The First Venerable of All Paths

"Master Zhou, will there be any problems this time?"

On the edge of the miasma forest, on the mountainside, several figures stood against the wind.

Looking at the Wanzhang Forest shrouded in dense miasma ahead, Mingche asked with some concern.

"That's natural."

Zhou Yan pointed to the sky and said, "I have already set up an anti-flight formation over the entire Ten Thousand Miasma Forest, and I have also added three other formations. Even for a Divine Intent Realm expert, breaking through the formation will not be an easy task."

"Once I pinpoint that brat's location, I'll immediately activate the formation and eliminate him!"

Judging from his tone, he seemed quite confident in his preparations.

If the miasma below weren't so dense that it couldn't be locked down by a magic array, Zhou Yan wouldn't have needed to go through all this trouble.

"I hope so."

Mingche's tone was indifferent, lacking the enthusiasm he had shown before.

Zhou Yan also knew.

Because of Fang Xuan's release last time, Ming Che was already dissatisfied with him.

Therefore, this time, we absolutely cannot let that little beast escape again!

Otherwise, what about Zhou's reputation?

"Young Master, something terrible has happened!"

At this moment, two subordinates hurried over, their faces filled with fear.

"What happened?"

Mingche's face darkened, and his tone became somewhat unfriendly.

"Most of the people we sent out have run into trouble."

The subordinate hurriedly said, "And judging from the appearance, they all died from poisoning."

"Poisoning?"

Mingche coldly retorted, "Didn't I tell you to take the antidote pills beforehand? How come you're still being poisoned?"

"Elder Mingzhang said they've been infected by the Bone-Eating Heart-Rending Worm!"

The subordinate said, "This poisonous insect is immune to antidotes. Once it touches the skin, it will burrow into the flesh, causing unbearable itching that will eventually kill you."

"Most people choose to end their own lives because they can't bear it anymore."

Upon hearing this, Mingche was completely stunned.

"The Bone-Eating Heart-Drilling Worm never attacks people on its own initiative, and with so many of you, did you all discover it beforehand?"

For the bone-eating, heart-piercing worm, ordinary antidotes are completely ineffective.

Moreover, these poisonous insects are so small that they are extremely difficult to detect.

But as long as you take precautions and avoid it in advance, nothing will happen.

How come Mingzhang, that good-for-nothing, only realized this after so many people had already been lost?

The subordinate replied with a wry smile, "It's Fang Xuan!"

"Fang Xuan?"

"That little beast secretly used the Bone-Eating Heart-Piercing Worm to attack us."

The subordinate said, "Elder Mingzhang has already led his men to pursue them, and he hopes that Young Master will lead his men to provide support."

Mingche frowned.

Mingzhang is a half-step Divine Intent Realm expert.

He actually volunteered to go and provide support, which means the situation is clearly more serious than he thought.

"Master Zhou, it's up to you now."

Mingche said directly, "I don't want any more accidents to happen this time."

Zhou Yan nodded and glanced at Wen Donglin.

"Master Wen, let's begin."

Wen Donglin, who was meditating with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

He grabbed the long sword standing beside him and walked resolutely toward the myriad miasma forest in front of him, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Upon seeing this, Mingche couldn't help but frown.

"Master Zhou, what do you mean by this?"

Mingche said, "Does Wen Donglin have a way to deal with those bone-corroding, heart-piercing worms?"

"Young Master Mingche has misunderstood."

Zhou Yan said calmly, "Patriarch Wen went there to deal with Fang Xuan."

Zhou Yan explained, "Fang Xuan is like a cornered beast fighting for his life. Elder Mingzhang alone probably won't be able to stop him."

"But even with Wen Donglin added, it's not certain we can keep Fang Xuan."

Mingche said, "Don't forget, that guy broke through your anti-flight formation last time."

"That's why I had Patriarch Wen take action."

Zhou Yan smiled mysteriously and said, "I placed the core of the anti-air formation directly on Patriarch Wen, along with another confinement formation."

"high!"

