As the light of the Innate Great Array guarding the valley completely faded, the atmosphere instantly grew tense.
The mighty figures' auras crisscrossed, undercurrents surged, and everyone stood poised to strike, waiting only for an opportunity to seize this heaven-defying fortune.
In the eastern lands, the Three Pure Ones stood proudly, each seeming to command a world of his own.
Taiqing Laozi held the Coiling Dragon Flat Staff, his eyes lowered and his expression calm. Above his head, the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda poured down countless streams of Mysterious Yellow Qi, shielding the three of them from every attack;
Jade Pure Yuanshi's brows carried an imposing air. He held the Three Treasures Jade Ruyi in his hands, while Jade Purity Immortal Light flowed around him, lending him an aura of majesty;
Qingping Sword rang without pause in Supreme Pure Tongtian's grasp. His fierce sword intent burst from him, cleaving through the void.
The three of them shared a single aura, standing firm as mountains and deep as abysses, their pressure bearing down on everyone present.
To the west, Daoist Jieyin and Daoist Zhunti stood shoulder to shoulder.
Jieyin's face was sorrowful, and the light of Buddhist annihilation flowed around him, as though he bore the myriad sufferings of the world;
Zhunti held the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, a genial smile on his face. Now and then, a gleam of wisdom passed through his eyes, and his bearing seemed to transcend the world.
To the south, Nuwa and Fuxi's auras blended together.
Shadows of the Innate Eight Trigrams flowed around Fuxi as he divined the workings of fate, his bearing graceful and composed;
Nuwa stood quietly at his side. Though she revealed no spiritual treasure, Daoist rhythms naturally flowed around her, resonating with heaven and earth. A hazy vision of mountains, rivers, and the land appeared faintly behind her, while the aura of creation and life swirled without end.
At the northern peak, Di Jun and Taiyi stood tall, their bearing the most flamboyant of all.
The River Diagram Luo Script floated above Di Jun's head, constantly shifting as it manifested the Zhou Tian Star Dou. An overwhelming aura of imperial authority radiated from him;
Eastern Emperor Taiyi lightly rested one hand on the Chaos Bell. Though he did not ring it, it contained an unparalleled majesty that could suppress the primordial chaos and stabilize the forces of earth, fire, water, and wind.
The various factions faced off, their auras interwoven. The entire valley seemed to have become a volcano on the verge of eruption.
At this critical moment, a calm yet clear voice suddenly rang out, breaking the frozen scene at just the right time:
"There are only seven gourds here, but far more of us present. How should this fortune be divided? Fellow Daoists, do you have a solution that would satisfy everyone?"
At these words, everyone's expressions varied and their gazes shifted, yet no one was willing to speak first. A delicate silence settled over the scene.
Yuanshi was the first to break the silence, his voice ringing like gold and jade. It was steady, yet carried an unquestionable authority:
"My two brothers and I are Pangu Orthodox Lineage. There are seven gourds here; we shall take three, one each. I trust none of you fellow Daoists will object?"
Laozi continued to lower his eyes in silence, his expression utterly calm. Yet the Heaven and Earth Mysterious Yellow Exquisite Pagoda above his head suddenly shone with an even more majestic and weighty divine light, like the vault of heaven collapsing. Its pressure spread in all directions, silently declaring his support.
Tongtian said nothing, but sword energy around him surged abruptly. Qingping Sword let out a clear dragon's cry, and its fierce sword intent shot into the sky, making his stance plain.
The Three Pure Ones were united, their momentum as solid as a mountain! Everyone present looked slightly changed, weighing their options, yet none was willing to be the first to clash with the three of them.
As the stalemate continued, Hong Yun wore his customary kind smile and raised a hand toward one of the gourds, which shimmered with crimson light. His tone was gentle but firm:
"This poor Daoist feels a stirring in his heart. This treasure is indeed fated to be mine." Hong Yun had always been glad to help others and enjoyed an excellent reputation, so his words seemed perfectly natural.
His close friend Zhenyuanzi immediately nodded.
"Innate spiritual treasures are governed above all by fate. Since this treasure is connected to Fellow Daoist Hong Yun by fate, I shall help him resolve this karmic tie."
