It wasn't that they were reluctant to part with them.
To these powerhouses who stood at the pinnacle of the Star Sea, 1,000,000 Cosmic Crystals was a hefty sum, but it was nothing they couldn't afford. The value of the origins and bodies from just a few ordinary Nirvana Powerhouses would be enough to cover the loss.
But wasting a million Cosmic Crystals on such a thing, all to acquire a title they wouldn't have cared about in the slightest, would make them look like complete fools.
This was Shi Ming's blatant scheme.
If they refused to donate, they could only acquire 100 Civilization Stones per day through the exchange, which was nowhere near enough to meet the basic needs of these "New Gods." Furthermore, their existing titles would be revoked, leaving them with no other way to obtain Civilization Stones.
Even as "New Gods," their power wasn't limitless.
A slow start would put them behind at every turn.
