"This is like a magic treasure giving birth to three spirit artifacts within; naturally, they'll contend for ownership. The one born first will naturally have more power, and the other two can only obey."
"However, who wouldn't want to be the boss if given the chance? So the struggle between these three in the future Primordial world is far from over."
Xu Fang was explaining the matters of the Heavenly, Earthly, and Human Daos to the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue. Both listened and nodded repeatedly.
Moments ago, they were both utterly bewildered. With the senior's analogy, they suddenly understood much more.
"Alright, don't go around telling your two little followers such things, you'll corrupt the young ones," Patriarch Minghe grumbled as he approached.
"For such a major event, you didn't even inform me beforehand! If I had spoken more smoothly just now, the entire Sea of Blood could have disappeared, my home gone!"
"Alright, alright. Didn't you just elevate your cultivation? Half the Sea of Blood for a peak Grand Unity Golden Immortal cultivation, consider it a trade!" Xu Fang chuckled, teasingly.
"Fine, a one-for-one exchange at the limit is not a loss, right!" Patriarch Minghe sighed, resigned. After all, he had to cultivate on his own, and he didn't know when he would reach that level. He considered it an exchange where neither party lost.
However, Patriarch Minghe's tone quickly shifted to concern.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, you're so openly bringing Houtu here, provoking the Earthly Dao. Aren't you afraid of that 'person' above?" Patriarch Minghe said, pointing upwards, his meaning self-evident.
Xu Fang bringing Ancestral Witch Houtu here to help her comprehend sainthood and complete the world was, of course, a great boon to the Primordial world and all its beings.
However, with the emergence of the Earthly Dao, the Heavenly Dao would surely be displeased.
If it couldn't deal with Houtu, the spokesperson for the Earthly Dao, it could at least deal with the instigator who caused the Earthly Dao to appear.
Xu Fang remained unconcerned and waved his hand.
"I'm precisely afraid of that 'person' above, which is why I'm stirring things up!" Xu Fang laughed. Ever since the matter with Dong Wang Gong, he had understood.
Aimlessly drifting and living in leisure would change nothing. As long as he remained within the Primordial world, he would still be under the Heavenly Dao's surveillance and control, unable to transcend like all beings.
Since the Heavenly Dao insisted on autocracy and being the sole supreme, he absolutely could not go along with its wishes. Otherwise, he would only lose more freedom.
By bringing forth the Earthly Dao and the Human Dao, and making them counterbalance each other, he could finally catch his breath and stop worrying about being constantly watched by the Heavenly Dao, seizing this opportunity to find a path to transcendence.
As for whether this would incur the Heavenly Dao's wrath?
That was a given.
"However, now that the Earthly Dao has emerged, I have made immense contributions to the Earthly Dao. For the Primordial world, this is great merit. The will of the world acts according to rules," Xu Fang chuckled. If there were truly no rules, the Heavenly Dao would have simply annihilated all dissenting beings, why would it need Dao Ancestor Hongjun to scheme?
Therefore, the Heavenly, Earthly, and Human Daos must have their own rules of operation. He could only act within these rules.
Patriarch Minghe, seeing Xu Fang speak so confidently, nodded with a mix of belief and doubt.
"Alright, since you say so, it shouldn't be a major issue. But you must be careful yourself."
After discussing this matter, Patriarch Minghe's tone turned cheerful.
"Now that I'm at the peak of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, just one step away from sainthood, I can feel that I can achieve sainthood."
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, do you think I could follow Nuwa's example and create beings? Would it work?"
Xu Fang found Patriarch Minghe's eagerness amusing.
This Patriarch Minghe was truly audacious. He had lost half his home, and now he was thinking about achieving sainthood.
However, Xu Fang also understood the yearning for sainthood among these great powers of the world.
He wanted to answer Patriarch Minghe but felt conflicted and unsure how to phrase it.
According to the established trajectory, it wouldn't work at all. If you created the Asura race, that race would commit countless karmic sins, and you'd be subjected to heavenly punishment constantly.
But now, with Patriarch Minghe gaining merit and being at the peak of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, just one step from sainthood, if he were to gain another wave of great merit, he might truly be able to achieve sainthood with it.
Seeing Xu Fang's delayed response, Patriarch Minghe did not press him.
"It's alright. This matter is of great importance, you don't need to be troubled. I also need to think more about it."
Xu Fang, hearing this, breathed a sigh of relief. Patriarch Minghe's opportunity to become a saint had become blurry due to his meddling, making it truly difficult for him to make a definitive judgment.
After a brief chat, Patriarch Minghe invited Xu Fang to discuss the Dao by the Sea of Blood.
Xu Fang's bringing Houtu here had directly caused half of Patriarch Minghe's Sea of Blood to vanish, making it difficult to refuse. Thus, he agreed to Patriarch Minghe's request to discuss the Dao together.
Meanwhile, in Zixiao Palace.
Dao Ancestor Hongjun's gaze fell upon the Sea of Blood, lingering there for a long time.
"Xu Fang, I have indeed underestimated you. I remember you."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun spoke, but it was the will of the Heavenly Dao speaking through him.
After the Heavenly Dao's power receded, Dao Ancestor Hongjun breathed a sigh of relief and shook his head.
"Just as Yang Mei said, this Xu Fang is our path to transcendence. However, his actions are too ostentatious, and he has attracted the Heavenly Dao's attention. What should be done?"
Dao Ancestor Hongjun frowned. With the Heavenly Dao's consciousness withdrawn, he could finally ponder his own matters.
Ever since merging with the Heavenly Dao, Dao Ancestor Hongjun had become increasingly bewildered, unsure if his choice was right or wrong. Where would this tyrannical and autocratic Heavenly Dao lead the Primordial world?
Now, seeing Xu Fang emerge, Dao Ancestor Hongjun felt both joy and worry.
If the Heavenly Dao truly developed murderous intent towards him, how could he mediate?
Fortunately, with the emergence of the Earthly Dao, the Heavenly Dao felt wary and had not yet acted. But how long could this apparent calm last?
Regardless of Hongjun's worries, Immortal Yang Mei watched the changes in the world with great joy.
"I did not misjudge this Xu Fang. Truly extraordinary!"
He hadn't acted before, but the moment he did, he managed to bring forth the Primordial Earthly Dao, which could stand on par with the Primordial Heavenly Dao, thus diverting the Heavenly Dao's attention.
He was indeed as he had expected, achieving such an unprecedented feat. The beginning is always the hardest, and with this first step taken, things would be much easier from now on.
"Judging by Xu Fang's actions, he should be preparing to reveal the Human Dao as well. But where is the Human Dao?"
Immortal Yang Mei pondered, but after much thought, he still came up with nothing.
However, he did not dwell on his frustration. Since he had placed his hopes on Xu Fang, all he needed to do was protect him and ensure he could proceed smoothly.
Besides, he had already spoken to Hongjun. As someone working under the Heavenly Dao, the responsibility of protecting Xu Fang naturally fell upon Hongjun. He would simply observe and only intervene if necessary.