Dividing the Spoils

The seven-colored gourd's radiant light receded, its Dao Charm overflowing, clearly indicating it was time for the fruit to fall. Beneath the vines, the atmosphere was incredibly subtle and tense.

The Three Pure Ones were powerful, their presence like immovable pillars; Nuwa, a future Saint, and Fuxi, a master of formations, were not to be trifled with.

Di Jun and Taiyi, holding the Chaos Bell, looked down with disdain.

Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi, one a naive and kind old man, the other an honest man with the thickest "skin" (Earth Book).

The duo from the West, their eyes darting around, their faces practically screaming "Let's form a connection!"

From afar, Kunpeng lurked with sinister eyes, like a vulture ready to snatch up leftovers.

Oh, right, and then there was a peculiar group – the twelve Ancestral Witches led by Dijiang, Gonggong, and Zhurong!

They didn't get too close, standing at the periphery with their arms crossed, muscles bulging, their Blood Essence soaring to the heavens, like a group of bodybuilders who had stumbled into a high-level academic conference.

They said nothing, only giving looks that said, "What are you looking at?" "What are you gonna do about it?" Their main focus was on Di Jun and Taiyi, their intentions crystal clear: we're not here for the gourds, we're here to annoy you two!

Di Jun and Taiyi felt extremely uncomfortable under the stares of these brutes, a chill running down the back of their necks.

How would these gourds be divided? Was this going to be the "Great Wilderness's First Gourd Distribution and Witch-Demon Friendly (?) Exchange Conference"?

Laozi, as the senior brother of the Mystic Gate and a future Saint, naturally took the lead. His voice was calm but carried an undeniable authority, "This Innate Gourd Vine is a Spiritual Root of Heaven and Earth, nurturing seven treasures, each with its own profound mystery, destined for those with affinity."

His gaze swept calmly over everyone, finally landing on the purple-gold gourd. "I see this Purple-Gold Gourd aligns with my Path of Alchemy, so I shall take it."

As soon as he spoke, the gourd, entirely purple-gold and imbued with a profound refining and containment ability, detached itself from the vine. It transformed into a stream of light and obediently flew into Laozi's sleeve. The process was smooth and seamless, with no one objecting, not even a cough. Laozi took it as his due, his aura overwhelming.

Seeing this, Yuanshi stepped forward, his expression reserved, exuding the unique nobility of Yuqing. "This Purple-White Gourd perfectly matches my Yuqing Dao Method." The purple-white gourd swayed and obediently flew towards him, swept into Yuanshi's sleeve. No one objected either, after all, Yuanshi's Origin and strength were unquestionable.

Tongtian, unable to wait any longer, laughed heartily, his voice like a booming bell. "My turn, my turn! I like the look of this Purple-Black Gourd, so it's mine! Hahaha!" The purple-black gourd "whooshed" out and landed in Tongtian's hand, which he fondled with great affection. Tongtian even provocatively glanced at Di Jun, Taiyi, and the duo from the West.

The Three Pure Ones acted, their movements fluid, instantly taking three gourds. Their demeanor as great beings was undeniable.

Four gourds remained on the vine, and the atmosphere at the scene became even more delicate.

Nuwa gracefully took a step, the Qi of Creation swirling around her. She said softly, "I wish to perform the Merit of Creation. This Purple-Green Gourd contains the ability to attract spirits, which will be useful to me." She pointed to the purple-green gourd (the nascent Monster Summoning Gourd). The gourd sensed her aura, trembled slightly, and then flew towards Nuwa, who received it with her delicate hand. Fuxi stood by, smiling and nodding, as always acting as his sister's guardian.

Next, Old Ancestor Hongyun, encouraged by Zhenyuanzi's gaze, scratched his head somewhat sheepishly and pointed to the crimson gourd. "This humble one... this humble one feels this gourd has a strong affinity with my heart..."

