"Since this item is a treasure of the Witch Clan, its distribution should naturally be decided by us Ancestral Witches! We guarantee that we'll share it with everyone. Our Witch Clan absolutely won't keep this spiritual root."
Dijiang spoke firmly.
"Good!"
"Agreed!"
"No problem!"
Hearing Dijiang's condition, everyone beamed with satisfaction.
Since the Witch Clan didn't want the Innate Gourd Vine, the treasures would naturally fall into their hands.
The Three Pure Ones secretly calculated how many gourds they might get.
Spiritual light flickered in Nuwa's eyes.
Jieyin and Zhunti, meanwhile, wore greedy expressions.
There were seven gourds on the vine, and they felt they should get at least three.
"There's me too! I agree as well! I arrived here earlier than all of you!"
Just then, a voice rang out, and Demon Emperor Dijun suddenly appeared.
Earlier, he had temporarily withdrawn because he feared being surrounded by the Twelve Ancestral Witches.
But he was unwilling to give up and had been lingering nearby.
Now that he saw a chance to reclaim the Innate Gourd, how could he miss it? He immediately revealed himself.
The moment Dijun appeared, the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti all darkened.
Seven gourds had already been insufficient, and now there was one more person.
However, unwilling to create more trouble, they could only endure it for the moment.
The seven small gourds on the Innate Gourd Vine would mature in half an hour.
Everyone was growing impatient.
Yet Hong Yun spoke again.
"Since everyone agrees, to prevent accidents, why don't we swear by our Dao Hearts to acknowledge this method of distribution?"
Hong Yun looked at everyone and spoke solemnly.
At this, everyone was slightly stunned.
But after thinking it over, they felt he had a point.
After all, the number of gourds was limited, so someone was bound to receive nothing.
If anyone went back on their word afterward, wouldn't that only cause trouble?
Besides, the authority to distribute them lay with the Witch Clan's Ancestral Witches. Hong Yun's suggestion was perfectly reasonable.
Thus, the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti all swore their oaths.
"We swear by our Dao Hearts that this Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Root shall be distributed according to the wishes of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, with no objections. Should we violate this oath, our Dao Hearts shall be stained, and we shall never have hope of attaining the Dao."
Oaths rang out one after another.
Seeing this, Hong Yun nodded in satisfaction.
In the Great Desolation, swearing by one's Dao Heart meant being bound by the Heavenly Dao.
No one dared to violate such an oath lightly.
Otherwise, they would suffer the Heavenly Dao's punishment, become entangled in karma, and lose all hope of attaining the Dao.
However, one person had yet to swear.
That person was Dijun.
Dijun's expression was somewhat strange.
He looked at Hong Yun, then glanced at the Twelve Ancestral Witches.
He felt that something was wrong, but couldn't put his finger on it.
He had old grievances with the Twelve Ancestral Witches. If he swore the oath, this Innate Gourd would likely have nothing to do with him.
Moreover, after being tricked by Hong Yun last time, he felt that the latter's reputation as a good-natured man was suspicious.
Seeing that Dijun remained motionless, the others grew displeased.
"Dijun, if you're unwilling to swear, leave now. Don't delay us from dividing the treasures!"
Jieyin spoke first.
The crowd already felt cramped; the fewer people, the better.
"Dijun, either swear or get lost. Otherwise, don't blame us for being rude!"
Zhunti immediately followed with a shout.
Taishang, Yuanshi, and Tongtian also cast cold looks at Dijun.
The spiritual treasures in their hands hovered, as if they were ready to attack.
Nuwa remained silent.
Though she was also part of the Demon Clan, she had no favorable impression of Dijun.
Now that this concerned whether she could receive a treasure, she naturally hoped to have one fewer competitor.
"Fine, I swear!"
Seeing that the situation was turning against him, Dijun hurriedly swore without further thought.
"I, Dijun, swear by my Dao Heart that this Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Root shall be distributed according to the wishes of the Twelve Ancestral Witches. Should I regret this oath, my Dao Heart shall be stained, and I shall never attain the Dao."
Once Dijun's oath was complete, everyone's expressions relaxed, and they all looked toward the Innate Spiritual Root.
They quietly waited for it to mature.
Half an hour later, the Innate Gourd Vine finally ripened.
Seven gourds of different colors radiated dense spiritual energy.
