Black Gourd

The Black Gourd is an ancient fire treasure obtained by Xue Ying after a punishing ascent and thousands of attempts to understand its controlling array. Uncorked, it releases forces vastly beyond his cultivation realm; later, its golden flames also form a powerful defense around him. (Chapters 693–703, 725–728, and 775)

History

The stairway and the million-year condition

The gourd rests above a stairway, glowing crimson, warping space, and radiating heat and soul pressure that intensify as Xue Ying climbs. Its surrounding power has apparently persisted for several epochs. After he finally removes it from the shrine, he still cannot control it: the flames within burn away the energy he sends into the core array, and several thousand attempts fail. A childlike treasure spirit gives him one million years to refine it before leaving. (Chapters 693–703)

A weapon beyond a Paragon

Xue Ying first brings the gourd into a major battle as a Paragon, raises it in one hand, and removes the cork. Even enemies unfamiliar with the object recognize it as an extraordinary threat. Its power is comparable to a terrifying enemy weapon and cannot normally be used repeatedly within a short period, so observers are astonished when Xue Ying prepares a second release. At the treasure spirit's urgent direction, he places a drop of blood on the gourd, which absorbs it and establishes a deeper bond. (Chapters 725–728)

From battlefield pressure to protection

The gourd's immense but comparatively crude attack can delay powerful opponents long enough for help to arrive. Xue Ying stops its rippling drizzle and recorks it once the immediate pursuit is resolved. Later, when he lacks time to control it proactively, he enters the Mirage World and releases golden flames around his body; the flames prevent Gu Qian Luo's attacks from harming him. Gu Qian Luo's treasure spirit identifies the gourd as a protective treasure whose output far exceeds the wielder's realm. (Chapters 734–735 and 774–775)

The post-Chapter-238 chapters are often truncated, including several activation scenes. The evidence therefore does not establish the gourd's maker, the identity of the fireball it contains, the complete refinement sequence, or its fate after Chapter 775. (Chapters 701, 725, and 775)

Abilities and properties

• Core array and contained fire: A profound array wraps a tyrannical fireball and is more complex than the laws governing countless worlds. Xue Ying wonders whether it could control the Sun Star, but the question is not confirmed as fact. (Chapter 701)
• Environmental pressure: Even while sealed, the gourd distorts the void and subjects approaching cultivators to growing heat and an assault perceived within the soul. (Chapters 693 and 696)
• Uncorked offense: Removing the cork releases powerful ripples or golden fire with strength far above Xue Ying's cultivation realm, useful for destroying or delaying stronger enemies. The surviving Chapter 725 excerpt ends before the first effect is fully described. (Chapters 725, 734–735, and 775)
• Defensive envelope: Golden flames can surround Xue Ying inside the Mirage World and block all attacks in the preserved Gu Qian Luo exchange. (Chapter 775)
• Use and timing limits: Refinement resists thousands of attempts, active control is not instantaneous, and repeated use within a short period is normally difficult. Blood bonding appears to improve control, but the exact cost and cooldown remain unspecified. (Chapters 700, 703, 726–728, and 774)

Ownership and custody