This was none other than the future renowned Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd! The gourd flashed red and flew into Hongyun's embrace. Hongyun hugged the gourd, grinning from ear to ear, feeling that this trip was truly worthwhile! Seeing this, Zhenyuanzi also breathed a sigh of relief, secretly strengthening the Earth Book's defenses, and warily glanced around, especially at Kunpeng and the duo from the West.

In the blink of an eye, five gourds had found their owners. Only the last two remained, both entirely purple-white, faintly showing the interweaving of Yin-Yang Energies and the power of Water and Fire (suspected to be the future Water-Fire Gourd/Immortal Slaying Flying Knife container).

All eyes, "swish," focused on these last two gourds! The air seemed to freeze.

Di Jun and Taiyi exchanged glances, seeing the determination in each other's eyes.

Taiyi took a step forward, holding the Chaos Bell, the True Sun Fire within him suppressed but emanating a scorching pressure. His gaze was sharp as a knife, piercing directly at the purple-yellow gourd. He said in a deep voice, "This gourd contains Innate Geng Metal Killing Qi, its sharpness unparalleled, perfectly aligning with the Supreme Yang and Supreme Hardness of my Sun Star. It is destined to be mine!"

Just as Taiyi's magic power was about to touch the purple-yellow gourd—

"Ouch! This shiny golden one really matches the color of your two mangy birds' feathers!" Ancestral Witch Gonggong cried out loudly, his voice booming, instantly shattering the tense atmosphere of spellcasting. "Take it back and hang it in your nest as a lamp! It'll save you from scaring people at night!"

Zhurong immediately chimed in, sparks flying. "Exactly! Hurry up and take it, then get back to the Sun Star to hatch your eggs! Don't be an eyesore here!" He even mimicked the cry of a Golden Crow, "Caw--! Does your egg hurt?"

Dijiang and the other Ancestral Witches simultaneously gave Taiyi the international gesture of friendship again, saying in unison, "(︶^︶)=凸! Mangy bird, take your chamber pot and get lost!"

"Pfft—" Chen Song, who was trying his best to remain inconspicuous, couldn't help but laugh out loud. He quickly covered his mouth, his shoulders shaking like a sieve. This group of lively Witches was simply Di Jun and Taiyi's exclusive mockery machine, not very damaging, but extremely insulting!

"Hmph!" Taiyi snorted coldly, increasing his magic power output, and simultaneously unleashed the Chaos Bell, forcibly suppressing the purple-yellow gourd and taking it into his possession.

Oh, well, I told you Taiyi was tsundere!

Only one remained, entirely chaos-colored, its aura profound, with a hint of unknown pressure.

Di Jun took a deep breath, his imperial aura surging. He stepped forward and announced loudly, "This treasure contains Yin-Yang Imperial Dao Qi, perfectly aligning with my Demon Race's ability to Rule the Heavens..." Before he could finish speaking.

"Alas! Suffering—!" A drawn-out sigh, mournful and piercing, like a demonic sound, forcefully interrupted Di Jun.

Zhunti stepped out with a look of great sorrow, beating his chest and stomping his feet, as if he had just lost a close relative.

"Think of my Western land, barren and desolate, with broken spiritual veins and ignorant beings. It is rare to see such a spiritual treasure containing the profound mystery of Yin-Yang harmony! This treasure perfectly aligns with my Western Teachings, to be used to Enlighten Stubborn Stones, Inspire Wisdom, and Deliver All Beings from the Sea of Suffering. It is truly the Will of Heaven! I implore Fellow Daoist Di Jun, and all fellow Daoists, for the sake of the billions of beings in the West, to grant this boon! My senior brother and I will be eternally grateful, and the beings of the West will forever remember your great virtue!"

Jieyin nodded in agreement beside him, his face filled with even greater sorrow, as if without this gourd, the West would immediately sink and all beings would perish.

Di Jun and Taiyi's faces instantly turned as black as the bottom of a pot. Taiyi's veins bulged on his forehead, and the Chaos Bell in his arms hummed ominously. These two from the West were utterly shameless! They used this trick every time!

Just as the situation became tense, on the verge of an all-out brawl—