Accepting the surrender of these great powers was naturally not an issue for Xu Fang.
Although he had now set up this powerful treasure formation, with Zhen Yuanzi and others assisting, he had a firm advantage and victory was within his grasp.
However, Xu Fang knew that it would still be somewhat difficult for him to kill all these great powers here.
It wasn't that it was impossible, but rather that it was unnecessary.
Because if it truly came down to a life-or-death struggle, the great powers, seeing no hope of survival, would undoubtedly fight with all their might, revealing all their trump cards and hidden reserves. This would require a great deal of effort on his part.
If he were to kill them all here, it would indeed establish his formidable reputation and protect Penglai Immortal Island from covetous eyes. However, this reputation would also become a notorious one, placing him on the Primordial Era's kill list and making him an object of scorn.
Given this, it was better to accept their request. This would save him effort and trouble, and through them, the inviolable status of Penglai Immortal Island could be conveyed, deterring any lurking opportunists from harboring ill intentions.
This was the principle of leaving a way out, for future encounters. Since they all resided in the Primordial Era, and there was no deep-seated hatred like that with Kunpeng, there was no need to pursue them relentlessly.
Of course, before that, Xu Fang had to verify the truthfulness of their words.
Xu Fang's words caused the smiles on the faces of the great powers to freeze.
Yes, they were now putting on a show of sincere surrender, but after the fierce battle just moments ago, who could tell if they were truly genuine or harbored ulterior motives?
For a moment, all the great powers fell silent, recalling the time they had forced Xu Fang to prove that his home was indeed his own.
They finally understood Xu Fang's helplessness. At this moment, they too were unable to prove the sincerity of their actions.
Seeing this, Xu Fang smiled slightly.
Back then, these fellows had insisted on forcing me to prove myself. Now the tables have turned, and I need you to prove yourselves as well, haha!
Xu Fang was not in a hurry. Within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, looking through the massive screen, he quietly awaited their response.
Zhen Yuanzi and the others stood by leisurely, observing the group of great powers.
It would be best if they didn't have to take action, but if these great powers truly harbored malicious intent, they wouldn't mind stepping in again.
Sensing the gaze of Zhen Yuanzi and the others, the great powers naturally understood their thoughts.
Looking nervously at Kunpeng, who was trapped within the formation of treasures, they couldn't help but tremble.
They did not wish to be targeted like Kunpeng, nor did they want to experience the helplessness they had just felt. Thus, they quickly began to ponder how to gain Xu Fang's trust.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, I am sincere and do not wish to be your enemy. Since words are not enough, I will make an oath to the heavens here!"
One great power called out first, and without a second word, extending his right hand, he made an oath to the heavens.
"I swear today, if Fellow Daoist Xu Fang spares me, I will no longer covet Penglai Immortal Island, nor will I be your enemy from this day forth!"
"If I break this oath, may I be struck by heavenly lightning and die a horrible death!"
As this great power finished speaking, thunder rumbled in the sky, and a bolt of lightning struck down.
Simultaneously, Xu Fang felt a premonition, knowing that the heavenly oath made by this great power had been recognized by heaven and earth.
In the Primordial Era, making oaths had profound significance. Ordinary oaths were merely vows and curses, relying entirely on the oath-taker's personal integrity.
Above that were blood oaths, sworn by using the oath-taker's bloodline or blood, which were stricter than ordinary oaths.
If a blood oath were broken, the oath-taker's blood would flow backward, their vital energy would become chaotic, and in severe cases, they would suffer from qi deviation and fall into a cultivation state.
The highest form of oath was the Heavenly Dao oath, swearing to the Heavenly Dao and having it act as the overseer.
The Heavenly Dao was the supreme existence in the Primordial Era. If a Heavenly Dao oath were broken, one would naturally be punished by the Heavenly Dao.
Being targeted by the Heavenly Dao was unavoidable. A tarnished Dao heart and a decline in cultivation were minor matters. The real fear was that one day, stepping out the left foot might lead to a calamity.
Xu Fang felt the Heavenly Dao oath made by that great power and was quite satisfied.
"Good! You show great sincerity."
Xu Fang's voice was heard, and the great power's surrender request was accepted.
He was not afraid of this great power going back on his word, as it was a Heavenly Dao oath.
If one dared to break an oath witnessed by the Heavenly Dao, it would be like playing a trick on the Heavenly Dao, and the Heavenly Dao would not let them off easily.
"Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang! We are now quits!"
The great power was overjoyed and immediately bowed his hands towards the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.
Seeing this, the other great powers' eyes lit up.
"Wait! Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, I can also make a Heavenly Dao oath to prove my sincerity!"
"How did we not think of this earlier? We can finally prove ourselves."
"You guys step aside, let me make the oath first!"
Seeing that Xu Fang had accepted the first great power's terms, they all began to scramble, eager to make Heavenly Dao oaths to prove their genuine surrender.
Xu Fang found it amusing to watch them bickering.
He had seen people rush to seize opportunities, but this was the first time he had witnessed a rush to surrender!
However, their disorganized scramble was not conducive to anything. Xu Fang quickly spoke.
"Alright, line up. One by one."
Upon hearing this, the great powers dared not disobey and immediately lined up as instructed, taking turns to make their oaths.
Watching this scene, Zhen Yuanzi and the others were speechless. It was too astonishing. Having lived for so long, they had never seen such a bizarre event.
Lining up to swear surrender, this scene was incredibly absurd, beyond comprehension!
The Sanqing, the two from the West, and the two brothers from the demon race, the Di Jun and his brother, who were observing from outside the treasure formation, also felt speechless as they watched the great powers inside the formation lining up to swear surrender.
"You are all great powers of heaven and earth, must you act like this?"
"I truly don't know what these fellows are thinking. If this gets out, won't the reputation of great powers be ruined?"
The great powers didn't care about all that. Was reputation more important than their own lives?
At this moment, they were all behaving themselves, lining up and taking turns to swear their surrender.
The sound of the oaths echoed in their ears, leaving the other beings with complex expressions.
Kunpeng, being besieged by treasures and hearing them constantly taking oaths, felt even more like dying.
He had fought alongside these fellows just moments ago. It was no wonder he was crushed by Xu Fang; they were truly a bunch of pig teammates!
Soon, through their tacit cooperation, all the great powers had made their Heavenly Dao oaths, vowing not to oppose Xu Fang and no longer to covet Penglai Immortal Island.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, since we have all made our oaths, will you let us leave now?"
"Yes, it's getting late. Why don't we part ways here?"
"We implore Fellow Daoist Xu Fang to open this treasure formation so we can leave, please!"
Since everyone had made their Heavenly Dao oaths, they naturally wished to leave quickly and now spoke up one after another, requesting Xu Fang to open the formation.
Within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda, Xu Fang quickly responded, his voice drifting out.
"My apologies, fellow Daoists, you cannot leave yet."
Upon hearing this, the great powers were greatly shocked. Was Xu Fang going back on his word?