Primordial Era: Reborn Kong Xuan, Steady Cultivation

Hundreds of years pass in the blink of an eye within the formation; the five senses are long obscured, and the passage of time leaves no trace.

Until this day, the confusion before Kong Xuan's eyes suddenly dissipated, and he suddenly saw the light.

Ancient pines and cypresses stand tall and majestic, their gnarled branches twisting like dragons, while strange rocks and craggy peaks rise in layers of verdant green, and green peaks stand in rows like swords.

Clouds and mist, like gauze, lightly shroud the mountains; springs, like jade, cascade down, their waters a clear, emerald green.

At the mountain peak, a thousand-foot-tall ancient vine coils like a hibernating dragon, its thick, gnarled body as strong as iron, deeply embedded in the rock veins, as if breathing and sharing the same spirit with the entire mountain range.

The vine is entirely green, and its skin texture reveals mysterious Daoist traces, as if innate true meaning flows within it.

Where the vines and leaves intertwine, a misty haze rises, and at the tip of the vine hangs seven precious gourds, each radiating divine light, creating a magnificent spectacle.

Each gourd exudes a unique Daoist charm, some as fiery as true fire, some as gentle as spring water, some as sharp as golden light, and some as thick as the earth...

Amidst the interplay of seven colors, the surrounding spiritual energy pulsed and flowed, as if all things were responding to this innate spirituality.

"It really is... the primordial Qi of the gourd vine."

Kong Xuan looked at the scene and understood.

The seven gourds that grew from the primordial primordial energy gourd vine are all top-grade primordial spiritual treasures.

The first Purple Gold Gourd was obtained by Laozi of Taiqing and later used to hold elixirs. It contained the supernatural power of "calling souls" and could "summon people by name". During the journey to the West, Golden Horn and Silver Horn used this treasure to give Sun Wukong a big tumble.

The second purple-red gourd, which belonged to Taoist Hongyun, contained the power of "soul scattering". When activated, it could destroy bones and corrode the soul, especially the spirit, hence the name Nine-Nine Soul Scattering Gourd.

The third purple and white gourd, which entered the hands of Donghuang Taiyi, contained the true meaning of "soul-slaying". It was later refined into the "Immortal-Slaying Flying Knife" and finally passed on to the demon prince Lu Ya.

The fourth purple-black gourd was obtained by the Jade Pure Primordial Celestial Venerable. It possesses the supernatural power of "transforming souls" and was later refined into the Chaos Gourd, which can evolve all things and recreate the universe.

The fifth purple-green gourd was given to the goddess Nuwa, containing the secret of "summoning souls". It was later cast into the "Demon-Summoning Banner", which could summon all the demons in the world with a single thought.

The sixth purple and yellow gourd was taken away by the Tongtian Sect Master of Shangqing. It has the ability to "command souls" and was eventually refined into a water and fire gourd. It contains two Qilin of water and fire, and when arranged in an array, it becomes a killing force.

The seventh purple-green gourd was obtained by the Jade Emperor and contains the Dao of "Nourishment of Souls," which can nurture all spiritual beings in the world and promote their transformation and sublimation.

As for the gourd vine itself, it was taken by Nuwa and refined into the Creation Whip, which later carried immense merit and opportunity when the human race was born.

Gazing at the seven gourds on the vine, each radiating divine light, Kong Xuan's gaze finally settled on the second purplish-red gourd.

This gourd will eventually be obtained by Taoist Hongyun, who will refine it into the Nine-Nine Soul-Scattering Gourd, which is specifically designed to subdue the soul and exudes a chilling aura.

However, Hongyun's fate was already sealed. The reason for giving up his seat in Zixiao Palace had already created a karmic connection with Kunpeng. Possessing the Primordial Purple Qi, he became the target of everyone's attacks.

Even with this treasure protecting him, he could not escape the calamity of being besieged and killed by the combined forces of Di Jun, Tai Yi, and other powerful figures.

As for Jieyin and Zhunti, they had already become disciples of the sages at that time, and later they attained sainthood. Even if Kunpeng had grievances, how could he dare to seek revenge against the sages?

"Since this is a destiny that cannot be protected, I might as well bear the consequences myself."

Kong Xuan was clear-headed.

Taking this gourd is not to seize the opportunity, but to prevent the treasure from perishing in the mortal world along with the red cloud.

Moreover, after he takes the treasure, he will naturally try to warn Hongyun and help her avoid the calamity. If Hongyun can escape death because of this, she may even thank him for his actions today when she learns the truth in the future.

Thinking it this way, one can fulfill the concept of cause and effect and obtain the reality of Lingbao, which is indeed a win-win solution.

Without further hesitation, he stepped forward and walked towards the vigorous, dragon-like gourd vine.

As he approached the vine, Kong Xuan felt even more keenly the innate spiritual energy emanating from it.

It wasn't just one, but the combined pressure of seven top-grade innate spiritual treasures gathered here.

In the primordial world, apart from the Treasure Distribution Rock of Dao Ancestor Hongjun, there is probably no other place that can gather so many opportunities.

He stood still for a moment, then bowed solemnly to the ancient vine.

He then channeled his magic power, and with a gentle gust of wind like a banana leaf fan, a sharp, condensed gust of wind quietly swept out, precisely separating the purple-red gourd from the vine.

Suddenly, the gourd, which was originally dozens of feet in size, transformed into a stream of light and flew into Kong Xuan's palm. At the same time, it rapidly shrank, eventually becoming a small, purplish-red gourd about a foot long with its precious light contained within.

Holding the gourd, Kong Xuan felt a surge of emotion.

Despite the hardships of entering the battle, they did not return empty-handed.

He then put the gourd into his sleeve, preparing to refine it in a quiet place after leaving the formation. His gaze returned to the still vigorous gourd vine.

