On Kunlun Mountain, Taishang sensed Tongtian's return, knowing that Tongtian had successfully handled matters concerning Cangjie. He then devoted himself to refining the Innate Gourd he had obtained earlier.
Since acquiring this Innate Gourd, Taishang had been constantly entangled in various affairs, leaving him no time to refine it into a spiritual treasure.
Coincidentally, Taishang had been free recently, which is why he finally remembered it.
This Innate Gourd was a rare innate item.
Taishang finally understood why such a magnificent innate object would be used to store pills.
The gourd contained innate Qi, which could preserve pills for a thousand years without spoilage and ten thousand years without decay. Placing pills within the gourd for extended periods could even enhance their quality. It was no wonder that in the original storyline, Taishang used it to store pills.
The gourd also contained a vast space. If it were merely used for storing pills, it would be a waste. After pondering for a moment, Taishang decided to follow the original plot, intending to call out to someone, and if they responded, they would be absorbed into the gourd.
Moreover, in Journey to the West, the Silver Horn King's line, "I call your name, do you dare to answer?" was quite memorable, to the point that Li Yi had fantasized about owning such a treasure in his childhood.
Taishang shook his head, unable to believe that something he had once yearned for had come into his possession. He wondered who could understand this feeling.
Acting on his thought, Taishang immediately divided the space within the Purple Gold Gourd into two regions: one for storing pills and the other for its person-absorbing function.
To restore the gourd's functionality, Taishang entered it and began inscribing numerous Dao patterns.
Taishang was very pleased with his creation and carried the Purple Gold Gourd towards the medicinal field, intending to let Baiyao inspect it.
Upon arriving at the medicinal field, Taishang saw Baiyao diligently loosening the soil.
Ever since Jinjiao and Yinjiao began cultivating the lightning techniques bestowed by Taishang in the cultivation tower, Baiyao had taken on the responsibility of tending to the medicinal field.
Just as Taishang was about to act, he suddenly noticed two small creatures in the medicinal field.
Taishang furrowed his brow. When had these two little beings appeared in his medicinal field? A scan with his divine sense revealed that these two were rare Yin-Yang Spiritual Dao bodies.
Seeing this, Taishang immediately took a liking to the black and white pair of little squirrels. Since Baiyao had become his disciple, the guardianship of Taiqing Peak would fall to these two little ones, which could be considered their good fortune.
Seeing no issue with them staying in the medicinal field, Taishang removed the stopper from the Purple Gold Gourd, pointed its opening towards Baiyao, and shouted.
"Baiyao!"
"Ah!"
Baiyao, who was diligently loosening the soil for the spiritual herbs, suddenly heard someone call his name and instinctively responded.
As Baiyao's voice fell, the Purple Gold Gourd emanated a purple-gold radiance. Then, a curved purple-gold beam of light emerged from the gourd's opening and enveloped Baiyao, drawing him towards the gourd.
Baiyao flew towards the Purple Gold Gourd along the beam of light. As he approached the opening, he became smaller and smaller, eventually flying into the Purple Gold Gourd.
Taishang was very satisfied with the Purple Gold Gourd's efficacy. He realized that this item would be incredibly useful for surprise attacks and refining.
It would be as easy as plucking something from one's pocket to seize the head of an enemy general from amidst an army.
Baiyao was shocked after being illuminated by the purple-gold light. He couldn't believe he was being ambushed within the Taiqing Palace. Who would dare to attack him in Kunlun with such audacity?
Before Baiyao could react, he felt a powerful suction force emanating from the purple-gold light. When he regained his senses, he found himself in a pitch-black space.
Having witnessed the effectiveness of the Purple Gold Gourd, Taishang turned it upside down and shook it gently a few times.
Inside the Purple Gold Gourd, Baiyao was about to observe his surroundings when he suddenly felt the world turn upside down. He then began to fall towards the only source of light.
As Taishang shook the gourd, Baiyao tumbled out of its opening.
When Baiyao was absorbed, the purple-gold light had temporarily blinded his senses, leaving him unaware of his location. Upon exiting, he saw himself emerging from the opening of a gourd.
Baiyao returned to his normal size upon landing. Looking at the Purple Gold Gourd in Taishang's hand, he asked in surprise:
"Master, what are you doing? Are you planning to give me this gourd?"
Taishang chuckled:
"Yao'er, this gourd is for me to store pills. It's of no use to you."
Baiyao retorted persistently:
"Master, how can it be of no use? Look, I didn't even have time to react before this gourd absorbed me. It must be a powerful spiritual treasure!"
Taishang smiled and shook his head:
"Yao'er, this gourd is not suitable for you. When your cultivation progresses, I will gift you another spiritual treasure. Now, go back to your duties!"
With that, Taishang disappeared. Although the gourd had gained the ability to absorb people, it was still not perfect.
In the Shangqing Palace, Tongtian looked at the suddenly appearing Taishang:
"Eldest Brother, what business do you have with me?"
Taishang smiled faintly at Tongtian:
"Third Brother, I need you to create two formations for me. One that can nourish pills, and a second, a powerful killing formation, preferably one that can instantly kill even a Great Luo Golden Immortal!"
Tongtian asked in confusion upon hearing Taishang's request:
"Eldest Brother, why do you suddenly need these two formations?"
Taishang handed the Purple Gold Gourd to Tongtian and chuckled:
"Although I have almost refined this gourd, it still lacks some destructive power. I thought that your formations could supplement it."
Upon seeing Taishang's Purple Gold Gourd, Tongtian also remembered that his own Azure Gourd was due for refinement. He had almost forgotten.
Tongtian nodded:
"Eldest Brother, rest assured, I will go and design two tailor-made formations for your gourd!"
Taishang nodded. Seeing Tongtian agree, he left the Shangqing Palace.
Taishang looked at the gourd in his hand, realizing that the gourd skin of this Innate Gourd alone might not be enough to trap a Quasi-Saint. If he absorbed someone and failed to kill them, he couldn't risk his gourd being shattered. He then sent a message to Tongtian:
"Third Brother, add one or two defensive formations as well, one from the inside out, and one from the outside in. The four formations should complement each other."
Having said this, Taishang felt that this was sufficient and returned to the Taiqing Palace with peace of mind, awaiting the completion of Tongtian's formations.