Pangu shattered Hongmeng, separating clarity from murkiness and revealing Heaven and Earth. As Heaven and Earth first opened, myriad things thrived chaotically; dragons and phoenixes roamed the Primordial World, followed by Hong Jun spreading his teachings for three thousand years.
In the Primordial World stood a Divine Mountain known as Kunlun Mountain. Stretching across the Kunlun Mountain Range for hundreds of thousands of miles, it featured three main peaks, each crowned with a majestic palace. The central peak bore the plaque of Taiqing Palace, the left peak’s Divine Palace read Yuqing Palace, and the right peak’s Divine Palace was inscribed with Shangqing Palace.
At this moment, within a side hall at the edge of Shangqing Palace, a naive-looking young man was busy scribbling in a small booklet with a pen.
The youth named Bai Jin, originally an ordinary individual, was a White Crane who had transcended. In his past life, he was an extremely ordinary person. Unexpectedly, he painlessly and humanely crossed over to the Primordial World while asleep. Initially resistant, he was ecstatic upon learning he could become an Immortal and achieve eternal life. However, when he discovered his master was the infamous Tongtian Sect Master, he was completely dumbfounded. The Tongtian Sect Master? The one without a single friend, whose family was ruined by tragedy? Was his future not doomed? What’s worse, he was only an Outer Disciple.
After learning he was a disciple of the Tongtian Sect Master, Bai Jin knew he couldn’t rely on his master. Over the years since his crossing, he covertly developed a self-help plan. Although the Divine Enthronement Battle was still far off, Bai Jin already felt a strong sense of crisis.
Putting down the pen, some mysterious symbols appeared on the white paper. These symbols, known as talismans, served as a script for communication among the Immortal Gods.
Looking at the talismans, he recited: "Primordial Self-Salvation Guide, the first and most critical step, to curry favor with the two Elders. The Eldest Uncle personifies Supreme Water, so one must appear detached and ethereal in front of him. The Second Master values propriety and virtue, requiring one to show respect for rules in his presence."
Clutching his fist, he said: "Bai Jin, you can do it."
He then solemnly put away the booklet and walked outside, squeaking the large hall door open and stepping out directly.
A few steps later, he saw an elegant lady slowly walking along the mountain path.
Bai Jin hurriedly bowed and said, "Greetings to Senior Sister Wudang."
Wudang helplessly replied, "Junior brother, why don’t you ever close the door?"
Straightening up and scratching his head, Bai Jin naively smiled and said: "Senior sister, I believe a gentleman has nothing to hide. Besides, it’s all our own people on the mountain, no worries."
Wudang helplessly said: "You, you are a gentleman, but not everyone else is. Master will accept other disciples in the future, and it’s not good for you to do this." With a wave of her hand, the door slammed shut.
Bai Jin nodded repeatedly and gratefully said, "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister."
Wudang then asked, "Junior brother, where are you off to?"
Bai Jin replied, "To pay respects to the two Elders."
Wudang nodded and said with a smile, "Go ahead!"
"Alright! I’ll take care of it for you, Senior Sister."
"Thank you, Junior Brother."
Bai Jin ran down the mountain.
As Wudang continued walking forward to a beautiful spot, where a thunderous waterfall cascaded down, forming snow-like sprays in the cold pond below, a robust young man was sitting beside the waterfall, meditating with his eyes closed.
Suddenly, the young man opened his eyes, a sharp light flashing within, and the waterfall was abruptly severed with a boom.
Wudang Saint chuckled and said, "Senior Brother Duobao, your Sword Intent has become even more refined."
Duobao replied, "Cultivation is just ; vigorous and progressive steps lead to the path of the Great Dao. Junior sister must not slack off either."
Wudang Saint bowed and said, "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother!"
After hesitating, Duobao asked, "Did Bai Jin run off again?"
Wudang Saint replied, "He’s gone to pay respects to the two Elders."
A cold expression crossed Duobao’s face as he said, "Is he a disciple of our Master or the two Elders’? If he’s so dedicated, why doesn’t he just join the two Elders?"
