Dao Ancestor Hongjun, feeling the presence of Xu Fang's aura throughout the Primordial World, was deeply shocked. What kind of body-transformation technique was this? It was unheard of.
"There aren't that many Xu Fangs, nor is this a body-transformation technique,"
Heavenly Dao quickly negated Hongjun's thought and spoke.
"This fellow used some divine ability to create so many auras, attempting to confuse us!"
Upon hearing this, Hongjun followed one of the auras, but it was merely an insignificant magical treasure, merely imbued with Xu Fang's aura, not Xu Fang himself, nor his clone.
And when he tried to control the magical treasure, it had already vanished, giving him no time to even deploy his divine abilities.
Hongjun continued to sense, tracing several auras to their source, only to find them the same as before – mere magical treasures.
These magical treasures seemed to come alive, vanishing instantly the moment they sensed anything amiss, their speed so great that it was impossible to use any means to keep them.
"This divine ability is truly extraordinary, imbuing magical treasures with an aura. If one doesn't pursue them, it's impossible to discern the truth!"
Hongjun couldn't help but praise. With so many auras, tracing each one would take considerable time.
"More than that, these magical treasures that we've seen through disappear, only to reappear in the Primordial World, ceaselessly. We can never see through it all."
The incarnation of Heavenly Dao had clearly made the same attempts as Hongjun, his brow furrowed.
Already, the myriad auras were difficult to decipher. When they pursued them, the magical treasures would vanish and then quickly reappear. Even with the power of Heavenly Dao, it was a constant struggle.
Hongjun, while engaging in a futile pursuit, asked,
"But why would Xu Fang go to such lengths?"
"Why? Of course, to confuse us. If nothing unexpected happens, his true body is hidden amongst these auras, attempting to cross the river undetected!"
The incarnation of Heavenly Dao said, and with a flash, vanished from Zixiao Palace.
If nothing unexpected happened, Xu Fang's grand display was likely an attempt to seize the opportunity amidst the chaos to go to Kunlun Mountain and open the Nine Gates. How could he allow that?
As expected, the incarnation of Heavenly Dao, upon appearing at Kunlun Mountain, instantly sensed several of Xu Fang's auras on the mountain.
However, as Heavenly Dao pursued, these auras vanished. It was unknown if it was Xu Fang himself or a magical treasure imbued with his aura.
"Hmph! As expected, he intends to tamper with these Nine Gates!"
The incarnation of Heavenly Dao snorted coldly. Did Xu Fang think he would fall for such a trick by causing chaos in the Primordial World to confuse him?
Since he had seen through Xu Fang's intention, there was no need to waste his efforts chasing these auras to find Xu Fang's true form.
As long as he guarded Kunlun Mountain, Xu Fang would not succeed!
"Little Xu Fang, the power of Heavenly Dao is all concentrated at Kunlun Mountain. It seems they truly believe we're after these Nine Gates."
The Heaven-Measuring Ruler reported the situation to Xu Fang. Xu Fang sighed and said,
"So be it. It was merely an attempt to see if it was feasible. Since Heavenly Dao is watching that area closely, continue with the previous plan. You all continue teleporting and playing around, especially around Kunlun Mountain, to cover my actions!"
Just as Heavenly Dao expected, Xu Fang had initially gone for the Nine Gates of Kunlun Mountain.
By imbuing the magical treasures with his aura and scattering them across the Primordial World, he intended to create a diversion, allowing him to slip into Kunlun Mountain and open the Nine Gates while Heavenly Dao was pursuing.
However, Xu Fang also knew that the Nine Gates of Kunlun Mountain hid something that made Heavenly Dao wary. Heavenly Dao would certainly not allow it to be lost. And wasn't it guarding it now?
Of course, this was not a problem for Xu Fang. If one plan failed, there was always another.
While Heavenly Dao's attention was focused on Kunlun Mountain, Xu Fang, under the cover of the magical treasures, quietly appeared in various locations.
With the great battle imminent, he naturally had to make some arrangements.
In the end, Heavenly Dao waited at Kunlun Mountain, but Xu Fang did not appear. The countless auras of Xu Fang throughout the Primordial World gradually disappeared.
This left Heavenly Dao utterly perplexed. Had Xu Fang given up just like that?
Was he willing to accept such a failure after all the trouble he went through?
However, whether Heavenly Dao believed it or not, the Primordial World was no longer filled with Xu Fang's aura, as if he had never returned after leaving.
"Never mind him, our plan needs to be moved up."
Heavenly Dao, unable to fathom the situation, finally gave up pondering and turned his attention to his own plan.
"Hongjun, command the Demon Race to attack Penglai Immortal Island, provoking a great war between the Demon Race and the Three Races. It would be best to draw all beings of the Primordial World into it."
Hongjun heard this and mused that Heavenly Dao was still fixated on its script.
In the past, it would subtly influence the world, but now it was disregarding all pretense and directly ordering him to act.
However, it was unavoidable. Xu Fang had merely appeared in the Primordial World and seemingly accomplished nothing.
Instead, it had made Heavenly Dao so anxious, and the situation was becoming even more dire.
With the situation unclear, he could only faithfully act as the spokesperson for the world.
"Understood."
Hongjun responded and immediately sent his message across the world.
"Today, the Three Races, in collusion with the chaotic one Xu Fang, have rebelled and occupied Penglai Immortal Island. All beings therein are to be executed!"
"The Demon Race, as a great race of the Primordial World, should deal with the chaos within the Primordial World to prove their dominance. Heavenly Dao decrees that the Demon Race shall lead, with all beings of the Primordial World assisting, to attack the Three Races and act on behalf of Heaven!"
This voice resounded throughout the Primordial World, clearly heard by all beings. It immediately caused an uproar.
"Are you kidding me? The Wu Clan finally retreated, and the Demon Clan was promoted to overlord. How long has it been peaceful before another war breaks out?"
"Alas, they say Xu Fang caused chaos and rebelled, but how did he cause chaos?"
"Be quiet, this is the will of Heavenly Dao. We have no choice but to obey!"
All beings in the Primordial World shook their heads and sighed. Just when they thought they could enjoy a few days of peace, Dao Ancestor Hongjun, acting on behalf of Heaven, announced that the Primordial World was once again plunged into bloodshed.
How did it feel like Heavenly Dao was more disruptive to the Primordial World than the very beings it labeled as chaotic? But this was Heavenly Dao's command, and they had to obey.
On Penglai Immortal Island, the leaders of the Three Races gathered after hearing the announcement.
"As Daoist Xu Fang said, Heavenly Dao is cornered and is resorting to desperate measures to achieve its goals!"
"It's alright. This is also part of Daoist Xu Fang's plan. We only need to defend Penglai Immortal Island!"
"Indeed, we, the Three Races, will defend Penglai Immortal Island. The rest will be left to Daoist Xu Fang."
The Three Races showed no signs of panic, even though they had become the target of public scrutiny due to Dao Ancestor Hongjun's words.
This was because, prior to this, Xu Fang had appeared on Penglai Immortal Island and explained his plan to them.
Heavenly Dao was merely asking the Three Races to play the role of the Wu Clan, to complete its unfinished plan.
Coincidentally, they would go along with it and turn Heavenly Dao's plan to their advantage!