Leaving the Mountain

Primordial Lord of Heaven nodded and said with a smile, "It is good that you have such resolve. You may leave now."

Bai Jin rose to his feet, hesitated, then said, "Second Martial Uncle, I plan to leave the mountain for a while. As you know, the Wu Clan and demon race are fighting fiercely outside. I fear I might be captured by the Wu Clan and made into dinner, so I wish to ask for a protective treasure for offense and defense."

Primordial Lord of Heaven asked doubtfully, "Did Tongtian not grant you a treasure to protect yourself and aid your path to enlightenment?"

Bai Jin hurriedly replied, "Master bestowed four Qing Tian Swords upon me: Qingming, Qingyu, Qingxiao, and Qingyun."

Primordial Lord of Heaven nodded approvingly. "Those four swords are excellent. They rank among high-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures. Even Tongtian does not possess many treasures of a higher grade than these."

Bai Jin said emotionally, "I am naturally endlessly grateful for Master's favor, but my strength is still too weak to bring out their full power. Therefore, I wish to ask Martial Uncle to grant me a protective treasure."

Primordial Lord of Heaven said, "The outside world is indeed chaotic now, and it is rather dangerous for you. Take this to protect yourself!" With a wave of his hand, a small banner flew out and hovered before Bai Jin.

Bai Jin's heart jolted, and he vaguely formed a guess. He hurriedly asked, "Martial Uncle, this is...?"

Primordial Lord of Heaven declared proudly, "The greatest weapon of destruction in the primordial world—the Pangu Banner!"

Ecstasy flashed in Bai Jin's eyes. He quickly put away the Pangu Banner, then bowed deeply and said excitedly, "Thank you, Second Martial Uncle."

"Go!"

Bai Jin gave another respectful bow, backed out of the palace, and transformed into a streak of clear light as he departed.

Inside the palace, Primordial Lord of Heaven smiled and muttered to himself, "This little fellow understands propriety far better than Tongtian's other two disciples." A thought suddenly occurred to him. Should I take on a few disciples too? The White Crane Clan is so well-mannered—perhaps I should find a white crane to serve as an attendant?

After making the rounds, Bai Jin returned to the front of Shangqing Hall. He casually stepped forward, knocked on the door with several bangs, and shouted, "Master~ I have come to pay my respects."

With a rumble, the palace doors opened. Inside, a handsome young man with sword-like brows and starry eyes sat in the seat of honor, with several meditation cushions arranged below him.

Bai Jin walked before one of the cushions, knelt, and kowtowed. "May Master enjoy eternal immortal blessings and a boundless holy lifespan."

"How does one become a saint?" Sect Master Tongtian opened his eyes and looked at Bai Jin.

Bai Jin began to mutter inwardly. Did Master and my two Martial Uncles arrange this beforehand? Why are they all asking the same question? He immediately straightened his back and said solemnly, "With Three-foot Green Peak in hand, I shall spill my hot blood and lofty spirit, scour the blue heavens above, and seek the Dao in the nine skies."

Sect Master Tongtian suddenly smiled. "Easy words. But if you seek the Dao in the nine skies and Heaven and Earth give no answer, what then?"

"If Heaven does not answer, I shall slay Heaven. If Earth does not answer, I shall shatter Earth. With the sword in my hand, I shall sever Heaven and seize the Dao."

"Haha~" Tongtian laughed several times and said delightedly, "The one who understands me best is actually you, this disciple of mine."

"Rise."

"Alright~" Bai Jin flipped to his feet and sat cross-legged on the cushion.

"Do not speak such arrogant words outside."

Bai Jin repeatedly nodded and gave a foolish grin. "I was merely talking nonsense before Master."

Sect Master Tongtian said, "You visited both of your Martial Uncles?"

Bai Jin nodded. "I did!"

Sect Master Tongtian laughed. "It seems you have become the most sensible one after all."

Bai Jin quickly smiled ingratiatingly. "Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters are busy cultivating. My aptitude is poor, so I came to make myself familiar to Master and my Martial Uncles."