Mingche said, "In that case, if Fang Xuan wants to break the formation, he will have to face Wen Donglin, but with his cultivation level, facing Wen Donglin will only lead to his death!"

"That's not all."

Zhou Yan smiled calmly and said, "Patriarch Wen can also use the power of the formation to temporarily raise his cultivation to the Divine Intent Realm, which is enough for him to kill that brat Fang Xuan a thousand times over!"

"good!"

Mingche clapped his hands and laughed, saying, "If this succeeds, I will certainly not treat Master Zhou unfairly."

Fang Xuan has too many treasures on him.

Leaving aside his own storage ring, Fang Xuan's sword box alone is equivalent to a fifth-grade or higher weapon.

"Of course, of course."

Zhou Yan laughed heartily, truly displaying the demeanor of a master.

Using people as a formation was precisely the killing trap he had set up for Fang Xuan!

......

"Kid, you can't escape!"

In the dense, miasma-filled forest, a figure moved through the woods like a frightened little beast.

Behind him, several figures relentlessly pursued him, quickly closing the distance.

The leader was Ming Zhang of the Ming family, a powerful cultivator who had reached the half-step Divine Intent Realm.

Those accompanying him were all martial artists from the Wen and Ming families, all of whom were at the Qi Condensation Realm, numbering as many as ten.

Clearly, the Wen and Ming families have deployed their elite forces to deal with Fang Xuan.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

The next moment, several figures emerged from the front, blocking Fang Xuan's path.

It seems that Fang Xuan really has nowhere to retreat.

"This place is really nice."

Mingzhang stepped forward, knife in hand, a sinister smile on his face, and said, "This place is perfect for your burial."

"That's true."

Fang Xuan grabbed the Thunderfire Spear, which appeared in his hand and pointed it directly at Zhizhang: "I just don't know if you old codger can hold out until then."

"nonsense!"

Mingzhang snorted coldly and slashed at Fang Xuan with his sword.

A dazzling blade of light pierced the sky, carrying an unstoppable killing power.

Fang Xuan's eyes were icy cold as he channeled his Yuan Power into the Thunderfire Spear.

"call!"

A wisp of flame coiled around the spear like a snake, and Fang Xuan raised the spear to block.

"when!"

The blade's edge shattered, and then Fang Xuan flicked his wrist, sending countless spear shadows enveloping Ming Zhang. The violent spear force swept out with a deafening roar.

"Jingle bells!"

Mingzhang swung his longsword with the force of the wind, clashing with Fang Xuan's spear thrust and neutralizing it.

"Guns reign supreme!"

Fang Xuan let out a cold shout and shot out with a spear that seemed to shatter the world.

After the Blood Frenzy Spear was refined into the Thunderfire Spear, its power increased several times. Now, when Fang Xuan used it to perform the Blood Frenzy Spear Technique, the power was truly amazing.

"Break it!"

Mingzhang shouted and slashed out with his sword.

"Snap!"

As the swords and spears clashed, Mingzhang staggered back several steps, staring at Fang Xuan in disbelief.

Fang Xuan also took a few steps back, and before he could regain his footing, he thrust out with his spear again.

"You little bastard, you're asking for it!"

Mingzhang's eyes turned cold, and he was about to continue his attack when he suddenly gasped.

"Ouch, it itches so much~"

Mingzhang quickly scratched the back of his hand.

He felt an unbearable itch on the back of his hand, and wished he could cut off his hand to relieve it.

Why is it suddenly so itchy?

Mingzhang's expression changed drastically: "Could it be...?"

But Fang Xuan didn't give him time to think; the sharp light of his spear enveloped Mingzhang.

"Quickly, kill him!"

Mingzhang shouted and retreated repeatedly to avoid the attack.

The experts from the Wen and Ming families, all at the Condensation Realm, simultaneously rushed towards Fang Xuan.

"A hundred kills turn to frost!"

"Dragons battle in the wilderness!"

"A hundred battles in reincarnation!"

The fiery spear light enveloped all directions, forcing all the powerful figures to retreat.

