The First Venerable of All Paths

"Snap!!!"

This sword strike was Fang Xuan's strongest strike to date.

It also carries with it his unyielding will.

Therefore, when this sword cleaved through the mountain peak and struck the magic array in the air, the so-called fourth-grade anti-air magic array cracked, just like a fragile piece of porcelain struck by a heavy object.

Spiderweb-like cracks instantly spread across the sky, engulfing the entire Qingniu Ridge.

"Splash!"

With a muffled groan, the entire anti-flight formation shattered.

"The formation has been broken?"

Everyone, including Mingche, was stunned as they stared at the magic array that had been shattered by a single sword strike.

This is a fourth-grade magic array.

It was cleaved in two with a single sword strike?

Just what kind of monster is Fang Xuan?

What shocked Mingche was that he had heard that muffled groan very clearly.

In other words, even Master Zhou, who was in charge of the formation, suffered a backlash because the formation was broken?

Once the formation was broken, Fang Xuan immediately felt that he could leave on his sword at any time, no longer bound by any restrictions.

Fang Xuan stood on the Phoenix Cry Sword, his hands gripping the Innate Sword Box, about to fly away through the broken mountain peak.

"Quick, stop him!"

Mingche cried out in surprise.

If Fang Xuan escapes again this time, not only will Ming Che lose face and become a laughing stock, but it will also leave a huge hidden danger for the Ming family.

If a sword cultivator were to retaliate, the Ming family would not be able to bear the consequences!

"Stop me? You think you're worthy!"

Fang Xuan chuckled and swung the sword box heavily, unleashing a burst of golden-red sword light. Like a phoenix drawing its sword, the scorching and sharp sword energy forced everyone to retreat.

As for Fang Xuan, he had already flown into the air and was about to fly away into the distance.

"You've broken my formation, have I given you permission to leave?"

Just then, a cold voice suddenly rang out.

"Buzzing!"

The array-patterned pillar of light rose from the ground, eventually coalescing into a giant array-patterned fist that slammed down on Fang Xuan.

"What?"

Fang Xuan's expression changed, and he raised the sword box and smashed it out.

"Bang!"

Although the power of the Innate Sword Box was incredibly terrifying, the power of the giant fist with array patterns was even more beyond Fang Xuan's imagination.

With this attack, Fang Xuan fell to the ground like a kite with a broken string.

Fortunately, he quickly calmed himself down, activated his sword technique, and controlled his flying sword to slow his movements.

Even so, a trace of blood still seeped from the corner of Fang Xuan's mouth.

It seems the injury is quite serious.

He didn't bother wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, and looked towards a mountain peak in the distance.

There, a middle-aged man in a gray robe was staring intently at him.

This person.

Despite his cultivation level being only at the peak of the Condensation Realm, his aura was no weaker than that of any half-step Divine Intent Realm expert.

They even need to be promoted to the front line.

It seems that the other party must be the fourth-rank array master who set up the anti-flight formation.

"Zhou Yan?"

Upon seeing this person, Wen Donglin's expression suddenly changed.

This man is a renowned array master.

His mastery of formations was truly divine.

He was treated as an honored guest by countless powerful families.

Wen Donglin once wanted Zhou Yan to teach his eldest son Wen Yan formation techniques, but was refused.

Zhou Yan's appearance here also resolved Wen Donglin's previous doubts.

No wonder Ming Yong chose to go into seclusion at this time, even though he knew Fang Xuan's strength far exceeded that of ordinary Qi Gathering Realm cultivators.

It turned out that he had already invited this array master.

At this moment, Mingche cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the other party: "I implore Master Zhou to take action and subdue Fang Xuan. I will be eternally grateful!"

"No problem."

Zhou Yan nodded and said, "Since I have promised Patriarch Ming to help you capture this boy, I will naturally keep my word."

After saying that, Zhou Yan looked at Fang Xuan again.

"Sword cultivation, array formation, earth fire—if I'm not mistaken, your divine soul realm has already reached the first rank, hasn't it?"

