Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, engrossed in the joy of acquiring treasures, were jolted back to reality by a sudden shout.
"We did forget that when treasures emerge, their brilliant light will inevitably attract other beings."
Cao Bao sighed. They had been so focused on collecting the treasures that they neglected to conceal them, allowing the radiant light to escape and draw attention.
Xiao Sheng quickly moved to comfort him.
"It matters not. The treasure is already in our hands. Let's see who dares to snatch it from us!"
As Xiao Sheng spoke, he bellowed out.
"Who's playing tricks there? If you have the guts, come out and face us honorably!"
As the words fell, a figure hastily approached, landing before Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, a fierce wind whipping up a storm of dust.
Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao waved away the swirling dust and gazed intently. They saw the newcomer astride a black tiger, wielding a steel whip, looking remarkably imposing and dignified.
The being dismounted and scanned Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, his gaze finally settling on the supreme innate spiritual treasure in Xiao Sheng's hand.
"Esteemed sirs, I am Zhao Gongming. I sense a profound connection between myself and this item. I implore you to kindly relinquish it and fulfill my wish!"
The being was direct, stating his name and intention without any preamble.
However, despite his politeness, Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao could not help but chuckle upon hearing this.
"Daoist friend Zhao Gongming, spare us the jest. Can a magical artifact that has fallen into my, Xiao Sheng's, possession be easily handed over?"
Xiao Sheng shook his head. The treasure was now his. How could he possibly agree to give it up?
"Indeed. Daoist friend speaks of a great connection to this item. I, Cao Bao, can also sense that our connection to it is no less than yours."
Cao Bao echoed. Zhao Gongming was drawn by the treasure, wasn't that a connection? And their ability to acquire it clearly indicated an even greater one, making it impossible to yield the item based on Zhao Gongming's words.
Zhao Gongming understood that words alone would not suffice and had anticipated this. He nodded.
"Very well. If that is the case, then it seems a battle is inevitable to decide the ownership of this treasure!"
Seeing that reason would not prevail, Zhao Gongming was ready to strike and determine the treasure's fate.
Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao heard this and burst into laughter, as if at a joke.
"Daoist friend, you jest. We are both Taiyi Golden Immortals. Why should we fear you?"
"Precisely. We are two against one. Are you perhaps being too overconfident?"
Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao found Zhao Gongming's challenge amusing. They were all Taiyi Golden Immortals, and they held the numerical advantage. What confidence did Zhao Gongming possess?
However, Zhao Gongming paid no heed to their mockery. He was ready to fight, charging forward astride his black tiger with his steel whip in hand.
Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao exchanged glances. Was this Zhao Gongming truly that formidable?
But since Zhao Gongming had initiated the action, they naturally would not stand idly by. They immediately surged forward, engaging Zhao Gongming in battle.
Unbeknownst to them, from a short distance away, three pairs of eyes were watching them.
"Senior, we've come too late! The treasure has already been taken by others!" Ao Xue complained. If they had arrived even a moment earlier, Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao would have had no claim, and neither would Zhao Gongming.
Xu Fang and the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle both turned to look at Ao Xue, their expressions peculiar.
"And who was it that was dragging Senior around, delaying our journey?" the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle interjected. Ao Xue, upon learning of Xu Fang's unique divine ability, was overjoyed and had requested Xu Fang to help her sense for treasures that could enhance her cultivation.
"What's wrong with me improving myself? Are you going to say I'm holding you back again because my realm is lower?"
Although Ao Xue felt a pang of guilt, she was unceremonious with the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle.
"Is there anything I do that you find wrong?"
Seeing her on the verge of tears, the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle felt a headache coming on. Why was it always like this? Whenever he tried to reason with her, she would start crying.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle immediately fell silent. If Ao Xue argued with him, he could handle it, but if she truly started crying, he would be at a loss.
Xu Fang, too, felt a slight regret. When Ao Xue had pleaded with him, he hadn't felt any urgency and had followed the treasure map to find many cultivation treasures for her, raising her realm to Taiyi Golden Immortal. Who would have thought that their leisurely pace would allow Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao to find the Treasure-Dropping Gold Coin first, following their predetermined path?
Indeed, Xu Fang's current visit to Mount Wuyi was for the Treasure-Dropping Gold Coin. This was part of a plan targeting Daoist Ran Deng.
During the Investiture of the Gods, Daoist Ran Deng was pursued by Zhao Gongming, who wielded the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls. He fled to Mount Wuyi, where he was saved by Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao. And it was Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, with the Treasure-Dropping Gold Coin, who caused Zhao Gongming's treasures to lose their efficacy. Even though Zhao Gongming fought bravely and killed Xiao Sheng with his steel whip, he could not contend with the attacks of Cao Bao and Ran Deng, and was forced to retreat. The Dragon-Binding Rope and the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls were then obtained by Daoist Ran Deng. The Dragon-Binding Rope aside, upon obtaining the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, Daoist Ran Deng would later evolve them into the Twenty-Four Heavens, also known as the Twenty-Four Buddhist Kingdoms, and ascend to become the Burning Lamp Buddha.
Since enmity had already been established, Xu Fang naturally would not be polite. He intended to seize the Treasure-Dropping Gold Coin for himself beforehand. This way, when Daoist Ran Deng was pursued by Zhao Gongming in the future, even if he miraculously survived and joined the Buddhist sect, he would lack such potent assistance and would remain obscure. After all, to kill a mighty being like Daoist Ran Deng, who held such a position in the world, required not only power but also consideration of heavenly will.
Thus, it would be better to make arrangements and cause Ran Deng to lose his fortuitous encounters indirectly, which could be considered a form of revenge.
However, he never would have imagined that with just a slight delay, the Treasure-Dropping Gold Coin would be obtained by Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao ahead of them! When Xu Fang and his companions arrived, they happened to witness Zhao Gongming coming to seize the treasure.
"The Treasure-Dropping Gold Coin originally belonged to these two. It's understandable that it fell into their hands."
"But how did Zhao Gongming appear here so early?"
Xu Fang was puzzled. The matter of Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao was somewhat within reason. Zhao Gongming's appearance here was baffling. Could this individual also be a transmigrator, saving himself?
However, after some thought, Xu Fang dismissed the idea. The Treasure-Dropping Gold Coin could be considered to have a great connection with Zhao Gongming. Perhaps this was a sliver of heavenly opportunity, guiding Zhao Gongming here to sever future troubles?
As Xu Fang pondered, the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle suddenly spoke.
"Senior, aren't Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao too incompetent? They're about to be defeated so quickly?"