Red Cloud and Zhenyuanzi Battle Kunpeng

After hearing Taiqing's words, everyone turned to look at the Innate Gourd Vine.

On the cliff face, seven-colored treasure light shot into the heavens from the gourd vine. Each of the seven gourds upon it radiated the aura of an innate spiritual treasure.

Everyone present had a feverish gleam in their eyes. Innate spiritual treasures like these were coveted treasures throughout the entire prehistoric world.

Yet although everyone had come for these innate spiritual treasures, none dared to make a rash grab for them.

The Three Pure Ones stood at the forefront, followed by Fuxi, Nuwa, Di Jun, Taiyi, Red Cloud, and Zhenyuanzi. Not one among them was an ordinary Rogue Cultivator. If a great battle truly erupted over these gourds, no one would come away unscathed.

Xuan Heng stood behind the Three Pure Ones. His cultivation was the lowest among those present, so he had never expected to claim a gourd. He was simply here to check in at one of the prehistoric world's famous scenes.

But at that moment, the uppermost purple gourd on the vine ripened first and fell straight from the Innate Gourd Vine.

At the sight, everyone secretly brought out their spiritual treasures, ready to fight for it at any moment.

Before anyone could act, however, the purple-gold gourd seemed to recognize its master of its own accord and flew directly toward Taiqing.

Taiqing's expression did not change. With a wave of his hand, he sent out a stream of Taiqing immortal light and tucked the purple-gold gourd into his sleeve.

No one spoke up to contest it. Taiqing had obtained the first gourd, and even if they had grievances, they did not dare voice them openly. When the gourd flew toward Taiqing, Tongtian had already gripped the Green Duckweed Sword in his hand, while Yuanshi beside him had summoned his Three Treasures Jade Ruyi and stood ready for battle.

Not long after, the second yellow-skinned gourd upon the vine ripened. Carrying a dense aura of earth virtue, it flew toward Yuanshi.

Yuanshi raised a hand and accepted it. His sleeve trembled faintly as Jade Pure immortal light suppressed the gourd's innate spiritual essence.

The third, azure gourd then detached itself from the vine and flew toward Tongtian.

As Tongtian watched the azure gourd fly over, a smile finally appeared on his face.

"It suits me well enough."

As he spoke, he reached out and grabbed it. The azure gourd landed in his palm, where a thread of green light circulated within, faintly carrying a sharp edge.

Taiyi's brow furrowed slightly. The moment the first three gourds ripened, they had fallen directly into the hands of the Three Pure Ones, leaving no chance for anyone else to contend for them.

But the Three Pure Ones' foundations and strength were there for all to see, and they had arrived first. No one could say anything, nor did anyone dare.

At this moment, the fourth red gourd on the vine lit up.

The aura of creation around Nuwa stirred faintly. As if drawn by it, the red gourd fell from the vine and flew toward Nuwa.

Fuxi stepped forward half a pace and stood before Nuwa, shielding her from several probing gazes.

Nuwa reached out and caught the red gourd. "This item is destined for me," she said softly.

Di Jun glanced at Nuwa but said nothing. Taiyi merely snorted coldly and did not make a move. After all, Nuwa was still part of the Demon Race, in the same camp as them. There was no need to fight over it.

In the blink of an eye, only three of the seven gourds remained, and the atmosphere instantly grew tense.

"Red Cloud, the fifth red gourd is destined for you." Standing beside Red Cloud, Zhenyuanzi pointed at the fifth gourd, which was about to ripen and glowed with red light.

"Yes, I have the same feeling," Red Cloud said with a nod.

After an unknown amount of time, the fifth red gourd finally fell from the vine. But unlike the previous ones, after it detached, it did not fly toward anyone present. It merely hovered quietly in the air.

Seeing the gourd ripen, Red Cloud took a step forward, intending to claim the fifth gourd.

"I have taken a liking to this gourd as well!"

Before the words had even faded, a great hand reached out toward the gourd.

Xuan Heng's gaze darkened. Kunpeng had arrived.

He had not acted early or late, but chose precisely the moment Red Cloud was about to take the gourd. It seemed Kunpeng had come specifically for Red Cloud.