Zhou Yan smiled and said, "Young man, you are the first person I have ever seen who has achieved so much at such a young age."

Upon hearing this, both Mingche and Wenyan's expressions changed, but they were unable to refute it.

Whether they admit it or not, after several exchanges, they have not gained any advantage over Fang Xuan whatsoever.

On the contrary, the Wen and Ming families suffered such heavy losses that this was the first time in many years.

"You're not bad either."

Fang Xuan laughed and said, "With your fourth-grade array mastery, you are able to set up an anti-air array. It seems you are not an unknown person."

While wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Fang Xuan quietly swallowed a pill.

He used the power of the Undying Phoenix's origin to enhance the power of the Undying Phoenix Fire, and at the same time set up two sword formations in succession. His internal energy had already been almost completely depleted.

Facing another fourth-grade array master, Fang Xuan's chances of escaping were less than 30%.

His opponent had too many ways to counter his sword flight.

Just now, Zhou Yan had secretly set up two magic arrays to prevent him from escaping.

Sword cultivators are only the best at killing within their own realm, not invincible.

But ultimately, it's because Fang Xuan is too weak.

"Do I need to do anything?"

Zhou Yan stood with his hands behind his back and said indifferently, "If you don't want to suffer, then surrender."

"Hey, why do you guys always pull this stunt? Can't you come up with something different?"

Fang Xuan sighed and said, "I know your array formation skills are not weak, but I'm the kind of person who always settles scores and grudges. If you want to kill me, then I'll kill you!"

"Yes, that's fair."

Zhou Yan nodded and said calmly, "However, do you think you still have a chance for revenge?"

"Why isn't it there?"

Fang Xuan glanced at them and said, "I've already crippled those two half-step Divine Intent Realm cultivators below. Do you think I could risk my life to kill you too?"

Fang Xuan's words caused Wen Donglin and Ming Zhang's expressions to change, and their breathing became heavy.

They were attacked and killed by Fang Xuan when they entered the cave.

Both of them are now seriously injured and completely incapacitated. It will take them at least a year and a half to recover.

In particular, Fang Xuan's final sword strike nearly cost Wen Donglin his life.

"Oh? Planning a desperate gamble?"

Zhou Yan laughed and said, "You do have some guts, but unfortunately you can't do it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Yan lightly stomped his foot on the ground.

"Buzzing!"

As the array patterns spread, mountain peaks rose from the ground, trapping Fang Xuan within them.

"Boy, my Lesser Mountain Formation may not be as powerful as an anti-air formation, but it's far more focused on killing. Enjoy it!"

Immediately afterwards, small mountains floated up and crashed down on Fang Xuan.

A strong wind howled, like a mountain collapsing, threatening to crush Fang Xuan.

"roll!"

Fang Xuan swung the sword box and smashed it down heavily.

"Thump!"

The small hill was smashed to pieces, but then three more small hills reappeared, forming a triangular shape as they hurtled towards Fang Xuan.

Fang Xuan took a deep breath, swung the sword box around, and smashed it out.

"Knock knock knock!"

Three small hills burst open one after another.

This time, Fang Xuan retreated rapidly, his blood and qi churning within him, his aura growing increasingly weak.

Fang Xuan held the sword box, his brows furrowed.

This Lesser Mountain Formation is quite mysterious.

It seems that it can use the terrain to launch a continuous barrage of attacks.

"Hey kid, how's it going?"

A smug look appeared on Zhou Yan's lips as he said, "How does my Little Heavy Mountain Formation feel?"

"good."

Fang Xuan said, "It means we have plenty of strength, but lack the follow-up power."

"I forgot, you're also a formation master."

Zhou Yan's face turned cold, and he said, "Since that's the case, then let me show you the true power of my Lesser Heavy Mountain Formation!"

Zhou Yan then quickly formed hand seals.

A series of array patterns spread outwards from him, connecting the entire Green Ox Ridge.

"Boom!"

The next moment, nine small mountains rose up from the ground, completely surrounding Fang Xuan.

The aura emanating from each small hill was countless times stronger than before.

