Could Zhu Yin Be a Disciple of Sage Zhunti?

The Western Lands' sky was blue and serene, with gentle winds and light clouds.

Zhu Yin, dressed in a robe of green, strode swiftly through the void. After leaving Mount Sumeru, he did not immediately head for the Heavenly Court. Instead, he first returned to his own Dao Field and brought along Jin Tu, the White Tiger.

Jin Tu had now cultivated to the Mid-stage Mysterious Immortal realm. He was enormous, with glossy snow-white fur and a glittering golden character for "king" upon his brow. His imposing aura made him look sacred and majestic. Bringing him to the Heavenly Court would not only add to Zhu Yin's prestige, but also earn him quite a few benefits, such as the Golden Immortal treatment offered there.

Ordinarily, Zhu Yin kept a low profile. He preferred to travel quietly, avoiding attention and trouble. But this time was different. Since his master and senior uncle had placed high hopes on him and intended for him to make his first public appearance as a "Western Lands great power," he could no longer remain obscure as he had before.

He seated himself upon the Ninth-Grade White Lotus and set the lotus throne upon the White Tiger's back.

A top-grade spiritual treasure White Lotus, a sacred White Tiger, and an aura of purity surrounding him—this display was more than impressive enough. Everyone would remember him at a glance.

The White Tiger rode the wind and broke through the clouds, charging straight toward the Nine Heavens. Upon the lotus throne, Zhu Yin stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze carefree and his bearing composed. At that moment, he cared neither for keeping a low profile nor for being ostentatious, and he feared neither trouble nor karmic consequences. He only wished to live freely and keep his heart at peace.

He truly did not wish to disappoint his elders.

And it was equally true that he wished to make Spirit Platform Mountain famous.

The freedom in his heart belonged to Spirit Platform Mountain, Mount Sumeru, and the entire Western Lands.

This time, he decided to let go of everything and savor his moment in the spotlight. He would not dwell on the past or fear the future. He only wished to face this moment openly, without regret.

It was precisely because of this relaxed state of mind that his Dao Heart became firmer, while his entire being seemed more composed and natural.

Above the Nine Heavens, spiritual energy was abundant and creation energy flourished.

Heavenly palaces rose one after another, resplendent in gold and jade, brimming with festive cheer. The Heavenly Court had recently been preparing for a "Heavenly Wedding"... the Heavenly Emperor was to marry the two goddesses of Taiyin Star. The various branches of the Demon Clan had long since been run off their feet, decorating the palaces, arranging banquets, welcoming guests, and delivering gifts. The atmosphere was exceptionally lively.

Heavenly maidens gathered fruit, strongmen carried wine, Monster Gods welcomed guests, and escape lights flashed back and forth across the heavens. Some were strong, some weak, but all belonged to great figures invited to attend the wedding.

There was an unspoken rule for occasions like this: the higher one's cultivation, the later one appeared. Zhu Yin was now a Mid Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, so naturally he could not make his appearance too early. Only by arriving later could he demonstrate his importance.

He was in no hurry. As he rode the White Tiger, he observed the Dao Hearts around him. Some other great powers traveled upon clouds, some rode divine beasts, and others stood atop spiritual treasures, but compared to Zhu Yin's display, all of them fell somewhat short.

At this time, Taiyi Golden Immortals began arriving one after another, followed by Great Principle Golden Immortals making their appearances.

Zhu Yin chose to arrive last among this group. It displayed his status without stealing the spotlight from those at Great Principle Perfection. It was just right.

Finally, when he reached the Heavenly Court, the master of ceremonies announced in a loud voice:

"Venerable Zhu Yin, Lord of the Hundred Treasures Hall of Spirit Platform Mountain in the Western Lands, has arrived! He presents one liang of upper-grade Enlightenment Tea as a gift, wishing the Heavenly Emperor and the Taiyin Star Lord a harmonious union and many children!"

At once, every gaze in the hall turned toward him.

"Spirit Platform Mountain? The Western Lands?" Many great powers looked puzzled. They had never heard of such a place.

But upon further thought, were there not two future Saints in the Western Lands? Could this Zhu Yin be a disciple of Sage Zhunti?

In only a hundred thousand years, he had risen from a Golden Immortal to the Mid Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal realm? That was simply heaven-defying!

Especially when the White Tiger soared through the air, the lotus blossom bloomed, and Zhu Yin sat steadily upon it in green robes, looking elegant and unrestrained, everyone stared in stunned amazement.

Not only was the sight breathtaking, but the congratulatory gift was also extraordinary.

"Upper-grade Enlightenment Tea? That is an incredibly rare treasure. This fellow must possess an entire Innate Spirit Root!"

Even several of the Demon Clan's most powerful Monster Gods paused in their work and looked toward Zhu Yin.

The Heavenly Court's upper ranks naturally knew his background. The Hundred Treasures Hall of Spirit Platform Mountain had only just been established when the Heavenly Dao bestowed Merit upon it, and Zhu Yin had slain the young lord of the Slate-Horn Azure Ox Clan in one stroke, becoming famous overnight.

Within Qiankun Hall, a white-haired crane clan patriarch cried out in surprise:

> "It's him! A hundred thousand years ago, he was merely a little Golden Immortal at Sage Zhunti's side. Now he has already attained the Dao!"

The crowd erupted.