Their manifestations were extraordinary.
Even unrefined, the gourds were comparable to High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures.
With proper refinement, advancing into Supreme Grade Spiritual Treasures would not be difficult.
However, no one hurried forward to pick them.
The Twelve Ancestral Witches had already surrounded the spiritual root.
Moreover, since they had sworn their oaths, they could only wait for the distribution.
Dijiang stepped forward and uprooted the Innate Gourd Vine.
A large amount of divine soil clung beneath the vine. It was Nine Heavens Breathing Soil.
"As expected of a supreme treasure—even the soil clinging to its roots is precious!"
"This Supreme Grade Innate Spiritual Root must rank among the top five of the many spiritual roots in the Great Desolation!"
"Hurry up and divide them! I absolutely have to get one!"
Everyone whispered excitedly.
Dijiang tore off the seven gourds in one motion, pulling the vine into his palm as well.
He shouted, "Everyone, according to the rules, I'll now begin distributing these treasures!"
Everyone present held their breath, their eyes locked onto the gourds in Dijiang's hands like children in kindergarten eagerly waiting for candy.
Dijiang slowly pulled out the Crimson Gourd. As he spoke, his gaze swept across everyone's faces.
The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Jieyin, and Zhunti all had their eyes shining, wishing they could pounce on it at once.
Taishang Laojun muttered inwardly, This first gourd will most likely be mine. After all, I'm the leader of the Three Pure Ones, and the Three Pure Ones and the Ancestral Witches both descend from Pangu's lineage!
At that moment, he had no thought of arguing with the Twelve Ancestral Witches over who was orthodox. His mind was filled only with getting the Innate Gourd as soon as possible.
Yuanshi and Tongtian's hearts raced with anticipation as they silently muttered, Could it be mine?
Nuwa calculated inwardly, Though I belong to the Demon Clan, I've never fallen out with the Witch Clan. If these Ancestral Witches have any conscience, they should give the first one to me!
Jieyin and Zhunti secretly prayed, Give it to me! Dijiang, as long as you grant me this gourd, the Western Lands will protect your Witch Clan from now on!
Demon Emperor Dijun's thoughts churned. Give it to me? That probably won't happen. But what if the Witch Clan wants to reconcile with my Demon Clan? Hmph. Even if you give it to me, I still won't let you off!
He knew Dijiang was unlikely to distribute one to him, but he still held on to a sliver of hope.
But Dijiang's gaze shifted and finally settled on Hong Yun.
He announced loudly, "This first gourd goes to Fellow Daoist Hong Yun!"
With that, he stuffed the Crimson Gourd into Hong Yun's hands.
Although everyone was somewhat disappointed by the result, they did not take it too seriously.
After all, Hong Yun had proposed distributing the gourds. Giving him the first one was still reasonable.
Besides, there were six more gourds, along with that impressive-looking Gourd Vine.
Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance and quietly began making plans.
Now that the item was in Hong Yun's hands, they were not worried in the slightest. Once the distribution ended, they could simply seize it.
Hong Yun was such an honest man. Wasn't giving it to him equivalent to giving it to them?
The two exchanged looks, smiles curling simultaneously at the corners of their mouths.
Dijiang did not immediately move on to the remaining gourds. Instead, he pulled out the Gourd Vine and prepared to continue distributing.
The vine bore Nine Heavens Breathing Soil, and its value was no less than that of an Innate Gourd.
A glimmer of insight flashed through Nuwa's eyes when she saw this.
She felt that this Gourd Vine had an enormous destiny with her.
She secretly resolved, This time, it must be mine!
Taishang Laojun muttered privately, Although this Gourd Vine is inferior to the Innate Gourds, it's still a fine treasure. If it's given to me, I'll take it for now!
But deep down, he still wanted an Innate Gourd more.
If he took the vine, he would probably have no chance at the gourds later.
After all, there were many people and few treasures. There wouldn't be enough to go around.
Yuanshi thought, This vine would be perfect for refining into a whip. It could help discipline my unruly disciples!
Dijun silently prayed, Give it to me. Add a gourd, and I won't cause trouble for your Witch Clan anymore!
His eyes remained fixed on the Gourd Vine, and he could not bear to blink.
He knew clearly that the Ancestral Witches probably would not leave anything for him this time.
