As the Eternal Age Hourglass was brought forth, Queen Mother of the West fell into sluggishness.
If not for the Kunlun Mirror protecting her, she would likely have been completely frozen in place, perhaps even sent back to her original position like Bei Ming earlier.
True, the Kunlun Mirror possessed the Laws of Time and Space, but the restrictions it contained could not compare to those of the Eternal Age Hourglass.
Moreover, as a Spirit Treasure originating from the Time Demon God Shichen, it specialized in time itself.
After repelling Dong Wangong, restraining Queen Mother of the West, and clearing away the obstacles, Bei Ming flashed forward and charged toward the Gourd Vine.
Old Ancestor Ming He displayed his might, holding off Zhunti and Jieyin alone. Yet the two sides restrained one another, leaving neither able to break away.
After exchanging a move, Zhen Yuanzi and Fuxi stopped attacking lightly and instead faced each other in tacit opposition;
allowing Hong Yun and Nüwa to dart free and seize the gourds.
This clash, this convergence of divine abilities, lasted only an instant;
in the blink of an eye, the outcome had already been decided.
The six who had emerged victorious arrived before the Gourd Vine.
The Three Pure Ones arrived first. As previously agreed, each plucked a gourd before retreating.
Bei Ming, Hong Yun, and Nüwa arrived almost simultaneously, each making a move and taking a gourd.
Before anyone could react;
Bei Ming acted with swift eyes and hands. With a sweep of his sleeve robe, he took the entire Gourd Vine, along with the final immature little gourd, into the Returning Ruins.
At the moment of collecting it, Bei Ming paid special attention to the Nine Heavens' Soil wrapped around the Gourd Vine's roots. This was truly a good thing.
Legend had it that the Nine Heavens' Soil was formed from the interweaving of Nine Heavens' Pure Qi and the essence of the earth veins.
Though it looked like only a small clump, it could expand and contract according to external attacks, changing in tandem with its enemies. If you grew, it grew; if you shrank, it shrank. It followed and shifted, tough and dense, flawless and impregnable.
Furthermore, it was one of the important materials for creating humans in the future.
The struggle over the Primordial Gourd Vine temporarily came to an end.
The sword light and residual waves of divine abilities lingering in the void still churned without cease.
But after obtaining gourds or losing their opportunities, everyone present gradually reined in their fighting spirit and retreated.
Among the six parties that had participated in the contest:
The Three Pure Ones each obtained a gourd;
Bei Ming, Fuxi, and Nüwa's side reaped a rich harvest;
Hong Yun and Zhen Yuanzi also got what they wished for.
These three parties were all satisfied. Their expressions were calm, and their auras gradually settled.
Ming He was quite open-minded as well. Though the Primordial Gourds were good, to him, they were merely icing on the cake. If he got one, he could be happy for a while; if not, so be it.
The only opportunity that could truly move him was one related to attaining the Dao.
With the excitement over, Ming He put away Yuan Tu and A Bi, the killing intent in his eyes fading.
"Fellow Daoists, this poor daoist will take his leave."
As his words fell, all killing aura and Karmic Fire withdrew. Ming He transformed into a streak of blood light and shot into the sky, vanishing beyond the horizon.
Zhunti and Jieyin both felt some regret. To Greatly Prosper the West, they had to accumulate a solid foundation;
the Western Continent was now so barren that even birds would not shit there, with hardly any Spirit Roots or spiritual materials to be found;
thus, the two of them had no choice but to abandon the dignity of Innate Gods and scour everywhere like a swarm of locusts.
Though it was embarrassing, it had also thickened their skins, strengthened their resolve, and tempered their optimistic mindset.
Zhunti wore his usual smile as he offered his congratulations.
"Congratulations to you all for obtaining the Spirit Root. Now that matters here are settled, my senior brother and I will not linger any longer."
With that, the two flashed with golden light and vanished without a trace.
On their way back to Mount Sumeru, they continued making moves along the way;
gathering up every rare flower, exotic plant, spiritual material, and strange stone they encountered. They even converted any living beings with passable potential.
Those they converted would return to the West with them and become the foundation for its future revival.
Whether Ming He or the two from the West, although they had gained little, neither had suffered any losses.
