"Break!"
Da Wa shouted, his muscles tensing and veins bulging as he exerted all his strength.
A powerful force surged from within Da Wa, forcibly prying apart the giant snake's body.
The giant snake had never expected Da Wa to possess such immense strength, and its body was torn open in many places.
Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Da Wa raised his axe again and swung down with unstoppable momentum.
The heavy blow cleaved off the giant snake's head.
"Da Wa, smash its head!"
Xiao Teng knew that the giant snake possessed tenacious vitality. Even a centipede did not die immediately after being crushed; despite having its head severed, it could still harm others.
Hearing Xiao Teng's words, Da Wa swung his axe without hesitation and completely smashed the giant snake's head.
As its head was reduced to dust, the giant snake's enormous body gradually lost all signs of life and finally perished.
Da Wa let out a long breath, slowly walked over, and reached out to grasp the pearl.
The pearl struggled fiercely, yet it could not break free from Da Wa's grip at all.
"Father, this pearl seems to be called the Earth Spirit Pearl."
So it really was the Earth Spirit Pearl.
The Earth Spirit Pearl was the pearl among the Five Elements Pearls that represented the earth element. It was a High-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure, emanating a heavy, ancient aura and containing the power of the earth.
Once all Five Elements Pearls were gathered, they would possess the might of a Supreme-Grade Innate Spirit Treasure.
Xiao Teng said softly, "Da Wa, bring the Earth Spirit Pearl back."
Da Wa replied, "Okay, Father."
Da Wa chose the shortest route, but even so, it took him nearly ten thousand years to arrive.
"Father, I brought back the Earth Spirit Pearl." As he spoke, he carefully took out the Earth Spirit Pearl, which radiated an earthy yellow glow, and presented it to Xiao Teng as though offering a treasure.
At the same time, he also took out all the other spirit treasures he had picked up along the way.
"Father, please take all these spirit treasures."
Xiao Teng extended a vine and stroked Da Wa's head.
"Good child, keep these things for yourself. They may come in handy when you venture out to train in the future."
Xiao Teng had little interest in the other spirit treasures. All his attention was focused on the Earth Spirit Pearl.
Holding the Earth Spirit Pearl, Xiao Teng felt a rich earth spiritual energy flow into his body along his vines. He could clearly sense that his cultivation speed had suddenly increased.
With the Earth Spirit Pearl's aid, Xiao Teng secretly estimated that he would need no more than another ten thousand years to successfully take form and truly experience the Primordial World.
Da Wa rested at home for only two days before his restless nature could no longer be contained.
"Father, I plan to continue exploring other places. Maybe I'll find even more treasures."
Seeing his excited expression, Xiao Teng cautioned, "Do not be hasty. Safety comes first in all things. If you happen to encounter any more Five Elements Pearls, be sure to bring them back as well."
"I understand, Father." Da Wa answered, then set out once more.
This time, Xiao Teng did not keep his gaze fixed on Da Wa as he usually did.
If he wished to truly gain a foothold in the Primordial World, taking form was the crucial step. Thus, he calmed himself and used the Earth Spirit Pearl's spiritual energy to devote himself entirely to cultivation.
Time flew like a galloping horse, and in the blink of an eye, ten thousand years passed.
During his cultivation, Xiao Teng sensed that his opportunity to take form had finally arrived.
Filled with joy, he prepared to welcome this moment of transformation.
Yet fate seemed to be playing a joke on him, and that familiar yet helpless feeling swept over him once again.
The spiritual energy within him began surging wildly out of control, then rushed toward the second gourd on the Calabash Vine.
"Father, I'm coming out!"
With a crisp, ringing cry, the second gourd shook violently before flying off the vine.
In midair, the gourd blazed with brilliant light before exploding with a boom. When the radiance faded, a child somewhat resembling Da Wa appeared.
The child's eyes were like bright stars, glimmering with lively light. His ears were wider than Da Wa's, as though they could hear every faint sound in the world.
"Father, I've taken form!"
Er Wa danced with excitement, looking utterly adorable.
The other gourds around him that had yet to take form also swayed one after another, making cheerful sounds as they celebrated Er Wa's transformation.
Yet amid all this celebration, Xiao Teng alone remained deeply troubled.
He had been certain that he would finally be able to take form this time, only for another Calabash Kid to get there first. Looking at the remaining five gourds, an impulse surged within him to tear them all off at once.
But when his gaze fell upon those gourds, the love in his heart ultimately prevailed.
Forget it. At worst, I'll wait a few more tens of thousands of years. As long as I can take form before the calamity descends, that will be enough. Xiao Teng sighed inwardly.
"Father, I saw Big Brother fighting a bear. Big Brother was amazing! He stretched out his arms, hugged the bear tightly, then gave it a fierce throw, and the bear flew incredibly far away."
Er Wa widened his large eyes and looked into the distance, vividly describing what he had seen.
Er Wa's divine abilities were far more than merely Clairvoyance and Wind-Listening Ear. Within the Primordial World, so long as a place was not concealed by an array or barrier, not even the slightest movement—even the tiniest detail—could escape his perception.
"Father, I also want to go out and train like Big Brother." Er Wa's eyes brimmed with longing.
After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Teng nodded. "Very well, go. Remember to look after each other with your big brother, and bring back more treasures."
"With your divine abilities, finding treasures should be much easier. But your own combat strength is somewhat lacking, so do not act recklessly."
"I'll be careful. Thank you, Father!"
Thus, Er Wa happily set off to join Da Wa.
After Er Wa departed, Xiao Teng shifted his perspective to Da Wa.
At the same time, his divine sense reached Da Wa. "Da Wa, head toward Er Wa. Er Wa's combat strength is weak, and I am worried that he may encounter danger."
Upon receiving the instruction, Da Wa went to meet Er Wa.
In truth, however, Xiao Teng's concern was somewhat unnecessary.
With his miraculous Clairvoyance and Wind-Listening Ear, Er Wa could detect signs of danger in advance.
Along the way, he cleverly avoided the ferocious demon beasts lurking in the shadows. Not only that, but he could also accurately locate treasures.
Once Da Wa and Er Wa successfully met up, the pair became like tigers with wings.
Er Wa used his divine abilities to search for the places where treasures were hidden. His lively eyes swept everywhere while his ears twitched faintly, missing not a single clue.
Once they locked onto a target, Da Wa charged forward without hesitation. Whether facing demon beasts guarding the treasure or any other obstacle, Da Wa simply relied on his divine strength to force his way through and seize the treasure.
The two brothers worked together flawlessly and soon obtained a great many treasures.
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