Innate Gourd Vine's Birth

At the valley entrance, the gazes of all the mighty figures were instantly drawn.

"It's actually this thing!" Tongtian's eyes flashed with excitement.

Taiqing and Yuanshi also had their expressions shift slightly.

Di Jun and Taiyi's breathing quickened by a few degrees—this was a top-grade Innate Spiritual Root!

Nuwa's beautiful eyes shimmered with varied brilliance.

Hongyun even blurted out loud: "Wow! What a treasure!"

Zhen Yuanzi's face was also full of awe.

Wu Ming looked at the gourd vine, especially the vine itself, and understood in his heart.

"Fellow Daoists, the Opportunity lies before us. Let each take according to their fate." Laozi spoke first, his voice calm, and with a single step, he walked toward the gourd vine.

He reached out and pointed at the gourd emitting a faint purple aura.

The Purple Gourd hummed once, broke free from the vine, and fell into Taiqing's hand.

Taiqing received the gourd, nodded slightly, stepped aside, and did not look again.

Yuanshi followed closely, his expression arrogant, his gaze locked onto an emerald-green gourd.

He waved his hand, and the green gourd flew into his sleeve.

Yuanshi obtained the treasure, his face expressionless, and also withdrew.

Tongtian laughed heartily and strode forward: "This Cyan Gourd has a connection with me!"

He reached out and grabbed, and the Cyan Gourd cheerfully leaped into his palm.

The Three Pure Ones each took one gourd, their movements crisp and decisive.

Nuwa moved with lotus-like steps and arrived beneath the gourd vine.

Her gaze wandered, finally settling on a gourd shining with dazzling golden light.

Her jade hand lifted gently, and the Golden Gourd floated down, collected by her.

Nuwa obtained the gourd, gave a slight bow to the vine, and also retreated to the side.

At this moment, three gourds remained on the vine.

A Red Gourd, a Yellow Gourd, and one that was clearly not yet fully mature, its color somewhat dim—a Blue Gourd.

Patriarch Hongyun rubbed his hands together and cheerfully stepped forward: "Hehe, my turn!"

He took a liking to the Red Gourd at first glance, reached out, and the gourd came into his hand.

"Good treasure! Good treasure!" Hongyun was overjoyed.

Only the Yellow and Blue gourds remained.

Taiyi had long been unable to hold back. Seeing Hongyun succeed, he immediately stepped forward, Solar True Fire flickering faintly around him.

He unhesitatingly grabbed for the Yellow Gourd.

As the gourd entered his hand, a thick, scorching aura came through. Taiyi nodded in satisfaction and stored it away.

In the blink of an eye, the six mature gourds each had their owners.

Everyone's gaze involuntarily fell on the only remaining gourd on the vine, and the gourd vine itself.

It was a Blue Gourd, a size smaller than the other six, its color also somewhat dim—clearly not yet fully mature.

As for the Innate Gourd Vine itself, after the gourds had detached, its spiritual light had also receded considerably, but it was still a top-grade Innate Spiritual Root.

Just as everyone's thoughts were turning in different directions, Wu Ming moved.

Wu Ming's expression was calm as he walked slowly to the front of the gourd vine.

"Since all fellow Daoists have already taken the gourds connected to their fate," Wu Ming raised his head, looking at the crowd, his voice steady, "then this unripe Blue Gourd, along with the gourd vine itself, shall be collected by my Witch Clan. Does anyone have any objections?"

The question was polite, but the meaning was clear: you all took the good ones; this leftover runt, vine and all, I'm taking.

Taiqing closed his eyes and said nothing, which was taken as tacit consent.

Yuanshi glanced at the Blue Gourd, then at Wu Ming, and turned his head away.

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

Tongtian toyed with the Cyan Gourd in his hand and laughed: "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, take it as you please. We have already obtained our Opportunities, and it is well."

