How Could This Not Make One Envious

The Crimson Gourd was given to Hongyun, and the gourd vine was also given to Hongyun. Now, even the Purple Gourd belongs to him.

Hongyun alone seized three great treasures.

With them present, they couldn't even get a sliver of what was being divided.

Who wouldn't be furious!

Dijiang, the Ancestral Witch, was unfazed by the collective anger. He pointed at the Three Pure Ones and rebuked, "What's with your attitude? Didn't you swear earlier that you'd divide things according to our Ancestral Witches' wishes?"

Taishang Laojun's heart ached as he watched the Purple Gourd, which he had set his sights on, fly away. "Even if you swore, you can't just act this recklessly!"

Fortunately, the Heavenly Dao oath restrained him, or he would have already clashed with the Twelve Ancestral Witches.

Yuanshi said in a deep voice, "This division is far too unfair!"

Tongtian was furious. "Dijiang, if your Witch Clan continues to divide things like this, what will we get? Are you really going to turn against us, the Three Pure Ones?"

This division was clearly treating them like fools.

Nuwa and Dijun were also grinding their teeth in anger.

However, they were weak and outnumbered compared to the united front of the Three Pure Ones.

Besides, while they wanted the Purple Gourd, they weren't as fixated on it as Taishang Laojun.

After all, Dijiang still held five gourds in his hands.

Jieyin and Zhunti weren't as angry; they had already considered Hongyun's treasures as theirs.

They would trick him out of them sooner or later.

Ancestor Witch Zhurong, upon hearing the Three Pure Ones' shouting, became enraged. "So be it if we make enemies! Big Brother, these Three Pure Ones don't take the Witch Clan seriously at all. Let's just not divide them and give them all to Fellow Daoist Hongyun!"

Ancestor Witch Gonggong chimed in, "Exactly! The Three Pure Ones have already shown their true colors to us. Big Brother, stop dawdling and give them all to Hongyun!"

The other Ancestral Witches shouted in unison, "That's right! Give them all to Hongyun! It's better than letting our enemies benefit!"

Each of them wore a furious expression, acting as if it were all real.

When these words fell, everyone was stunned.

Nuwa muttered softly, "No, wait, there are still five gourds!"

If they really stopped dividing and gave them all to Hongyun, she wouldn't get a single one.

Dijun glared at the Three Pure Ones, resentment flashing in his eyes.

Although he had animosity towards the Witch Clan, he had always felt that the Twelve Ancestral Witches might give him one.

But with the Three Pure Ones causing this scene, if the Ancestral Witches stopped dividing, he would have no hope at all.

Jieyin and Zhunti shouted in unison, "Three Pure Ones, shut your mouths!"

Under everyone's gaze, Dijiang strode up to Hongyun.

He said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Hongyun, these Three Pure Ones have angered us greatly. We'd rather make enemies of them than divide these gourds."

"They're useless to us anyway, so we'll give them all to you!"

With that, Dijiang shoved the remaining gourds into Hongyun's hands.

Hongyun accepted them with a smile, his face beaming with joy.

This was a play he had orchestrated himself.

From getting everyone to accept the Ancestral Witches' treasure division to forcing them to swear oaths.

He hadn't expected the Three Pure Ones to be the ones to take the bait in the end.

This move was called "drawing fire onto oneself."

Seeing this, everyone else exploded.

But due to the previous oath, they couldn't question the Twelve Ancestral Witches' division.

Nor could they go back on their word.

They could only vent all their pent-up anger onto the Three Pure Ones.

Demon Emperor Dijun roared, "Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, you three owe me treasures!"

He had known from the start that the hope of getting treasures from the Ancestral Witches was slim, but now, by blaming the Three Pure Ones, he might be able to extort something.

Nuwa snorted coldly, "Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, you owe me a treasure! If you hadn't angered the Twelve Ancestral Witches, how would I have ended up with nothing!"

Jieyin yelled, "Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, each of you owes me one, so that's three in total!"

Zhunti added the finishing blow, "Yes, three each, so my senior brother and I will have a total of six!"

These two were purely taking advantage of the situation. It was better to get something for nothing.

With their thick skin, the Three Pure Ones would have to bleed heavily, if not give up six items.

As for the seven gourds and the gourd vine, Jieyin and Zhunti had no intention of letting them go.

When they found an opportunity, they would definitely trick Hongyun out of them.

After all, Hongyun was famously easy to talk to.

At that moment, a mechanical voice sounded in Hongyun's mind: "Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully causing trouble..."

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully causing trouble, rewarding the Great Desolation's artifact refining supreme treasure: Qiankun Cauldron!"

As soon as the system's voice fell, Hongyun's heart bloomed with joy.

