This Deal Is Worth It!

"Fellow Daoist Tongtian, how about we put an end to this matter and its karmic ties?"

Seeing his junior brother beaten with no power to fight back, Jieyin could no longer sit still.

If the fight continued, even if he didn't die, he would likely be left with severe, hard-to-heal injuries.

But if he tried to intervene, Fuxi and Nuwa were watching like tigers eyeing their prey.

With no other choice, he could only swallow his humiliation and plead in a lowly tone.

As for being laughed at by other Great Powers, like Zhunti, he had long stopped caring about face.

Face wasn't something you could eat, after all.

"What do you think you are, to speak of settling this with me?"

Tongtian cast a cold glance, utterly dismissing him.

After fighting to this point, did he think a few words would make it all go away?

"Then what does Fellow Daoist Tongtian propose?"

Jieyin forcibly suppressed the fury in his heart, struggling to maintain his composure.

But a trace of regret had already sprouted within him.

If he had known this day would come, he would never have let his junior brother provoke Fuxi and Nuwa in the first place.

"One strand of Gengjin Origin."

Tongtian stated his terms without hesitation.

His tone was as casual as if he were discussing something trivial, as if that Origin were nothing more than an ordinary item.

Jieyin's face shifted, and he forced a bitter smile. "Could Fellow Daoist choose another condition?"

Even as he spoke, his mind raced through possible substitute Treasures.

It wasn't that he couldn't produce the Gengjin Origin—the problem was that it was tied to his very foundation.

Once damaged, it wouldn't be something a few spiritual medicines could restore.

Boom!

His answer came in the form of Zhunti being sent flying millions of li by a single spear strike.

"Now the price has gone up. Two strands!"

Watching Zhunti's face twist with rage, Tongtian remained as indifferent as ever.

"Fine, I'll give it!"

Seeing Zhunti take another heavy blow, Jieyin dared not hesitate any longer and immediately agreed.

With a muffled groan, his face turned deathly pale in an instant, and blood trickled from the corner of his lips.

It was the result of forcibly stripping away the Origin.

He hurled out two strands of Gengjin Origin, and without waiting for Tongtian's response, he grabbed the severely wounded Zhunti and fled in haste.

As if wishing he could grow wings on his feet, afraid that if he lingered, he'd be held back and asked for more.

The onlookers all showed looks of contempt.

Tongtian swept his sleeve to collect the Origin, then turned to the crowd with a faint smile.

"If any of you wish to visit the Jie Sect, you are most welcome.

But remember to prepare some spiritual treasures and miraculous medicines in advance."

With that, he gave a slight nod to Fuxi and Nuwa, then turned and flew toward Buzhou Mountain.

Tongtian had a thorough understanding of the trends in the Primordial Wilderness, so he naturally knew that after Hongjun's sermon, the seven Innate Gourds on Buzhou Mountain were about to ripen.

This news was widely known in later ages.

Not to mention that the Gourd Vine would one day be used by Nuwa to create humans.

Even the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil nurtured beneath the vine was an extremely rare treasure in the Primordial Wilderness.

When used to cultivate spiritual roots and herbs, its effects were unparalleled!

And that wasn't even mentioning the seven gourds hanging from the vine.

Any one of them taken out

would be a Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, enough to spark fierce competition among the great cultivators.

Aside from Hongjun, there was probably no one in the Primordial Wilderness who wouldn't be tempted!

With this in mind, Tongtian had already mentally claimed these Treasures as his own.

His unabashedly domineering posture made the faces of the assembled Great Powers twitch slightly.

Their estimation of him rose another notch.

It was easy to foresee that after this battle, Tongtian's fearsome reputation would shake the entire Primordial Wilderness!

Watching the three depart, Laozi's heart suddenly stirred.

He exchanged a glance with Yuanshi and headed straight for Buzhou Mountain.

At the same time.

Dijun, Taiyi, Hongyun, Zhenyuanzi, and other Great Powers also changed expression.

They all sensed the approaching opportunity.

"Older brother, why is the Sect Master rushing to Buzhou Mountain?" Fuxi asked Nuwa curiously along the way.

He didn't quite understand—having already defeated Zhunti, why did everyone seem as if they'd suffered a loss instead.

"It seems a supreme treasure is about to appear on Buzhou Mountain, fated for us." Nuwa replied softly, but her gaze fell on Tongtian's back, a smile hard to hide.

Whether it was him standing up for her and her brother in Purple Heaven Palace, or the domineering way he'd beaten Zhunti, it stirred a faint, inexplicable reliance in her heart.

Perhaps because it was nearing maturity, the Concealment Array of the Gourd Vine had already dissipated.

Seven-Colored Radiance illuminated the entire Buzhou Mountain in dazzling splendor.

Relying on his grasp of heavenly secrets and his superior cultivation, Tongtian quickly locked onto the Gourd Vine's location.

A glint of joy flashed in his eyes as he led Fuxi and Nuwa to the vine.

At that moment, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth converged there, its momentum vast.

On the vine, the Seventh Gourd was frantically absorbing spiritual energy.

Thinking that this gourd might be the legendary Chaos Gourd, Tongtian did not rush to pick it.

Just then, Laozi and Yuanshi also arrived at the scene.

Behind them, Dijun, Taiyi, Hongyun, Zhenyuanzi, Kunpeng, Minghe, and others arrived one after another.

"Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasure!" Seeing the aura emanating from the Gourd Vine, Yuanshi's heart rejoiced.

Finally, he had a treasure worthy of showing off!

