Pangu split open the primordial chaos, and the clear and turbid separated as Heaven and Earth appeared. When Heaven and Earth had first opened, all things were still desolate. First came the Dragon-Phoenix turmoil across the primordial world, then Hongjun preached the Dao to three thousand listeners.
In the primordial world stood a divine mountain known as Mount Kunlun. The Kunlun mountain range stretched for hundreds of thousands of miles and possessed three main peaks. Upon each main peak stood a majestic palace. The plaque on the palace atop the central main peak bore three great characters: Taiqing Palace. The divine hall on the left main peak bore three great characters: Yuqing Palace. The divine hall on the right main peak bore three great characters: Shangqing Palace.
At that moment, within a side hall at the edge of Shangqing Palace, an honest-looking young man was holding a brush and writing in a small booklet.
The young man was named Bai Jin, an Azure White Crane who had attained the Dao.
In his previous life, he had been an exceedingly ordinary person. Yet after waking from sleep, he had transmigrated to the primordial world without any pain, in an exceptionally user-friendly manner.
He had initially resisted inwardly, but when he learned that he could become an immortal patriarch and live forever, he had been ecstatic. Then, when he learned that his master was the renowned Sect Master Tongtian, he had gone completely blank.
Sect Master Tongtian? That tragic big shot who had not a single friend and ended up with his family destroyed? Wasn't his own future going to be bleak?! Most importantly, he was only an Outer Sect Disciple.
After Bai Jin learned that he was Sect Master Tongtian's disciple, he knew that his master could not be relied upon. For several years after transmigrating, he had secretly plotted his own self-rescue plan. Though the Battle of the Investiture of the Gods was still far, far away, Bai Jin already felt an intense sense of crisis.
He set down his brush, revealing several mysterious symbols on the white paper. These were called Rune Script, though they could also be called Talismans—the written language used for communication among immortals and gods.
Bai Jin looked at the Rune Script and read aloud, "A Guide to Self-Rescue in the Primordial World. The first step, and also the most important step: curry favor with the two Martial Uncles. First Martial Uncle is like the highest good, akin to water, so before First Martial Uncle, I must appear detached and unworldly. Second Martial Uncle values propriety and virtue, so before Second Martial Uncle, I must behave according to the rules."
Clenching his fist, he said, "Bai Jin, keep it up. You can do it."
He solemnly put away the small booklet and walked outside. With a creak, he opened the hall doors and strode out.
After only a few steps, he saw an elegant and dignified woman slowly approaching along the mountain path.
Bai Jin hurriedly cupped his hands in salute and said, "Greetings, Senior Sister Wudang."
Wudang said helplessly, "Junior Brother, why didn't you close the door again?"
Bai Jin straightened up, scratched his head, and smiled honestly. "Eldest Senior Sister, I think a gentleman has nothing to hide from others. Besides, everyone on the mountain is one of our own. It's fine."
Wudang said helplessly, "You! You may be a gentleman, but others may not be. Master will take in other disciples in the future. This isn't good." With a casual wave of her hand, the doors slammed shut with a boom.
Bai Jin nodded repeatedly and said gratefully, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister."
Wudang asked again, "Where are you going, Junior Brother?"
Bai Jin said, "To pay my respects to the two Martial Uncles."
Wudang nodded with a smile. "Go on, then!"
"Alright~ I'll give Eldest Senior Sister your regards."
"Thank you, Junior Brother."
Bai Jin ran down the mountain.
Wudang continued onward and arrived at a scenic place. A waterfall thundered down, stirring up snowy foam in the cold pool below. A broad-built young man sat beside the waterfall with his eyes closed, comprehending the Dao.
The young man suddenly opened his eyes, and a sharp gleam flashed through them. With a boom, the waterfall was cleaved apart.
Holy Mother Wudang smiled and said, "Senior Brother Duobao, your sword intent has become even more refined."
Duobao said, "Cultivation is naturally like this. Only by advancing with force and vigor can one step onto the path of the Great Dao. Junior Sister, you must not slacken either."
Holy Mother Wudang cupped her hands in salute. "Thank you for your instruction, Senior Brother!"
Duobao hesitated for a moment, then asked, "That Bai Jin ran off again?"
Holy Mother Wudang said, "He went to pay his respects to the two Martial Uncles."
