Chapter 48 Gourd Vine
“I can’t accept it,” Taiyi refused, “Take it back.”
“You have to,” Chang Hao said firmly, pushing the gourd back. “I don’t want to owe you anything.”
Upon hearing this, Yuanshi felt a fleeting sense of guilt. The Linglong Pagoda was no less impressive than the Chaos Bell, and it was indeed... but despite its many merits, it had one major flaw: it did not belong to Yuanshi alone.
Yuanshi seemed to understand why Chang Hao hadn't taken the Linglong Pagoda but instead wanted the Taiyi Chaos Bell. He must have been afraid of putting him in a difficult position. Thinking of this, Yuanshi knew that he lacked a supreme innate treasure that was no less valuable than the Linglong Pagoda. In the future, Chang Hao would need it without having to ask others for help.
Chang Hao picked the last remaining blue gourd. The blue gourd was small and exquisite, and it bounced twice in his palm, which was very pleasing.
Tongtian laughed loudly, "As expected, the magic weapon is ordained by heaven. Chang Hao, see how affectionate it is towards you."
"This magical artifact doesn't even need refining; it possesses innate supernatural powers," Chang Hao observed the gourd's totem, which resembled a sacred flame burning fiercely.
"It possesses innate supernatural powers and can also be refined." Yuanshi glanced at the gourd, finding it increasingly exquisite and delightful.
"Chang Hao, don't forget to take away the gourd vine." Tongtian pointed to the innate gourd vine on the ground. No one is stupid; if this long vine is properly refined, it can also become a divine weapon.
Chang Hao looked down at the gourd vine, then glanced at the Jade Pool beside him. "Heaven cherishes life. The gourd vine still has a sliver of life left. I will transplant it to a place rich in spiritual energy, hoping that it can turn its fortunes around and make up for its gift to us."
“Excellent,” Yuanshi said, his eyes showing approval. “Why not transplant it to East Kunlun? I will take good care of it.” He glanced at Tongtian out of the corner of his eye. If Chang Hao agreed, all those animals on that mountain of yours would be gone!
Don't even think about touching a single leaf of the gourd vine!
"No need," Chang Hao politely declined. He was well aware of Tongtian's preferences and didn't want this fragile vine to end up as food. "It has a better place to go."
Chang Hao has decided to plant it next to the peach tree. Since both are among the ten innate spiritual roots and share the same origin, it should also benefit the gourd vine.
"Yaochi, carefully hold the gourd vine, lest it lose its spiritual energy." Chang Hao carefully placed the bottom, which contained traces of innate spiritual soil, into Yaochi's hands.
Yaochi was on high alert. As soon as it caught the gourd vine, it released its unique spiritual power. Yaochi, which originated from the Ten Great Spiritual Roots, steadily gave the gourd vine a breath of fresh air.
"Fellow Daoists, I must take my leave now. I will invite you all to Lishan another day. Farewell." Chang Hao bowed and said goodbye. He then hurriedly headed towards Zixiao Palace with Yaochi, hoping that the breath he had just gained would allow the gourd vine to last until they reached Zixiao Palace.
"Wait a minute..." Taiichi had a good idea of where to go.
"What are you doing?" Yuanshi stepped forward and blocked Taiyi's path.
A sense of disappointment welled up in Taiyi's heart. "It's a rare opportunity to meet, why rush things?"
The laurel tree is a place with a gentle spiritual atmosphere and flowing imperial nectar, making it an excellent spot. He wanted Chang Hao to plant the gourd vine there.
Tongtian crossed his arms and chuckled, "Of course, it's because I'm afraid someone will keep asking for the gourd vine." He glanced at Dijun, his meaning clear.
"If you ask me, Chang Hao is still too thin-skinned. He should learn from me. Don't you think so, Second Brother?" Tongtian nudged Yuanshi's shoulder.
Yuanshi brushed his shoulder dismissively. "No thanks. Having just one of you is enough of a headache."
Tong was so angry he jumped up and down, "Second Brother, what do you mean? Wait, explain yourself clearly, don't leave yet..."
Lao Tzu flicked his whisk and said, "Fellow Daoists, please excuse my rudeness. Farewell."
