Compared to the carefree demeanor of Zhao Gongming, Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao seemed less magnanimous. They had just heard that Xu Fang was after a treasure, yet they feigned ignorance, attempting to slip away.
Xu Fang would not be polite with them, especially with promises of future repayment. Were they perhaps planning to aid Randeng Daoren with this Luobao Jinqian in the future?
Upon hearing Xu Fang's words, Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao showed signs of hesitation. Relinquishing the treasure they had just acquired was truly difficult.
Seeing their predicament, and before Xu Fang could speak, the Golden-Winged Great Peng couldn't contain himself.
"Heh! If it weren't for my senior's presence, you two would have already been killed by Zhao Gongming."
"Are your lives worth less than a mere treasure? Just you wait, I'll go summon Zhao Gongming back immediately!"
With that, the Golden-Winged Great Peng prepared to move, intending to pursue Zhao Gongming.
Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, in a panic, quickly shouted.
"Stop! We know we were wrong!"
"Senior, please don't be angry. We will offer the treasure immediately. Don't let Zhao Gongming return here!"
Xu Fang looked at Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, shaking his head.
"Wouldn't it have been better to just do this from the start? Why make things complicated."
Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao exchanged glances, both feeling helpless.
With two Da Luo Golden Immortals and one Tai Yi Golden Immortal among them, and even a formidable figure like Zhao Gongming choosing to withdraw, how could they possibly oppose such power?
Seeing this, Xu Fang spoke again.
"I'm not trying to forcibly take your treasure. It's just that this treasure, for you, brings more misfortune than fortune."
"If you don't believe me, the Luobao Jinqian also has the ability to divine the mysteries of the Heavenly Dao. You can perform a calculation."
Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao had been cultivating on Mount Wuyi, living in peace and seclusion, enjoying leisurely games of chess and philosophical discussions.
It was precisely because of this Luobao Jinqian, which they used to aid Randeng Daoren, that Xiao Sheng was killed by Zhao Gongming on the spot. Cao Bao, saddened by his friend's death, then joined the Shang campaign in defiance and ultimately perished in the Scarlet Water Array, one of the Ten Absolute Arrays of the Jie School.
They were once carefree recluses, yet they were both fated to have their names inscribed on the Investiture of the Gods, all due to meddling in affairs that were not theirs. And the root cause of their meddling was none other than their reliance on the Luobao Jinqian.
Therefore, what Xu Fang said was not a deception.
"Is it truly so?"
Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, hearing this, were filled with surprise and uncertainty. Xiao Sheng immediately channeled his divine power into the Luobao Jinqian.
Although the treasure had not been fully refined, he could still utilize some of its divine abilities.
Xiao Sheng began to use the treasure to divine the heavenly secrets. His brows furrowed, sweat beaded on his forehead, and with a sudden gasp, he snapped back to reality.
Seeing his friend's state, Cao Bao eagerly asked.
"How was it?"
Xiao Sheng wiped the sweat from his brow, calmed himself, and slowly said.
"It is as Senior said. If we keep this treasure, it will be both our making and our undoing!"
Through the Luobao Jinqian, Xiao Sheng could not see the full picture, but he glimpsed a hazy corner of the future, and was now utterly horrified.
Cao Bao, hearing this, was also greatly alarmed.
"What should we do then? This treasure..."
If that was the case, they absolutely could not keep the treasure. However, if they were to give it to Xu Fang, wouldn't that be akin to shifting their misfortune onto someone else, and then repaying kindness with enmity?
Seeing their dilemma, Xu Fang waved his hand.
"It's alright, I can handle it!"
"I never imagined Senior's cultivation was so profound, to have seen through the future. We are truly in awe!"
Xiao Sheng, seeing this, bowed deeply to Xu Fang and offered the Luobao Jinqian with both hands.
"We offer this treasure to Senior. Firstly, to thank Senior for saving our lives, and secondly, to avert this calamity!"
Since Xiao Sheng foresaw the impending danger, he willingly handed the treasure to Xu Fang, no longer daring to keep it.
Xu Fang accepted it without ceremony, directly taking the Luobao Jinqian.
Examining it closely, he saw that it was shaped like a round coin with a square hole, with wings on either side, and heavenly inscriptions faintly visible upon it, imbuing it with profound mystery.
"I will accept this treasure. You two should take care of yourselves."
Xu Fang put away the Luobao Jinqian and said to Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao.
"Continue to cultivate here peacefully and enjoy your immortal lives. Do not meddle in unnecessary affairs."
Xu Fang was unsure how much the future would change, but he still offered this reminder to Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao.
Afterward, he beckoned the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue, and departed.
Looking back at Mount Wuyi, Xu Fang mused.
He had warned Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao so clearly, surely they wouldn't face such sudden calamities in the future?
Little did he know that after his departure, Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao would have a further conversation.
"Brother Xiao, although our treasure hunt was unsuccessful, we have avoided impending disaster, which is also a good thing!"
"Indeed. However, despite that, Zhao Gongming's arrogance in bullying us today was truly despicable!"
"Worry not, Brother Xiao. If the opportunity arises in the future, we will certainly make Zhao Gongming pay!"
Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao held no resentment towards Xu Fang, but they harbored significant ill will towards Zhao Gongming.
They had now resolved that if the chance presented itself, they would retaliate to avenge the day's insult.
If Xu Fang were to hear such words, he would undoubtedly lament their stubbornness. Despite such explicit warnings, the two were still courting disaster.
Alas, some destinies are immutable. Even if certain events are altered, the overall trajectory remains unchanged.
The seemingly superfluous meddling of Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao of Er Xian Ling on Mount Wuyi, which led to their mortal peril, and their current desire to retaliate against Zhao Gongming, all stemmed from their names being on the Investiture of the Gods. They were fated to die; this was their inescapable tribulation!
Xu Fang knew none of this. Accompanied by the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue, he flew swiftly, soon leaving the bounds of Mount Wuyi.
"Senior, how do you know so much? Will Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao truly face disaster because of this treasure?"
Ao Xue was curious. Although Senior possessed the divine ability to sense treasures, how could he, upon their first meeting, assert that Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao would suffer misfortune due to it?
Xu Fang was momentarily at a loss for words. He couldn't possibly say he was familiar with the plot, could he?
The Golden-Winged Great Peng, however, had his own interpretation.
"You fool. With such a treasure in hand, wouldn't others covet it? Those who fight for and seize treasures inevitably suffer casualties. Isn't that disaster?"
"Senior's words, while perhaps a bit exaggerated, are not untrue. Truly brilliant!"
Xu Fang was speechless. Was this really how it could be explained?
However, it was for the best that they remained under this misconception, saving him the trouble of answering endless questions.
Ao Xue fell silent, clearly pondering the Golden-Winged Great Peng's words.
"Senior, where do we go next?"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng asked, then added on his own.
"Look, I don't even have a decent treasure in my hand. Following Senior truly brings shame upon you!"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng looked intently at Xu Fang, his eyes full of anticipation.