The First Venerable of All Paths

"Brother Fang Xuan..."

Just as Li Tianjiao was about to speak, Fang Xuan shook his head at her, signaling her not to speak.

"Brother Fang Xuan, were you faking it just now?"

Li Tianjiao chose to transmit his voice.

"How else can we fool them?"

Fang Xuan replied telepathically, "These guys are all up to no good, each with their own agenda."

"But that bottle..."

Li Tianjiao was still somewhat unwilling.

"Do you really think that thing is some kind of treasure?"

Fang Xuan sneered, "This is nothing but a trap."

"trap?"

Li Tianjiao was startled and stared at Fang Xuan.

It's as if they're asking: How did you know?

I'll explain it to you in a bit.

Fang Xuan transmitted his voice, saying, "Let's not do anything now, let them fight it out."

At this moment, Nie Song's spear was entangled in spider silk, and the withered monster's attack was imminent.

Even though he was at the ninth level of the Condensation Realm, he was momentarily flustered when faced with the combined attack of the two.

Just as the bottle was about to be snatched away by the ghost child, Nie Songsong unleashed his spear and punched the withered old monster.

"Bang!"

A muffled sound rang out, and Yuan energy overflowed.

Nie Song and the withered monster each took a step back.

As soon as he regained his footing, Nie Song struck at the Ghost Child with a palm.

"You brat, you dare steal my stuff? You're asking for trouble!"

The palm strike carried a chilling killing intent.

"Blood-Refined Spider Silk, Bind!"

Poisonous Enchantress flicked her fingers in quick succession, sending several strands of spider silk whistling towards Nie Song.

The spider silk contains a deadly poison.

When a deadly poison enters the body, it can paralyze the meridians, making it impossible to use one's vital energy.

The sharp spider silk could even break Nie Song into several pieces.

"Annoying bitch!"

Seeing the spider silk coming at him, Nie Song had no choice but to dodge.

But the withered monster attacked Nie Song again, which enraged Nie Song.

"Old man, this is never going to end!"

Enraged, Nie Song unleashed his inner energy, his punches flying like the wind as he engaged in a fierce battle with the withered monster.

"Old Zheng, it seems we'll have to trouble you to lend a hand!"

During the exchange, Nie Song saw that Gui Tongzi had already stepped into the puddle and was bending down to pick up the bottle.

"Hehe, no problem."

An aged voice rang out.

Immediately afterwards, a powerful and terrifying aura descended from the sky, enveloping everyone.

"This is......"

The withered monster's expression changed, and he exclaimed in alarm, "Kid, watch out!"

But it was too late.

A withered hand emerged from the air and slammed hard onto the ghost child's chest.

"Ugh!"

The demon child let out a shrill scream and flew backward like a kite with a broken string.

"Wow!"

The demon child crashed heavily to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

His chest was sunken in.

Although he is not dead, he has completely lost his fighting ability.

The attack severely injured the Ghost Child, causing the Withered Old Monster and Poisonous Enchantress to retreat hastily, warily eyeing the attacker.

He was an old man in a green robe.

However, her complexion was rosy and her skin was like a baby's, making it impossible to determine her exact age.

However, this person's aura was in an extremely strange state.

It far surpasses the peak of the Condensation Realm, but has not yet reached the true Divine Intent Realm.

"Half-step into the Divine Realm?"

The withered monster blurted out, his eyes filled with fear.

"Old Zheng!"

Upon seeing this person, Nie Song quickly went to greet him and politely bowed.

"Um."

Old Zheng nodded, then ignored Nie Song and looked at the bottle in the puddle.

Old Zheng sighed and said, "Tsk, the Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle, it really is a good thing."

"What?"

The withered old monster exclaimed, "Is it the legendary Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle that can contain spiritual veins?"

"You do have some knowledge."

Old Zheng glanced at the withered monster and said, "Some powerful cultivators can bind and lock spirit veins, moving unclaimed spirit veins to where they are needed. But for some people, this spirit-gathering jade bottle is one of the best containers for transferring spirit veins."

"Elder Zheng, is it true that there's a spiritual vein inside this Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle?"

Nie Song said, "But what flows out of here is just ordinary spring water."

"This is naturally because the spiritual veins within are sealed."

Elder Zheng said, "To activate the spiritual veins within, we need to break the seal on the Spirit Absorption Jade Bottle."

"I see."

Nie Song pressed further, "If this is a Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle, then how was the Red Spring Lake formed?"

"this......"

Old Zheng frowned.

For a moment, I didn't know how to answer.

"I don't know the specific reason either."

Old Zheng shook his head and said, "But it doesn't matter. Getting a spiritual vein is enough to make the trip worthwhile."

Upon hearing this, Nie Song's expression changed slightly.

"Rest assured, I will not go back on my word."

Old Zheng seemed to see through Nie Song's thoughts, smiled calmly, and with a swift movement, took the Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle into his hand.

"Not bad, not bad."

Old Zheng examined the Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle and nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Although this bottle has been left here for many years, the spiritual veins within it remain intact. It is indeed a fine item."

Nie Song asked curiously, "Elder Zheng, what grade is the spiritual vein here?"

The spiritual veins are divided into nine grades.

The lowest rank is first grade, and the highest rank is ninth grade.

"Any spiritual vein that can be stored in the Spirit Storage Jade Bottle must be at least a second-grade spiritual vein."

