The beings of the Primordial Era watched as Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren made their grand vows, exchanging bewildered glances.
This was more than just a cheap trick; they were trying to pull a fast one on the Heavenly Dao itself. What was going on?
The great powers of Heaven and Earth, already resentful of the West's two predetermined Sages, could no longer contain themselves. They began to communicate across the vastness of the heavens and earth.
"These two from the West are truly shameless to the extreme! They've redefined my understanding of them once again!"
"Exactly! They have no merit from the creation of Heaven and Earth, yet they try to emulate the Three Pure Ones. It's utterly laughable!"
"Look at Xu Fang's reluctant expression; you can see his helplessness. Alas!"
Everyone was indignant. If one could become a Sage by borrowing merit from Heaven, would they dare to stand on their heads and wash their hair?
They knew the West was shameless, but they never imagined they would be *this* shameless!
However, such a brazen method was something only the West could conceive. Wasn't Xu Fang, the witness to their apotheosis, currently wearing a displeased and impatient look?
Little did they know, this was all Xu Fang's instigation. His impatience stemmed from the West's lack of faith in him, and their insistence on trying themselves before giving up.
Fortunately, when Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren saw the insufficient merit, they began to make grand vows to borrow more, without Xu Fang needing to remind them.
The beings of the Primordial Era, waiting to witness the mockery of Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren, never could have imagined that as they continuously made their grand vows, merit and destiny would arise in the sky, enveloping the two.
"This!"
Witnessing this scene, everyone was utterly speechless. It was actually possible, to draw in merit with mere words. This seemed like an unfair advantage granted by the Heavenly Dao!
Xu Fang, however, understood perfectly. Their ascension to Sainthood was predestined, and borrowing merit to achieve it was also set in stone.
As merit descended, Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren's confidence soared, and they continued to make grand vows.
Finally, to the dumbfounded stares of the beings of the Primordial Era, Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren made forty-eight grand vows, bathing in the boundless sea of merit.
They absorbed the merit with expressions of pure enjoyment, causing the beings of the Primordial Era to grit their teeth in envy.
Bathed in merit, Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren did not forget Xu Fang, guiding the merit towards him.
Xu Fang did not refuse. He had traveled so far; wasn't it reasonable to collect a fee for his efforts?
After absorbing the merit, with the aid of merit and destiny, their auras erupted, sweeping across the heavens and earth.
Then, the majestic voice of the Heavenly Dao once again resounded throughout the Primordial Era.
"Jie Yin Dao Ren, Zhun Ti Dao Ren, Sagehood achieved!"
With this announcement, Jie Yin Dao Ren, Zhun Ti Dao Ren, and indeed all beings in the Primordial Era knew that the Western religion was established, and their Sagehood was complete!
The beings of the Primordial Era were, of course, filled with indignation. Merely by making oaths, they could borrow merit and become Sages. Why could Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren do it, but not them?
However, seeing the smiles on Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren's faces as the vision of the heavens and earth vanished before their eyes, they could only sigh at the Heavenly Dao's injustice.
Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren paid them no mind. As long as they achieved Sainthood, they were happy, regardless of how it happened.
"By the way, where is Xu Fang?"
Jie Yin Dao Ren looked around, but Xu Fang was nowhere to be seen, and he inquired.
"Heh! We have achieved Sagehood. Does he still dare to appear before us?"
Zhun Ti Dao Ren sneered, his tone full of pride. Jie Yin Dao Ren chuckled in agreement.
Indeed, they had been bullied by Xu Fang numerous times. Now that they had attained Sagehood, it was natural for Xu Fang to slip away at the first sign of trouble.
Well, since Xu Fang had the status of a Sage-witness and had helped them achieve their current state, even as Sages, they might not dare to act against him.
It was best that Xu Fang had the good sense to leave, avoiding any awkwardness. Therefore, even though Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren felt they could now defeat Xu Fang and avenge their past humiliation, they believed it was best if they didn't meet.
Meanwhile, on the other side, the Measuring Heaven Ruler recounted to Xu Fang the tale of the West's two figures turning on him after he left, filling him with resentment.
"I told you so! Those two from the West are ungrateful wretches. You insisted on helping them, and when you begged for their assistance, they were so affectionate. Now that they've become Sages, they've simply turned their backs! Heh!"
Xu Fang heard this and knew the Measuring Heaven Ruler must have received intelligence from a treasure in the West. However, Xu Fang didn't take it to heart and replied.
"It doesn't matter. I wasn't genuinely trying to help them anyway. It was a last resort, all for my own benefit. And I even gained merit for free. Isn't that a good thing?"
Xu Fang chuckled. The merit had been borrowed by the two from the West, and once given to him, it was his. As for repaying any debts, once it changed hands, it was no longer his concern.
"Alright, no need to pay them any mind. Now that the Six Sages are in place, I should return to seclusion and break through."
As Xu Fang spoke, he immediately commanded the Treasure Distribution Rock to return rapidly to Penglai Immortal Island.
The intention to enter seclusion and break through to seek Sainthood was also due to his excessive activity, which had likely attracted the attention of "that person." It was best to lie low and behave.
As Xu Fang had predicted, his help in Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren achieving Sagehood, while beneficial to the Heavenly Dao, still made it uneasy.
"The six predestined Sages are all connected to this Xu Fang. What exactly is this Xu Fang? Why does it feel like he knows everything?"
The Heavenly Dao mused in Hongjun's mind, contemplating.
One or two instances could be attributed to coincidence. But with all six predestined Sages linked to Xu Fang, the Heavenly Dao could no longer afford to ignore it.
Moreover, what was the deal with Xu Fang? He seemed to understand the reasons behind their apotheosis more clearly than the Heavenly Dao itself?
Hongjun's suggestion was simple: annihilation. He continued to offer his unique methods to help Xu Fang clear himself of suspicion.
Unsurprisingly, this displeased the Heavenly Dao greatly.
"You're always shouting about killing and destruction, lacking any strategic thinking. How can you be a good spokesperson for the Heavenly Dao?"
The Heavenly Dao rejected Hongjun's idea, appearing rather arrogant, yet it did not let down its guard.
"Fine, we'll observe for a while and see if Xu Fang makes any other moves before making a decision."
Xu Fang, having resolved to enter seclusion and cultivate without interfering in worldly affairs, was observed by the Heavenly Dao for a period. Seeing that after Xu Fang returned to Penglai Immortal Island, he remained hidden, they naturally found no flaws.
"Since Xu Fang is not a problem, then let's not bother with him."
Seeing that Xu Fang had not committed any further transgressions and was behaving himself, the Heavenly Dao put the matter of Xu Fang aside.
"Next, we must make arrangements for the Demon Clan."
Thus, not long after, astonishing news spread throughout the Demon Clan.