The Gourd Vine's Gourd

Not long after the White Lotus Daoist departed, Nuwa and Fuxi arrived at Li Peng's secluded cultivation spot.

Li Peng was puzzled by their sudden visit. They had just broken through to the early Quasi-Saint stage and should be in seclusion consolidating their cultivation. Why had they come here so abruptly? Could it be something important?

Seeing the doubt on Li Peng's face, Nuwa explained, "I was in seclusion stabilizing my cultivation when I suddenly felt uneasy, as if something deeply connected to me was about to appear."

Upon hearing this, Li Peng understood that Nuwa's destined opportunity was calling her.

"Where is this opportunity you sense?" Li Peng asked.

"Buzhou Mountain," Nuwa replied.

"Buzhou Mountain? The second lecture at Purple Heaven Palace just concluded. What could be related to Nuwa at Buzhou Mountain? Could it be the Seven-Colored Gourd Vine? It must be! That Seven-Colored Gourd Vine and the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil beneath it are indispensable for Nuwa to create humans. Without these two, how could Nuwa create humans and become a Saint? And without the Human Race, which race would be the protagonist of the Primordial Era in the future?"

Thinking of this, Li Peng could no longer sit still. If, because he invited Nuwa to Penglai Island, she missed the Seven-Colored Gourd Vine and the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, leading to her failure in creating humans, wouldn't he become a sinner of the Human Race? Although he believed the Heavenly Dao and Dao Ancestor Hongjun would make arrangements, who knew when that would be.

Li Peng stepped forward, directly taking Nuwa's hand, and said, "Let's go!"

Before his words had even fallen, he had already used his Golden Light of Vertical Ascent, and the two instantly vanished from their spot.

Fuxi stood frozen in place, his face full of bewilderment.

"What's going on?"

"Why am I the only one left?"

"Where did they go?"

A series of questions flooded Fuxi's mind.

Nuwa looked down at Li Peng's clasped hand, a wave of sweetness washing over her heart.

Especially seeing how anxious he was for her sake, she felt even warmer.

Li Peng drove himself at full power, his late-stage Quasi-Saint body traveling at astonishing speed.

In just thirty years, he had brought Nuwa to the place where she sensed her opportunity.

The Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, Tai Yi, Zhen Yuanzi, Hong Yun, Zhunti, Jieyin, East King Duke, and other great beings were gathered around a gourd vine bearing seven gourds.

Seeing Li Peng and Nuwa arrive, the crowd cast wary glances their way.

Li Peng paid them no mind, calmly leading Nuwa to the Seven-Colored Gourd Vine.

Their appearance undoubtedly reduced the other great beings' chances of obtaining the treasure by another fraction.

But no one spoke out to stop them—in the Primordial Era, it had always been the law of the jungle, where the strong reigned supreme.

The seven gourds on the vine were distinct: purple-gold, purplish-red, purplish-white, purplish-green, purplish-yellow, purplish-blue, and purplish-black. Only the last one was slightly smaller and not as full as the first six.

As Li Peng observed intently, the System's voice sounded again:

"Ding! Detected the host's current situation, please make a choice!"

"Choice One: Assist Nuwa in obtaining one gourd, and take the gourd vine and Nine Heavens Breathing Soil. Reward: Nuwa's favorability increased."

"Choice Two: Seize one gourd each for Nuwa and yourself, and take the gourd vine and Nine Heavens Breathing Soil. Reward: High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, Nine-Rank Creation Green Lotus."

"Choice Three: All that is seen belongs to me! Host, please take all seven gourds, the gourd vine, and the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil. Reward: Twelve-Grade World-Destroying Black Lotus, Yin-Yang Law increased by twenty percent."

"Please choose quickly!"

Li Peng's heart trembled, "System, you're trying to stir up trouble!"

After venting, Li Peng calmed himself and carefully weighed his options.

He first ruled out the first option; the reward was truly unimpressive.

The reward for the second option was merely the High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, the Nine-Rank Creation Green Lotus, yet it required contending with a host of Innate great beings.

Although the reward for the third option was generous, the number of people he would offend was too great!

Just as his mind was in turmoil, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth suddenly vibrated.

Rumble—

The first purple-gold gourd seemed to have absorbed enough Innate spiritual energy and primordial essence to mature. It was on the verge of detaching from the gourd vine.

Instantly, everyone's gaze focused on the purple-gold gourd, their eyes filled with eagerness.

Li Peng looked at the gourd and thought to himself, "It's a fight no matter what. Offending them for one gourd is the same as offending them for two. Why not take them all!"

"As long as my strength is sufficient, these people won't dare to touch me; they'll even show me respect. If my strength is lacking, even if I act subserviently, they'll still step all over me."

With that thought, Li Peng said to the System, "System, I choose the third option!"

As soon as he said this, his heart became remarkably clear.