Especially those who had seen Zhu Yin at the Heavenly Court ceremony before—they finally remembered that the young man who had once stood behind Zhunti was now a great power they could only look up to!

Those Great Principle and Taiyi cultivators hearing Zhu Yin's name for the first time were even more astonished. His cultivation had advanced far too absurdly fast!

Some Taiyi Golden Immortals secretly resolved to travel through the Western Lands after the wedding.

"The Western Lands are poor? What a joke! That is only because you have never met Venerable Zhu Yin!"

At this moment, Zhu Yin was no longer merely "Sage Zhunti's disciple."

He was the lord of Spirit Platform Mountain.

He was the founder of the Hundred Treasures Hall.

He was a great power of the Western Lands, the most dazzling name of the past hundred thousand years!

Even several top Monster Gods could not help but praise him.

"That brat from old Azure Ox's family did not die unjustly."

Though the Slate-Horn Azure Ox Clan served under them, it was not worth provoking Zhu Yin and angering Sage Zhunti over such a matter.

After all, the Heavenly Court had already passed judgment: the young lord of the ox clan had been at fault.

Zhu Yin stepped down from the White Tiger's back, put away the Ninth-Grade White Lotus, and handed his mount over to a divine general. After exchanging a few polite greetings with the Demon Clan great powers, he entered the Heavenly Court's main hall.

At that moment, every guest present—whether demon, deity, or immortal—remembered him...

Zhu Yin of the Western Lands, a truly peerless great power!

Above the Nine Heavens, Qiankun Hall was bustling with excitement.

The moment Zhu Yin appeared, he became the center of attention. The previously arrogant Taiyi Golden Immortals rose one after another and became courteous and polite. Even some great powers took the initiative to greet him, hoping to establish a good relationship with him.

Seeing how enthusiastic everyone was, Zhu Yin knew that his plan had succeeded.

Just as his master Zhunti and senior uncle Jieyin had anticipated, this appearance at the Heavenly Wedding celebration had left a deep impression upon the hearts of the immortals and gods.

Once the wedding ended, his reputation would surely spread throughout the entire Primordial World along with these guests. By then, Zhu Yin himself, Spirit Platform Mountain, Enlightenment Tea, the Hundred Treasures Hall, and even Mount Sumeru would all become widely renowned.

Once the Western Lands attracted a great number of living beings to travel there, its fortune would naturally increase. Though most might only stay briefly, some lower-level cultivators would inevitably be drawn in and choose to remain.

Whether they sought to avoid the conflicts of the Witch-Monster War or merely wished to live peacefully in the Western Lands, more people would always be a good thing for the West.

After exchanging pleasantries, Zhu Yin did not say much more and quietly sat in a corner. The other great powers could tell that he did not enjoy bustle and excitement, so they no longer disturbed him. Leaving some impression on him was enough; being overly enthusiastic would only have the opposite effect.

These great powers were all proud. Their goodwill was friendly, but they would not lower themselves in servility.

Thus, the gods and immortals returned to their seats. Some drank and chatted merrily, while others reminisced with old acquaintances. The atmosphere was peaceful.

Time flowed like water, and a hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.

Not long after Zhu Yin took his seat, more and more Great Principle Golden Immortals entered, followed by experts at Great Principle Perfection.

Some had heard of Zhu Yin, while others recognized him at a glance as Sage Zhunti's disciple.

Different people reacted differently. Some were shocked, some indifferent, while others nodded with smiles or silently observed him.

Some particularly perceptive great powers even communicated with the Heavenly Dao to investigate Zhu Yin's origins. When they learned that he was transformed from Pure Bamboo, an Upper-grade Innate Spiritual Root, they felt even greater respect for him.

After all, it was already exceedingly difficult for an Innate Spirit Root to cultivate into human form, while high-grade spiritual roots were rarer still. Each one represented the favor of heaven and earth and possessed immense fortune.

Once they knew his origins, it became easier for everyone to accept that he had reached the Great Principle realm.

Within Qiankun Hall, some remained expressionless, while others felt their hearts stir.

Zhu Yin, however, paid no attention to their attitudes. His attention fell upon someone else... a tall, thin middle-aged Daoist with an unusual temperament and an immortal air.

This man was the lord of Vulture Spirit Mountain, and one of the Purple Cloud Palace guests who had only managed to attend the Dao Ancestor's lectures during the third session... Burning Lamp Daoist.

In the future, he would become an eminent monk of the Buddhist Sect and the vice leader of the Chan Sect.

Thinking of this man's future, Zhu Yin felt conflicted and took the initiative to raise a cup in toast.

Burning Lamp Daoist was somewhat flattered and hurriedly returned the toast. He had long paid close attention to Zhu Yin, this peerless genius, but knowing that Zhu Yin disliked socializing, he had never dared approach him. He had not expected Zhu Yin to initiate a conversation this time.

The two traded words back and forth and soon began chatting enthusiastically. Their views aligned on many matters, and they found the conversation remarkably agreeable.

Another hundred years passed, and Quasi-Sage-level great powers began arriving one after another.

Kunpeng, Minghe, Zhen Yuanzi, and the renowned Red Cloud Patriarch and Queen Mother of the West all appeared at the Heavenly Court.

Only when Zhunti, Jieyin, the Three Pure Ones, Dijun, and Eastern Emperor Taiyi arrived together did the real spectacle finally begin.