CHAPTER 47: CHAPTER 47, THE THREE PURE ONES ILLUMINATE THE TAO

Bai Jin finally said helplessly, "If you don’t go, then I’ll go ahead!"

"Scram~"

"If you don’t go, the outside world will only say that under the Purple Cloud Divine Thunder, Senior Master Taishang and Master Yuan Shi were unharmed and even had the mood to go out for food and drinks, but you, Master, suffered serious injuries under the Purple Cloud Divine Thunder and couldn’t even leave the house."

The doors of Shangqing Palace thunderously opened, and the tall and upright figure of Tongtian appeared before the gate, proudly saying, "Lead the way!"

"Yes, Master, please." Bai Jin felt relieved, having finally persuaded him, and quickly extended his hand to lead Tongtian towards Upper Pure Peak.

Tongtian sat down in the last seat, and the three of them looked at the hot pot in the middle, the atmosphere becoming slightly awkward.

Bai Jin, as if unaware, said with a smile next to them, "Master, Senior Masters, this is the latest food I’ve been researching. It’s called hot pot. You just need to cook whatever food you want to eat in it. What would you and the Senior Masters like to eat?"

Taishang said, "Whatever will do."

"Great! Then I will match it according to my own tastes for you and the Senior Masters."

With clean jade chopsticks, Bai Jin began placing meat and vegetables from the rack into the hot pot, saying as he did so, "When I’m unhappy, I like to eat hot pot. As far as I’m concerned, there’s nothing that can’t be solved by a meal of hot pot; if there is, then just have a few more."

Taishang showed a hint of amusement, saying, "That’s an interesting statement." He appraised the hot pot with a nod and commented, "This is not bad, spicy and bland, yin and yang, the method is indeed interesting."

With a gesture towards the flames below, the fire suddenly diminished into a small stream, but the temperature dramatically increased, causing the pot above to bubble vigorously.

Taishang picked up a mushroom with his chopsticks, tasted it, and nodded in satisfaction, "It really has a unique flavor."

Master Yuan Shi also picked up a piece of meat with chopsticks, tasted it and said, "The taste is peculiar, the method of eating is interesting, but the quality of the ingredients is poor, and sharing a pot among many is not refined enough for noble gatherings."

Bai Jin said with a smile, "Master, it’s not about refinement at gatherings, it’s about the joy of family togetherness."

Master Yuan Shi replied more leniently, "Eating like this does indeed bring people closer together."

"Master, Senior Masters, eat more; I prepared all the dishes myself."

Tongtian said with satisfaction, "You are quite considerate."

After eating for a while, the atmosphere among Taishang, Master Yuan Shi, and Tongtian had relaxed, the previous solemnity dissipated.

Tongtian put down the jade chopsticks and asked, "Bai Jin, I heard that you already knew that we would definitely fail? To persuade me to give up this method of seeking the Tao, you even clashed with Duo Bao?"

Bai Jin exclaimed in surprise, "Master, you already know?"

Tongtian said arrogantly, "If I want to know, I can know."

Bai Jin gave a thumbs up, "Master, you’re amazing!"

Master Yuan Shi calmly said, "He left a wisp of Divine Thought on Kunlun."

Tongtian’s proud expression vanished, as he shot Master Yuan Shi a glare and then asked, "Why do you think we would definitely fail?"

Taishang and Master Yuan Shi also looked at Bai Jin. They too had a premonition beforehand that this path might be impassable, but as long as there was a glimmer of hope, they were willing to try. But how did Bai Jin know for certain that this path would lead to failure? They knew that when Nuwa became a deity, she had trodden the same path.

Master Yuan Shi raised an eyebrow and said, "Could it be that you also have your own insights into the Saint Dao?"

Bai Jin hurriedly made a pained expression and said, "Master, please don’t overpraise your disciple. The path of the Saint Dao is far too lofty, and the disciple might be frightened out of his wits."

"Why are you so certain of failure, then?"

