Bai Jin looked towards the other Chan Sect Disciples and said, "Do you all view?"
Guang Chengzi and others all nodded their heads affirmatively. To become a Saint Disciple, they had gone through trials and tribulations, overcoming twelve Big Arrays to achieve their status. They saw themselves as the chosen of the entire Primordial World and naturally looked down upon the Demons and ghosts who easily became Saint’s Outer Disciples in the Jie Sect.
Bai Jin’s face suddenly darkened as he bellowed, "Nonsense!"
The Chan Sect crowd all jumped in fright; his voice was indeed too loud.
Guang Chengzi said unhappily, "Elder Brother, what do you mean by this?"
Bai Jin, with a forty-five-degree tilt of his head towards the sky, arrogantly declared, "At the end of the Tao, who dares claim to be the peak? Once faced with the Primordial Dao, all becomes void. You’ve only been disciples for a few days and yet presume to speak lightly of Master Yuan Shi’s great Tao?"
Inside Taiching Peak, Taishang suddenly spurted out his tea, choking and coughing repeatedly.
Xuandu sitting below hurriedly asked, "Master, what’s wrong?"
Taishang waved his hand dismissively, chuckling, "Nothing! Nothing at all!" His expression was quite peculiar.
Inside Yuqing Palace, Primordial suddenly widened his eyes, his body subconsciously trembling. "At the end of the Tao, who dares claim to be the peak? Once faced with the Primordial Dao, all becomes void." Even as a Saint himself, he wouldn’t dare to say such things! But it felt so exhilarating to hear, and a smile involuntarily spread across his face as he disdainfully murmured to himself, "Bai Jin, that brat, really dares to say anything!"
Inside Shangqing Palace, Tongtian snorted coldly with disdain. He could tell at a glance that it was fake. Could anything compare to the genuine pride of being the most sanctified among All Immortals and surmounting Tongtian himself?
Ran Deng, Guang Chengzi, and the other Chan Sect Disciples all widened their eyes. "At the end of the Tao, who dares claim to be the peak? Once faced with the Primordial Dao, all becomes void." How could he say such blatantly false words?! Did he not care about losing face as a practitioner? This was shamelessly flattering the Saint!
Many Treasures covered his face with his sleeve, grinding his teeth in agitation. This sycophant had thrown away all the face of Jie Sect Disciples. He felt ashamed to be associated with them and vanished in an instant.
Bai Jin stared down the Chan Sect Immortals and yelled indignantly, "If Master does not favor the ones born from wet eggs, how could Bai He become a Child? And if Master disdains those with fur and horns, how could Huang Long become my junior brother?"
He berated fiercely, "You twist Master’s Tao for what purpose? Do you think your way surpasses my Master’s? Or do you aspire to become teachers of my Master?!"
All the Chan Sect Disciples’ expressions changed drastically, and they quickly bowed in the direction of Yuqing Peak, saying in panic, "We dare not!"
Bai Jin took step by step upwards, shouting, "Or do you intend to sow discord in the friendship of The Three Pure Ones and shatter the reputation of The Three Pure Ones?"
Instantly all the Chan Sect Disciples kneeled, pale-faced, as the accusation of ’sowing discord in the friendship of The Three Pure Ones’ was a charge they dared not admit.
Guang Chengzi looked up, outraged, and exclaimed, "Elder Brother Bai Jin, do not falsely accuse us! When have we ever sowed discord in the friendship of The Three Pure Ones?"
Bai Jin approached them, speaking sternly, "You might not have said it, but you’ve already done so. No more excuses! Taiyi junior brother, you have spoken out of turn; what should your punishment be?"
Taiyi lifted his head, furiously bristling, his beard fluttering, wishing to defend himself but finding himself speechless, as the accusation Bai Jin had pinned on him was simply too severe.
Ran Deng stood aside and spoke lightly, "Nephew, even if Taiyi is at fault, the punishment should come from me. You are overstepping."
"And what does Uncle think the punishment should be?"
