The Innate Gourd Vine is Born

At the mouth of the valley, every Great Power's gaze was instantly drawn over.

"It's actually this!" Excitement flashed through Tongtian Sect Master's eyes.

Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun's expressions shifted slightly as well.

Di Jun and Taiyi's breathing quickened by several degrees. This was a top-tier Innate Spiritual Root!

A strange brilliance flickered repeatedly in Nuwa's beautiful eyes.

Hong Yun Patriarch cried out directly, "Wow! What a treasure!"

Zhen Yuanzi was likewise full of amazement.

Wu Ming looked at the gourd vine, especially the vine itself, and understood inwardly.

"Fellow Daoist Friends, the opportunity lies before us. Let each rely on their own fate and affinity." Laozi spoke first, his voice calm as he stepped forward toward the gourd vine.

He raised a hand and pointed at the gourd emanating a faint purple aura.

The purple gourd gave a hum, detached from the vine, and fell into Laozi's hand.

Having obtained the gourd, Laozi nodded slightly and stepped aside, no longer sparing it another glance.

Yuanshi Tianzun followed close behind, his expression proud as his gaze locked onto an emerald-green gourd.

With a flick of his whisk, the green gourd flew into his sleeve.

Yuanshi obtained his treasure without changing expression, then stepped away as well.

Tongtian Sect Master laughed heartily and strode forward. "This green-skinned gourd is fated with me!"

He reached out and grabbed, and the azure gourd cheerfully jumped into his palm.

The Three Pure Ones each took a gourd, their movements clean and decisive.

Nuwa moved with graceful lotus steps beneath the gourd vine.

Her gaze shifted before finally settling upon a gourd glittering with dazzling golden light.

She lifted her jade-like hand, and the golden gourd drifted down into her possession.

After receiving the gourd, Nuwa gave the vine a slight bow and stepped aside as well.

At this moment, three gourds remained on the vine.

One red, one yellow, and one blue gourd that was clearly not yet fully ripe, its color somewhat dim.

Hong Yun Patriarch rubbed his hands together and happily stepped forward. "Hehe, my turn!"

At a glance, he took a liking to the red gourd. With a beckoning gesture, it flew into his hand.

"What a treasure! What a treasure!" Hong Yun was beside himself with joy.

Only the yellow and blue gourds remained.

Taiyi had long been unable to hold himself back. Seeing Hong Yun succeed, he immediately stepped forward, True Sun Fire faintly dancing around him.

Without hesitation, he grabbed for the yellow gourd.

As the gourd landed in his hand, a heavy, blazing aura washed over him. Taiyi nodded in satisfaction and put it away.

In the blink of an eye, the six mature gourds had each found an owner.

Everyone's gazes involuntarily fell upon the sole remaining gourd on the vine, as well as the gourd vine itself.

It was a blue gourd, a full size smaller than the other six, its color somewhat dull. Clearly, it had not yet fully matured.

As for the Innate Gourd Vine itself, after the gourds had fallen away, much of its spiritual radiance had drawn inward. Yet it remained a top-tier Innate Spiritual Root.

Just as everyone harbored different thoughts, Wu Ming moved.

Wu Ming's expression remained calm as he slowly walked up to the gourd vine.

"Since all of you Daoist Friends have already taken the gourds fated to you," Wu Ming said, raising his head to look at the crowd, his voice even, "then this unripe blue gourd, along with the gourd vine itself, shall be taken by my Wu Clan. You have no objections, I trust?"

The question was polite, but the meaning was plain: you had all taken the good ones, so I would take this misshapen leftover, vine and all.

Laozi closed his eyes and said nothing, tacitly agreeing.

Yuanshi Tianzun glanced at the blue gourd, then at Wu Ming, before turning his head away.

Clearly, the unripe gourd and the vine were beneath his notice.

Tongtian Sect Master played with the azure gourd in his hand and smiled. "Daoist Friend Wu Ming, take them as you please. We have already obtained our opportunities. All is well."

Nuwa looked at Wu Ming, then at the gourd vine. Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, as though she felt something was amiss. But she had already received the golden gourd, so it was inconvenient for her to say anything further. She could only nod faintly.

