The First Venerable of All Paths

In mid-air.

A frenzied roar, and the sword energy hurtled forward.

After the initial excitement and tension, Li Xintong has calmed down.

However, her face still held a blush of embarrassment.

Because the two were very close together, Li Xintong could even feel the scorching heat emanating from Fang Xuan.

"Fang Xuan, I..."

Li Xintong spoke softly, her waist held tightly by Fang Xuan. This intimate gesture made her feel weak all over, as if all her strength had been drained away.

"Hang in there a little longer!"

Fang Xuan assumed that Li Xintong was not used to flying on a sword, so he headed straight for the distant mountains.

This place is a hundred miles away from Mingyang County.

Although the mountain range is quite large, it will not be an easy task for the Ming family to find him.

"Let's rest here for a while."

Fang Xuan also suffered considerable losses in this battle.

The Yuan energy within the body is now less than 10%.

"good......"

As soon as Li Xintong was released, her body went limp, and she collapsed headfirst into the mountainside below.

Fang Xuan's expression changed, and he rode his sword to catch up with her, pulling Li Xintong into his arms.

However, Li Xintong had already lost consciousness.

Fang Xuan also noticed that Li Xintong's face was not only deathly pale, but her body was also trembling slightly, as if she was enduring some kind of intense pain.

"Soul leakage? This indicates damage to the sea of ​​consciousness!"

Fang Xuan had not expected that Li Xintong's soul was so severely damaged, even affecting her sea of ​​consciousness.

Damage to the soul is not so bad; as long as the right pills or certain special medicinal herbs are found, it can at least be easily repaired.

However, if the sea of ​​consciousness is damaged, then the foundation is compromised.

If the problem cannot be solved, at best, one's cultivation will be completely ruined, rendering them a cripple.

In severe cases... one might become mentally impaired or even perish.

Either way, it's an unacceptable situation for anyone.

Not to mention, she's a genius Soul Master like Li Xintong.

"You silly girl, why are you working so hard?"

Fang Xuan knew that Li Xintong had fainted because she had shielded him from Ming Zhang's knife.

Sensing that Li Xintong's soul was still dissipating, Fang Xuan dared not delay. He found a relatively safe place and landed on his sword.

"hiss!"

As soon as he landed on the ground, a giant, mottled python opened its blood-red maw and lunged at Fang Xuan.

Even before getting close, the pungent, fishy smell made Fang Xuan want to vomit.

Just as Fang Xuan was about to use his movement technique to dodge, he found that his internal energy had been completely depleted, and he was frozen in place, unable to move.

"laugh!"

Just as Fang Xuan was about to have his neck bitten off by the giant python, the snake-shaped bracelet on Fang Xuan's wrist suddenly burst into a blood-red light, enveloping the giant python.

"Awooo!"

The giant python let out a painful howl, and its massive body melted away like snow, turning into a stream of pure blood and energy that entered the bracelet.

In the blink of an eye, the colorful python, which was more than ten meters long, disappeared completely, leaving not even a trace of its bones.

"I need to sleep for a while, so don't wake me unless necessary."

The voice of the Demon Emperor Chi Lin echoed in his mind.

Fang Xuan curled his lip.

Since its last appearance in Red Spring Town, Crimson Scale has been in a state of slumber.

However, he deliberately reminded Fang Xuan that his cultivation had reached a certain barrier and he needed to go into a deep sleep to break through it.

Fang Xuan didn't bother with him.

Using his innate sword energy to control the Phoenix Cry Sword, he quickly carved out a cave and carried Li Xintong inside.

"Boom!"

A huge boulder rolled down, completely blocking the cave.

Inside the cave.

The light flickered.

Fang Xuan placed Li Xintong on an animal hide and took a pill, barely recovering some of his Yuan energy.

He then extended his fingers, placed them on Li Xintong's wrist, and closed his eyes to examine it.

A moment later, Fang Xuan opened his eyes, a solemn expression on his face.

Compared to before, Li Xintong's condition is more serious.

Even the divine soul power in the sea of ​​consciousness was dissipated by as much as 70 to 80%.

If no solution is found, once the soul completely dissipates, the sea of ​​consciousness will also collapse.

"I'll help you out since you got hurt because of me."

Fang Xuan sighed, then formed a hand seal, drawing out a wisp of divine soul healing power from his sea of ​​consciousness.

Perhaps because he had cultivated the Thousand Soul Illusionary Dream Technique, Fang Xuan's divine soul power was mixed with a faint trace of color, making it appear quite magnificent.

Just as Fang Xuan was about to inject his divine soul power into Li Xintong's sea of ​​consciousness, he seemed to suffer a backlash and let out a muffled groan.

"It seems like there's some kind of power protecting this girl's soul."

Fang Xuan looked at Li Xintong, his expression becoming serious.

Since his own soul couldn't get close, Fang Xuan couldn't help Li Xintong.

"It seems that the only option is to seal her consciousness first, and then slowly figure out a solution."

Fang Xuan changed his hand seals again, and several streams of divine soul power cautiously approached Li Xintong's sea of ​​consciousness.

It was not injected into her sea of ​​consciousness, but rather slowly intertwined and entangled, like a barrier, protecting Li Xintong's sea of ​​consciousness.

As a result, Li Xintong's overflowing spiritual power obediently quieted down.

"Sealing the sea of ​​consciousness can only treat the symptoms, not the root cause."

Fang Xuan muttered to himself, "Moreover, this girl was too focused on the speed of her breakthroughs, which caused her soul foundation to become unstable. It won't be easy to fully repair it."

Fang Xuan frowned, deep in thought.