"This is a matter for our Chan Sect, no need for Junior Brother to worry about it. All of you get up! We shall return to Yuqing Peak to receive our punishment."
The ten-plus Chan Sect Disciples stood up, all feeling regret in their hearts. After becoming Saint Disciples, they had become somewhat self-indulgent, speaking thoughtlessly.
Bai Jin frowned and said, "Uncle might as well carry out the punishment here. It would serve as a warning to us junior brothers and junior sisters too."
Suddenly, a grand voice echoed Between Heaven and Earth, "Bai Jin shall carry out my punishment!"
What? All Chan Sect Disciples instantly looked up at the sky, their eyes filled with disbelief. Was their own Master really letting an outsider punish them? A feeling of suffocation welled up in their hearts; after all, who is really his disciple?
All Jie Sect Disciples were also astounded. Could it be true— that Elder Brother Bai Jin could actually punish Chan Sect Disciples? Excitement surged in their hearts; they must not let this incident pass lightly.
Bai Jin also froze for a moment, initially thinking that a scolding would suffice, but had not expected his master to make such a decision. He immediately began to weigh his options: How should the punishment be administered?
All the disciples of the Jie Sect were also watching Bai Jin, their eyes brimming with suppressed fury and humiliation.
Bai Jin’s expression grew stern as he spoke, "Taiyi, follow me!" He turned and flew downward.
Taiyi clenched his fists, silently following behind, eyeing the back of Bai Jin’s head, wanting to smash it with a fierce punch, but he didn’t dare. He really didn’t dare.
They landed on the mountain peak below, facing the direction of Upper Pure Peak.
Bai Jin commanded, "Kneel!"
Without any hesitation, Taiyi True Man knelt down straight facing Upper Pure Peak.
Thump~ Taiyi True Man’s heavy bowing produced a muffled sound.
"This bow is for your bullying of the weak and desecration of our Jie Sect identity."
Thump~ Taiyi True Man’s heavy bowing produced a muffled sound again.
"This bow is for your unprovoked words and disdain for your fellow cultivators."
Thump~ Taiyi True Man’s heavy bowing produced yet another muffled sound.
"This bow is because you disregarded the fellowship of The Three Pure Ones."
After three bows, Bai Jin solemnly asked, "Taiyi, are you now convinced at heart?"
Taiyi nodded with indifference and said, "Brother, your judgement of right from wrong convinces both my heart and my tongue!"
"In that case, remain kneeling here. You may only rise when our master forgives you."
"Yes!" Taiyi responded loudly.
Bai Jin looked up at all the onlookers in the sky and said coldly, "The same goes for all of you. If I discover anyone else deliberately causing trouble, they will not be spared!"
All the Jie Sect disciples’ expressions changed drastically, and they quickly bowed, saying, "We will heed the teachings of our honored elder brother!"
The disciples of the Chan Sect also wore ashen expressions, each feeling a bitter sorrow within; it was as if they were adopted, yet they were indeed the true disciples! What merits did Bai Jin possess? By what right did he receive such favoritism from our master?
Bai Jin frowned and ordered, "Disperse now!"
The disciples from both the Chan and Jie Sects immediately scattered in small groups. Bai Jin then flew towards Upper Pure Peak; amidst the mountains standing tall in the heavens and the earth, two upright figures knelt, exchanging glances before both contemptuously snorting and turning their heads away.
Bai Jin, riding the auspicious cloud, flew towards Shangqing Palace. A conflict among disciples, a potential catalyst for discord within The Three Pure Ones, was temporarily resolved through his mix of promotion and punishment. Yet, it seemed he must personally provide psychological counseling between his master and senior. His role as a disciple was indeed taxing! And risky too; he wondered whether his master and senior were actually angry or not.
The auspicious cloud descended onto Upper Pure Peak, and Bai Jin was surprised to find that the palace gates were open. He stepped forward with a bow and a cheery greeting, "Master, are you there?"
"Come in!" came an unfriendly voice.
Bai Jin immediately got up and walked inside. As soon as he entered the Tao Palace, the palace gates closed with a thunderous boom.