After the Three Pure Ones left, the disciples immediately broke into discussion.
"Senior Brother Bai Jin truly lived up to the legends! The moment he acted, he beat those senior brothers from the West into total disarray."
"You take pride in Master giving you treasures? I already presented Master with gifts! Mahasthamaprapta and the others looked absolutely awful! Haha~"
"Did you notice? Even though he's an Outer Sect Disciple, Master and our two Martial Uncles clearly treat Senior Brother Bai Jin very differently."
"To make an Outer Sect Disciple into what Senior Brother is... he's no worse than a personal disciple, right?"
"He was never any worse. Senior Brother is the Head Outer Sect Disciple; his status is equal to that of a personal disciple."
Daoist Duobao frowned and said displeasedly, "What kind of behavior is all this noise? Go back!"
The noisy Outer Sect Disciples instantly fell silent and quietly departed one by one.
Holy Mother Jinling said with a smile, "Senior Sister, I'm still unfamiliar with the Kunlun Mountains. Take me around, will you?"
"Sure!" Holy Mother Wudang answered with a smile, linking arms with Holy Mother Jinling as they left.
Duobao turned to look toward Shangqing Hall. After hesitating briefly, he floated away.
Inside Shangqing Hall, Sect Master Tongtian sat high in the seat of honor, while Bai Jin sat sprawled without the slightest decorum on the steps below.
Sect Master Tongtian snorted. "Were you feeling quite pleased with yourself just now?"
Bai Jin grinned cheekily. "It was all thanks to Master's excellent teaching!"
"How come I don't remember teaching you anything about Zen?!"
"The three thousand Great Daos all lead to the same destination. They're actually the same." Bai Jin looked up at Sect Master Tongtian and said with a smile, "Master, I brought you so much glory today. Isn't there a reward?"
"Didn't you say that disciples who ask their master for gifts are brats?" Sect Master Tongtian looked down at Bai Jin.
Bai Jin hurriedly said, "Master, I was just saying it casually. Please don't take it seriously!"
Sect Master Tongtian could not help smiling faintly, but his expression soon turned solemn again. "Do you know why Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha gave you the rites due to half a master in the end?"
Bai Jin asked in confusion, "Wasn't it because I gave them guidance?"
"Both sides gained something from the discussion of the Dao, so it could not be considered guidance. Zhunti was the one secretly instructing them to perform those rites."
"Why?" Bai Jin's eyes widened at once, and his heart thudded wildly. Zhunti! One sentence of "You have an affinity with the West" had terrified the countless divine beings of the heavens.
"Your earlier performance was far too aligned with their Great Dao. That was why Zhunti had Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha offer you the rites due to half a master, forming master-disciple karma with you so he could use it to pull you toward the West."
"What?" Bai Jin's eyes widened sharply as he cried out.
Sect Master Tongtian looked at Bai Jin suspiciously. Why was he reacting so strongly?
Bai Jin's eyes darted about, and he hurriedly put on a remorseful expression. "It's all my fault. I was simply too outstanding, and I affected the relationship between Master and Martial Uncle.
"Master, I am guilty. It is all my fault. Please punish me! Strip me of my position as Head Outer Sect Disciple."
Sect Master Tongtian shot Bai Jin a sidelong glance and said disdainfully, "Stop pretending. Don't even think of slacking off. The position of Head Outer Sect Disciple is yours."
Bai Jin looked utterly devastated.
Sect Master Tongtian said irritably, "Get out! Go visit your two Martial Uncles. There are benefits waiting for you."
Bai Jin nodded listlessly. "Yes!" He rolled to his feet and headed outside.
When he reached the entrance of the great hall, Bai Jin turned back to Sect Master Tongtian and said, "Master, your disciple is so outstanding that others are envious enough to scheme for what they cannot obtain. Aren't you proud?"
"Get lost~"
"Right away!" Bai Jin instantly turned around and scampered out of the hall.
Within Shangqing Hall, Sect Master Tongtian laughed twice, then stopped and said, "Come in!"
Daoist Duobao entered from outside, walked before a meditation cushion, and knelt to bow three times. "Greetings, Master!"
Sect Master Tongtian nodded. "Rise!"
"Yes~" Daoist Duobao rose and stood to one side.
