The Kunpeng and a host of powerful beings combined their immense power to strike at Xu Fang. At the last moment, Xu Fang dove into the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. The resulting explosion surged outward in all directions, accompanied by rolling thunder and blinding light.
However, none of the beings present paid attention to the spectacular display. Their eyes were fixed on the area obscured by the light, waiting to see who had emerged victorious.
The light was so blindingly brilliant that it lingered, preventing anyone from discerning the situation within.
Just as everyone was filled with uncertainty, a voice boomed from within the radiance.
"Hahaha! Xu Fang, let's see if you can survive this!"
The voice was incredibly loud and utterly arrogant. The onlookers quickly recognized it as Kunpeng's.
Kunpeng's voice was full of vigor, clearly indicating he had sustained no injuries. If Kunpeng was unharmed, then that could only mean...
A thought flashed through everyone's minds, and they all instinctively arrived at the same conclusion.
Indeed, as Kunpeng's words faded, more voices followed.
"Hahaha! Fellow Daoist Kunpeng is truly wise. This time, we have finally dealt with Xu Fang, that great nuisance!"
"Didn't Xu Fang have many treasures? His treasures were his downfall, and it's a treasure that ultimately led to his death!"
"He brought it upon himself, his death is of no consequence! Fellow Daoists, let's stop wasting time. Quickly disperse this light and collect the treasures Xu Fang left behind!"
The powerful beings who had joined Kunpeng in battle now spoke up, echoing his sentiments.
As their voices died down, those outside the light saw it begin to dissipate at a visible rate.
Witnessing this, the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue could no longer contain themselves. They fell to their knees, tears streaming down their faces, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Senior! You were so young, how could you be gone!"
"Yes, Senior, how could you be so utterly destroyed, leaving nothing behind, oh, my poor Senior!"
They couldn't believe that the senior they admired had truly perished at the hands of Kunpeng and the other powerful beings. They hadn't even had a proper chance to bid farewell before they were separated by death.
Zhen Yuanzi and the others also felt a pang of grief and helplessness. Their brief encounter just moments ago had turned out to be their last with fellow Daoist Xu Fang.
Taishang and Yuanshi, watching from afar, sighed. It was a great pity that this fellow Daoist had fallen so soon.
The brothers Di Jun and Donghuang Taiyi watched coldly. While Xu Fang wasn't an existential threat to the demon race, he had certainly been a thorn in their side. His demise was a cause for celebration.
Their only regret was not having personally slain Xu Fang to experience the satisfaction of revenge.
Tongtian clenched his fist involuntarily, appearing ready to charge forward and engage in battle.
Upon seeing this, Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist's eyes lit up, and they spoke.
"Alas, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, though he was troublesome, he did not deserve death. Kunpeng and the others were too cruel and heartless!"
"Indeed, bullying the weak with numbers is already dishonorable, and now they have the audacity to gloat. Are there no chivalrous souls among the Daoists who can step forward and teach them a lesson!"
Xu Fang's death was a cause for great joy for the two from the West, who would have loved to celebrate for three days and three nights. However, they now wore masks of profound sorrow.
While denouncing the wicked deeds of Kunpeng and the others, they subtly incited Tongtian to act.
If Tongtian were to move, the three pure ones, bound by brotherhood, would undoubtedly not stand idly by and would join Tongtian in battle.
At that point, the situation would once again reach a stalemate. With Tongtian no longer a looming threat, they could relaunch their plans and plot to seize Penglai Immortal Island, a most delightful prospect!
However, their schemes, though well-laid, often did not go as planned.
Just as they were about to further egg on Tongtian, a voice sounded before they could speak again.
"Are you two even in a position to talk about shame and honor? What are you two secretly plotting now?"
Hearing this voice, Zhunti Daoist and Jieyin Daoist's bodies trembled in unison, their eyes filled with disbelief.
"Xu Fang!"
All the beings present stirred, exclaiming in unison.
This was indeed Xu Fang's voice. He was still alive!
Xu Fang, however, did not wish to dwell on them. After his outburst, he shifted his attention to Kunpeng.
"Kunpeng, I heard you've been spreading rumors that I'm dead. Which eye of yours saw that? Don't speak of things from your dreams, you'll only make a fool of yourself!"
"You lot, after all this, you still haven't dispersed this light. Truly useless. Let me do it!"
As his words fell, the light abruptly halted, then rapidly contracted and dissipated. As the light thinned, the beings present finally saw the scene clearly.
The Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda was rapidly absorbing the radiant energy, quickly sweeping it away. The situation then became clear again. The entire Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda shuddered as if it had just hiccuped.
Opposite it stood Kunpeng and the other powerful beings, staring at the scene with dumbfounded expressions.
"Xu Fang, you're actually alive!"
Kunpeng found it unbelievable. After their combined assault, Xu Fang had hidden within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. The explosion had been so powerful that they had assumed he and the treasure had vanished into thin air.
Who could have imagined that a mere Houtian spiritual treasure could withstand the combined assault of so many powerful beings without sustaining any damage? And the Xu Fang within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda was also completely unharmed.
"Senior, you're alive!"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue also found it incredible and shouted with joy.
Hearing their words, Xu Fang became displeased.
"Kunpeng is one thing, but what about you two? Did my being alive interfere with your plans? Are you just eager for the feast to begin?"
From within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, Xu Fang's voice lashed out at the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue.
However, he had to admit, under normal circumstances, he and the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda would not have been able to withstand the attacks of so many powerful beings, and he would have perished on the spot.
But with the support of a host of treasures, the situation became extraordinary.
The Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda was not fighting alone. This Houtian spiritual treasure inherited the glorious tradition of Xu Fang's treasure collective. The Heaven-Measuring Ruler, the Ruyi Jingu Bang, the Six Roots of Purity Bamboo, and other treasures from Xu Fang's lineage, all pooled their strength at this moment. The Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda was not fighting as a single artifact; it was not just one artifact now!
Therefore, the power of a single treasure could already give opponents a headache and force them to proceed cautiously. When the power of so many treasures was combined, if they couldn't protect Xu Fang, it could only mean that these treasures were slacking off and preparing to defect.
The beings present understood this principle and couldn't help but sigh. Indeed, having many treasures allowed one to do as they pleased, with no regard for consequences!
Kunpeng and the others gritted their teeth in anger. This had been their opportunity to kill Xu Fang, and they had failed. Now, with Xu Fang holed up within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, it would be infinitely more difficult to harm him.
However, Xu Fang didn't keep them waiting for long. Soon, his voice echoed from within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.
"Hey, hey, hey, I say, didn't you just issue orders for free attack? Have you become addicted to watching the show?"
Xu Fang's voice carried a distinct dissatisfaction. It was understandable for these beings, unaware of his plan, to be stunned and spectate.
But what about his hoard of treasures? Had they also become mere onlookers, waiting for New Year's before taking action?