As Xu Fang was reflecting, the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle pointed at a figure flashing beneath the Treasure Distribution Rock and spoke.
"Senior, why does this figure feel a bit familiar?"
Xu Fang snapped back to attention and followed the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle's finger.
However, the Treasure Distribution Rock moved with incredible speed, and the figure was heading in the opposite direction. In just a moment, Xu Fang could no longer see the figure, nor could he sense any aura.
"Never mind, it's just a passing being."
Xu Fang shook his head, not taking it to heart. The Primordial Era was vast and immense; encountering beings was commonplace and not worth pursuing.
Xu Fang continued to urge the Treasure Distribution Rock onward, heading towards Penglai Immortal Island.
Even though Penglai Immortal Island had appeared, its location remained constantly shifting. Every time Xu Fang returned home, he had to rely on the Yellow Middle Plum to pinpoint its position.
However, Xu Fang had never considered stabilizing Penglai Immortal Island. Its unpredictable drifting was itself the best form of concealment, sparing Penglai Immortal Island much trouble from covetous gazes.
Unbeknownst to Xu Fang, as the Treasure Distribution Rock journeyed, the figure the Golden-Winged Great Peng Eagle had pointed out stopped abruptly far behind.
Looking back at the Treasure Distribution Rock, which had become a mere black dot, the figure's heart stirred with confusion.
"Why does this thing feel somewhat familiar? It seems like fellow Daoist Xu Fang's Treasure Distribution Rock?"
The being murmured this to itself, then shook its head, finding the thought amusing.
"How could that be? The Treasure Distribution Rock is so cumbersome, how could it fly so fast? Dong Wang Gong, Dong Wang Gong, you're becoming increasingly paranoid!"
Indeed, this figure was Dong Wang Gong.
Dong Wang Gong had seen the appearance of the Treasure Distribution Rock and found it quite cumbersome. How could it possibly have vanished so quickly like that flying artifact, becoming impossible to track?
His words were immediately met with a barrage of criticism from the Dragon-Head Staff.
"Why couldn't it be! That is the Treasure Distribution Rock, the Treasure Distribution Rock Warship! You ignorant Dong Wang Gong!"
Dong Wang Gong was unaware, but the Dragon-Head Staff knew perfectly well that Xu Fang had transformed the Treasure Distribution Rock into a warship, integrating both defense and offense, making it an essential artifact for journeys.
Of course, Dong Wang Gong could not hear the Dragon-Head Staff. He had already dismissed the speculation and sighed instead.
"Forget it. Although fellow Daoist Xu Fang seems to have returned to the East Sea, we'll have to meet another time!"
Dong Wang Gong had witnessed through the celestial vision the achievement of Sainthood by Nuwa and also saw Xu Fang sharing in the merit and fortune beside her, marveling that this fellow Daoist was as unpredictable as ever.
However, Dong Wang Gong truly had no desire to meet Xu Fang at this moment.
Nuwa's attainment of Sainthood signified the dawning of a new era in the Primordial Era.
Whether he could secure a foothold in the future of the Primordial Era depended on his next actions.
Dong Wang Gong was unwilling to be confined to the East Sea by the Wu and Yao clans, and he did not wish for the Immortal Court to decline.
He was now preparing to leave the East Sea and venture into the Primordial Era to forge a path for himself and for the Immortal Court.
After a period of sighing, Dong Wang Gong quickly regained his spirits and set off.
"I hope that the next time we meet, my Immortal Court will have grown stronger, I will no longer be so down and out, and we can drink and converse on Penglai Immortal Island again, just like fellow Daoist Xu Fang!"
Dong Wang Gong smiled, filled with anticipation for such a future.
However, neither Dong Wang Gong nor Xu Fang could have foreseen that this missed encounter would become a regret in their immortal lives.
Atop Kunlun Mountain, in the Three Pure Ones' courtyard.
"I never imagined Nuwa would be the first to become a Saint, alas!"
Tai Shang, who was usually silent, could not help but sigh.
He possessed the highest cultivation, was appointed the first disciple by Dao Ancestor Hongjun, and was bestowed the Nine Dragon Golden Staff to manage the Xuanmen.
Not only did others believe it, but Tai Shang himself had always thought he would naturally become the second Saint of the Primordial Era after Dao Ancestor Hongjun, shining brightly throughout the land.
Yet, the result was that he could only watch the massive vision appear between heaven and earth, with Nuwa absorbing merit and fortune to achieve Sainthood.
And here he was, Tai Shang, moping endlessly, unable to find any way to become a Saint!
Tai Shang and Yuan Shi sat beside him, looking at the sighing Tai Shang, unsure how to comfort him.
After all, they, the Three Pure Ones, were intrinsically linked, their origins unique in the Primordial Era.
Back in Zixiao Palace, they had occupied the first three futons and were subsequently accepted as disciples by Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
Naturally, they had felt that with their advantages, they would have been able to overwhelm Nuwa and the two from the West in achieving Sainthood.
But now, Nuwa had already become a Saint through merit by creating humanity, while they were still here, at a complete loss!
The dignified Three Pure Ones, being suppressed to such an extent by a junior sister like Nuwa, truly felt unable to hold their heads high!
Just as the Three Pure Ones were sighing in mutual despondency, their hearts suddenly stirred, sensing something. They all flew out, rushing out of the Three Pure Ones' courtyard.
Indeed, Nuwa, riding a five-colored phoenix, descended upon Kunlun Mountain.
Nuwa had come in accordance with heaven's will. She had instructed Fuxi to return ahead of time, and halfway, she had encountered this five-colored phoenix and taken it as her mount.
Now, Nuwa, riding the phoenix, was radiant, her holy light dazzling, exuding an imposing aura that filled the Three Pure Ones with envy.
"We pay respects to Saint Nuwa!"
The Three Pure Ones bowed. Even though Nuwa had once been their junior sister, she was now a Saint, and they dared not be disrespectful.
At the same time, they felt a pang of resentment, wondering if Nuwa had come to Kunlun Mountain so ostentatiously to flaunt her attainment of Sainthood.
"My three elder brothers need not be so formal. Nuwa has merely taken the lead; my three elder brothers are also destined for the Great Dao."
Nuwa dismounted from the five-colored phoenix and quickly returned the courtesies to the Three Pure Ones.
These Three Pure Ones would also become Saints in the future; she was merely a step ahead of them and had no need to be arrogant and damage their relationship.
"Congratulations to junior sister Nuwa on achieving Sainthood with the guidance of fellow Daoist Xu Fang!"
Tai Shang spoke, his tone laced with a hint of complaint.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shi and Tong Tian also felt a sense of disappointment.
They had seen through the celestial vision that Nuwa's attainment of Sainthood was inextricably linked to Xu Fang.
A seed of doubt was sown in their hearts: their relationship with Xu Fang was also good, so why had Xu Fang chosen to guide Nuwa and not them, the Three Pure Ones?
Now, Nuwa, having become a Saint, had descended upon Kunlun Mountain, making them feel even more unable to hold their heads high.
Seeing the expressions of the Three Pure Ones, Nuwa understood their thoughts and quickly replied.
"My three elder brothers need not be so. My encounter with fellow Daoist Xu Fang was by chance, and I was fortunate enough to receive his guidance."
Saying this, Nuwa looked at Tai Shang and smiled.
"After I achieved Sainthood, I listened to the words of the Heavenly Dao, and the Heavenly Dao instructed that my coming to Kunlun Mountain today is precisely to guide elder brother Tai Shang on the path to Sainthood!"
Upon hearing this, Tai Shang's heart soared with joy. Nuwa was not here to show off but to guide him on his path to becoming a Saint!