"Fellow Daoist Tongtian, why not let this matter end here?"
Seeing his junior brother being beaten without any ability to fight back, Jieyin could no longer sit still.
If this continued, even if Zhunti did not die, he would likely suffer grievous injuries that would be difficult to heal.
But if he intervened, Fuxi and Nuwa were watching menacingly from the side.
Left with no choice, he could only endure the humiliation and plead in a low voice.
As for being mocked by the other great cultivators, like Zhunti, he had long stopped caring about his dignity.
Pride could not fill one's stomach.
"What are you supposed to be? What right do you have to speak of ending this?"
Tongtian cast him a cold glance, not taking him seriously at all.
They had fought to this point, and he thought a few words would settle everything?
"Then what does Fellow Daoist Tongtian have in mind?"
Jieyin forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart and tried to remain calm.
Yet a trace of regret had already arisen within him.
Had he known this would happen, he never should have let his junior brother provoke Fuxi and Nuwa.
"One strand of Gengjin Origin."
Tongtian stated his condition without hesitation.
His tone was so indifferent, as though he were discussing something utterly ordinary, as if the origin were no more valuable than a common object.
Jieyin's expression changed, and he said with a bitter smile, "Could Fellow Daoist change the condition?"
Though he spoke aloud, his mind was rapidly calculating what other treasures he could offer in exchange.
It was not that he could not produce Gengjin Origin. The issue was that it concerned the foundation of his cultivation.
Once damaged, it could not be restored merely by consuming a few spiritual medicines.
Bang!
His answer was the sight of Zhunti being sent flying a million li with a single sweep of the spear.
"The price has gone up. Two strands!"
Tongtian remained as cold as ever as he watched Zhunti rage until his eyes nearly split apart.
"Fine, I'll give them to you!"
Seeing Zhunti suffer another heavy blow, Jieyin did not dare hesitate any longer and immediately agreed.
Then he gave a muffled grunt. His face instantly turned pale as paper, and blood seeped from the corner of his lips.
He had forcefully stripped away his own origin.
He threw out two strands of Gengjin Origin. Without waiting for Tongtian's response, he grabbed the heavily injured Zhunti and fled in panic.
He wished he could grow wings beneath his feet, terrified that if he left too slowly, Tongtian would keep him there and demand even more.
The onlookers all revealed disdainful expressions at the sight.
Tongtian swept his sleeve and put away the origins, then turned and smiled faintly at the crowd.
"If any of you wish to visit the Interception Sect, you are most welcome.
"However, remember to prepare your spiritual treasures and medicines in advance."
After saying that, he lightly nodded to Fuxi and Nuwa before turning into a streak of light toward Buzhou Mountain.
Tongtian understood the great currents of the Primordial Wilderness perfectly. Naturally, he knew that after Hongjun's lecture, the seven Innate Gourds on Buzhou Mountain would soon mature.
This news was renowned throughout later generations.
Not to mention that Nuwa would later use the Gourd Vine to create humans.
The Nine Heavens Breathing Soil nurtured beneath the vine alone was already a rare supreme treasure of the Primordial Wilderness.
When used to cultivate spiritual roots and spiritual herbs, its effects were unmatched!
Not to mention the seven gourds growing on the vine.
Any one of them would do.
Each was a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, enough to make countless great cultivators fight over it.
Other than Hongjun, there was likely no one in the Primordial Wilderness who would not be tempted!
At that thought, Tongtian had already claimed those treasures for himself in his heart.
His utterly undisguised display of dominance made the faces of the great cultivators present twitch slightly.
Their assessment of him rose several notches once more.
It was foreseeable that after this battle, Tongtian's fearsome reputation would shake the entire Primordial Wilderness!
As he watched the three leave, Laozi suddenly felt a stir in his heart.
He exchanged a glance with Yuanshi, and the two headed straight for Buzhou Mountain.
At the same time.
Dijun, Taiyi, Hong Yun, Zhenyuanzi, and the other great cultivators also changed expression.
They had all sensed that an opportunity was drawing near.
"Brother, why is the Sect Master rushing toward Buzhou Mountain?" Fuxi asked Nuwa curiously as they traveled.
He did not understand why, after clearly defeating Zhunti, everyone looked as though they had suffered a loss instead.
"There seems to be a supreme treasure emerging on Buzhou Mountain, one fated to be ours," Nuwa replied softly. Yet her gaze remained fixed on Tongtian's back, and she could not hide the smile in her eyes.
Whether it was him standing up for the two siblings at Purple Heaven Palace or his domineering manner when beating Zhunti, both had stirred an inexplicable sense of reliance within her.
Perhaps because they were close to maturing, the Concealment Array surrounding the Gourd Vine had already dissipated.
Seven-Colored Radiance illuminated all of Buzhou Mountain in dazzling splendor.
Relying on his grasp of heavenly secrets, along with his superior cultivation, Tongtian quickly located the Gourd Vine.
A trace of delight flashed through his eyes as he brought Fuxi and Nuwa beneath the vine.
At this moment, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth was converging there with immense momentum.
On the vine, the Seventh Gourd was frantically absorbing spiritual energy.
Thinking that this gourd might be the Chaos Gourd of later legends, Tongtian did not rush to pick it.
Just then, Laozi and Yuanshi also arrived.
Behind them, Dijun, Taiyi, Hong Yun, Zhenyuanzi, Kunpeng, Minghe, and the others arrived one after another.
"Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!" Seeing the aura emitted by the Gourd Vine, Yuanshi was delighted.
At last, he would have a treasure worthy of showing off!
"Big Brother, there are many people and few treasures. Why don't we join forces and secure the spiritual treasures?" Taiyi swept his gaze around, his eyes shifting as he secretly transmitted his voice to Dijun.
