After a half-day journey, the group arrived at the bank of a vast river that was rushing.
Leading the way, Wu Ke looked far into the distance, "There are Xuanbai gourds growing in the brushwood over there. Although it takes three thousand years for a Xuanbai gourd to mature, the vines of Xuanbai gourds can be harvested and used in medicine after a hundred years or more. Of course, the longer they grow, the better the medicinal effect, with the best Xuanbai gourd vines being those around when a Xuanbai gourd is just ripe."
Kang Yuan followed and looked around, "When I last came in, I remember there was a Xuanbai gourd that seemed to be about to ripen, I wonder how it is now."
Ding Xu smiled, "Fifty years is quite long for us, but compared to the growth speed of Xuanbai gourds, an exotic spirit root, it can almost be ignored. Don't think it was close to maturity last time, perhaps fifty years have passed and it still looks the same as last time."
Qin Ming agreed, "Indeed, it takes three thousand years for a Xuanbai gourd to mature. Fifty years is nothing in comparison. Otherwise, if Master Chen had been able to refine a Xuanbai gourd into an artifact, it would surely display great power. It's just a pity that none of us here are skilled in the art of refining artifacts."
Of course, Chen Yun knew that Xuanbai gourds are an excellent material for refining artifacts.
For example, in "Journey to the West," it is described that Taishang Laojun's purple gold red gourd can call people's names, and if the person actually responds, they will be collected into the gourd. Then a "Taishang Laojun, rushing as fast as a command" amulet will be pasted on it. In an instant, it will turn into thick water.
Doesn't it sound amazing?
In fact, if Chen Yun really could obtain a Xuanbai gourd, he could also refine an artifact with similar effects.
This is not because the Xuanbai gourd itself has similar "godly abilities," but because it possesses an unbreakable attribute. If a Kettle Heaven Art is inscribed in the gourd and some powerful magical arrays are constructed within it, then the Xuanbai gourd can indeed absorb people into its interior.
At that time, by using secret methods to activate the magical arrays, Chen Yun would be able to cause someone to disappear instantly, leaving behind only a wisp of smoke and dust.
Of course, the functions of the Xuanbai gourd are far beyond this.
The immature Xuanbai gourd can also be used in medicine and is a precious remedy for fire poisoning.
The "fire poison" being mentioned here is not just ordinary burn infections.
It is not just ordinary burn infections, but even the fire poison caused by being burned by heaven can be relieved through it.
As for the mature Xuanbai gourd, besides being able to be made into "storage" type artifacts, it can even absorb evil qi even if nothing is refined from it.
Moreover, the Xuanbai gourd is incredibly sturdy.
Furthermore, it can be refined into a type of artifact similar to "Fan Tian Yin."
After all, the artifacts forged from this thing have no less power than that of treasure.
The only regrettable thing is that it's incredibly difficult to obtain a mature Xuanbai gourd.
However, Chen Yun didn't expect it too much, he just followed Wu Keju, Kang Yuan, and Qin Ming and others into the brushwood.
The brushwood from the outside didn't seem too large, but after flying for more than ten li, the group finally arrived at their destination.
Wu Keju pointed about ten steps ahead, "Master Chen, that's where the Xuanbai gourd vine is."
What's in front of me is a very long Xuanbai gourd vine that sprawls over the bushes.
On this gourd vine, there were four or five gourds with black and white colors.
At a glance, these gourds seemed to be unripe.
Indeed, they haven't yet matured.
Chen Yun was not too disappointed.
He responded with a sound of assent, "All right, I'll go get it now."
After saying that, he walked forward.
As he was walking, he heard Kanga Yan sigh behind him, "It's a pity that the Xuanbai gourd hasn't matured yet."
Qin Ming's tone was somewhat doubtful, "I'm not sure if I'm remembering correctly, when I last came in, there were seven gourds hanging from this Xuanbai gourd vine, but now there are only six?"
Kanga Yan casually said, "You must have forgotten, it's also possible that someone needed an unripe gourd for medicinal purposes and therefore took one. Anyway, this kind of heaven and earth spirit root is usually not taken until it has matured because there will be another opportunity to come in next time. Who would drain the well dry?"
Because the Juyin pearl is a "family heirloom" type of treasure, not only can the owner enter the Sun and Moon Lake Realm, but also they can pass it on to their descendants in the future. Therefore, after each visit, people don't necessarily have to sweep away all kinds of celestial and earth spirit roots; instead, they pick them with great restraint and in appropriate amounts.
For example, some common spirit roots that can be found everywhere are taken randomly.
If more precious spirit roots are involved, as long as they have not matured and there is no strong demand, they will not be "eradicated from the root" in a literal sense.
Chen Yun didn't pay attention to the murmurs behind him, and simply approached the gourd vine.
He looked for the end of the gourd vine without any gourds growing.
He took about one meter of the gourd vine.
Just as he finished picking, he was preparing to fold up the gourd vine.
Suddenly, Chen Yun noticed something that seemed to be reflecting like a shine under his foot.
Hmm?
What is it?
He couldn't help but bend down and pick up the shiny object, which turned out to be a gourd that was half as smooth as jade and half as smooth as jade!
Chen Yun examined it closely.
The voices of the people who were gossiping suddenly stopped abruptly.
Wu Keju, Kang Yuan, Qin Ming, and others all looked at him fiercely.
"This...isn't it a mature Xuanbai gourd?"
"Sss, it seems to be a mature Xuanbai gourd!"
"Good heavens, a Xuanbai gourd that matures every three thousand years, and I have the privilege to see it today?"
Long Nv Sanjiu, Gao Chen, Xu Yang, and others exclaimed in amazement.