Sect Master Tongtian said expressionlessly, "I am very dissatisfied with you today."
Daoist Duobao respectfully said, "This disciple has disappointed Master."
"Why did you do nothing today?"
Daoist Duobao respectfully replied, "First, they were guests. This disciple feared creating a situation where the host oppressed the guests, affecting the relationship between Master and Martial Uncle. I also feared provoking Second Martial Uncle's displeasure.
"Second, this disciple had never heard the Dao of the West before, so I could not comprehend it thoroughly in such a short time.
"Third, this disciple wished to understand the Dao of the West more deeply and use it to verify my own."
"So you simply allowed those Western disciples to suppress your fellow disciples?"
Duobao respectfully said, "This disciple has only the Great Dao in his heart and nothing else.
"Momentary splendor counts for nothing. There is still a long time ahead. Victory and defeat can be decided upon the path of the Great Dao."
Sect Master Tongtian said, "Duobao, I am pleased that you possess such a heart for seeking the Dao. But your Dao does not need comprehension—it needs practice."
Duobao murmured thoughtfully, "Practice!"
"Go. Study the past and observe the present, and you will understand."
Daoist Duobao came back to himself, stood where he was, and cupped his hands in a bow. "Thank you for Master's guidance. This disciple still has something to say."
"Speak!"
"Why did you make Bai Jin the Head Outer Sect Disciple? You know his aptitude is mediocre. How will he convince the others in the future?"
Sect Master Tongtian said with a smile, "If his aptitude is insufficient, I can give him resources. So long as I wish it, I could even raise a pig into a Grand Unity Golden Immortal."
The corner of Daoist Duobao's mouth twitched. Master, even your eldest disciple had not yet reached the realm of Grand Unity Golden Immortal.
Sect Master Tongtian continued, "The Outer Sect Disciples are a mixed lot and can easily cause trouble. They need someone smooth and adaptable to manage them, and Bai Jin is well suited for it."
Daoist Duobao respectfully said, "Master, this disciple understands."
"Then go!"
"Yes!" Daoist Duobao turned and walked outside.
Meanwhile, on Yuqing Peak, Bai Jin straightened his robes and entered Yuqing Palace. He knelt before a meditation cushion, held the Pangu Banner up in both hands, and respectfully said, "This disciple Bai Jin greets Martial Uncle! Thank you, Martial Uncle, for bestowing this treasure."
Yuanshi opened his eyes from the seat of honor. With a wave of his hand, the Pangu Banner immediately flew out and hung upon the nearby wall. Smiling, he said, "Although you were somewhat rash just now, you performed very well."
Bai Jin said solemnly, "It was all thanks to Master and Martial Uncle's excellent teaching."
Yuanshi laughed heartily. "I certainly did not teach you to hit people. Still, I have to say, those two slaps were beautifully delivered."
Bai Jin raised his head and looked at Yuanshi in surprise. If those words had come from Master, he would not have found them strange at all. But they had actually come from Martial Uncle. Wasn't Second Martial Uncle the one who cared most about rank and ritual?
Yuanshi then restrained his smile and said displeasedly, "But the other disciples your master took in are far too incompetent. Every last one of them was suppressed by the West, disgracing the Three Pure Ones."
Bai Jin hurriedly said, "Martial Uncle, please do not be angry. They have not been disciples for long, and the West came prepared. It truly cannot be blamed on them."
"Not disciples for long? Duobao became a disciple before you did.
"They came prepared? Did you not defeat their Dao with their own Dao?"
Bai Jin looked up and said with a smile, "Martial Uncle, I think there probably aren't many people in the primordial world as outstanding as me~"
Yuanshi froze for a moment, then laughed loudly. "I only just realized that your skin is this thick."
Bai Jin gave an awkward laugh and said nothing.
Yuanshi's smile faded as he said, "Come here in three days to listen to the Dao."
Bai Jin hurriedly cupped his hands in a bow and gratefully said, "Thank you, Martial Uncle!"
Yuanshi nodded with a smile. "Go!"
Bai Jin rose and walked outside.
After leaving Yuqing Hall, he immediately hurried toward Taiqing Hall without stopping. Being such an outstanding disciple was truly exhausting.
Before you continue