"Big Brother, many people, few treasures—why don't we join forces and secure the spiritual treasure steadily?" Taiyi glanced around, his eyes shifting, and secretly transmitted his voice to Dijun.

At present, eleven people had arrived; even if the Seventh Gourd matured, there would only be seven gourds, far from enough to go around.

And Tongtian was close with Fuxi and Nuwa, plus Laozi and Yuanshi—if they joined forces, the others might not even get a taste.

Moreover, the Three Pure Ones had been united since the creation of the world; a few harsh words wouldn't necessarily turn them into true enemies.

"Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi always advance and retreat together; it's hard to split the gains." Dijun thought briefly, then said in a low voice.

"How about allying with Kunpeng and Minghe."

He quickly formed a plan.

As long as he won over Kunpeng and Minghe, he could maneuver from within.

With that, he and Taiyi separately transmitted their voices to the two.

Sensing the surface calm but the undercurrents churning, everyone grew vigilant.

Seeing that these people still coveted the gourds, a cold glint flashed in Tongtian's eyes.

"The treasures here already belong to This Seat's Jie Sect.

Gentlemen, do you still intend to interfere?"

His tone was mild, yet carried an unyielding authority.

In that instant, his aura seemed to dismiss everyone before him entirely.

Fuxi and Nuwa beside him felt their scalps tingle and cold sweat break out.

This wasn't facing one or two people, but a full eight top-tier Great Powers of the Primordial Wilderness!

And each had reached the mid-Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal stage!

Some among them even held spiritual treasures of considerable power.

"Tongtian, what do you mean by that! Do you have no regard for me and Big Brother!"

At these words, Yuanshi, who had still worn a faint smile, instantly darkened.

Even the usually composed Laozi couldn't help but frown, a trace of displeasure in his eyes.

"As the saying goes, treasures belong to the virtuous. Fellow Daoist, your words are a bit overbearing, aren't they?"

Taiyi stepped forward discontentedly, already summoning the Chaos Bell in his hand.

His posture suggested he was ready to strike at any moment.

Seeing this, Minghe and the others also stepped forward, the atmosphere instantly tense.

For a moment, the air seemed to freeze, a great battle on the verge of erupting.

Only Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun stood to the side, their expressions hesitant.

First, the two of them were naturally mild-tempered and reluctant to get involved in conflict.

Second, even if they did act, they weren't guaranteed a share of the spoils.

After all, they knew all too well the ways of Dijun, Taiyi, Kunpeng, and Minghe.

Not to mention that this move would offend Tongtian, as well as Nuwa and Fuxi behind him.

With that in mind, the two of them couldn't help but feel the urge to retreat.

"Domineering isn't just talk—it's proven by strength!"

"Dare to touch this Seat's spiritual treasure, and be prepared to be hunted down by this Seat!"

Tongtian sneered, firing back without restraint, then stirred his thoughts.

In an instant, the God-Slaying Spear materialized in his hand.

And the Sect Master's Edict, long nurtured within his body, now hovered above his head—

An Innate Supreme Treasure!!

All eight of them narrowed their pupils.

Just the God-Slaying Spear, capable of wounding a Saint, was enough to make their eyes burn with envy.

But who would have guessed that Tongtian would then produce another Innate Supreme Treasure!

And this treasure had never appeared in the Primordial Wilderness before!

Though its name was unknown, its ancient and profound aura alone spoke of its extraordinary nature!

How can this be! He actually possesses two Innate Supreme Treasures—how unjust is the Heavenly Dao!!

Yuanshi roared inwardly, his face twisting with fury.

At the same time, Nuwa and Fuxi immediately stood by Tongtian's side, each releasing the aura of a late-stage Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal.

The tension grew ever more intense.

"Since Fellow Daoist Tongtian obtained it first, this poor Daoist will not contend for it. I take my leave."

Just as the two sides were deadlocked, Hongyun suddenly spoke.

In truth, he was genuinely terrified!

Especially by Tongtian's blatant threat.

A spiritual treasure was fine, but what if it brought endless pursuit?

Especially being hunted by a cultivator a full rank above him, wielding two supreme treasures!

How could he roam the Primordial Wilderness in peace with that hanging over his head?

After weighing the pros and cons, he decided to let it go to avoid courting disaster.

With that, Hongyun clasped his hands to the group and departed alongside Zhenyuanzi.

"Damn it!"

Taiyi cursed under his breath as he watched Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi leave, even Kunpeng showing a hint of hesitation.

But he knew Tongtian's threat was no empty words.

With Nuwa and Fuxi added, that side already had three.

If it came to blows, Kunpeng stood alone—where was his way out?

Minghe, however, remained expressionless, still calm.

After all, as long as the Blood Sea endured, Minghe would not die.

A mere threat wasn't enough to shake him.

Seeing the shift in circumstances, Kunpeng's gaze darkened. He sighed softly and turned to leave.

He understood in his heart that these spiritual treasures were no longer meant for him.

Especially since he was the weakest among those present.

If he forced his way in, not only would he fail to gain anything, but he would also thoroughly offend Tongtian.

With that in mind, why court endless disaster for a sliver of false hope?

"Third Brother, Second Brother and I are willing to join forces with you. But we want three of the gourds."

Laozi, who had remained silent all along, finally spoke as he saw three in a row retreat.

This proposal was the safest course.

If Tongtian agreed, it would become a five-versus-three situation.

Even if Minghe, Dijun, and Taiyi were unwilling, they'd have to weigh the consequences.

They might even give up outright, allowing Laozi and Yuanshi to gain three Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Treasures without lifting a finger.

A deal that was more than worth it!