Bai Jin said, "They were all products of Empress Nuwa's experiments after comprehending the Dao of Creation: wolf-sheep with sheep bodies and wolf heads, four-legged chickens and ducks, dog-headed birds, four-horned snakes, wild boars the size of little mice, and so on.
"There were also banana trees growing apples, dogtail grass growing on baby's breath, goldfish born within lotus flowers, and entire trees bearing little piglets. Plants and animals were fused together, exploring life's mysteries to the utmost."
The Three Pure Ones looked at one another. They had truly never expected their junior sister, who appeared so gentle, to be so crazed behind the scenes. The issue was that she had genuinely found her path. Had they taken the wrong road? Could enlightenment not be attained through contemplation alone, and did they need to act instead?
Tongtian hurriedly asked, "And then? How did Nuwa attain the Dao afterward?"
"Then I asked Empress Nuwa a question."
All three of the Three Pure Ones stared intently at Bai Jin. Could this question be the key?
Tongtian urged, "Tell us quickly."
Bai Jin did not dare keep them in suspense any longer and hurriedly said, "When I was heading to Buzhou Mountain, I saw a strange beast that I did not recognize. So, I molded its likeness from mud and asked Empress Nuwa about it.
"Empress Nuwa told me it was called a ferocious beast, a Horned Wolf. At the time, I said something: 'This miniature version is quite cute. It would be even better if it were alive.'
"Afterward, Empress Nuwa suddenly entered a state of enlightenment. Then she created humans and became a saint. It was that simple."
Simple? Tongtian and Yuanshi were speechless.
Taishang said with a bitter smile, "Sometimes, opportunity comes in but an instant. A thousand years of bitter contemplation cannot compare to a single word of guidance."
Yuanshi looked at Bai Jin suspiciously and interrogated him, "Why do I feel that you did it deliberately? Had you already realized that Nuwa's Dao only lacked From Death to Life? Was that why you molded mud? Otherwise, would it not have been more straightforward to manifest it directly with immortal power?!"
Bai Jin gave an awkward laugh and said, "Well, I just thought girls would probably like cute things, so I molded a little wolf to give Empress Nuwa. I wanted her to look after me a little, but somehow Empress Nuwa attained enlightenment. I was confused too!"
"Pfft!" Holy Mother Wudang could not help laughing. Molding a little animal to give Empress Nuwa—only you could think of something like that.
Tongtian was speechless. He waved his hand impatiently and said, "Go, go! Return and cultivate. In the future, stop wasting your thoughts on this random nonsense. Focus on comprehending the Dao, so you do not embarrass yourself like you did at Nuwa Palace."
Bai Jin obediently replied, "Yes! Then this disciple shall take his leave."
Bai Jin bent at the waist in a bow, then turned and walked into the distance.
Taishang shook his head and said helplessly, "Who would have thought that Bai Jin had played a part in Junior Sister Nuwa becoming a saint? No wonder she has taken such good care of him."
Tongtian snorted coldly. "Showing off petty cleverness. If he had encountered someone ruthless and vicious and incurred such karma, he would have long since been ground to dust."
Yuanshi said emotionally, "The karma of aiding one's Dao and sainthood... This time, Junior Sister Nuwa owes him a tremendous favor. Even without our protection, Bai Jin can now swagger through the prehistoric world."
Tongtian glared and said, "He dares? Let me see a White Crane swagger sideways!"
Taishang ignored Tongtian outright. His arrogant little temper had flared up again. He sighed, "Junior Sister has already attained the Dao. Where, then, is our Dao?!"
Yuanshi frowned in thought before saying, "Duobao, Wudang, you should leave first as well!"
"Yes!" Duobao and Wudang bowed, then flew toward Shangqing Peak.
Yuanshi said, "Eldest Brother, Third Brother, let us discuss the Dao!"
Taishang nodded. "Good!"
Tongtian nodded as well. "All right!"
