A Visit from Jin Sheng of the White Tiger Clan

Astral Fruit Tree.

Little White Tiger's eyes were full of longing as it stared fixedly at the round Starfruits hanging from the tree. With an "Awoo!" it suddenly leaped up, trying to jump up and steal some fruit.

But the moment it drew close, there was a clang as it crashed into an invisible restriction. Its head spun, stars danced before its eyes, and its body began falling straight down.

Just as it was about to hit the ground, someone grabbed it by the scruff of its neck.

The one who caught it was Zhu Yin. Looking at the Little White Tiger, dazed from crashing into the restriction because of its greed, he could not help laughing.

"My Spirit Medicine Garden is covered in restrictions. Did you think stealing fruit would be that easy?"

As he spoke, he gave Little White Tiger a flick on the forehead, then carried it back to the pavilion beside the Bamboo Building like a kitten.

A gentle breeze brushed through the pavilion. Little White Tiger lay obediently on the bamboo table, looking utterly listless.

Zhu Yin sat in a bamboo chair nearby, drinking fragrant bamboo tea as he gazed thoughtfully at the jade-white lotus flowers in the Spirit Pond.

Ever since he had slain Qiongqi a hundred years ago and brought this Little White Tiger back to the mountain, he had expected the White Tiger Clan to come looking for him soon, so he could use the opportunity to discuss terms.

The White Tiger Clan was a major power in the Western Lands, with a long heritage and deep foundations. Even though the Western Lands lacked resources and spiritual energy was thin, they still occupied two high-grade blessed grotto-heavens. Their strength could not be underestimated.

Zhu Yin had intended to use this opportunity to trade for high-grade Innate Separation Fire Essence. Even if he could not obtain that, exchanging for other spiritual treasures would have been worthwhile.

Yet after waiting for a full hundred years, there had been no movement whatsoever.

Thirty years ago, the Astral Fruit Tree had finally borne fruit. He had picked four Starfruits: one for himself, while the other three went to Wuqing, Wuxin, and Little White Tiger.

Since then, Little White Tiger had thought about them every day, and stealing fruit had become a habit. Though it was battered and bloodied by the restrictions every time, it never learned its lesson.

Just then, Zhu Yin received a Sound Transmission Talisman.

His master Zhunti, along with his martial uncle Jieyin, had finally emerged from seclusion.

Zhu Yin quickly arrived at Bodhi Hall on Mount Sumeru.

The moment he saw his master, he immediately performed a deep bow and respectfully said, "Congratulations, Master, on advancing your cultivation once more. May you attain sainthood soon and enjoy boundless longevity!"

Zhunti smiled and raised a hand to help him up. Nodding with a smile, he said, "Your cultivation has already reached the Late Taiyi Stage. You have made considerable progress. It seems you truly have not been slacking off these years and have cultivated diligently."

Although Zhunti had been the last among the Dao Ancestor's disciples to make his name and could not compare to the renowned Three Pure Ones or Nuwa, he still had reason for pride... his disciple Zhu Yin was promising, exceptionally gifted, and possessed excellent innate foundations. He would surely achieve something in the future.

Zhu Yin bowed again, his tone sincere. "This disciple owes everything he has today to Master's guidance."

Zhunti waved a hand. "There is no need for such politeness between master and disciple."

"I have not expounded the Dao in quite some time. Today, I will explain the Dao of Great Principle to you in detail and pass on several secret arts of Mount Sumeru, so you may prepare to break through to Great Principle."

Naturally, Zhu Yin did not dare neglect this. He immediately sat upright on a Cushion and listened with complete concentration.

As Zhunti began to speak, the entire Bodhi Hall filled with the sounds and rhythms of the Dao, as though the Great Dao itself had descended. Heavenly flowers fell in profusion, golden lotuses surged from the earth, and the scene was solemn beyond measure.

Zhu Yin's Primordial Spirit immediately entered a state of enlightenment. It was as though he rode a colossal ship a thousand zhang long, breaking through wind and waves across the ocean of the Great Dao. What he saw and realized was endless, and his gains were immense.

His understanding of the Dao became more complete, his divine abilities grew stronger, his mana more vigorous, his body more resilient, and his Primordial Spirit nearly flawless.

