Bai Jin Treats

Zhurong laughed heartily and said dismissively, "Little sister, do you really think those tiny humans could change Empress Nuwa's will? You think far too highly of them, don't you?"

"There is no denying that the Human Race is indeed weak, but Empress Nuwa values them greatly. When they were first born, she even left Fuxi behind to watch over them."

Zhurong shook his head and said, "In any case, I do not think much of your idea. How could weak beings possibly influence the will of the strong?"

After pondering for a moment, Dijiang said, "Then I'll trouble you to go and see whether the Human Race is worthy of our Wu Clan's protection. If they are worth it, there is no harm in offering them a little protection."

Houtu sighed inwardly. I said alliance, not protection. Yet she also knew that asking her elder brothers to set aside the Wu Clan's pride and form an alliance with the mere acquired Human Race was indeed somewhat unrealistic. She immediately answered, "All right!" Then she turned and walked outside. Stepping upon the earth veins, her figure vanished in an instant.

Within the Western Pure Land, beneath the Bodhi Tree, Zhunti burst into laughter. "Using mountain ranges on Buzhou Mountain to form an array that covers the Primordial World, refining qi with the morning glow above the sea, and concocting pills with the fire of earth veins in the west... How did they even come up with this? They actually think this can lead to sainthood? Hahaha! This is absolutely hilarious."

Jieyin also revealed a faint smile.

"Caw—" Zhunti's laughter abruptly froze, and he muttered, "No, that's not right. Concocting pills with the fire of earth veins in the west, concocting pills with the fire of earth veins in the west..."

Zhunti's eyes suddenly widened, and he vanished from the Pure Land in an instant. A vast and furious voice rang out across the west: "First Martial Uncle, please wait~~"

Taishang, covered in dust and grime, turned his head to glance toward the Pure Land, flicked his sleeve, and drifted away. That trick was useless against this poor Daoist.

Within the Pure Land, Jieyin's expression became even more bitter, the wrinkles on his face resembling a bitter melon.

Not long afterward, atop Mount Kunlun, the gates of Taiqing Palace, Yuqing Palace, and Shangqing Palace opened with a thunderous boom. Three streaks of green light shot inside, and the gates slammed shut again.

The entire Mount Kunlun range was instantly filled with an oppressive atmosphere. All the disciples fell silent and tried their best to make themselves less noticeable.

When the palace gates boomed open and shut, Duobao, who was meditating within his own Dao palace, shuddered instinctively. His body kept twisting, and from time to time he turned to look toward Shangqing Peak, feeling as though the cushion beneath him were covered in thorns.

A rapid knock sounded at the door.

Duobao immediately went still, returning to a calm and unruffled state. With a wave of his hand, the palace gates opened with a boom, and Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, Ling Ya Xian, and Qiu Shou Xian hurried inside.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears said anxiously, "Senior Disciple Brother, Master and our martial uncles failed to attain the Dao."

Duobao said calmly, "I know. Attaining the Dao was never easy. Failure is perfectly normal."

Seeing Duobao as steady as a mountain, the three anxious men immediately calmed down as well, admiration rising in their hearts. This was the bearing of a Senior Disciple Brother. Even in such a major matter, he remained utterly unmoved.

Ling Ya Xian hurriedly asked, "Senior Disciple Brother, what should we do now?"

The other two also looked at Duobao expectantly.

Under their gazes, Duobao felt somewhat panicked inside. What should we do? How would I know? Yet outwardly, he coughed and said steadily, "Rest assured! Master and the two martial uncles are broad-minded. Why would they hold it against us? Besides, we meant well. We only wanted to help Master and our martial uncles."

The three nodded repeatedly. Senior Disciple Brother was right.

A streak of green light suddenly shot out from Taiqing Palace and entered Duobao's Dao palace. The air within the palace instantly congealed, and all four of them showed looks of horror.

The green light transformed into a finger above Duobao's head and lightly flicked his forehead. Bang! Duobao instantly sprawled on the ground, while a lump rose on his head at a speed visible to the naked eye. The green finger turned into a glimmer of light and dispersed.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the other two felt their eyelids twitch. It looked painful.

"Hiss—" Duobao sucked in a cold breath, climbed up from the ground, and shook his head. It hurt. It hurt so much.

Another purple finger silently appeared inside the palace. Duobao froze on the spot. The purple finger flicked down. Bang! Duobao was immediately flattened on the ground again, and another lump emerged on his head.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the other two lowered their heads, bent at the waist, and trembled.

Just as Duobao got back up, two green fingers appeared. Bang! Bang! They flicked Duobao's head almost simultaneously, and with a smack, Duobao crashed to the ground again.

