up.

Zhunti didn't seem to care and said with a smile, "Martial Brother, please stay. We'll meet again next time." His figure flashed and appeared before Bai Jin. He patted Bai Jin's shoulder and said joyfully, "You're very good! If you encounter any difficulties in the future, come to the West to find your two martial uncles. They will help you."

Under the tree, Tongtian's expression grew even uglier.

A golden auspicious cloud rose, carrying Jieyin, Zhunti, and five disciples, heading west.

Bai Jin watched the departing auspicious cloud, feeling a pang of panic. Is Zhunti trying to form a connection with me? Does he have designs on my body? He suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

Empress Nuwa stood up and said with a light laugh, "Three Martial Brothers, this younger sister will also take her leave."

Taishang, Yuanshi, and Tongtian all stood up and said, "Farewell, Martial Sister!"

Nuwa glanced back at Bai Jin, smiled lightly, and rode her auspicious cloud into the sky.

The many disciples of Shangqing Peak all stood up and respectfully said, "Greetings, Master, Martial Uncle."

Tongtian looked around at the crowd below and said, "From this day forward, Bai Jin is the Head Outer Sect Disciple, with a status equal to that of a direct disciple."

Bai Jin's eyes widened abruptly. Me? Head Outer Sect Disciple! Won't I be the first to bear the brunt when the great calamity arrives? No! No! I must find a way to get rid of this identity.

The numerous outer sect disciples all turned to face Bai Jin and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!"

Bai Jin suddenly snapped back to reality and quickly returned the bow, saying dryly, "Greetings, all Junior Disciple Brothers."

Daoist Duobao opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Tongtian said, "Bai Jin, tether the Kui Ox and follow me."

"Yes!" Bai Jin responded and immediately trotted along, leading the Kui Ox.

Yuanshi put away the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage and also turned to leave.

Taishang waved his hand, and the Big Red Robe Mother Tree instantly disappeared. This tea tree was greatly to his liking.