"Crack"

With a crisp crack, the Purple Gold Gourd detached from the vine, erupting in ten thousand rays of golden light.

All the great cultivators present stared intently at the Purple Gold Gourd.

Judging from the aura emanating from the gourd, it was actually a Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure.

Hongjun had not yet distributed treasures, so all the Innate Great Cultivators were not well-off. Even the Three Pure Ones did not have many Innate Spirit Treasures they could readily produce.

Furthermore, Dao Ancestor Hongjun had just imparted the method of Slaying Three Corpses, making everyone even more eager for these seven gourds.

The next moment, the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, Tai Yi, Zhen Yuanzi, Hong Yun, Zhunti, Jieyin, East King Duke, and other Innate Great Cultivators attacked simultaneously, rushing towards the Purple Gold Gourd.

Laozi, holding the White Jade Flat Crutch and with the Heaven and Earth Golden Yellow Exquisite Pagoda hovering above his head, blocked all attacks from all directions.

Yuanshi and Tongtian blocked Di Jun and Tai Yi for him.

After all, these two held the River Diagram and the Luo Book, as well as the Chaos Bell, making them the most threatening existences among the cultivators present.

On the other side, Laozi, under the assault of Zhunti, Jieyin, and East King Duke, three early-stage Quasi-Saints, flew directly towards the Purple Gold Gourd, ignoring their attacks.

Despite the three attacking with all their might, they could not break through the defense of the Heaven and Earth Golden Yellow Exquisite Pagoda and could only watch helplessly as Laozi advanced.

Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun had no intention of competing and merely observed from the side.

Seeing that the Purple Gold Gourd was about to fall into Laozi's hands, Li Peng no longer hesitated and flew directly towards the gourd.

Laozi's expression darkened when he saw Li Peng suddenly charge forward. He had not expected anyone to interfere at such a critical moment.

Zhunti, Jieyin, and East King Duke were secretly delighted, thinking that Li Peng would join forces with them to deal with Laozi.

To their surprise, Li Peng ignored them and flew directly past Laozi, lunging for the Purple Gold Gourd.

The three couldn't help but curse inwardly, thinking Li Peng's actions foolish and that he was walking into a trap.

Laozi, Zhunti, Jieyin, and East King Duke attacked simultaneously, waves of attacks striking Li Peng.

Li Peng calmly summoned the Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda and suspended it above his head. Empowered by his late-stage Quasi-Saint physical cultivation, the pagoda's defense was nearly invincible, unbreakable by anyone short of a Saint.

With several booming sounds, all the immortals' attacks landed on the pagoda but failed to shake it in the slightest.

Li Peng used the force of the impact to surge forward, and in the blink of an eye, he had the Purple Gold Gourd in his hand.

Seeing that the treasure was lost, all the immortals stopped their attacks.

Nuwa was delighted to see Li Peng obtain the treasure.

Li Peng surveyed the crowd, smiled, and cupped his hands: "I have won."

The immortals remained silent, their gazes returning to the gourd vine.

Li Peng, seeing that the great cultivators were ignoring him, did not get angry. He simply smiled and walked back to Nuwa's side.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, five hundred years passed. The second purplish-red gourd finally showed signs of detaching.

Instantly, all the great cultivators refocused, their gazes fixed on the purplish-red gourd.

Li Peng remembered that this gourd was called the Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd, and it was originally obtained by the good-natured Hong Yun in the Primordial Era.

However, since he had already decided to collect all the gourds, he could only offer an apology to Hong Yun in his heart.

Not long after, the purplish-red gourd fully matured.

With a "crack," the gourd detached from the vine, instantly blooming with ten thousand rays of red light.

Seeing the gourd fall, Li Peng did not hesitate. He flew up with the Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda hovering above him.

At this moment, the Three Pure Ones, Zhunti, Jieyin, Di Jun, Tai Yi, East King Duke, and other great cultivators all fixed their gazes on Li Peng.

He had already obtained one treasure and was now trying to snatch another; he was simply too greedy.

In an instant, the great cultivators blocked his path. Only Zhen Yuanzi and Hong Yun remained watching from afar, with no intention of intervening.

Seeing everyone step forward to block him, East King Duke impatiently jumped out and sternly shouted: "Li Peng, you have already obtained one gourd. Do not interfere in the treasure hunt again, or we will join forces and annihilate your soul!"

Li Peng sneered upon hearing this: "Just you? Try me if you dare!"

East King Duke's face turned red with anger, but ultimately, he did not dare to step forward. He had already experienced Li Peng's power.

Di Jun, Tai Yi, Zhunti, Jieyin, and the Three Pure Ones, seeing his predicament, all felt a sense of satisfaction. They had long been displeased with East King Duke's arrogance, as he was personally appointed Head of Male Immortals by Hongjun, placing him above everyone else. Seeing him embarrassed now was naturally a welcome sight.

