Tai Shang nodded repeatedly as he looked at the two Dao Seeds floating before him and listened to Xu Fang's explanation.
"If these Dao Seeds are truly as miraculous as Dao Friend Xu Fang says, then they can indeed help us achieve our goals. However, where did Dao Friend Xu Fang hear such a claim, and can it be implemented?"
While Tai Shang agreed with Xu Fang's plan, the matter of Dao Seeds was something he had never heard of before, and he was naturally skeptical.
Xu Fang was not in a hurry. Instead, he smiled, took back his own Dao Seed, and said,
"Dao Friend Tai Shang, where do you think this Dao Seed in my hand came from?"
"Isn't it because Dao Friend Xu Fang possesses great divine abilities and is skilled at treasure hunting?"
"No, this Dao Seed was given to me by the Great Immortal Yang Mei."
Xu Fang shook his head, negating Tai Shang's suggestion.
Since he had already revealed this matter to Tai Shang, Xu Fang no longer had anything to hide. He immediately recounted the entire situation of his meeting with Yang Mei.
After all, he had already told Tai Shang so much today; it wouldn't hurt to add a little more.
"The Great Immortal Yang Mei? No wonder, so Dao Friend Xu Fang has already gained the attention of this venerable one!"
After listening to Xu Fang's account of his meeting with Yang Mei, Tai Shang's gaze towards Xu Fang grew even more admiring.
When the Great Immortal Yang Mei first rose to prominence in the Primordial Era, the Three Pure Ones were merely their assistants. Naturally, they held a sense of reverence for him.
It was an immense honor for Xu Fang to be valued by such a figure.
"So, Dao Friend Xu Fang is revealing this to me because you intend to draw me into this scheme?"
As intelligent as Tai Shang was, having learned about Xu Fang's conversation with Yang Mei and now hearing Xu Fang share these matters with him, he naturally understood Xu Fang's intentions.
"Precisely."
Xu Fang did not deny his thoughts and replied, then countered,
"Dao Friend Tai Shang, do you have no resentment for being so schemed against? Do you truly believe that once you achieve the Great Dao Sage status, that person will cease their troubles and will no longer bother you?"
Tai Shang listened to Xu Fang's words and understood that there was no falsehood in them.
Even if he could use the Primordial Violet Qi to deceive that person, paper could not contain fire forever; it would eventually be revealed, and that person would know.
And how could that person, who wished to control the Primordial Era, allow anyone to escape their grasp?
Therefore, a confrontation between him and that person was inevitable.
However, judging by Xu Fang's current intentions, he had clearly begun to resist that person, which eased Tai Shang's worries considerably.
With Dao Friend Xu Fang, who was constantly coming up with ingenious ideas, and the unfathomable Great Immortal Yang Mei as a backer, their chances of victory increased.
"Dao Friend Xu Fang, you first helped me break free from a predicament and then tried to draw me into another. This is truly a bit unfair!"
Tai Shang grumbled for a moment, then said resolutely,
"However, since Dao Friend Xu Fang is doing this, I, Tai Shang, being a good Dao friend, have nothing more to say. Count me in!"
Since escape was impossible, it was better to be as proactive and prepared as Xu Fang.
Moreover, if he really thought about it, Xu Fang, with the Dao Seed in his possession, would inevitably prove himself as a Great Dao Sage in the future. An additional Sage meant an additional force, so they had to unite.
"Good!"
Xu Fang was overjoyed when Tai Shang agreed. This further increased his chances of victory.
Of course, Xu Fang did not become complacent. He began to discuss details with Tai Shang.
"We are currently heading towards the Human Tribe. Later, I will use the merit of educating them to prove myself and become a Sage. Dao Friend, you must remember to act cautiously and not be discovered."
"I understand. I will be extremely careful."
Tai Shang repeatedly agreed, his expression solemn.
After all, this was a play staged under the watchful eye of that person. If he was not careful, not only would he be unable to escape, but Xu Fang might also be implicated. At that point, it would truly be harming himself and others.
Just as Xu Fang and Tai Shang were discussing some details, Liang Tian Chi's voice suddenly rang out.
"Hey, hey, hey, you two have been at it for a long time. Are you done talking? Hurry up and come out. Randeng Daoist has dropped equipment!"
This shout immediately interrupted Xu Fang and Tai Shang's secret discussion.
"What do you mean by 'dropped equipment'?"
Tai Shang was filled with confusion. If he remembered correctly, this was the first time he had heard such a novel term!
"It's nothing. He's talking nonsense. Don't listen to him."
Xu Fang's expression darkened. It was one thing for his magical treasures to learn these new terms from here, but it was another for them to use them everywhere.
And these were terms that he had no way of explaining!
However, just as Xu Fang intended to gloss over it, Liang Tian Chi was not appeased and continued to shout from outside.
"What do you mean 'talking nonsense'? Little Xu, hurry up, or I'll take all this equipment away, and you won't get any!"
"..."
Xu Fang had no choice but to stride out to inspect the results.
Tai Shang saw this, put away his Dao Seed and Heaven-Opening Merit, and quickly followed. He was eager to see what this "dropping equipment" meant.
Upon arriving outside and seeing the scene before him, he was greatly astonished.
"They're really hanging him up and beating him?"
Tai Shang looked up and saw a creature suspended in the center of the grand hall within the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda's space.
It was Randeng Daoist, whom he had seen at Buzhou Mountain before. However, Randeng Daoist was now covered in wounds and unconscious, clearly having undergone some form of treatment.
Tai Shang's mouth twitched at the sight.
He had thought Xu Fang was just speaking casually, but he never expected them to actually hang Randeng Daoist up and beat him!
"It's not that serious, is it? Although I dislike this Randeng very much, it's really not necessary, is it?"
Tai Shang muttered to himself, unexpectedly finding Dao Friend Xu Fang to be so short-tempered that he would actually hang someone up and beat them just because Randeng Daoist had mocked him a few times.
As for the so-called "dropped equipment," Tai Shang understood its meaning without further explanation, seeing a pile of treasures, magical artifacts, and spiritual roots at Randeng Daoist's feet, realizing the implication of this new term.
However, Tai Shang was still puzzled. These treasures did not seem to be very valuable.
Xu Fang, who had been collecting treasures for years and had extorted tolls from countless beings, would not seriously compete with Randeng Daoist for such meager items.
Thinking this, Tai Shang looked at Xu Fang.
Could it be that Dao Friend Xu Fang had some unspeakable special hobby?
However, Tai Shang soon understood what was happening without Xu Fang needing to explain.
"Dao Seed?"
Tai Shang's eyes lit up as he watched Xu Fang retrieve a treasure from the pile of so-called "dropped equipment" from Randeng Daoist.
Wasn't this the Dao Seed he had just learned about?
"So, Dao Friend Xu Fang, you captured this Randeng here just for this Dao Seed?"
"What else would I do? Do you think I'm so idle that I would just hang people up and beat them for no reason?"
Xu Fang shot Tai Shang a glance. Seeing Tai Shang's expression, he realized that Tai Shang had just classified him among those with peculiar interests.