Everyone stared at Fang Xuan in shock, their faces filled with astonishment.

"How did this kid get stronger again?"

The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with apprehension.

"Elder Mingzhang, are you alright?"

At that moment, exclamations rang out.

Everyone turned to look and saw that Mingzhang's hands were covered in bloodstains.

Including on the face, there are black threads that seem to be slowly seeping into the skin.

"A bone-eating, heart-bursting worm?!"

The group gasped in shock and quickly retreated, fearing they would be implicated by Mingzhang.

"You little bastard, when did you poison me?"

Mingzhang's voice contained extreme anger and rage.

It's so itchy!

The itching was so bad he wanted to kill someone!

"There's no need to know about the dead!"

Fang Xuan stomped his foot on the ground, and his figure, like a golden dragon fish, quickly appeared in front of Ming Zhang, thrusting his spear fiercely at him.

Mingzhang instinctively raised his hand to block.

After all, he was at the half-step Divine Realm level. Although he was afflicted by the Bone-Eating Heart-Piercing Worm, he could still barely suppress it.

"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and join me in killing him!"

Seeing that the group of powerful figures were still observing, Mingzhang, enraged, roared.

Only then did these people belatedly realize what was happening and swarmed forward, seemingly intending to surround and kill Fang Xuan.

"Sword case, open!"

Faced with the combined efforts of everyone, Fang Xuan felt immense pressure.

He multitasked, using the Thunderfire Spear to unleash the Blood Frenzy Spear Technique, while simultaneously opening the Innate Sword Box and manipulating the Returning Void Sword Qi within to defend against the attacks from the crowd.

However, Fang Xuan was ultimately only at the Qi Gathering Realm.

Those who attacked him were all experts at the Condensation Realm, far exceeding Fang Xuan by a whole realm.

Gradually, Fang Xuan's decline became apparent, and he even nearly found himself in dire straits several times.

"Essence and Blood, Reversed!"

Fang Xuan made a hand seal with one hand, causing his essence and blood to reverse wildly. In an instant, his aura rose from the third level of the Qi Gathering Realm to the eighth level of the Qi Gathering Realm.

Not finished yet.

"Phoenix Cry, emerge!"

Fang Xuan formed a sword incantation, a phoenix cry rang out, and a golden-red longsword immediately appeared behind him.

"kill!"

Fang Xuan let out a low shout, and then his spear shot out like a dragon.

A series of even more ferocious gun beams, like the blazing sun, locked onto everyone.

Because of his sudden surge in cultivation, Fang Xuan's attacks became even more domineering, brutal, and frenzied, putting immense pressure on the experts from both the Wen and Ming families.

While they were struggling to deal with Fang Xuan's spear attacks, a golden-red streak of light swiftly moved through the dense forest.

"puff!"

A powerful member of the Wen family looked at the long sword piercing his heart with a look of astonishment on his face.

When...

Before he could figure it out, his consciousness sank into darkness.

"Pfft pfft pfft!"

The phoenix's cry pierced through the bodies of several more experts at the Qi Condensation Realm, taking their lives with it.

Fang Xuan controlled his sword with his mind while fighting with his spear.

In just over ten breaths, he had killed six Qi Condensation Realm warriors.

"A hundred battles in reincarnation!"

Fang Xuan twisted his body, like a golden dragon fish, and darted behind a martial artist.

"Pfft!"

The spear pierced his chest, and with a jolt, the man exploded, instantly and irrevocably dead.

The remaining few Qi Condensation Realm warriors, as if terrified, turned and ran.

"A bunch of useless trash!"

Mingzhang, who had suppressed the bone-eating, heart-piercing worm, immediately launched into a tirade of curses upon seeing this.

"Fang Xuan, I'm going to kill you!"

Mingzhang held the sword with both hands, gathered his sword energy, and slashed at Fang Xuan.

Fang Xuan planted the Thunderfire Spear in the ground, held the sword in one hand, and slashed out fiercely.

"One sword, cleaves the river!"