"It's like this, under the planning of the Ancestral Dragon Pearl, everything has turned out for the best. You don't need to admire me, I'm just a legend."
The Ancestral Dragon Pearl spoke with great pride.
The group of treasures nodded in agreement, finding its words quite resonant.
"Ancestral Dragon Pearl, you did a fantastic job this time!"
"Haha! Indeed, it's impressive that a treasure like you, in a supporting role, could still display such prowess. Truly commendable!"
"We owe this success to you. Even if it's not a perfect happy ending, it's certainly a satisfactory one!"
Despite the Ancestral Dragon Pearl's boastful demeanor, it undeniably had cause for pride.
They all understood that even if Xu Fang had rushed to the scene with all his might, he would have at best been able to collect Dong Wang Gong's remains, unable to prevent such a tragedy, and it would only have offered him a shred of solace.
And even if Xu Fang had managed to arrive in time to save Dong Wang Gong, what then?
Dong Wang Gong bore the mandate of the primordial lineage. As long as he remained, the demon and witch tribes would never feel at peace and would inevitably devise ways to deal with him. In such a scenario, Xu Fang couldn't possibly stay by his side forever to protect him, could he?
Under the Ancestral Dragon Pearl's planning, Xu Fang directly abandoned Dong Wang Gong, allowing him to retain a sliver of his soul, preventing his complete demise and offering a chance for rebirth.
This way, not only was the fated calamity averted, but he could also continue to live, which was a good outcome.
However, as the treasures offered their accolades, the Ancestral Dragon Pearl became displeased.
"Wait! Praise is welcome, and I can handle it. But what do you mean by a treasure in a 'supporting role'?"
The Ancestral Dragon Pearl protested vehemently.
"Didn't I tell you? The Ancestral Dragon is about to be reborn, and the dragon race will rise. My Ancestral Dragon Pearl will undoubtedly shine upon the Primordial Era once more!"
"What do you mean by retirement or supporting roles? If you keep saying this, I'm not going to associate with the Penglai treasures anymore!"
The other treasures merely smiled at this, saying nothing more.
Xu Fang also shook his head, offering no opinion.
Even if the dragon race managed to bring about the Ancestral Dragon's rebirth, how much of a stir could they really cause amidst the ongoing conflict between the witch and demon tribes?
Moreover, the Ancestral Dragon had previously been under the close scrutiny of the Heavenly Dao. Would it truly dare to make a blatant appearance upon its rebirth this time?
The Ancestral Dragon Pearl also considered this point and said no more about it. Turning to Xu Fang, it spoke.
"Little Xu, my task is complete. The rest is up to you. Dragon Head Crutch, say hello!"
As the Ancestral Dragon Pearl spoke, a surge of light pushed the Dragon Head Crutch forward to Xu Fang, and it solemnly stated.
"This is my good online friend, and I protected your good fellow cultivator. You must not let my good online friend come to any harm."
Xu Fang reached out and grasped the Dragon Head Crutch. It offered no resistance as Xu Fang's magic power flowed into it, allowing for a careful examination.
Indeed, within the Dragon Head Crutch, a remnant soul resided in a corner, its form indistinct. It was Dong Wang Gong, flickering but obediently staying put.
"You're going to behave now, aren't you? You insisted on going through all this, sigh!"
Xu Fang grumbled, then waved his hand and placed the Dragon Head Crutch into the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda. He then cupped his fists respectfully towards the Ancestral Dragon Pearl.
"Don't worry. The Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda has its own spatial realm. No one can track this Dragon Head Crutch."
Xu Fang paused here and continued.
"Even the kind of connection and sensing between your treasures won't be able to locate it."
Under normal circumstances, even though the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda could accommodate treasures and had the chat group's location function, it would still be difficult to hide their traces.
However, Xu Fang possessed the dual identities of Group Leader and Administrator. If he couldn't resolve such a minor issue, what good was he?
With a flick of his authority, all information pertaining to the Dragon Head Crutch was transformed into a series of question marks.
"Good! Since you say so, then everything is in your hands."
The Ancestral Dragon Pearl breathed a sigh of relief, finally finding a safe haven for its good online friend and fulfilling its wish.
"Alright, it's getting late. The dragon race will likely be taking me out for refinement soon. I'll be going now."
The Ancestral Dragon Pearl continued, bidding farewell.
"Oh right, Little Xu, the dragon race is too busy to bother with the human race now, so you'll have to handle that yourself!"
The Ancestral Dragon Pearl offered one last reminder to Xu Fang before its form flickered and it vanished.
Needless to say, it had found a treasure within the dragon race's vault, merged its consciousness, and teleported directly back to the dragon race.
Xu Fang and the group of treasures all let out a collective sigh of relief. The matter of Dong Wang Gong was finally settled and concluded.
Now, it was a matter of when this remnant soul within the Dragon Head Crutch would regain consciousness, cultivate, and return to the Primordial Era.
"Alright, Dong Wang Gong's matter is settled. You are all family, so do not divulge what happened today."
Xu Fang commanded, his gaze directed towards Yingzhou Island.
"Even to the Queen Mother of the West and the Celestial Court, we must maintain absolute secrecy. Let it be as if Dong Wang Gong is truly dead!"
The treasures all readily agreed. Dong Wang Gong had finally obtained an opportunity, and naturally, they did not wish for it to be jeopardized by leaked information.
It was only a slight regret that it seemed the unfortunate pair, Dong Wang Gong and the Queen Mother of the West, were destined not to be together.
They had been chasing this pair for so long, and now it was over. It was difficult to accept this outcome at once.
There was no need to guess; with Dong Wang Gong's demise, the Queen Mother of the West would be unable to stand alone, and the Celestial Court would surely collapse.
When Dong Wang Gong returned after his cultivation, the world would have changed, and he would undoubtedly feel a sense of melancholy.
However, even with this in mind, Xu Fang would not reveal a single detail of today's events, lest it hinder Dong Wang Gong's rebirth.
Moreover, the dissolution of the Celestial Court would actually be beneficial for Dong Wang Gong. Upon his rebirth, without power or influence, he would not be targeted with such hatred.
"Never mind, we don't need to be discouraged. Those who are fated will always be fated. It all depends on whether their karma is strong enough."
Xu Fang spoke to comfort the treasures, and in doing so, he also comforted himself.
Huang Zhong Li, seeing this, echoed his sentiment.
"Indeed, it all depends on their karma."
"Speaking of which, I'm curious to hear your thoughts, Little Li. Your karma with the human race is so profound, why are you so reluctant to part with them?"
Huang Zhong Li followed the thread of karma and inquired.
Upon hearing this, all the treasures turned their attention, filled with curiosity.
They truly couldn't understand why, among the myriad races and factions in the Primordial Era, Xu Fang was so particularly fond of the human race.
After all, Nuwa, who had created the human race, wasn't as invested in them as Xu Fang was. He constantly bargained with Nuwa on behalf of the humans and even had the dragon race protect them.
For anyone unaware, one might even assume Xu Fang himself was a human.