There were already eleven people present. Even if the Seventh Gourd matured, there would only be seven gourds, nowhere near enough to divide among them.
Tongtian was close to Fuxi and Nuwa, and with Laozi and Yuanshi added in, if they joined forces, the others would likely not even get a sip of soup.
Moreover, the Three Pure Ones had been united since the beginning of creation. A few disagreements did not necessarily mean they would truly turn against one another.
"Hong Yun and Zhenyuanzi have always advanced and retreated together. It won't be easy to divide benefits with them," Dijun said quietly after some thought.
"Why don't we join forces with Kunpeng and Minghe?"
He quickly came up with a plan.
As he spoke, he and Taiyi split up and secretly transmitted their voices to the two.
Sensing that the scene appeared calm on the surface while undercurrents surged beneath, everyone raised their guard.
Seeing that these people still coveted the gourds, a cold glint flashed through Tongtian's eyes.
"The treasures here already belong to my Interception Sect.
"Are you all still planning to interfere?"
His tone was mild, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty.
In that instant, his presence made it seem as though he did not regard anyone before him as worthy of notice.
Fuxi and Nuwa, standing to the side, felt their scalps go numb and cold sweat break out.
This was not one or two opponents, but eight of the Primordial Wilderness's foremost great cultivators!
Every one of them had reached the mid-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm!
Several of them even held spiritual treasures of considerable power.
"Tongtian, what do you mean by that? Do you still have any regard for Big Brother and me?"
The moment those words were spoken, Yuanshi's face, which had held a faint smile, immediately darkened.
Even Laozi, who was always composed, could not help frowning, a trace of displeasure appearing in his eyes.
"As the saying goes, treasures belong to the virtuous. Fellow Daoist, your words are rather overbearing, aren't they?"
Taiyi stepped forward in dissatisfaction, already summoning the Chaos Bell in his hand.
He looked ready to fight at any moment.
Seeing this, Minghe and the others also stepped forward, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense.
For a time, the air seemed to solidify, and a great battle could erupt at any moment.
Only Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun stood to one side with hesitant expressions.
For one, the two had always been mild-tempered and were unwilling to involve themselves in conflict lightly.
For another, even if they acted, they might not necessarily receive a share.
After all, they knew Dijun, Taiyi, Kunpeng, and Minghe's ways well.
Not to mention that doing so would offend Tongtian, as well as Nuwa and Fuxi behind him.
Thinking of this, the two could not help developing thoughts of retreat.
"Dominance is not something you talk about. It is forged through strength!"
"If you dare touch my spiritual treasures, be prepared for me to hunt you down!"
Tongtian sneered and replied without the slightest courtesy. Then, with a thought, he moved.
In an instant, the God-Slaying Spear appeared in his hand.
The Sect Master's Edict, which had been nurtured within his body all this time, also rose above his head—
Innate Supreme Treasure!!
The eight of them all shrank their pupils.
The God-Slaying Spear alone, capable of injuring Saints, was already enough to make their eyes burn with envy.
Who could have expected Tongtian to produce another Innate Supreme Treasure at this moment?
Moreover, this treasure had never appeared in the Primordial Wilderness before!
Though they did not know its name, its ancient and weighty aura alone was enough to prove its extraordinary nature!
How could this be! He actually possesses two Innate Supreme Treasures. How unfair is the Heavenly Dao!!
Yuanshi roared inwardly, his expression growing savage.
At the same time, Nuwa and Fuxi immediately stepped to Tongtian's side.
Each released the aura of a late-stage Grand Unity Golden Immortal.
The situation grew increasingly tense.
"Since Fellow Daoist Tongtian obtained it first, I will not contend with him. I shall take my leave."
Just as both sides were locked in a stalemate, Hong Yun suddenly spoke.
In truth, he was genuinely afraid!
Especially of Tongtian's naked threat.
Spiritual treasures were good, but what if they brought endless pursuit?
Especially pursuit by someone a full realm above him, armed with two supreme treasures!
How could he then travel the Primordial Wilderness in peace?
After considering it again and again, he decided to let go rather than invite disaster upon himself.
As soon as he finished speaking, Hong Yun cupped his hands toward everyone and left together with Zhenyuanzi.
"Damn it!"
Seeing Hong Yun and Zhenyuanzi leave, and even Kunpeng showing a trace of hesitation, Taiyi could not help cursing under his breath.
But he also knew that Tongtian's threat was no empty bluff.
With Nuwa and Fuxi included, Tongtian's side already had three people.
If they truly fought, how could Kunpeng, alone, possibly survive?
Minghe's expression did not change. He remained as calm as ever.
After all, as long as the Blood Sea did not dry up, Minghe would not die.
A single threat was not enough to shake him.
Seeing the changing situation, Kunpeng's gaze darkened. He sighed softly and turned to leave.
He understood that these spiritual treasures were no longer fated for him.
Especially since he was the weakest person present.
If he forcibly interfered, not only would he fail to obtain anything, but he would thoroughly offend Tongtian.
Since that was the case, why provoke endless trouble for a sliver of illusory hope?
"Third Brother, Second Brother and I are willing to join forces with you. However, we want three gourds."
Laozi, who had remained silent all this time, finally spoke after seeing three people withdraw in succession.
This proposal was the safest option.
If Tongtian agreed, it would become a five-against-three situation.
No matter how unwilling Minghe, Dijun, and Taiyi were, they would have to weigh the consequences.
They might even give up directly. Then he and Yuanshi could obtain three Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures without lifting a finger.
This deal was incomparably worthwhile!
Before you continue