Seeing this, Zhunti held the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree and smiled broadly as he bowed with palms together.
"Spiritual treasures stir the heart, but fighting is no virtue. Though the West is barren and its people few, I truly cannot bear to see fellow Daoists fall out over this.
"My senior brother and I are willing to take one gourd and withdraw at once, taking no part in the dispute that follows. Let us consider it a good deed that forms a bond between us."
Fuxi stepped forward at the opportune moment. His tone was calm, yet carried an unwavering resolve:
"I can forgo this spiritual treasure, but I must secure a share of its fate for my younger sister, Nuwa."
Di Jun looked at everyone present. The River Diagram Luo Script above his head manifested the stars of the Zhou Tian. His voice was steady and forceful:
"The Witch Clan is now powerful. To protect the Myriad Races, my brother and I have united with various factions to resist this formidable enemy. This treasure could help strengthen our alliance and safeguard the peace of the Primordial Wilderness. We must have a share!"
"But who should receive the unripe gourd?"
At this, the scene fell silent once more. This seventh gourd's spiritual light was dim; it was as useless as a tasteless piece of meat. The mighty figures were proud and arrogant, and none wanted to accept this "defective" item in front of everyone.
At this delicate impasse, a clear, calm voice rang out from the void, accompanied by the pure light and Daoist rhythm of dawn:
"Since you fellow Daoists cannot make up your minds, why not let this poor Daoist divide them for you? That would be better than falling out with one another!"
As soon as the words fell, every mighty figure present—from Laozi and Jieyin to Di Jun and Nuwa—felt a shock in their hearts! Someone had concealed himself nearby without any of them noticing?
Under the crowd's astonished and wary gazes, Pure Yang Daoist appeared, holding the Primordial Sky Measuring Ruler. His figure slowly took shape amid the shifting light and Daoist rhythm of dawn, and he quietly stood beside the Innate Gourd Vine, composed, as though he had always been there.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort suddenly rang out like clashing metal, breaking the silence.
Solar True Fire surged around Taiyi, and the phantom of the Chaos Bell appeared behind him, sending ripples through layer upon layer of space.
His gaze blazed as he stared straight at Pure Yang Daoist, his voice cold as frost:
"Creeping around in hiding is no righteous path! East King Duke, why have you concealed yourself here? What are you plotting? In my view, we should join forces and drive this scheming scoundrel from the scene before deciding who gets the treasures!"
Yet when he finished speaking, a delicate silence fell over the scene. Some of the mighty figures lowered their eyes and stood still; others gazed off into the distance. Not one of them voiced agreement.
A faint, almost imperceptible sneer even crossed Yuanshi's lips, while Tongtian toyed with Qingping Sword with evident interest, as though he had just heard something amusing.
Their silence was more cutting than any words.
When the Purple Sky Palace lectures first began, Taiyi had been thoroughly humiliated by East King Duke. Who among those present didn't know it? Now, Taiyi's proposal to "join forces" sounded more like an empty threat than anything else.
Laozi stroked his beard leisurely, a hint of calculation flickering in his eyes, and spoke gently:
"What the Immortal Head said just now does have merit. However, since Fellow Daoist Taiyi has his doubts..."
Laozi paused, his gaze moving between Taiyi and Pure Yang Daoist. "Why not have the Immortal Head and Fellow Daoist Taiyi discuss the matter first? If they can resolve this dispute, the Three Pure Ones are willing to take only two gourds, to show our sincerity."
Hearing this, Pure Yang Daoist sneered inwardly. Well played, Taiqing Laozi! On the surface, he was offering a convenient favor, but in truth, there was a hidden motive behind it!
He was clearly using this opportunity to make the two of them fight, probing Donghua's strength while gauging Taiyi's. Then he could wait for the right moment to act.
This strategy of retreating in order to advance truly brought the essence of "governing through inaction" to the utmost. He need not act personally, could sit back and watch them fight, and could then reap the benefits while claiming to be "acting in the greater good."
The plan seemed casual, but in truth it was a masterful play on the shifting mysteries of fate.
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