Flood: I, the Nine Turns of the Golden Pillar, all want to eat me!
Chapter 18 - The Discourse on Spiritual Treasures and the Purification Gourd

Chapter 18: The Discourse on Spiritual Treasures and the Purification Gourd

Xuan Qing transformed Kunlun, and though it was merely an imitation, it was still a remarkable sight. However, the Three Qing felt the need to refine it further. They exchanged glances, silently agreeing to remodel the Kunlun-blessed land properly.

In the past, they had been reluctant to undertake such a task due to the scarcity of refining materials. But now, with Xuan Qing’s efforts, they had sufficient resources. The molds were already prepared; all that remained was to refine them anew.

Without delay, the Three Qing took out numerous weapon-refining materials and began their work from scratch. The ladder that Xuan Qing had previously crafted was now infused with various high-quality materials, intricate formation patterns, and profound Dao rhythms, elevating it to the level of a graded spiritual treasure.

The First Heavenly Father took Xuan Qing aside, instructing him in weapon refinement. “Xuan Qing, refining weapons is akin to alchemy. Both require the fusion of various materials, the process of tempering and molding, and the integration of the Great Dao. There is also a distinction between innate and acquired spiritual treasures. Innate Spiritual Treasures are nurtured by Heaven and Earth, often formed from fragments of Chaotic Spiritual Treasures. Acquired Spiritual Treasures, on the other hand, are refined by cultivators using innate materials.”

Xuan Qing pondered momentarily before asking, “Senior Uncle, which is stronger—Innate Spiritual Treasures or Acquired Spiritual Treasures?”

The First Heavenly Father stroked his beard before replying, “Spiritual treasures are categorized as either innate or acquired, but their strength depends on the Dao they embody and the skill of their wielder. However, in their initial states, Innate Spiritual Treasures are generally superior.

“This is because most Innate Spiritual Treasures originate from fragments of Chaotic Spiritual Treasures and retain the power of the Chaos Demon Gods. The divine abilities they reproduce are exceptionally potent. Acquired Spiritual Treasures, by contrast, are refined by cultivators, who imprint their own Dao onto them. Initially, even if an Acquired Spiritual Treasure is of high quality, its Dao imprint is shallow, and its divine abilities are weaker.

“However, as a cultivator advances, refining their Dao and continuously integrating new divine materials, an Acquired Spiritual Treasure can steadily grow in power. Over time, such a treasure can surpass an Innate Spiritual Treasure.”

Xuan Qing’s expression brightened with understanding. “I see. The strength of an Innate Spiritual Treasure is fixed from the moment of its birth, whereas an Acquired Spiritual Treasure has the potential to grow over time.”

The First Heavenly Father nodded approvingly. “Precisely. An Innate Spiritual Treasure finds it difficult to evolve unless it devours another treasure of a similar Dao. In contrast, an Acquired Spiritual Treasure can always be refined further, incorporating new resources and growing alongside its master. This adaptability makes it more suited to a cultivator’s path. That is why, in today’s Floodwaste, many great powers wield their personally refined Acquired Spiritual Treasures in battle.”

Xuan Qing’s eyes gleamed with realization. “I understand now, Senior Uncle. In the early stages of cultivation, one relies on the power of an Innate Spiritual Treasure for survival. But as one grows stronger, the Acquired Spiritual Treasure refined over time becomes more compatible and surpasses the Innate Treasure. At that point, the cultivator can abandon the Innate Treasure and fully embrace their personally refined weapon.”

The First Heavenly Father smiled, his gaze filled with appreciation. “Well said, well said… Xuan Qing, you have a natural talent for refining weapons. This is the essence of Spiritual Treasure cultivation. Whether it was your master or your senior uncles, in their early years, they sought Innate Spiritual Treasures for protection. Yet, as their cultivation reached its current heights, those Innate Spiritual Treasures became obsolete, no longer considered their own.”

In the blink of an eye, thousands of years passed.

The Floodwaste had undergone a complete transformation. What was once mere imitations refined by Xuan Qing had now ascended to the level of Houtian Spiritual Treasures. Furthermore, Laozi, Yuan Shi Tian Zun, and Tong Tian collaborated to refine a grand palace—Jade Void Palace.

The Jade Void Palace encompassed an entire Great World, complete with numerous sub-palaces. It was now considered a Houtian Supreme Treasure.

Even Xuan Qing was astonished at how the Kunlun-blessed land had evolved into a true cultivation paradise.

However, what surprised Xuan Qing the most was the long-awaited arrival of the eighth gourd.

After countless years, the gourd vine had finally birthed its eighth and final gourd.

Laozi and the others gathered as well, eager to witness this momentous occasion. The gourd vine, having absorbed the Water of Creation and numerous green lotus seeds, radiated vitality. Its hanging gourd glowed as it neared full maturity.

With a gentle hum, the eighth gourd detached from the vine and floated down, settling naturally into Xuan Qing’s arms. Within the gourd vine, a faint consciousness emanated gratitude toward Xuan Qing, acknowledging him as its benefactor.

This eighth gourd was of an immaculate white hue, devoid of any blemish. As Xuan Qing infused his divine sense into it, he immediately grasped its essence.

“Huh…?” Xuan Qing hesitated, a strange feeling rising within him.

Tong Tian, noticing his reaction, asked, “What is it? Is the Dao within this gourd flawed?”

Xuan Qing shook his head. “No, this gourd contains the Great Dao of Purification. It possesses a unique divine ability—the Purification of Divine Light. This ability can be used both for cultivation and combat. When used in cultivation, it refines the body, expelling impurities. In battle, it can unleash the Divine Light of Purification to obliterate enemies by recognizing them as impure.

“However… while this ability is intriguing, it does not seem particularly powerful.”

He sighed. After all the effort poured into nurturing this gourd, its ability—though useful—felt underwhelming in direct combat.

Laozi, however, chuckled, stroking his beard. “A Purification Gourd? How fascinating… It seems that this gourd vine possesses significant intelligence. This may very well be its way of repaying you.”

Xuan Qing frowned slightly. “Repayment? Master, are you suggesting that this Purification Gourd has hidden potential?”

Laozi merely smiled. “Disciple, the true wonders of a treasure must be discovered by its wielder.”

The First Heavenly Father nodded in agreement. “Indeed, this gourd vine has done well. Most Innate Spiritual Roots produce fruits containing a single Dao. However, the Innate Gourd Vine is unique in that each gourd it produces embodies a different Dao. This alone is remarkable.”

He was right. Most Innate Spiritual Roots, such as the Peach Tree or the Fusang Tree, bore fruits aligned with a singular Great Dao—Water and Fire, respectively. Yet, the Innate Gourd Vine was different, producing gourds imbued with diverse Daos.

A treasure’s worth was not always evident at first glance. Xuan Qing had a feeling that, in time, the Purification Gourd’s true potential would reveal itself.