Xu Fang decisively refused the request of the three spiritual beings formed from Taishang’s magical treasures. Considering their generally good relationship, Xu Fang patiently began to explain.
“This has nothing to do with whether we have a good relationship or not. It’s just that I genuinely cannot think of any way to help your Taishang achieve sainthood. What you are asking is truly unreasonable.”
However, facing Xu Fang’s earnest explanation, the three treasures were dismissive and burst into laughter.
“Xu Fang, what do you mean by a straightforward immortal? Is a straightforward immortal someone who jumps ahead of others?”
The Tai Chi Diagram chuckled, giving Xu Fang a knowing look that made him freeze. This Tai Chi Diagram was really bringing up sensitive topics!
However, after glancing at Taishang, who was still lost in his impossible mutterings and clearly hadn’t noticed their conversation, Xu Fang felt a bit relieved.
“Xu Fang, don’t dismiss us. The method for our Taishang to achieve sainthood truly rests with you. You just need to agree.”
The Nine Dragon Golden Staff spoke, its expression of destiny bestowing a great task upon him making Xu Fang stifle a laugh.
What did it mean, "just agree and it's settled"? Did Taishang achieve sainthood just by him saying yes?
This was even more outlandish than "just agree and I'll give you a wife." Xu Fang had a basic understanding and obviously couldn’t believe such words.
Just as he was about to retort, the Coiling Dragon Flat Crutch waved a hand, cutting off Xu Fang’s words, and spoke first.
“Alright, those two are talking too much. Xu Fang, you don’t need to understand them.”
The Coiling Dragon Flat Crutch spoke, belittling its two colleagues and acting like the leader as it explained to Xu Fang.
“Simply put, as long as you, Xu Fang, agree to lend some merit of enlightenment to Taishang, Taishang can then achieve sainthood.”
“Lend merit?”
Upon hearing this, Xu Fang’s eyes widened. Could it really be done this way?
Seeing Xu Fang’s reaction, the Coiling Dragon Flat Crutch revealed the details. The Tai Chi Diagram and the Nine Dragon Golden Staff also chimed in.
“Exactly. You should have a lot of merit of enlightenment, right? It’s like a drop in the ocean for you. Since you can’t achieve sainthood with it anyway, why not help Taishang?”
“Indeed, given your relationship with our Taishang, if you’re not willing to lend this little bit of merit, you’re being too unreasonable!”
As Taishang’s magical treasures, despite their apparent disdain for him, they were ultimately his. If there was a path like this, they naturally had to work for Taishang and strongly push for it.
Now that the matter was laid bare, they continued to speak, trying to get Xu Fang to agree.
“Wait! Regarding this matter of lending merit, I don't have any objections.”
Xu Fang waved his hand, stopping the torrent of words from the three treasures, and stated his stance.
He had considered this for Taishang in the past. Lending merit to achieve sainthood was a path that could be tried.
After all, as far as Xu Fang recalled, those two from the West had achieved sainthood by borrowing merit, and were mocked as “Huabei Saints,” right?
Since they could achieve sainthood by borrowing merit, Taishang should also be able to do so by acting in this manner.
However, Xu Fang still dared not be completely sure. He immediately asked the question that concerned him.
“But how are you so certain that by me lending the merit of enlightenment to Taishang, Taishang will be able to achieve sainthood?”
Xu Fang couldn't understand why these three treasures were so confident.
After all, if they were to talk about it, those two from the West had borrowed merit from the heavens. The object of Taishang borrowing merit was himself.
This was the difference between public and private. He didn’t know if the merit he lent privately would have the effect of Heavenly Dao lending.
Hearing Xu Fang’s question, the three treasures exchanged glances and both burst into laughter.
“Haha! We knew you’d ask this, but don’t worry, the problems you’re worried about are not problems!”
“Exactly. Why do you think Taishang came looking for you? Why would he think of borrowing merit from you?”
“This is all arranged by ‘that person.’ Otherwise, how could he have found you so precisely?”
Hearing their words, Xu Fang trembled and suddenly realized.
“So, it was all arranged?”
“Indeed. Besides Taishang himself being restless, who else would be more anxious if Taishang couldn’t achieve sainthood in this world?”
The Nine Dragon Golden Staff answered Xu Fang’s question, and like the Tai Chi Diagram and the Coiling Dragon Flat Crutch, they all wore a “you understand” expression as they recounted the events to Xu Fang.
Taishang, having received a command from Dao Ancestor Hongjun, eagerly ran to the human race to spread his teachings. As a result, with Xu Fang having paved the way, Taishang was politely rejected by the human race.
Taishang was helpless and felt too ashamed to return to Kunlun Mountain. Thus, he wandered the world, attempting to seek other opportunities for sainthood.
“At this point, ‘that person’ became extremely anxious and directly appeared, guiding Taishang to come directly to you to borrow merit.”
“‘That person’ said that Taishang already possesses the merit of opening the heavens. He only needs to borrow some merit of enlightenment from you, establish a sect in the human race as a demonstration of enlightenment, and he can achieve sainthood.”
“This is like opening a convenient door for him. Therefore, Xu Fang, the crucial issue now is whether you are willing to lend this merit of enlightenment.”
As the three treasure spirits spoke, their gazes fell on Xu Fang. Xu Fang met their gaze and noticed that Taishang’s eyes were also looking over.
Sensing Xu Fang’s gaze, Taishang quickly lowered his head, continuing to mumble about impossibilities.
Xu Fang was speechless. So, this fellow had realized this long ago, but was too ashamed to speak about borrowing merit, and instead played dumb, letting the three treasures take the lead?
“Fellow Daoist Taishang, this is not right. We have such a good relationship. If you were to ask, how could I refuse you?”
Xu Fang’s gaze fell on Taishang, and the three treasure spirits also looked over. So, this fellow was just going to reap the rewards. It was you who wanted to become a saint, not us!
Taishang knew the situation was bad and tried to respond with a vague agreement, continuing to mutter about impossibilities in an attempt to brush it off.
Xu Fang’s expression darkened, and he immediately said.
“Alright, since Fellow Daoist Taishang is not of sound mind, this matter can be postponed…”
“No, no, no, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, I’m fine now. Anything that can be done today should be done today. Procrastination is a bad habit!”
Taishang hurriedly responded, extremely anxious, ignoring the resentful glances of the three treasures and quickly sidled up.
Xu Fang chuckled. Still playing dumb with me? Do you really think I can’t deal with you?
However, looking at Taishang’s expectant face, Xu Fang frowned and pondered.
After a long period of thought, facing Taishang’s expectant gaze, Xu Fang sighed and said.
“Fellow Daoist Taishang, do you truly wish to achieve sainthood? Perhaps sainthood is not what you imagine it to be. Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?”
Xu Fang remembered Nuwa, who lived in seclusion in Wa Huang Palace, and was filled with regret.
Becoming a saint ultimately meant becoming a puppet. Xu Fang couldn’t bear it and tried to dissuade him.
If Taishang had sought sainthood on his own, it would have been one thing. But now, Taishang was borrowing merit from him, making him feel like he was pushing Taishang into a fiery pit.
He had already wronged a good friend by helping Nuwa. Xu Fang did not want to send Taishang into a fiery pit as well.