Haku Treats Guests

Zhurong burst into laughter, unconcerned, and said, "Little sister, do you really think those tiny humans can change Empress Nuwa's will? You're overestimating them, aren't you?"

"It's undeniable that the Human Race is weak, but Empress Nuwa values them greatly. When the Human Race first came into being, she even left Fuxi behind to watch over them."

Zhurong shook his head. "In any case, I don't share your optimism. How can the weak possibly influence the will of the strong?"

Dijiang pondered for a moment. "Then, I'll trouble you, little sister, to go and observe whether the Human Race is worthy of our Wu Clan's protection. If they are, it wouldn't hurt to offer them some shelter."

Houtu sighed inwardly. I'm talking about an alliance, not protection, she thought, but she also knew that expecting her brothers to set aside the Wu Clan's pride and ally with the mere post-natal Human Race was indeed unrealistic. She immediately replied, "Alright!" and turned to leave. Her feet touched the earth veins, and she vanished instantly.

Within the Western Pure Land, Zhunti, beneath the Bodhi Tree, laughed heartily. "Setting up arrays with mountain ranges to cover the Great Desolation at Buzhou Mountain, refining qi with morning clouds at sea, and using the earth veins' fire to refine pills in the West—how did they even come up with this? They actually believe this will lead to sainthood? Hahaha~ It's just too funny."

Jieyin also showed a hint of a smile.

"Caw~" Zhunti, mid-laugh, suddenly froze. He muttered, "No, that's not right. Using the earth veins' fire to refine pills in the West, using the earth veins' fire to refine pills in the West..."

Zhunti's eyes widened abruptly, and he vanished from the Pure Land. A vast, angry voice echoed through the West: "Senior Disciple Brother, please wait~~"

A disheveled Taishang glanced back in the direction of the Pure Land, flicked his sleeve, and floated away. This trick won't work on this humble Taoist.

In the Pure Land world, Jieyin's expression grew even more bitter, his face wrinkled like a bitter gourd.

Not long after, on Mount Kunlun, the grand doors of Taiqing Palace, Yuqing Palace, and Shangqing Palace boomed open. Three streams of green light shot inside, and the doors slammed shut again.

The entire Mount Kunlun range was instantly filled with a stifling atmosphere. All disciples fell silent, doing their best to lower their presence.

As the palace doors boomed open and shut, Duobao, who was meditating in his own Taoist palace, instinctively trembled. His body twitched uncontrollably, and he kept looking towards Shangqing Peak, feeling as if the cushion beneath him had thorns.

A rapid knocking sound echoed.

Duobao's body stiffened, and he returned to his serene state. With a wave of his hand, the palace doors boomed open. Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears, Ling Ya Xian, and Qiu Shou Xian rushed in from outside.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears said anxiously, "Senior Disciple Brother, Master and Martial Uncle failed in their attempt to attain the Great Dao."

Duobao said calmly, "I know. Attaining the Great Dao is not easy, so failure is normal."

The three, who had been feeling uneasy, immediately calmed down upon seeing Duobao's unwavering composure. A sense of admiration arose within them. This is what a Senior Disciple Brother should be like, remaining unfazed even in such a major event.

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

The other two also looked at Duobao expectantly.

Under their gaze, Duobao felt a pang of panic. What do we do? How should I know? But outwardly, he coughed and said with composure, "Don't worry! Master and the two Martial Uncles are magnanimous; they wouldn't hold grudges against us. Besides, we were only trying to help Master and Martial Uncles with good intentions."

The three nodded repeatedly. Senior Disciple Brother is right.

Suddenly, a beam of green light shot out from Taiqing Palace and entered Duobao's Taoist palace. The palace fell into a sudden stillness. Duobao and the other three looked on in horror.

The green light transformed into a finger above Duobao's head and gently flicked his forehead. Bang~ Duobao instantly fell forward, a large bump appearing on his head at a visible speed. The green finger then dissipated into a faint glow.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the other two's eyelids twitched. It looked painful.

"Hiss~" Duobao gasped, got up from the ground, and shook his head. So painful, so painful.

A purple finger silently reappeared in the palace. Duobao froze on the spot. The purple finger flicked down. Bang~ Duobao fell to the ground again, another bump appearing on his head.

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the other two lowered their heads and trembled.

As Duobao got up, two green fingers appeared and, bang bang, flicked Duobao's head almost simultaneously. Duobao went sprawling again.

