Chapter 732: 304. Second-Rank Opportunity, a Chance to Quickly Enhance Cultivation (Chapter combined as one)_2

Huangtian? Judging by the characteristic style of Heavenly Principle’s factions, he’s a capable general of the Gan Party, I recall. Lei Jun matched the man’s appearance with his name.

Although the Scholarly Cultivators of Heavenly Principle usually rose through the ranks by seniority, there were also mid-generation talents cultivated with great effort by various factions. Ties of blood and mentorship created clear distinctions. The Wu Party’s Gu Hai and the Gan Party’s Huangtian were both such cases.

However, at this moment, Mr. Huang found himself alone and stranded here, looking quite wretched.

But his eyes were blazing. Gu Guanghan, aren’t you going to fall into my hands this time?

It was you Wu Party, you nation-betraying scoundrels, who, greedy for merit and reckless in ambition, arrogant and frivolous, led to today’s defeat! I shall file a complaint against you. Just wait for your turn in the jail! As for these chaotic Confucian traitors from the Mortal World, there will be a chance to deal with you later.

Although Huangtian had it all figured out in his mind, all this would have to wait until he returned to Heavenly Principle. The current situation was chaotic. He had managed to quickly seize an opportunity to escape, but returning to Heavenly Principle now would be difficult. He had to find a safe place to lie low for the time being, wait until the turmoil subsided, then find a way back to court.

While contemplating this, Huangtian took shelter on Xiaozhou Island.

Unexpectedly, just as he arrived on the island, the already unstable Earth Vein Spiritual Qi finally erupted from the ground, transforming into a fierce wind that soared into the sky.

Huangtian was inwardly cursing his luck and considering leaving when he suddenly felt that something he possessed was undergoing a transformation. He took out an item, startled.

In the distance, under the stormy sky, Lei Jun watched from afar.

What Huangtian held in his hands was a vine. The vine was withered, and at first glance, it was impossible to tell what plant it had originally been.

As a violent wind rose from the split mountaintop on the island and met the converging Global Spiritual Qi in the clouds above, it created a pale white light, as if a luminous rain were cascading down from the sky. Both Lei Jun and Huangtian recognized this as a further transformation of the Global Spiritual Qi. Such a phenomenon was quite rare.

This was not only due to both Great Tang Cultivators and Heavenly Order Cultivators triggering the Global Spiritual Qi in their contest of power, but also related to the special geographical characteristics of Xiaozhou Island. Ordinarily, nothing peculiar about the island’s environment could be perceived. Yet now, it had become the most unique and suitable cradle for growth. This sight prompted admiration for the vastness and wonders of the world, making one realize that so-called opportunities are often heaven-sent at such peculiar moments, beyond human contrivance.

It so happened that this chance also fell upon the withered vine in Huangtian’s hands, and it was this vine that prompted the final transformation of the Earth Vein Qi. Even Huangtian himself was surprised.

The vine did not come from Heavenly Principle; it was a family heirloom, brought along when his ancestors retreated from the Great Ming Mortal Realm to Heavenly Principle. For many years, it had shown no signs of being extraordinary. Huangtian carried it simply because the vine had a special fragrance that calmed his spirit when he smelled it, so he kept it on his person as a kind of incense.

But now, it seemed the withered vine indeed held a profound mystery. It was just that the opportunity hadn’t arisen before, and its potential had remained hidden.

A heaven-sent opportunity, an unexpected joy! After great disaster comes great fortune. This seems to foretell that I, this officer, will turn calamity into a blessing today, and all will be well, Huangtian took a deep breath and straightened his official robes. "To refuse what heaven bestows is to invite disaster."

He tossed the withered vine into the air.

As the vine reached the air above the fissure, enveloped by a curtain of white light, it indeed did not continue to fall but instead floated in mid-air. The withered vine seemed to regain life, writhing and stretching in the air.

As midnight approached, the withered vine gradually transformed into a stream of light, forming numerous luminous tendrils in mid-air, which then began to root downwards into the earth. New leaves sprouted from the withered vine, and it gradually took on a distinct form.

After observing for a moment, Lei Jun mused, A gourd vine, hmm...

Huangtian didn’t recognize what a gourd vine looked like, but as orbs of light resembling gourds began to appear on the vine, he also understood.

What could it be? Although Huangtian couldn’t tell one crop from another, he was widely read. Recalling descriptions from ancient texts, he pondered while observing the gourd vine.

After watching for a while, Lei Jun muttered to himself, It looks a bit like the Brahman Qi Immortal Gourd...

This was one of his Taoist Sect’s Spiritual Treasures. Dragon Tiger Mountain had possessed such a thing in its history, but that was an extremely remote past. Now, it had long since become the stuff of legends and tales. Forget gourds, not even a single gourd seed remained.

Yet, Huangtian actually possessed a gourd vine whose vitality was not completely extinguished, and which had accumulated profound Spiritual Nature over many years. This fortuitous encounter provided an opportunity to stimulate and nurture the Spiritual Nature within the vine; it was truly a coincidence, as if ordained by fate.

As for the use of this treasure, it was precisely to aid Upper Three Heavens Cultivators in their practice, allowing for a quicker elevation in their cultivation realms. Especially for cultivators at the Seventh and Eighth Heavenly Layer, the effect was particularly prominent. Its wondrous efficacy even surpassed that of Spiritual Objects such as the Rising Dome Liuhua.

Lei Jun, who already possessed both an Immortal Root Bone and Serene Comprehension, cultivated at a speed far exceeding others at the same realm. If he were to refine the Brahman Qi Immortal Gourd, the time required for his subsequent cultivation would be drastically shortened. Although it was a Taoist Sect treasure, this Spiritual Object would also be helpful to cultivators of other Taoist Heritages.

Huangtian reflected on the records in ancient texts. When he connected the current phenomenon with the Brahman Qi Immortal Gourd described therein, he, a Confucian Rationalist Cultivator, was suddenly overjoyed. Everyone progresses slowly, but the thicker the foundation, the better, naturally.

It was a pity, though, that what he had held in his hand all this time was merely a withered vine. Now, baptized by the Global Spiritual Qi, the vine underwent a wondrous transformation into light, completely consuming all its Spiritual Energy in the process. This left only the current, single opportunity to obtain a Brahman Qi Immortal Gourd. Otherwise, if it could have been transplanted and cultivated, that would have been far better. Now, he could only sigh helplessly.