Forcing My Way Up the Mountain

Bai Jin chuckled, "That sounds great, I'm quite bored myself. Let's go, Senior Brother will take you fishing."

Fish? Bai He the Attendant's eyes lit up. Ever since arriving at Mount Kunlun, he had been living a tough life, subsisting on wind and dew. He hadn't eaten fish, his favorite food, in a long time. He envied how carefree Senior Brother was, able to go out fishing.

Shi Ji asked, "Senior Brother, may I come too?"

Bai Jin said with a smile, "Of course you can, Junior Sister! I'm no good at cooking fish, so let's all go together."

Shi Ji chuckled, "If Senior Brother doesn't mind, I'll be happy to show off my skills."

The three of them went to a small stream at the foot of the mountain and sat on the grass to fish.

A moment later, Bai He the Attendant, unable to bear the loneliness, secretly used his magic. Big and small fish came in droves, and he fished with great enjoyment.

Shi Ji displayed her excellent cooking skills, filling the air with a fragrant aroma.

After a while, the three of them, full and satisfied, sat under the shade of a tree, lazily listening to the birdsong from the forest.

Bai He the Attendant let out a burp and said enviously, "Your Shangqing Peak is so much better. Yuqing Peak is too boring and desolate, it's just me and Master."

Bai Jin comforted him, "When Martial Uncle becomes a Saint, he will recruit many disciples, and Yuqing Peak will be lively then."

Bai He the Attendant's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Really? Master's ascension should be soon. Senior Brother Duobao visited Yuqing Peak today."

Bai Jin was surprised, "Duobao? What was he doing there?" He knew that Duobao usually avoided Second Martial Uncle like the plague, so why would he show up today?

Bai He the Attendant nodded, "He told Master about the Great Dao of Saints, saying that if Master wants to attain the Dao, he must forge the first Saint Artifact in heaven and earth. Then, once heaven and earth acknowledge it, he will descend with merit and become a Saint. I think what he said makes a lot of sense."

Bai Jin's heart skipped a beat. He suddenly remembered that Duobao had also visited Shangqing Palace this morning, and his behavior had been very unusual. Could he be trying to give advice to Master and Martial Uncle on how to achieve sainthood, just like himself?

Bai Jin's pupils suddenly contracted. This was bad! Duobao was trying to harm my golden thigh! If his attempt to achieve sainthood fails, who knows what terrible consequences might arise!

Bai Jin quickly got up and transformed into a beam of green light, flying towards Shangqing Peak.

Under the tree, Bai He the Attendant asked in confusion, "Huh? Why did Senior Brother leave?"

Shi Ji looked in the direction of Shangqing Palace and said thoughtfully, "Let's go, we'll go take a look too!"

"Okay!" Bai He the Attendant got up, and the two of them stepped on auspicious clouds and headed towards Shangqing Peak.

Halfway up the mountain, a mighty voice called out, "Junior Brother, please stop!" A barrier of Shangqing Immortal Light appeared, separating heaven and earth.

A flash of green light appeared before the barrier, transforming into Bai Jin's figure. He stared at Duobao, who was halfway up the mountain below, and asked, "Senior Disciple Brother, what do you mean by this?"

Duobao stood with one hand behind his back, his daoist robe fluttering elegantly. He said, "It means nothing. Master is currently in seclusion, comprehending the Saint Dao. Junior Brother should not disturb him."

Bai Jin said sternly, "Senior Disciple Brother, I have always respected you. Even if we have disagreements, I would accept taking a loss. But the Saint Dao is not a child's play. If Master makes a mistake, can you bear the responsibility?"

You would accept taking a loss? When have you ever taken a loss! Bringing up past conflicts only fueled Duobao's anger. His expression became solemn as he asked, "Bai Jin, what do you mean by that? Do you think I would harm Master?"

"Are you advising Master, trying to guide him to achieve sainthood?"

"It's just a suggestion."

