Recognizing the gravity of Xu Fang's words, Kong Xuan and the Golden-Winged Great Peng both halted their actions.
"Thank you, Daoist friend, for the reminder. We nearly brought ruin to the Phoenix Clan!"
"Indeed, it is Senior who possesses foresight!"
Kong Xuan and the Golden-Winged Great Peng cupped their hands in thanks to Xu Fang. However, as they gazed at the immortal volcano where the battle had already commenced, they couldn't help but frown.
"With the demon race's relentless assault, even if the Phoenix Clan can temporarily defend with the Immortal Volcano formation, it will eventually be breached!"
Kong Xuan spoke, his assessment of the current situation grim. While the Immortal Volcano formation had momentarily halted the demon race's advance, it was only a temporary reprieve. The demon forces present far outnumbered the Phoenix Clan members, and with the severely damaged Immortal Volcano formation, the Phoenix Clan couldn't hold out for long.
Yet, even if they joined the battle now, as Xu Fang had pointed out, their contribution would be like a drop in the ocean. Only if they all possessed the realm of a Quasi-Saint could they disregard the vast disparity in troop numbers and decisively turn the tide.
"Yes, Elder Brother, we must quickly find a solution!"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng was also extremely anxious, looking at Xu Fang as he spoke.
"Senior, you are knowledgeable and full of ideas. Do you have any brilliant strategies to lend the Phoenix Clan a hand?"
This senior, calm and prudent, was someone the Golden-Winged Great Peng had always admired. Seeing his elder brother Kong Xuan at a loss, he naturally placed his hopes on Xu Fang.
Hearing this, Kong Xuan also looked over, speaking hastily.
"Yes, please, Daoist friend, do not hesitate to impart your wisdom and help us!"
This Daoist friend Xu Fang remained composed in the face of great adversity and had just curbed their impulsive actions. Kong Xuan naturally placed high hopes on him.
Xu Fang sighed inwardly. He had come to the Phoenix Clan as a guest, only to coincidentally encounter the demon race's attempt to conquer them. However, since the situation had arisen, and his relationship with the brothers Kong Xuan and Golden-Winged Great Peng was good, Xu Fang naturally had to find a way to help them.
After a period of contemplation, Xu Fang spoke.
"The Phoenix Clan's greatest reliance now is the Immortal Volcano formation. If this formation can be strengthened, it can not only withstand the demon race's current offensive but also ensure peace for generations to come."
"Otherwise, merely repelling the demon race will only lead to their return and endless harassment."
Kong Xuan and the Golden-Winged Great Peng nodded in agreement.
Indeed, looking at the demon race's posture, one or two setbacks would not extinguish their ambitions. Driving them back would only be a temporary victory, a cure for the symptoms but not the root cause.
"Strengthen the formation?"
Kong Xuan pondered, silently recalling memories of the Immortal Volcano formation.
"This Immortal Volcano formation was formed naturally. After our Phoenix Clan occupied the Immortal Volcano, we also made improvements to make it serve our clan."
"However, the method our ancestors adopted was to link the formation with the Phoenix Clan's destiny."
When the innate formation was refined, the Phoenix Clan was at its peak, their destiny unparalleled. They had leveraged this destiny to connect with the formation.
Xu Fang understood the intentions of the Phoenix ancestors. As long as the Phoenix Clan continued to thrive, the formation would also endure, forever protecting them. This was indeed an exquisite method, but they had never anticipated that the Phoenix Clan would one day decline to such an extent.
Now, with only a fraction of their original numbers remaining, and most of the subordinate avian tribes having defected to the demon race, there were insufficient remnants to coalesce enough destiny to empower the Immortal Volcano formation as it once was.
"So, destiny was their salvation, and destiny is also their downfall. How could our ancestors have foreseen that the Phoenix Clan would reach this state today!"
Kong Xuan sighed repeatedly. It was now exceedingly difficult for the Phoenix Clan to gather enough destiny to empower the Immortal Volcano formation.
Xu Fang was also at a loss. Even if they had found a direction, there was no path forward. It was like a skilled cook unable to prepare a meal without ingredients.
Seeing their silence, the Golden-Winged Great Peng, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke.
"Elder Brother, why don't you ascend the throne right here and be crowned Emperor?"
Xu Fang's eyes lit up at this suggestion.
"Great bird, your proposal is excellent! This way, Kong Xuan, as the leader of the Phoenix Clan, can consolidate destiny and strengthen the formation!"
Since Yuan Feng's death, the position of Phoenix Clan leader had been vacant. With the clan lacking unity, it was naturally difficult to gather destiny. If Kong Xuan, as a descendant of Yuan Feng's bloodline, were to rally the troops and ascend the throne now, he would undoubtedly be met with widespread support. At that point, with the Phoenix Clan's destiny empowering the formation, the demon race would have no choice but to retreat.
Kong Xuan's face also lit up with joy, but the expression vanished as quickly as it appeared. Facing the expectant gazes of Xu Fang and the Golden-Winged Great Peng, he shook his head.
"This method is feasible, but there is not enough time. Moreover, the demon race will not stand idly by while we act, alas!"
Xu Fang and the Golden-Winged Great Peng understood. While this method was viable, becoming an emperor was not a trivial matter. Did they really think a few shouts would suffice to have the Phoenix Clan pay homage? An auspicious date must be chosen, heaven and earth announced, and all beings informed. Furthermore, with the demon race watching menacingly, they would never allow Kong Xuan to succeed.
"This won't work, that won't work either. Are we just going to watch the Phoenix Clan perish?"
The Golden-Winged Great Peng cried out, "Why don't we just charge in? At least it would be worthy of the blood flowing through my veins!"
As he spoke, the Golden-Winged Great Peng immediately prepared to spread his wings and charge out.
Xu Fang and Kong Xuan each grabbed a wing, pinning the Golden-Winged Great Peng to the ground.
"What are you rushing for? Are you just looking to die like this?"
"Big bird, you're a mature bird now. Can you stop being so impetuous?"
After Xu Fang and Kong Xuan admonished the Golden-Winged Great Peng, Xu Fang turned to Kong Xuan and asked.
"Do you, among the Phoenix Clan, have anything that can quickly gather destiny? Perhaps a magical artifact, or a token from Yuan Feng?"
Since everyone was struggling to come up with a plan, Xu Fang naturally thought of relying on his system to see if he could find such a treasure.
Kong Xuan pondered for a moment before quickly answering.
"Actually, there was once such a treasure."
"What treasure?"
Xu Fang eagerly pressed, a treasure was good! There was no treasure in this world that he couldn't find!
"Alas, that treasure was originally the ultimate treasure of the Phoenix Clan, held by Yuan Feng, the ancestor. It was the vessel that carried and condensed the destiny of the Phoenix Clan."
Kong Xuan spoke of this with a look of dejected sorrow.
"However, when Yuan Feng perished, this treasure vanished without a trace."
A smile appeared on Xu Fang's face. Vanished without a trace? Heh heh, my treasure map is not for show. As long as it hasn't been destroyed, I can retrieve it and bring it back into the light!