Suddenly, a vast voice echoed above Shangqing Peak. "Today, I gained a new insight into the Dao and shall pass it on to Duobao. Study it carefully. Do not leave seclusion until you comprehend the Great Dao."

A streak of green light flew out from Shangqing Palace and entered Duobao's palace, transforming into a sheet of paper that drifted down before him. On it was written a single large character: "Dao." There was nothing else.

Duobao, with lumps protruding from his head like horns, rose from the ground while holding the paper in both hands. He bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you, Martial Uncles, for the grace of your enlightening finger flicks. Thank you, Master, for the grace of transmitting the Dao!"

After a moment, Duobao straightened up, four lumps perched atop his head. Looking calmly at Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, he said, "Thanks to the enlightenment of my martial uncles and Master, I have just gained some insight. I must now enter seclusion."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the other two hurriedly stood, bowed, and said, "Congratulations, Senior Disciple Brother. We shall take our leave!" Then they rushed outside.

After the three ran out, the palace gates slammed shut with a boom. Duobao's expression immediately turned bitter. Raising a hand to touch the lumps on his head, he hissed and sucked in a cold breath. Martial Uncles and Master had truly hit hard! Still, he felt relieved inside. Since this was the punishment, then the matter had passed.

Duobao looked again at the "Dao" written on the paper. What was he supposed to comprehend from this one character? And the handwriting was not even very good. It was slightly crooked, as if the writer's hand had been trembling. It was far inferior to his own writing.

After staring at it for a while, Duobao sighed helplessly. No choice but to enter seclusion. Though I do not want to, Master thinks I do.

Bai Jin silently walked out of the palace and headed down toward the forested mountains below.

At dusk, the sun set, and its fading rays spread across Mount Kunlun.

On the lawn before Taiqing Palace, there was now a table. Beside it stood a rack laden with all kinds of ingredients: meatballs, mushrooms, and the flesh of immortal beasts and divine beasts.

A yin-yang hotpot sat upon the table, one side fiery red and the other white. Three sets of bowls and chopsticks rested beside it.

Bai Jin walked to the entrance of Taiqing Palace, bowed respectfully, and said, "Martial Uncle, please come out for dinner. Today, this disciple is treating. I hope Martial Uncle will honor me with your presence."

The palace gates opened with a boom, and Taishang emerged in a brand-new Daoist robe. He was spotless from head to toe, with every strand of hair meticulously arranged.

Bai Jin gestured toward the table and bent at the waist. "Martial Uncle, please take a seat."

Taishang nodded, feeling somewhat better. He said blandly, "Go on, then."

Bai Jin immediately summoned a cloud beneath his feet and flew toward Yuqing Peak. Landing before Yuqing Palace, he bowed respectfully and said, "Martial Uncle, this disciple is treating you to dinner today. I hope Martial Uncle will honor me with your presence."

The palace gates opened with a boom, and a voice came from within. "Come in. Today, Martial Uncle will properly explain the Dao to you."

Bai Jin quickly said respectfully, "Thank you for your kindness, Martial Uncle, but the matter of expounding the Dao can wait until tomorrow. Please come out and have dinner first."

"Hmph! You brat, you are not here to laugh at Martial Uncle, are you?!"

Bai Jin said sincerely, "This disciple would not dare! I only heard that Martial Uncle was in low spirits, and this disciple felt deeply uneasy as well. Thus, I specially prepared an evening meal to invite Martial Uncle, hoping to ease your worries."

Yuanshi, dressed in a purple Daoist robe, walked out of the palace. Looking at Bai Jin, he nodded approvingly. At least you have some filial devotion. An Auspicious Cloud rose beneath his feet, and he headed toward Taiqing Peak.

Bai Jin straightened and looked in the direction of Shangqing Peak. Now it was time for the most difficult one. With Master's proud and prickly temperament, he would certainly not be easy to invite.

A cloud formed beneath Bai Jin's feet as he headed toward Shangqing Palace. Landing before it, he knocked on the palace gates. Knock! Knock! Knock! Then he bowed and said, "Master, this disciple invites you to dine."

"Not going!"

"Master, this is a token of this disciple's sincerity."

"Not hungry! Don't feel like eating."

"Master, First Martial Uncle and Second Martial Uncle have already gone. You should at least show the two Martial Uncles some respect, shouldn't you?" Bai Jin urged earnestly.

"Hehe~ Bai Jin, you have grown bold! You actually dare use your two elder brothers to pressure me?" A sarcastic voice came from inside the palace.

I— Bai Jin felt a surge of stifling frustration in his chest. His master was far too difficult to deal with.