Wu Keju couldn't help but hold his breath, looking at the gourd that was about half a foot long in Chen Yun's hand. His eyes were filled with greed.
Kang Yuan was in a similar state, his breathing becoming heavy.
Even those external cultivators who aren't related to Chen Yun as well as these, aren't they?
Even Qin Ming, the cultivator who has been flattering Chen Yun all along, couldn't help but swallow his saliva when he saw the mature Xuanbai gourd.
Everyone knows the value of a mature Xuanbai gourd!
That's a treasure that can be refined into an artifact with the power comparable to a divine treasure!
For a moment, everyone wanted to snatch the Xuanbai gourd from Chen Yun's hand and possess it for themselves.
Qin Ming reacted quickly and said meaningfully, "We came here to seek treasure together; we are a united front. Unity is beneficial and division is detrimental. Don't let your greed for the accidental treasure you obtained cause you to lose the original intention of fellow travelers."
Wu Keju, as the core of the team, also woke up immediately.
He exhibited the air of a "League Leader" and looked over the faces of the crowd, his tone carrying a warning, "Before we came here, we had already agreed that any items discovered would either belong to everyone to be evenly distributed or belong to the first person to find it. As long as they are willing to compensate everyone with items of equal value, therefore, I hope that no one will have any crooked thoughts because of seeing others obtain what treasures."
Kang Yuan, who had been greedy, saw that Qin Ming and Wu Keju had spoken out, so he could only agree, "Yes, the Xuanbai gourd was discovered first by Master Chen. We should ask him if he wants it. If he does, he just needs to offer something of equal value and subtract his share."
Since the three of them were all saying so, there wouldn't be any other opinions.
Chen Yun was not far from the others, so he naturally heard everyone's words clearly.
He thought to himself that Wu Keju was quite qualified as a leader.
He was clearly covetous of the mature Xuanbai gourd, but he still managed to maintain fairness for the team.
He indeed had a good impression of Wu Keju's "justice".
However, Chen Yun found himself in a new predicament.
The problem is that the Xuanbai gourd is too precious.
He didn't know what to offer as a trade.
It would be unreasonable to keep it for himself.
Since the group had agreed on the distribution plan before coming in, Chen Yun would definitely follow it.
Otherwise, if you don't follow the rules today, and then he doesn't follow them tomorrow, how can everyone cooperate from now on?
What should he offer to trade with the others?
Chen Yun thought about it as he walked back to the others, and at that moment, he really didn't know what to do.
Wu Keju saw him return and spoke up, "Master Chen, the Xuanbai gourd vine was something you said you wanted to take from the beginning. We didn't contribute much, so we have no right to talk about distribution. However, this mature Xuanbai gourd is something we just stumbled upon. According to the agreement we made before coming in, either you offer it to everyone for sharing, or you will compensate us with valuable pills, artifacts or other items of equal value for the remaining forty people. What are your plans?"
Everyone turned their attention to Chen Yun.
The mature Xuanbai gourd is a treasure that can only be encountered, not sought. Chen Yun has the first choice, and he cannot give it up.
Chen Yun said directly, "I want to keep this mature Xuanbai gourd. However, I haven't yet thought of what to offer as compensation to everyone. Why don't you all give me some time to think it over, and I will give you my answer before tonight?"
"Alas."
"Indeed, Master Chen still wants to take this Xuanbai gourd."
"There's no need for that. Anyone would choose the Xuanbai gourd. No matter how many elixirs you have, or how many excellent magical artifacts you have, it can't be exchanged for a Xuanbai gourd."
"That's true. If I were Chen Yun, I would definitely choose the Xuanbai gourd. However, to be honest, we don't lose much either. At least Chen Yun will give us some compensation."
"We just don't know what compensation Chen Yun will offer us. As a descendant of the orthodox school of cultivation, the things he comes up with shouldn't be bad."
Long Nv Sanjiu, Gao Chen, and others over there were somewhat looking forward to it.
Wu Keju glanced at the crowd, smiling, "Master Chen, you don't need to rush to think. As long as you give your companions the things you have before we leave."
Chen Yun grunted in assent, "All right, I'll give it some serious thought."
Wu Keju said, "Alright, let's head to the Jinghuan Cave first. It's somewhat different from here. The Jinghuan Cave is home to many spirit beasts, insects, and birds. Some of these insects may not seem very strong, but if you're not careful and get bitten by one, you might be in serious danger of contracting a very frightening frostbite. So everyone should be vigilant and avoid any mishaps inside the Jinghuan Cave."
"All right."
"Understood."
The group responded sporadically.
It was obvious that everyone's attention was not on the dangers of the Jinghuan Cave; they were still thinking about what valuable things Chen Yun would offer as compensation.
Chen Yun, despite his worries about what to offer as compensation to the others, had more of his attention focused on the Jinghuan Cave.
After all, Wu Keju and the others had mentioned that there might be a celestial spirit root, the Juguo, which is the main ingredient for their urgently needed "Refining Essence into Qi" medicinal potion.
In his heart, the Juguo is much more important than the Xuanbai gourd.
Even the most powerful magical weapons or artifacts are external, and cannot help one achieve longevity.
But the Juguo is different.
If he could gather the ingredients needed to brew the medium-strength "Refining Essence into Qi" potion, then he would have a chance to quickly advance to an upper-level cultivator.
Not only would his power greatly increase, but his lifespan would also greatly extend.
Of course, Chen Yun places much more importance on the Juguo than the Xuanbai gourd.
He silently hopes, "Hopefully, I'll get the Juguo."
(End of Chapter)