Duobao's expression turned cold. "Is he Master's disciple or the two Martial Uncles' disciple? If he is so attentive to them, why doesn't he simply become their disciple?"
Holy Mother Wudang walked over and sat before a bluestone. "He has not neglected to pay his respects to Master either."
Duobao said angrily, "Absurd! Our honored master thought highly of us and accepted us as disciples. We should devote ourselves to cultivation so that we may serve our master in the future.
"But look at him. Every day, he goes to pay respects to Master and the Martial Uncles. How could he have any mind left for cultivation? With such a state of mind, he will sooner or later fall into the demonic path."
Holy Mother Wudang frowned slightly. "Senior Disciple Brother, you are overstating it."
Duobao took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Forget it! I don't want to concern myself with him. He is merely an Outer Sect Disciple anyway. Let him do as he pleases. Junior Sister, let us discuss the Dao!"
Holy Mother Wudang nodded. "Alright!" A faint, indistinct Dao aura spread around her.
A streak of green light descended before Taiqing Palace on the central peak, taking Bai Jin's form when it landed.
Bai Jin straightened his clothes, cupped his hands, bent at the waist ninety degrees, and said, "Disciple Bai Jin pays respects to First Martial Uncle!"
An ancient voice came from within the hall. "Enter!"
"Thank you, First Martial Uncle!"
The palace doors creaked open. Bai Jin stepped inside and, upon entering the main hall, saw an aged Daoist seated cross-legged above.
Bai Jin walked to the prayer cushion, knelt upon it, and knocked his head against the ground three times. "This disciple pays respects to First Martial Uncle. May First Martial Uncle soon attain the Way of the Saint."
Taishang said kindly, "How does one attain the Way of the Saint?"
Bai Jin said calmly, "This disciple does not know, but I can see it in First Martial Uncle."
Taishang smiled. "Then tell me."
Bai Jin said solemnly, "The Way of Heaven benefits all and harms none; The Way of the Saint acts, yet does not contend."
Taishang was taken aback. After pondering it for a moment, he smiled. "Very good. You are right."
In the past, this exchange of question and answer would have concluded his visit, and Bai Jin should have taken his leave. But today, Bai Jin remained kneeling on the prayer cushion, fidgeting awkwardly.
Taishang asked, "Bai Jin, is there anything else?"
Bai Jin hurriedly said, "Reporting to First Martial Uncle, this disciple intends to leave the mountain for a while. As you know, the War between Wu and Yao is in full swing outside. I fear that the Wu Clan might capture me and make me their dinner, so I wish to ask for a treasure to protect myself."
Taishang said, "Leaving the mountain now is indeed fraught with danger." With a wave of his hand, the Taiji Diagram hanging on the wall shot down and hovered before Bai Jin. "Take this for protection."
The Taiji Diagram?! Bai Jin excitedly hurried to bow deeply and said gratefully, "Thank you, First Martial Uncle!"
"Go on! Go on!"
Bai Jin rose, took the Taiji Diagram, and hurried outside with an honest smile. Sure enough, currying favor with the Martial Uncles was the path to self-rescue.
After leaving the palace, Bai Jin transformed into a streak of green light and shot away. He streaked across the mountain range and landed before Yuqing Palace. Bending at the waist ninety degrees with his hands cupped, he said, "This disciple pays respects to Second Martial Uncle."
"Come in!" A majestic voice rang out as the palace doors creaked open.
After entering, Bai Jin became solemn and unsmiling. He walked to the prayer cushion, knelt down, and bowed three times with impeccable propriety. "Disciple Bai Jin pays respects to Martial Uncle. May Martial Uncle soon attain the Way of the Saint."
Primordial Lord of Heaven, seated high in the place of honor, nodded slightly and asked, "What is a saint?"
Bai Jin remained unsmiling and answered solemnly, "The Way of Heaven keeps the clear and turbid in order; The Way of the Saint follows Heaven's will and obeys its mandate."
A pleased look flashed through Primordial Lord of Heaven's eyes. "Very good!" Then he said regretfully, "What a pity, what a pity~"
Bai Jin asked, "What does Martial Uncle find regrettable?"
"Regrettably, you are only a white crane. Your future achievements are destined to be limited."
Bai Jin said respectfully, "This disciple does not seek fame throughout the primordial world, nor do I seek the power to destroy Heaven and Earth. I only wish to serve at the side of Master and the two Martial Uncles. That alone would satisfy me."
Before you continue