At this moment, the Golden-Winged Great Peng was once again surrounded by the Dragon clan.
After a chase, the Golden-Winged Great Peng had been greatly depleted, and found itself struggling to cope with the dragons' encirclement.
"Stop fighting! Just listen to me!"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng cried out. What was wrong with these dragons? Why were they so convinced it had kidnapped Ao Xue, refusing to give it any chance to explain.
"Listen to you? Even now, you still want to quibble?"
Ao Guang was furious. With a wave of his hand, he prepared to order the dragons to deliver a fatal blow to the Golden-Winged Great Peng.
Just then, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Father! Stop!"
The voice was anxious. As it faded, a figure appeared before the Golden-Winged Great Peng.
"Ao Xue, you're unharmed? That's wonderful!"
Ao Guang's eyes lit up with joy upon seeing the figure. Wasn't this his daughter, Ao Xue?
He had thought she had fallen victim to this hateful bird, but to see her safe and sound was truly a blessing from heaven!
"Ao Xue, come here quickly! See how your father will deal with this bird that deceived you!"
Ao Guang called out, naturally feeling that he was too close to the Golden-Winged Great Peng and it was too dangerous.
Ao Xue glanced at the disheveled Golden-Winged Great Peng and couldn't help but find it amusing.
"What's going on?"
"I don't know either, they just started attacking me when I appeared!"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng felt wronged. Seeing Ao Xue's smile, it felt even more aggrieved.
It seemed like it had endured a beating for nothing and couldn't even seek justice.
"Father, this is a friend of mine. Why are you treating him like this?"
Ao Xue looked at Ao Guang and spoke.
"Friend?"
Ao Guang asked immediately upon hearing this.
"Didn't this fellow kidnap you? Don't be afraid, with your father here, I'll stand up for you!"
"No, Father, you've truly misunderstood. This is a friend of mine."
Ao Xue shook her head, feeling quite dismissive. With the Golden-Winged Great Peng's current state, it would be more plausible for her to have kidnapped it. Did it have the guts?
"No, Ao Xue, if you're being threatened, blink your eyes."
Ao Guang looked at the Golden-Winged Great Peng, filled with suspicion.
Even if this was not a physical coercion, given the ancient enmity between dragons and phoenixes, its close proximity to his daughter must have involved some grand scheme.
Seeing Ao Guang's expression, Ao Xue knew that no amount of explanation would work. She quickly called out.
"Senior, please speak up!"
"Senior?"
Ao Guang was startled. Earlier, when the Golden-Winged Great Peng was being pursued by them, it had also called out "Senior."
Could it be that there was a mastermind behind all this?
Thinking of this, Ao Guang grew tense, looking like he was facing a formidable enemy.
How insidious was this plan to target the Dragon clan through the princess? Who was manipulating it from behind the scenes!
"What can I say? Should I say I saw the Golden-Winged Great Peng getting beaten as soon as I appeared?"
A voice rang out, and a figure appeared beside Ao Xue. He glanced at the Golden-Winged Great Peng and nodded.
"Not bad, quite durable!"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng was speechless. Senior, it would be better if you didn't speak!
"It's you!"
Ao Guang exclaimed as he looked at the figure.
Wasn't this the Daoist friend who had saved his four brothers and guided their Dragon clan that day?
Ao Guang immediately cupped his hands and bowed deeply to Xu Fang.
"Ao Guang is here, thanking Daoist friend for the life-saving grace and guidance that day!"
The Dragon clan members heard this and their gazes fell upon Xu Fang. Was this the guide who had rendered such immense service to the Dragon clan?
Indeed, he bore a striking resemblance to the portrait Ao Guang had circulated.
Without any further words, the Dragon clan members also bowed deeply with Ao Guang.
This person's intervention that day had saved the future four Dragon Kings and shown the Dragon clan the way forward, leading to the current structure of the Four Seas Dragon Kings.
This was a debt of rebirth to the Dragon clan. Seeing the person in the flesh, they dared not be disrespectful.
"Oh, I didn't expect to be so famous among the Dragon clan!"
Xu Fang remarked, filled with emotion at the dragons' respectful demeanor.
"Of course, Daoist friend is greatly indebted to our Dragon clan. Right, we left in such a hurry last time that I never had the chance to ask for your esteemed name."
Ao Guang replied, finally remembering to inquire about Xu Fang's name.
"Xu Fang. Daoist friend, no need for such formalities. I will also establish a dojo in the East Sea in the future."
Xu Fang replied. In the future, he would refine Penglai Immortal Island into his dojo, which was located in the East Sea. He would be neighbors with the Dragon clan, and this was a preemptive greeting.
"Excellent, excellent!"
Ao Guang said repeatedly. With such a Daoist friend nearby, their Dragon clan could rest assured.
However, Ao Guang then looked at the Golden-Winged Great Peng, his expression awkward.
"Daoist friend, what is this big bird's deal?"
"Oh, you beat up the wrong bird."
Xu Fang no longer held back and recounted the matter between the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue.
"So, I misunderstood this bird brother?"
Ao Guang said, looking at the Golden-Winged Great Peng. It seemed he had indeed misunderstood it.
While he might have had doubts about Ao Xue's words, he had no suspicion whatsoever about Xu Fang's account.
He couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. Though dragons and phoenixes were ancient enemies, this being had taken care of his daughter all the way. Wasn't it ungrateful of him to repay kindness with enmity?
However, Ao Guang then recalled that Xu Fang's account had been somewhat vague, with unclear details about the relationship between Ao Xue and the Golden-Winged Great Peng.
Looking now, he saw Ao Xue's gaze towards the Golden-Winged Great Peng. Although it was full of mockery, it also held deep concern, which moved him greatly.
"Forget it, it was a misunderstanding. Let it be."
Ao Guang was a bit exasperated. With just a casual remark, he dismissed the matter.
His daughter, whom he had raised with such difficulty, was actually going to be eloped with by a sworn enemy bird!
"This..."
The Golden-Winged Great Peng had just raised its hand, preparing to put on a show of letting go of past grievances, but Ao Guang ignored it directly, leaving it speechless.
Why were the dragons so unreasonable? Ao Xue bullying it was one thing, but to be beaten up by Dragon King Ao Guang and his men, and then just like that?
Ao Guang had no mind to entertain the Golden-Winged Great Peng. Though this beating was a misunderstanding, it was certainly not in vain!
Ao Guang looked at Xu Fang and spoke.
"Since Daoist friend has returned to the East Sea, why not visit the Dragon clan?"
"Speaking of which, I never properly thanked Daoist friend back then."
Xu Fang agreed without much hesitation.
"Alright! As you say!"
Since they would be neighbors in the future, it was only natural for him to pay a visit now and get acquainted with the place.
Moreover, he was about to search for the Dinghai Shenzhu, and this trip was conveniently on the way.