The First Venerable of All Paths

"We're being watched."

Two days later, in a secluded mountain valley.

Fang Xuan and Xiao Jinyu sat around the campfire. Xiao Jinyu rubbed his hands together and spoke softly.

"These people have been watching us ever since we left Weixin Town."

Fang Xuan added a piece of firewood to the fire and said calmly, "Although we are not sure which faction they belong to, they are clearly up to no good."

His spiritual power was stronger than Xiao Jinyu's, so he naturally noticed that several auras were observing them from the dense forest not far away.

"It's nothing more than Nangong Xingyu, the Lu family, and some rogue cultivators who are greedy for money."

Xiao Jinyu glanced at Fang Xuan and asked, "What do you plan to do?"

"Ignore it for now."

Fang Xuan said, "As long as they don't make a move, we'll pretend we don't know anything."

"That's true."

Xiao Jinyu nodded and said, "With the cave about to open, there's really no need to waste energy."

Fang Xuan tightened his grip on the sword case on his back and looked at the vast mountains and forests ahead.

"We shouldn't be far from Children's Valley now, right?"

"Children's Valley is located in these mountains."

Xiao Jinyu said, "But we're not in a hurry. Once the cave is opened, we can pinpoint its location."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan nodded without saying a word.

Xiao Jinyu once said that the ancient cave dwelling was located in Haier Valley.

However, the exact location of the cave entrance will only be known once the cave is opened.

"Let's conserve our energy first."

Xiao Jinyu said, "Once the cave is opened, a great battle is inevitable, and we cannot afford any accidents."

Seeing the serious expression on Xiao Jinyu's face, Fang Xuan asked, "What are you worried about? Nangong Xingyu?"

"He's just an idiot, not worth worrying about."

Xiao Jinyu shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that if the cave opens, it will attract other martial artists at the Divine Intent Realm, which would be disadvantageous for us."

"Worrying won't help."

Fang Xuan said, "After all, it is the cave of a Transcendent Realm expert. It is inevitable that it would be targeted by a Divine Intent Realm expert."

"yes."

Xiao Jinyu sighed and said, "I just hope that this cave is off-limits to experts at the Divine Intent Realm. If we join forces, we'll have plenty of opportunities."

She stopped talking.

Although his cultivation level has declined, he was once the manager of Tianbao Tower, so he still has some strength.

As for Fang Xuan, that guy has all sorts of tricks up his sleeve.

In addition, given his identity as a sword cultivator, he was virtually invincible among those of the same cultivation level.

Even some martial artists at the Qi Condensation Realm couldn't last more than three rounds against him.

That night, Fang Xuan did not enter a meditative state to cultivate.

The martial artists lurking in the shadows did not make a move, as if they were wary of something, but they did not leave either.

The next day.

As dawn broke, Fang Xuan noticed several more figures in the mountains and forests.

These were the helpers those people had called in.

"It seems they're about to make their move."

Fang Xuan stood up and said, "Wait here for a moment, I'll go say hello to them."

Xiao Jinyu said, "Let's go together. We're allies now."

"Alright."

.,...

Xu Da Kui was originally a bandit.

But by chance, he obtained an unexpected fortune in a cave in the mountains.

This includes martial arts techniques and a wealth of cultivation resources.

In this way, Xu Daikui cultivated to the Condensation Realm in just a few years.

Through various means, Xu Daikui gathered a group of brothers.

Although their cultivation levels varied, Xu Da Kui still became the largest force within a hundred miles.

Life couldn't be more wonderful.

Two days ago, he received a distinguished guest.

The distinguished guest promised that if he could solve a small problem for him, he would not only receive various benefits, but also be introduced to the Sihai Chamber of Commerce.

Xu Daikui was tempted.

Not to mention that by establishing a connection with the Sihai Chamber of Commerce, he could clear his name and soar to great heights.

Xu Daikui couldn't refuse the bottle of pills that could help him break through his cultivation level, as well as the other party's belongings.

Therefore, Xu Daikui had his eye on the two targets as soon as they left Weixin Town.

However, his years of experience living in the mountains and forests have made him extremely sensitive to danger.

He always felt that the man and woman, who didn't seem to have much cultivation, were not as simple as they appeared.

Therefore, Xu Daikui did not rush to take action.

While the other party was resting, he sent someone to contact his two friends.

These two are weaker than him in terms of cultivation.

But at least it's a Qi Condensation Realm cultivation level.

In this way, we can be almost certain of success.

"Old Xu, when are we going to make our move?"

In the mountains and forests, a burly man with a thick beard spoke with a smile.

"No rush, let's wait a bit."

Xu Daikui had already sent several of his men up there to cut off the enemy's retreat.

"As agreed beforehand."

The burly man with the thick beard said, "I only want one-tenth of the treasure, but that woman must be mine."

The thought of that slender woman in the mountain valley filled the burly man with a burning desire.

"Haha, no problem."

Xu Daikui agreed without hesitation.

For him, once he accomplished this task and established a connection with the Sihai Chamber of Commerce, what kind of woman couldn't he find?

"I am quite interested in what that boy is carrying on his back."

Another one-eyed old man grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

"Neither of you are allowed to take it from me."

Xu Daikui naturally had no objections.

The burly man with the thick beard frowned.

This old Liu has always had a sharp eye, and he is also a weapon refiner himself.

What he sets his sights on is definitely not simple.

The long box on that kid's back must be an extraordinary treasure.

However, he had already set his sights on the masked woman, and asking for her again would seem greedy.

And this would also offend Old Man Liu.

"Then it's settled."

A glint flashed in Liu Laogui's one eye as he said, "It's about time. Shouldn't we make our move?"

