At the mouth of the valley, all the mighty beings' gazes were instantly drawn.
"It's actually this object!" Excitement flashed in Tongtian's eyes.
Laozi and Yuanshi Tianzun also showed slight changes in expression.
Dijun and Fellow Daoist Taiyi's breathing quickened a bit; this was a top-tier Innate Spiritual Root!
Nuwa's beautiful eyes sparkled with various colors.
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun even cried out directly, "Wow! What a treasure!"
Zhenyuanzi also looked amazed.
Wu Ming looked at the Gourd Vine, especially the vine itself, and understood in his heart.
"Fellow Daoists, Opportunity is right before your eyes; let's each rely on our own fate," Laozi said first, his voice calm, as he took a step and walked towards the Gourd Vine.
He pointed a finger at the gourd emanating a faint purple Qi.
The purple gourd hummed, detached from the vine, and fell into Laozi's hand.
Laozi took the gourd, nodded slightly, and stepped aside, no longer looking at it.
Yuanshi Tianzun followed closely, his expression arrogant, his gaze fixed on a verdant green gourd.
He flicked his whisk, and the green gourd flew into his sleeve.
Yuanshi Tianzun obtained the treasure, remained expressionless, and also stepped back.
Tongtian laughed heartily, taking large strides forward: "This green-skinned gourd is fated with me!"
He reached out and grabbed it, and the green gourd joyfully leaped into his palm.
The Three Pure Ones each took a gourd, their movements swift and decisive.
Nuwa moved with light lotus steps and arrived beneath the Gourd Vine.
Her gaze swept around, finally landing on a gourd that shone with brilliant golden light.
With a gentle lift of her jade hand, the golden gourd floated down and was collected by her.
After obtaining the gourd, Nuwa bowed slightly to the vine and also retreated to the side.
At this moment, three gourds remained on the vine.
A red one, a yellow one, and a blue one that was clearly not fully ripe and somewhat dull in color.
Old Ancestor Hongyun rubbed his hands, happily stepping forward: "Hehe, it's my turn!"
He immediately set his sights on the red gourd, reached out, and the gourd entered his hand.
"What a treasure! What a treasure!" Fellow Daoist Hong Yun was overjoyed.
Only the yellow and blue gourds remained.
Fellow Daoist Taiyi had long been unable to restrain himself; seeing Fellow Daoist Hong Yun succeed, he immediately stepped forward, Sun True Fire faintly flickering around him.
He unhesitatingly grabbed the yellow gourd.
As the gourd entered his hand, a heavy and scorching Qi emanated from it. Fellow Daoist Taiyi nodded with satisfaction and carefully put it away.
In an instant, the six ripe gourds each found their owners.
Everyone's gaze involuntarily fell on the only remaining gourd on the vine, as well as the Gourd Vine itself.
It was a blue gourd, a size smaller than the other six, and its color was slightly dull, clearly not yet fully ripe.
As for the Congenital Gourd Vine itself, after the gourds detached, its spiritual light also became much more restrained, but it was still a top-tier Innate Spiritual Root.
Just as everyone had different thoughts, Wu Ming moved.
Wu Ming's expression was calm as he slowly walked to the front of the Gourd Vine.
"Since all Fellow Daoists have already taken the gourds fated with them," Wu Ming raised his head, looking at everyone, his voice calm, "then this unripe blue gourd, and this Gourd Vine itself, shall be taken by my Wu Race. Do Fellow Daoists have any objections?"
His words were polite, but the meaning was clear: You all took the good ones; I want the remaining crooked melon and cracked jujube, along with the vine itself.
Laozi closed his eyes and remained silent, which was considered tacit approval.
Yuanshi Tianzun glanced at the blue gourd, then looked at Wu Ming, and turned his head away.
Clearly, this unripe gourd and vine did not enter his Dharma Eye.
Sect Master Tongtian played with the green gourd in his hand and laughed: "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming can take it as he pleases. We have already obtained our Opportunity, which is excellent."
Nuwa looked at Wu Ming, then at the Gourd Vine, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, seemingly feeling something was amiss. However, she had already obtained the golden gourd, and it was not appropriate for her to say anything more at this moment, so she could only nod slightly.
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun, even more carefree, laughed: "Right, right! Fellow Daoist Wu Ming, by all means, take it! With Fellow Daoist, this Gourd Vine might even have a second spring!"