"Now that we've come this far, we must take this vine."

Kong Xuan's mind raced. He knew that when Nuwa created humans, she used this vine as a whip to quickly form a race.

If one takes too much today, causing the Creator Whip to be incomplete in its spirituality and delaying creation, the overwhelming karmic consequences will be beyond one's ability to bear.

With this in mind, he gently cut off a section of vine with his banana leaf fan, not too long and not too short, just enough to preserve its original vitality.

This section is chosen so that one might one day comprehend the workings of creation, emulate the goddess Nuwa, and create one's own race.

I do not seek to become a saint through this, but it is a good thing to gain some merit. After all, whether I am exploring spiritual treasures or controlling the Jade of Creation, I will need the blessing of merit.

With everything completed, Kong Xuan pointed his fingers into the air and left a few lines of Daoist text condensed from pure energy among the mountain rocks. He briefly warned Hongyun to be wary of the enmity of Kunpeng, but did not explain the key points such as the Zixiao Palace giving up its seat and the Primordial Purple Qi.

Once one reaches the level of Hongyun, with just a little guidance, one can deduce the secrets of heaven and make preparations in advance.

After everything was settled, Kong Xuan finally focused his thoughts on Chi Jingzi and Qing Songzi, who were still in the formation.

It wouldn't be a problem if I left alone.

However, once the two escape their predicament and learn that they took the treasure first, they will inevitably harbor resentment.

That Chi Jingzi will be a disciple of Yuanshi Tianzun in the future. Although I am not afraid of him, the sage's intentions are profound and his reputation for protecting his own is widespread throughout the prehistoric world. I must be cautious and consider this carefully.

If this attracts the attention of the Primordial Celestial Venerable, the karmic consequences could be far more troublesome than they are now.

As for leading the two inside to retrieve the treasure, that was absolutely out of the question.

Unlike themselves, they did not know the secrets of heaven, nor did they understand that each of the seven gourds had a destined owner.

If they are allowed to pick them, all seven gourds will likely be taken, and the enmity will not be between just one or two people, but between seven powerful beings who are all connected to the gourds.

Having considered this, Kong Xuan had already made up his mind.

"Since they are unable to break through the formation to this point, they naturally do not know that I have entered the core of the formation and seen the gourd vine. It would be better to conceal this slightly and make the two of them think that I, like them, have been trapped in the formation and have not gone any deeper."

After reciting the incantation, he concealed the aura of the treasure in his sleeve, and then tidied up the slightly disordered residual magical power around his body before once again raising the Northern Profound Origin Water Control Flag.

The water flag shimmered with a faint light, guiding him as he slowly retreated towards the outer edge of the great formation, following the faint sense he had sensed when he arrived.

……

Beyond the heavens, in the Purple Cloud Palace.

On the cloud bed, the Dao Ancestor Hongjun chanted mantras, and the profound sound of the Great Dao flowed like a spring, permeating the palace.

However, a wisp of his mind always lingered on that "variable" place in the primordial wilderness.

Seeing Kong Xuan take away the purple-red gourd, the Dao Ancestor's eyes remained unmoved, as if he had expected it.

Only when he saw the words left on the rocks, the qi condensed into characters, warning Hongyun to be wary of Kunpeng's actions, did a faint sense of emotion flicker across his face in the barely perceptible gap of the Daoist voice.

"He has a nature that doesn't like to owe karma, but it's a pity that he didn't take the purple and green gourd, thus missing out on some karma."

Such was the thought, yet he sighed softly, "But this stroke is ultimately superfluous."

Almost simultaneously, a gentle breeze suddenly arose in that valley in the primordial wilderness.

The wind is formless and intangible, seemingly blowing from beyond the heavens or arising from the void. It gently sweeps across the rock surface, and the few lines of Daoist characters condensed from pure energy dissipate quietly, like dust meeting water, leaving no trace behind.

The mountain remains silent, the vines remain lush and green, as if no one has ever left a word or set foot here.

The three thousand mortals under His seat remained absorbed in their own understanding of the Dao, unaware of the matter. On the contrary, the attendant under His seat kept yawning, looking somewhat annoyed.

……

Leaving the great formation went much more smoothly than expected. In just a few days, Kong Xuan had escaped from the chaotic light and shadow and returned to the outside world.

The moment his feet touched the ground, he heard a joyful call: "Fellow Daoist Kong, how is the situation?"

Looking up, one could see Qing Songzi standing not far outside the formation.

Before the joy on his face could fully unfold, a glimmer of expectation flashed in his eyes. But when he saw that Kong Xuan's aura was chaotic, his expression was fearful, and he did not look like someone who had just returned with a treasure, that expectation quietly turned into disappointment. Although it was only for a moment, it did not escape Kong Xuan's eyes.

"Fellow Daoist," Kong Xuan said, revealing a hint of lingering fear, "this formation is truly terrifying. Although it poses no danger of killing, it pushes the ability to obscure perception and disrupt divine sense to the extreme."

"I have wandered within this formation for hundreds of years, yet I still cannot fathom its core, nor do I even know what treasures are hidden within..."

He changed the subject, glancing around, and asked, "Eh? Where is Fellow Daoist Chijingzi?"

Upon hearing this, Qing Songzi sighed softly, "Alas, who would have thought that this great formation would separate us the moment we entered it? Fellow Daoist Chi Jingzi should still be wandering in the formation at this moment, and I have not seen him since."

After he finished speaking, a hint of sadness crept into his expression.

The more mysterious and difficult to break this formation is, the more it indicates that the treasure it protects is extraordinary. However, with my abilities, I haven't even been able to get close to the center of the formation. I'm afraid this opportunity will ultimately pass me by.

But this is the norm in the primordial world; if the treasures were so good, how could they possibly have gotten them?