For a moment, I couldn't think of a better solution.

Of course, if his soul power could break through to the second or even third rank, it wouldn't be difficult to do so by relying on some soul secret techniques recorded in the Thousand Soul Illusion Dream Technique.

But right now, Fang Xuan is powerless to do anything about it.

"uh-huh......"

At this moment, Li Xintong slowly opened her eyes and woke up.

"ah!"

Upon finding herself in an unfamiliar environment, Li Xintong immediately became wary.

When she saw Fang Xuan sitting to the side with a worried look on his face, her expression immediately relaxed.

"You're awake? How are you now?"

Fang Xuan smiled slightly upon noticing that Li Xintong had woken up.

Li Xintong nodded shyly and asked softly, "Where is this place?"

Before she lost consciousness, all she remembered was Fang Xuan holding her.

And then I knew nothing more.

"In a cave dwelling outside Mingyang County."

Li Xintong said "Oh" and whispered, "Thank you for saving me."

"You're not going to save me even once? We're even now."

After hesitating for a moment, Fang Xuan said, "Are you aware of your soul problem?"

"Um."

Li Xintong said, "This is an old problem of mine, I'm used to it."

"But do you know that your consciousness has also been damaged as a result?"

Fang Xuan said, "If we don't resolve this soon, you might... not be able to last three years."

Fang Xuan had already been quite tactful in his words.

Li Xintong naturally understood Fang Xuan's meaning.

"I know."

Li Xintong sat up, curled up her legs, and hugged her knees with her hands, making her look even more frail.

"I knew when I was very young that I wouldn't live past twenty."

A weak smile appeared on Li Xintong's pale face.

"And I just turned eighteen this year."

In other words, Li Xintong has at most two years left.

Fang Xuan remained silent for a long time before slowly speaking.

"Actually, you can extend the time if you don't use your spiritual power."

"Is there any difference?"

Li Xintong tucked a strand of hair that was hanging at the corner of her mouth and said softly, "It's just a matter of time."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan fell silent again.

"Oh, it's okay, I've already let it go."

Seeing Fang Xuan's expression, Li Xintong smiled and changed the subject, saying, "I didn't expect you to be so capable. You even defeated Ming Che."

"It was just luck."

Fang Xuan said, "Actually, if we continue fighting, I might not be his match."

That Mingche can be considered the strongest opponent Fang Xuan has ever encountered.

Whether it's martial arts techniques or even martial arts physique, they are far beyond what ordinary people can compare to.

No matter how skilled Fang Xuan was in sword cultivation or how powerful his Chaos Saint Body was, his cultivation level was ultimately too weak.

Of course, Fang Xuan was simply no match for Ming Che.

It would be an easy thing for Fang Xuan to get away.

"You don't need to be modest."

Li Xintong rolled her eyes at Fang Xuan and said, "Among the younger generation I've met, your strength is enough to rank you in the top three."

"Top three?"

Fang Xuan was somewhat surprised.

It seems that Li Xintong's background is even more profound than he imagined.

"Hey, can I talk to you about something?"

Li Xintong nudged Fang Xuan.

"Shall I refine some pills for you?"

Fang Xuan hadn't forgotten why Li Xintong had gotten involved with him in the first place.

"Uh-huh."

Li Xintong nodded repeatedly, tugging at Fang Xuan's sleeve: "We've known each other for a while, so please say yes, okay?"

"good!"

Seeing Li Xintong like this, Fang Xuan couldn't help but think of his younger sister, Fang Rou.

In fact, he himself is only seventeen years old this year, even younger than Li Xintong.

"yeah!"

Upon seeing Fang Xuan agree, Li Xintong cheered, then clutched her brow and let out a painful groan.

"You should get some rest."

Fang Xuan said irritably, "Although I sealed your sea of ​​consciousness, it won't last long."

Li Xintong did not refute, but simply nodded obediently.

Seeing this, Fang Xuan softened his tone and asked, "What kind of pill do you want to refine? Do you have the formula?"

"Yes, yes, I've already prepared the medicinal herbs."

Li Xintong quickly took out a bunch of things from her storage ring.

There was a box, a jade bottle, and a scroll.

Fang Xuan picked up the scroll and began to examine it.

"Soul-Repairing Pill, a third-grade elixir, can repair the soul and enhance spiritual power..."

The more Fang Xuan looked, the more his brows furrowed.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing Fang Xuan's somewhat unpleasant expression, Li Xintong's heart tightened, and she spoke softly.

"Do you know what the consequences would be if you took this Soul-Replenishing Pill, given your current condition?"

Fang Xuan's tone was somewhat serious, causing Li Xintong to subconsciously avoid his gaze.

"I...of course I know."

"Since you know..."

"But I don't have time."

When Li Xintong interrupted Fang Xuan for the first time, although she had a smile on her face, her eyes were filled with despair.

"Isn't that right?"

Fang Xuan was startled, then took a deep breath and said, "May I know why?"

Fang Xuan added, "I mean, the reason you're so eager to improve your soul power."

"Because...because I wanted to save my sister."

Li Xintong dodged the question, but said firmly, "To save her, I must raise my soul realm to the third rank."

Li Xintong didn't say much, and Fang Xuan didn't ask any more questions.

"But given your current condition, before you can raise your spiritual power to the third rank, you will be unable to hold on and your sea of ​​consciousness will collapse and you will die."

Fang Xuan asked, "Do you believe me?"

Li Xintong looked puzzled.

Fang Xuan said, "If you trust me, I can help you repair the hidden ailment in your sea of ​​consciousness and even help you advance to the third-grade Soul Master level within a year."

"what?"