CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46, BAI JIN HOSTS A BANQUET

Zhu Rong burst into laughter, thoughtlessly saying, "Little sister, do you really think that tiny Human Clan can change Nuwa’s will? Aren’t you overestimating them a bit?"

"It cannot be denied that the Human Clan is indeed weak, but Nuwa holds them in high regard. At the beginning of their existence, she even left Fu Xi to watch over them."

Zhu Rong shook his head and said, "Anyway, I don’t think much of your idea. How can a weak existence influence the will of the powerful?"

Di Jiang pondered for a moment before speaking, "Then, little sister, please go and see if the Human Clan is worth our Witch Clan’s protection. If they are valuable, there is no harm in casually sheltering them once or twice."

Houtu inwardly sighed, thinking to herself, What I meant was forming an alliance, not protection, but she also knew that asking her elder brothers to put aside the pride of the Witch Clan and form an alliance with the Postnatal Race Human Clan was indeed unrealistic.

Immediately, she responded, "Alright!" and turned to walk outside, stepping on the Earth Veins and disappearing in an instant.

...

Within the Western Pure Land World, under the Bodhi Tree, Zhunti burst into laughter, saying, "To set up an Array Formation with the Buzhou Mountain range to envelop the Primordial World, to refine Qi with the morning glow over the seas, and in the Western lands to perform Alchemy with the fire of Earth Veins – how did they come up with that idea? Thinking they can achieve the Saint Dao like this? Hahaha~ It’s just too funny."

Jieyin also revealed a trace of a smile.

"Gah~" Zhunti, in the midst of laughter, suddenly froze, murmuring, "That’s not right, performing Alchemy with the fire of Earth Veins in the Western lands, performing Alchemy with the fire of Earth Veins in the Western lands..."

Zhunti’s eyes widened suddenly, and his figure instantly vanished within the Pure Land, as a massive, angry voice rose up in the Western lands, "Eldest brother, please wait~~"

Taishang, with a dirt-covered face, turned to glance towards the direction of the Pure Land and flung his sleeve, drifting away into the distance. This trick won’t work on me.

Within the Pure Land World, Jieyin’s expression soured even more, his face wrinkling like a bitter melon.

Not long after, on the Kunlun Mountains, the great gates of the Taiching Palace, Yuqing Palace, and Shangqing Palace opened with a thunderous boom, and three streaks of green light shot in before the doors slammed shut once more.

The entire Kunlun Mountain Range instantly filled with a depressive atmosphere, all disciples fell silent, striving to minimize their presence.

While the palace gates were booming open and shut, Duobao, who was meditating in his own Tao Palace, involuntarily shivered, writhing and occasionally turning his head to look towards Upper Pure Peak, feeling as though the mat he sat upon was prickling like thorns.

Thud~

Thud~

Thud~

A series of urgent knocking noises sounded.

Duobao’s body immediately stiffened, returning to a state of unflustered composure. Waving his hand, the palace doors opened with a thunderous boom, and Long-Eared Ding Guangxian, Ling Ya Immortal, and Qiu Shouxian rushed in from outside.

Long-Eared Ding Guangxian anxiously said, "Eldest brother, Master and Master’s brothers have failed to transcend the Dao."

Duobao replied indifferently, "I know, transcending the Dao is no easy task. Failure is normal."

The three anxious disciples, seeing Duobao’s steadfastness, also calmed down, admiration rising in their hearts. Look at the demeanor of their Eldest brother, even in the face of such a significant event, he remains unmoved like a mountain.

Ling Ya Immortal quickly asked, "Eldest brother, what should we do now?"

The other two also looked at Duobao expectantly.

Under their gaze, Duobao felt a bit panicked internally. What to do? How would I know? But outwardly, he coughed once and said with composure, "Don’t worry! Master and the two Masters are magnanimous. They wouldn’t hold it against us. Besides, we were just trying to help Master and the Masters."

The three disciples nodded repeatedly, thinking the brother was making sense.

Suddenly, a streak of green light flew out from the Taiching Palace, entering Duobao’s Tao Palace, and the atmosphere inside instantly tightened, all four showing a look of shock.

The green light transformed into a finger above Duobao’s head, gently flicking the top of his head, Bang~ Duobao instantly collapsed forward, and a large bump swiftly rose on his head, the green finger transforming into a shimmer and dissipating.

The pupils of Long-Eared Ding Guangxian and the others twitched, it looked painful.

"Hiss~" Duobao gasped in a breath of cool air, climbing up from the ground, shaken. It hurt, it really hurt.

The silent appearance of a purple finger manifested in the palace. Duobao immediately froze, and with a flick of the purple finger, Bang~ Duobao once again lay prostrate on the ground, another bump emerging on his head.