Nuwa looked at Wu Ming, then at the gourd vine, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, as if she felt something was off, but she had already obtained the Golden Gourd and could say nothing more now, so she could only nod slightly.

Hongyun, carefree as ever, laughed: "Right, right, right! Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, take it by all means! This gourd vine, following you, might even bloom a second spring!"

Zhen Yuanzi stood to the side, naturally supporting Wu Ming.

He reached out, preparing to take both the Blue Gourd and the entire Innate Gourd Vine.

Just as things seemed settled, Taiyi couldn't hold back and jumped out.

"Wait!" He glared at Wu Ming. "Why does it go to you? This gourd vine is an Innate Spiritual Root! Even if this last gourd isn't ripe, the vine itself is a supreme treasure! You say you want it, and that's it?"

Wu Ming turned his head to look at Taiyi, his face devoid of any expression.

"Oh? Then what does Fellow Daoist Taiyi suggest we do?"

"This..." Taiyi was stumped.

To be honest, he had little interest in the Blue Gourd and the vine itself. He simply didn't want the Witch Clan—didn't want Wu Ming—to gain any benefit.

Di Jun frowned beside him, sensing trouble.

Taiyi's temper was flaring up again.

Wu Ming looked at Taiyi, the corner of his mouth lifting into a faint curve—whether it was a smile or not, hard to tell.

"Since Fellow Daoist Taiyi finds it improper, that's easy to resolve."

Wu Ming pointed at the Yellow Gourd in Taiyi's hand.

"How about this: you give me that Yellow Gourd in your hand, and this Blue Gourd along with the vine will be yours. What do you say?"

"You!" Taiyi was instantly choked with rage.

Trade a ripe, mature innate gourd he already held for an unripe broken gourd and a vine?

Was Wu Ming taking him for a fool?

The Yellow Gourd felt warm and smooth in his hand, its treasure light subdued—clearly no ordinary item. How could he bear to swap it?

"Dream on!" Taiyi fumed.

"Since you're unwilling to trade," Wu Ming spread his hands, his tone still flat, "that means you also believe the Blue Gourd and the vine are worth less than the Yellow Gourd in your hand."

"So then, what's wrong with me taking the lesser-valued item?"

"I..." Taiyi was left speechless.

Logically, it made sense, but he still felt stifled!

This Wu Ming had a silver tongue!

Di Jun sighed quietly, stepped forward, and tugged at Taiyi.

Then he looked at Wu Ming. "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming speaks reasonably. Since this vine and gourd are not fated for us, you may take them."

Di Jun knew well that now was not the time for conflict with the Witch Clan.

To fall out with Wu Ming over an unripe gourd and a vine of uncertain value wasn't worth it.

Besides, the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa had already acquiesced. If he forced the issue, it would only make the Demon Race seem domineering and unreasonable, losing face.

Though Taiyi was reluctant, with Di Jun having spoken, he could only glare bitterly at Wu Ming and stay silent.

Wu Ming paid the others no further heed. He turned and lightly waved a hand at the Innate Gourd Vine.

The Blue Gourd and the entire vine, roots and soil included, were wrapped in his Magic Power, slowly shrinking until they vanished into his palm.

And so, the Innate Gourd Vine and its seven innate gourds found their final owners.

The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances, nodded slightly, and departed as streaks of light.

Nuwa also nodded to the group and drifted away.

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

After the others had left.

Hongyun walked over to Wu Ming and patted his shoulder. "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist!"

Wu Ming nodded slightly. "Thank you for the earlier message, Fellow Daoist."

Zhen Yuanzi also stepped forward. "This matter is settled. Hongyun and I should take our leave."

"Go safely, both of you." Wu Ming clasped his hands.

Hongyun and Zhen Yuanzi transformed into streaks of light and departed.

In an instant, the once-bustling valley was left with only Wu Ming.

Wu Ming lingered no longer. With a flicker of movement, he turned into a streak of light and flew toward Buzhou Mountain.