Outer Sect Rules

Bai Jin turned and left, riding an Auspicious Cloud toward Shangqing Peak.

Bai He the Attendant carried the immortal sword and happily walked into the palace. With a creak, the doors of Yuqing Palace shut.

Inside Yuqing Palace, Yuanshi slowly opened his eyes and murmured, "Red flowers, white lotus roots, green lotus leaves—the Three Pure Ones were originally one family." He turned to look at the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi beside him. This was the red flower.

Inside Taiqing Palace, Taishang looked at the shoulder pole hanging nearby, amusement in his eyes. "Red flowers, white lotus roots, green lotus leaves—the Three Pure Ones were originally one family. Does this little fellow want two more masters?!"

Inside Shangqing Palace, Tongtian held the Qingping Sword and ran a hand over its scabbard, smiling as he turned to look toward Taiqing Peak and Yuqing Peak. Elder Brothers, what do you think of my disciple!

In the course of casual conversation, Bai Jin had won another wave of favor from the Three Pure Ones, and he had done so seamlessly, without leaving a trace.

Bai Jin flew to Shangqing Peak, landed on the rocky mountain path, and walked upward.

Along the way, he met several disciples of Shangqing Peak. All of them grinned and greeted him warmly, "Greetings, Senior Brother!"

"Greetings, Senior Brother!"

Bai Jin returned their greetings one by one. As he walked, he carefully observed his surroundings. Some disciples chatted and laughed, some sparred, and some roasted meat, turning the once cold and lonely Shangqing Peak lively and clamorous.

Bai Jin returned all the way to his own palace and did not come out again. Before long, heaven and earth sank into darkness. Nights in the prehistoric world were exceptionally long, lasting a full two thousand one hundred and ninety hours.

At dawn the next day, the palace doors creaked open, and Bai Jin stepped outside. The sky beyond was still gray and hazy, speckled with countless stars.

"Senior Brother~" a crisp voice called out.

Bai Jin turned and saw a woman in a black immortal dress standing beneath a nearby tree, smiling at him.

Bai Jin smiled and said, "Junior Sister Shi Ji, good morning!"

Shi Ji hurriedly replied, "Good morning to you too, Senior Brother!"

Bai Jin said, "Please gather all the Outer Sect Disciples at Mirror Lake below."

Shi Ji froze, her heart immediately tightening. Is Senior Brother going to establish his authority? She promptly cupped her hands and replied, "Yes!"

Bai Jin drifted gracefully down the mountain.

Since his master refused to revoke his title as Head Outer Sect Disciple, he could only make plans himself. It was not just an empty saying that a tall tree caught the wind. Once the myriad immortals came to pay homage in the future, he would surely be pushed into the eye of the storm and become an easy target for schemes from mighty figures on all sides. Perhaps before the Battle of the Investiture of the Gods even arrived, his delicate little flower would be battered away by wind and rain. No! Absolutely not! It was far too dangerous.

Halfway up Shangqing Peak lay a pond filled with lotuses that bloomed year-round without withering. Tongtian had named it Mirror Lake. It was the very lake where Bai Jin had previously been sent flying with a wave of Tongtian's hand and crashed down into.

Bai Jin stood at the lake's edge. Wisps of mist rose from the water, making the place appear especially tranquil and secluded.

A moment later, figures descended one after another from the mist-shrouded mountain and landed by the pond. They cupped their hands in salute and respectfully called out, "Greetings, Senior Brother!"

Bai Jin turned to face them and smiled. "Good morning, Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters!"

All the Outer Sect Disciples of Shangqing Peak froze for a moment, then hurriedly copied him. "Good morning, Senior Brother!"

Bai Jin said solemnly, "Master appointed me Head Outer Sect Disciple, so I must bear the responsibility of the foremost disciple and must not disappoint Master's expectations."

Everyone looked at Bai Jin, inwardly muttering to themselves. What is Senior Brother planning to do? Establish his authority?

Bai Jin said, "Today, I will establish the first rule of the Outer Sect."