"You see things clearly enough."

Bai Jin's smile froze on his face. Master, although that is true, saying it so bluntly is hurtful!

Sect Master Tongtian waved a hand. "Go. Cultivators should still focus on cultivation."

"This disciple understands!"

Bai Jin rose from the cushion, wearing a fawning smile as he rubbed his hands together. "Master, this disciple intends to go out and gain some experience. Perhaps I may find an opportunity or two. Could Master grant this disciple a few protective treasures? The Wu Clan and demon race are fighting outside, and it is truly too chaotic."

Sect Master Tongtian raised a brow and said displeasedly, "With the Taiji Diagram and the Pangu Banner on you, where in the primordial world can you not go? What else do you want?"

Bai Jin said in surprise, "Master, you knew?" He said guiltily, "Could it be that you were eavesdropping on my conversations with my two Martial Uncles?"

Sect Master Tongtian said irritably, "Do you think I cannot see the aura of the Taiji Diagram and Pangu Banner wrapped around you?"

Bai Jin relaxed inwardly and gave an awkward smile. "Master sees all."

Sect Master Tongtian said irritably, "Get lost!"

"Master, you are my true master! Both Martial Uncles bestowed supreme treasures upon me, yet you will not give me anything?" Bai Jin hurriedly cried out.

"Then what do you want?"

Bai Jin said with an ingratiating smile, "Master, I heard that your Immortal Slaying Sword Formation is the number one killing formation in the primordial world!"

"Get lost!" Sect Master Tongtian swept out a hand.

"Ah!" Bai Jin cried out as he was instantly blasted away. He streaked across the sky and crashed into a lake with a rumble, sending up a spray of water.

"You little brat, the Immortal Slaying Sword Formation absorbs the primordial world's baleful and murderous aura. Is that something you can control?" Sect Master Tongtian muttered displeasedly. Then he suddenly smiled. "If Heaven does not answer, I shall slay Heaven. If Earth does not answer, I shall shatter Earth. With the sword in my hand, I shall sever Heaven and seize the Dao. Haha~ His abilities are not much, but his words are certainly grand."

Splash~ A figure shot out of the pond. Bai Jin hovered in midair, shook himself, and sent droplets flying from his body. They pattered back into the pond.

Bai Jin drifted down to the edge of the pond and muttered, "My master is far too stingy!" His body suddenly stiffened as his primordial spirit sank into a sea of chaos. A brilliant trajectory streaked through the chaos, cleaving the surging chaos apart. Clear qi rose while turbid qi sank. The trajectory in his mind became clearer and brighter, until it finally turned into an incomparably sharp sword qi that filled his mind.

Boom~ The sword qi exploded. Bai Jin abruptly opened his eyes, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat. An understanding arose in his heart: that sword was the sword that opened Heaven and Earth.

Bai Jin knelt and kowtowed toward Shangqing Palace, saying solemnly, "This disciple thanks Master for the grace of imparting the Dao." He knocked his head against the ground three times before rising.

A soft laugh came from beside him. "Congratulations, Junior Brother."

Bai Jin turned his head and said with a smile, "Thank you, Senior Sister, for standing guard over me."

Holy Mother Wudang said, "No need to be so polite. It is what Senior Sister should do." She asked curiously, "What did Junior Brother comprehend?"

Bai Jin scratched his head and gave a foolish grin. "Nothing much. Master merely granted me a sword technique."

Holy Mother Wudang said with faint envy, "I never expected that you would be the one Master favors most."

Bai Jin hurriedly shook his head. "No, no. My aptitude is simply too poor. Master thinks I would embarrass him, so he taught me a sword technique. In truth, I envy Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters very much. Master does not need to worry about you at all."

Holy Mother Wudang gave a reproachful laugh. "Why are you so nervous? Are you afraid Senior Sister will be jealous of you?! Come, take a walk with Senior Sister."

"Alright!" Bai Jin replied.