Looking at the Gourd Vine, its Daoist aura seemingly formed by nature and its treasure light restrained, swaying quietly in the Chaos Spiritual Pool, and the seven Innate Gourds hanging from it—though not yet fully mature, they had already revealed their distinct, extraordinary qualities and Infinite Potential.
Even Zhenyuanzi and Hong Yun, whose Daoist hearts were steadfast and who had seen countless rare treasures in the Primordial Wilderness, could not help but show a hint of undisguised affection and unprecedented solemnity in their eyes.
A Spiritual Root of this caliber was beyond comparison with ordinary treasures. The Karma and future it implicated were likely far-reaching indeed.
"Fellow Daoist Hongyun," Zhenyuanzi said slowly. His voice sounded especially solemn in the spirit-rich cavern. His gaze, like the most precise measuring instrument, carefully swept over every inch of the Gourd Vine, every vein of its leaves, and the seven Gourds growing upon it.
"This Spiritual Root's Vast Vitality is truly unparalleled in my experience. It is further surrounded and protected by the aura of World-Opening Merit and Xuanhuang Mother Qi. Its roots are so profound that few in the Primordial Wilderness can compare; it likely stands no lower than the Innate Ren Water Flat Peach or the Yellow Middle Plum.
"The Seven Gourds growing upon it are spiritual treasures born in accordance with the Innate Great Dao. Each possesses its own mysteries, and their future achievements are beyond measure."
He shifted his attention to the seven Gourds, his tone carrying the understanding that came from keen insight.
"However, judging by their appearance, their treasure light remains within and has not fully emerged. Their Daoist aura still carries a trace of immaturity. They are clearly still some time away from fully maturing and reaching the point where the fruit ripens and falls; they will need to accumulate and receive nourishment from Heaven and Earth Creation. They cannot be brought to completion in a short time."
Hong Yun nodded in deep agreement. Most of the time, his gaze lingered on the gourd that faintly resonated with his aura, its entire body crimson and cloud patterns flowing across it. The more he looked, the more he liked it. He added:
"Fellow Daoist Zhenyuanzi, your insight is keen, and your words are exactly right.
"If these spiritual treasures were left to grow naturally here in the Buzhou Mountain Secret Realm, they could absorb the Divine Mountain Spiritual Qi. But when they finally matured and their treasure light soared into the heavens, there would be no guarantee that they wouldn't trigger a Celestial Phenomenon and draw the covetous attention of other powerful beings with keen senses.
"That would inevitably bring trouble and countless Variables, and might even damage the Spiritual Root itself."
He paused, a thoughtful look flashing through his eyes as he turned to Zhenyuanzi and continued:
"Besides... Though this place has Chaos Spiritual Liquid to nourish it and is exceptionally blessed, it ultimately relies on the Buzhou Mountain Overall Qi Vein. It wasn't made specifically for this vine.
"Its growth may be steady, but it may not reach the most ideal, perfect state of nourishment. If we could find a more suitable Blessed Land, one better matched to its Origin and more capable of bringing out its potential, perhaps..."
At this, a knowing smile appeared on Zhenyuanzi's face. He clapped his hands and said:
"Your thoughts are precisely what I had in mind. Great minds think alike.
"My Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain retains the most fundamental aura of the Essence of Innate Earthen Energy left behind when my Original Body Transformation took place. This energy is exceptionally rich and fertile, and has an Incredible Marvelous Use in nourishing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots. It is even better than ordinary Innate Spiritual Qi.
"What's more, I have the Book of the Earth, the Classic of Mountains and Seas. With this supreme treasure, I can mobilize the power of the Primordial Land Veins, gather Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi from all directions, and precisely regulate it to create the most suitable environment for a Spiritual Root to grow."
He looked intently at the Gourd Vine, his voice full of confidence.
