The First Venerable of All Paths

Inside the secret room.

Fang Xuan opened his eyes and exhaled a long breath.

A touch of color returned to his otherwise pale face.

Three days have passed since the battle with the Ming family.

In that battle, all the Ming family members who were at or above the Qi Gathering Realm were killed by Fang Xuan.

The rest of them either had their cultivation sealed or their martial meridians and dantian broken, and were sent to the mines by the He family to become the lowest-ranking mine slaves.

Just like the previous members of the Wen family.

At this point, of the two powerful families that dominated Mingyang County, only the He family remained.

The Ming and Wen families have completely ceased to exist.

Fang Xuan was also seriously injured in that battle because he was grazed by the residual power of the Sun-Devouring Copper Ring.

For the past three days, he has been cultivating and healing in the secluded room in the courtyard arranged by Xiao Jinyu.

"It's a pity we couldn't kill Ming Yong."

Fang Xuan rubbed his shoulders, feeling somewhat helpless.

Ming Yong was rescued by Liu Ming, and given his personality, he certainly wouldn't let it go easily.

Especially given that he also has a grudge against Liu Ming, the two of them would join forces to target him.

If they were given the chance, they would definitely take revenge on me in a frenzy.

"Strength, strength!"

Fang Xuan clenched his fists, his eyes turning cold: "If I possessed sufficient strength, why would I fear them!"

He is currently only at the sixth level of the Qi Gathering Realm.

Even if one reverses the essence and blood, one can only raise their cultivation level to the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm.

Without using any of his trump cards, Fang Xuan can at most deal with martial artists below the third level of the Condensation Realm.

If he were to combine the power of swordsmanship, formations, strange fire, and the Chaos Saint Body, he could barely withstand a few moves from a Divine Intent Realm expert.

But it was only a few moves.

"The reason we were able to defeat Ming Yong that day..."

Fang Xuan seemed to have thought of something, and then placed the sword box beside him across his knees.

With his eyes slightly closed, Fang Xuan's mind stirred.

"Sword case, open!"

The sword bones trembled and resonated as innate sword energy flowed into the sword case.

"Click click click!"

On the sword box, a pattern was filled with golden sword energy, and the sword box clicked, unlocking the first restriction.

Fang Xuan's divine sense also probed into the sword box.

He saw specks of golden light inside.

The quantity is small, at most a hundred grains.

These golden grains of rice were formed from the hundreds of high-grade swords collected by the Ming family in the sword box.

These grains of rice all have a common name – Wucai (武材).

Materials refined from military weapons.

Its function is also very simple.

Forging weapons.

However, Fang Xuan's gaze fell on a copper ring in the sword box space.

The Sun-Eating Copper Ring!

Surprisingly, the copper ring was not refined by the sword case.

Moreover, the Sun-Devouring Copper Ring was actually absorbing those martial arts materials to repair itself.

In just a few breaths, several pieces of martial arts material were absorbed and melted by the Sun-Devouring Copper Ring.

"Was the Sun-Devouring Copper Ring able to remain because of its high grade? Or because of its special abilities?"

Fang Xuan pondered for a moment, then muttered to himself, "If I can unlock the second seal on the sword box, I can refine this ring?"

However, according to the Sword Ruins Empress, to break the first restriction, Fang Xuan needs to nurture a second natal flying sword.

"It took a lot of time just to make the Phoenix Cry Sword. As for the second natal flying sword, who knows when it will be ready?"

Fang Xuan could only manage a helpless, wry smile at this.

In the world of sword cultivators, being able to nurture a natal flying sword is already considered extremely fortunate.

As for possessing two or even more natal flying swords, Fang Xuan had never heard of such a thing.

"However, just because others can't does it doesn't mean I can't!"

Fang Xuan's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his face was filled with determination.

"With so many opportunities, wouldn't it be ridiculous to fail?"

Fang Xuan chuckled self-deprecatingly, and a thought struck him.

"come out!"

The next moment, the Sun-Devouring Copper Ring appeared in Fang Xuan's hand.

"It really works?"

Fang Xuan's face lit up with joy.

He had personally witnessed and experienced the power of the Sun-Devouring Copper Ring.

It is an excellent choice for launching surprise attacks and defeating the enemy.

"Such a good thing should be mine."

Fang Xuan grasped the Sun-Devouring Copper Ring, and golden-red flames appeared in his palm, enveloping the ring.

"Buzzing!"

The copper ring emitted a soft, trembling sound, as if it were struggling to resist.

It even unleashed a violent devouring power, absorbing all the power of the Undying Phoenix Fire and Fang Xuan.

"Still trying to resist?"

Fang Xuan snorted coldly, a chilling smile playing on his lips: "You want to suck? Then suck your fill!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the power of the Undying Phoenix Flame in Fang Xuan's palm became even stronger.

However, the Sun-Devouring Copper Ring was like a bottomless pit, completely devouring the power of the Undying Phoenix Fire, while remaining unharmed itself.

He was astonished that the ring was even more terrifying than he had imagined, but a mocking smile appeared on Fang Xuan's lips.

He tapped his fingers together, and his spiritual power condensed into a series of mysterious and complex runes, which then drilled into the copper ring.

Hundred Refinements Soul Seal!

This is a refining technique recorded in the legacy of the Spirit Empress.

Any weapon seized from another can be refined using this method to perfectly remove the original owner's soul imprint, while simultaneously imprinting one's own soul imprint onto the weapon.

In the future, you only need to refine them occasionally. As long as the weapon is not a weapon that has given birth to a weapon spirit, you can refine it into your own.

