According to Xu Fang’s thoughts, Yang Mei, as a top-tier existence in the Primordial Era, would naturally have a similarly top-tier circle of friends.
However, most of these powerful beings had perished during the conflict between Dao and Demon, becoming sacrifices for the Demon Ancestor Luohu.
Yang Mei’s undertaking was immense, requiring a correspondingly enormous amount of manpower.
Xu Fang was genuinely curious. Apart from the one seated in Zixiao Palace, what other considerable existences could be found in the Primordial Era to aid Yang Mei?
"This..."
Seeing Xu Fang’s face full of curiosity, Yang Mei suddenly found himself at a loss for words.
When it came to this matter, Yang Mei appeared quite embarrassed. He had spoken casually, not truly having many beings who could assist him.
Who could have known that Xu Fang would be so persistent in his questioning?
He couldn’t possibly say that he sensed Xu Fang's uniqueness and had pinned all his hopes on him, could he?
While this was the truth, if he were to say it, especially while maintaining his senior demeanor, wouldn't that be a loss of face?
Observing Yang Mei’s hesitation, Xu Fang immediately chuckled.
"Immortal Yang Mei, you seem like a sincere person, yet you actually want to trick me into a suicide mission!"
These words made Yang Mei’s face flush red, and he quickly retorted.
"Can matters of a senior be called trickery? This is called high hopes and expectations, understand?"
"Speaking of which, Xu Fang, I am a senior, and I even gave you such a grand见面礼 (meeting gift). It’s pointless for you to taunt me like this!"
Hearing this, Xu Fang became even more certain of Yang Mei’s intentions. This fellow truly wanted to use him as cannon fodder!
"If you weren't a senior, and if it weren't for this great gift, do you think I'd be wasting my breath on you now?"
Xu Fang suppressed the anger in his heart and said.
"Immortal Yang Mei, putting other things aside, if you want me to consider it, you must at least show me some sign of hope, right?"
"Otherwise, I'll return the Dao Seed to you. We'll be even, as if we never met, alright?"
As Xu Fang spoke, he made a move as if to take out the Dao Seed from his person and return it to Yang Mei.
If Yang Mei was not sincere, this wicked old man was truly despicable. Even if the Dao Seed was precious, Xu Fang did not wish to entangle himself in karma with this fellow because of it. It was best to cut ties decisively.
"Don't be in a hurry, don't be in a hurry. Sigh, forget it!"
Seeing this, Yang Mei quickly waved his hand to stop Xu Fang. Noticing Xu Fang’s unyielding stance, he sighed helplessly.
"Fine, I happen to have a friend here. I'll have him come out and meet you!"
"You should have said so earlier! I really thought you were colluding with that one in Zixiao Palace."
Xu Fang complained. He was eager to see what kind of allies Yang Mei had gathered over the years.
Yang Mei said no more. With a grand wave of his hand, the colossal willow wood erupted with dazzling light. Xu Fang looked up and saw that the solid branches were slowly opening.
Before long, within the radiance, a figure emerged.
At this moment, the figure sat cross-legged with eyes closed, within the massive willow wood, appearing serene and utterly peaceful.
Xu Fang peered through the light and, upon a closer look, was so startled that he jumped up.
"Dao Ancestor Hongjun!"
Xu Fang exclaimed. Who else could this figure emerging from the hollow willow wood be but Dao Ancestor Hongjun!
Xu Fang had listened to the Dao in Zixiao Palace. Although his seating position was towards the rear, he remembered Dao Ancestor Hongjun with absolute clarity.
Therefore, upon seeing this figure, Xu Fang felt utterly incredulous. He quickly rubbed his eyes and looked again.
The appearance, the face – it was indeed Dao Ancestor Hongjun!
"This!"
Xu Fang was dumbfounded. In an instant, countless thoughts swirled in his mind.
Why wasn't Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who was seated in Zixiao Palace, appearing in Yang Mei’s space?
Could it be that Yang Mei, despite his benevolent appearance, had also pledged allegiance to the Heavenly Dao and was setting a trap for him?
Thinking this, Xu Fang was filled with panic and was about to use the chat group, expending all his system energy to escape.
However, before Xu Fang could act, Yang Mei spoke to stop him.
"Xu Fang, do not panic! This is what you wished to see. I am merely complying with your request."
"As I suspected, my guess was correct. You really are colluding with that one in Zixiao Palace!"
"We have always been colluding, haven't we? No, we have always had a connection. Forget it, this is hard to explain. You should observe this Hongjun carefully."
Unable to explain clearly to Xu Fang, Yang Mei then flew up, landed before the seated Hongjun, and directly began to attack.
His fists and kicks rained down like a torrent. However, Hongjun remained seated, unmoving like a mountain, no matter how fiercely Yang Mei displayed his power. He didn't even utter a sound, as if he felt nothing.
"This..."
Xu Fang watched, wide-eyed. When did Dao Ancestor Hongjun become so good-tempered, allowing himself to be beaten and kicked at will?
"Xu Fang, the Hongjun before you is not the Dao Ancestor seated in Zixiao Palace, but merely Hongjun."
Yang Mei paused his attack, a hint of amusement in his eyes, and began to explain. However, this explanation only made Xu Fang more confused. What exactly was going on?
Seeing this, Yang Mei patiently explained to Xu Fang.
"When Hongjun achieved sainthood, the Heavenly Dao tested him, commanding him to abandon all desires and emotions. Hongjun transformed all his desires into countless fragments, which scattered throughout the Primordial Era."
"I collected these fragments of desire and reassembled them, creating an entirely new Hongjun."
Listening to Yang Mei’s words, Xu Fang nodded. No wonder this one was so passive, allowing himself to be beaten and kicked. It turned out he was merely a creation from the Dao Ancestor Hongjun's discarded fragments!
He only possessed Hongjun's form but was not the one seated in Zixiao Palace at all.
Xu Fang had some recollection of Yang Mei collecting Hongjun's desire fragments.
If he remembered correctly, this individual had collected these desire fragments and coincidentally discovered the Heavenly Law, which was suppressed by the Heavenly Dao. He had then guided it to the peak of Buzhou Mountain, becoming the "one that escapes."
Xu Fang finally understood the situation. However, his gaze towards Yang Mei became even more speechless.
Yang Mei’s practiced and merciless attacks suggested that he had engaged in such activities privately quite often.
This had a hint of personal vendetta involved!
However, this had nothing to do with Xu Fang. Xu Fang was only concerned about one matter.
"So, Immortal Yang Mei, you went through all this trouble, collecting Hongjun's desire fragments and piecing together a Hongjun. Surely it wasn't just to beat him up whenever you were displeased, right?"
"Naturally!"
Yang Mei replied, casually knocking Hongjun's head askew, and then chuckled.
"I am also thinking for Hongjun’s sake. Hongjun abandoned his desires to merge with the Dao, no longer the Hongjun he once was."
"By collecting these desire fragments, I have left him a path of retreat and also gained a significant helper for myself."
Xu Fang looked at the crooked-headed Hongjun and immediately burst into laughter.
Just this?
Yang Mei saw Xu Fang’s disdain but paid it no mind. Instead, he reached out and straightened Hongjun’s head, saying with full confidence.
"Xu Fang, you need not disbelieve."
"When necessary, the Hongjun before us can awaken. Not in the capacity of the Dao Ancestor Hongjun who merged with the Heavenly Dao, but as the Chaos Demon God Hongjun!"