Although the Innate Gourd Vine saw through him, Xu Fang couldn't bother with it at the moment and was instead curious.
"Sister Vine, what's your plan?"
Xu Fang asked, glancing at the treasure map beside him.
At this moment, countless treasures were converging towards them, at varying speeds but with clear intent, all heading for the location of the Innate Gourd Vine.
Clearly, the powerful beings on Buzhou Mountain had been attracted by the emergence of the Innate Gourd Vine and were rushing to the scene.
However, it wasn't yet time to break the formation and claim the treasures, so Xu Fang could only watch.
Once the powerful beings arrived, he wouldn't even be able to collect all the Innate Gourds, let alone any single treasure.
This was unacceptable to Xu Fang. While he had been acting and testing the Innate Gourd Vine, if there was truly no other way, it was better for no one to get anything than to watch others benefit.
At least that way, he would feel some solace and less regret.
"Alright, alright, stop acting like you'll destroy everything if you can't have it. I'm truly afraid of you."
The Innate Gourd Vine saw Xu Fang's demeanor and understood his thoughts immediately, quickly dissuading him from impulsive actions.
"Alright, Innate Gourd Vine, if you don't want us to act, you need to show some sincerity!"
The Heaven Measuring Ruler interjected. It was a long journey to be a mere stepping stone for others. Not only could their master, Li Zi, not stand it, but even a magic treasure like itself couldn't bear it.
"Don't worry, I have my arrangements. You won't leave empty-handed."
The Innate Gourd Vine, seeing this, didn't waste any more words and promised.
"Good! Then let's discuss it."
Xu Fang nodded. If there was another way without destroying the treasures, that would be for the best.
After all, the Innate Gourd Vine was one of the Ten Great Spiritual Roots of Heaven and Earth, and the Innate Gourds were supreme innate spiritual treasures. It would be a pity to destroy them.
Thus, the man, the treasure, and the spiritual root began to whisper amongst themselves.
The surge of treasure light that accompanied the emergence of the Innate Gourd Vine had attracted the attention of the treasure-hunting powerful beings in the area. Knowing that a treasure had appeared, they were now all following the light towards the location of the Innate Gourd Vine.
Kong Xuan, along with the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue, was still climbing the mountain. Seeing the beam of light rise, their gazes were instantly drawn to it.
"Judging by this, a remarkable treasure must have appeared!"
"Isn't that right? I'm familiar with this light. It must be a great treasure."
The Golden-Winged Great Peng said. Having been searching for treasures with Xu Fang for a long time, he naturally couldn't resist showing off a bit.
"Big bird, brother big bird, haven't you noticed that direction seems to be where Senior is heading?"
Ao Xue reminded the two of them. Xu Fang had just left in that direction.
Kong Xuan was jolted awake by her words.
"It seems that the treasure Daoist Xu Fang sensed is this one?"
Kong Xuan spoke, then frowned, becoming worried.
"That's troublesome. Daoist friend is alone and can't support himself. He might miss this opportunity!"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue understood upon hearing this and both became worried.
"What should we do? Isn't this just paving the way for others?"
"This is a bit troublesome. Is Senior going to miss out on this opportunity?"
Kong Xuan's worry was not unfounded. Although the powerful beings on Buzhou Mountain were currently searching for treasures in groups, with the opportunity right before them, how could they yield to each other?
And Xu Fang was heading there alone. If he got into a conflict with someone, he would naturally be unable to resist. It wasn't just about protecting the treasure, but the key was whether he would be in danger.
Kong Xuan looked at the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue, appearing quite conflicted.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng, seeing this, knew his elder brother's thoughts and quickly said,
"Brother, don't worry. You go help Senior first, we'll follow."
"That's right, brother big bird, you go first. We can protect ourselves."
Ao Xue also quickly chimed in.
Kong Xuan, seeing this, didn't hesitate and nodded.
"Alright, you two be careful and follow. I'll go ahead and see if I can help Daoist Xu Fang."
Although the cultivation levels of the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue were not as high as his, allowing them to move more freely on Buzhou Mountain, they could still protect themselves while moving.
Given the urgency of the situation, Kong Xuan didn't think much further. After speaking, he quickly departed, disappearing into the vast mountains.
Meanwhile, after a period of travel, countless powerful beings had arrived at the location of the Innate Gourd Vine.
However, looking at the formation shimmering with flowing light, they all tacitly refrained from acting and waited quietly.
Xu Fang stood at the forefront, before the Innate Gourd Vine, seemingly unaffected by the beings who had arrived behind him.
However, he still felt a slight regret in his heart.
"As expected, I couldn't wait for this treasure to be successfully born before these people arrived. It seems I truly have no chance to collect all the Innate Gourds."
Xu Fang thought to himself, still standing in the leading position to declare to everyone that he was the first to find the Innate Gourd Vine.
The beings behind him paid no mind to this. After all, when the treasure appeared, they would all rush forward, and who would care about who arrived first?
"Haha! You fools, haven't you seen the treasure right before your eyes?"
A voice rang out, followed by a figure rapidly flying towards the Innate Gourd Vine.
"You all stand there stunned. This treasure belongs to me, Great Sage Kun Peng!"
It was Kun Peng, now using his swift divine abilities to rush towards the Innate Gourd Vine, intending to claim the treasure.
Although high-altitude flight was not permitted on Buzhou Mountain, using divine abilities to fly like this was feasible.
Xu Fang frowned upon seeing this. Why was this fellow so detestable? He didn't want to destroy the Innate Gourd Vine, but now this guy was going to do it?
Just as he was preparing to intervene, several streams of light swiftly descended, aimed directly at Kun Peng.
Kun Peng saw that these attacks were quite fierce and knew that if he was hit, it would be disastrous. He quickly dodged to the side, evading the attacks.
"Who?"
Kun Peng was furious and shouted loudly. With the treasure right before him, who dared to block him!
"Hmph! You creature born of dampness and eggs, as expected, you have no insight. This treasure has not fully emerged yet. Aren't you destroying it by acting like this?"
A voice sounded, and the figure of Yuanshi appeared, accompanied, of course, by Taishang Laojun and Tongtian Jiaozhu.
"Indeed, this Kun Peng has ability but no insight, which is truly embarrassing."
Another voice rang out as Donghuang Taiyi and Dijun appeared, with Fuxi and Nuwa following behind.
"Daoist Kun Peng, I apologize. Your actions just now were too hasty, and I had to intervene."
A voice sounded as Hongyun Daoist and his good friend Zhen Yuanzi appeared on the scene.
Xu Fang looked and felt a sense of helplessness.
Could it be that he couldn't escape fate after all?
The destined owners of the Innate Gourds had all appeared here, without exception!