The Innate Gourd Vine appeared

Years went uncounted in the Primordial Wilderness, and time slipped quietly by amid the tedious, painstaking search.

Neither knew how long had passed. Outside, it might have been months or even years. With nothing else distracting them, the two had scoured this region several times over.

One day, Hong Yun's divine sense once again seeped like a gentle stream through a massive blue-black rock, thickly covered in dark green moss. It blended seamlessly into the surrounding cliff and seemed utterly unremarkable.

The faint pull that had lain dormant for so long suddenly became clear and steady for an instant, like a spark flaring in the darkness!

Though still weak, it no longer wavered, pointing unmistakably into the depths of this massive rock!

"Here! Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi, it's here!"

Hong Yun's eyes snapped open, a keen light flashing within them. Unable to contain his excitement, he pointed at the seemingly ordinary blue-black cliff face and spoke with certainty.

Zhenyuanzi immediately flashed over to stand beside Hong Yun, focusing his gaze on that section of the cliff.

Both concentrated their divine senses there. After examining it carefully, they indeed discovered something amiss!

Behind the cliff face lay not solid rock, but faint spatial fluctuations—extremely subtle, yet extraordinarily profound.

These fluctuations were entirely at odds with the dense, heavy aura of the surrounding stone. It was as though an invisible, naturally formed barrier of energy had deftly warped space, perfectly concealing the true scene beyond.

"A xiantian restriction!" they murmured almost in unison.

Such formations, naturally born of the Great Dao of heaven and earth to protect certain innate spiritual objects or blessed lands, were not uncommon in the Primordial Wilderness. Generally, the more powerful a treasure and the deeper its origins, the more complex and formidable the xiantian restrictions surrounding it.

The restriction before them possessed an ancient, boundless aura and extraordinary profundity. It was also intimately connected to the qi flow of Buzhou Mountain's earth veins, forming a seamless natural whole. Clearly, it was far beyond any ordinary restriction, and whatever it guarded had to be exceptional.

Fortunately, this restriction seemed primarily intended for concealment and protection. Its aura was balanced and peaceful, without a trace of murderous ferocity. It appeared incapable of actively attacking intruders.

"Fellow Daoist, this restriction is linked to the mountain's earth veins. We must unravel it cautiously, lest we provoke a backlash from the mountain or damage the spiritual object beyond it.

"We must work together and proceed step by step."

Zhenyuanzi spoke gravely. Having taken form from the essence of the earth and inherited Pangu jade marrow, he possessed an exceptionally deep understanding of earth veins and formations. Naturally, he took the lead.

Hong Yun nodded solemnly. "I understand. I will give you my full cooperation." He knew well how accomplished Zhenyuanzi was in this field, and he understood the dangers of unraveling such a high-level xiantian restriction.

Without another word, both began to employ their divine abilities. Zhenyuanzi's expression grew solemn as his hands formed one intricate, profound seal after another before his chest. Earth-Yellow Divine Light flowed around him, drawing upon the power of the earth veins deep beneath his feet.

Like the finest engraving blade, his divine sense carefully probed the nodes connecting the restriction to the mountain's earth veins. Slowly unraveling their intricate layers, he analyzed the structure and attempted to gently separate it from the main earth veins for a time, weakening the restriction's source of energy.

This process required extraordinarily precise control. The slightest carelessness could send tremors through the earth veins.

Meanwhile, Hong Yun did everything he could to assist.

He mobilized his Four Symbols power, drawing especially upon the gentleness of wind and the penetrating nature of water. He condensed his vast magical power into countless streams of energy finer than strands of hair, like living tendrils.

Following the tiny openings Zhenyuanzi created, they reached into the restriction, helping discern the patterns of its energy circulation and locate weak points in its runic structure. With gentle force, they permeated and redirected its energy, assisting Zhenyuanzi in dismantling its defenses.

It was a process that tested their patience, coordination, and control to the utmost.

Both maintained intense concentration, not daring to be careless for even an instant. Their magical power was applied with exquisite precision, for fear that excessive force would upset the restriction's balance.

Its collapse might then damage the treasures within or trigger some unforeseen disaster. Time passed slowly amid the silent, tense work of unraveling it.

Neither knew how long had passed when Zhenyuanzi formed his final seal and Hong Yun infused a stream of pure Four Symbols primal qi into a crucial node. At last, the seemingly impenetrable blue-black rock began to undergo a wondrous transformation.