It seems that a single, gentle blow could reduce a town to ruins.

"Ninefold Mountain Shadow, kill!"

Zhou Yan changed his hand seals, and nine small mountains, accompanied by afterimages, smashed angrily toward Fang Xuan.

"Well done!"

Fang Xuan suddenly strapped the sword case to his back and grabbed it with his hand.

The Bloodthirsty Berserker Spear instantly appeared in his hand, and he thrust it out.

"Bang!"

The tip of the spear, brimming with ferocious battle intent, shattered the nearest hill.

Immediately afterwards, Fang Xuan stepped onto the Phoenix Cry Sword and held the Blood Frenzy Spear.

His movements became increasingly swift and fierce, his fighting spirit even more intense.

The Blood Frenzy Spear Technique is the divine soul imprint left by Blood Frenzy in the Blood Battle Frenzy Spear, which Fang Xuan has perfectly absorbed.

In addition, Fang Xuan possessed countless martial arts techniques and combat experiences in his mind.

Therefore, this spear and this spear technique were truly outstanding in Fang Xuan's hands.

The Blood Frenzy Eighteen Styles, with only nine strikes, shattered all nine small mountains.

"Bloody Battle with Berserker Guns!"

Mingche looked at the spear in Fang Xuan's hand, his heart bleeding.

This is clearly his!

And that fragment of the secret realm map!

"Dragons battle in the wilderness!"

At that moment, Fang Xuan's fighting spirit reached its peak.

He held the gun in one hand, twisted his waist, and thrust the gun out.

"boom!"

On the gun barrel, crimson patterns lit up one by one, finally converging at the tip of the gun, transforming into a crimson dragon that burst forth.

"Knock knock!"

The small mountain formation that had surrounded Fang Xuan was like a broken spine; the continuous mountain range, which had undulated like an earth dragon, was completely pulverized.

"snort!"

Once the formation was broken, Zhou Yan suffered another backlash.

Compared to before, her complexion was slightly paler.

"Not bad, not bad, this is interesting!"

Suppressing the surging Yuan energy within his body, Zhou Yan said, "Fang Xuan, you have surprised me greatly."

"Therefore, I'm going to give you a big gift."

Zhou Yan smiled mysteriously, then suddenly flipped his hand, and a stone flashing with lightning appeared in his palm.

Moreover, a muffled thunderous sound could be heard emanating from the stone.

"Thunderstone?"

Fang Xuan was taken aback, and his gaze toward the stone suddenly held an unusual fiery intensity.

Thunderstone is a rare material used for refining weapons and setting up formations.

If it is incorporated into the Bloodbath Spear, it can also give the spear a trace of thunderous power.

"Heaven and earth are overturned, mountains and rivers are reversed, and storms rage!"

Zhou Yan poured his Yuan energy into the Thunder Stone.

"Boom!"

Streaks of lightning surged from the Thunder Stone, roaming in all directions and trapping Fang Xuan within.

"Thunder Blade Slash!"

The next moment, a thunderous blade suddenly slashed down at Fang Xuan from above.

This single strike was countless times more powerful than the previous Lesser Mountain Formation.

"That was a good strike."

Fang Xuan gripped his spear tightly, ready to thrust it out and shatter the thunder blade.

But the next moment, Fang Xuan's expression changed, and the aura within his body seemed to be instantly sucked away, disappearing completely.

He himself fell headfirst off the Phoenix Cry Sword.

The Thunder Blade was indeed as fast as lightning, slashing fiercely at Fang Xuan.

Just as Fang Xuan's expression changed drastically, facing a life-or-death crisis, a beautiful figure, like a lotus flower, appeared ethereal and stood in front of him.

"Pfft!"

The lightning blade struck, spraying blood everywhere.

Fang Xuan was stunned for a moment as he watched the girl fall lightly to the ground.

"Why...why?"

He instinctively pulled the girl into his arms, his voice trembling slightly.

The girl blinked and chuckled softly, her voice gentle.

"You...you promised me you'd refine pills for me, you can't...go back on your word..."