Heavenly Dao Is Impartial

At that moment, the sixth gourd on the vine, radiating dazzling golden light, turned into a streak of light and landed steadily in Di Jun's palm.

Di Jun lowered his eyes to inspect it, the corners of his lips lifting slightly as he nodded in satisfaction.

The gazes of the other Innate Deities involuntarily shifted toward the withered vine and the final gourd upon it, still shrouded in chaotic haze and clearly not yet mature.

Seeing that the opportunity seemed to have run its course, the burning desire in everyone's hearts instantly cooled, and they all lost interest.

Thus, the six mature Innate Treasure Gourds each found their master!

Just as everyone let down their guard, a figure moved!

It was Qing Huan!

His body abruptly turned into an uncatchable streak of light. Ignoring the distance of space and the obstruction of laws, he took one step and crossed every interval, silently appearing before the dimly glowing Gourd Vine!

His movements flowed as naturally as clouds and water, carrying an almost unquestionable intent to "take."

Together with the entire Innate Gourd Vine rooted deep in the ground, it vanished into the universe within his sleeve in the blink of an eye!

The Nine Heavens Breathing Soil nurturing the Gourd Vine below was taken as well.

Everything happened in a flash!

By the time Di Jun, Tai Yi, Nuwa, the Three Pure Ones, and the other great powers reacted, only a conspicuous pit remained where it had been.

The dense innate spiritual essence in the air had not yet fully dispersed, as though silently recounting the sudden change that had just occurred.

I have Three Lights Divine Water, and even Zhongshu Earth, one of the ten great innate divine soils. Could I really fail to save this seventh gourd and the Innate Gourd Vine?

Besides, this was the greatest opportunity of this journey!

As for Karma? What a joke! Nuwa herself hesitated and failed to act. Who could she blame? Having transmigrated to the Primordial Wilderness, one ought to fight for opportunities!

Nuwa's delicate brows furrowed as an indescribable sense of loss surged into her heart for no reason.

She had clearly obtained a spiritual treasure, so why did she still feel as though some vital opportunity had been forcibly stripped away?

She subconsciously looked toward Qing Huan, her eyes carrying a trace of confusion and inquiry.

Primordial Heavenly Venerate stroked his long beard, his gaze upon Qing Huan full of incomprehension.

"Fellow Daoist Qing Huan, that final gourd was clearly unripe, and the vine had already withered, its vitality utterly severed. You took it away roots and all—could it be that you still intend to plant it and bring it back to life?"

He truly could not understand why Qing Huan, who possessed such profound fortune, extraordinary foundations, and flourishing luck, had not had a single spiritual treasure choose him willingly, only to end up with a withered vine and a useless gourd.

Qing Huan smiled indifferently, his expression carefree.

"Heh heh, Fellow Daoist Yuanshi, you are mistaken! Since this vine was able to bear seven gourds, six of which were all Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures.

Who is to say this withered vine cannot flourish again in spring and nurture the seventh gourd to maturity?

I will take it back and simply try my luck."

At this moment, he was certain in his heart: as long as the Gourd Vine could be revived, why worry that the seventh gourd would not be nurtured?

Besides... Taiqing Laozi's Purple-Gold Gourd would still need to be exchanged for with the Classic of the Way and Virtue.

As for Nuwa... if she wanted Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and Three Lights Divine Water to save the vine and create life later on.

Heh heh, she would have to trade her gourd for it, and promise to owe a tremendous Karma on top of that! Otherwise, there was no deal!

Wouldn't that make three gourds altogether? As for these people, they would not use gourds to sever their corpses...

After all, following the third lecture at Purple Cloud Palace, every spiritual treasure bestowed there would surpass the gourds...

Taiqing Laozi's gaze was deep as he casually swept it across Qing Huan's sleeve, then spoke calmly.

"Since Fellow Daoist Qing Huan has such intentions, then I wish you success.

My two brothers and I shall take our leave first."

