In the distance, Holy Mother Jinling's eyes lit up. She whispered, "Senior Sister, weren't those senior brothers from the West treating us the same way just now?"
Holy Mother Wudang nodded, smiling as she looked at Bai Jin. "This is called returning the other's way upon them."
Beneath the great tree, Zhunti's eyes lit up, and he could not help saying, "What excellent comprehension! Senior Brother, is this disciple of yours for sale? I'll offer three Innate Spiritual Treasures."
The Three Pure Ones all glared at Zhunti unfriendly.
Jieyin hurriedly said, "Junior Brother loves to joke. Please do not take offense, three Senior Brothers."
Zhunti also hurriedly laughed. "That's right, it was a joke. Just a joke."
On the grass, Medicine Master cupped his hands in salute and said, "Senior Brother is right. My heart is already filled with things, and I can no longer accept Senior Brother's Dao." He immediately sat down cross-legged.
If this had been anywhere else, Medicine Master would not have admitted defeat so easily. At worst, he could have engaged in a battle of words and forced his arguments through reasonless sophistry. That was what the West excelled at most.
But now, before all these uncles and masters, no one dared play such petty tricks. Just like the disciples of Shangqing Peak earlier, defeat was defeat. No one dared cause a scene with unreasonable arguments.
Bai Jin looked at Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha. "Which of you will come?"
The two exchanged glances, then cupped their hands simultaneously. "Senior Brother's Dao is profound. We willingly admit defeat."
Bai Jin said in surprise, "Admit defeat?!"
Mahasthamaprapta straightened up and said, "Just as Senior Brother said, our hearts can no longer accept Senior Brother's Great Dao. We can only admit defeat."
Bai Jin curled his lip. What a good excuse. Aren't they just afraid of getting beaten?!
"Ha ha!" A burst of laughter rose from among the disciples of Shangqing Peak.
Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha sat cross-legged on the ground, pretending not to hear.
Bai Jin swept his gaze across the crowd and said, "After today's discussion of the Dao, what have my fellow disciples gained?"
The laughter immediately vanished, leaving complete silence. They had been humiliated badly enough already—what could they possibly have gained?!
Bai Jin felt a little awkward. No one responded; there was not even anyone to play along. They were giving him no face at all. At this moment, he suddenly remembered Ao Guang's virtues. If only he were here.
Holy Mother Wudang spoke with a smile. "The Dao of the West is already completely different from ours. Though the paths differ, it still contains great wisdom."
Bai Jin breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "With their supreme wisdom, the two uncles of the West have already opened up an entirely different path. No, that should not be called a Dao anymore. I shall give it a name: Zen."
Beneath the great tree, Zhunti's expression shifted as he murmured, "Zen..."
Ksitigarbha could not help asking, "May I ask, what is Zen?"
"Zen is tranquility, concentration, and wisdom. With a peaceful heart, observe the myriad worlds and awaken great power."
Mahasthamaprapta, Ksitigarbha, and the others all fell into thought, delight gleaming in their eyes. This truly was Zen.
Bai Jin lowered his head to look at Ksitigarbha. "Since you have admitted defeat, Senior Brother will gift you a poem. Listen carefully."
Ksitigarbha looked up at Bai Jin.
Bai Jin recited, "The body is a Bodhi Tree; the mind, a mirror stand. Diligently polish it day by day, and let no dust settle upon it."
Ksitigarbha stood frozen, a single line echoing through his mind: diligently polish it day by day, and let no dust settle upon it.
Bai Jin then looked at Mahasthamaprapta. "I will give you a poem as well."
Mahasthamaprapta hurriedly said, "Many thanks, Senior Brother."
After thinking for a moment, Bai Jin recited, "Bodhi was never a tree; the mirror was never a stand. Originally, there was not a single thing—where could dust ever settle?"
Beneath the great tree, Zhunti's eyes lit up, and he could not help shouting, "Excellent!" His gaze upon Bai Jin grew increasingly fervent.
Jieyin also looked deeply at Bai Jin, regret in his eyes. If only he could take him as a disciple. What a pity! What a pity!
