Forming Cliques

Bai Jin shifted his gaze away from Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears. Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears looked up at Bai Jin, a trace of anger in his eyes. What did you mean by looking at me like that?! Do you think I'm someone who would betray my master and destroy my ancestors?

Bai Jin continued, "Master has always doted on his disciples and been exceptionally tolerant of us.

"But let me make this clear first: never treat Master's favor as capital for your own indulgence. Even if Master does not punish you, as your senior brother, I certainly will not let you off lightly.

"Before joining the sect, you were untamed and free-spirited all your lives, with no one to restrain you.

"But after joining the sect, some habits must be changed. Eating raw meat and drinking blood, foul language, a bloodthirsty nature, disregarding rank and seniority—if I catch any of these, I will immediately report it to Master and have you expelled from the sect."

All the disciples of Shangqing Peak turned solemn and said respectfully, "Thank you for your instruction, Senior Brother. We will not dare to violate it."

Bai Jin smiled in satisfaction, cupped his hands, and said, "Good. Dismissed!"

All the Outer Sect Disciples returned the gesture, then dispersed in small groups.

A faint smile curled Bai Jin's lips. Weren't these Outer Sect Disciples supposed to be wild and free? Now that I've put all these rules and restrictions on them, they're bound to grow dissatisfied. Once one or two troublemakers emerge, I can punish them severely and make everyone resent me. Then Master will surely strip me of the title of Head Outer Sect Disciple. Hahaha! I really am fucking brilliant! Now I should go pay my respects to Master and Martial Uncle. Bai Jin turned and flew toward Taiqing Peak.

At Youquan Waterfall in the back mountain, the roar of rushing water echoed. Daoist Duobao sat cross-legged beneath the falls, one hand raised before his chest as Shangqing Immortal Light bloomed around him.

A streak of clear light descended from the sky and landed on a rock beside the waterfall, transforming into a young man with large ears.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears respectfully cupped his hands. "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!"

Daoist Duobao's eyes abruptly opened, and an imposing, domineering aura spread from his body.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears's pupils constricted, and his heart trembled. This Senior Disciple Brother looked far more frightening than Bai Jin. He immediately bowed even lower.

Daoist Duobao lowered his raised hand and said displeasedly, "Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, what are you doing here?"

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears hurriedly said, "Senior Brother, this junior brother came to pledge himself to you."

Daoist Duobao looked at Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears. "Pledge yourself to me?"

He shook his head. "I have no need for that. Bai Jin is the Head Outer Sect Disciple."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears said with utmost respect, "You are our Senior Disciple Brother. The Head Outer Sect Disciple is merely the head of the outer sect. The moment Bai Jin returned, he imposed a whole series of rules on us. With our natures bound in restraint, how can we still cultivate immortality and seek the Dao?

"Senior Brother, we need you to uphold justice for us."

Several more streaks of green light descended, and their owners knelt on one knee. They said respectfully, "We beg Senior Disciple Brother to uphold justice for us."

Looking at the few people kneeling by the lake, Duobao's heart stirred. His long-dormant Dao heart was suddenly moved, even surprising himself. After pondering briefly, he said, "Come here at dawn tomorrow, and we shall discuss the Dao."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the others said joyfully, "Thank you, Senior Disciple Brother!"

From the very beginning, Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears had looked down on Bai Jin. Bai Jin had merely been lucky enough to enter the sect a few days earlier. Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears was a rare primordial species, and he considered himself no inferior even to a personal disciple. How could he willingly submit to an ordinary White Crane with mediocre talent?!

This Senior Disciple Brother, on the other hand, possessed extraordinary talent and the bearing to contend for the Great Dao. Only someone like him was worthy of Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears's allegiance.

At dawn the next day, Bai Jin was already waiting before Mirror Lake. Before long, the Outer Sect Disciples of Shangqing Peak gathered one after another.

Bai Jin swept his gaze over the crowd, secretly delighted. More than half were missing. He immediately asked, "Why haven't Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the others come?"

Shi Ji respectfully replied, "Senior Brother Long Ears and the others went to the back mountain to discuss the Dao with Senior Disciple Brother."

"Senior Disciple Brother? I understand." Bai Jin smiled and nodded, then led the junior brothers before Mirror Lake to sit cross-legged and chant scriptures. Their clear, resounding voices rang out.

Not long afterward, the great sun rose in the east.

After finishing their scripture chanting and breathing exercises, Bai Jin rose from the ground, cupped his hands toward the junior brothers, and said, "The morning lesson is over. Please do as you wish."

He immediately drifted into the air and headed for the back mountain.

The remaining disciples began whispering among themselves.

"Is Senior Brother going to the back mountain?"

"No way! Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the others are with Senior Brother Duobao."

"I have a feeling something's about to happen. Senior Brother is ruthless—he even dared slap those Western senior brothers in the face before Martial Uncle."

"Come on! Let's go take a look!"

"Let's take a look!"

Everyone quietly followed behind him.

At Youquan Waterfall in the back mountain, Duobao sat on a bluestone. A table stood by the shore, covered with the leftover scraps of a meal. The bonfire beside it had already gone out, and wisps of smoke drifted upward.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the others were sprawled on the ground, their eyes half-closed in a pleasant haze.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears let out a full belch and said, "Senior Disciple Brother, what do you think we cultivate the Dao for?"

Duobao replied calmly, "To cultivate the Dao is to understand one's heart and perfect one's nature, to strive for the summit."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears laughed heartily. "Senior Disciple Brother, we can't compare with you. You are a Nine Heavens Kunpeng, while we are sparrows in the forest. We wouldn't even dare dream of striving for the summit. All we seek is to follow our hearts and live free and unrestrained."

The other junior brothers also laughed and said, "That's right!"

"Exactly! Senior Disciple Brother, you are destined to become a great figure renowned throughout the primordial world. We only need to run errands for you in the future."

"That's right! So long as Senior Disciple Brother looks after us a little, we'll be able to live freely and gloriously throughout the primordial world."

"When Senior Disciple Brother reaches the heavens through the Dao, we'll cheer and shout for you."

One flattering remark followed another.

A faint smile appeared on Daoist Duobao's face. It was as though he suddenly understood Master's joy. Flatterers like Bai Jin might not be of much use, but having someone like that around did feel rather good.

The sound of footsteps came from nearby.

Everyone immediately fell silent and turned to look. Bai Jin was approaching through the white mist, walking beneath the morning light.

Bai Jin came to the side of the waterfall, cupped his hands, and said, "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!"

Duobao smiled and said, "Junior Brother Bai Jin, what brings you here?"

Bai Jin straightened and said, "Yesterday, this junior brother established the rules of the outer sect. All Outer Sect Disciples not in seclusion must go to Mirror Lake at dawn to chant scriptures. Today, I heard that Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the others had come here to hear Senior Disciple Brother discuss the Dao, so I came to take a look."

He glanced around at the leftover food and said mockingly, "Senior Disciple Brother, may I ask what Dao you taught them?"

That was right—Bai Jin had come to stir up trouble. The bigger the commotion, the better. Then he could use it to rid himself of the position of Head Outer Sect Disciple.

Duobao remained silent.

Bai Jin looked at Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and said, "Junior Brother Long Ears, you tell me. What Dao did Senior Disciple Brother teach you?"

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears rose to his feet, cupped his hands, and said, "Reporting to Senior Brother, Senior Disciple Brother taught us the Way of Combat."