Without hesitation, Xu Fang accepted the deep bow from the Qilin tribesmen. He had aided the Qilin tribe greatly, in a way that was akin to their rebirth. He was worthy of this reverence, and he considered it a settling of karma.
"Alright, you may rise! He will explain the relevant matters to you. Take him back!"
Xu Fang waved his hand, signaling the Qilin tribesmen to stand. He then channeled a strand of magical power, bringing the little Qilin down from the Treasure Distribution Rock.
"Senior, I don't want to leave you!"
The little Qilin sensed that something was amiss and struggled with all its might. However, it was no match for Xu Fang's magical power and was sent to Mo Yu Qilin.
Ignoring the approaching Mo Yu Qilin, the little Qilin threw the Qilin Seal to the two unreliable princes and then shouted loudly towards Xu Fang.
"Senior, I don't want to leave you, or Big Bird Brother and Little Dragon Sister!"
"Senior, I've given them the Qilin Seal. I demand to rejoin the team!"
The little Qilin cried out repeatedly. Following Senior Xu Fang on treasure hunts and roaming around had become its greatest joy in its immortal life. How could it possibly leave now?
Seeing the little Qilin like this, the Golden-Winged Great Peng Sculpture and Ao Xue could not bear it.
"Senior..."
The Golden-Winged Great Peng Sculpture and Ao Xue hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping themselves. They had spent so much time with this little one and had grown accustomed to its presence.
Now that their little companion was about to leave, they were naturally reluctant. A thousand words surged in their hearts, making it difficult to articulate them all at once.
Xu Fang also felt a pang of reluctance to part with the little Qilin, but in the end, he shook his head resolutely.
"Little Qilin, you should return to your people! The Qilin tribe's legacy rests with you. Do you intend to disappoint the expectations of the First Qilin?"
As Xu Fang spoke these words, Mo Yu Qilin and the assembled Qilin tribesmen's eyes widened in surprise and delight.
So, this retrieval was not just about the Qilin Seal but also about the legacy of the Qilin tribe!
The Qilin tribe had been in decline precisely because they couldn't gather the celestial fortune and lacked their legacy.
Now that both these crucial elements had been recovered, how could the Qilin tribe remain so down and out in the future?
At this point, their gazes upon the little Qilin shone with newfound brilliance. There was no way they would let it leave now.
"Thank you, Daoist Xu Fang!"
"Daoist Xu Fang, no need for further words. From this day forward, no matter what happens, the Qilin tribe will stand by you to the very end!"
Mo Yu Qilin suppressed his excitement and casually held down the restless little Qilin.
There was nothing more to say. The facts had already proven that as long as they followed Daoist Xu Fang, the Qilin tribe would undoubtedly rise again because of Daoist Xu Fang!
Hearing Xu Fang say this, the little Qilin could only nod silently, implicitly agreeing.
However, looking at the glowing eyes of its tribesmen, the little Qilin's heart sank. They were all Qilin, yet it felt as if it were a lamb entering a wolf's den!
"Little Qilin, no, Blackish-Dark Qilin, there will be a time when we meet again. I hope that when we do, you can introduce yourself with confidence."
Xu Fang bid the little Qilin a final farewell and waved his hand.
Mo Yu Qilin expressed his deepest gratitude and joyfully led the little Qilin away.
With the Qilin tribe's legacy recovered, they had much to comprehend!
The Golden-Winged Great Peng Sculpture and Ao Xue watched the little Qilin depart, sadness etched on their faces as they sighed with emotion.
Xu Fang also felt a sense of loss. Although he had said there would be a time when they would meet again, the Primordial Era was vast, and the little Qilin had completed its mission for the Qilin tribe. He wondered if there would truly be another chance to meet.
Just as Xu Fang was lost in his somber thoughts, a voice echoed.
"Daoist Xu Fang, what a clever plan. This has certainly won the Qilin tribe's complete allegiance."
Hearing the voice, Xu Fang snapped back to attention and chuckled.
"Daoist Houtu, don't joke. Others might not know me, but you do. Do I have such intentions?"
"Just a jest, Daoist Xu Fang. Please forgive me."
Houtu also chuckled. Xu Fang's consistent demeanor indicated that he had no interest in the endless conflicts of the Primordial Era, only wishing for a carefree immortal life. He certainly wouldn't harbor any thoughts of gathering the three tribes to dominate the Primordial Heaven and Earth.
However, Houtu's tone then shifted.
"If all beings in the Primordial Era thought like Daoist Xu Fang and only wished to be carefree immortals, why would there be so much strife?"
Hearing this, Xu Fang's smile widened.
If other beings said this, it might be acceptable. But for you, a Ancestral Witch of the Wu tribe, to say such a thing was rather preposterous!
Everyone knew that it was precisely the continuous conflict between the Wu and Yao tribes that had plunged the Primordial Heaven and Earth into constant warfare.
Houtu, observing Xu Fang's smile, understood his thoughts and sighed.
"I know that these words coming from my mouth are indeed inappropriate."
"However, whenever I witness the tragic deaths of living beings, I can't help but think this way."
"Especially when I see their souls wandering lost and desolate in the Primordial Heaven and Earth after death, my heart aches with compassion!"
As Houtu spoke, her expression turned cold, filled with pity.
These thoughts had long resided within her, constantly troubling her.
Yet, as an Ancestral Witch of the Wu tribe, she felt too embarrassed to voice them to her fellow Ancestral Witches. Any such utterance would likely be met with ridicule, and they would merely consider her their peculiar sister.
However, these thoughts weighed heavily on her heart, making Houtu increasingly melancholic and dispirited.
Especially as the conflict between the Wu and Yao tribes intensified, the scenes she witnessed became more frequent, making it impossible for Houtu to suppress these notions.
Houtu even had a peculiar sensation, as if a voice within her was calling her, urging her to do something.
This left Houtu utterly bewildered and burdened, making her quite absent-minded.
At this moment, taking advantage of the opening in their conversation, she began to speak torrentially, pouring out her heart to Xu Fang.
As Xu Fang listened to Houtu's words, his initial amusement gradually gave way to a solemn expression, and he gazed at Houtu intently.
Sensing Xu Fang's gaze, Houtu felt a touch of embarrassment and stopped speaking, offering an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, I've been speaking nonsense. Daoist Xu Fang, please don't mind!"
"Daoist Houtu, you mustn't think that way. I believe your thoughts are excellent!"
Xu Fang waved his hands repeatedly. How could he dare to call Houtu's words nonsense? At this moment, Houtu was not speaking nonsense at all; she was on the verge of comprehending the Great Dao of Life and Death Reincarnation.
And the so-called voice calling within her heart was absolutely not a delusion; it was the Earthly Dao summoning her!
In the Primordial Heaven and Earth, there was not just the Heavenly Dao; rather, the Heaven, Earth, and Human Daos existed in parallel. It was just that the Heavenly Dao had manifested first, suppressing the other two.
These Heaven, Earth, and Human Daos were all beings of unparalleled existence, and Houtu was the chosen spokesperson of the Earthly Dao. How could Xu Fang dare to deny it?
Furthermore, not only would Xu Fang not deny it, but given his friendship with Houtu, he intended to further propel her, to help Houtu achieve enlightenment!