"If we can transplant this vine into my Wuzhuang Temple, using the origin aura of the Essence of Innate Earthen Energy as its foundation and carefully nourishing it with the refined Earth Veins and Vast Spiritual Qi gathered through the Book of the Earth,
"I'm confident this will not only keep the Spiritual Root safe and protect it from possible trouble in the future, but also greatly accelerate its maturation. Perhaps it could reach full maturity several kalpas ahead of schedule, and attain even better quality than if it were left to grow here naturally. What do you think?"
The thorough proposal made Hong Yun's eyes light up. A delighted smile bloomed on his face. "Wonderful! What a splendid plan, Fellow Daoist!
"This achieves two things at once: it protects this rare Spiritual Root from outside interference while helping it grow better and allowing us to obtain the treasure sooner. It is truly the best of both worlds! I wholeheartedly agree!"
With their decision made, neither hesitated. Transplanting such a precious Innate Spiritual Root allowed no room for carelessness.
Zhenyuanzi stepped forward and came to the edge of the Chaos Spiritual Liquid Pool, his expression turning incomparably solemn.
He took a deep breath. His aura faintly connected with the earth beneath his feet and the entire Buzhou Mountain Qi Vein. He slowly raised his hands before his chest, his fingers moving like butterflies among flowers, each gesture seemingly containing the Heaven and Earth Ultimate Truth. Then he began forming one intricate Mysterious Dharma Seal after another, drawing upon the Great Dao Law.
As he moved, the purest power of the Earth Law was stirred. Countless tiny Runes appeared in the air, as small as ants and flickering with Earth-Yellow Divine Light.
These Runes were not lifeless. As if they possessed Living Spirituality, they slowly encircled the Gourd Vine and the Chaos Spiritual Liquid Pool into which its roots had sunk deeply, accompanied by Zhenyuanzi's chant of a Deep and Ancient Incantation.
The process was exceedingly slow and cautious. Every Rune had to precisely match the rhythm of the Spiritual Root's vitality, ensuring that not the slightest harm came to its foundation.
The Power of Dharma Seals acted like the gentlest of hands, carefully separating the Spiritual Root from the surrounding rocks, Earth Veins, and even its Space Connection to the surrounding area.
At the same time, they formed a temporary but exceptionally sturdy protective barrier to ensure that not a trace of the Gourd Vine's spiritual energy leaked out during the move, and that none of its roots or veins suffered any damage.
Hong Yun stood guard nearby, focusing his attention as he activated his Divine Power. With his keen sense for the flow of energy, he helped Zhenyuanzi monitor the Spiritual Root's condition, ensuring that nothing could go wrong.
The Earth-Yellow Rune Cocoon grew thicker and thicker, until it completely enclosed the Gourd Vine together with the small pool of precious Chaos Spiritual Liquid beneath it. It formed a Spherical Barrier roughly a zhang across, radiating a gentle, steady light.
A faint sheen of sweat appeared at Zhenyuanzi's temples. Clearly, the undertaking had cost him a great deal as well.
Carefully, he lifted the orb containing a Priceless Treasure, then used his Supreme Dharma Power to gradually shrink it until it was only the size of a fist, resting securely in his palm.
Through the translucent barrier, he could clearly see the Miniature Gourd Vine, still lush green and brimming with vitality, while the Treasure Light on Seven Gourds remained as steady as before.
Only then did he relax slightly, a satisfied expression appearing on his face. He was just about to store the orb in his Sleeve Universe or in a magical treasure designed to hold spiritual treasures.
However, as his gaze inadvertently swept over the bottom of the pool where the spiritual liquid had been, his movements suddenly stopped!
Beneath the pool's bottom was not ordinary rock or Spirit Jade as he had expected. Instead, there was a layer of Miraculous Soil more than a foot thick, shimmering with a Warm and Mysterious Nine-Colored Rosy Glow and radiating Endless Creation and Vitality along with Indescribably Heavy Wutu Essence Qi!
The soil looked fine and soft, as though it were made up of Countless Tiny Nine-Colored Light Particles, yet it gave off an indescribably heavy and solid feeling. It was as if a single grain of sand could become a mountain ten thousand zhang tall, and a handful of soil could nourish fertile fields stretching ten thousand li, giving life to countless living beings!
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