Chapter 25: Compensation

As Bai Jing returned, dragging the half-bodied Zhunti, the Treasure-Dividing Cliff fell into an instant silence.

Before this day, most of the mighty figures at the Zixiao Palace had little knowledge of Bai Jing. However, following his clean and decisive defeat of Zhunti, his name was deeply etched into the minds of all present.

"Elder brother, Bai Jing’s methods are truly formidable. To defeat Zhunti so effortlessly—should we attempt to win him over?" Taiyi asked via telepathic transmission.

"We must certainly try, but it is clear that Bai Jing is quite close to the Wu clan. Let us wait until I have visited the Wu clan before making any further moves."

Taiyi nodded, indicating he understood.

While the Demon clan contemplated recruiting Bai Jing, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi were busy debating how he had broken through the radiance of the Seven-Treasured Branch. Given the Branch’s reputation for being able to brush away anything in existence, why had it failed against Bai Jing?

Zhenyuanzi was initially baffled, but when he observed that Bai Jing’s body showed no fluctuations of divine power, yet was constantly absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy, his eyes lit up. "Fellow Daoist Hongyun, do you think it is possible that Bai Jing has chosen the path of attaining the Dao through the Laws?"

"Attaining the Dao through the Laws? Do you mean that Bai Jing used the Great Dao of Purification of the World-Purifying White Lotus to cleanse the radiance of the Seven-Treasured Branch?"

Zhenyuanzi shook his head. "I do not believe he cultivates the Great Dao of Purification, but rather the Great Dao of Devouring. It is highly probable that he directly devoured the radiance of the Seven-Treasured Branch."

"What! The Great Dao of Devouring? But isn't he a manifestation of the World-Purifying White Lotus? Even if he were to prove his Dao through force, it should be the Great Dao of Purification, should it not?"

"That, I cannot say."

Meanwhile, the Three Pure Ones were discussing the ruler in Bai Jing’s hand.

"Eldest brother, the ruler in the hands of Fellow Daoist Bai Jing appears to be the Primordial Measuring Ruler, a post-celestial treasure of merit!" Tongtian transmitted to Laozi.

"Indeed, it is the Primordial Measuring Ruler. Furthermore, it seems Fellow Daoist Bai Jing is highly compatible with it. It is very likely that this ruler, much like my Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Pagoda, is his companion artifact. He is truly fated to be with us, the Three Pure Ones!" Laozi remarked.

"Eldest brother is correct. Fellow Daoist Bai Jing is a manifestation of the World-Purifying White Lotus, sharing the same origin as the treasure we obtained from the Twenty-Four-Petaled Creative Green Lotus. Of the only two post-celestial treasures of merit in the world, one is your companion treasure and the other belongs to Fellow Daoist Bai Jing. Furthermore, since he is also well-versed in the art of artifact refining, it seems in every way that he is destined to be with our trio," added Yuanshi Tianzun.

"Since it is destiny, let us interact with him more in the future."

Both Yuanshi Tianzun and Tongtian nodded in agreement.

Returning the focus to Bai Jing and Houtu: after Bai Jing returned with the broken body of Zhunti, Jieyin and Houtu ceased their struggle simultaneously.

Houtu looked at Bai Jing with a complex expression. She believed she could also defeat Zhunti, but she admitted to herself that she could not have done so with such effortless precision.

"Fellow Daoist Bai Jing, you have certainly given me a tremendous surprise!"

Bai Jing smiled. "I merely relied on the advantage of my artifact. I must thank you, Fellow Daoist Houtu, for helping to hold off Jieyin; otherwise, I could not have focused solely on Zhunti."

"Even without me, I suspect those two would have been unable to do anything to you, would they?"

Bai Jing shook his head; he was well aware of his own limitations. Alone, neither of the Western pair could defeat him, but in a two-on-one scenario, a single moment of carelessness could lead to disaster.

"How does Fellow Daoist Bai Jing intend to deal with Zhunti?" Houtu asked, glancing at Jieyin with a faint smile.

Jieyin, as if awakening from a dream, spoke up: "Fellow Daoist Bai Jing, this matter was the result of our rashness. I ask that you show mercy and spare us this once, for the sake of our teacher."

Hearing Jieyin invoke the Dao Ancestor, the mighty figures at the Treasure-Dividing Cliff looked toward Bai Jing, eager to see how he would respond.

Bai Jing smiled. "I must, of course, give face to the Dao Ancestor. However, I sustained some injuries while dueling with Fellow Daoist Zhunti. Since the fault lies with you two, should there not be some form of compensation?"

Having said this, Bai Jing coughed theatrically. In truth, he could not, and dared not, kill Zhunti. Zhunti was a destined sage; if he killed him, neither Hongjun nor the Heavenly Dao would let him off. Thus, the best strategy was to trade Zhunti for some benefits.

"What compensation do you desire?" Jieyin asked in a deep voice.

"I am quite interested in your Twelve-Petaled Merit Golden Lotus."

"That is impossible!" Jieyin refused without hesitation. From the moment he had obtained the Golden Lotus, he knew it was inextricably linked to the prosperity of the West; it was absolutely impossible to hand it over to Bai Jing.

"Do you not fear that I will kill Fellow Daoist Zhunti?"

Jieyin was no fool. With a blank expression, he replied, "If you had the intent to kill, you would have done so already."

"You see right through me! True, I dare not kill him. After all, you two are named disciples of the Dao Ancestor. But what if I were to suppress Fellow Daoist Zhunti for a few dozen eons? I suspect the Dao Ancestor would not trouble me over such a small matter, would he?"

Jieyin fell silent.

After a long while, he gritted his teeth and said, "Giving you the Twelve-Petaled Merit Golden Lotus is out of the question. At most, I can give you the six lotus seeds from it."

"Is Fellow Daoist Zhunti really worth so little?"

"Then what else do you want?"

"How about this! When you two retrieve spiritual treasures from the Treasure-Dividing Cliff later, let me pick one first. I have a feeling that whatever treasures you retrieve will also be fated to be with me."

Bai Jing’s words were sharp and merciless. Jieyin’s face turned as dark as the bottom of a cooking pot. However, the situation left him no choice but to grit his teeth and agree.

Subsequently, the deal was struck. Bai Jing received the six lotus seeds and tossed Zhunti back to Jieyin. With Jieyin’s assistance, Zhunti quickly restored his physical form.

Zhunti, who had been arrogant just moments before, now dared not harbor any further intentions. Together with Jieyin, they reached out to the Treasure-Dividing Cliff. They managed to retrieve thirty-seven spiritual treasures. Bai Jing scanned them; they were mostly low-grade post-celestial treasures, with only three mid-to-high-grade ones and nothing of supreme quality.

Bai Jing stood on ceremony, directly taking the three high-grade treasures that resembled beads. As soon as he touched them, he recognized what they were. They were the Wood Spirit Bead, one of the Five Elements Beads. Placing this bead into his Origin Sun Cauldron would enhance its ability to nourish all things.

Satisfied, Bai Jing nodded, tucked the Wood Spirit Bead and the six lotus seeds into his cauldron, and smiled. "Many thanks to you both. This bead is indeed fated to be with me."

Jieyin and Zhunti, faces dark, did not respond and immediately turned to fly away.