Randeng Daoist looked at Xu Fang, filled with annoyance. He had thought Taishang was merely deceiving him, but unexpectedly, this fellow was truly here!
This individual was also incredibly cunning, appearing neither too early nor too late, but precisely when he had collected the treasures and was preparing to leave. What was this, being caught red-handed?
However, gazing at the treasures shimmering in the sky, Randeng Daoist recalled past unpleasant experiences and immediately understood.
He was already no match for Xu Fang. With so many treasures here, and Taishang standing right there, he absolutely could not afford to be an enemy of Xu Fang.
With this thought, Randeng Daoist glanced at the treasures scattered on the ground, withdrew his gaze, and spoke.
"Xu Fang, the treasures are yours. Let me leave, and we shall be even!"
The beings present nodded upon hearing this.
Randeng Daoist clearly understood the situation. Knowing he was outmatched, he immediately conceded, offering the treasures in exchange for a chance to depart.
Presumably, Xu Fang did not wish for a major conflict. Taking the treasures and letting Randeng leave would be simpler and more effort-saving.
However, Xu Fang repeatedly shook his head in response to Randeng Daoist's plea, stating,
"Randeng, you had an opportunity to leave earlier. But you insisted on courting death, audaciously offending me and my fellow Daoist Taishang. You won't be leaving so easily now."
"Xu Fang, what more do you want? Aren't you the one who upholds rules the most?"
Randeng Daoist, rejected by Xu Fang, cried out repeatedly, attempting to bind Xu Fang with his own proclaimed principles.
"Rules? Heh heh! If you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten."
Xu Fang chuckled at his words and looked towards the crowd of onlookers.
"What? Are you all leaving now, or shall I teach you a lesson about rules?"
Hearing Xu Fang's words, the crowd of spectators suddenly came to their senses. They knew what Xu Fang's rules were; which cultivator in the Primordial Era was unaware?
"We were just about to leave. We're going, we're going!"
"Daoist Xu Fang, I am poor and lack treasures. Please, Daoist Xu Fang, show mercy!"
"Senior Xu Fang, we'll leave now. Please open the magical formation!"
The spectators present did not want to inexplicably lose more treasures. At this moment, they all spoke, pleading to leave.
Xu Fang did not make things difficult for them. He commanded the Measuring Heaven Ruler and other magical artifacts to open a gap.
Seeing this, the beings surged out and vanished in an instant, leaving only a few leaves swirling and drifting before Randeng Daoist's eyes, making him want to weep without tears.
He already had a grudge with Xu Fang, and now he was being detained here. What was he to do?
Randeng Daoist had considered resisting, but the moment he used even a bit of his spiritual power, the pressure emanating from the treasures suppressed him. He couldn't even gather any spiritual energy.
Helpless, Randeng Daoist could only sit obediently on the ground, awaiting Xu Fang's judgment.
Xu Fang was not in a hurry. He channeled his spiritual power, collecting the Qingwei White Lotus from the ground and placing it on the Treasure Distribution Rock. The Golden-Winged Great Peng Sculpture and the other two immediately began examining it with great enthusiasm.
This made the Qingwei White Lotus quite depressed, and it protested.
"Xu Fang, I am a supreme treasure, after all. Do you have to ignore me like this?"
However, Xu Fang ignored the Qingwei White Lotus's protest and focused his gaze on Randeng Daoist, a smile playing on his lips.
"Randeng, you harbored ill will towards me before, and our enmity has not been resolved. Furthermore, you brazenly disregarded me in front of so many beings. What should I do with you?"
Randeng's face turned ashen. He was the fish, and Xu Fang the knife. What choice did he have?
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, this Randeng Daoist is insignificant. Why bother with him so much?"
Taishang glanced at Randeng Daoist, confused.
He did not want to waste time over Randeng. However, Xu Fang seemed to have some ulterior motive regarding Randeng, which made him increasingly curious.
Xu Fang sensed Taishang's impatience and felt a sense of doubt himself. He wondered what the purpose of Taishang's visit was, and how he had so accurately known his location.
With this thought, Xu Fang pondered for a moment and then said,
"Forget it. We'll detain Randeng for now and deal with him later!"
As Xu Fang spoke, all the magical artifacts simultaneously exerted their power. Randeng Daoist was immediately lifted into the air and, with great reluctance, was tossed onto the Treasure Distribution Rock by the artifacts.
Having done all this, Xu Fang turned his gaze to Taishang and smiled.
"Alright, Fellow Daoist Taishang, you have traveled far to find me. What is the matter?"
Xu Fang did not engage in excessive pleasantries. Since Taishang was in such a hurry, there was no need to waste each other's time.
However, Taishang, who had been extremely anxious just moments ago, became hesitant and stammered upon hearing Xu Fang's words.
"This... that..."
Taishang struggled for a long time, yet could not form a complete sentence, appearing distressed and conflicted.
Xu Fang noticed his gaze drifting unintentionally towards the Golden-Winged Great Peng Sculpture and others, then towards Duobao Daoist and Guangchengzi, as if he had reservations.
"Making such a fuss, what are you plotting!"
Xu Fang grumbled inwardly but, being understanding, spoke,
"This is not a place for discussion. Please, Fellow Daoist Taishang, come with me."
As Xu Fang spoke, he immediately flew up and landed on the Treasure Distribution Rock. Taishang, relieved, wasted no more words and followed Xu Fang onto the rock.
Instantly, only Duobao Daoist and Guangchengzi remained, standing opposite each other.
However, soon, with the enthusiastic invitations from the Golden-Winged Great Peng Sculpture and the others, Duobao Daoist flew up and joined them on the Treasure Distribution Rock.
As for Guangchengzi, he was completely ignored by the Golden-Winged Great Peng Sculpture and the others. He could only stand alone, watching the Treasure Distribution Rock drift away, utterly bewildered.
"Damn it! How dare they ignore me like this?"
Guangchengzi trembled with rage. As disciples of the Three Pure Ones, future Sages, why was Duobao Daoist invited so warmly while he was completely overlooked?
And how detestable was Xu Fang, to have not even glanced at him from beginning to end, treating him as if he were nothing?
"Just you wait, one day, you will all regret underestimating me, Guangchengzi!"
Guangchengzi was filled with indignation and swore a solemn oath, then immediately left the peak of Mount Buzhou.
Not long after Guangchengzi departed, a figure appeared on the peak of Mount Buzhou. It was Yang Mei, whom Xu Fang had met before.
He gazed in the direction Guangchengzi had left, recalling the latter's words from earlier, and wondered.
"Guangchengzi? What is that supposed to be? Never mind him, he's an insignificant character."
Yang Mei shook his head, not taking Guangchengzi to heart, dismissing him like Xu Fang had.
"It's this Xu Fang, truly extraordinary!"
Yang Mei exclaimed, appearing quite pleased, as if he were the one who had gained an opportunity, not lost one.