Throughout history, those who've tread the path of unrivaled supremacy were lords of mighty factions known in the Primordial World—Beast King, Ancestor Dragon, Demon Emperor.
Now, compared to them, Duobao is still like a childish toddler, lacking not just in strength but also in cultivation comprehension.
Ancestor Dragon and Demon Emperor's supremacy involved commanding Immortal Gods and ruling all beings. Duobao, on the other hand, remains at the basic level of proud isolation, not yet stepping through the great Tao's gate. But by dealing with these Outer Disciples, Duobao should undergo a transformation, right?
In the following two days, the Outer Disciples were clearly divided into two factions, one following and Bai Jin's Qingxiu Sect and the other following Duobao's Liberal Faction. A few days later, the Qingxiu Sect under Bai Jin was left with only Shi Ji and a handful of others.
...
Under the gray sky, Bai Jin lay by a cliff's edge, listening to the clear sounds of reading scriptures on the wind, legs crossed, humming a tune:
"My left hand executes Tai Chi Boxing,
A sword in my right, thrusting forward in front.
This sweeping leg technique known as Qingxue
Defeats lightfoot Fei Yan with swift cut.
My extraordinary meridians possess strength to shatter heavens,
One's righteous qi swirls, encompassing the Mortal World.
To purge evil and uphold good is my heartfelt wish,
Farewell, my dear master,
Farewell, my dear master,
Farewell, again, my dear master...
..."
"Sounds nice, but if Master heard this, he might want to strike someone," a light chuckle rose, and a figure slowly walked over.
Bai Jin immediately stopped singing and quickly sat up, exclaiming in surprise, "Senior Sister~"
Wudang Saint Mother sat down beside Bai Jin and asked, "Junior brother, what were you just singing?"
Embarrassed, Bai Jin said, "Just humming a few lines casually. Why are you here, Senior Sister?"
"I came to check on you!" inquired Wudang Saint Mother, "How are your injuries?"
Bai Jin replied with a silly smile, "All good! The eldest disciple was merciful."
Wudang Saint Mother looked at the few figures reading scriptures by the lake and smiled, "You've done very well."
"Thank you for the praise, Senior Sister. It's what I should do."
The two sat quietly for a while, and with some hesitation, Bai Jin said, "Senior Sister, why does the eldest disciple target me? I don't have any conflicts with him usually!"
Hesitating slightly, Wudang Saint Mother said, "I'm not sure either. It might have to do with the eldest disciple's Tao, or perhaps there are other reasons."
Curious, Bai Jin asked, "What reasons?"
Diplomatically, Wudang Saint Mother said, "Before you came, the eldest disciple was Master's favorite."
"So you're saying I stole the eldest disciple's limelight? He can't be that petty!" Bai Jin said incredulously.
Wudang Saint Mother smiled, "That, I wouldn't know."
Bai Jin lay back on the rocks, gazing up at the foggy sky. Ah, how difficult it is to be a person! Even more so to be an Immortal. Does the future hold palace-style immortal cultivation for me? Vying for Master's favor?!
After a moment, as the sun rose from the east, a ray of dawn light shone upon Bai Jin and Wudang Saint Mother, framing them in a golden edge.
Bai Jin sat up, looking at the rising sun, and declared firmly, "Senior Sister, I do not wish to compete with the eldest disciple. But if he deliberately targets me, I will not retreat."
Wudang Saint Mother said with a smile, "Junior brother, the path of the Great Tao has always been one where the courageous lead and every inch must be contested."
Then she added, "But one must not act impulsively. You are no match for the eldest senior brother."
Bai Jin nodded and said, "I know. So the next time senior brother bullies me, I will bravely complain to Master."
Wudang Saint Mother was suddenly dumbfounded, complain... to Master? Is this what you call not backing down, a sense of absurdity rising in her heart, as if a group of divine beasts were trampling over it.
Pfft~ Wudang Saint Mother couldn't help but burst into laughter, and while patting Bai Jin on the shoulder, giggled and said, "Junior brother, you really are so amusing."