Hong Yun, ever carefree, laughed. "Yes, yes, yes! Daoist Friend Wu Ming, take it without concern! Perhaps this gourd vine will bloom into a second spring in your hands!"

Zhen Yuanzi stood to one side and naturally supported Wu Ming.

He reached out, preparing to take the blue gourd and the entire Innate Gourd Vine away together.

Just as the matter was about to be settled, Taiyi could no longer hold back and jumped out.

"Wait!" He glared at Wu Ming. "What makes it yours? This gourd vine is an Innate Spiritual Root. Even if this last gourd isn't ripe, the vine itself is still a supreme treasure! You think you can simply claim it because you say so?"

Wu Ming turned to Taiyi, his face expressionless.

"Oh? Then in Daoist Friend Taiyi's view, what should be done?"

"This..." Taiyi was stumped.

To be honest, he had little interest in the blue gourd or the vine itself. He simply did not want the Wu Clan—did not want Wu Ming—to gain any benefit.

Di Jun frowned at the side, inwardly sensing trouble.

Taiyi's temper was flaring up again.

Wu Ming looked at Taiyi, the corners of his lips curving slightly. It seemed as though he smiled, yet perhaps he had not.

"Since Daoist Friend Taiyi finds it inappropriate, that is easily resolved."

Wu Ming pointed at the yellow gourd in Taiyi's hand.

"How about this? Daoist Friend Taiyi gives me the yellow gourd in your hand, and this blue gourd and the gourd vine will be yours. What do you say?"

"You!" Taiyi choked with rage.

Trade the mature Innate gourd already in his possession for an unripe broken gourd and a vine?

Did Wu Ming take him for a fool?

The yellow gourd felt warm and smooth in his hand, its treasure light restrained within. One glance was enough to tell it was no ordinary item—how could he possibly bear to exchange it?

"Keep dreaming!" Taiyi snapped.

"Since Daoist Friend is unwilling to trade," Wu Ming spread his hands, his tone as calm as ever, "then that means Daoist Friend also believes that this blue gourd and gourd vine are worth less than the yellow gourd in your hand."

"Then if I take these comparatively less valuable items, what is improper about that?"

"I..." Taiyi was left speechless.

The logic seemed flawless, yet he still felt utterly stifled inside!

This Wu Ming was far too sharp-tongued!

Di Jun sighed inwardly, stepped forward, and tugged Taiyi back.

Then he looked at Wu Ming. "Daoist Friend Wu Ming speaks reasonably. Since this vine and gourd have no affinity with us, Daoist Friend may take them."

Di Jun knew very well that this was not the time to clash with the Wu Clan.

It was not worth falling out with Wu Ming here over an unripe gourd and a vine whose value was still unclear.

Besides, the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa had already tacitly agreed. If he insisted on stepping forward, it would only make the Demon Race seem domineering and unreasonable, costing them their dignity.

Though Taiyi remained unwilling, Di Jun had spoken. He could only glare resentfully at Wu Ming and say no more.

Wu Ming paid the others no further mind. Turning around, he gently waved a hand at the Innate Gourd Vine.

The blue gourd and the entire gourd vine, roots and all, were enveloped in his mana. They slowly shrank, finally vanishing into his palm.

Thus, the Innate Gourd Vine and the seven Innate gourds were settled like dust, each finding its owner.

The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances, nodded faintly, and turned into streaks of light as they departed.

Nuwa also nodded to the others before drifting away.

Di Jun and Taiyi looked at each other, snorted coldly, and returned to the Heavenly Court.

After everyone had left.

Hong Yun walked over to Wu Ming and patted him on the shoulder. "Congratulations, Daoist Friend!"

Wu Ming nodded slightly. "Thank you, Daoist Friend, for sending word earlier."

Zhen Yuanzi also stepped forward. "With matters here concluded, Daoist Friend Hong Yun and I should take our leave as well."

"Take care, you two Daoist Friends." Wu Ming cupped his hands.

Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi likewise turned into streaks of light and departed.

In the blink of an eye, the once-lively valley was left with Wu Ming alone.

Wu Ming did not linger. His figure flashed, becoming a streak of light as he flew toward Buzhou Mountain.