Bai Jin was now using the Qingxiao Sword. Only after reaching the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm could he truly unleash some of the power of the Four Heavenly Swords. When the sword emerged, heaven and earth were locked down; when it came, it was like heaven itself had stirred killing intent. Everything between heaven and earth seemed to transform into divine swords, all pointing at Ling Ya Xian from afar.
Boom—the Qingxiao Sword struck Ling Ya Xian's twin swords. The tangled vortex of sword qi was instantly torn apart, and his two swords were knocked away as he staggered backward, leaving his guard wide open.
Ling Ya Xian had barely steadied himself when the Qingxiao Sword was already hovering before his forehead. Its sharp sword qi flickered, leaving him too terrified to move, cold sweat covering his body.
Ling Ya Xian stammered, "S-Senior Disciple Brother, spare my life..."
The Qingxiao Sword's blade slapped down with a bang against Ling Ya Xian's shoulder. A crack sounded as bone shattered.
Ling Ya Xian let out a miserable cry and plummeted downward like a meteor, crashing into the edge of the pond with a rumble and leaving a deep crater.
With a wave of Bai Jin's hand, the Qingxiao Sword shot downward, turning into a streak of azure light that entered his sleeve.
"Ling Ya!"
"Junior Brother Ling Ya!"
Qiu Shou Xian and Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears hurried forward, helping Ling Ya Xian out of the crater. His shoulder had already caved in, and his aura was unstable.
"Junior Brother, we are fellow disciples. Wasn't that strike a little too heavy?" A leisurely voice rang out from the sky.
Qiu Shou Xian, Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, and the other Outer Sect Disciples all looked up at the sky. They respectfully cupped their hands in salute and said excitedly, "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!"
Duobao stepped through the air, approaching one step at a time before coming to a stop in midair.
Bai Jin also cupped his hands in salute and said with a smile, "Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother!"
Duobao returned the salute and said, "Greetings, Junior Brother. Having earned Empress Nuwa's favor, your temper has grown quite a bit!"
Bai Jin straightened up and laughed freely. "Senior Disciple Brother, you know me. I have always been lazy and easygoing, and under normal circumstances, I do not wish to bother with such messy affairs. But since Master trusted me enough to make me the Head Outer Sect Disciple, I naturally must shoulder the responsibilities of that position."
Duobao nodded expressionlessly. "Junior Brother is so responsible. Master will surely be pleased. But wasn't it somewhat excessive to act against fellow disciples?"
Bai Jin's expression darkened as he asked directly, "Senior Disciple Brother, where are we?"
"Mirror Lake."
"Who gave it that name?"
"Master, of course."
"When Master named this lake Mirror Lake, he hoped that we disciples would have hearts as clear as mirrors. Mirror Lake is Quiet Self Lake. This place was originally left by Master for us to calm our hearts, cultivate the Dao, and seek ourselves. It contains Master's hopes that his disciples would succeed.
Yet they make noise and clamor at Mirror Lake, roast meat and drink wine, indulging themselves without restraint. Where is the bearing of cultivators in that? They have trampled upon Master's loving heart for his disciples. Should they be punished? Should they not be severely punished?!"
Duobao opened his mouth, utterly speechless. Mirror Lake was Mirror Lake—when had it become Quiet Self Lake? He shook his head and said, "Junior Brother, you are eloquent, but you are twisting Master's intentions."
On Taiqing Peak, Tongtian's expression was also strange. Had I had such an intention back then? Had I, or had I not?
Yuanshi said with satisfaction, "Tongtian, the name you gave that lake is quite good."
Tongtian smiled and said sentimentally, "It was a name that came to me on a whim back then. Only Bai Jin can understand my intentions!"
Yuanshi said displeasedly, "Unfortunately, those disciples of yours have betrayed your profound intentions."
Tongtian declared, "From today onward, Mirror Lake will resume its original name, Quiet Self Lake. It shall be a place for calming one's heart and cultivating the Dao. All disciples who indulged themselves shall have their cultivation sealed for ten years, so they may calm their hearts and nurture their natures." His vast voice echoed above Shangqing Peak.