Suddenly, a vast voice echoed above Shangqing Peak: "Today, I have newly comprehended a path, which I shall impart to Duobao. Meditate on it diligently; you are not to leave seclusion until you comprehend the Great Dao."

A beam of green light flew out from Shangqing Palace into Duobao's palace, transforming into a piece of paper that floated before him. The paper bore a single, large character: 'Dao'. Nothing else was written.

Duobao, with his nascent horns, held the paper with both hands and stood up from the ground. He bowed respectfully, saying, "Thank you, Martial Uncles, for your finger-flick enlightenment. Thank you, Master, for imparting the Dao!"

A moment later, Duobao stood up, four large bumps on his head. He looked at Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and said calmly, "Thanks to the enlightenment from Martial Uncles and Master, I have just had a breakthrough and must now enter seclusion."

Dingguang Immortal with Long Ears and the other two quickly stood up, bowed, and said, "Congratulations, Senior Disciple Brother. We shall take our leave!" They then hurriedly ran out.

After the three left, the palace doors boomed shut. Duobao's face immediately turned bitter. He reached up and touched the bumps on his head, hissing in pain. Martial Uncles and Master really hit hard! However, he also felt a sense of relief. With such a punishment, it seemed the matter was settled.

Duobao looked again at the '道' on the paper. Just this one word, what am I supposed to comprehend? And the character itself wasn't written well; it was slightly distorted, as if the writer's hand had been trembling. It was far from how he wrote.

Duobao stared for a while, then sighed helplessly. There's no choice but to enter seclusion! Even though I don't want to, Master thinks I do.

Bai Jin quietly walked out of the palace and headed towards the mountain forest below.

In the evening, as the sun set, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed Mount Kunlun.

On the lawn in front of Taiqing Palace, a table had appeared. Beside the table was a rack displaying various ingredients: meatballs, shiitake mushrooms, meat from immortal beasts, and divine beasts.

On the table sat a yuanyang hot pot, one side fiery red and the other white. Three sets of bowls and chopsticks were placed nearby.

Bai Jin walked to the front of Taiqing Palace and bowed respectfully. "Martial Uncle, it's time to eat. Today, this disciple is treating. I hope you will grace us with your presence."

The palace doors boomed open, and Taishang, wearing a brand-new Taoist robe, emerged. He was immaculate, his hair neatly combed.

Bai Jin extended his hand, bowed, and said, "Martial Uncle, please be seated."

Taishang nodded, his mood slightly improved. He said faintly, "You may go on your way."

Bai Jin immediately summoned auspicious clouds beneath his feet and flew towards Yuqing Peak. He landed before Yuqing Palace and bowed respectfully. "Martial Uncle, today this disciple is treating you to a meal. I hope you will grace us with your presence."

The palace doors boomed open, and a voice emanated from within: "Come in. Today, your Martial Uncle will give you a thorough lecture on the Great Dao."

Bai Jin quickly and respectfully replied, "Thank you for your kind offer, Martial Uncle. The lecture can wait until tomorrow. Please come out for the meal."

"Hmph~ You brat, you're not here to watch your Martial Uncle make a fool of himself, are you?!"

Bai Jin said sincerely, "This disciple wouldn't dare! I merely heard that Martial Uncle was in a bad mood, and I felt anxious, so I specially prepared a dinner to invite Martial Uncle, hoping to ease his troubles."

Yuanshi, wearing a purple Taoist robe, walked out of the palace. He looked at Bai Jin and nodded in satisfaction. At least you have some filial piety. Auspicious clouds rose beneath his feet as he headed towards Taiqing Peak.

Bai Jin straightened up and looked in the direction of Shangqing Peak. Now it's time for the most difficult one. Given Master's tsundere personality, he'll definitely be hard to invite.

Bai Jin summoned clouds beneath his feet and flew towards Shangqing Palace. He landed in front of Shangqing Palace, knocked on the grand doors, and then bowed, saying, "Master, this disciple invites you to dine."

"Not going!"

"Master, this is this disciple's heartfelt gesture."

"Not hungry! Don't want to eat."

"Master, Senior Disciple Brother and Second Martial Uncle have already gone. You should at least give them some face, shouldn't you?" Bai Jin persuaded him earnestly.

"Heh heh~ Bai Jin, you've gotten bold! You dare use my two elder brothers to pressure me?" A sarcastic voice echoed from within the palace.

Ugh~ Bai Jin felt a tightness in his chest. My Master is too difficult to deal with.