By comparison, Dong Wangong's situation was far more awkward.
As an Immortal Chief, the proposal he had put forward for distributing the treasures had been rejected to his face by a group of top-notch Great Powers, costing him all his dignity.
What was more, Bei Ming had sent him flying back with a single ruler strike during the clash;
the two Immortal Chiefs had joined forces, yet failed to seize even one gourd.
His strength had failed to impress, and his reputation had been damaged;
in the Primordial Wilderness, where strength was revered above all else, the position of Immortal Chief would undoubtedly be cast into shadow.
The Primordial Wilderness was vast, and every move of an Immortal Chief drew attention.
After this defeat, there would naturally be people spreading word of it in secret, using it to undermine his authority.
The collapse of prestige often began with tiny cracks, and once those cracks widened, everything would fall apart.
As for who harbored such intentions, whoever stood to gain the most from the Immortal Chief being undeserving of his title was the one.
Dong Wangong's expression darkened. Suppressing the resentment in his heart, he cupped his hands and said:
"Matters concerning the governance of the Primordial Wilderness still require detailed discussion with you Fellow Daoists.
Should you have the time, you are welcome to visit my East Sea Purple Mansion Continent and discuss great plans together. This poor daoist will sweep my couch clean in welcome."
After stumbling into this small setback, Dong Wangong calmed down as well and understood that the title bestowed by the Saint alone was insufficient to secure his position as Immortal Chief.
To firmly establish that status, he had to win over more Great Powers to aid him.
However, the Three Pure Ones had no interest in this whatsoever.
The three wore indifferent expressions and did not even look back. Their robes fluttered as they flew straight into the sky.
Before leaving, Laozi stroked his beard and smiled. Turning toward Bei Ming, his eyes were deep and profound.
"Fellow Daoist Beiming, should there be time, perhaps we may discuss the Dao together."
Among those of his generation, Bei Ming was the only one whose cultivation stood shoulder to shoulder with his own, so Laozi found himself somewhat more interested in him.
Bei Ming remained calm and replied lightly, "If fate permits in the future, there will naturally be an opportunity."
As the Head of the Three Pure Ones, the Senior Brother of the Mystic Gate, and the strongest Saint, Laozi firmly held first place among his peers;
yet Bei Ming felt that if he was unwilling to settle for ease in the future, then no matter which path he chose, so long as he remained alive, he would likely cross paths with this Fellow Daoist.
Laozi's beard and brows drifted in the wind as he said meaningfully, "There will be fate."
With that, the Three Pure Ones used the dodge technique. Light shadow flashed, and they vanished without a trace in an instant.
The opportunities had already been distributed, so there was no point in remaining. Bei Ming looked toward Nüwa and Fuxi and said:
"Two Fellow Daoists, let us follow the original plan and meet again at Zixiao Palace."
Nüwa's long hair stirred gently in the wind. Her eyes were clear as she nodded lightly. "All right."
Fuxi wore a gentle expression and cupped his hands in acknowledgment as well.
Afterward, everyone used the dodge technique and returned to their respective Daoist arenas, leaving only the lingering spiritual light of fading aftershocks in the void.
Only Dong Wangong and Queen Mother of the West remained where they were.
Beneath the faint glow of rosy clouds, Queen Mother of the West's eyes carried a trace of cold detachment, as though she had seen through the affairs of the world. She said slowly:
"Fellow Daoist, it seems the Path of the Immortal Leader is still a long one."
Dong Wangong's gaze sharpened, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes as he said firmly:
"The Entrustment of the Saint must not be betrayed! If the two of us join forces, we will surely forge a great undertaking!"
Queen Mother of the West gazed at the distant Sea of Clouds and said slowly:
"No matter what, it would be best not to stir up too much during the Sage Preaching.
Time is limited. The most urgent matter is to consolidate our cultivation. In the end, the title of Immortal Chief still requires strength to support it."
"Of course I know." Dong Wangong raised his head slightly. "In the Primordial Wilderness, there are not many stronger than you and me.
Most of them remain neutral and are unwilling to interfere.
Before our forces have fully risen, there is no need to contend with them. Once we command All Immortals, we can naturally use the greater momentum to suppress others."
Before you continue