Hearing the great bird's self-introduction, Xu Fang thought it was indeed as he suspected.
This great bird was truly Kong Xuan's brother, a direct descendant of Yuan Feng's bloodline!
Though the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor was not yet famous, not possessing the same prestige as Kong Xuan, another descendant of Yuan Feng's bloodline, he would one day become a renowned figure.
Upon hearing his name, Xu Fang's mind immediately conjured the ordeal of Lion Camel Ridge in the Journey to the West tribulation.
The Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor, along with Manjusri Bodhisattva's mount, the Green-Maned Lion, and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva's mount, the Six-Tusked White Elephant, had plunged the pilgrimage team into desperation at Lion Camel Ridge.
Only when the Tathagata Buddha personally intervened was the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor subdued, a testament to his inherent power.
However, these were matters of the future. The current Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor was merely an impetuous youth, now repeatedly apologizing to Xu Fang.
"Senior, I am truly sorry. I was unable to reveal the origin of the Phoenix clan earlier, which led to this misunderstanding."
"I apologize to you on behalf of my elder brother. I hope Senior will be magnanimous and not dwell on this matter!"
Kong Xuan, having heard his younger brother's account, knew that the person before him not only saved his brother's life but also bestowed upon him the Great Luo Flower, aiding his breakthrough.
His earlier judgment, without understanding the full story, assuming the other party harbored ulterior motives, was truly unreasonable.
"Fellow Daoist, I am truly sorry. This misunderstanding was all due to my anxiety in finding my brother. I beg your indulgence!"
"I hereby declare, as the heir to the Phoenix clan, that you are now a friend of our Phoenix clan. Should you ever require assistance, our clan will not stand idly by!"
Kong Xuan apologized to Xu Fang again. To demonstrate his sincerity, he further declared Xu Fang as a friend of the Phoenix clan.
"Indeed, Senior. If you ever have any matters, just let us know. How could I, the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor, be a bird who repays kindness with enmity?"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor eagerly echoed his brother's words, lamenting his inability to repay the senior's kindness until his brother's declaration perfectly captured his sentiments.
Xu Fang was overjoyed to hear this.
A friend is a valuable asset. Although the Phoenix clan had declined, it was still a great clan, and Kong Xuan was such a powerful expert. He had unknowingly gained a formidable ally, which was a cause for great happiness.
"My dear Daoist, what are you saying? Since it was a misunderstanding, it is good that it has been cleared."
Seeing the seriousness with which Kong Xuan and the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor spoke, Xu Fang quickly replied.
Given the sincerity of the Kong Xuan brothers, Xu Fang pondered for a moment before deciding to offer them a warning.
"Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan, and my dear bird, since we are all friends now, I have something to say that I hope you will heed."
"In the future, if you encounter anyone from the West, try to avoid them if possible. Do not let yourselves be entangled, lest you bring ruin upon yourselves."
According to the established trajectory, both Kong Xuan and the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor would eventually fall under the sway of the West, euphemistically referred to as the Peacock Great Bright King Mother and the Tathagata's uncle, among other titles.
In truth, however, they would be subservient to the West, devoid of true freedom.
Since they had met by fate and found such common ground, Xu Fang was unwilling to see them reduced to mere pawns for others.
"The West?"
Kong Xuan and the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor looked at each other, bewildered. The Western lands had been devastated by the Demon Ancestor Luohu's destruction of their spiritual veins; what cause was there for concern?
However, seeing Xu Fang's solemn expression, Kong Xuan quickly agreed.
"Daoist, rest assured, we understand."
"That is good. In the future, Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan, when you engage in combat with others, though your Five-Colored Divine Light is powerful, you must consider your opponent carefully."
Xu Fang felt this was not enough and continued to advise them.
"Just like this encounter, did you truly believe I had no recourse? The spiritual treasure in my hand is the Merit Treasure, the Heaven-Measuring Ruler. Once it enters your Five-Colored Divine Light, and I unleash its power, you will find yourself in a rather unfortunate predicament,呵呵!"
Xu Fang did not elaborate further, but it was enough. Kong Xuan's expression turned grave.
He had always prided himself on the might of his unique divine ability, capable of whisking away both individuals and their treasures. However, he had never considered this possibility.
If his opponent possessed superior cultivation or an exceptionally potent spiritual treasure, and he were to absorb them into his Five-Colored Divine Light, wouldn't he be inviting trouble upon himself? The consequences were unimaginable.
"Hearing your words is like a jolt of enlightenment, truly waking me from a dream. Thank you, Daoist!"
Kong Xuan clasped his hands and earnestly thanked Xu Fang.
He now understood that even with his unique divine ability, which could seemingly sweep away all things, he could not use it recklessly. He must carefully choose his opponents to avoid backfiring and being counteracted.
Xu Fang nodded, seeing that Kong Xuan had taken his words to heart.
He had revealed this powerful insight precisely because he did not want Kong Xuan to be subdued by Daoist Zhunti in the future.
His words were motivated by his unwillingness to see Kong Xuan become subservient to others, and also by his desire to prevent the West from growing stronger.
After all, no matter how one looked at it, he had already incurred the wrath of the two powerful figures in the West. He could not simply sit back and allow them to expand their influence.
Perhaps those two from the West had no idea that he was already subtly undermining their efforts.
There was no other way. Being alone, he had to make arrangements for the future when facing a West that had Saints as its protectors and was constantly "destined to have affinity with me" and "saving beings" throughout the Great Desolation.
Kong Xuan glanced at the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor and spoke.
"Alright, I came out this time precisely to find my wayward brother. It is an unexpected joy that he has broken through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm."
"Now that I have found him, we must return to the Phoenix clan. There are many matters to attend to."
Kong Xuan addressed Xu Fang, preparing to depart with the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor to return to the Phoenix clan.
Xu Fang had no objections to this.
"Fellow Daoist, please proceed. If fate allows, we will meet again."
Xu Fang bowed. The Dragon, Phoenix, and Qilin ancestors had been severely weakened in their war, and the Wu and Demon clans had begun to rise.
Kong Xuan, leading a battered Phoenix clan, faced immense difficulties, akin to the four brothers of Ao Guang. He was undoubtedly burdened by numerous responsibilities.
However, upon hearing this, the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor's face fell.
"Brother, I do not wish to return yet. I want to travel the Great Desolation with Senior."
The Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor had finally ventured out and did not want to return so easily.
Moreover, by following this Senior, he had immediately broken through to the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm. This Senior was incredibly fortunate, possessing the ability to find so many fruits of Great Luo. How could he bear to leave him? He definitely wanted to bask in his good fortune.
"You..."
Kong Xuan looked at the Golden-Winged Great Peng Condor, clearly surprised that his brother dared to defy him so openly.
However, he was also well aware of his brother's stubborn nature, which made it difficult to change his decisions. He swallowed his reprimand and turned to Xu Fang.
"Fellow Daoist, since that is the case, if you have the time, why not come to the Phoenix clan for a visit?"
He doesn't want to leave this Senior, right? Then I'll invite this Daoist to the Phoenix clan and see what he does!