However, now was not the time for petty grievances. If Li Peng managed to snatch another treasure, they would regret it too late.

Zhunti stepped forward and said: "Fellow Daoist Li Peng, if we join forces, you will be no match for us. It would be best if you retreated."

Jieyin echoed: "Indeed, please retreat, Fellow Daoist."

Li Peng sneered: "You two are guests from the West. What right do you have to claim treasures from my East? Why don't you return to the West!"

The Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, Tai Yi, East King Duke, and other Innate Great Cultivators heard Li Peng's words and their eyes lit up.

There were only six gourds left. If they could force Zhunti and Jieyin to leave, their chances of obtaining treasures would naturally increase.

Zhunti and Jieyin, seeing the unfriendly gazes of the crowd, quickly retorted: "Among the beings of the Primordial Era, what distinction is there between East and West?"

But no one was willing to listen to their explanations. Their very existence encroached upon the interests of the other great cultivators.

Therefore, no matter how reasonable their arguments were, they were useless.

Laozi said calmly: "Fellow Daoist Li Peng speaks the truth. Since you two are from the West, you have no fate with our Eastern treasures. Please return to the West!"

"Indeed! Return to the West!"

"Return to the West!"

"Return to the West!"

Primordial powerhouses like Yuanshi, Tongtian, Di Jun, Tai Yi, and East King Duke echoed their agreement.

Zhunti and Jieyin's faces turned extremely grim as they saw the Eastern powerhouses united against them.

However, with inferior strength, they could only cast a reluctant glance at those Top-Grade Innate Spirit Treasures, the gourds, before turning to glare fiercely at Li Peng. If looks could kill, Li Peng would have long since been reduced to soul dust.

Li Peng merely smiled faintly at their gazes, unconcerned.

Although he knew Zhunti and Jieyin would become Saints in the future, their current cultivation was far inferior to his, so he naturally wasn't afraid.

Even when they became Saints in the future, Li Peng was confident he could crush them.

With the System on his side, if he couldn't even defeat these two traitors, he might as well find a tofu and smash himself to death.

Seeing Li Peng's nonchalance, Zhunti and Jieyin grew even more indignant. Yet, they had no choice but to leave, lest they face the combined assault of the Eastern powerhouses.

The two could only leave in anger.

When the other powerhouses saw Zhunti and Jieyin depart, they turned their attention back to Li Peng.

East King Duke stepped forward a few paces and said, "Fellow Daoist Li Peng, please stop! If you stop now, we can still be friends."

"Who is friends with you? I had no idea," Li Peng retorted dismissively.

Li Peng's merciless words turned East King Duke's face ashen.

The Three Pure Ones and other powerhouses nearby also sensed that Li Peng was still unwilling to give up on those gourds.

"It seems Fellow Daoist Li Peng has no intention of giving up these gourds. How many do you want?" Laozi asked, stepping forward.

This question was loaded with ulterior motives.

No matter how many gourds Li Peng answered that he wanted, he would become the target of everyone's ire, unless he voluntarily gave up on competing for the remaining ones.

But was that possible?

Clearly not!

Li Peng declared grandly, "In the Primordial Era, strength reigns supreme. Those with strength possess everything! Now that my strength surpasses yours, these gourds—I want them all!"

The primordial powerhouses, including the Three Pure Ones, Di Jun, Tai Yi, East King Duke, Zhen Yuanzi, and Hong Yun, heard this and all felt Li Peng was too arrogant and condescending.

Only Nuwa looked at Li Peng with admiration, almost becoming his follower.

"Well said, 'strength reigns supreme'! I'd like to see if you have the ability to back that up!" Tai Yi roared.

Before his voice faded, Tai Yi's magic power surged within him, pouring boundless strength into the Chaos Bell.

"Dong—"

The bell's chime reverberated through Buzhou Mountain, and the Chaos Bell unleashed its vast might.

Li Peng simply chuckled, "A High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure indeed has astonishing power. It's a pity it's in your hands; it's practically tarnished."

Tai Yi's fury intensified upon hearing this.

"Die!" he roared, and the Chaos Bell, carrying immense force, smashed directly towards Li Peng.

Li Peng laughed heartily, "Excellent!"

His aura surged, instantly reaching the late Quasi-Saint stage.

Simultaneously, the Chaos Yin-Yang Pagoda above his head erupted with black and white light, its immense pressure sweeping across all directions.

The powerhouses present felt Li Peng's aura and the pagoda's oppressive might, and were all shocked. Even the speed of the Chaos Bell's attack slowed slightly.

"This... this is late Quasi-Saint! That pagoda-shaped magical treasure is actually a High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure! How is this possible!" East King Duke exclaimed in disbelief.

He never imagined Li Peng could be this powerful.