Wudang Saint sat down on a green stone, saying, "He won’t neglect to pay respects to our Master."
Duobao angrily said, "Absurd, we who have received our Master’s favor and affection, taken as disciples, should strive in our cultivation, so as to serve our Master in the future."
"He really does not think much, visiting his master and grandmaster daily to pay respects, how could he still have the mind for cultivation? With such a mindset, he will sooner or later fall into the Demon Path."
Wudang Saint slightly furrowed her brow and said, "Eldest Senior Brother, your words are too severe."
Duobao took a deep breath, slowly exhaled, and said, "Forget it! I don’t want to deal with him either. After all, he is just an Outer Disciple. Let him do as he wishes. Junior Sister, let us discuss the Tao instead!"
Wudang Saint nodded and said, "Good!" An indistinct Tao Rhythm diffused around her.
A streak of green light landed in front of Taiching Palace on the middle peak, transforming into the form of Bai Jin as it touched the ground.
Bai Jin straightened his clothes, bowed at ninety degrees and said, "Disciple Bai Jin pays his respects to Eldest Uncle!"
An ancient voice came from within the hall: "Come in!"
"Thank you, Eldest Uncle!"
The grand door of the palace creaked open, and Bai Jin stepped inside. Upon entering, he saw an old Taoist seated in a higher position.
Bai Jin walked up to the cushion, knelt down, and knocked his head on the ground three times, saying, "Disciple pays his respects to Eldest Uncle, wishing Eldest Master early enlightenment in the Saint Dao."
Taishang replied amicably, "How does one achieve the Saint Dao?"
Bai Jin said calmly, "Disciple does not know, but I can see it manifested in Eldest Uncle."
Taishang smiled and said, "Do tell."
Bai Jin replied seriously, "The Dao of Heaven benefits without harming; the Dao of Saints acts without contention."
Taishang was taken aback, pondered for a moment with a smile on his face, and said, "Very good, you have spoken well."
Usually, such a question and answer session would mark the end of the greeting, and Bai Jin should take his leave, but today he knelt on the cushion, hesitating.
Taishang asked, "Bai Jin, is there anything else?"
Bai Jin hurriedly said, "Reporting to Eldest Uncle, disciple plans to leave the mountain for a trip. As you know, the Witch Demon War is raging outside, I fear that upon leaving I might be captured by the Witch Clan for dinner, so I seek a protective artifact."
Taishang said, "Leaving the mountain now is indeed fraught with many dangers." With a wave of his hand, a Taiji Diagram hanging on the wall flew down, hovering in front of Bai Jin and said, "This will protect you."
Taiji Diagram?! Bai Jin eagerly bowed deeply and gratefully said, "Thank you, Eldest Uncle!"
Bai Jin stood up holding the Taiji Diagram, wearing a naive smile as he hastily walked outside, indeed currying favor with Eldest Uncle was his way of self-preservation.
Stepping out of the palace, Bai Jin transformed into a streak of green light and shot out, flying across the mountain range and landing in front of Yuqing Palace, bowing at ninety degrees saying, "Disciple pays respects to Second Master."
"Come in!" A commanding voice resounded as the palace doors creaked open.
After Bai Jin walked in, he maintained a serious and respectful demeanor, knelt before the cushion, and in proper conduct bowed three times, saying, "Disciple Bai Jin pays his respects to Second Master, wishing Master early enlightenment in the Saint Dao."
Seated in the main seat, Primordial Venerable nodded slightly and asked, "What is a Saint?"
Bai Jin, serious and respectful, said, "The Dao of Heaven is clear and ordered; the Dao of Saints follows Heaven’s mandate."
A look of satisfaction flashed in the eyes of the Primordial Venerable as he said, "Very good!" then with regret added, "It’s a pity, a pity—"
Bai Jin asked, "What does Master regret?"
"That you are only born as a White Crane, your future achievements are inherently limited."
Bai Jin respectfully said, "Disciple does not seek fame across the Primordial World, nor the power to destroy heaven and earth, I am content simply to serve by my Master’s and both teachers’ sides."