Gentle spatial ripples spread across its surface like rings on water struck by a pebble. Its once-solid texture grew illusory before it silently parted to either side, revealing a deep entrance that emitted a faint white glow, barely wide enough for one person to slip through sideways.

The instant the entrance opened, incomparably pure innate wood spirit qi, so dense it had almost become tangible, surged out like a flood bursting through a dam! Mingled within it was an indescribable essence of creation and vitality, as though it could nurture all living things.

The purity and antiquity of this aura invigorated even Da Luo Golden Immortals like Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun, causing every pore on their bodies to open involuntarily.

They exchanged a glance, each seeing amazement and anticipation in the other's eyes. Steadying their auras, they carefully stepped inside, one after the other.

Once they passed through the thin light screen, the scene before them opened up. It was an entirely different world from the one outside!

This was a natural cavern, not particularly spacious, yet brimming with vibrant life.

Its walls were not ordinary rock, but lustrous spirit jade that emitted a faint glow, with many profound Dao patterns naturally formed across its surface.

Countless stalactite-like formations of spiritual marrow hung from the ceiling, dripping sweet dew infused with spiritual qi.

At the very center of the cavern, a small hollow held a pool of spiritual liquid, chaos-colored and shrouded in mist. Its waters seemed to contain the origin power from the first moments of creation.

Most striking of all was the wondrous vine growing within this Chaos Spiritual Pool!

Its main stem was gnarled and powerful as a dragon, winding and coiling upon itself. Its vivid green surface looked as though it had been carved from the finest emerald. Its leaves were thick, their veins distinct, and it radiated such immense vitality and spirituality that it made their hearts tremble.

Strands of profound yellow qi hung and curled around the vine like silken ribbons. Faint motes of merit golden light flickered among them like stars, proclaiming its extraordinary origins and merit!

But what truly held Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun transfixed were the seven precious gourds hanging prominently from the vine's uppermost reaches, where its vitality was strongest. Each differed in shape, color, and size!

Every gourd radiated its own distinct, powerful Dao resonance and treasured light. Shifting rosy radiance and countless streams of auspicious qi bathed the entire cavern in dazzling colors!

Although these gourds still appeared somewhat immature, their treasured light restrained, and seemed some way from ripening fully and falling from the vine, their nature as innate spiritual objects was already unmistakable!

This was none other than the renowned innate spiritual root of the Primordial Wilderness, destined to draw mighty beings into contention in later ages—the Innate Gourd Vine!

And growing upon it were the Seven Great Innate Gourds!

Almost the instant Hong Yun entered the cavern, one particular gourd seized his gaze, and he could no longer look away!

It was scarlet all over, resembling both blazing flames and the evening glow at the horizon. Profound cloud patterns had formed naturally upon its surface, sometimes clear and sometimes indistinct, as though constantly shifting and flowing.

The Dao resonance it emitted was scorching yet ethereal, possessing both the violence of fire and the fickleness of clouds. These two utterly different auras blended together perfectly.

The pull Hong Yun had sensed outside was now incomparably clear and strong. Its source was precisely this scarlet gourd! It seemed to be silently calling to its destined master.

"This... could this really be... the innate spiritual root, the Gourd Vine?!"

Hong Yun stared at the extraordinary vine before him and the seven gourds shimmering with treasured light and rich Dao resonance. Though he was a knowledgeable, broad-minded Da Luo Golden Immortal, the sudden, tremendous surprise left him dumbfounded. For a moment, he could barely speak, as though unable to believe his own eyes.

He knew of quite a few innate spiritual roots, but one of such splendor, nurturing seven innate spiritual objects at once, was simply unheard of!

Although his memories had prepared Zhenyuanzi for this, seeing the legendary innate spiritual root in person and feeling its immense vitality and profound Dao resonance still brought undisguised wonder and admiration to his eyes.

His gaze slowly swept over the seven differently colored gourds. Sensing their distinct Dao resonances, he already understood their general attributes and who would eventually claim each of them.

Seeing Hong Yun's mingled joy, astonishment, and disbelief, he stroked his beard and chuckled softly. Pointing at the scarlet gourd, he spoke with certainty and warm satisfaction:

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Hongyun! Your blessings run deep, and the Heavenly Dao favors you! This treasure holds its radiance within, and its Dao resonance accords with your origin. The pull arose naturally—it is destined for you and rightfully yours to claim. This is truly a joyous occasion!"