As his words fell, the figures of the Three Pure Ones faded away, already vanishing from where they stood.

The other great powers, such as Di Jun, Tai Yi, Hong Yun, and Zhenyuanzi, saw that matters had come to this and likewise turned into streaks of light, departing one after another.

Nuwa turned to leave, but could not help looking back once more, giving Qing Huan a long, deep glance.

She always felt that the vital opportunity meant for her had been taken away by the figure before her...

Yet before so many Innate Deities, she ultimately could not bring herself to ask. With a trace of melancholy, she departed.

"Ah! Fellow Daoist Qing Huan, truly... what a pity! I feel it is not worth it for you!"

East Prince stepped forward, his face full of grief and indignation on Qing Huan's behalf, his tone brimming with regret.

Qing Huan sneered inwardly. How could he fail to see through East Prince's intentions?

He merely wished to use this chance to draw closer and recruit him into his so-called Head of Male Immortals faction in the Primordial Wilderness.

However... upon further thought, it was not impossible to play along with him for a while. After all, East Prince's Lesser Yang Essence Blood would be of great use to him.

"Oh?"

Qing Huan's brows drew together by just the right amount, feigning confusion.

"May I ask what Fellow Daoist East Prince means by this? What is there for me to regret?"

"Fellow Daoist, you are a guest personally granted a Purple Cloud Palace cushion by the Dao Ancestor.

You possess boundless Luck and ought to be matched with a Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure to be worthy of that position!

Yet now... now you have gained only a withered vine and an astringent gourd. Is that not regrettable? Is that not the Heavenly Dao being unjust?"

East Prince shook his head repeatedly, as though he were even more vexed than Qing Huan himself.

Upon hearing this, Qing Huan instead laughed freely and waved his hand.

"So this is what it is about. It seems Fellow Daoist East Prince is overly attached to it.

As they say, 'What I gain is my fortune; what I lose is my fate.'

The Heavenly Dao is impartial; all things are predetermined.

My obtaining this vine and gourd may be another kind of affinity. I do not find anything inappropriate about it."

Qing Huan's tone was calm, as though he truly did not care in the slightest.

"Haha, it seems I was the one who became attached. Fellow Daoist, your heart is broad indeed. I admire you!"

East Prince laughed, a gleam flashing through his eyes as he smoothly extended an invitation.

"Would Fellow Daoist Qing Huan be willing to honor me by visiting my Dao Field for a short rest, where we may drink tea, discuss the mysteries, and exchange views on the Dao?"

East Prince calculated inwardly.

This is someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Three Pure Ones! If I can recruit him under my banner, why should I worry that my great undertaking will not succeed?

A faint, almost imperceptible smile rested on Qing Huan's lips.

"Oh? Discuss the Dao at your Dao Field? Since Fellow Daoist has invited me so warmly, I shall not refuse."

East Prince possesses deep fortune. After the second lecture, he will find Penglai Immortal Island.

This is a perfect chance to investigate. If I can sense anything... even if I cannot snatch it first, I must still make him pay dearly!

Two streaks of escaping light tore through the sky, flying straight toward the southwestern coast of the Eastern Sea.

Before long, the outline of an ordinary-looking island, shrouded in misty purple qi, emerged amid the vast sea haze.

Looking at the magnificent Purple Mansion Continent before him, Qing Huan could not help feeling a trace of envy.

That East Prince truly ranks among the very best in fortune within the Primordial Wilderness.

Following East Prince through the island's protective formation, he stepped onto the island.

In an instant, dense Innate Spiritual Qi rushed toward him.

The mountains and rivers were beautiful, strange peaks layered in emerald green. Auspicious beasts frolicked in the forests, immortal birds soared among the clouds, and exotic flowers and precious grasses covered the land. It was truly a breathtaking scene of an immortal realm.

Halfway up the Main Peak stood a majestic, ancient palace, emanating an aura of utmost yang and pure harmony. On its plaque, Dao rhythms flowed around three archaic characters—Pure Yang Palace.