Xiao Fei, having expended nearly all his Dao Origin power to slay the Nine-Headed Serpent, found his own essence dimmed and several of his clones destroyed. Without the might of his Dao Origin, his personal combat strength was only sufficient to contend with those at the Taiyi Golden Immortal level.
However, the powerful cultivators now surrounding him were all Da Luo Golden Immortals. For an ordinary person, being besieged and killed by so many Da Luo Golden Immortals would be a cause for pride. But Xiao Fei was not one to accept death so readily. He preferred to live, even if it meant a desperate struggle. He wanted to escape!
Xiao Fei’s divine sense swept across the gathering cultivators, assessing the few remaining assets he could deploy. His greatest asset, the Dao Origin, now glowed faintly, and the protective shield it projected was thin, as if a gust of wind could shatter it. Although the shield could absorb Dao energy to replenish his own Dao Origin, everything had its limits. Even at its peak, the shield would surely buckle under the combined assault of so many Da Luo Golden Immortals. Now, with his Dao Origin weakened, the shield was fragile, easily broken by any single Da Luo Golden Immortal.
Though the Nine-Headed Serpent was dead, the tens of miles of poisonous mist it had conjured from its Dao laws had not entirely dissipated. The dozens of Da Luo Golden Immortals encircling the area did not immediately advance, remaining at the edge of the toxic fog. They, too, harbored some apprehension towards this Dao poisonous mist. More importantly, with Xiao Fei and the Jade Disk of Creation within reach, the initial premise of their unity had vanished, replaced by mutual suspicion and caution. No one dared to make the first move, to be the first target.
Xiao Fei seized this opportunity to deploy his shield, subtly absorbing the Dao energy from the poisonous mist to replenish his Dao Origin. Meanwhile, a clone within the Jade Disk world had located Fei Yu, instructing him to prepare for Xiao Fei’s escape. Fei Yu’s speed was such that even Da Luo Golden Immortals might not be able to catch him.
The poisonous mist generated by the Nine-Headed Serpent’s Dao laws would not persist indefinitely after its demise. Coupled with Xiao Fei’s covert absorption of its energy, approximately fifteen minutes later, a gust of wind swept through, and the poisonous mist completely dispersed.
The dozens of Da Luo Golden Immortals surged forward in unison, slowly closing in on Xiao Fei and surrounding him. As for the old man of Creation, who had been brought here earlier, he had already been beaten half to death and discarded to the side. With the prey now within easy grasp, the hounds were no longer needed.
Having been subdued and beaten for so many years, enduring countless hardships, the old man of Creation seemed to have had his spirit broken, resigned to his fate. A Da Luo Golden Immortal casually glanced back at him. The old man of Creation sat there, vacant-eyed and listless, not even contemplating an escape. It appeared the brutal beatings had left him dazed. Of course, with everyone’s attention fixed on Xiao Fei, even if the old man of Creation were to flee, it was unlikely anyone would pursue him.
“Kid, you know why we are here. Hand over the Dao Tree.”
“You are merely a spirit of an artifact. Return to the Jade Disk of Creation and continue your existence as its spirit.”
“We are all benevolent beings, and we will treat you well, unlike that old scoundrel, the old man of Creation, who humiliated you.”
“Hand it over…”
Dozens of Da Luo powerhouses spoke in turn, each eager not to miss an opportunity to interject and make their presence known.
“Your esteemed elders are all good people, and this junior naturally understands. This junior has long admired your prowess and has harbored a desire to pledge allegiance to you.”
“Alas, being but a spirit of an artifact, I was previously bound by the old man of Creation and unable to serve you esteemed elders…”
Though Xiao Fei’s heart pounded with anxiety, he bowed respectfully to them, adopting an obedient demeanor, and lavished them with praise, bestowing compliments upon each of them. He desperately wished to prolong the conversation, to buy more time. Every quarter-hour that passed would allow his Dao Origin to recover a bit more, increasing his chances of escape.
Xiao Fei subtly observed the expressions of these dozens of Da Luo Golden Immortals. Although they had surrounded him together, each harbored their own selfish intentions. They all desired to seize the benefits he possessed for themselves. Furthermore, treasures like the Dao Tree and the Jade Disk of Creation were unique, something that could not be shared. Their restraint in not resorting to infighting until now was already a testament to their discipline.
“I deeply admire every one of you esteemed elders present. However, with dozens of you here, it is difficult for this junior to make a choice. As long as you esteemed elders can reach an agreement and allow this junior to follow any one of you, this junior will have no objections. Of course, if you esteemed elders are willing to set aside your differences and jointly possess the Jade Disk of Creation, this junior would be most pleased. Regardless, this junior will certainly adhere to the duties of an artifact spirit.”
Xiao Fei was now like a fickle woman, stringing along dozens of suitors simultaneously. These dozens of suitors had arrived together, initially intending to beat him soundly. But now, he was instigating a duel among them, promising to follow whoever emerged victorious. He even hinted that if they were willing, they could all live together and share him.
This utterly capricious, player-like behavior from Xiao Fei did not enrage the dozens of Da Luo present; instead, they found it quite reasonable. After all, Xiao Fei was here, and he would ultimately belong to the victor. Without defeating all his companions, no one could take the Jade Disk of Creation. The dozens of Da Luo Golden Immortals began to cast glares of ill-will at their companions.
Seeing this, Xiao Fei acted with apparent understanding, voluntarily re-entering the Jade Disk of Creation, making no attempt to flee. The Jade Disk of Creation simply floated in the air, within anyone’s reach to seize.
“Esteemed elders, please do not let animosity arise. This junior will temporarily return to the Jade Disk of Creation and await your good news.”
“Once you esteemed elders have made your decision, this junior will obey without question.”
Xiao Fei’s current demeanor was one of complete harmlessness. You can fight amongst yourselves; whoever wins, I will follow.
In the distance, the old man of Creation leaned against a mound of earth, appearing half-dead. A faint, mocking smile flickered across his usually vacant expression. “These fools have no idea how cunning and deceitful this artifact spirit truly is. I fell victim to this spirit’s schemes in the past, which led to my current predicament.” Of course, he had no intention of exposing Xiao Fei’s true nature, choosing instead to continue feigning death.