Bai Jin said with a speechless tone, "Senior sister, is it that funny? I'm serious. Clearly knowing I'm no match and still fighting head-on, that would be the act of a reckless man, not of the wise."
Wudang Saint Mother, with a joyous smile, said, "Is it wise to complain to your Master?"
"This is called using leverage to deal with senior brother."
The thought of Duobao bullying Bai Jin and then Bai Jin immediately running to cry to their Master, leaving Duobao utterly confused and helpless, made Wudang Saint Mother feel amused. The future days seemed as if they would be quite interesting.
Bai Jin patted Wudang Saint Mother's arm and hurriedly said, "Senior sister, stop laughing. Look, isn't that sun getting bigger and bigger?"
The sun? Wudang Saint Mother looked up towards the East, only to see the fiery Great Sun rapidly enlarging and the scorching heat spreading over.
Wudang Saint Mother abruptly stood up and loudly asked, "Who is the esteemed guest visiting Kunlun Mountain?"
All the disciples from Upper Pure Peak rose into the sky, gazing towards the East.
The fiery colored Great Sun drew closer and eventually transformed into a magnificent Golden Chariot, pulled by nine dragon-like creatures. The whole chariot ablaze with fiery red flames, ornate with gold and jade, and accompanied by two rows of strong protectors from the Demon Clan flanking it.
The chariot stopped above the Eastern side of Kunlun Mountain, the curtains were drawn to reveal a young man seated inside, clad in a dark golden robe, with a straight and tall stature, handsome and resolute features, and a Great Sun Divine Pattern on his forehead. He exuded an exceptional aura, like a Divine King from the Nine Heavens who judged all living beings.
The young man stood up and stepped out of the chariot, bowed with folded hands, and said, "Donghuang Taiyi requests to see the three senior brothers." His grand voice echoed across the sky of Kunlun Mountain.
"It's Donghuang Taiyi!"
"Why has the Demon Emperor come?"
...
All the disciples immediately murmured in surprise.
On the cliff, Bai Jin quietly shrank back a bit, with a wave of worry in his heart. Maybe the Demon Emperor came to settle accounts? The Second Master once said he would take on this karma; does it still hold true? It seems Second Master hasn't left his retreat yet, though!
In the Taiching Palace, Yuqing Palace, and Shangqing Palace, the great doors opened all at once, and three figures emerged from within.
Tongtian said, "Donghuang Taiyi, you have come to Kunlun Mountain with such fanfare, what is your business?"
Donghuang Taiyi rose to his feet, smiling softly and said, "Some time ago, a young man in East Sea wielded the Tai Chi Diagram to injure Bi Fang Demon God, and took away my Golden Chariot, the Nine Dragons Incense Chariot. Do the three senior brothers know of this?"
Many disciples from Upper Pure Peak all had odd expressions, wasn't the Nine Dragons Incense Chariot the gift the eldest senior brother gave to the Second Master?
On the cliff, Wudang Saint Mother asked, "Is he talking about you?"
Bai Jin nodded.
Wudang Saint Mother said comfortingly, "Don't worry! This is Kunlun Mountain. With Master and the other Masters here, it's not his place to be presumptuous."
Bai Jin said, "I know, but it seems I have once again caused trouble for Master and the Masters."
At the summit of Yuqing Peak, Primordial, with hands clasped behind his back, stared directly at Donghuang Taiyi and said firmly, "Have you come to seek punishment?"
Donghuang Taiyi replied, "Dare not! This junior brother only wishes to retrieve the Nine Dragons Incense Chariot."
Primordial responded, "As far as I know, the Nine Dragons Incense Chariot does not belong to your Demon Court, does it? It was a gift from the Dragon Clan to my disciple nephew, what has it got to do with your Demon Court? Coming here to claim it is utterly unreasonable."
Donghuang Taiyi, still smiling, said, "The Nine Dragons Incense Chariot is merely a means of transportation, without any other use. How about I exchange it for two Innate Spiritual Treasures? I humbly ask for a favor from my senior brother."
Primordial shook his head and said, "I have no shortage of Innate Spiritual Treasures. The Nine Dragons Incense Chariot is a token of my disciple nephew's heart, and it will not be used for trade."