Chapter 184

Chapter 184: The Slaying Immortal Gourd

"Fellow Daoist, you’re exceptionally knowledgeable. Do you recognize the origin of this vine?"

Emperor Venerable Mi Luo instinctively looked toward Ye Xu.

After traversing the Sea of the Universe, Emperor Venerable Mi Luo had come to regard Ye Xu as person of significance, placing himself and Ye Xu on equal footing as he earnestly sought guidance.

The gazes of everyone turned to Ye Xu. Their understanding of the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest was too limited, while Ye Xu clearly possessed far greater knowledge than they did.

Noticing their expectant looks, Ye Xu let out a light laugh. "Every fellow Daoist present is a top-tier figure from the lower realms. Yet none of you recognize this object. It is truly perplexing."

Hearing this, many Emperor Venerables revealed awkward smiles.

"Kid, don’t think that just because you know a bit more, you can casually disrespect me," Emperor Venerable Zi Zai said, eyes flashing viciously. "Push me too far, and I’ll tear you apart!"

Ye Xu scoffed. "And would this fellow Daoist not fear ending up like Burial Soil?"

Emperor Venerable Zi Zai’s fierce aura instantly dissipated.

"Truthfully, this ancient vine is the Chaos Divine Vine," Ye Xu stated coldly. "It was born of primordial chaos and is a creature of great malice. Had you struck just now, the flow of energy might well have triggered a chain reaction."

"Cut the alarmist talk!" Emperor Venerable Zi Zai retorted defiantly.

Yet, discernible in his eyes was a clear sense of backing down.

"Since you don’t believe me, go ahead and try," Ye Xu mocked.

Emperor Venerable Zi Zai remained silent, his face darkened like stormy water.

"The Chaos Divine Vine… I have heard of it."

At that moment, the voice of Su Miao Zhen came through. "If this object truly is the Chaos Divine Vine, then these four gourds should be the legendary Slaying Immortal Gourds."

"Slaying Immortal Gourds?"

Emperor Venerable Yama’s pupils contracted sharply. "Now that Daoist friend Su mentions it, this one recalls as well."

"It is said the Slaying Immortal Gourds condense the world’s killing aura. Once activated, they can slay even true immortals. They rank among the realm’s most notorious fierce weapons and supreme treasures."

"And here we don’t see merely one Slaying Immortal Gourd, but four," Dao King interjected.

The various Emperor Venerables felt their hearts stirred.

The Slaying Immortal Gourd could slay immortals. Who wouldn’t desire to seize one?

This was an immensely powerful hidden trump card!

But there were only four gourds, far too few for them all.

"These four Slaying Immortal Gourds should constitute a set of fierce weapons nurtured by the Chaos Divine Vine," Ye Xu said lightly.

Of course, this was merely his conjecture.

He only knew of the Chaos Divine Vine; the matter of the Slaying Immortal Gourds was not within his knowledge.

After all, he hadn’t exchanged points for the specific information regarding the Seven-Treasure Mystic Forest, only possessing a vague understanding.

"A set?"

The eyes of everyone burned with fervent desire.

"Only we four are worthy to possess these four gourds." Emperor Venerable Yama swept his gaze around, filled with killing intent. "Aside from us, anyone who dares to covet them will be killed without mercy!"

"What about you, three Daoist friends?"

"Okay," Dao King nodded.

"I want that purple gourd," said Su Miao Zhen.

"I am fine with anything," said Emperor Venerable Mi Luo with a gentle smile.

Amid chatting and laughter, the four had finished their distribution.

"Ruler of Yama Hall, Dao King, your strength is undeniable, but do you really wish to make enemies of all of us?" said the Palace Master of the Holy Mother Palace solemnly.

"Amitabha Buddha," White-browed Buddha chanted the Buddha’s name. "Treasures belong to those destined for them. If you four Daoist friends seize them by force, calamities may follow."

"Old monk, my great strength means I am destined for them. If you keep nagging, I’ll make you my first target," said Emperor Venerable Yama as he swept his sleeve, catching a blood-stained spear in his hand.

On the spearhead, golden blood shimmered brilliantly, radiating a terrifying immortal aura.

This was a fierce weapon stained with immortal blood.

At its appearance, fear surfaced in the hearts of the crowd.

"I had long heard that Yama Court’s strength was extraordinary, supreme in the Shadow Realm. Now, it truly lived up to its reputation," praised Emperor Venerable Mi Luo.

Even he was greatly wary of that fierce weapon.

"Does anyone else object?" Emperor Venerable Yama scanned the crowd, his chilling aura spreading, making the Chaotic Sea so still that no ripples stirred, and freezing the atmosphere.

Ye Xu remained undisturbed.

The strength of Dao King’s group was already frightening. United, even if everyone joined forces, they likely wouldn’t be a match for them.

Thus, the outcome was decided.

"You’re ruthless," said Emperor Venerable Miao Fa with a darkened gaze. "Even if we hand over these four gourds, it’s doubtful you have the skill to claim them."

"Let us go." The Mystic Law Sect members departed.

"Those who perpetrate evil will meet their doom!" said the Palace Master of Empress Nuwa Palace coldly. "I expect to witness that day."

"Spare your worries," said Dao King lightly.

BANG!

He clenched his large hand. A surge of vast power instantly tore apart chaotic energy and plucked the green gourd.

CLANG!