Zhenyuanzi stood by, naturally supporting Wu Ming.
He reached out, preparing to take both the blue gourd and the entire Congenital Gourd Vine.
Just as the matter was about to be settled, Fellow Daoist Taiyi couldn't help but jump out.
"Wait!" He glared at Wu Ming, "Why should it be yours? This Gourd Vine is an Innate Spiritual Root! Even if this last gourd isn't ripe, the vine itself is a supreme treasure! You say you want it, and you get it?"
Wu Ming turned to look at Fellow Daoist Taiyi, his face devoid of expression.
"Oh? Then, in Fellow Daoist Taiyi's opinion, what should be done?"
"This…" Fellow Daoist Taiyi was stumped.
To be honest, he wasn't very interested in the blue gourd and the vine itself; he simply didn't want the Wu Race, didn't want Wu Ming, to gain an advantage.
Dijun frowned from the side, thinking it was not good.
Fellow Daoist Taiyi's temper had flared up again.
Wu Ming looked at Fellow Daoist Taiyi, a slight curve appearing at the corner of his mouth, as if he smiled, or perhaps not.
"Since Fellow Daoist Taiyi feels it's inappropriate, it's easy to resolve."
Wu Ming pointed at the yellow gourd in Fellow Daoist Taiyi's hand.
"How about this: Fellow Daoist Taiyi gives me the yellow gourd in your hand, and this blue gourd and the Gourd Vine become yours? How about that?"
"You!" Fellow Daoist Taiyi was instantly choked with anger.
Let him exchange a ripe Innate gourd that he had already obtained for an unripe, broken gourd plus a vine?
Was this Wu Ming treating him like an idiot?
The yellow gourd felt warm and smooth in his hand, its precious light restrained; it was clearly no ordinary item. How could he possibly be willing to exchange it?
"You're dreaming!" Fellow Daoist Taiyi roared.
"Since Fellow Daoist is unwilling to exchange," Wu Ming spread his hands, his tone still calm, "then that means Fellow Daoist also believes that the value of this blue gourd and the Gourd Vine is inferior to the yellow gourd in your hand."
"In that case, what is wrong with me taking this relatively less valuable item?"
"I…" Fellow Daoist Taiyi was so choked he couldn't speak.
Logically, there seemed to be nothing wrong, but he just felt aggrieved!
This Wu Ming, his verbal skills were too formidable!
Dijun sighed inwardly and stepped forward, pulling Fellow Daoist Taiyi.
Then he looked at Wu Ming, "Fellow Daoist Wu Ming's words are reasonable. Since this vine and this gourd are not fated with us, let Fellow Daoist take them."
Dijun knew very well that now was not the time to conflict with the Wu Race.
It was not worth falling out with Wu Ming here for an unripe gourd and a vine whose value was still unclear.
Moreover, the Three Pure Ones and Nuwa had already tacitly agreed. If he forcefully stepped forward again, it would only make the Yao Race appear domineering and unreasonable, losing their composure.
Although Fellow Daoist Taiyi was unwilling, since Dijun had spoken, he could only glare resentfully at Wu Ming and say no more.
Wu Ming no longer paid attention to the crowd, turned around, and gently waved his hand at the Congenital Gourd Vine.
The blue gourd and the entire Gourd Vine, along with its roots and soil, were enveloped by his magical power, slowly shrinking, and finally disappeared into his palm.
At this point, the Congenital Gourd Vine and the seven Innate gourds were settled, each finding its owner.
The Three Pure Ones looked at each other, nodded slightly, and transformed into streaks of light, departing.
Nuwa also nodded to everyone and floated away.
Dijun and Fellow Daoist Taiyi exchanged glances, snorted coldly, and returned to the Heavenly Court.
After everyone had left.
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun walked to Wu Ming's side and patted his shoulder: "Congratulations, Fellow Daoist!"
Wu Ming nodded slightly: "Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for the earlier message."
Zhenyuanzi also stepped forward and said: "Now that this matter is concluded, Fellow Daoist Hong Yun and I should also take our leave."
"Farewell, Fellow Daoists." Wu Ming cupped his hands.
Fellow Daoist Hong Yun and Zhenyuanzi also transformed into streaks of light and departed.
In an instant, the once lively valley was left with only Wu Ming.
Wu Ming no longer lingered. His figure moved, transforming into a streak of light, and flew towards Buzhou Mountain.