"You... you..."
Kunpeng had originally intended to berate them. After all, he was the Palace Master of the Beiming Palace, a overlord whose name shook the Northern Sea. Being blocked from treasure hunting naturally filled him with rage.
However, upon seeing the few individuals who appeared before him, he immediately deflated. These were all existences he could not afford to offend!
More than that, facing these figures, Kunpeng didn't even have the thought of uttering a harsh word. After stammering for a while, he could only reluctantly step aside.
If he truly angered them, this was not the Zixiao Palace, and they wouldn't hesitate to attack him.
Moreover, they were all in groups, while he was alone, with no capital to resist!
"What bad luck, to run into such a fellow the moment I arrive."
Yuanshi shook his head. He had long disliked Kunpeng. If this scoundrel had dared to say another word earlier, he could have seized the opportunity to strike.
Who knew this fellow would be so useless, backing down so quickly, leaving him no excuse to act.
"No need to pay attention. Let me see what treasure this is."
Taishang waved his hand and looked towards the Innate Gourd Vine.
At this moment, everyone's gaze fell upon the Innate Gourd Vine, marveling at the dense Innate Qi emanating from the grand formation.
The gourd vine swayed within the light, its leaves incredibly lush, layered upon layer, brimming with vitality.
On the vine, several plump gourds hung, clearly ripe. Even through the formation, everyone could feel powerful auras piercing through.
"This is the Innate Gourd Vine."
After sensing it, Taishang's gaze sharpened, and he spoke, revealing the true name of this treasure.
"Innate Gourd Vine?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was startled awake. It turned out that this gourd vine before them was one of the Ten Great Innate Spiritual Roots of the Great Desolation, the Innate Gourd Vine.
No wonder the Innate Qi was so dense and the formation so powerful; it was an Innate Spiritual Root!
Instantly, everyone's eyes blazed with desire. They had known this treasure was extraordinary, but they hadn't expected it to be the Innate Gourd Vine, one of the Ten Great Spiritual Roots of Heaven and Earth!
These Ten Great Spiritual Roots were renowned throughout the Great Desolation, the pinnacle of spiritual roots, an object of yearning for countless immortals and cultivators.
To witness one of these Ten Great Spiritual Roots of Heaven and Earth right before their eyes, everyone was naturally overjoyed and stared intently.
"So this is the Innate Gourd Vine? No wonder the Innate Qi is so abundant!"
"Innate Spiritual Roots are rare and hard to come by. To see the Innate Gourd Vine today was truly worth the trip!"
"Innate Spiritual Roots each have their unique uses. I wonder what the use of this Innate Gourd Vine is?"
Everyone spoke, discussing amongst themselves, each pondering the uses of the Innate Gourd Vine.
"For this Innate Gourd Vine, the Innate Gourds are naturally the most important. Each one might possess the grade of a peak-tier Innate Spirit Treasure."
Taishang, the leader of the Three Pure Ones and the foremost figure in Zixiao Palace, was indeed knowledgeable. He explained to everyone at this moment.
"If refined further, they would become excellent magical treasures. Truly, this trip was not in vain!"
Upon hearing this, everyone marveled at Taishang's vast knowledge. Their gazes followed his to the gourds on the Innate Gourd Vine, understanding that the Innate Gourds were the crux of the matter.
If they could be harvested and refined, they would become peak-tier Innate Spirit Treasures!
For a time, everyone's thoughts turned towards acquiring these Innate Gourds for themselves.
However, just as everyone was thinking this, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Esteemed sirs, this treasure was the first I discovered. We are all guests of Zixiao Palace. Are you intending to seize my opportunity by surrounding it and not leaving?"
Xu Fang would not allow these people to snatch away his opportunity. He spoke coldly, reminding everyone that he was the one who had found the treasure first.
Upon hearing this, everyone looked over, their expressions strange. Some could not help but sneer.
"Fellow Daoist, what you say is rather selfish. Treasures and opportunities depend on ability; how can you claim it's yours just because you arrived first?"
"Indeed. We are all guests of Zixiao Palace, and none of us are significantly inferior to the other. Do not speak for yourself."
"Right. When that treasure fully emerges, we will all compete based on our own abilities to seize the opportunity. Why bother with this person's foolish words?"
Everyone disagreed with Xu Fang's view. Even though they had witnessed his abundance of magical treasures in Zixiao Palace, with so many people present now, they didn't believe Xu Fang alone could stir up much trouble.
As long as the waters were muddied, everyone would have a chance to fish. Why pay attention to this?
Xu Fang had long anticipated that these beings would speak this way. After all, the opportunity of an Innate Spiritual Root was before them. Why would they abandon such a chance for the negligible camaraderie of being fellow disciples in Zixiao Palace?
Xu Fang had already devised a plan for this. He ignored the constant taunts of the beings and directly cupped his hands towards the Three Pure Ones, Fuxi and Nuwa, Zhenyuanzi, and Hongyun Daoist.
"I do not care about their clamor. I only wish to hear your views."
Since this opportunity was destined to be unguardable by one person, Xu Fang was not confident he could seize the opportunity if these beings rushed him.
Why not then unite with these few, gather all the strength that could be united, and collectively obtain this Innate Gourd?
Upon hearing Xu Fang's words, the Three Pure Ones and the others quickly understood his intention.
Xu Fang wanted them to help him, and for them to share this Innate Gourd!
"Fellow Daoist speaks with reason. Do you not know the principle of 'first come, first served'?"
While others were still considering and weighing their gains and losses, Nuwa spoke first.
After all, she had previously received Xu Fang's favor by his yielding treasures, and she had never repaid it.
Seeing him mocked by those beings earlier, she had already felt compelled to speak. Now that Xu Fang had said this, how could she hesitate?
"Indeed. Do not bully Fellow Daoist Xu Fang just because he appears honest!"
Fuxi naturally had to support his sister. Moreover, he had always felt indebted to Xu Fang for yielding treasures and refusing the Fuxi Qin.
Donghuang Taiyi and Dijun, seeing that Fuxi and Nuwa had spoken, could only nod helplessly and stood beside them.
Although they did not speak, their attitude was already clear.
"Hahaha! I can't stand seeing the many bullying the few. I, Zhenyuanzi, do not mind acting against such villains."
"I also cannot bear to see Fellow Daoist Xu Fang being bullied. What you are doing is too much."
Zhenyuanzi and Hongyun Daoist spoke. Zhenyuanzi was fond of righting wrongs, and Hongyun Daoist was a good-natured person. These two naturally could not stand seeing the strong bullying the weak.
The Three Pure Ones exchanged glances, and then Taishang spoke.
"I also believe that Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, having found this treasure first, should have the opportunity."
Seeing them all express their support, Xu Fang smiled slightly and looked at the group of dumbfounded immortals.
Still thinking of rushing forward to snatch my opportunity, you won't even have a chance to enter the water. And you still want to muddy the waters to fish, hehe!