Mahasthamaprapta murmured, "Originally, there was not a single thing—where could dust ever settle?"
He immediately rose to his feet, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply. "Many thanks, Senior Brother."
Ksitigarbha came back to his senses and swiftly floated to his feet as well. He asked, "Senior Brother, why are the poems you gave us completely different?"
Bai Jin put on an inscrutable expression. "Because your realms of Zen comprehension are different."
Ksitigarbha suddenly understood. He immediately dropped to one knee, lowered his head, and bowed. "Many thanks, Teacher, for gifting me this poem."
Mahasthamaprapta also dropped to one knee, lowered his head, and bowed. "Many thanks, Teacher, for gifting me this poem."
The crowd instantly erupted in uproar, staring at the half-kneeling Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha in disbelief. Was this the courtesy shown to a half-teacher?
Daoist Duobao's eyes widened abruptly as well. How had things turned out like this?
Medicine Master, Sunlight, and Moonlight all shot to their feet, looking helplessly at Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha before turning to Jieyin and Zhunti.
Bai Jin hurriedly bent down and helped the two of them up. Unease suddenly rose in his heart, and he forced a smile. "What are you two junior brothers doing?"
Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha rose with his assistance.
Mahasthamaprapta said respectfully, "Senior Brother's poem has given us much insight. It deserves the gratitude owed to a half-teacher."
Ksitigarbha nodded repeatedly. "Exactly! We thank our half-teacher."
Bai Jin hurriedly said modestly, "Not at all! Not at all!"
Tongtian glared at Zhunti unfriendly. "Junior Brother, what are you trying to do?"
Zhunti said with a smile, "Bai Jin has bestowed upon them the grace of guiding them on the Great Dao."
Tongtian's expression darkened, and he suddenly said, "Since you two junior brothers are leaving, we will not see you off."
Jieyin and Zhunti were taken aback, then rose to their feet.
Zhunti did not mind in the least and said with a smile, "Senior Brother, stay here. We shall meet again." With a flash, he appeared before Bai Jin, patted him on the shoulder, and said happily, "You are very good! If you encounter any difficulties in the future, come to the West and find your two uncles. Your uncles will stand up for you."
Beneath the tree, Tongtian's expression grew even darker.
A golden Auspicious Cloud rose, carrying Jieyin, Zhunti, and their five disciples toward the West.
Bai Jin watched the Auspicious Cloud fly away, feeling somewhat panicked. Zhunti isn't trying to form karma with me, is he? Could it be that he covets my body? A chill suddenly ran through his whole body.
Empress Nuwa rose and said with a light laugh, "Three Senior Brothers, your little sister shall take her leave as well."
Taishang, Yuanshi, and Tongtian all rose and said, "Take care, Junior Sister!"
Nuwa glanced back at Bai Jin, then lightly laughed as she rode her Auspicious Cloud into the sky.
The many disciples of Shangqing Peak all rose and said respectfully, "Greetings, Master and Martial Uncles."
Tongtian looked around at everyone below and said, "From this day forth, Bai Jin shall be the Head Outer Sect Disciple, with status equal to that of a personal disciple."
Bai Jin's eyes flew wide open. Me? Head Outer Sect Disciple! When the great calamity arrives, won't I be the first to bear the brunt of it? No! No! I have to find a way to get rid of this position.
The many Outer Sect Disciples all turned toward Bai Jin, cupped their hands, and said, "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!"
Bai Jin suddenly came back to his senses. He hurriedly cupped his hands in return and said stiffly, "Greetings, junior brothers."
Daoist Duobao opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.
Tongtian said, "Bai Jin, lead the Kui Ox and come with me."
"Yes!" Bai Jin answered, then immediately trotted after him while leading the Kui Ox.
Yuanshi put away the Nine Dragon Agarwood Carriage and turned to leave as well.
With a wave of Taishang's hand, the Big Red Robe Mother Tree instantly vanished. He was exceedingly fond of this tea tree.
Before you continue