"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, please explain in detail and save me and my two dim-witted brothers!"
Taishang was astonished that Xu Fang had found a way to break free in such a short time. It was almost unbelievable.
After all, this was the grand scheme of that supreme being. How could it be so easily broken?
However, seeing Xu Fang's earnest persuasion for him to become a saint, and his current confident demeanor, Taishang, in the spirit of a shot in the dark, was determined to hear what Xu Fang had to say.
"Very well, Fellow Daoist Taishang, please listen as I elaborate," Xu Fang replied with a nod and continued.
"Currently, you and the two Daoist friends on Mount Kunlun possess the Hong Meng Purple Qi and have fallen into that being's scheme. To escape would be to thwart their plans, and they would surely not stand idly by."
"Facing such power, we are no match for them. Therefore, Fellow Daoist Taishang, our best course of action is to comply with this being's will and achieve sainthood."
Taishang furrowed his brow as he listened to Xu Fang's words.
The statement was indeed true. They were no match for that supreme being and could only accept their fate.
However, to become a saint and be reduced to a mere puppet, especially when aware of it, was even more unbearable than accepting their fate unknowingly.
Still, Taishang patiently listened to Xu Fang's analysis of the current situation, interjecting with a question at the opportune moment.
"So, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang wants us to become saints first, and then use the power of saints to break free from this predicament?"
"That is one approach."
Xu Fang agreed with a nod, then his tone shifted.
"However, such a method is far too risky. If, after becoming saints, we were still unable to confront that being with the combined strength of all fellow Daoists, then, Fellow Daoist Taishang, it would all be in vain."
Taishang nodded repeatedly.
Xu Fang was being too polite. This method was not merely risky; it was suicidal!
Upon careful consideration, if they became Heavenly Dao Saints, their power would originate from the Heavenly Dao itself. How could they possibly use the saintly power granted by the Heavenly Dao to fight against the Heavenly Dao?
However, despite his disappointment, Taishang did not completely abandon hope. He gazed intently at Xu Fang and asked,
"My idea is laughable. Please, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, instruct me!"
Since Xu Fang was so confident and had dismissed his own idea, he must have a more superior plan. Taishang was eager to hear Xu Fang's insights.
"The Hong Meng Purple Qi is the foundation for becoming a saint, the so-called 'Great Dao foundation,' as spoken by Dao Ancestor Hongjun. Fellow Daoist Taishang, by possessing the Hong Meng Purple Qi, you are also effectively locked by the Heavenly Dao and cannot escape."
Xu Fang began to explain.
"However, as long as we find something superior to the Hong Meng Purple Qi and suppress it during the process of becoming a saint, we can achieve sainthood."
"In this way, we can bypass the Hong Meng Purple Qi and avoid becoming a puppet-like Heavenly Dao Saint. Instead, we would become a Great Dao Saint."
Taishang nodded repeatedly, acknowledging Xu Fang's idea.
"What Fellow Daoist Xu Fang says is indeed worth a try. Once I achieve Great Dao sainthood, the Hong Meng Purple Qi and such will naturally become insignificant. We can even use it to deceive the Heavenly Dao."
However, as he reached this point, Taishang spread his hands with a sense of helplessness.
"But, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, where can we find a being superior to the Hong Meng Purple Qi!"
Taishang understood Xu Fang's intention. Since the Hong Meng Purple Qi could not be eliminated, they would find something superior to suppress it, rather than using it to achieve sainthood.
As long as they could become saints by surpassing the Hong Meng Purple Qi, they would not become Heavenly Dao Saints, manipulated by others.
After achieving sainthood, they could also use the Hong Meng Purple Qi to deceive that supreme being, obediently playing the role of a Heavenly Dao Saint, and only revealing their true intentions when necessary.
However, while the idea was sound, and Taishang wholeheartedly agreed, the biggest problem was where to find this being superior to the Hong Meng Purple Qi!
Xu Fang, unlike Taishang, did not appear troubled. He gazed at Taishang with a face full of smiles.
"This thing is not far away; it is right before your eyes. Fellow Daoist Taishang truly possesses a supreme treasure without knowing it!"
Seeing Xu Fang's expression, Taishang became even more confused. He pointed at the beings manifested from the magical treasures beside him and said dejectedly,
"What supreme treasure? Besides these few useless fellows, what other treasures do I have?"
This statement immediately provoked the dissatisfaction of the Taiji Diagram and the other two treasures, who jointly attacked and beat up Taishang.
"Alright, alright, we're talking serious business, don't let Fellow Daoist Xu Fang laugh at us. I was wrong, okay?"
Taishang pleaded repeatedly. It wasn't that he couldn't defeat these three treasures; they were his own treasures, and he couldn't bring himself to attack them.
Moreover, the most crucial issue now was to understand what exactly Xu Fang's "being superior to the Hong Meng Purple Qi" was!
Seeing Taishang's genuine confusion, Xu Fang knew that Taishang was truly unaware of the matter and had to remind him.
"Fellow Daoist Taishang, please release your Heaven-Opening Merit."
"Heaven-Opening Merit?"
Taishang was perplexed, but he still complied with Xu Fang's request and released the Heaven-Opening Merit. He looked at Xu Fang curiously, wondering what Xu Fang could produce.
"Could it be that Fellow Daoist Xu Fang can extract something from this Heaven-Opening Merit? Hmm? What is this?"
Taishang's teasing words had not even finished when he saw Xu Fang raise his hand and emit magical power, truly extracting an object from the Heaven-Opening Merit.
It now hovered in mid-air, emitting an unfathomable aura. Just a glance at it filled one with a sense of infinite mystery.
"This is a Dao Seed, a being superior to the Hong Meng Purple Qi, which allows one to achieve Great Dao sainthood."
Xu Fang explained to Taishang, and with a wave of his hand, he revealed the Dao Seed he had obtained from Yang Mei.
Taishang looked at these two treasures. Although their auras were slightly different, he was certain that they were of the same kind, what Xu Fang called a Dao Seed.
Xu Fang also took this opportunity to explain to Taishang the similarities and differences between the Hong Meng Purple Qi and the Dao Seed. Taishang, listening to this unprecedented information, could not help but exclaim in wonder.
He looked at the two floating Dao Seeds and felt even more amazed.
"So, Fellow Daoist Xu Fang wants me to use this Dao Seed to suppress the Hong Meng Purple Qi, achieve Great Dao sainthood, and break free from this predicament?"
"Indeed. This Dao Seed is the key. It can help Fellow Daoist transcend. I sensed this object hidden within the Heaven-Opening Merit, which is why I advised Fellow Daoist to proceed accordingly."
Xu Fang nodded. Of course, he couldn't have sensed it himself; it was all thanks to the treasure map.
However, these were minor details. At least this way, it saved Taishang the trouble of searching for a Dao Seed.
Subsequently, with this Dao Seed, Taishang could achieve sainthood and avoid the same fate as Nuwa.