Qiu Shou Xian, Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, and the other Outer Sect Disciples all cupped their hands in terrified salute and respectfully said, "This disciple willingly accepts the punishment."
Streaks of azure light fell from above like rain, accurately entering the bodies of every disciple who had previously drunk wine and eaten meat, sealing all their cultivation. Every disciple felt their body grow heavy, as though heaven and earth had frozen around them, leaving them deeply uncomfortable.
Daoist Duobao opened his mouth but had nothing to say. Since Master had spoken, even if Mirror Lake had not been Quiet Self Lake before, it would be Quiet Self Lake from now on.
Duobao said leisurely, "Junior Brother, you are very good."
Bai Jin said with a cheerful smile, "Thank you for the praise, Senior Disciple Brother."
Duobao turned and flew toward the back mountain.
Bai Jin scrutinized the group of disciples, whose cultivation had been sealed and who stood frightened and uneasy. He said sternly, "If you are willing to cultivate under Senior Disciple Brother, I will not interfere. But you must understand that my unwillingness to manage you does not mean I am unable to manage you. If you dare behave recklessly, you will be dealt with according to sect rules."
With their cultivation sealed and under Bai Jin's intimidation, every one of them lost their composure. They all cupped their hands in panic and said, "Thank you for Senior Disciple Brother's instruction. We will not dare offend again."
Bai Jin said solemnly, "All of you, sit down and quietly recite the Yellow Court Scripture."
"Yes!" The Outer Sect Disciples obediently sat cross-legged on the ground.
Shi Ji looked at Bai Jin with amusement in her eyes and sent him a voice transmission. "Senior Disciple Brother, you were so imposing just now."
Bai Jin called out loudly, "Shi Ji!"
Shi Ji froze, then hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully said, "Senior Disciple Brother..."
Bai Jin instructed, "You will lead them in reciting the scripture."
"Yes!" Shi Ji answered helplessly.
Bai Jin rose and drifted through the thin mist, landing atop a cliff halfway up the mountain. He lay directly on a clear stone. The sound of scripture recitations reached his ears, and before long, he grew drowsy.
A figure emerged from nearby, lifted the hem of her skirt, and sat beside Bai Jin. Smiling, she said, "Junior Brother, you truly angered Senior Disciple Brother this time."
Bai Jin opened his eyes, rolled over, and sat up beside Holy Mother Wudang. He said helplessly, "Senior Sister, I did not want this either! I also want us to be close as brothers, laughing and chatting together, becoming one family.
But in any sect, someone must play the villain. Senior Disciple Brother is willing to be the good man, treating them with tolerance and care. So I can only be the villain, constantly keeping them in line from the side. Otherwise, Master's good name may be ruined by them.
Excessive freedom is indulgence, and indulgence is the beginning of all evil. Senior Sister, you have seen what Shangqing Peak has become during this time, haven't you?"
Holy Mother Wudang nodded and said gently, "Junior Brother, you did very well."
Bai Jin turned to Holy Mother Wudang and said hopefully, "Senior Sister, why not take on the role of villain instead? I fear that if this continues, Senior Disciple Brother will beat me to death one day."
Holy Mother Wudang burst into laughter. "How is Senior Disciple Brother as brutal as you make him sound?"
Bai Jin nodded repeatedly, still frightened. "Senior Sister, you do not know. The way Senior Disciple Brother looked at me just now was terrifying, as though he wanted to swallow me alive. Senior Sister, please save your junior brother!"
Holy Mother Wudang smiled and said, "Junior Brother, do you find Senior Sister so unpleasant to look at?"
Bai Jin immediately blurted out, "No! Senior Sister is otherworldly and refined, flawless as white jade, beautiful beyond compare, lovely as a flower, graceful and elegant, beautiful inside and out, radiant as clouds and moonlight, perfect in every way..."
A heartfelt smile appeared on Holy Mother Wudang's face. She smiled gently and said, "Since Junior Brother thinks Senior Sister is so perfect, how could Senior Sister disappoint him by doing something so hated?"
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