The crowd, upon hearing the loud shout, turned to look at the two figures rushing towards them and immediately burst into laughter.
"So it's those two! Why are they always so late!"
"Indeed, everyone else has already claimed their Innate Gourd, leaving only one Innate Gourd Vine. You've come too late!"
"Hahaha! I'd like to see what excuses you two have to offer now!"
The onlookers shook their heads gently as they gazed at the approaching figures. Why were these two, Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist from the west, so fond of being late?
They had arrived late for the sermon at Zixiao Palace, and now they were a step behind in the distribution of treasures. One could only wonder if they were related to turtles, always lagging behind everyone else.
Seeing the arrival of these two, Xu Fang did not immediately move to claim the Innate Gourd Vine. A smile played on his lips.
"Western performing artists, what kind of spectacular performance will you grace us with this time?"
Xu Fang decided to observe the unfolding situation with great anticipation.
"Innate Gourd Vine? Innate Gourds?"
"All taken?"
Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist quickly understood the situation after hearing the crowd's words.
Their gazes fell upon the Innate Gourd Vine. Indeed, there were no Innate Gourds left, only the single Innate Gourd Vine standing tall.
However, after a brief exchange of glances, they nodded at each other and immediately erupted into wailing and lamenting.
"Brother Jieyin, our lives are so bitter! Not only did we almost miss our seats at the Zixiao Palace sermon, but now, with treasures right before our eyes, we are destined to be without them!"
"Indeed! But as the saying goes, the heavens never block all paths. Just as Fellow Daoist Hongyun made way for us at Zixiao Palace, perhaps there will be kind souls willing to make way for us with treasures now!"
As they cried, Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist scanned the crowd. They observed that the Innate Gourds were held by the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, Donghuang Taiyi, and Hongyun Daoist.
Having already experienced the wailing of the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa, and Donghuang Taiyi for seats at Zixiao Palace, they were naturally unwilling to provoke them again.
Thus, their gazes finally settled upon Hongyun Daoist, and they eyed the purplish-red gourd in his hand, preparing to scheme against this benevolent elder of the Great Desolation, just as they had at Zixiao Palace.
"Scram!"
Before they could speak, Zhenyuanzi bellowed. The Earth Book appeared above his head, signaling his readiness to engage in combat at a moment's notice.
Last time, when he wasn't by Hongyun's side, these two had taken advantage. This time, with him standing guard, he would not allow them to succeed again.
Seeing that their efforts were futile, Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist, still crying out, silently made their way towards the Innate Gourd Vine.
Since they could not obtain the Innate Gourds, they decided to claim the Vine. The Innate Gourds were nurtured by the Innate Gourd Vine, making the Vine itself a tremendous opportunity.
"Two Daoists, stop right there! I discovered this Innate Gourd Vine first. If I don't want the Innate Gourds, you must at least leave the vine for me, right?"
Xu Fang flashed forward, blocking the path of Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist.
"It's you!"
Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist stared at Xu Fang blocking their way. Why was it this fellow again!
However, glancing around, they noticed that none of the individuals who had been with Xu Fang earlier were present, leaving him alone. This gave them considerable reassurance.
Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist exchanged a look. They believed that with their combined strength, they could subdue Xu Fang.
After all, the Three Pure Ones and others had claimed the Innate Gourds and seemed uninterested in the Innate Gourd Vine. It must have been Xu Fang's earlier display of power that had secured him claim to the Vine.
But now that they, senior and junior brothers, had arrived, the Innate Gourd Vine would naturally belong to them.
"Fellow Daoist, we haven't settled our previous score yet! We must settle it properly this time!"
"Exactly! Last time you snatched our Bitter Bamboo, and now you're trying to snatch our Innate Gourd Vine. It's truly abominable!"
Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist could not forget that this very person had stolen the Bitter Bamboo that should have belonged to them.
Now, he was attempting to seize their Innate Gourd Vine. This was simply too much, an unbearable insult! How could they tolerate it?
Having secured prime positions at the Zixiao Palace sermon, they were no longer the same as before. A two-on-one battle against Xu Fang would be more than enough.
With such thoughts, Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist assumed a ready-to-attack posture.
Seeing this, Xu Fang did not panic. Instead, he chuckled.
"Two Daoists, do you believe it's acceptable to gang up on a lone individual?"
"Hmph!"
Zhunti Daoist snorted coldly. "We are ganging up on you, and what can you do about it?"
"Precisely. When you have more numbers, you can do as you please. Do not take offense, Fellow Daoist!"
Jieyin Daoist replied with a smile, appearing confident of victory.
Xu Fang was alone, and they couldn't fathom how they could possibly fail!
The crowd, overhearing these arrogant words, became indignant.
"You are going too far! He only has one Innate Gourd Vine left, and you still want to snatch it from him!"
"Indeed! As immortals, do you have no principles? This is too shameless!"
"No way, are you really going to attack him?"
The assembled beings spoke out, denouncing the shamelessness and bullying of the two from the west.
Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist were bewildered.
Hadn't these beings just been subdued by Xu Fang, forcing them to cede the Innate Gourd Vine to him?
Yet, from their current demeanor, it seemed as if they were all happy to see Xu Fang claim the Innate Gourd Vine.
Was this still the Great Desolation where beings would resort to any means for treasure and opportunity?
Little did they know, Xu Fang's actions just moments ago had deeply moved everyone present.
They all felt that Xu Fang had already suffered a great loss by only acquiring a single Innate Gourd Vine.
And now, these two from the west were trying to snatch even this meager Innate Gourd Vine from him. Was this not bullying an honest person?
"Hmph! We don't care about them. Regardless, I am claiming this Gourd Vine today. Xu Fang, you can either be beaten by us and hand over the Innate Gourd Vine, or you can obediently step aside!"
"Exactly. Stand before us, and see how much we resemble our former selves!"
Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist couldn't understand the thoughts of the crowd, but this didn't stop them from targeting Xu Fang and seizing the Innate Gourd Vine.
They were now in privileged positions at Zixiao Palace. Xu Fang, a mere individual from the back ranks, and a two-on-one fight, why should they fear him?
"Where I am, the vine remains. I will not step aside."
Xu Fang shook his head, refusing to yield.
"Very well! Let's settle old and new scores together. It couldn't be better!"
"Indeed! Suppress him!"
Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist declared, preparing to strike.
At that very moment, two voices suddenly rang out.
"Stop! What you are doing is too much!"
"Precisely! You are truly taking advantage of Fellow Daoist Xu Fang's kind nature! I, Fuxi, will not allow it!"
It was Nuwa and Fuxi, who, unable to bear witnessing the blatant bullying by the west any longer, stepped forward and declared their support, standing beside Xu Fang.