Bai Jin pressed relentlessly, "What Way of Combat?"
Daoist Duobao suddenly opened his eyes, rose gracefully into the air, and said displeasedly, "Junior Brother, are you questioning your senior brother?"
Bai Jin remained composed and said, "I wouldn't dare! But we just established the rules, and someone has already broken them. How am I supposed to manage the Outer Sect from now on? If there is no explanation, I can only ask Master to judge the matter."
More than a dozen Outer Sect Disciples all sprang to their feet, panic flashing in their eyes. If they had to see Master, the two senior brothers would surely be fine, but the same could not be said for them.
Daoist Duobao said, "I truly was explaining the Dao to them just now."
"What Dao?"
Daoist Duobao smiled. "Junior Brother, why not experience it for yourself?"
Daoist Duobao's expression turned serious. Raising one hand before his chest, he slowly pushed it forward and said, "This is a palm technique I have newly comprehended. Junior Brother, please enlighten me!"
Buzz—A colossal azure-green palm formed and pushed toward Bai Jin like a mountain wall.
Bai Jin's expression changed. This palm technique looked strangely familiar. A Daoist version of the Great Sun Tathagata Palm? With no time to think further, Bai Jin rotated his hands before him. Buzz—an enormous Taiji Diagram formed. It spun, far larger than the palm imprint, but bigger did not necessarily mean stronger.
Boom—The palm imprint struck the Taiji Diagram with a thunderous crash. The Taiji Diagram stalled instantly as the enormous green palm pushed it sideways.
Bai Jin kept retreating while bracing the Taiji Diagram with both hands, his expression ugly. The gap in their cultivation realms was not something a single divine ability could overcome. He could not block it at all.
A thought suddenly struck Bai Jin. Couldn't block it? But why did I need to block it? Wasn't my goal to get rid of my position as Head Outer Sect Disciple? This was perfect! The Taiji Diagram flashed and suddenly vanished.
The enormous green palm surged forward and struck Bai Jin with a boom, sending him flying backward.
Duobao's expression changed. The enormous palm instantly shifted direction and shot into the sky, piercing the clouds. Boom—It left a massive palm imprint among the white clouds.
Bai Jin had already been sent flying over a thousand meters. He crashed through a swath of trees with a series of crackles, looking exceptionally miserable.
Bai Jin flipped himself up from the ground, his clothes ragged, and raised a finger. "Senior Disciple Brother's divine ability is extraordinary. This junior brother has learned much."
Daoist Duobao's expression darkened as he shouted angrily, "Bai Jin, what scheme are you playing at again? Why did you suddenly withdraw?"
Bai Jin straightened his clothes and shook his head. "I did not withdraw. I was simply inferior in skill."
Duobao said darkly, "Do you think I cannot even see through something so obvious? What scheme are you plotting?"
Bai Jin turned and walked away, his voice drifting back from afar. "Since Senior Brother wishes to personally instruct them, I will no longer interfere. I only hope Senior Brother will not lead them down the wrong path."
When Bai Jin left the valley, he saw a group of junior brothers and sisters standing outside. He smiled and nodded to them before continuing onward, showing none of the dejection of one who had lost.
The Outer Sect Disciples looked at one another. Several of them began entertaining thoughts again. This Senior Disciple Brother seemed rather weak. He could not even withstand one move from Senior Brother Duobao.
After reaching a deserted place, Bai Jin quickly shook out his hands, baring his teeth in pain. Senior Disciple Brother's palm technique was truly far too forceful! Even with Taiji Boxing dispersing the force, the impact had numbed his arms.
Bai Jin went to pay his respects to First Martial Uncle and Second Martial Uncle respectively, then casually chatted with First Martial Uncle Taishang for a few moments. Second Martial Uncle Yuanshi had yet to emerge from seclusion. He also slipped two gifts to Bai He the Attendant, delighting him so much that he called Bai Jin "Senior Brother" over and over in a sweet voice.
Finally, Bai Jin entered Shangqing Palace. Kneeling upon a prayer cushion, he kowtowed and said, "This disciple greets Master and wishes Master well. May Master's lineage spread far and wide, may ten thousand immortals come to pay homage, and may Master's disciples live in friendship and harmony."
Tongtian laughed heartily. "That is no greeting. You have clearly come to lodge a complaint."
Bai Jin rose and sat cross-legged on the prayer cushion, dusty and disheveled, his face full of grievance. "Master, look how badly Senior Disciple Brother beat me! You should quickly remove me from the position of Head Outer Sect Disciple! It has only been one day, and Senior Disciple Brother has already beaten me half to death. If I keep doing this, I fear I will lose my life!"
Tongtian looked at Bai Jin with an ambiguous smile. "Duobao truly did this?"
Bai Jin nodded repeatedly. "Yes! Master, you did not see it. That palm was as huge as a small mountain! It came straight down at my face. If I had not been so lucky, I might never have seen you again."
Tongtian asked, "Why did you not use the Five Elements Great Escape I taught you? Why did you not use the Heaven-Opening Sword? Why did the Taiji Diagram suddenly collapse?"
Bai Jin stiffened. His eyes darted twice before he hurriedly said, "Well, I have not mastered the Five Elements Great Escape yet. I was afraid of getting stuck underground and being unable to get out. Besides, it happened too suddenly, so I forgot about the Heaven-Opening Sword. As for the Taiji Diagram collapsing, Senior Disciple Brother simply struck too hard!
Master, you must stand up for me! I truly cannot bear the position of Head Outer Sect Disciple!"
"Silence!" Tongtian shouted.
"Gah—" Bai Jin immediately fell silent, looking at Tongtian with a deeply aggrieved expression.
Tongtian was so angry that he laughed. "I made you Head Outer Sect Disciple, and you think I have wronged you?"
Bai Jin nodded instinctively, then hurriedly shook his head. In a low voice, he said, "Master, you know me. I only have a bit of cleverness, but my aptitude is poor and I cannot shoulder great responsibility. I have no lofty ambitions of becoming renowned throughout the Great Desolation and shaking the world. I only wish to serve by Master's side forever."
Tongtian's gaze immediately softened. He said irritably, "Look at your lack of ambition. You will be Head Outer Sect Disciple whether you want to or not."
Bai Jin sat cross-legged on the prayer cushion with his head lowered in dejection. His carefully planned scheme to step down had failed again. As expected, I am simply too outstanding.
Bai Jin looked up at Tongtian and said, "Fine, I will be Head Outer Sect Disciple. But what about Senior Disciple Brother?"
Tongtian said calmly, "There is no need for you to concern yourself with it."
Bai Jin said speechlessly, "Master, you made me Head Outer Sect Disciple, yet you will not let me manage anything. Are you not being too biased?!"
"Do your own duties well and cultivate properly. There is no need to concern yourself with the rest. Everyone has their own destiny."
Bai Jin lowered his head and answered helplessly, "Yes! This disciple understands." He rose and walked outside. There was no other choice; he could only accept this identity for now. But I will not give up. One day, I will step down and yield the position to someone worthy. Eh—Senior Disciple Brother actually seems quite suitable!
Within Shangqing Palace, Tongtian said leisurely, "The path of sole supremacy, Duobao... Let your master see how far you can walk." A faint trace of anticipation shone in his eyes.
Before you continue