A group of three people stepped into the back courtyard, where the Doushuai Temple was part of the Heavenly Court Palace architecture, naturally incomparable to the Eight Sceneries Palace, but it too possessed a splendid view.
The trio walked across a wooden bridge spanning the fishpond below, where clear waters flowed gently.
Bai Jin stopped in her tracks and said, "Auntie, how about I leave these fish to be raised in this pond for now?"
Lady Yalong chuckled and nodded her head saying, "Sure, sure, there’s really nothing in the pond anyway, raising some fish would indeed add more life to it, very good."
Bai Jin tossed the golden carps she held into the pond, and with a splash, they transformed into thousands of spirit fish that darted around swiftly, the scent of sandalwood wafting from the surface of the lake.
Lady Yalong said in surprise, "There are so many, I thought there was only one!"
"To send just one fish to Auntie would not be enough; of course, I would give you all that I have raised. How else could I express my little token of a disciple’s respect?"
Lady Yalong’s face beamed with a smile, her wrinkles smoothing out as she chuckled tenderly, "You’re just too filial, child."
Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad, standing beside them, nodded satisfactorily, finally seeing a return on his investment, not an easy feat indeed!
"Right, your Master has concocted some elixirs recently; later on, take a look to see if there are any you like, and take them home to eat like candy."
Lord Lao Zi’s hand trembled, pulling at a beard, and he quickly said, "Lady, it’s just unfortunate timing, but the Jade Emperor has taken all those elixirs of mine."
Bai Jin promptly added, "Auntie, I still haven’t finished the elixirs you gave me last time, let’s just forget it this time!"
Lady Yalong sneakily pinched Lord Lao Zi and whispered, "Why are you so generous to the Jade Emperor?
Even though he is the Heavenly Emperor, he is still an outsider. Of course, we should keep the good things for our own first. Next time you have any fine elixirs, save them for Bai Jin."
Lord Lao Zi nodded repeatedly and said, "Got it, Lady, you are absolutely right, I will definitely be careful next time."
Lady Yalong then nodded with satisfaction and looked at Bai Jin with fondness, "Bai Jin, when you have finished the elixirs, tell your Auntie, and I will prepare more for you."
"Now that you’re here, let’s have lunch together. You’ve brought some fish and shrimp, I’ll go prepare some delightful dishes."
"Auntie, let me help you."
"No need, no need, you go have tea with Li Er.
Li Er, bring out your treasured tea leaves." Google seaʀᴄh novel⚑fire.net
Bai Jin respectfully bowed and saw Lady Yalong off.
Bai Jin and Lord Lao Zi took a seat somewhere.
Lord Lao Zi, stroking his beard, said, "You’ve really stirred up quite the scene this time."
Bai Jin hurriedly replied, "Master sees clearly, I really had nothing to do with this matter!"
Lord Lao Zi commented neutrally, "Putting a little pressure on Buddhism is not bad, after all, they have been quite complacent lately, and despite Tang Sanzang’s journey to the West not being over, the East Victory Divine Continent and Nan Zhanbu Continent are already brimming with thousands of temples."
"Can they not restrain themselves any longer?"
"Mind not their actions." Lord Lao Zi looked at Bai Jin earnestly and said, "Bai Jin, when you have the time in the future, make sure to visit your Master and Second Master more. They are getting on in years and life is quite lonely amid the Chaos. They mentioned last time that they missed you."
Bai Jin nodded repeatedly and said, "Eldest Uncle is right, I will be sure to visit my Master and Second Master more often in the future."
Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad stroked his beard and nodded, "Doushuai Temple isn’t exactly flourishing now, either! Those careless women have no idea of the value of treasures."
Bai Jin said, "Eldest Uncle, the journey to the West is of great importance, and for some reason, there is now a conflict between the Blood Sea and Buddhism, causing turmoil in the Three Realms. If not contained, I’m afraid the quest for the scriptures will face setbacks."
Lord Lao Zi glanced at Bai Jin, his voice tinged with annoyance, "So it’s just a battle between the Blood Sea and Buddhism?"
Bai Jin raised his pinky finger, hesitantly pinching it as he said, "Well, I’ve also had a tiny bit of involvement."
"A tiny bit? The Law Enforcement Team and Buddhism are nearly turning Chaos upside down, and you call this a tiny bit?"
"Eldest Uncle, Ming He Sect Master is a great power who listened to the lectures at Zixiao Palace alongside you. In terms of seniority, I should address him as Second Master.
Moreover, Second Master has treated me well—my Lifebound Magical Treasure, the Exterminating Immortals and Slaying Gods Array, was crafted from a Blood Lotus he gifted.
Now that Second Master is being bullied by outsiders, it’s only right that I step in as his junior to offer help. Master, wouldn’t you agree?"
"So, what brings you to me now?"
"Disciple thinks it’s time to put an end to this. Buddhism has learned its lesson, and we should prioritize the bigger picture. I’m here to request that you intervene and uphold the righteousness of the Three Realms."
Lord Lao Zi looked toward the pond, with a sigh he said, "Only fish is too rich for this old man’s diet; I’ve been wanting something vegetarian lately."
Understood, I’ll make arrangements.
Bai Jin stretched out his hand and took out a sphere, within which one could faintly see a tiny piece of land with uncountable Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures: Ten-thousand-year-old Ganoderma, Ten-million-year-old Ginseng, glimmering Three-star Grass, and the calls of dragons and phoenixes among the blossoming Fire Phoenix Flowers.
With respect, Bai Jin handed the sphere over and said, "Eldest Uncle, these are some wild herbs I’ve gathered. If you wouldn’t mind accepting them, they might improve your culinary experience."
"Wild herbs? I love wild herbs! Then I won’t be polite in accepting them."
"It’s just some wild herbs. I’m simply happy if you accept them, Eldest Uncle."
Lord Lao Zi pocketed the sphere, his face beaming with a smile, as he found new materials for Alchemy.
After lunch, Bai Jin left Doushuai Temple, led by Lady Yalong and pulling the Big Horned Bull.
Inside Chaos, it surged like the vast ocean, intertwining laws of Tao pulsating, while heavy sounds echoed from all directions.
As Bai Jin led the Big Horned Bull through Chaos, the tumultuous Chaos Sea quieted, transforming from a fierce lion to a tame little lamb.
Boom~ The Chaos Sea in front burst open, and a Golden Buddha tumbled out from within.
Without a sound, Ming He Sect Master appeared in the direction of the fleeing Golden Buddha and threw a punch.
Clang~ a resonant ring echoed in the void, the punch striking the Golden Buddha on the head.
With a pitiful scream, Bang~ the Golden Buddha was propelled back out, flying for tens of thousands of miles before barely coming to a stop.
Bai Jin applauded and exclaimed, "Second Master, your might is truly awe-inspiring!"
Ming He Sect Master laughed heartily and said, "Nephew has arrived!"
He then gave a fist-and-palm salute towards Lord Lao Zi, saying, "Brother!"
Lord Lao Zi nodded slightly in response.
The great Golden Buddha steadied itself and flew back, its hands clasped in a prayerful gesture, respectfully saying, "Greetings, Lord Lao Zi!"
Lord Lao Zi smiled and said, "Bai Jin came to me and mentioned that Buddhism and the Asura Sect had some misunderstanding, leading both sect leaders to fight fiercely in the Chaos, and the Asura Sect even attacked Spiritual Mountain, affecting the Three Realms.
Bai Jin has the interest of the greater situation at heart and, anxious, came to Doushuai Temple to seek my help in quelling this unnecessary conflict."