After Fang Xuan's divine soul and Yuan energy were almost exhausted, the Sun-Devouring Copper Ring finally stopped devouring.

A ring of gold and red patterns has appeared on the dark and ancient bronze ring.

"I never expected that with my current strength, even if I tried my best, I could only inscribe a single soul imprint."

Fang Xuan was also somewhat taken aback.

He originally thought he could inscribe at least three soul imprints.

This also means that the Sun-Eating Copper Ring is of a high grade.

"At the very least, this ring is of a higher grade than the Thunderfire War Spear."

Fang Xuan looked at the bronze ring in his hand, a thought stirring in his mind.

The copper ring flew out with a whoosh and struck a diamond not far away.

The copper ring snapped back immediately upon contact, but the diamond turned to dust.

"hiss!"

Upon seeing this, Fang Xuan gasped in astonishment, staring at the bronze ring in his hand with a look of amazement on his face.

"This ring possesses terrifying power."

This is only one soul imprint, which means that only 10% of the ring's power can be utilized.

If more soul imprints were engraved before releasing this ring, then...

Fang Xuan licked his lips, his face flushed.

He seemed to have truly obtained something remarkable.

"No wonder Ming Yong reacted so strongly after I took this ring; it truly is a treasure."

Fang Xuan put the copper ring on his wrist, and the copper ring actually transformed into the size of an ordinary bracelet on its own, at his will.

Covering the copper ring with his sleeve, Fang Xuan suddenly caught sight of a leather pouch at his waist, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

"But this thing..."

Fang Xuan took off the animal skin bag and examined it carefully, his face full of helplessness.

This animal skin pouch was the very one he had obtained from the nest of the six-winged flying ants.

This bag was left behind by that skeleton, who was desperately guarding it even before he died; it was clearly no ordinary object.

Strangely, Fang Xuan tried several times but couldn't open the bag, let alone know what was inside.

Even storing it in a storage ring is impossible.

In this respect, it is exactly the same as the Innate Sword Box.

"Huh, I didn't know that the sword box could store it."

Fang Xuan turned his gaze and then placed his palm on the sword box, opened it, and aimed it at the animal skin bag.

"Buzzing!"

The sword case trembled, then returned to calm.

Inside the animal skin bag, there was only a faint glimmer of golden light before all movement ceased.

"Well......"

Seeing the two guys remain unmoved, Fang Xuan awkwardly scratched his head.

"Looks like I was overthinking it."

After retying the animal skin bag, Fang Xuan pondered, "But this thing can trigger a reaction in my blood, and it can't be stored in my storage ring. The contents inside must be extremely special."

"But there's no point in thinking about that now."

Fang Xuan stood up and stretched his body.

"The Ming family has been wiped out. Now, all we need to do is complete the deal with Xiao Jinyu so we can leave this place."

His next step is to raise his cultivation level to the Condensation Realm as soon as possible.

Staying in Mingyang County wouldn't be of much help to his cultivation.

With the sword case on his back, Fang Xuan pushed open the stone door and went out.

"Well, you've finally decided to give it up."

At that moment, a voice as smooth as porcelain reached my ears, seemingly carrying a hint of dissatisfaction.

Fang Xuan looked up and, sure enough, saw Xiao Jinyu's pretty face with a hint of reproach.

"I apologize for keeping you waiting, Steward Xiao."

Fang Xuan cupped his hands slightly, his attitude neither humble nor arrogant, showing little remorse.

"Alright."

Xiao Jinyu waved her hand impatiently and said, "Could you help me refine pills today?"

"Can."

Fang Xuan also wanted to complete the transaction between the two as soon as possible, so he readily agreed.

"Alright, come with me."

Xiao Jinyu glanced at Fang Xuan, then turned and walked out of the courtyard.

Fang Xuan was somewhat suspicious.

It's just refining pills, is it not allowed here?

Where are they taking me?

But Fang Xuan didn't ask anything and silently followed.

Outside the courtyard, a dragon-drawn carriage was already parked, and Xiao Jinyu was about to climb in.

After boarding the carriage, the journey proceeded slowly, and after half an hour, we arrived at a larger courtyard.

Above the courtyard plaque, two large characters are written in bold, iron-like strokes: Medicine Garden.

At the entrance to the courtyard, four burly men stood guard.

Xiao Jinyu, whose face was veiled, led Fang Xuan out of the car. After exchanging words with the burly man at the gate, they were respectfully invited into the courtyard.

"Jinyu, you've finally arrived."

At this moment, a young man dressed in a moon-white robe walked towards us from the courtyard, his face showing excitement.

On the chest of his garment, a small tripod was embroidered in black thread.

There are two leaves on the tripod.

"One cauldron, two leaves; a second-grade alchemist."

Fang Xuan was somewhat surprised.

The young man was only in his early twenties, with fair and handsome features, and a faint, elegant medicinal fragrance emanated from him.

In this small Mingyang County, to become a second-grade alchemist at such a young age is already quite remarkable.

"Jinyu, your teacher knows you're coming and is already waiting in the alchemy room. Let me take you there."

As the young man spoke, he actually reached out and took Xiao Jinyu's hand.

"Thank you for your help, Senior Brother Chen."

Xiao Jinyu subtly avoided the other person's grabbing hand, turned to Fang Xuan and said, "Let's go, I'll take you to see a senior."

Just as Fang Xuan was about to follow, the young man suddenly blocked his way, looked him up and down, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes, and said arrogantly:

"You've come to my teacher to have alchemy refined? Sorry, please go back. My teacher is not receiving outsiders today."