Seeing this, Zhunti felt greatly comforted. Other than the Primordial Purple Qi he had obtained while first listening to the Dao in Purple Cloud Palace, this disciple Zhu Yin was likely the greatest fortune of his life.

A thousand years later, the sermon ended.

Another hundred years passed before Zhu Yin awakened from his epiphany.

After thanking his master, he asked:

"Master, my cultivation has reached the verge of Perfected Primordial Unity. I only lack a strand of high-grade Innate Separation Fire Essence to achieve Five Qis Converging Toward the Origin and attain true perfection. Do you possess such an item? This disciple is willing to exchange one jin of Enlightenment Tea for it."

Zhunti pondered for a moment after hearing this, then said somewhat awkwardly:

"When I traveled through the Southern Continent in the past, I became acquainted with Ancestral Phoenix within Undying Volcano and agreed not to set foot in the Southern Continent again during this era."

"The little fire-attributed spiritual material I obtained back then has long since been used up. Neither your martial uncle nor I possess anything similar."

It turned out that when Zhunti was young, relying on his status as a Great Principle Golden Immortal, he had rashly gone to seek favor with Ancestral Phoenix. Not only had Ancestral Phoenix lectured him, but he had also been forced to swear never to enter the Southern Continent again. Those fire-attributed spiritual materials had long been confiscated by Ancestral Phoenix as well.

However, Zhunti's cultivation had greatly increased by now, and he had long since let it go. His expression remained calm, and he even described that "beating" as "a most pleasant conversation."

As for his senior brother Jieyin, there was even less hope. He was poorer than Zhunti and utterly unreliable.

Zhunti continued, "I see that you carry karma connected to the White Tiger Clan. After calculating, I discovered that you saved that White Tiger a thousand years ago."

"The White Tiger Clan and the Phoenix Clan were on poor terms in the past and often fought. Perhaps they possess the fire-attributed spiritual materials you need."

"It will not be long before the White Tiger Clan comes to find you after resolving its troubles. You can take the chance to ask them."

Zhu Yin respectfully bowed. "Thank you for your guidance, Master. This disciple will return to the mountain at once and await the White Tiger Clan's arrival."

Before leaving, he gave six Starfruits to Zhunti and Jieyin to let them try something new. He also reminded them that if the pits contained innate seeds, they should keep one, as they might be able to cultivate another spirit root for the Western Lands.

He also gave one fruit each to the two Boy Attendants before departing in a streak of light and returning to Spirit Platform Mountain.

Spirit Platform Mountain, within the Bamboo Building.

Zhu Yin remained in seclusion for five hundred full years before completely digesting his previous gains and finally emerging.

The moment he stepped out of the Bamboo Building, a voice came from beyond the mountain:

"Is Fellow Daoist Zhu Yin present? I am Jin Sheng of the White Tiger Clan, and I have come specially to pay a visit."

Hearing the name, Zhu Yin's heart stirred. With a gentle wave of his sleeve, the mountain's protective formation immediately opened a passage, and he personally flew out to greet the visitor.

The visitor was an imposing middle-aged man, broad and powerfully built, dressed in white robes trimmed with gold. He radiated a formidable pressure. He was a Great Principle Golden Immortal. Zhu Yin had seen quite a few such experts in the Heavenly Court before and was already familiar with that aura.

As Jin Sheng entered Spirit Platform Mountain, he looked at the abundant spiritual energy, flourishing flowers and plants, and Innate Spirit Roots everywhere throughout the mountain. He could not help praising it.

"What beautiful mountains and clear waters, what lush vegetation—a truly fine blessed grotto-heaven! Fellow Daoist Zhu Yin, your fortune is quite good."

Zhu Yin was naturally pleased to hear him praise his Dao field, but he still humbly replied:

"You flatter me, Senior. I merely benefit from my true form."

Jin Sheng could tell that he had reached the Transformation Stage from a High-Grade Spiritual Root, and Zhu Yin had no intention of concealing it. He simply responded openly and calmly. After all, Jin Sheng was a representative of the White Tiger Clan, and Zhu Yin also had Mount Sumeru behind him. Naturally, he would not offend the man.