The First Venerable of All Paths

"This formation actually has hidden variations; it's quite impressive."

The old man sighed in admiration.

But that's all.

As soon as the thought arose, the old man stretched out his finger and gently pointed forward.

A burst of semi-spiritual power, condensed to its extreme, shot out from his fingertips like two sharp blades, slashing towards the dragon.

"laugh!"

The spiritual energy ripped through the sky, striking the two dragons respectively.

"Bang!"

The dragon exploded on the spot, transforming into a force that swept towards the old man.

"Um?"

A surprised and doubtful voice came from within the formation.

The old man then formed a hand seal, creating a protective shield that protected him.

Outside the formation, a faint smile appeared on Fang Xuan's lips.

He held the array plate in his hand and poured his internal energy into it.

"break!"

As Fang Xuan's voice fell, a fierce tiger formed from array patterns suddenly descended from the sky and crashed down.

"Knock knock knock!"

A deafening sound rang out, and a figure retreated a few steps from the formation, emerging from it.

It was that Yuanbo.

"I have lost."

Yuan Bo looked at Fang Xuan with surprise and said, "Your mastery of formations has exceeded my expectations."

"You flatter me, senior."

Fang Xuan clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I was very rude just now, please forgive me, senior."

"If I'm not as skilled as others, why should I offend them?"

Yuan Bo said, "However, judging from the final change in your formation, its power should be more than this. Could you let us witness the true power of this formation?"

"Senior, you truly have keen insight."

Fang Xuan smiled and said, "However, this formation is quite troublesome to set up. If there is an opportunity, I will definitely ask you to give me some pointers."

"Alright."

Yuan Bo nodded, his gaze toward Fang Xuan becoming more amiable.

However, he was always serious and rarely smiled, so this expression was rather frightening.

"Young Master He, how is it?"

Xiao Jinyu said, "Is my guard's strength passable?"

"It's more than just passable, it's beyond my expectations."

He Yun gave an awkward smile and said, "Yuan Bo is at the half-step Divine Intent Realm. Even he was forced back by the formation. This... Brother Da Niu's strength is truly not to be underestimated."

"As long as Young Master He is satisfied."

Xiao Jinyu said, "In that case, regarding the hiring..."

"this......"

Upon hearing this, He Yun hesitated.

This 500-year-old heart-protecting leaf is quite valuable.

Even hiring a martial artist at the late stage of the Qi Condensation Realm would be more than enough.

This guard named Da Niu, although a formation master who even forced Yuan Bo, a half-step Divine Intent Realm cultivator, to retreat, but...

Throughout the entire process, Yuanbo did not retaliate.

This also doesn't prove that this person meets the He family's requirements.

However, the words have already been spoken.

If they break their promise, it will be even more difficult for the He family to overcome this crisis.

He glanced at Yuan Bo subconsciously and found that the latter nodded slightly at him.

Seeing this, He Yun slammed his hand on the table and said, "Alright, since this Brother Da Niu has passed Yuan Bo's test, then this Heart-Protecting Leaf belongs to him."

"Of course, I have one more small request."

He Yun looked at Fang Xuan and said, "Brother Da Niu, what level of formation can you set up?"

"If there are enough materials, a third-grade formation can still be set up."

Although Fang Xuan could set up a fourth-grade array, he would not reveal the secret of the Three Thousand Array Diagrams unless absolutely necessary.

"A third-grade magic array is enough!"

He Yun's eyes lit up, and he said, "In this way, at least we can hold our own against the Ming family for a while."

Immediately, He Yun shoved the box containing the heart-protecting leaves directly into Fang Xuan's hand.

"Then I'll trouble you, Brother Da Niu, to come back to the He family with me."

He Yun said, "Let's set up a few magic arrays first, so I can feel more at ease."

Fang Xuan was about to speak when he quickly glanced at Xiao Jinyu.

"Go."

Xiao Jinyu said, "Although you are my guard, you have no connection with Tianbao Tower. You don't need to ask for my opinion on such a small matter in the future."

"Thank you...sir."

Seeing Fang Xuan bowing in greeting, Xiao Jinyu felt inexplicably happy.

"Alright, now that we've discussed everything, I'll take my leave."

Xiao Jinyu stood up, as if suddenly remembering something, and stretched out her hand to Fang Xuan: "Give me the things, and as for you, I have another reward for you."

Seeing Xiao Jinyu's ambiguous smile, Fang Xuan understood that she was reminding him not to forget his current identity.

Since he was going to play along completely, Fang Xuan could only entrust the Heart Leaf to Xiao Jinyu.

"Steward Xiao, you must keep this safe for me."

Fang Xuan transmitted his voice, "I'll go get it later."

"Don't worry, this is your stuff, why would I keep it?"

Xiao Jinyu smiled and transmitted her voice, "I still have something to ask of you."

After Xiao Jinyu left, He Yun said to Fang Xuan, "Brother Da Niu, let's go too."

"it is good."

Fang Xuan nodded, inwardly complaining about the name Xiao Jinyu had given him on the spot.

Half an hour later.

The He family.

"What are your requirements, Young Master He?"

Fang Xuan said, "There are many types of formations. Does Young Master He need a defensive formation, or a formation for defending against and killing enemies?"

"Can't we decorate everything?"

He Yun said, "Brother Da Niu, you don't need to worry about the equipment."

The relationship between the Ming family and the He family has reached its lowest point.

With early preparations, He Yun felt more at ease.

"Then let's do as Young Master He says."

After He Yun delivered a large amount of equipment for setting up formations, Fang Xuan decided to set up three formations.

Two defensive formations.

A battle formation for killing and defending against enemies.

