Bai Jin relentlessly pressed on: "What do you mean by ’Combat Skill’?"
Duobao Taoist suddenly opened his eyes, floated up into the air, and said with displeasure: "Junior brother, are you questioning your senior brother?"
Bai Jin calmly replied: "Dare not! It’s just that no sooner had the rules been set than someone broke them. How am I to manage the Outer Door in the future? Without any explanation, I can only seek Master’s judgment."
A dozen Outer Disciples all leaped up, a hint of panic flashing in their eyes. Meeting the Master would mean no harm to the two senior brothers, but it might be bad for themselves.
Duobao Taoist said: "I was indeed imparting the Tao to them just now."
Duobao Taoist said with a smile: "Why not experience it for yourself, junior brother?"
Taking a serious demeanor, Duobao Taoist held one hand in front of his chest and slowly pushed forward, saying: "This is a new palm technique I have comprehended. Please enlighten me, junior brother!"
Hum~ A massive azure palm formed, pushing towards Bai Jin like a mountainous wall.
Bai Jin’s expression changed; this palm technique looked so familiar. A Taoist version of the Great Sun Tathagata Palm? There was no time to think. Bai Jin rotated his hands in front of him. Hum~ A gigantic Tai Chi Diagram appeared, its rotation even larger than the massive palm imprint, but bigger didn’t always mean stronger.
Thud~ The palm imprint struck the Tai Chi Diagram, producing a sound like a drum, its rotation instantaneously halting; the azure palm shoved the Tai Chi Diagram aside.
Bai Jin, hands pushing the Tai Chi Diagram, kept retreating, his complexion becoming quite unsightly. The gap in realm wasn’t something that could be matched by a single Divine Skill; he simply couldn’t withstand it.
A sudden thought crossed Bai Jin’s mind. Unable to withstand? But why should I resist? Wasn’t my aim to rid myself of the title of Outer Disciple Leader? Now was the perfect opportunity! The Tai Chi Diagram twinkled and then abruptly vanished.
The enormous azure palm imprint shot forth, and with a thud, it struck Bai Jin, sending him flying backwards.
Duobao’s face changed, and the gigantic palm immediately veered towards the sky, shooting high into the clouds until Boom! Above the white clouds, it left a huge palm imprint.
Bai Jin had been sent flying a kilometer away, crashing down a swath of trees, appearing exceptionally disheveled.
Bai Jin flipped to his feet, clothes tattered, and with an upright finger said: "Eldest senior brother’s divine power is indeed great; junior brother has learned his lesson."
Duobao Taoist, face sour, bellowed: "Bai Jin, what trickery are you playing now? Why did you suddenly stop resisting?"
Straightening his clothes, Bai Jin shook his head: "I did not stop; it’s just that I was outmatched."
Duobao’s face darkened: "Do you really think I can’t see through you? What exactly is the trickery you are playing?"
Bai Jin turned and walked away, his voice carrying in the distance: "Since senior brother wishes to personally instruct them, I’ll step aside. I hope senior brother does not lead them astray."
As Bai Jin walked out the valley, he saw a group of junior brothers and sisters standing outside. He smiled and nodded his head, then continued walking away without the slightest sign of dejection after defeat.
The Outer Disciples exchanged glances, some with lively minds, thinking this Eldest Disciple seemed rather weak! He couldn’t even block a single move from Senior Brother Duobao.
Reaching a place out of sight, Bai Jin hurriedly shook his hands, grimacing in pain - the Eldest Brother’s palm technique was truly too forceful. Even with Tai Chi Boxing’s force-dissipating skill, his arms were still tingling with numbness.
After paying his respects to the Master and Second Master, casually chatting with the Taishang Master, gifting Bai He Child with two presents – delighting him into sweetly calling him ’senior brother’ – Bai Jin finally entered the Shangqing Palace. Kneeling on the mat, he kowtowed: "Disciple pays respect to Master, wishing Master a Dao that spreads far and wide, to be visited by ten thousand immortals, with disciples loving each other harmoniously."
Tongtian laughed heartily: "What kind of paying respects is this? It’s more like you’re here to complain."
Bai Jin sat up, looking disheveled and aggrieved: "Master, look how badly your disciple has been beaten by senior brother. Please, quickly relieve me from my position as Outer Disciple Leader! Just one day in and the Eldest Brother has beaten me half to death. If I continue, I’m afraid I’ll lose my life."
Tongtian looked at Bai Jin with a half-smile: "Was it really Duobao who did this?"
Bai Jin nodded repeatedly: "Yes, Master! You didn’t see it, that palm was as gigantic as a mountain. It came slapping straight at my face. If not for my great luck, I might never see you again."
Tongtian asked: "Why didn’t you use the Five Elements Great Escape I taught you? The Sky-opening Sword? Why did the Tai Chi Diagram suddenly collapse?"
Bai Jin stiffened, his eyes quickly darting around, he hurriedly said: "I’m not yet proficient with the Five Elements Great Escape, I was afraid I might get stuck underground, and in that sudden moment, I forgot the Sky-opening Sword. The collapse of the Tai Chi Diagram was because senior brother’s strike was too fierce!
Master~ you must stand up for me! I really can’t take on the role of Outer Disciple Leader any longer!"
"Be quiet~" Tongtian roared.
"Ah~" Bai Jin instantly silenced himself, looking pitifully at Tongtian.
Tongtian could not help but laugh in anger: "So I’ve wronged you by appointing you as Outer Disciple Leader, have I?"
Bai Jin subconsciously nodded, then quickly shook his head, whispering: "Master, you know me. I’m just a bit clever, but my talents are modest and not fit for great responsibilities. I don’t have any grand aspirations to make a name for myself in the Primordial World, I just want to serve by Master’s side forever."
Tongtian’s gaze softened, speaking in a displeased tone: "Look at your petty ambition. Whether you like it or not, you must take on the role of Outer Disciple Leader."
With a dejected droop of his head, Bai Jin sat on the mat, his carefully planned scheme to resign foiled yet again. Indeed, he was just too outstanding.
Raising his head to Tongtian, Bai Jin said: "Fine, I’ll take the role of Outer Disciple Leader. But what about the matter with Eldest Brother?"
Tongtian said flatly: "No need to meddle."
Bai Jin responded in speechlessness: "Master, you tell me to be the Outer Disciple Leader, yet you don’t allow me to meddle, aren’t you being a bit biased?"
"Just do your own duties well, focus on your cultivation. Don’t worry about the rest; everyone has their own fate."
Head lowered, Bai Jin reluctantly answered: "Understood! Disciple will take note." He stood up and walked outside. There was no other choice but to temporarily accept this role, but I will not give up. One day I will step down and yield to the more deserving, eh~ Senior Brother seems to be just the right person indeed.
Within the Shangqing Palace, Tongtian said leisurely: "Let me see how far you can go on the path of ’Only I am Exalted’, Duobao." His eyes hinted at a subtle expectation.