CHAPTER 28: CHAPTER 28, SEEKING THE ELIXIR

Tongtian asked, "Bai Jin, what is the name of this treasure?"

Bai Jin quickly replied, "Reporting to Master, this treasure is called Treasure Money. Disciple chanced upon it while looking for tea trees in Wuyi Mountain."

Tongtian laughed heartily, "Your filial piety has indeed rewarded yourself." He didn’t doubt this explanation. Innate Spiritual Treasures fall into the hands of those fated to have them. No one can know their location before their emergence, so naturally, Bai Jin couldn’t possibly have gone to search for it intentionally.

Bai Jin humbly said, "It’s all thanks to Master and Master’s blessings."

Treasure Money is indeed an interesting treasure. It can consume Qi Fortune to forcibly take others’ Magic Treasures, but taking a Magic Treasure once would result in the loss of much Qi Fortune, leaving the remaining Qi Fortune in disarray. Such a treasure is better off not being kept! It is of no use to you," Tongtian said, with a hint of disdain in his tone.

Master wants to confiscate my Magic Treasure? How can this be?! Bai Jin hurriedly defended Treasure Money, "Master, the reason for this is because the Immortal Slaying Flying Saber is too precious. Forged by the Essence Qi of seven Great Witches, it has surpassed the lethality of most Innate Spiritual Treasures, it’s understandable that a great cost is paid.

Also, Eldest Senior Brother is not the owner of Treasure Money after all, so Treasure Money was a bit greedy. If I were to use it, I estimate only a third of the Qi Fortune would be required!"

Tongtian chuckled, "A third? Are you sure?!"

Bai Jin sheepishly smiled, "Half, at most a little half, and it definitely won’t cause any Qi Fortune upheaval." He looked eagerly at Master, Master, please give the Treasure Money back to me!

Tongtian laughed heartily, "Since you are confident in controlling it, then the Treasure Money is yours to keep! But you must use it wisely, a good use of this treasure benefits yourself, misuse is self-harm."

Eh~ Master is not confiscating the treasure anymore, Bai Jin nodded repeatedly, joyfully replying, "Yes!"

Tongtian flicked his hand, and Treasure Money flew out, tracing a streak of light and hanging suspended in front of Bai Jin.

Bai Jin joyously took the Treasure Money into his hands, turned his head toward Duobao and said, "Senior Brother, do you still want this?"

Duobao said indifferently, "Since it’s junior brother’s treasure, senior brother naturally won’t covet what others desire."

Bai Jin put the Treasure Money away, what not coveting what others desire, isn’t it just not daring to take it?! A cowardly little fatty.

The voice of Tongtian sounded, "I am going to contemplate on the Saint Dao, all of you may leave."

Bai Jin and Duobao stood up simultaneously, bowing and saying, "Disciple takes his leave!"

The two walked out of Shangqing Palace, exchanged glances, snorted at the same time, and flew away in opposite directions.

Bai Jin flew straight to Taiching Peak and landed in front of Taiching Palace. Thump, thump, thump, he knocked on the door and loudly said, "Disciple Bai Jin, requests an audience with Eldest Uncle!"

"Come in!" An elderly voice resounded, and the palace doors creaked open.

Bai Jin stepped into the grand hall, knelt on the mat, and reverently bowed, "Disciple Bai Jin pays respect to Eldest Uncle."

Sitting in the main seat above, Taishang said with a smile, "Rise!"

"Thank you, Eldest Uncle!" Bai Jin stood up and sat cross-legged on the mat.

Taishang said, "In the future, try to refrain from sneak attacks. Walking an incorrect path leads to misalignment, and when the body is misaligned, the heart is too."

Bai Jin respectfully replied, "Thank you for Master’s teaching, disciple will bear it in mind."

Taishang nodded, then asked, "During the competition, I sensed your heart was set on killing. Why did you hold back at the last moment?"

Bai Jin solemnly replied, "The Immortal Dao values life and limitless salvation. I didn’t want to be swayed by rage; hence, disciple held back at the end."