All three magic arrays are of the high-grade level three, and when fully activated, they are comparable to level four magic arrays.

However, the consumption of spirit stones is also extremely terrifying.

Of course, for the He family, as long as they can withstand the Ming family's offensive, this amount of expenditure is still within their acceptable range.

"Young Master He, the formation has been set up."

Fang Xuan handed the three array plates to He Yun.

"With just a little refinement of this array plate, I can control three magic arrays."

Taking the array plate, He Yun said sincerely, "Thank you for your trouble, Brother Da Niu."

"It's just my duty."

After finishing his business, Fang Xuan prepared to take his leave.

"Brother Da Niu, please wait a moment."

"Is there anything else, Young Master He?"

He Yun quickly caught up and said, "Brother Da Niu, have you considered finding another way out?"

Trying to steal Xiao Jinyu's man?

Fang Xuan found it somewhat amusing.

However, he politely declined, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer, Young Master He, but I have no such intention."

He Yun opened his mouth as if to say something, but then gave up.

"Since Brother Da Niu has made up his mind, then I will say no more."

He Yun handed Fang Xuan a storage bag and put it into his hand.

"Brother Da Niu, this is just a small token of my appreciation, please don't refuse."

Fang Xuan gave a wry smile and said, "Then I shall respectfully accept your offer."

"That's right."

He Yun sighed, "It's a pity that my He family is currently in dire straits, otherwise I would definitely have a good drink with Brother Da Niu to express my gratitude."

Uh......

This young master of the He family really enjoys drinking and making friends.

With a smile to himself, Fang Xuan took his leave.

"Young Master, something has happened!"

At this moment, Yuanbo hurried over and said, "Our mine in the suburbs has been raided."

"Made by the Ming family?"

Yuan Bo shook his head and said, "No, it's the Wen family."

"The Wen family?"

A sharp glint flashed in He Yun's eyes, and his aura surged, making him look like a young master of a noble family.

"It seems the Wen family is determined to be the Ming family's lackeys."

He Yun sneered, "Without the Ming family's permission, how dare the Wen family attack my He family?"

Yuanbo said in a low voice, "The problem now is that our clansmen who stayed behind at the mine have been detained by the Wen family."

"They're asking for it!"

He Yun said sternly, "Uncle Yuan, immediately gather men and go to the mine to demand our men back!"

"this......"

Yuanbo suddenly hesitated.

"Yuanbo, what are you trying to say?"

He Yun smiled and said, "Father is still in seclusion. You are the person I trust most. Is there anything you can't tell me?"

"This old servant is worried that the Ming family's true target is you."

Yuanbo analyzed, "They deliberately threatened you with the lives of their clansmen to lure you in. If something happens to you, the He family will be finished."

"Am I supposed to just stand by and watch my people get hurt?"

He Yun said coldly, "I am the young master of the He family, and I will absolutely not allow such a thing to happen."

"Young Master, please don't act rashly."

Yuanbo continued to advise, "The Grand Elder has already handled this matter personally, so I imagine the Wen family wouldn't dare to go too far."

"Yes, with the Grand Elder personally intervening, there shouldn't be any surprises."

The eldest elder of the He family is also a peak expert in the Condensation Realm.

The Wen family's strongest members are only a few martial artists at the seventh or eighth level of the Qi Condensation Realm, which are not a cause for concern.

What He Yun didn't know was that the consequences of this matter were far more serious than he had imagined.

Fang Xuan knew nothing about any of this.

He had already entered a courtyard.

The courtyard was arranged by Xiao Jinyu.

When Fang Xuan arrived, Xiao Jinyu was feeding the koi in the pond.

"You're here?"

Xiao Jinyu clapped her hands and looked at Fang Xuan, saying, "Didn't that young master of the He family try to stop you?"

Fang Xuan was too lazy to waste words with the other party.

"Manager Xiao, shouldn't we return this item to its rightful owner?"

"What's the rush? Do you think I'd give it to you?"

Xiao Jinyu rolled her eyes, instantly exuding charm.

But Fang Xuan remained unmoved and simply reached out his hand to Xiao Jinyu.

"Alright, here you go."

With a wave of her hand, Xiao Jinyu sent a box flying directly toward Fang Xuan.

Fang Xuan took the box, opened it, and saw that it was indeed the five-hundred-year-old Heart-Protecting Leaf.

The ingredients for the Nourishing Spirit Elixir have finally been gathered.

Next, it needs to be refined to help Li Xintong repair her sea of ​​consciousness and awaken her.

"Alright, now that I've given you the medicinal herbs, shall we talk about what we agreed on before?"

Xiao Jinyu's somewhat dissatisfied voice rang out.

Fang Xuan put away the Heart-Protecting Leaf and said, "Let's talk about this later. I need to prepare for seclusion."

"you......"

Xiao Jinyu was so angry she felt like her lungs were about to explode, her full chest heaving.

"You broke your promise!"

"I didn't say I wouldn't help you."

Fang Xuan said, "However, I am not yet confident in refining the Three Fire Profound Pill that you need, so I will need to wait for a while."

"how long?"

Xiao Jinyu said, "If it takes too long, I can't wait."

"At most, it will last a month."

Fang Xuan said, "We agreed beforehand that you would listen to me regarding the alchemy."

"OK!"

Xiao Jinyu gritted her teeth and said, "If you dare to lie to me, I'll make you regret it!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan smiled calmly and walked straight towards the alchemy room that had been prepared in advance, slamming the door shut.

"From now on, I'll have to trouble Steward Xiao to keep watch for me."

"You bastard!"

Xiao Jinyu stamped her foot and sneered, "How dare you ask me to protect you? That's outrageous!"