Taking a step back, obtaining the Gourd Vine would be acceptable.
As for getting an Innate Gourd as well, he knew that was wishful thinking. Still, thinking about it gave him an excuse to keep provoking the Witch Clan.
Jieyin and Zhunti were equally envious.
The Gourd Vine was a treasure, and with the Nine Heavens Breathing Soil on it, it was practically made for the Western Lands.
But Dijiang said, "This Gourd Vine also goes to Fellow Daoist Hong Yun!"
His words left everyone completely stunned.
"What? Hong Yun already has one!"
"This is far too biased!"
"Dijiang, do you even know how to distribute treasures? How about letting me do it!"
Taishang, Yuanshi, and Tongtian exploded on the spot, shouting angrily.
They had endured the Crimson Gourd being given to Hong Yun, but they truly could not swallow the Gourd Vine being given to him as well.
There were still six gourds left, but this method of distribution was simply outrageous.
Dijiang snorted coldly. "Have you forgotten the oaths you just made? We Ancestral Witches decide how they are distributed!"
With that, the Three Pure Ones immediately fell silent.
Nuwa had just been about to complain, but she swallowed her words upon hearing this.
She felt an indescribable sense of familiarity with the Gourd Vine.
Now that Dijiang had given it to Hong Yun, she felt as though she had lost some priceless treasure.
But remembering the oath, she did not dare say anything.
Violating her oath over a single vine and losing all hope of attaining the Dao forever would be a terrible bargain.
There were still six gourds waiting afterward, anyway.
Dijun sighed inwardly, As expected, there's nothing for me!
He had still held a little hope moments ago, but reality had slapped him hard across the face.
The Witch and Demon Clans were as opposed as fire and water.
He glared darkly at the Twelve Ancestral Witches.
Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a glance. Although they were somewhat disappointed, they consoled themselves inwardly: Giving it to Hong Yun is the same as giving it to us, isn't it?
Dijiang handed the Gourd Vine and Nine Heavens Breathing Soil to Hong Yun, then pulled out another gourd.
He prepared to continue the distribution.
"This Purple Gourd..."
Dijiang held a Purple Gourd in his hand.
According to the original course of events, this gourd should have gone to Taishang Laojun and later been refined into the Purple Gold Gourd.
Now, seeing the Purple Gourd, Taishang Laojun instinctively felt that it was fated to be his.
He coughed lightly. "Second Brother, Third Brother, this Purple Gourd and I... Cough, I mean, I really want it!"
He had just begun saying that it was fated to be his when he caught sight of Jieyin and Zhunti. His aged face flushed, and he hurriedly changed his words.
Yuanshi patted his chest. "Rest assured, Big Brother. This time, it should definitely go to the three of us!"
Tongtian nodded. "That's right. This Purple Gourd must belong to Big Brother!"
Although they were envious as well, Taishang Laojun had spoken, so they were too embarrassed to compete with him.
Now that the Three Pure Ones stood united, they might have minor frictions among themselves, but they were still united against outsiders.
Nuwa stared at the Purple Gourd, her eyes filled with longing.
She had not received the Crimson Gourd, nor the Gourd Vine. Surely this Purple Gourd would finally be hers?
Dijun's eyes reddened, and hatred showed in his stare at the Twelve Ancestral Witches.
Even so, he still yearned for the Purple Gourd.
Jieyin thought inwardly, This one should belong to the Western Lands!
Zhunti schemed, Hong Yun already has two. Give this Purple Gourd to me, then split another one with Senior Brother, and our Western Lands will have four treasures!
He had long since regarded Hong Yun's treasures as his own.
Dijiang's gaze swept across the group before finally landing on Hong Yun.
He said, "This Purple Gourd should go to Fellow Daoist Hong Yun as well!"
What?
Another one for Hong Yun?
Everyone was completely baffled.
Taishang Laojun suddenly roared, "This Purple Gourd absolutely cannot fall into Hong Yun's hands!"
Yuanshi was so furious that his face turned livid. "Dijiang, do you even understand what fair distribution means?"
Tongtian had the fiercest temper and immediately stamped his feet. "If this Purple Gourd goes to Hong Yun, I, Tongtian, will be the first to object!"
Nuwa, Jieyin, Zhunti, and Dijun were all burning with fury, their faces dark with rage.
What kind of distribution was this?!
Before you continue