"Although the disciple does not know how to achieve the Saint Dao, I am aware that this path is impassable."

"Why is that?"

Bai Jin thought for a moment and earnestly said, "I’ve heard that Master and the Masters are direct disciples of Taoist Master Hong Jun, whereas Nuwa, Junior Master Zhunti, and Junior Master Zhunti are all registered disciples of the Taoist Ancestor."

Taishang, Primordial, and Tongtian all nodded their heads; this was no secret in the Primordial World, and it had previously been a source of their pride. That’s why, upon learning of Nuwa’s ascension to sainthood, the three of them experienced such a profound stirring within and, upon hearing Duo Bao’s words, decided to take a risk and give it a try.

"The disciple was thinking, as direct disciples of the Taoist Ancestor, shouldn’t Master and the Masters inherit the Taoist Ancestor’s Tao?

Disciple, being dull-witted, can only understand from the most superficial level, not as profoundly as the eldest senior brother. Although I cannot figure out what Master and the Masters’ Tao is, I suspect it’s not related to alchemy or artifact refining. Fearing that Master and the Masters might stray from the path and harm their Dao Foundation, I sought to intervene."

Direct disciples, inheriting the will of their Master — The Three Pure Ones were momentarily stunned, as their minds were flooded with memories of great events all related to Taoist Ancestor Hong Jun, two of which were of utmost importance.

The first was preaching the Tao in the Zixiao Palace, spreading the teachings throughout the Primordial World.

The second was the embodiment of Harmonization, ensuring there were no dead ends in the heavens and seeking a thread of hope for all Primordial Beings.

Harmonization was certainly unattainable, so only spreading the teachings throughout the Primordial World remained. The thought of educating sprang simultaneously to the minds of the Three Pure Ones.

In an instant, their hearts were throbbing with excitement, as the Hongmeng energy within their Primordial Spirits began to quiver.

Tongtian burst into laughter, exclaiming, "My Tao is accomplished～"

Primordial also said excitedly, "My Tao is accomplished～"

Taishang stroked his beard rapidly, his eyes reflecting his excitement.

Bai Jin asked, puzzled, "Master, the Masters, what’s happening? Is there some kind of good news?"

Taishang, Primordial, and Tongtian turned their heads to look at Bai Jin, finding him increasingly adorable. What a lucky disciple he is! Even though Bai Jin did not specify how to achieve the Saint Dao, his simple statement was like a hand parting the clouds to reveal the moon, bringing the gates of the Saint Dao within reach.

Tongtian stood up, patted Bai Jin’s shoulder with a heartfelt laugh, and said, "Bai Jin, you are absolutely correct. From the very beginning, our Master has pointed out the Tao for us, a direct disciple, indeed a direct disciple, haha～"

Bai Jin looked at the three of them doubtfully and forced a smile, saying, "Please forgive your disciple’s ignorance. I truly do not understand what Master means."

Primordial said with a beaming smile, "Bai Jin, do you realize that your statement just now has directly pointed out our Saint Dao?"

Bai Jin’s eyes widened, and he swallowed, saying incredulously, "Saint Dao? That can’t be! What did I say?"

Taishang smiled warmly and said, "This is someone blessed with great fortune. Bai Jin, do you have any requests? Today, any wish you have will be granted."

Bai Jin’s eyes lit up and he said, "Really?"

Taishang, Primordial, and Tongtian all nodded, looking at Bai Jin with interest, curious about this young one’s ambitions.

Bai Jin bowed solemnly and said, "What the disciple seeks is, should there be any offense in the future, I ask for leniency from the two Masters."

Taishang and Primordial both nodded smilingly and said, "Granted!"

Some might ask for Divine Power Treasures in such a situation, but if one really did ask, the sentiment would fade, and it would be better to first secure a Death Exemption Token instead. With this sentiment, could Master and the Masters really let him down? They would surely give him the most suitable reward, Bai Jin thought to himself, his mind rattling with calculations.