Upon hearing Xu Fang's words, the assembled great cultivators exchanged glances, wondering how Xu Fang could speak so righteously.
To speak of reason, and then to activate a treasure array at the Purple霄 Palace plaza to prevent everyone from leaving – what kind of reason was that?
Was there any reason left? Was there any law?
Dao Ancestor Hongjun, even as you are about to merge with the Great Dao, Xu Fang is causing such a ruckus right at your doorstep. Will you not come out and manage this?
The great cultivators felt indignant and spoke out one after another.
“Dao Ancestor, are you there? If so, could you please make your presence known?”
“Indeed, this Xu Fang is exceedingly disrespectful. We implore the Dao Ancestor to appear and mete out punishment!”
“Dao Ancestor, you cannot disappoint us. This is right outside the Purple霄 Palace!”
The great cultivators all called out the name of Dao Ancestor Hongjun. After all, this was Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s territory, and Xu Fang’s rampant behavior was an offense to him. Since they could not deal with Xu Fang, they could only place their hopes on Dao Ancestor Hongjun to come out and uphold justice for them.
Xu Fang’s expression darkened.
Good heavens, these fellows not only had no realization of their plight but were still stubbornly resisting. However, seeing them invoke Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s name, Xu Fang felt a twinge of unease. Would Hongjun come out again and meddle? Fortunately, regardless of what the great cultivators said, Dao Ancestor Hongjun remained indifferent, and there was no movement from the Purple霄 Palace. The great cultivators were unwilling to give up and continued to shout, hoping Dao Ancestor Hongjun would appear to resolve the situation with Xu Fang.
At this, the Purple霄 Palace finally showed signs of activity, its doors slowly opening. The great cultivators were overjoyed.
“Haha! Dao Ancestor Hongjun has arrived. Has Xu Fang realized his mistake yet!”
“Precisely, you are relentless when you have the upper hand. You have gone too far, and Dao Ancestor Hongjun can no longer bear to watch.”
“Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, you have miscalculated this time!”
The great cultivators all spoke, looking at Xu Fang with glee. Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren also immediately straightened their backs. Now that Dao Ancestor Hongjun had appeared, Xu Fang, who had been acting recklessly, would surely be punished.
However, to everyone’s anticipation, the Purple霄 Palace opened only a crack and then stopped. Next, two small heads popped out – they were the attendants of Dao Ancestor Hongjun, Hao Tian and Yao Chi. Hao Tian and Yao Chi peered through the crack in the door, their heads stacked together, curiously observing the scene outside the Purple霄 Palace.
“Hao Tian, what are you doing?”
Xu Fang asked with a dark expression. Was Dao Ancestor Hongjun truly going to be so unfeeling and ruin his good deed? He had gone to great lengths to help Hongjun distribute treasures earlier, and this was how he treated his laborer? Making the horse run without letting it eat grass – wasn’t that a black-hearted capitalist? However, in the vast Primordial Era, with the heavens and earth so large, Dao Ancestor Hongjun was supreme. Even if he felt wronged, where could he file for labor arbitration?
Hao Tian chuckled and waved at Xu Fang, clearly holding a favorable impression of him.
“The Dao Ancestor Master said that this is a dispute between Senior Brother Xu Fang and all the other Senior Brothers. You should resolve it yourselves and not involve the Purple霄 Palace.”
“Yes, we won’t speak, we’ll just watch from the side, alright?”
Yao Chi also lightly parted her cherry lips and echoed Hao Tian’s words.
Upon hearing this, the great cultivators were stunned.
“What do you mean by ‘watch from the side’? Isn’t this within the Purple霄 Palace’s jurisdiction?”
“Hao Tian, did you misunderstand your message, little one?”
“Why don’t you go back and confirm with Dao Ancestor Hongjun?”
The great cultivators were unwilling to accept this and wanted Hao Tian and Yao Chi to make another trip. However, Hao Tian and Yao Chi repeatedly shook their heads, determined to watch the spectacle. The great cultivators exchanged glances. Whether they accepted it or not, they had to. Dao Ancestor Hongjun knew what was happening here. If he truly wanted to stop it, he could have sent a verbal message. Sending Hao Tian and Yao Chi out was already indicative of his stance. Dao Ancestor Hongjun did not wish to be involved in this matter!
Realizing this, the great cultivators knew they could not count on Dao Ancestor Hongjun and all turned their gazes to Xu Fang.
“Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, things have come to this point. Tell us, what should we do?”
“Indeed, having us search the Primordial Era for treasures for you is too time-consuming. We cannot afford to delay!”
“Exactly, even if we have to fight you, we don’t have time. Just give us a clear direction!”
This was the predicament of the great cultivators. They neither wanted to help Xu Fang search for treasures all over the place nor waste time breaking his array with him, as they were eager to return to their cultivation. Xu Fang had seized upon this weakness, putting them in a dilemma. The only troublesome factor was Dao Ancestor Hongjun’s attitude. Now that he had made his stance clear, Xu Fang stopped dallying and revealed his intentions.
“Esteemed sirs, this time you have caused me to lose so many treasures. If you do not compensate me, I will not be appeased.”
“Of course, you all do not wish to waste time. Very well, you should all have treasures on you now, correct?”
Xu Fang paused here, saying no more. The Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue instantly understood Xu Fang’s instructions and stepped forward.
“I’m familiar with this matter, Senior, don’t move, leave it to me!”
The Golden-Winged Great Peng said to Xu Fang, then turned to the great cultivators and shouted.
“Every one of you, line up properly and hand over your treasures!”
“That’s right, everyone is a great cultivator of the Primordial Era. Let us be civilized and follow order. No cutting in line!”
Ao Xue also joined in the shouting, urging the great cultivators to queue up and hand over their treasures.
“This!”
Seeing how adept Xu Fang’s two followers were, the great cultivators all reacted. This scene seemed familiar! Good heavens! Xu Fang was resorting to his old trick again, just like at Penglai Immortal Island, robbing people in broad daylight under everyone’s watchful eyes! And this was outside the Purple霄 Palace. Dao Ancestor Hongjun, are you really not going to do anything?
Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren also understood. How audacious Xu Fang was! It was one thing at Penglai Immortal Island, but to act so outrageously at the Purple霄 Palace – it was unbearable! Thus, Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren quickly shouted.
“Everyone, do not be afraid. As long as we hand over our treasures properly, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang will let us leave!”
“Indeed, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang is trustworthy. He wants treasures, so give them to him. Don’t be afraid!”
Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren had originally intended to trick the other great cultivators into resisting Xu Fang, and then seize the opportunity to slip away. However, a death stare from Xu Fang instantly made them obedient, and they quickly changed their tune. At the same time, they were extremely dejected. They were clearly of higher cultivation than Xu Fang and possessed the Primordial Violet Qi, destined to be great sages, yet they could not muster any courage in front of Xu Fang!