After Zhunti made his move, seven colors – red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple – flew out from the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree towards Yuanshi's Pangu Banner.
The instant these seven colors touched the Pangu Banner, Pangu felt the Pangu Banner in his hand become somewhat uncontrollable, with a subtle tendency to fly towards Zhunti.
Yuanshi was greatly surprised, never expecting this strangely dressed Zhunti to possess such skill. This artifact was clearly designed for snatching other treasures.
Despite his surprise, Yuanshi felt no fear. He channeled the spiritual energy within him into the Pangu Banner, causing it to emit wisps of primordial chaos energy.
Yuanshi shook the Pangu Banner, shattering the seven-colored light that had entwined it.
When Li Yi saw Zhunti deploy the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, he had wished to witness the marvels of this tree, which was said to be capable of brushing away anything.
Li Yi had heard of the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree's mystique in his later life, its ability to counter the Five-Colored Mysterious Light that could also absorb all things. Li Yi was filled with curiosity.
Zhunti was also astonished that his Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree, which had always been unfailing, had failed to snatch Yuanshi's Pangu Banner. He could not believe that his divine artifact had malfunctioned today.
Seeing Zhunti frozen in place, Yuanshi taunted him:
"Why don't you try again and see if you can budge my artifact!"
Upon hearing this, Zhunti's face turned extremely ugly. As if refusing to believe it, he brushed the Pangu Banner once more!
Yuanshi remained still, allowing Zhunti to perform his ritual.
Zhunti's Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree once again proved ineffective. Zhunti's face darkened, unable to comprehend why his Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree had no effect on Yuanshi's spiritual treasure!
Seeing Zhunti's darkened expression, Yuanshi decided not to humor him any longer. He gripped the Pangu Banner and attacked Zhunti.
As Yuanshi lunged, Zhunti had no time to ponder why the treasure-snatching ability of his Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree had failed. He raised the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree to meet Yuanshi's assault.
Nuwa, Fuxi, Dijun, and Taiyi had initially intended to intervene. However, seeing that Tongtian and Yuanshi were suppressing Jieyin and Zhunti, and with Li Yi observing from the side, they refrained from acting.
Jieyin battled Tongtian, growing increasingly alarmed as Tongtian's strength seemed to surge with each passing moment. He was shocked that Tongtian, who appeared unremarkable, possessed such terrifying power.
Furthermore, Jieyin realized that not only was Tongtian's strength superior to his own, but the ruler in Tongtian's hand was also proving more effective against his Jieyin Treasure Pagoda.
Jieyin glanced at Li Yi in the distance and gave a bitter smile. It seemed that the gourds were not destined to be theirs. If they lingered any longer, his brother and he might not be able to escape once Li Yi decided to act. Sudan Novels.
After all, the two of them had witnessed Li Yi's prowess. Although many years had passed, Jieyin did not believe that only he and his brother had improved their cultivation during this time.
Zhunti also lamented inwardly. He had initially attributed his injury to Yuanshi as carelessness. However, as soon as they engaged, Zhunti knew he was no match for Yuanshi.
He also understood why his Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree had failed. The spiritual treasure in Yuanshi's hand was a Primordial Supreme Treasure, while his Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree was merely a top-grade Primordial Spiritual Treasure. Naturally, it could not brush away Yuanshi's Pangu Banner.
While engaging Tongtian and Yuanshi, Jieyin and Zhunti plotted their escape, especially with Li Yi watching them like a hawk. These two did not believe Li Yi to be a benevolent figure.
Otherwise, they would not have raided the West in the past, snatched the Six Roots of Purity and Blissful Pole crafted from the branches of the Bodhi Tree and bitter bamboo, and then beaten the two of them.
It had to be said that Jieyin and Zhunti, as fellow disciples, had almost identical thoughts.
The two of them gradually shifted the battlefield away from Li Yi and his companions while fending off Yuanshi and Tongtian.
Seizing an opportune moment, they immediately broke free from Yuanshi and Tongtian and fled into the distance without looking back.