Red Cloud's expression shifted slightly. Raising his hand, he sent out a streak of red light that blocked Kunpeng's attack.

"What is the meaning of this, Fellow Daoist Kunpeng?" Red Cloud asked darkly after being ambushed.

"Heh. Fellow Daoist Red Cloud, spiritual treasures have no owner. Those with affinity may seize them. Why can you, Red Cloud, take it, while I, Kunpeng, cannot?" Kunpeng snorted coldly as he stood in midair.

"If you wished to contend for the treasure, that would be one thing. But from what I can see, your attack was clearly aimed at Fellow Daoist Red Cloud. Your killing intent is far too heavy."

Zhenyuanzi stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Red Cloud.

"Zhenyuanzi, this has nothing to do with you. I advise you not to meddle in other people's business."

With a sweep of Zhenyuanzi's sleeve, the phantom image of the Earth Book emerged behind him, and the dense aura of the earth's veins came crashing down.

"Red Cloud's affairs are my affairs."

As his words fell, even the earth qi around Mount Imperfection was stirred.

Kunpeng's expression sank. He was confident he could defeat Red Cloud, but he had no certainty of defeating Zhenyuanzi, much less facing two against one.

Yet if he retreated now, he would not be reconciled. The matter of giving up his seat at Purple Cloud Palace remained vivid in his memory. He had swallowed this anger for thousands of years.

With that thought, Kunpeng hesitated no longer. His body flashed, turning into a streak of black shadow that bypassed Zhenyuanzi and lunged straight at Red Cloud.

The smile on Red Cloud's face vanished completely. No matter how good his temper was, he would not stand there and take a beating. With a wave of his hand, crimson clouds surged up and blocked Kunpeng's path, while his other hand reached for the red gourd.

Kunpeng snorted coldly. The frigid qi of the Northern Abyss abruptly erupted, and a black tide of frost charged directly at Red Cloud's Primordial Spirit.

Zhenyuanzi pressed down with one hand, and the Earth Book's light blazed brilliantly.

A heavy phantom of mountains and rivers descended, blocking the frigid qi outside.

Seizing the chance, Red Cloud grabbed the red gourd in one swift motion.

The instant the gourd landed in his hand, crimson treasure-light blazed brilliantly. The cloud aura around Red Cloud resonated with the gourd's aura, directly shaking Kunpeng back half a step.

"Fine treasure."

Red Cloud murmured, then raised a hand and struck the gourd. A mist of light like red sand sprayed from the crimson gourd, rushing straight at Kunpeng's face.

Kunpeng's expression shifted slightly as he retreated at top speed. He was incredibly fast and evaded most of it in an instant, yet a speck of red light still grazed his sleeve.

A patch of gray instantly corroded across the fabric.

"Red Cloud, you're courting death." Kunpeng's face darkened even further after being wounded.

Zhenyuanzi's voice sank.

"Kunpeng, this treasure has already fallen into Red Cloud's hands. If you strike again, it will no longer be a contest for treasure—it will be the forging of a mortal enmity."

The Earth Book slowly unfurled behind him, completely suppressing the earth aura around Mount Imperfection.

Hearing Zhenyuanzi's words, Kunpeng swept his gaze around. The Three Pure Ones and Xuan Heng showed no expression at all; Fuxi and Nuwa would not help him either; Taiyi and Di Jun wore looks of pure amusement. Red Cloud had obtained the treasure and had Zhenyuanzi's protection besides. There was no longer any chance to kill Red Cloud today.

Kunpeng cast Red Cloud a cold glance.

"I will remember today's matter."

With that, his figure flickered, turning into a streak of black light that vanished into the distance.

Red Cloud gripped the crimson gourd and fell silent for a moment.

Zhenyuanzi looked at him.

"Do you understand now why Fellow Daoist Xuan Heng warned you that day?"

Red Cloud gave a bitter smile.

"I understand."

He turned toward Xuan Heng and solemnly cupped his hands.

"Fellow Daoist Xuan Heng, I owe you another debt of gratitude this time."

Xuan Heng returned the salute. "So long as you were willing to take it to heart, it is not too late."