Long-eared Ding Guangxian and his two companions bowed their heads and bent their waists, trembling with fear.

Duobao had just stood up when two green fingers materialized and almost simultaneously flicked Duobao’s head. With a snap, Duobao face-planted again.

Suddenly, a majestic voice echoed above Taiching Peak: "Today, I have gained a new understanding of the Tao. I bestow it upon Duobao. Ponder it well. Do not leave your training until you have fully grasped the great Tao."

A streak of green light flew out from Shangqing Palace and entered Duobao’s palace, transforming into a piece of paper that fluttered down in front of Duobao. On it was written a single large character ’Tao,’ with not a single other mark.

With a prominent demeanor, Duobao stood up holding the paper, bowed respectfully, and said, "Thank you, Master and Master, for the enlightenment from your finger-flick, and thank you, Master, for imparting the Tao."

A moment later, Duobao stood up, his head sporting four large bumps, and said indifferently to Long-eared Ding Guangxian, "Thanks to the enlightening guidance of Master and Master, I have just had some insights. I will now begin closed-door training."

The three Long-eared Ding Guangxians continuously got up, bowing earnestly and said in a hurry, "Congratulations, Eldest Senior Brother, we shall take our leave now!" and rushed towards the exit.

After the three ran out, the palace door boomed shut, and Duobao’s expression immediately turned sour. He reached up to touch the bumps on his head and hissed in pain—the Masters both had heavy hands, indeed! But his heart was somewhat relieved; such punishment seemed to mark the closure of the matter.

Duobao then looked at the ’Tao’ written on the paper. What am I supposed to comprehend from just this one character? Besides, the character isn’t even well-written, slightly distorted, almost as if trembling while writing, a far cry from my own writing.

After contemplating for a while, Duobao sighed helplessly. There’s no choice but to start closed-door cultivation! Though I do not wish it, my Master has made up his mind.

...

Bai Jin silently walked out from the palace and headed towards the forests below.

In the evening, as the sunset descended, the remaining sunlight bathed the Kunlun Mountain Range.

In front of Taiching Palace, on a lawn, an extra table appeared with a rack beside it, filled with various ingredients—meatballs, mushrooms, and flesh of both Immortal Beasts and Divine Beasts.

Sitting on the table was a mandarin duck hotpot, fiery red on one side and white on the other, with three sets of bowls and chopsticks laid out.

Bai Jin arrived in front of Taiching Palace and respectfully bowed, saying, "Master, it’s time to eat. Today, your disciple is treating you; please grace me with your presence."

The palace door opened with a loud boom, and Taishang, wearing a brand-new Daoist robe, clean and neatly groomed, emerged.

Bai Jin gestured with an inviting hand and bowed, "Master, please take a seat."

Taishang nodded, his mood slightly improved, and said lightly, "Go on then."

Immediately, Bai Jin rose upon a cloud and flew towards Yuqing Peak. Before Yuqing Palace, he gave a respectful bow and said, "Master, today your disciple would like to treat you to a meal; please honor me with your presence."

The palace doors opened with a rumble, and a voice came from within, "Come in. Today, your Master will give you a good talk about the Tao."

Bai Jin hurriedly replied respectfully, "Thank you for your kindness, Master, but the lecture can wait until tomorrow; please come out and dine."

"Hmph! You wouldn’t be here to mock your Master, would you?!"

Bai Jin sincerely said, "Your disciple wouldn’t dare! I’ve heard that Master is not in good spirits, and I too feel uneasy, so I specifically prepared a meal to entertain Master and hope to ease your mood."

The Primordial, dressed in a purple Daoist robe, walked out of the palace, nodding in satisfaction at Bai Jin. At least you have some filial piety. He rose upon an auspicious cloud and headed towards Taiching Peak.

Bai Jin stood upright and looked in the direction of Shangqing Peak, now it’s time for the most difficult one. Judging by the haughty nature of my Master, it won’t be easy to invite him.

Bai Jin moved on clouds towards Shangqing Palace, and after landing in front of it, he knocked on the palace gate before bowing and saying, "Master, please come for a meal."

"I’m not going!"

"Master, this is your disciple’s sincere gesture."

"I’m not hungry! I don’t want to eat."

"Master, Eldest Uncle and Second Master have already gone; surely you must give them the due respect, right?" Bai Jin pleaded beseechingly.

"Heh, Bai Jin, you’re quite capable now, huh! Daring to use your two elder brothers to pressure me?" A sardonic voice came from the palace.

Me~ Bai Jin felt a suffocating sense building up in his chest; my Master is too difficult to deal with.