"Summoning the beings of the Blood Sea here?"
Hearing the Ancestor Minghe's words, Xu Fang couldn't help but glance back at him, astonished by what he had said.
Zhen Yuanzi and the others also looked over, full of confusion.
As far as they knew, Ancestor Minghe had always been a recluse in the Blood Sea, disdainful of the affairs of the Primordial Era.
How was it that this time, not only was he siding with Xu Fang, but he was also mobilizing his forces from the Blood Sea?
Ancestor Minghe, seeing all eyes on him, smiled slightly and said nothing more.
His initial decision to help Xu Fang stemmed from two reasons: he couldn't bear to see the powerful beings ganging up on Xu Fang with superior numbers, and he wanted to repay Xu Fang for the two fortuitous encounters with the Four Symbols Banana Tree bestowed upon him at Buzhou Mountain, thus settling their karmic debts and parting ways as equals.
After all, the karmic entanglements of the Primordial Era were often complex and difficult to untangle. Xu Fang was also being targeted by the Demon Clan, and there was no telling when the trouble might spread to him.
However, upon witnessing several factions successively come to Xu Fang's aid, Ancestor Minghe's thoughts began to change.
These three factions – the Dragon Clan and the Phoenix Clan – were, needless to say, once dominant powers in the Primordial Era. Even in their decline, they were not to be underestimated.
And the Immortal Court led by Dong Wang Gong and Xi Wang Mu was currently flourishing in the Primordial Era, believed by its inhabitants to be the most likely force to contend with the Wu and Demon clans for control of the heavens and earth.
These three factions had all come uninvited to help Xu Fang against the Demon Clan. As the leader of a faction, how could Ancestor Minghe not have his own considerations?
Since these three factions were placing their bets on Xu Fang, even willing to defy the Demon Clan for his sake, it was clear that Xu Fang possessed a hidden power that he had not yet perceived.
At this juncture, if he were to follow these three factions and gather the beings of the Blood Sea to aid Xu Fang, offering help in times of need, it would be the perfect opportunity to win Xu Fang over!
Ancestor Minghe certainly did not want to miss such an opportunity, and immediately, disregarding the gazes of others, he urged them on.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, the situation is urgent. There's no point in saying more. I should hurry and summon the beings of the Blood Sea!"
Xu Fang listened to Ancestor Minghe's words and looked at his resolute expression. After a moment of thought, he understood the Ancestor's intentions.
Xu Fang did not feel overly displeased with Ancestor Minghe's approach of following the trend and placing a bet. The Primordial Era was not just about fighting; there were also human relationships to consider!
As the saying goes, having more friends opens more paths. Ancestor Minghe was not weak and was a overlord of his own domain. Maintaining a good relationship with him would undoubtedly be beneficial.
However, Xu Fang's brow remained furrowed.
"Even so, the Blood Sea is too far from here. Can they make it in time?"
Zhen Yuanzi and the others nodded in agreement.
Ancestor Minghe's expression faltered upon hearing this.
Indeed, he had been so focused on how to seize this opportunity to impress and win over Xu Fang that he had overlooked this crucial detail.
Xu Fang's concern was valid. The distance between here and the Blood Sea was immense. Even if the beings of the Blood Sea received Ancestor Minghe's command and rushed over without delay, they would likely not arrive in time for this battle.
By the time they reached, the dust would have long settled, and their arrival would be rendered meaningless.
"Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, this..."
Ancestor Minghe was at a loss for words. He pondered whether he should send his forces from the Blood Sea to roam the Primordial Era in the future to prevent such a situation from happening again.
"Never mind, Fellow Daoist Minghe. I understand your intentions."
Xu Fang patted Ancestor Minghe on the shoulder, then looked at the other great beings gathered around him and spoke loudly.
"Not only Fellow Daoist Minghe, but I, Xu Fang, will also not forget the kindness of all you fellow Daoists. I thank you all here!"
As he spoke, Xu Fang clasped his hands in a salute, expressing his gratitude.
These great beings were truly trustworthy. When trouble arose, they stepped forward, making his past bestowal of fortuitous encounters worthwhile.
Zhen Yuanzi and the others, seeing this, also returned the salutes and spoke.
"It is nothing. Fellow Daoist Xu Fang has shown us great kindness. How can we possibly forget it?"
"Precisely. A true man remembers both favors and grudges. This is the true nature of a great being in the Primordial Era!"
"Indeed. This is far better than those who received Fellow Daoist Xu Fang's kindness and then repaid him with enmity. Ptooey!"
Even while exchanging pleasantries with Xu Fang, Zhen Yuanzi and the others did not forget to criticize Dong Huang Tai Yi.
Already enraged, Dong Huang Tai Yi could not stand hearing this and immediately scoffed loudly.
"Hmph! Even with three factions united, you are still no match for our Demon Clan. What right do you have to be calling each other 'fellow Daoists' here?"
"Do not worry. Very soon, you will all be joining your 'fellow Daoist' Xu Fang in his doom!"
Dong Huang Tai Yi was incandescent with anger. These individuals, all because of Xu Fang, were now opposing the Demon Clan. They truly did not hold the Demon Clan in any regard!
Ancestor Minghe, already vexed by the inability of the Blood Sea to mobilize its forces, became incensed by Dong Huang Tai Yi's taunts and retorted loudly.
"Dong Huang Tai Yi, stop your empty boasts! We are at a stalemate now. What can you do to us?"
Although his Blood Sea was too far away to send troops to aid Xu Fang against the Demon Clan, the Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, and Immortal Court were currently locked in an equal struggle with the Demon Clan. It was clearly impossible for Dong Huang Tai Yi and the Demon Clan to bypass these three factions and deal with them.
The other observing great beings remained silent, implicitly agreeing.
With the four major factions in a chaotic battle, it was already impressive that the Demon Clan could hold its own against three.
In this stalemate, Dong Huang Tai Yi's words, though fierce, were merely bluster, just as Ancestor Minghe had said.
However, Ancestor Minghe's words did not enrage Dong Huang Tai Yi to the point of losing composure. Instead, he chuckled heartily.
"No way, no way. Do you truly believe our Demon Clan would simply give up on such a significant matter as Penglai Immortal Island?"
"You underestimate Dong Huang Tai Yi, and you underestimate our Demon Clan!"
"Let me tell you, Penglai Immortal Island belongs to our Demon Clan. The Demon Clan is determined to obtain it! As for all of you, every single one who opposes the Demon Clan will be slain without mercy!"
Dong Huang Tai Yi glared fiercely at Xu Fang and his group,霸气-ly declaring their impending doom.
As Dong Huang Tai Yi finished speaking, Ancestor Minghe and the others were naturally indignant and were about to retort.
But at that very moment, one of the observing great beings pointed in a direction and exclaimed in alarm.
"Look! What are those dense masses? It's the Demon Clan!"
Everyone followed the direction of the finger and indeed, the horizon was teeming with dark shapes. They were all figures of the Demon Clan.
They were surging forward like a tide, advancing towards them!