Chapter 40: The Second Gourd Child Emerges

"Daddy… Daddy, I'm hungry. I want water."

"Daddy… I'm hungry too!"

"Daddy… it's so hot!"

The gourd babies chattered noisily in unison, their voices layered and overlapping, but Shi Batian didn't find them annoying in the slightest.

"All right, Daddy's on it!"

He narrowed his eyes and smiled. A fiery red bird and a dark, turtle-like beast stirred to action—one watering the vine, the other applying fertilizer.

"Ahhh… that feels so good. Thank you, Daddy!"

"Heehee… Hahahaha!"

The little gourds quickly cheered up again, and Shi Batian watched the scene with deep satisfaction. To him, these six gourd babies were no different from his real children.

Each day, he hoped they'd grow strong and break free from their gourds like their eldest brother had. Speaking of which…

A flicker of worry passed through his eyes. It's been so long since Big Gourd left… I wonder how he's doing out there. As a father, he truly feared for his son's safety, even though he knew how powerful Big Gourd had become.

Just then, the once cheerful gourd babies suddenly fell silent. Anxiety, dread, and anger rippled through the air.

"Big Bro… Big Bro's aura—it's getting weaker! What's happening?!"

One of the gourds shouted in alarm. The others quickly echoed the sentiment.

"I can feel it! There's some terrifying force invading Big Bro's body!"

"Could it be… did Big Bro fail to rescue Mom?" another guessed.

"No way! Big Bro's too strong to lose!"

"Impossible! Totally impossible!"

But despite their words, the gourd babies knew in their hearts—Big Gourd was in danger. And the only ones capable of subduing him… was that sinister Spirit Hall.

"It must be them! Spirit Hall must've used some underhanded trick to beat Big Bro!"

Then, one gourd's voice rose firm and clear: "We have to go save him!"

"Save Big Bro! Save Big Bro!" the rest of them chanted, their voices shaking with determination.

Shi Batian's heart clenched. What? Big Gourd… is in trouble? He instinctively turned toward the exit.

The gourds cried out in unison, "Daddy! Daddy, save Big Bro and Mom!"

"Daddy!"

Their cries left him frozen.

"You… what did you just say? Big Gourd's been caught by Spirit Hall?!"

"It seems like it," one gourd said urgently. "We felt his aura fading… and sensed his unwillingness. Spirit Hall must've pulled something shady to win!"

"Yeah! It's gotta be a dirty trick!"

The gourds rambled on, explaining what they'd sensed.

Shi Batian's expression turned grim. He didn't doubt the gourds' words—they were mystical by nature, and being linked by Gourd Heart meant they could sense each other across great distances.

"So… Big Gourd's really been captured? Damn it! Spirit Hall—those monsters! First they took my little Xue, now they've taken my Big Gourd too?!"

Rage boiled within him.

"No… I will get him back!"

He had barely stepped out when the gourds behind him shouted again.

"Daddy!"

"Daddy!"

Their cries made him falter. A storm of emotion twisted inside him—I still have six little ones at home… I can't risk it. If I go now, I might not come back. Who will protect them then?

His heart grew heavier by the second. Weakness… that's what it was. He was too weak. Even as a five-ring Soul King, he still couldn't protect his family.

If Qian Renxue found out, she'd definitely be disappointed.

Just then, a young, clear voice broke through the silence.

"Daddy… I'll go save Big Bro and Mom!"

Shi Batian froze. He looked up sharply at the orange gourd glowing on the vine.

"Second Bro…? Was that you just now?"

"It's me, Daddy! Let me go! I'll bring them back!" said the orange gourd, its tone full of unwavering resolve.

Shi Batian was moved—but mostly worried. He frowned deeply. "Nonsense. You're still a gourd. How would you save them?"

The orange gourd paused for a moment. Then came its slightly annoyed reply:

"Then I'll just come out!"

BOOM!

A thunderous roar shattered the sky. The air suddenly turned oppressive as black clouds gathered. Lightning danced within the stormfront, flickering with an ominous glow. Deep in the forest, soul beasts trembled in fear, sensing the birth of something… terrifying.

The weather mirrored the day Big Gourd had been born.

Howling winds. Exploding thunder. A doomsday storm.

And then it happened.

A radiant beam of golden light shot up from the gourd, blazing across the sky like a falling star. It was so bright it lit the entire heavens, its intensity blinding to the eye. The streak blazed into the distance in a single instant, leaving behind a golden afterglow that hung in the air like a divine omen.

The aura was so powerful… it shocked the entire continent.

Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.

Sword Douluo Chen Xin opened his eyes mid-closed-door cultivation.

"What… is this energy?! Why does it feel so familiar?!"

He paused, then remembered—he had felt something like this over a month ago. Back then, he dismissed it as an illusion.

But now… it was no illusion.

"What the hell is going on?" he muttered.

Two overwhelming forces appearing in such a short time—both felt strangely familiar.

The mysterious aura then vanished without a trace, as if it had never been there.

Chen Xin furrowed his brows, deep in thought.

But it wasn't just the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect that was shaken.

Across the Heaven Dou Empire, Star Luo Empire, Spirit Hall, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and even Clear Sky Sect—every top-tier force on the continent was thrown into confusion and awe.

All of them fixated on a single, burning question:

Just what in the world… is happening?

_

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