All three felt a sense of urgency. Their junior sister Nuwa had already attained the Dao before them. If those two from the West were allowed to surpass them as well, where would that leave the dignity of the Three Pure Ones, Pangu's direct descendants?
Bai Jin returned to Shangqing Peak and strolled leisurely up the stone path. Along the way, he encountered several disciples, both familiar faces and new ones. Most kept their distance, called him Senior Disciple Brother, and then went about their business. Bai Jin did not mind at all; he practically wished for it! It would be best if his master stripped him of the title of Interception Sect's Head Outer Sect Disciple.
"Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother~" Several voices rang out at once. Ahead, Shi Ji and the others were bowing in greeting.
Bai Jin stepped forward, returned their bow, and said with a smile, "Greetings, fellow junior brothers and sisters."
Everyone straightened up. Bai Jin smiled and asked, "Junior Sisters, what are you doing here?"
Shi Ji said aggrievedly, "Senior Brother, we have been waiting here for you. We beg you to uphold justice for us!"
The other junior brothers and sisters also bowed and said, "We beg Senior Brother to uphold justice!"
Bai Jin's expression turned solemn. "What happened?"
Suppressing her anger, Shi Ji said, "We have followed Senior Brother's teachings: reciting scriptures at sunrise, resting at sunset, cultivating wholeheartedly in pursuit of the Great Dao.
"However, some Outer Sect Disciples have attached themselves to Senior Brother Duobao. Relying on his influence, they behave recklessly on the mountain. I criticized them a few times, but they actually seized Mirror Lake, where we recite scriptures. We went to Senior Brother Duobao, but he said Mirror Lake was a shared place on Shangqing Peak and anyone could go there to enjoy the scenery. These past few days, we could only recite scriptures halfway up the mountain, and then they seized that place too."
The junior brothers and sisters all looked at Bai Jin expectantly.
Bai Jin sighed inwardly. Master, why did you take in so many disciples? You took them in but do not discipline them. Aren't you just making trouble for me?
Bai Jin said, "Tomorrow morning, hold your morning class at Mirror Lake as usual."
Shi Ji and the other disciples all showed faint excitement as they replied, "Yes!"
Bai Jin led the junior brothers and sisters farther up the mountain.
Bai Jin said, "There seem to be quite a few more disciples on the mountain lately."
Shi Ji said, "Many wandering immortals have come after hearing of our sect's reputation, and Master has accepted them all as Outer Sect Disciples. Among the more outstanding are Qiu Shou Xian and Ling Ya Xian. They were the ones who led the occupation of our Mirror Lake."
Bai Jin nodded helplessly. "They are all the sort who think too highly of themselves and do not know how to restrain themselves."
The girl beside him said indignantly, "Senior Disciple Brother, you must teach them a proper lesson! Qiu Shou Xian even tugged on my little braids."
Bai Jin smiled. "All right. If they come tomorrow, I will avenge you."
After parting from them, Bai Jin returned to his room and immediately took out a small notebook to begin writing. Currying favor with Empress Nuwa: complete. A mutually beneficial relationship has initially been established. Contact must be strengthened to avoid growing distant.
At dawn the next day, clear voices reciting scriptures once again rose from Shangqing Peak.
At the rear mountain, Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, Qiu Shou Xian, Ling Ya Xian, and the others, who were grilling meat and drinking, all turned to look toward the front mountain.
Ling Ya Xian said in surprise, "They dared to go recite scriptures again?"
Qiu Shou Xian shook his wine jug and said, "You do not know, do you? Bai Jin, the Head Outer Sect Disciple, has returned. They have found someone to back them up."
Ling Ya Xian said disdainfully, "The Head Outer Sect Disciple is still merely an Outer Sect Disciple. How could he compare to Senior Brother Duobao? I heard that Head Outer Sect Disciple was once sent flying by a single slap from Senior Brother Duobao and was utterly humiliated."
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