Far away, the Golden Spirit Saint Mother's eyes lit up, and she whispered, "Sister, didn't those brothers from the West treat us just the same before?"
Wudang Saint nodded slightly, smiling as she spoke to Bai Jin, "Now this is what's called, 'Using their own methods against them.'"
Under the big tree, Zhunti's eyes brightened, and he couldn't help but say, "Such comprehension! Brother, are you selling this disciple? I'll offer three Innate Spiritual Treasures."
The Three Pure Ones all looked at Zhunti disapprovingly.
Jieyin quickly said, "Junior brother loves to joke, please excuse him, Senior Brothers."
Zhunti also hurriedly chuckled, "Indeed, just joking, all in jest."
On the grass, Pharmacist bowed and said, "Brother is right, my mind is filled with clutter, and I can no longer accept brother's Tao." Then he sat down cross-legged on the ground.
In other places, Pharmacist wouldn't have given up so easily—after all, lip-service and sophistry are what the West excels at.
But now, in front of all the masters and mentors here, no one dared to play such clever tricks. Just like the previous disciples from Upper Pure Peak, a loss was a loss, and no disorderly behavior was tolerated.
Bai Jin looked at Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha and asked, "Which of you will go?"
The two exchanged glances and simultaneously bowed, saying, "Brother's Taoist skill is profound, we are willing to admit defeat."
Bai Jin, surprised, said, "Concede?!"
Mahasthamaprapta stood up straight and said, "Just as brother said, our hearts are already unable to accept brother's great Tao, we can only concede."
Bai Jin pouted, making up such good excuses, are they just afraid of getting beaten?!
"Ha ha~" A burst of laughter and jovial voices arose among the Upper Pure Peak disciples.
Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha sat down on the ground, pretending not to hear.
Bai Jin looked around at everyone and said, "Today's debate on Tao, what insights do my brothers and sisters have?"
The laughter suddenly stopped, silence ensued. Expecting too much, what insights could there be?!
Bai Jin felt a bit embarrassed, nobody was chiming in, not a single person to play along—that's too disrespectful! In that moment, he suddenly appreciated Aoguang's presence; it would have been good if he was here.
Wudang Saint, smiling, said, "The Western Tao is now vastly different from ours, though divergent, it also embodies great wisdom."
Bai Jin breathed a sigh of relief and immediately said, "The two uncles from the West with their supreme great wisdom have already forged a completely different path, no! It should not be called Tao anymore, I shall name it Zen."
Underneath the big tree, Zhunti's expression shifted, murmuring, "Zen~"
Ksitigarbha asked curiously, "May I ask, what is Zen?"
"Zen is about tranquil wisdom, to observe the Great Thousand World with a calm heart, awakening the great power."
Mahasthamaprapta, Ksitigarbha, and others pondered, their eyes bright with joy, indeed it was Zen.
Bai Jin looked down at Ksitigarbha and said, "Since you have admitted defeat, brother will gift you a poem, listen well."
Ksitigarbha looked up at Bai Jin.
Bai Jin recited, "The body is the Bodhi Tree, the mind is like a bright mirror's stand, always strive to wipe it clean, do not let it gather dust."
Ksitigarbha stood frozen where he was, the phrase echoing in his mind, always strive to wipe it clean, do not let it gather dust.
Bai Jin then looked at Mahasthamaprapta and said, "I'll also give you a poem."
Mahasthamaprapta quickly said, "Thank you, brother."
Bai Jin thought for a moment and recited, "The Bodhi is originally not a tree, the bright mirror is also not a stand, nothing originally exists, where can the dust alight?"
Under the big tree, Zhunti's eyes shone bright, unable to restrain himself he exclaimed, "Excellent!" His gaze towards Bai Jin grew even more passionate.
Jieyin also looked deeply at Bai Jin, his eyes filled with regret, if only he could take him as a disciple, but alas! Alas!
Mahasthamaprapta murmured, "Nothing originally exists, where can the dust alight?"
He immediately stood up, bowed deeply, and said, "Thank you, elder brother."
Ksitigarbha regained his composure and also quickly floated up, asking, "Elder brother, why are the poems you gifted us so different?"
Bai Jin pretended to be profound and said, "It is because your levels of Zen enlightenment are different."
Realizing this, Ksitigarbha immediately knelt on the ground, lowering his head as he thanked, "Thank you, teacher, for the poem."
Mahasthamaprapta also knelt on the ground, bowing his head to say, "Thank you, teacher, for the poem."
Everyone was instantly in an uproar, incredulously staring at Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha kneeling on the ground. Is this a semi-teacher's respect?
Duobao Taoist also suddenly widened his eyes, wondering how could this be?
Pharmacist, Riguang, and Moonlight all suddenly stood up, looking somewhat helpless as they watched Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha, then turned towards Jieyin and Zhunti.
Bai Jin quickly bent down to help the two up, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy, and forced a smile, "What are you two junior brothers doing?"
Mahasthamaprapta and Ksitigarbha got up.
Mahasthamaprapta respectfully said, "This poem from elder brother has given us much insight, deserving a semi-teacher's gratitude."
Ksitigarbha also nodded repeatedly, saying, "Yes! Thanks to our semi-teacher."
Bai Jin quickly humbled himself, "No need! No need!"
Tongtian looked discontentedly at Zhunti and asked, "Junior brother, what are you trying to do?"
Zhunti smiled and said, "Bai Jin has enlightened them with the great Tao."
Tongtian's expression soured, suddenly saying, "Since the two junior brothers wish to leave, we will not see you off far."
Jieyin and Zhunti were startled, then stood up.
Zhunti, undisturbed, smiled and said, "Elder brother, please stay; we shall meet again." His figure flashed in front of Bai Jin, he patted Bai Jin's shoulder gleefully, "You did well! If you encounter any difficulties later, come to the West to find your two Uncles, and we'll take charge for you."
Under the tree, Tongtian's face looked even worse.
A golden auspicious cloud rose, carrying Jieyin, Zhunti, and the five disciples towards the West.
Bai Jin watched the flying auspicious cloud, feeling a bit panicked. Could Zhunti be trying to bond with me? Could he be coveting my body? Suddenly, he felt a chill all over.
Nuwa stood up, smiling lightly as she said, "Farewell, elder brothers."
Taishang Yuanshi Tongtian all stood up, saying, "Junior sister, take care!"
Nuwa turned her head to look at Bai Jin, laughed softly, and urged her auspicious cloud to rise into the sky.
…
At Upper Pure Peak, many disciples all stood up and respectfully said, "Greetings Master, Master Uncle."
Tongtian scanned the crowd below and said, "From today, Bai Jin will be the leader of the Outer Disciples, holding the same status as the Direct Disciples."
Bai Jin's eyes suddenly widened, Me? Leader of the Outer Disciples! Would I not be the first to face the Great Tribulation? No! No! I must find a way to rid myself of this status.
Many Outer Disciples all turned towards Bai Jin and bowed, saying, "Greetings Big Senior Brother!"
Bai Jin suddenly snapped back to reality, quickly returning the bow, dryly saying, "Greetings to all junior brothers."
Duobao Taoist opened his mouth but, after all, said nothing.
Tongtian said, "Bai Jin, bring the Kui Niu and follow me."
"Yes!" Bai Jin responded, immediately scurrying to lead the Kui Niu and follow.
Yuanshi packed up the Nine Dragons Incense Chariot and also turned to leave.
Taishang waved his hand, and the Da Hong Pao Mother Tree instantly disappeared; this tea tree was highly favored by him.