Taishang smiled, pleased, "Very good!"

At ease in his heart, Bai Jin thought, Eldest Uncle is pleased, not easy at all!

"What brings you here this time?"

"Junior Sister Shi Ji fought in the competition to uphold the honor of Master and Master, knowingly outmatched yet still facing the challenge, and thus was severely wounded. So, disciple has come to ask for a healing elixir."

Taishang laughed heartily, "You little guy, playing your tricks before me. She was injured protecting the face of Master and Master, if I don’t bestow a healing elixir, it would be my fault."

Bai Jin smiled awkwardly and said, "Sure enough, Master saw right through me again."

Taishang chuckled and tapped Bai Jin, then waved his hand. A jade bottle and a delicate wooden box flew out together, hovering in front of Bai Jin as he said, "My elixirs are not to be taken freely. Take this bottle of elixir and deliver this box of tea leaves to Nuwa."

Bai Jin exclaimed in surprise, "Nuwa Niangniang~"

Taishang nodded and said, "Nuwa mentioned last time that she very much enjoys tea. I’ve just picked a fresh batch; you deliver it to Buzhou Mountain."

Bai Jin replied with a pained expression, "Eldest Uncle, where is Buzhou Mountain? I don’t know the way!"

Taishang said gravely, "Buzhou Mountain is the center of the Primordial World, the spine of Heaven and Earth. You only need to recite its name in your heart and you’ll be able to sense the location of Buzhou Mountain."

Bai Jin nodded and responded, "Yes!" He reached out to take the jade bottle and the wooden box.

Taishang said, "Hurry along now!"

Bai Jin rose to his feet, bowed respectfully, and said, "Junior Brother takes his leave." Then he turned and left.

Inside a palace on Taiching Peak.

Shi Ji was seated on the bed, healing, surrounded by a turquoise immortal light.

Thump~

Thump~

Thump~

...

A series of knocks sounded.

Shi Ji retracted the immortal light around her and opened her eyes in a frown, asking, "Who is it?"

"Junior Sister Shi Ji, it’s me!" Bai Jin’s voice came from outside the door.

Surprised, Shi Ji thought, My brother? She quickly got up, glided to the door, opened it, and saw Bai Jin standing outside.

Shi Ji hastily greeted with a bow, "Greetings, Junior Brother~"

Bai Jin raised his hand to support Shi Ji’s bowing arms and said, "Junior Sister is injured; there is no need for such formalities."

Shi Ji did not insist on bowing any further and stepped aside, inviting him in, "Junior Brother, please come inside to talk."

Bai Jin replied with a smile, "No need."

Extending his left hand, a jade bottle appeared in his palm, and he said, "This is a healing elixir bestowed by Eldest Uncle. Take it and focus on your recovery."

Shi Ji took the elixir, bowed deeply towards Taiching Hall in gratitude, and said, "Many thanks to Eldest Uncle."

Inside the Taiching Hall, Taishang nodded with a smile.

Bai Jin instructed, "Junior Sister, take good care of your injuries. There’s no need to attend morning lessons for now.

I will need to leave for a few days. If you need anything, go seek Senior Sister Wudang, or you can go to Master as well. Although Master usually has a stern face, he actually has a warm heart but cool exterior and cares deeply for us inside."

Shi Ji nodded and replied with a touched voice, "I know, Master is like a father to us."

Inside Shangqing Palace, Tongtian seemed to check something and looked downwards. His gaze penetrated through the layers of space, looking disapprovingly at Bai Jin, gaining some nerve, huh! Even daring to discuss Master behind his back.

Bai Jin suddenly felt a chill all over and immediately held his tongue, feeling uncomfortable all over, and chuckled awkwardly, "Well then, Junior Sister should rest well. Junior Brother will take his leave now."

Not waiting for Shi Ji’s response, Bai Jin turned around and strode towards the outside as if there was an arrogant dragon with bared fangs and claws right behind him.