Forming Factions

Haku shifted his gaze away from Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears. Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears looked up at Haku, a hint of anger in his eyes. What are you looking at me for?! Do you think I'm the kind of disciple who would betray his master and sect?

Haku continued, "Master has always doted on his disciples and been exceptionally lenient with me.

But I'm laying my cards on the table now. Don't you dare mistake Master's affection for your license to be reckless. If Master doesn't punish you, I, as your senior brother, certainly won't go easy on you.

Before you joined our sect, you lived lives of unrestrained freedom, with no one to answer to.

But now that you're disciples, some habits must be changed. If I find even one of you eating raw meat, spewing obscenities, being habitually violent, or showing disrespect to your betters, I will immediately report it to Master and have you expelled from the sect."

All the disciples of Shangqing Peak stood at attention, respectfully replying, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother. We would never dare to offend."

Haku smiled in satisfaction and bowed, saying, "That's good. You're dismissed!"

All the Outer Sect Disciples bowed in return and then dispersed in groups of three or five.

A faint smile played on Haku's lips. Weren't these Outer Sect Disciples all about unrestrained freedom? Now that I've added so many rules and restrictions, they're bound to be unhappy. If one or two troublemakers emerge, I'll punish them severely, causing widespread resentment. Then, Master will surely strip me of my title as Head Outer Sect Disciple. Haha~ I'm truly brilliant! Now, I'll go pay my respects to Master and Martial Uncle. Haku turned and flew towards Taiqing Peak.

In the back mountains, by the Youquan Waterfall, the roar of rushing water could be heard. Daoist Duobao was meditating beneath the waterfall, one palm held to his chest, surrounded by Shangqing Immortal Light.

A beam of clear light descended from the sky, landing on a rock beside the waterfall and transforming into a youth with large ears.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears respectfully bowed, "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!"

Daoist Duobao's eyes snapped open, and an imposing, domineering aura spread from him.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears' pupils contracted, and his heart trembled. This Senior Disciple Brother was far more terrifying than Haku. He immediately bowed even deeper.

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

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears quickly replied, "Senior Brother, Junior Brother has come to seek refuge with you."

Daoist Duobao looked at Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and said, "Seek refuge with me?"

He shook his head and said, "I don't need it. Haku is the Head Outer Sect Disciple."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears said respectfully, "You are our Senior Disciple Brother. The Head Outer Sect Disciple is just that, the Head Outer Sect Disciple. Haku just returned and immediately imposed a series of rules on us. How can we cultivate the Dao if our nature is constrained?

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

Several more beams of light descended, and they knelt on the ground, respectfully saying, "We beg Senior Brother to uphold justice for us."

Looking at the few people kneeling by the lake, Duobao's heart trembled. His long-lost Dao heart was instantly stirred, surprising even himself. After a moment of thought, he said, "We will discuss the Dao here tomorrow morning."

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

From the beginning, Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears had looked down on Haku, believing he was merely lucky to have joined the sect a few days earlier. He, a primordial beast, considered himself no less than a direct disciple and refused to be subservient to an ordinary white crane!

However, this Senior Disciple Brother possessed extraordinary talent and the potential to reach the Great Dao. Only such a figure was worthy of his allegiance.

The next morning, Haku was already waiting by Mirror Lake. Shortly after, the Outer Sect Disciples of Shangqing Peak began to gather.

Haku surveyed the crowd, inwardly delighted. The number of disciples was less than half of what it should have been. He immediately asked, "Why are Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the others absent?"

Shi Ji respectfully replied, "Senior Brother Dingguang and the others have gone to the back mountains to discuss the Dao with Senior Disciple Brother."

"Senior Disciple Brother? I see." Haku smiled and nodded, then led his junior brothers to sit before Mirror Lake and chant scriptures. The sound of chanting filled the air.

Before long, the great sun rose in the east.

After finishing their chanting and breathing exercises, Haku stood up and bowed to his junior brothers, saying, "My junior brothers, morning class is over. You are free to go about your business."

He then floated up and headed towards the back mountains.

The remaining disciples began to whisper amongst themselves.

"Is Senior Brother going to the back mountains?"

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

"I have a feeling something bad is about to happen. Senior Brother Haku is ruthless. He even dared to slap Senior Brother West in the face in front of Martial Uncle."

"Let's go! Let's go see!"

"Let's go see!"

The disciples quietly followed behind.

In the back mountains, by the Youquan Waterfall, Duobao sat on a blue stone. On the bank, a table was set up with leftover food and drinks. The campfire beside it had gone out, and wisps of smoke rose into the air.

Dingguang and the others lay on the ground, their eyes half-closed, slightly tipsy.

Dingguang let out a burp and said, "Senior Disciple Brother, what are we cultivating the Dao for?"

Duobao replied calmly, "To cultivate the Dao is to understand the heart and nature, and to reach the pinnacle."

Dingguang laughed heartily, "Senior Disciple Brother, we can't compare to you. You are the Nine Heavens Kunpeng, while we are merely sparrows in the forest. Reaching the pinnacle is something we don't even dare to dream of. What we seek is to follow our hearts and live freely."

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

"Indeed! Senior Disciple Brother, you are destined to be a great figure who will make a name for himself throughout the Great Desolation. As for us, we'll just run errands for you in the future."

"Exactly! As long as Senior Disciple Brother looks out for us a little, we can live carefree lives throughout the Great Desolation."

"When Senior Disciple Brother achieves Dao and ascends to the heavens, we will cheer for him."

Flattering words poured out.

Daoist Duobao's face held a faint smile. He suddenly felt as if he understood Master's joy. Haku, who was so adept at flattery, might not be useful, but having someone like that around felt quite good.

Footsteps could be heard.

Everyone immediately fell silent, turning their heads to look. They saw Bai Jin approaching, draped in white mist and stepping through the morning light.

Bai Jin walked to the side of the waterfall, bowed, and said, "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!"

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

Bai Jin straightened up and replied, "Yesterday, I established the Outer Sect rules. All Outer Sect disciples, except those in seclusion, must go to Mirror Lake every morning to recite scriptures. Today, I heard that Dingguang and the others came to your place to listen to the Dao, so I came to take a look."

He glanced at the leftover food and scraps, then said mockingly, "Senior Brother, what Dao did you teach them?"

That's right, Bai Jin was here to stir up trouble. The bigger the trouble, the better, as it would allow him to shed his identity as the Head Outer Sect Disciple.

Duobao remained silent.

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

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears stood up, bowed, and said, "Reporting to Senior Brother, Senior Disciple Brother taught us the Way of Combat."