Hearing Xu Fang say they couldn't leave yet, the great powers felt a basin of cold water poured over their heads.
Hadn't they disregarded their dignity and queued up to swear the Heavenly Dao oath precisely to leave this place quickly?
Hadn't Xu Fang agreed so readily just moments ago? How could he suddenly go back on his word?
They were astounded, while Kun Peng, being attacked by magic treasures, let out a loud laugh.
"You fools, all of you tricked by Xu Fang, aren't you? Haha, serves you right!"
These people had collectively betrayed him, abandoning him alone. Just now, they had queued up and sworn oaths right in front of him, which had thoroughly disgusted Kun Peng.
Now that Xu Fang had returned and their hopes were dashed, they were naturally eager to mock them.
This was for the best. If Xu Fang refused them, they would be shamed and enraged, and wouldn't they have to return to confront Xu Fang with him?
However, the great powers were aware of Kun Peng's sinister intentions to provoke a conflict with Xu Fang. They wouldn't fall for it and immediately rebuked him.
"Kun Peng, shut your mouth! You are destined to escape this calamity, yet you remain defiant even when death is at your doorstep!"
"Hmph! You think you can make us accompany you to our deaths with just a few words? Dream on!"
"Fellow Daoists, pay no mind to this scoundrel. He is a dying dog, let him die!"
After cursing Kun Peng vigorously, the great powers turned their gaze to the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda and questioned Xu Fang.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, didn't we agree that you would let us leave? What's going on?"
"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, you are a great power of heaven and earth. We have all sworn a Heavenly Dao oath, you cannot go back on your word!"
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, we all mingle in the Primordial Era. Acting this way is quite untrustworthy, it won't sound good if it gets out!"
"That's right, as the saying goes, what you say must be done. This is the character of a great power of heaven and earth!"
The great powers were unwilling to see Xu Fang renege on his promise, and at this moment, they all spoke up, appealing to righteousness.
Hearing this, Xu Fang thought, are these people trying to morally blackmail me?
First, they bestow upon me the hat of a great power of heaven and earth, and then they speak of the virtues that a great power of heaven and earth should possess. Isn't this clearly moral blackmail?
Moral blackmail is a difficult matter to handle. If handled improperly, it can lead to ruin.
However, Xu Fang was quite unconcerned. As long as I have no morals, you cannot morally blackmail me.
Moreover, Xu Fang felt that what these great powers were saying was highly problematic, and he immediately spoke.
"When did I ever agree to let you go at this point?"
"If I recall correctly, I really haven't said anything like that!"
Hearing this, the great powers pondered for a moment and their faces revealed bitterness.
It was true. Xu Fang seemed to have never said he would let them go. He had only questioned the sincerity of their surrender earlier.
After they swore the Heavenly Dao oath, Xu Fang had only said they had the sincerity to surrender, not that he would let them leave.
"This..."
Upon realizing this, the great powers were speechless. They looked at each other, their faces full of bitterness.
So, our queuing up and swearing the Heavenly Dao oath, believing that Xu Fang would let us leave, was our own wishful thinking?
This was unacceptable. They had gone to great lengths to save face, only for it to be in vain.
More importantly, with the Heavenly Dao oath now sworn, how could they dare to oppose Xu Fang and plot against Penglai Immortal Island?
Seeing the conflicted expressions on the faces of the great powers, Xu Fang immediately spoke again.
"Alright, alright. Since you have sworn the Heavenly Dao oath, proving you truly surrender, why would I continue to be difficult?"
Xu Fang's words brought a glimmer of hope to the ears of the great powers.
Did Xu Fang mean he agreed to their request by saying this?
Thus, they quickly pricked up their ears and continued to listen to Xu Fang.
Xu Fang's words continued to drift from the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.
"However, while I am willing to let you go, your offense against Penglai Immortal Island and the ensuing battle, just leaving like this, seems too easy for you. I feel somewhat at a loss."
"Since you have proven your sincerity of surrender, shouldn't you also demonstrate your sincerity?"
"Everyone, you wouldn't want to see me in a difficult position, would you? If it's difficult, then perhaps we shouldn't proceed?"
When Xu Fang finished speaking, all the great powers heard him clearly and understood immediately.
Xu Fang was asking them for benefits!
That's right, Xu Fang was asking them for benefits, or more accurately, for war reparations.
Although for various reasons, Xu Fang did not wish to be overly ruthless.
However, these people had offended Penglai Immortal Island and fought against him. Letting them off the hook so easily would be too lenient.
They couldn't be killed, but some treasures should be left behind as compensation!
Zhen Yuanzi and the Three Pure Ones were shocked to witness Xu Fang's open and blatant extortion.
Indeed, this Xu Fang was extraordinary. Even if he was willing to let the great powers leave, he wouldn't let them off easily.
However, they didn't have many objections. Instead, they found it reasonable. These great powers had offended Xu Fang, and it was impossible for them to escape unscathed. If they couldn't leave their lives, they had to leave their treasures.
It all depended on whether these great powers would choose treasures over their lives, or lives over treasures.
Faced with treasures and lives, the great powers didn't hesitate much and quickly made up their minds.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang is right. We offended first, how can we just leave?"
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, don't speak, look here. This is a treasure that has accompanied me for many years. How about I offer it to Fellow Daoist Xu Fang as compensation?"
"I also have a few precious pills. I hope to present them to Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, so we can part on good terms!"
As the great powers spoke, they immediately produced treasures. Although their hearts ached, they knew that their lives were far more important than their treasures.
Xu Fang smiled as he looked at the great powers, knowing that they were merely forcing a smile and their hearts were breaking.
"However, offending Penglai Immortal Island, this is merely retribution. Don't blame me for being heartless; you can only blame yourselves."
Xu Fang thought this to himself. Seeing the great powers holding their treasures, he immediately called out.
"Great Peng, Little Snow, what are you standing around for? Take them!"
"Got it!"
The Golden Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue responded, their faces beaming with joy. They immediately rushed towards the great powers.
"Line up, one by one!"
The great powers heard this, their faces turned bitter, and their hearts were filled with unspoken sorrow.
They had just queued up to swear oaths, and now they had to queue up to offer treasures. This Penglai Immortal Island was truly cursed. If they had known, why would they have come?
They thought it was an opportunity, but it turned out they were the ones providing the opportunity. This was truly a dog's life!
With the Golden Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue collecting the "life-buying fees" from the great powers, Xu Fang had nothing to worry about. His gaze shifted from the great powers to Kun Peng.
The great powers were dealt with, but this Kun Peng was a bit problematic.