Dao King’s power surged into the Chaotic Sea. The Chaos Divine Vine heaved and sank. That green gourd seemed to awaken, a terrifying killing intent soaring skyward, shattering Dao King’s power.

Swish!

On the gourd, divine patterns intertwined, as if a thousand horses and soldiers were galloping.

A wisp of green sword light slashed towards Dao King.

This sword severed heaven and earth, its sword intent shattered the vacuum; in one stroke, it crossed the chaotic river and pressed directly towards Dao King.

"Such terrifying power."

Emperor Venerable Mi Luo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

It was just a gourd, yet the power of that single strike could rival that of a top-tier Emperor Venerable.

Clearly, plucking the gourd was not an easy task.

"Dao King, if you can’t manage it, you can leave it for me," Emperor Venerable Yama said lightly.

"No need for you to worry."

Dao King shook his long sleeve, drew a line in the void, and instantly manifested a domain of the Great Dao.

That wisp of sword light slashed down and immediately fell into the domain of the Great Dao.

However, before Dao King could rejoice, the sword energy flared brightly, tearing through the domain of the Great Dao in an instant and slashing towards Dao King.

Dao King looked gloomy.

"One Thought Blossoms!"

With a single thought, a lotus bloomed.

Its layered petals extended like infinite worlds.

The sword light came down, and the petals snapped shut immediately.

After a moment, heaven and earth fell silent, and the lotus scattered.

Dao King reached his hand into the Chaotic Sea and with one hand took down the green gourd.

Whoosh!

A terrifying sword intent erupted; despite Dao King’s strength, his whole body shook, and his primordial spirit showed fine cracks.

The green gourd kept trembling in his hand, like an uncontrollable fierce weapon.

"What a fine treasure!"

Dao King looked overjoyed. "It’s worth all the effort I put in."

The sword intent within this green gourd was blazing intense; once its mouth was opened, the condensed sword intent accumulated over countless millennia could likely slay a true immortal with one strike.

"Then this red gourd, I shall take!"

Emperor Venerable Yama, holding a spear, charged into the Chaotic Sea; with a thrust of the spear, he lifted the entire Chaotic Sea with his might, the spearhead pointing straight at the red gourd.

The next instant.

A dazzling red gleam burst forth; a wisp of red light bloomed, and vast sword energy surged in.

Emperor Venerable Yama bolstered his magical power; the Chaotic Sea pressed down, shattering countless sword energies, successfully suppressing the sword intent, and he plucked the red gourd.

Afterwards, Su Miao Zhen and Emperor Venerable Yama imitated the same method; without much difficulty, they plucked the black gourd and the purple gourd.

The four gourds of the Chaos Divine Vine had been fully distributed.

Everyone watched in amazement.

The power of the four was truly terrifying.

Emperor Venerable Zi Zai reflected that if it were him, he would struggle to withstand the sword intent of even one gourd, let alone seize it.

"Old bald monk, who do you think the destiny-favored one is now?"

Emperor Venerable Yama challenged, eyes locked on White-browed Buddha.

White-browed Buddha remained silent, at a loss for words.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Just then, another sound emerged.

The Chaotic Sea stirred violently as a colossal entity swiftly approached the Chaos Divine Vine.

"Tai Sui?"

Dao King’s sharp gaze instantly recognized Tai Sui’s scheming. Staring at Ye Xu with a faint, ambiguous smile, he asked, "Daoist friend, are you aiming to seize the Chaos Divine Vine?"

Having been discovered, Ye Xu made no attempt to hide it.

He replied calmly, "The four daoist friends have taken the Slaying Immortal Gourds. Since no one wants the Chaos Divine Vine, I certainly shouldn’t let it go to waste."

"A mere Great Emperor realm cultivator, trying to control the Chaos Divine Vine?"

One Emperor Venerable burned with anger.

"Amitabha. Ordinary folk bear no guilt, yet treasure invites disaster," White-browed Buddha intoned prayerfully, palms pressed together. "Benefactor, your strength is insufficient. Best curb your greed."

Great Emperor Ziwei’s heart filled with unease.

"Brother, don’t do anything foolish," Great Emperor Ziwei urgently transmitted his voice.

Having already been humiliated by the four during the Slaying Immortal Gourd incident, the Various Emperor Venerables would see Ye Xu taking the Chaos Divine Vine right before them as grinding their faces into the dirt.

This was intolerable!

Ahem…

Ye Xu cleared his throat and turned to Emperor Venerable Mi Luo. "Daoist friend Mi Luo, perhaps you could judge the fairness of this."

Emperor Venerable Mi Luo gave him a peculiar look.

"If no one is making a move on this Chaos Divine Vine, isn’t it only natural for me to act?"

"Indeed,"

Emperor Venerable Mi Luo nodded slightly; Ye Xu’s point was sound.

"In that case," Ye Xu continued, "If I can seize the Chaos Divine Vine by my own ability, it naturally becomes mine."

A profound gleam entered Emperor Venerable Mi Luo’s eyes.

They forced compliance from the crowd solely through the four’s peerless power.

Ye Xu, however, was sneaking in; this could hardly command respect.

Still, Emperor Venerable Mi Luo found it difficult to pass judgment.

Ye Xu’s origins weren’t simple; there was no need to offend him.

Naturally, he also had no reason to risk angering the other Emperor Venerables by speaking up for Ye Xu.

With no personal stake, he stayed aloof.

Lowering his eyelashes, Emperor Venerable Mi Luo sat cross-legged to meditate.