Old Zheng laughed and said, "As far as I know, there is no family or power in the entire Northwest region that possesses a second-grade spiritual vein."

Upon hearing Old Zheng's words, everyone's expressions varied.

Without exception, their eyes burned with passion.

The value of spiritual veins is extremely high.

For personal use, it can enhance one's strength.

Selling them can yield a large amount of cultivation resources.

Many powerful families are willing to pay a huge price to purchase a spiritual vein.

Mr. Zheng was also very excited.

With this spiritual vein, he will be able to enter the realm of divine intent within a year at most.

"Congratulations, Mr. Zheng!"

Nie Song forced a smile.

If he hadn't already reached a cooperation agreement with Elder Zheng, he really wouldn't have been willing to give up this second-grade spirit pet to someone else.

As for the three old monsters, they could only sigh helplessly despite their resentment.

Facing a half-step Divine Realm expert, they had no courage whatsoever to compete with him for the spiritual vein.

Now they are worried that Old Zheng might intervene and keep the three of them here.

"Oh, I almost forgot something."

Old Zheng seemed to remember something, looked at Fang Xuan, and a faint smile appeared on his face.

"Young friend, how about we make a deal?"

Upon hearing Elder Zheng's words, everyone's expression changed, and they all looked at Fang Xuan.

Nie Song's eyes flickered, as if he had thought of something.

"What kind of deal do you wish to make with me, senior?"

Fang Xuan remained calm and gestured to Li Tianjiao not to be nervous.

"I'm quite interested in that earth fire in your hand."

Old Zheng smiled kindly and said, "If you are willing to give it to me, I will definitely give you a satisfactory price."

Even though he had already guessed it, Nie Song was still shocked when he heard these words.

really.

Old Zheng really has his eye on Fang Xuan's earth fire.

The three withered monsters looked at Fang Xuan with eyes full of schadenfreude.

Old Zheng's tone just now sounded more like a threat than a discussion.

Li Tianjiao's face turned extremely ugly as he glared angrily at Old Zheng.

Once the earth fire is subdued, taking it out again would have a huge impact on Fang Xuan's martial arts foundation.

In severe cases, it could cause Fang Xuan's cultivation to stop here.

Protecting Li Tianjiao behind him, Fang Xuan said in a calm tone, "Senior is really joking."

This can be considered a disguised rejection.

"You don't want to?"

Old Zheng's smile remained unchanged as he chuckled and said, "That's such a pity."

Anyone with half a brain could sense the anger in Old Zheng's tone.

"The three of you."

Old Zheng looked at the three withered monsters and said in a calm tone, "I'll give you a chance. Capture that kid, and I'll let you go."

"this......"

The withered old monster hesitated.

Of course, he was just faking it.

After all, he had no other choice.

"Young man, listen to your sister's advice."

Poisonous Enchantress chuckled and said, "Hand over the Earth Fire, and you'll suffer less."

"Why waste your breath on him?"

The ghost child said impatiently, "Kill him, and that old man will get the earth fire. I can even use his essence, blood, and soul to heal my wounds!"

He was seriously injured by Old Zheng just now.

I urgently need my essence and blood to heal my wounds.

"You dare!"

Li Tianjiao circulated his inner energy and said coldly, "Did you dare to touch Brother Fang Xuan after asking me?"

"And you, you old scoundrel!"

Li Tianjiao looked at Old Zheng and said, "At your age, have you lost all sense of shame? You still want to seize things by force!"

"presumptuous!"

Old Zheng's face darkened, and a terrifying aura emanated from him.

"Is it any of your business how I act?"

After saying that, a terrifying aura of pressure pressed down on Li Tianjiao.

"snort!"

Li Tianjiao groaned and staggered, but remained standing firmly.

Within her body, an aura of the Qi Condensation Realm was immediately released.

"A mere ant at the Qi Condensation Realm dares to be arrogant before me? He's truly courting death!"

Old Zheng's gaze was icy cold as he said menacingly, "Since you're courting death, I'll grant your wish!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Old Zheng raised his palm and pressed it down heavily on Li Tianjiao.

The power of half elemental force and half spiritual force condensed into a palm and slapped towards Li Tianjiao.

Just as Li Tianjiao was about to intervene, Fang Xuan pulled him back quickly.

"Boom!"

The palm landed on the ground, leaving a clear palm print.

"The speed is not bad."

Old Zheng chuckled, "Unfortunately, in front of me, they are nothing but a joke."

Just as Old Zheng was about to make another move, Fang Xuan sneered, "Old bastard, you'd better take care of yourself first."

Just as Old Zheng was about to speak, the Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle in his hand began to tremble violently.

"Buzzing!"

A terrifying suction force suddenly surged out from the Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle.

then.

Old Zheng was horrified to see a large amount of red mist descend from the sky and enter the Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle.

Upon seeing this, everyone gasped in surprise, their faces filled with terror.

Because this red mist was actually cast down from the blood moon.

"The blood moon...has not disappeared!"

A look of fear flashed across Nie Song's face, and he instinctively moved a little further away from Old Zheng.

As the red mist entered the Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle, the entire bottle began to turn blood red.

"Oh no! This Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle is actually devouring my life essence!"

Just as Old Zheng was about to throw the Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle away, he found that the bottle seemed to be welded to his hand, and at the same time, it was frantically absorbing the essence and blood in his body.

This startled Old Zheng, and a look of horror appeared in his eyes.

"This isn't a Spirit-Gathering Jade Bottle, so what is this?!"