The Supreme Saint, the matter most discussed by all beings in the Primordial Era, was not Tai Shang achieving sainthood, but Xu Fang's assistance in his ascension.
This caused not only widespread gossip among the beings of the Primordial Era but also endless speculation among the great powers of heaven and earth.
Among them, those who were designated future saints by the Dao Ancestor Hongjun had extraordinary thoughts.
At this moment, atop Kunlun Mountain, Yuan Shi and Tong Tian stood on Qilin Cliff. Through the vision of heaven and earth, they saw Tai Shang finally achieve his long-cherished wish and become a saint, filling them with excitement.
"Wonderful! Elder Brother Tai Shang has finally become a saint, congratulations!"
"With Senior Brother Tai Shang becoming a saint, the day we become saints should not be far off, right?"
Their excitement was not merely for their elder brother's long-held aspiration finally being fulfilled.
It was also because, through Tai Shang, they saw hope and the key to becoming a saint.
"What is this Primordial Violet Qi? This thing is all a pretense. The most important thing is for Fellow Daoist Xu Fang to show us the way!"
Tong Tian spoke, his words already devaluing the Primordial Violet Qi to worthlessness.
Yuan Shi frowned slightly at this, but after thinking for a while, he found himself unable to refute Tong Tian.
Tong Tian was right. The lecture in Zixiao Palace had ended, and they had possessed this Primordial Violet Qi for who knew how many years without any progress.
Yet, their elder brother Tai Shang had merely visited the human race and, with the help and witness of Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, directly achieved sainthood.
In this process, the assistance of Fellow Daoist Xu Fang was undoubtedly indispensable, even holding significant weight.
Recalling the matters of Nuwa and Houtu achieving sainthood, Yuan Shi found himself unable to utter any further refutation to Tong Tian. Instead, he nodded repeatedly, his face full of agreement.
"Tong Tian, you are right. It seems the key to becoming a saint lies in obtaining the help of Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, and it must be witnessed by him."
"Second Brother, you speak the truth. I see the path to our sainthood through this!"
Tong Tian was overjoyed, finding rare unity of mind and opinion with Yuan Shi.
"Speaking of which, we are on good terms with Fellow Daoist Xu Fang. If he could help Elder Brother Tai Shang, how could he not help us?"
Yuan Shi spoke, filled with confidence in seeking Xu Fang's help.
"Haha! That's quite right."
Tong Tian nodded in agreement repeatedly, then his laughter grew even merrier, with a touch of unkindness.
"Speaking of which, those two from the West, their relationship with Fellow Daoist Xu Fang was so good. How much must they regret and suffer now!"
Yuan Shi listened to Tong Tian's words and, thinking of Xu Fang's interactions with them, felt a desire to pity them, but then he also joined in the uncharitable laughter.
Facts had proven that the key to sainthood was Fellow Daoist Xu Fang. As for those two in the West, alas, haha!
At the same time, on Mount Sumeru in the West, Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren looked at each other, speechless.
After a long silence, Jie Yin Dao Ren sighed and spoke first.
"Junior Brother Zhun Ti, do you think we still have a chance to curry favor with Xu Fang now?"
"What do you think?"
Zhun Ti Dao Ren looked at Jie Yin Dao Ren with a bitter expression and asked back.
Facts spoke louder than words. Helping three saints achieve sainthood had fully demonstrated Xu Fang's capabilities. The titles of "Sainthood Instructor" and "Sainthood Witness" were well-deserved.
If they wanted to become saints, they would likely have to go through Xu Fang.
However, the moment they thought of the relationship between their Western sect and Xu Fang, Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren felt like crying without tears.
Who knew this fellow Xu Fang had such a profound connection with sainthood? If they had known earlier, they would have revered Xu Fang and even given him the leadership of the West!
But now, spilled water could not be retrieved. All they had was endless regret.
Jie Yin Dao Ren thought of this and sighed helplessly.
"I used to be very afraid of Xu Fang coming to the West, but now, how I wish Xu Fang would come to the West!"
Zhun Ti Dao Ren did not reply, looking at the high heavens with a wry smile.
Jie Yin Dao Ren also wore a worried expression, looking at the sky, silent like Zhun Ti Dao Ren.
Why did the one in Zixiao Palace not reveal anything about such important matters?
If he had even uttered a single word, they would not have provoked and offended Xu Fang like this.
Now, they had completely offended Xu Fang. With the Primordial Violet Qi in hand, how could they become saints without Xu Fang's help and witness?
Meanwhile, Dao Ancestor Hongjun, who was being complained about by Zhun Ti Dao Ren and Jie Yin Dao Ren, sat in Zixiao Palace, also utterly bewildered.
"Sainthood Instructor? Sainthood Witness?"
Tai Shang's achievement of sainthood was something Dao Ancestor Hongjun had always been concerned about. This time, with Tai Shang becoming a saint, he naturally paid extremely close attention.
Furthermore, as a saint he had personally designated, Dao Ancestor Hongjun did not wish for any rumors of achieving sainthood through merits to spread, even if he himself had personally guided Tai Shang.
Therefore, after Tai Shang became a saint, Hongjun observed the Primordial Era and prepared to use necessary means to quell such nascent trends.
However, he heard nothing about borrowing merits. Instead, these two titles instantly spread throughout the Primordial Era, quickly overshadowing the news of Tai Shang's sainthood.
Moreover, as beings propagated these titles, they treated them as his own arrangements. At present, all beings in the Primordial Era firmly believed that it was he who had bestowed this identity upon Xu Fang, assisting and witnessing the birth of saints.
"How is this possible? I never made such arrangements!"
Dao Ancestor Hongjun shook his head repeatedly. Although Xu Fang seemed to be quite prominent in the Primordial Era, he truly had no such plans.
Could it be that person...
"You have no such arrangement, nor do I."
A voice echoed in Hongjun's mind, responding to him. Hongjun's body stiffened, and he quickly corrected his posture.
"Then how should we deal with Xu Fang obtaining such undeserved fame? Perhaps we should eliminate him?"
The power of the Heavenly Dao came and went without a trace. Fortunately, he had not had any other thoughts just now, or it would have been disastrous.
"Eliminating him is somewhat difficult. His mark on the Primordial Era is too deep."
That voice rejected Hongjun's suggestion and then continued.
"It's alright. Xu Fang is merely a passerby. With the six saints in place, heaven and earth will be within our control. He cannot stir up any waves."
That voice continued, not dwelling on the matter, but issuing instructions.
"Tai Shang has already become a saint. Quickly let the remaining few become saints. I feel a power rising in the Primordial Era."
Dao Ancestor Hongjun quickly acknowledged the instruction. After the Heavenly Dao finished speaking, it disappeared.
Confirming that the Heavenly Dao had truly left, Dao Ancestor Hongjun felt a sense of relief and let out a breath.
"Xu Fang, oh Xu Fang, if you continue to be so high-profile, I truly won't be able to protect you."
If Xu Fang remained so ostentatious, it would easily provoke the jealousy of the Heavenly Dao.
Fortunately, the Heavenly Dao was arrogant and did not take Xu Fang seriously.
"I don't know how much longer I can hold on!"
Dao Ancestor Hongjun felt quite powerless at this moment, unsure if he could even hold on until the time of transcendence mentioned by Yang Mei.
However, judging by the Heavenly Dao's words, Yang Mei should have begun his actions and likely already contacted Xu Fang.
Since that was the case, he should be able to hold on a little longer, haha!