Xu Fang accepted the invitation of Dragon King Ao Guang and immediately followed the dragon clan to their ancestral land, the Crystal Palace in the East Sea.
With Ao Xue, Ao Guang's beloved daughter, safely returned and reunited with her benefactor, the journey was filled with laughter and joy, a truly happy occasion for all.
Only the Golden Winged Great Peng Sculpture, amidst the dragon clan, felt out of place amidst the celebratory atmosphere.
Although the past grievances between the dragon and phoenix clans were conveniently overlooked due to Ao Xue and the Golden Winged Great Peng Sculpture's relationship, the Sculpture still sensed hostile glances from the dragons.
This hostility wasn't about ancient grudges between their races, but rather felt as if the Sculpture had stolen something of utmost importance from the dragons, leaving it feeling vexed.
Moreover, why had it been inexplicably beaten just now, and the dragon clan hadn't even offered an apology, simply letting the matter pass so easily!
However, seeing Ao Xue's delight at rejoining her kin, the Golden Winged Great Peng Sculpture decided to endure it, unwilling to say anything that would dampen the mood.
At this moment, Xu Fang recalled something.
"By the way, Ao Guang, how did you know we were here?"
"Oh, on the way here, we encountered a male and a female immortal. The male one gave us directions, saying he had met a dragon clan maiden on an island once."
Ao Guang held nothing back from Xu Fang, explaining the circumstances of their arrival.
Upon receiving the report from those dragons, Ao Guang had been consumed by anxiety and immediately dispatched his people to search for his daughter, Ao Xue.
Not fully at ease, Ao Guang even personally led a troop of soldiers.
However, just as they were preparing to head towards the Great Desolation, they coincidentally met a male and female immortal wandering in the East Sea.
Upon hearing that they were searching for the dragon clan maiden, the male immortal immediately told them he had seen a maiden on an island and then enthusiastically provided directions to Ao Guang and his entourage.
"A male and a female?"
Xu Fang pondered, then spoke.
"Was the female exceedingly beautiful, and the male, though appearing heroic, somewhat… unsavory in appearance?"
"Oh? Hearing you say that, the male immortal did indeed seem a bit unsavory."
Ao Guang recalled, then grew curious.
"Daoist friend, do you perhaps know these two?"
"Heh heh! Know them? More than just know them, he is my good Daoist companion!"
Xu Fang chuckled, a laugh filled with suppressed anger.
"Good heavens, Dong Wang Gong! I was magnanimous enough to preserve your dignity, and yet you turn around and sell me out!"
"Fortunately, I had previously rendered a great service to the dragon clan, otherwise, I would be no different from the Golden Winged Great Peng Sculpture, being labeled as someone who abducted a dragon maiden!"
"Next time I see you, let's see how you maintain your dignity!"
Xu Fang thought bitterly, vowing to give his 'good Daoist companion' a proper reception when they next met.
Meanwhile, the male and female immortals watched from afar as the dragon clan's grand procession passed by.
"Alas, just as you said, your Daoist companion knows the dragon clan. I was just wondering why you were giving them directions!"
The female immortal spoke. The male immortal, about to reply, sneezed. He glanced at Xu Fang, who was coordinating with the dragon troops, and felt a sense of dread.
Seeing the dragons' imposing demeanor earlier, he had intended to cause some trouble for Xu Fang.
Although he had abandoned his ambition for Penglai Immortal Island, the memory of being brutally beaten by Xu Fang still rankled him, and he couldn't resist a little revenge to regain some balance.
He figured that with Xu Fang's immense power, the dragons would be no match for him, and he would merely suffer some minor discomfort, which would be inconsequential.
He never expected that Xu Fang truly knew the dragons and was currently enjoying the treatment of a distinguished guest. What was going on!
"Naturally, I am very familiar with him, we are close. How could I not know?"
Dong Wang Gong hastily replied, feeling utterly dejected. Weren't the dragons' earlier actions a prelude to seeking revenge?
"Then, should we go and greet your good Daoist companion?"
"No, no, let's leave the East Sea immediately!"
"Weren't we going to search for Penglai Immortal Island?"
"Uh, forget it. Isn't Patriarch Hongjun about to begin his sermon? We should depart quickly and not miss this opportunity!"
Dong Wang Gong certainly didn't want to linger in the East Sea any longer. What if he encountered Xu Fang again? It would be dire. He quickly made an excuse, intending to put as much distance as possible between them.
"That's true, it is so."
The Queen Mother of the West nodded. Despite her agreement, she couldn't shake the feeling that Dong Wang Gong seemed terrified of his 'good Daoist companion'.
Dong Wang Gong had no words to express his plight. His relationship with Xu Fang had only just begun to thaw, and now, after this stunt, would Xu Fang directly send him to his demise the next time they met!
Following the dragon clan, Xu Fang and his party soon arrived at the Dragon Palace, the Crystal Palace in the East Sea.
"As expected, the dragon clan is truly wealthy and powerful!"
Xu Fang exclaimed, admiring the opulent Crystal Palace.
Although the dragon clan was forced to retreat to the Four Seas due to the overwhelming influence of the Witch and Demon tribes, their foundations were still far beyond those of ordinary races. The sheer splendor of the Crystal Palace alone was breathtaking.
Indeed, a centipede dies but never falls stiff!
"This is also thanks to Daoist friend's guidance, which allowed the dragon clan to preserve all of this," Ao Guang said as he led Xu Fang and his group into the Crystal Palace.
If Xu Fang hadn't reminded them that day, urging them to abandon their illusions of finding Zulong and instead retreat to the Four Seas, how could they have maintained the dragon clan's heritage?
Observe, weren't the Witch and Demon tribes currently locked in a fierce battle across the Great Desolation, sweeping away numerous forces with unstoppable momentum?
Even the Phoenix clan, one of the former Three Clans, was reportedly besieged by the Demon clan recently and had narrowly escaped a catastrophic fall.
Therefore, moved by these events, the entire dragon clan now felt immense gratitude towards Xu Fang.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, upon hearing that Xu Fang intended to establish a dojo in the East Sea, Ao Guang's thoughts became active.
"Since this Daoist friend is so powerful, I must win him over and not lose such a formidable ally!"
With this thought, Ao Guang spoke promptly.
"Daoist friend, you saved our brethren that day and provided guidance. We did not have the chance to express our gratitude."
"Now that you are preparing to settle in the East Sea, as the saying goes, a near neighbor is better than a distant relative. We are naturally overjoyed."
"Thus, Daoist friend, please accompany me to the dragon clan's treasury. Perhaps you will find something to your liking. This shall serve both as repayment for your kindness and as a congratulatory gift. Is that not wonderful?"
Upon hearing this, the Golden Winged Great Peng Sculpture scoffed.
"Senior has the divine ability to sense treasures. What treasure could he not obtain? Would he covet a few mere trinkets from the dragon clan?"
"It's utterly laughable that the dragon clan believes their so-called treasury can pique Senior's interest!"
To its surprise, Xu Fang nodded upon hearing this.
"Since that is the case, I shall gratefully accept your invitation!"
The Golden Winged Great Peng Sculpture raised an eyebrow, looking at Xu Fang with utter bewilderment.
"Senior, where has your noble demeanor of treating treasures as dirt gone?"