Just as Xu Daikui was about to speak, he suddenly noticed that the couple in the ravine had stood up and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"They found out?"

Xu Daikui's expression changed, and he said, "There's no time to lose, we should..."

Before he could finish speaking, two dark figures landed heavily in front of him.

Those were Xu Daikui's two subordinates.

At this moment, he lay on the ground like a dead dog, and it was impossible to tell whether he was dead or alive.

"this......"

Xu Daikui's expression hardened, and a bad premonition arose in his heart.

Although his two subordinates were not very strong, they were at least at the fourth level of the Qi Gathering Realm.

It was resolved so quietly; it seems the person they were dealing with has some tricks up their sleeve.

"Boss Xu, your two brothers aren't up to par."

The burly man grinned maliciously: "You said you'd cut off someone's path to survival, and you've already been taken care of so quickly."

"Stop making sarcastic remarks, they're coming over."

Old Liu's face was solemn.

"It seems you guys really came here for me."

A calm voice rang out.

Immediately afterwards, a young man in white appeared on the mountainside like a ghost, looking at them with a mocking expression.

"Such fast movement!"

Xu Daikui's heart sank.

This time, the target has more than just some tricks up their sleeve; they've probably run into a tough opponent.

"No matter how fast your movement technique is, you're still only at the Qi Gathering Realm level."

Old Liu stared intently at the sword case on Fang Xuan's back, licked his lips, and said, "This kid is mine. Nobody can take him from me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Old Liu disappeared from the spot.

When it appeared, it was already behind Fang Xuan.

The withered, bony hand reached directly for the sword box on Fang Xuan's back.

"Such a good thing, it's such a waste to have it on you!"

Old Liu acted extremely quickly, unleashing the full power of his third-level Qi Condensation Realm aura.

"I'm afraid you won't be able to hold onto it."

Fang Xuan smiled calmly, his mind stirring.

With a hum, the sword case unleashed a chilling wave of sword energy that surged towards Old Man Liu like a tidal wave.

"Sword energy?!"

Old Liu's expression changed drastically, and he quickly withdrew and retreated.

But it was too late.

"Pfft pfft pfft!"

The terrifying sword energy, chilling and sharp, pierced through Liu Laogui's body, turning it into a sieve.

"you......"

Old Liu looked at Fang Xuan with a horrified expression, as if he had seen a ghost.

"thump!"

Old Liu's body went limp and he collapsed to the ground.

Even in death, Liu Laogui's face still bore the marks of terror and regret.

He regretted getting involved in this mess.

"How is that possible?!"

Xu Daikui and the burly man were both stunned.

Old Liu died after just one encounter?

Is this guy pretending to be weak while actually being strong?

Xu Daikui understood.

He didn't just kick a hornet's nest; he's really messed with a tough guy.

The fact that he could take down Liu Laogui in one move means he's definitely not as simple as he seems.

"Gulp!"

Suppressing his fear, Xu Daikui forced a smile.

"Young man, this is a misunderstanding."

Xu Daikui said, "I'm leaving now, right away."

As he spoke, Xu Daikui began to back away.

"Misunderstanding? Not necessarily."

Fang Xuan smiled slightly: "We followed you all the way from the small town to here, and even secretly monitored you all night. You're saying this is a misunderstanding?"

"I......"

Before Xu Daikui could finish speaking, the burly man with the thick beard grinned maliciously: "Boss Xu, why are you wasting your breath talking to him? This kid is just a Qi Gathering Realm cultivator. Old Liu was just careless. If we join forces, killing him will be a piece of cake!"

"Brothers, let's do it together!"

The burly man with the thick beard also brought several of his subordinates with him this time.

They are all his elite troops, and their combat strength is quite remarkable.

As soon as he finished speaking, the burly man with the thick beard charged towards Fang Xuan.

"You brat, die!"

The burly man roared and slammed his heavy hammer down on Fang Xuan.

Fang Xuan narrowed his eyes, took a half step back, lowered his waist, and threw a punch.

"King's Fist Shakes the World!"

With a single punch, an overwhelming and majestic killing power erupted, even shattering the air into a blur.

"Bang!"

Before the heavy hammer could even land on Fang Xuan, he was sent flying by a punch.

"Wow!"

The burly man coughed up a mouthful of blood and flew backward like a kite with a broken string.

As soon as he landed, the burly man immediately got up and, without looking back, disappeared into the dense forest, ready to escape.

Just then, a beautiful figure suddenly appeared in front of him.

Did I let you leave?

Xiao Jinyu raised her arm and pointed her jade finger forward.

A koi fish appeared at her fingertips, soared into the air, and instantly pierced the burly man's forehead.

The burly man didn't even manage a groan before he died on the spot.

"Run!"

It's unclear who spoke first, but Xu Daikui's group of subordinates turned and ran.

"Hiss hiss hiss!"

The next moment, sword energy roared and pierced through the air.

In the blink of an eye, these martial artists were killed by Fang Xuan alone.

"you......"

Xu Daikui looked at Fang Xuan with a deathly pale face and despair.

Sword repair!

The opponent was actually a sword cultivator!!!

"Please don't kill me?"

Xu Daikui knelt on the ground and pleaded, "I'll tell you everything I know, please let me go."

He is very clear.

He couldn't run away from a sword cultivator.

"No need."

Just as Fang Xuan was about to kill Xu Da Kui with a flick of his two fingers, the earth shook violently, and a deafening roar echoed through the mountains.

He suddenly looked into the depths of the mountains.

There, spiritual energy surged back, lightning flashed and thunder roared, creating an apocalyptic scene.

He vaguely saw a giant bronze gate.

"The cave dwelling is now open!"