According to Xu Fang’s memories, the Four Symbols Banana Tree, a congenital spirit root atop Buzhou Mountain, was divided among various powerful celestial beings, much like its neighbor, the congenital Gourd Vine.
While Xu Fang lacked precise memories of the Four Symbols Banana Tree leaves’ ultimate destinations, he could deduce them with considerable accuracy.
This wasn't a difficult task; one only needed to consider the historical appearances of the Banana Fan in the Great Desolation to ascertain its likely origins.
The most famous example was the Banana Fan wielded by Princess Iron Fan, which helped Sun Wukong extinguish the flames of Flaming Mountain.
Following that was the palm-leaf fan used by the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord for fanning his alchemical fires.
This often led to confusion, with the Banana Fan's connection to Princess Iron Fan leading some to associate her with the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord.
However, this was not the case; their connection was tenuous.
Princess Iron Fan's Banana Fan possessed wind and fire attributes and was said to have originated from Patriarch Styx, who was about to claim the leaves of the Four Symbols Banana Tree.
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord, a manifestation of the Grand Pure One, possessed a fire-attribute Banana Fan, which naturally came from the Grand Pure One.
As for the final fan, it was earth-attributed. Xu Fang had no recollection of this particular fan, as it seemed to have never made an appearance.
However, based on its functional characteristics as an earth attribute, it was likely associated with Nuwa, Houtu, or Zhen Yuanzi.
Therefore, as Xu Fang watched Patriarch Styx claiming the leaves of the Four Symbols Banana Tree, his mind remained on guard, wary of powerful beings interfering.
“I wonder if my method will work?”
Xu Fang was filled with worry. These were treasures related to the world’s powerful beings; opportunities were not easily snatched.
He recalled that when it came to the congenital Gourd Vine, even though Xu Fang had been certain of success, he was still forced to reluctantly part with a congenital gourd, fulfilling what was termed ‘Heaven’s Will.’
Xu Fang was now in the process of dividing the treasures with Patriarch Styx. For the reasons he had previously stated, he hoped this maneuver would be enough to obscure the Heavenly Secrets and allow him to obtain the fortune of the Banana Fan.
Under Xu Fang's anxious gaze, Patriarch Styx looked at the banana leaves, which resembled prayer mats. After some consideration, he decided to pluck the water-attributed banana leaf.
After all, the Sea of Blood was also a body of water, and a water-attribute Banana Fan would be useful, helping him suppress the Sea of Blood or enhance its power.
The plucking process went smoothly. Patriarch Styx quickly secured the water-attributed banana leaf in his hand, his joy evident.
“Haha! For this fortune, I must truly thank all of you!”
Patriarch Styx turned back, expressing his gratitude to everyone present.
“Senior, don’t get carried away. You’ve shaken loose another leaf!”
The Golden-Winged Great Peng exclaimed loudly, reminding Patriarch Styx.
Patriarch Styx was startled by this remark. He turned to look and indeed, as he pulled, the wind-attributed leaf was precariously dangling, about to fall.
Seeing this, Patriarch Styx quickly pulled harder, intending to fully secure the fire-attributed leaf and avoid the wind-attributed one.
However, with this exertion, the already swaying wind-attributed leaf also fluttered down, landing on the water-attributed leaf.
Patriarch Styx was not interested in the wind-attributed leaf and immediately began shaking it, trying to dislodge it.
Yet, the wind-attributed leaf, upon landing on the water-attributed leaf, seemed to take root, refusing to slide off.
With Patriarch Styx’s shaking, the two leaves, one wind and one water attribute, instead began to glow, merging together before everyone’s eyes to form a palm-leaf fan.
“This…”
Patriarch Styx was at a loss for words.
He was supposed to receive one portion of the fortune; had he now taken two?
Seeing everyone’s gaze fixed on him, Patriarch Styx’s face flushed. Surely they didn’t think he had done this intentionally?
Patriarch Styx had no such intentions and immediately waved the palm-leaf fan in his hand, declaring his intention.
“Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, I do not want this fan. I shall give it to you!”
A powerful gust of wind swept through, carrying a scorching, intensely hot aura.
“Senior, please retract your divine power!”
The Golden-Winged Great Peng urgently shouted. If he continued fanning, they would all be blown away to who knew where.
Seeing this, Xu Fang sighed inwardly.
“As expected, this is Heaven’s Will!”
The wind-and-water palm-leaf fan was indeed Patriarch Styx’s destined fortune.
It was precisely because of this that Princess Iron Fan’s Banana Fan would later be able to serve dual purposes, possessing both wind and water attributes.
It could summon great winds to blow away Sun Wukong, and it could also unleash its water attribute’s power to extinguish the flames of Flaming Mountain.
Witnessing this development, Xu Fang understood it was Heaven’s Will and quickly spoke.
“Since that is the case, this is rightfully your fortune, Fellow Daoist. Please accept this item.”
Heaven’s Will was not to be defied. At such a crucial moment of treasure acquisition, it was best not to stir up further trouble.
With that, Xu Fang strode forward and directly collected the last two leaves, which transformed into two palm-leaf fans.
“Fellow Daoist, this fire-attributed palm-leaf fan is quite suitable for the Phoenix Clan. I shall gift it to you.”
Xu Fang presented the fire-attributed palm-leaf fan to Kong Xuan, who was overjoyed, not expecting to receive anything.
However, being familiar with Xu Fang, he did not stand on ceremony. He nodded, accepted the palm-leaf fan, and put it away.
Noticing the covetous glances from the Golden-Winged Great Peng and Ao Xue, Xu Fang chuckled and directly put away the last earth-attributed palm-leaf fan.
He then ignored their expressions of regret and began to activate his Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda.
Though the leaves had been divided, this was still a congenital spirit root. The Four Symbols Banana Tree itself could not be missed.
The Four Symbols Banana Tree was drawn into the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda by the pagoda’s power, feeling bewildered.
“I still feel something is not right. I feel my fortune is far from complete; it shouldn’t be like this!”
Xu Fang understood what the Four Symbols Banana Tree meant; its other two destined owners had not yet appeared.
Xu Fang paid it no mind. With a slight thought, the Seven Treasures Exquisite Pagoda erupted with a blinding radiance, instantly drawing the Four Symbols Banana Tree into the tower.
Looking at the large pit left on the ground, Xu Fang breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, all the treasures had been collected without any mishaps.
“It seems this method is viable!”
Xu Fang’s heart rejoiced. It appeared that for treasures connected to powerful celestial beings, claiming them all for oneself was impossible, as it went against Heaven’s Will.
However, with proper manipulation, it was still possible to seize their fortunes without them realizing it.
Combining his experience from collecting the congenital Gourd Vine last time, Xu Fang drew a conclusion: while respecting Heaven’s Will, one could also maneuver the situation to acquire the majority of the fortune.
Heaven’s Will is not to be defied? Then, follow its path and make minor adjustments!