Everyone's hearts tightened. Outer Sect rules? Senior Brother Bai Jin looked difficult to get along with and exceptionally domineering. Then again, if he were not domineering enough, how would he dare openly slap disciples of the West before all their martial uncles and martial uncles-in-law?!

Everyone respectfully said, "We await Senior Brother's instruction."

"As the saying goes, the year's plan begins in spring, and the day's plan begins in the morning. At dawn, when the great sun first rises and Purple Qi comes from the East, it is the best time for cultivation.

"Therefore, I establish this sect rule: starting today, every Outer Sect Disciple, except those in secluded cultivation, must come here for morning scripture recitation."

Just reciting scriptures? That was fine! More than fine! All the disciples inwardly relaxed and respectfully answered, "Yes!"

Bai Jin turned to face Mirror Lake and sat cross-legged.

The other Outer Sect Disciples also sat cross-legged behind Bai Jin.

"Where we meet, there is neither immortal nor Daoist; sit quietly and discuss the Yellow Court. Today's morning lesson will be the Yellow Court Scripture."

"Above lies the Yellow Court; below lies the Pass Origin. Before lies the Hidden Gate; behind lies the Gate of Life. Breathe outside the cottage, enter and leave the elixir field.

"Examine it and practice it, and one may endure forever. The person within the Yellow Court wears crimson robes; the gate is sturdy, its key covering both doors. The Hidden Gate stands lofty and towering; within the elixir field, essence and qi are subtle. Clear water in the jade pool gives rise to richness; the spiritual root stands firm and the will does not fade. Within the central pool is a scholar clad in scarlet, beneath whom lie three rains, where the spirits dwell, joined within and without, layer upon layer..." Clear voices reciting the scripture rang out, echoing throughout the Shangqing Mountain Range, ethereal as immortals.

Inside Shangqing Palace, Tongtian smiled and nodded.

Inside Yuqing Palace, Yuanshi opened his eyes, snorted, and said, "Now this looks somewhat like cultivating the Dao."

Inside Taiqing Palace, Taishang smiled, nodded, and said, "Good~"

Three figures appeared atop a cliff, looking down at the crowd seated cross-legged by the pond below.

Holy Mother Jinling said with a grin, "Senior Brother gathered them all together to recite scriptures. It looks so lively! Why don't we go too?!"

Daoist Duobao said expressionlessly, "It is merely grandstanding. It is of no use whatsoever in comprehending the Dao."

Holy Mother Wudang smiled and said, "Reading scriptures can calm the mind and clarify one's nature. It can settle the restless hearts of the Outer Sect Disciples and keep them from causing trouble."

Duobao looked at Holy Mother Wudang and frowned. "Junior Sister, you are being a little too kind to that Bai Jin."

"We are all fellow disciples!"

"He is from the Outer Sect!"

"His status is equivalent to that of a personal disciple. Master said so."

Daoist Duobao took a deep breath, feeling stifled and aggrieved. He lowered his head to look at the figure below. Damn flatterer. Now he has even won over Junior Sister.

Duobao turned and left, vanishing in a flash.

Holy Mother Jinling quietly asked, "Senior Sister, does Senior Brother Duobao have some conflict with Senior Brother Bai Jin?"

Holy Mother Wudang smiled and said, "None at all. They are very friendly with each other."

Holy Mother Jinling stared at Holy Mother Wudang speechlessly. Friendly? Senior Sister, do you take me for a fool? I am very clever.

The great sun rose in the east, and the scripture recitation came to an end. The disciples breathed in and out the purple qi arriving from the east as they faced the rising sun.

A moment later, the disciples opened their eyes, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Bai Jin rose to his feet and said with a smile, "From now on, come here every morning to recite scriptures and regulate your breathing, calm your minds, and cultivate the Dao."

All the disciples rose as well, cupped their hands in salute, and respectfully answered, "Yes!"

Bai Jin swept his gaze over them and continued, "I do not know your origins, nor do I care to ask. Since you have entered under Master's tutelage, you are all fellow disciples. Remember well: you must not slaughter fellow disciples, and you must never defy your elders." His gaze fixed on Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears.

Everyone hurriedly answered in unison, "We would not dare!"