It was as if whatever he wished for came true. He had just obtained the Innate Gourd Vine and was wondering how to refine it when the System sent him the Great Desolation's number one artifact refining divine tool.

Legend had it that the Qiankun Cauldron was formed from the seed pod of the Chaos Supreme Treasure, the Primordial Creation Lotus.

When Pangu created the heavens and earth, the Primordial Creation Lotus shattered, and its seed pod split into two. One half became the Qiankun Cauldron.

The other half transformed into the supreme alchemy treasure, the Cauldron of Fortune.

Hongyun rejoiced inwardly, "With this Qiankun Cauldron, I've truly struck it rich!"

However, for now, he dared not take out the Qiankun Cauldron.

On the scene, everyone was pressuring the Three Pure Ones step by step.

They all shouted, "Taishang, Yuanshi, Tongtian, hand over your treasures and compensate us!"

The Three Pure Ones' faces turned as black as the bottom of a pot, "If you push us further, we'll have no choice but to fight!"

It was clearly the Twelve Ancestral Witches who had distributed unfairly, yet why were they being blamed?

Jieyin watched the commotion with glee, "Fight if you want, there's no Heavenly Dao oath between us anyway!"

Dijun gritted his teeth, "If you don't compensate us for our losses today, we won't stop until we reach Kunlun Mountain!"

Swish, swish, swish!

Seeing that the situation was spiraling out of control, the Three Pure Ones each unleashed their top-grade spiritual treasures to protect themselves.

Taishang Laojun held the White Jade Gourd Staff, its power surging and protecting his entire body.

Above Yuanshi's head, the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi spun, ready to defend against any sneak attack.

Tongtian tightly gripped the Qingping Sword, its sword energy chilling and his killing intent fierce.

Nuwa, Dijun, Jieyin, and Zhunti saw this and also revealed their spiritual treasures, preparing to fight the Three Pure Ones.

Hongyun glanced at the Twelve Ancestral Witches and cupped his hands towards everyone, "This humble Daoist will take his leave first!"

With that, he rode his cloud straight towards Fire Cloud Cave.

Jieyin and Zhunti exchanged a look but did not pursue him.

Chasing Hongyun now would be too conspicuous and might attract unwanted attention.

They planned to first extort treasures from the Three Pure Ones before finding Hongyun to settle the score.

Seeing that no one was chasing Hongyun, the Twelve Ancestral Witches also dispersed.

As for the grievances between the Three Pure Ones and the others, they were too lazy to get involved.

But it was clear that the Three Pure Ones had angered the masses this time; they would lose a layer of skin even if they didn't die.

Compensating with a few treasures was unavoidable.

Three months later, Hongyun returned to Fire Cloud Cave.

He set up restrictions, sealing the cave dwelling tightly.

During this period, he wanted to focus on his cultivation and not be disturbed by outsiders.

Whoosh!

Hongyun took out the Qiankun Cauldron and placed it before him.

This number one artifact refining supreme treasure lived up to its reputation, emitting a pressure no less than any Innate Supreme Treasure.

After examining it, he exclaimed in amazement, "This Qiankun Cauldron actually has 42 innate restrictions!"

Treasures in the Great Desolation were classified by their restrictions.

Low-grade spiritual treasures had 9 to 16 restrictions, mid-grade 16 to 24.

High-grade had 25 to 35, and supreme-grade 36 to 40.

Innate Supreme Treasures were between 41 and 49 restrictions.

The more restrictions, the stronger the treasure.

However, treasures with 49 restrictions were incredibly rare, perhaps only the Three Treasures of Creation could reach that level.

Having many restrictions was good, but refining them was as difficult as ascending to heaven.

For example, Eastern Emperor Taiyi's Chaos Bell, with its 49 restrictions, had not been fully refined to this day.

Otherwise, with this treasure alone, he could sweep across the Great Desolation, and only a Saint could contend with him.

Hongyun secretly made a plan, "First, I'll refine this Qiankun Cauldron!"

To refine the Innate Gourd, the Qiankun Cauldron had to be mastered first.

Even if he couldn't refine it completely, he could at least refine a part of it and be able to activate it.

He brought out the Great Dao Cushion and sat on it.

This cushion was wondrous beyond words; it could increase the speed of cultivation and artifact refinement by a hundredfold.

Others might take ten thousand years to refine the Qiankun Cauldron, not daring to move until then.

But for Hongyun, a hundred years was enough.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!

He sat down cross-legged and began to refine it.

Time flew by, and a hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.

Hongyun opened his eyes, waved his hand, and the Qiankun Cauldron moved at his will.

He said with satisfaction, "I've refined 36 restrictions, and I can now activate it at will!"