Although Jieyin and Zhunti were no match for Yuanshi and Tongtian, the latter two could do nothing to stop them from leaving.
Li Yi had noticed their intention to flee when Jieyin and Zhunti began shifting the battlefield outwards. However, Li Yi felt it was unnecessary to engage in a life-or-death battle with them, so he did not intervene and allowed them to depart.
Tongtian seemed unsatisfied and lamented,
"A pity they managed to escape!"
He then turned to Yuanshi and said,
"Second Brother! Since we don't understand what that person was saying, why don't we wait for the second sermon at Zixiao Palace and ambush them in the Sea of Chaos?"
Yuanshi's eyes lit up at this suggestion, finding Tongtian's proposal excellent!
Nuwa and her entourage shivered involuntarily, thinking to themselves: "We must never offend these two in the future!"
Seeing that Jieyin and Zhunti had already left, Li Yi spoke up,
"Everyone, perhaps we should discuss the ownership of these gourds?"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately looked at Li Yi, curious to see how he would divide them.
Li Yi, seeing everyone's gaze, knew they wanted to see how he would allocate the items. He smiled inwardly, thinking he would never undertake such an ungracious task.
Thus, Li Yi declared,
"My three brothers and I will only take three gourds and this gourd vine. As for the rest, please divide them amongst yourselves?"
Upon hearing this, everyone felt that Li Yi's request was not excessive. The Three Pure Ones were the strongest present, so one gourd each was reasonable. Moreover, Tongtian and Yuanshi had just driven away Jieyin and Zhunti, so this demand was not unreasonable.
Although the gourd vine also held some value, it was far less precious than the gourds. It was acceptable for the Three Pure Ones to have it.
Everyone nodded in agreement with Li Yi's proposal.
Nuwa and Fuxi then spoke up,
"How about my brother and I take just one gourd?"
Everyone felt that these siblings indeed had the strength to warrant such a request, and they agreed.
After Fuxi and Nuwa received the general assent, Nuwa, as if making a significant decision, addressed Li Yi:
"Daoist Friend Taishang, I sense this gourd vine holds immense benefit for me. Would you be willing to relinquish it? I am willing to exchange one gourd for it!"
Everyone present was bewildered by Nuwa's sudden impulse, and even Fuxi looked at her in disbelief!
However, despite his confusion, Fuxi did not interfere. He knew Nuwa was not acting without reason. Since Nuwa had said so, it meant the gourd vine was indeed of great importance to her.
Li Yi was also surprised that Nuwa would offer a gourd in exchange for the gourd vine!
After some thought, Li Yi found it understandable. After all, this was crucial for Nuwa's potential sainthood, so her sensing its importance was only natural.
Li Yi looked at Nuwa's expectant eyes. Though reluctant, he still replied,
"Fellow Daoist Nuwa, there is no need for such a trade. If you ever require it in the future, you may come directly to Kunlun Mountain. I am willing to lend it to you!"
Nuwa considered this and felt it was acceptable. After all, she was reluctant to part with the gourd, and would not have proposed an exchange had she not sensed its great use to her. She then replied,
"That is acceptable. I thank you in advance, fellow Daoist Taishang!"
Li Yi nodded, and then heard Dijun and Taiyi say,
"My brothers also desire one gourd!"
As Dijun finished speaking, Xihe added,
"My sisters also wish for one!"
Everyone was astonished to hear that Xihe and Changxi also wanted a gourd!
Li Yi looked at Xihe and Changxi, then at Dijun and Taiyi. After a moment of contemplation, he nodded.
Seeing Li Yi nod, Tongtian and Yuanshi also inclined their heads.
Dijun was naturally overjoyed, as this meant the Demon Court would possess two gourds!
Seeing that there was still one gourd remaining, Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi spoke up,
"In that case, let this last gourd belong to us!"
And so, the ownership of the seven gourds was settled amongst them.
Three for the Three Pure Ones, plus the gourd vine; one for Nuwa and Fuxi; one for Dijun and Taiyi; one for Xihe and Changxi; and one for Hongyun and Zhenyuanzi.