Bai Jin said angrily, "Senior Brother, do you think the Saint Dao is something you can come up with?"

Duobao said furiously, "Bai Jin! Why do you think I can't come up with it? You can advise Empress Nuwa on how to achieve sainthood, so why can't I offer an opinion to Master?"

Me?! Bai Jin felt a tightness in his chest. Had Senior Disciple Brother gone mad? He was arguing about this too?!

Duobao raised his head proudly and declared, "Bai Jin, don't think you're the only favored child of heaven, the only one who can comprehend the Saint Dao. We can too."

The confrontation here alerted many disciples of Shangqing Peak, who all came out to watch the unfolding events in the sky from afar.

On the mountainside, Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, Ling Ya Xian, Qiu Shou Xian, and other outer sect disciples excitedly shouted, "Good! Senior Disciple Brother is right!"

"We can also come up with the Saint Dao."

"Senior Disciple Brother is the true prodigy."

Duobao smiled slightly, surrounded by the immortals. This was the path he pursued, to be supreme in heaven and earth.

Bai Jin took a deep breath and said gravely, "Senior Brother, what if I insist on passing?"

Duobao looked up at Bai Jin and said confidently, "You can try!"

Bai Jin raised his hand, forming a sword finger, and pointed to the sky. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Four immortal swords flew out from his sleeve and hovered vertically around him, circling him. They were the Qingming, Qingyu, Qingxiao, and Qingyun swords.

Bai Jin said solemnly, "Senior Disciple Brother, be careful."

"Four swords combine, Qing Tian emerges!" To deal with Senior Brother Duobao, Bai Jin had no choice but to use his strongest technique.

The four immortal swords instantly shot up into the sky and collided above Bai Jin's head. In a divine light, they merged into a divine sword that shone with a green light. Two large characters, "Qing Tian," were inscribed on the sword hilt.

As the Qing Tian Sword emerged, heaven and earth responded. Thunderous roars echoed in the sky, and rolling clouds churned.

Bai Jin's face instantly turned pale, and he broke out in a cold sweat, his body trembling. The Qing Tian Sword was a sword of heaven. Once the heavenly sword appeared, the power of thousands of miles of heaven and earth could be wielded. The immense pressure felt like a world pressing down on him. His mind could sense everything within thousands of miles – every flower, every blade of grass, every stone, every drop of water – all transformed into sword intent and integrated into the Qing Tian Sword, terrifying and overbearing.

Bai Jin's mind focused on Duobao. In the unseen depths, the great forces of heaven and earth all pressed down on Duobao, locking him in place.

Duobao's expression changed. He looked at the divine sword in the sky in shock. It felt like a heavenly punishment, inescapable and irresistible.

Bai Jin gritted his teeth and roared, "Slash!"

The Qing Tian Sword suddenly slashed down. The green barrier shattered like a piece of cloth at the slightest touch, scattering into a gust of wind.

"Reverse Slash!" Duobao roared. An immortal sword appeared behind him, rising against the heavens. One sword fell as the sword of heaven and earth, and one sword rose as the sword against heaven. The two collided with a deafening clang. A brilliant green light shone like the great sun, and the immense sword energy distorted the surrounding space, making it impossible to see clearly.

Below, many outer sect disciples cried out in alarm and quickly covered their eyes with their sleeves, dodging everywhere. The sword light raged, leaving sword marks on the mountain path with clanging sounds. Some unlucky disciples even bled on the spot.

Dong~ Dong~ Bai Jin stumbled back several steps, a dull ache in his chest. Pfft~ He spat out a mouthful of blood, his body trembling. Wielding the Heavenly Sword had been a struggle, and when it was blocked, the powerful backlash of heaven and earth struck him, instantly leaving him severely injured.

From the distorted green sword light in the sky, four immortal swords shot down and circled Bai Jin.

Duobao also staggered back two steps, his face flushing before the color faded. The immortal swords flew down and hovered beside Duobao.