Refining 36 restrictions in a hundred years was something no one in the Great Desolation would dare to believe.

However, the further back it went, the harder the restrictions were to refine.

With the remaining 6 restrictions, it might take another two hundred years to finish.

As it was now, it was sufficient.

He then took out seven Innate Gourds.

Swish, swish, swish!

The seven colorful gourds floated before him, shining brilliantly.

Hongyun thought to himself, "One gourd can refine a Supreme Grade Spiritual Treasure. If I refine seven together, I wonder what divine item will emerge!"

Once the Qiankun Cauldron was refined, there was no need to worry too much; it would refine on its own.

He threw the seven gourds into it and stopped paying attention.

He estimated that the results would be ready in another five hundred years.

At the same time, he began to cultivate.

Now, he had the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique to refine his body and the Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique to refine his spirit.

He cultivated both his physical body and Primordial Spirit simultaneously, progressing in tandem.

The Colorful Cloud Immortal Art he had practiced before had long been abandoned; compared to the Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique, it was not even worth mentioning.

Three hundred years later, his aura suddenly surged.

"Three hundred years on the Great Dao Cushion is equivalent to thirty thousand years. I have reached the peak of Grand Unity!"

The immortal power within him surged like the sea, and he could not hide his excitement.

Currently in the Great Desolation, apart from Dao Ancestor Hongjun, no one's realm surpassed him.

The Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Dijun, and others were only at the late stage of Grand Unity.

He counted on his fingers, "There are only fifty years left until the second lecture at Purple Heaven Palace. I can't continue cultivating."

Nearly ten thousand years had passed since the last lecture, and if he didn't go now, he would miss it.

The second lecture was on the path of the Quasi-Saint, which would greatly benefit him.

Hongyun got up and put away the Great Dao Cushion.

He also stored the Qiankun Cauldron, which was still refining, into his personal space.

Within the space, the Qiankun Cauldron could still refine the gourds.

He checked the progress, "It will take another two hundred years to finish refining. By then, I will already be at Purple Heaven Palace."

The total duration was five hundred years, and only three hundred had passed.

However, it would be inconvenient to take out treasures inside Purple Firmament Palace.

He shook his head, "I won't think about it anymore!"

The second lecture was related to the opportunity of becoming a Quasi-Saint, and he could not miss it.

He was now at the peak of Grand Unity, and his next step was to break through to the Hunyuan realm. The lecture was crucial.

The Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique has reached the fifth turn, and the Nine Revolutions Primordial Technique has reached the fourth turn. I can cultivate while listening at Purple Heaven Palace!

"After three thousand years of lectures, my physical body and Primordial Spirit will surely advance greatly. Perhaps I can directly break through to Quasi-Saint!"

Hongyun planned in his heart.

With everything arranged, he removed the restrictions.

Just as he was about to leave Fire Cloud Cave and head to Purple Heaven Palace, two figures suddenly appeared before him.

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, we've been waiting for you for a long time!"

"Fellow Daoist Hongyun, you're finally out! We were so anxious seeing your cave dwelling closed!"

The newcomers were none other than Jieyin and Zhunti.

They had fought with Nuwa, Dijun, and the Three Pure Ones, gained some benefits, and then headed straight for Fire Cloud Cave.

I originally intended to trick Hongyun out of his gourd, but I ran into his tightly shut cave dwelling.

Even if I shouted myself hoarse outside, Hongyun wouldn't hear me.

They couldn't barge in, so they could only wait outside.

They waited for over three hundred years.

With the Purple Heaven Palace lecture imminent, they were anxious, and finally, they saw Hongyun appear.

Hongyun was taken aback, "Greetings, two Fellow Daoists!"

He hadn't expected these two to be so persistent and still planning to swindle him.

He knew perfectly well that Jieyin and Zhunti never acted without a motive; they were here to scheme against him again.

However, the current him was no longer the Hongyun of the past.

He chuckled inwardly, "Trying to trick me? Be careful I don't turn the tables on you!"

Jieyin and Zhunti cupped their hands towards Hongyun in unison, "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Hongyun!"

Hongyun responded indifferently, "What are you two planning here? I'm on my way to the Purple Heaven Palace to listen to the Dao Ancestor's lecture, so I must decline your company for now."

He raised his foot to leave, but Jieyin stopped him, "Fellow Daoist Hongyun, what a coincidence! We are also heading to the Purple Heaven Palace. Why don't we go together?"

Zhunti chimed in with a smile, "It would be a great pleasure to travel with Fellow Daoist Hongyun!"

Hongyun's lips twitched. These two were like stubborn pieces of candy that just wouldn't come off.

Along the way, Jieyin and Zhunti chattered incessantly, trying to get close, but Hongyun remained silent.