Taiyi stared at the departing figures of the Three Pure Ones, his face ashen. He knew Chang Hao certainly didn't mean it that way, but he couldn't stand Tongtian's sarcastic tone.
"Brother, I'm going to Lishan to return the gourd to Chang Hao," Taiyi said resolutely.
“No need. Chang Hao is soft-hearted and in a hurry to save the gourd vine. He gave you the gourd as a way of thanking you. It means you're even. You two have a life-or-death bond. You even lent him the Chaos Bell. If he can't bear to part with a gourd, then you shouldn't have any contact with each other in the future.” Di Jun was still pondering the subtle unease in Chang Hao's gaze.
If we're talking about the Three Pure Ones and Chang Hao, who does Di Jun fear most? It's undoubtedly Chang Hao.
Although the Three Pure Ones enjoy high prestige, they remain in their own Eastern Kunlun Mountains, detached from worldly affairs and living in seclusion. Chang Hao, on the other hand, is a mysterious figure with an enigmatic background, and he is likely to become a major concern for them in the future.
“Fellow Daoist Nuwa, Fellow Daoist Fuxi,” Di Jun said, turning to the side, “Be careful in everything you do when refining the gourd, for even spiritual treasures can harm people.”
Nuwa observed the patterns on the golden gourd and was in a good mood: "I understand now, thank you for reminding me, Fellow Daoist Dijun."
"That's good. I hope you two fellow Daoists will consider the matter of the demon race carefully," Di Jun said before leaving, bringing up the demon race again. "It is not easy for us birds, beasts, plants, jade, stones and spirits to take human form. If we cannot unite, let alone compete with the Three Pure Ones for status, even the Wu Clan, who are rough and unruly on the ground, will treat us as prey. Our race will be difficult to sustain."
"The struggle for treasure that happened today will continue to unfold in the future. I hope you will think this through carefully, fellow Daoist." Di Jun stopped there and didn't say anything more. "Farewell."
"Farewell..." Fuxi nodded, watching Dijun and Taiyi leave before finally turning his gaze away.
Nuwa, holding the gourd, was overjoyed as she and Fuxi walked slowly across the lush grass.
"You're still naive. Chang Hao used the gourd to repay the debt he owed you back then. The cause and effect are both wiped out, and he doesn't owe you anything anymore." Fuxi had to remind Nuwa, not wanting her to be fearless in front of Chang Hao.
"Why should he owe me?" Nuwa said indifferently. "You don't understand, Chang Hao, he would never be angry with me."
Fuxi had no idea where Nuwa's confidence came from, so he could only shake his head helplessly. "You, take it easy. Not everyone is your big brother and has no bottom line when it comes to you."
“Chang Hao’s bottom line with me is also very lenient,” Nuwa was confident that her intuition was correct. But what about her elder brother? Would he really join Di Jun and the others to become some kind of demon saint?
Nuwa suddenly turned her head and asked, "Big brother, are you tempted?"
Fuxi knew Nuwa was asking about the above, and smiled, "That's right."
"Brother, are you willing to tell me the truth?" Nuwa could see that Dijun had desires, desires called the lust for power, but Fuxi was gentle and kind by nature, and clearly had no lust for power.
“Sister,” Fuxi gazed at Nuwa and sighed deeply, “the primordial world is about to descend into chaos again.”
"How do you know?" Nuwa listened intently. Fuxi's words were reasonable and well-founded, and she could still listen to them. She believed that problems could not be solved by force alone.
"The sage is expounding his teachings," Fuxi said, word by word, "and it is inevitable that the cultivators who go to the prehistoric world to listen to his teachings will greatly increase their strength. With increased strength, will they want to move to a mountain with more abundant spiritual energy? Slaughter will break out, and there will be no way to avoid it."
“There must be quite a few like Di Jun who want to raise an army.” Fuxi frowned. There was also the matter of Nuwa occupying a futon. Although he didn’t know what benefit she would gain or what the consequences would be, no one was a fool. The situation of being the target of everyone’s criticism was already foreseeable.
If Di Jun's demon clan can truly succeed, other powerful beings will have to think twice before trying to harm Nuwa.
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