The First Venerable of All Paths

"This sword strike..."

"So strong!"

Looking at the sword ravines that crisscrossed the secret realm, Xiao Jinyu's face was filled with amazement and envy.

A powerful cultivator at the Profound Realm can shatter mountains and rivers with a single thought, and stir up a storm with another.

Such power is truly beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.

Although she possesses the Yin-Yang Dao Body and has even temporarily suppressed it, she is not entirely confident in achieving the Tongxuan Realm.

Divine will is easy to obtain, but profound understanding is difficult to attain.

Because a Transcendent Realm expert is already able to initially sense the rules of heaven and earth, it requires not only extraordinary talent but also unique opportunities and good fortune.

Take Master Qinghe as an example.

If the Profound Realm were so easy to cultivate, he wouldn't have spent so many years, and even until his death, before finally comprehending it.

The fact that it can be described as "mysterious" indicates that this realm is close to the "Tao".

Fang Xuan felt the same way.

For others, obtaining the inheritance of the Nine Emperors and possessing the Chaos Sacred Body can already be considered a promising path to the Great Dao.

However, in the path of martial arts, talent alone is not enough.

The most crucial factor is opportunity and luck.

However, compared to Xiao Jinyu, Fang Xuan's attainment of the Profound Realm is probably only a matter of time.

He looked at the figure in mid-air, his expression gradually becoming complicated.

This was the first Transcendent Realm expert he had ever met.

However, he has already fallen.

"Fang Xuan."

Qinghe turned around and looked at Fang Xuan with a gentle expression.

"Senior, I'm here."

Fang Xuan bowed respectfully.

Regardless of Qinghe's previous purpose, whether it was, as Xie Gui said, to possess Fang Xuan's body.

But from beginning to end, Fang Xuan did not see any scheming against him in the other party.

On the contrary, it is the purest form of support and selfless dedication.

The Nine-Rank Green Lotus, the Green Lotus Karmic Fire.

He protected him and taught him swordsmanship.

Fang Xuan understood all of this and felt grateful.

But facing Qinghe, whose sword heart had burned and who was about to perish, Fang Xuan felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

"You're fine."

Qinghe smiled and said, "It's even better than I imagined."

All he sought in his life was to master the art of swordsmanship.

However, a journey to a secret realm destroyed his physical body and damaged his soul, leaving him neither human nor ghost.

Everything I once pursued has become a mirage.

He thought he would be controlled by others from then on and become a puppet.

Unexpectedly, he encountered an extremely perfect successor at the very end.

"Actually, I've been waiting ever since you got this incomplete map."

With a gentle grasp of her palm, Qinghe sent a streak of light flying out from the depths of the lake, transforming into a fragment of a painting that floated in her palm.

This was the first fragment of the secret realm map that Fang Xuan had obtained.

"One of my purposes was to deliberately shatter the core of the secret realm back then, causing Xie Gui to fail at the last minute."

Qinghe smiled and explained, "This fragment of a map, which contains a trace of my aura, is how I choose my successor."

"It was just an experiment, but I never expected to actually meet you."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan said, "This shows that I have a connection with you, senior."

"Haha, that's true."

Qinghe smiled and said, "The word 'fate' is infinitely mysterious. But I never expected you to make it this far."

Fang Xuan didn't speak.

Qinghe also stopped.

He looked up.

His gaze seemed to pierce through layers of void, reaching the distant beginning.

The sky is high and the land is vast, with ever-changing weather.

But he could never see it again.

"I'm leaving."

Qinghe spoke softly, her tone carrying an indescribable meaning.

"senior......."

Fang Xuan felt inexplicably sad.

"There's no need for that."

Qinghe wore a smile, exuding a carefree and easygoing air.

"To be able to see you with my own eyes before I die is a great comfort to me."

Qinghe said, "Your understanding of swordsmanship far exceeds my expectations, so there's nothing I can teach you."

"However, I can give you something."

The next moment, the heavy innate sword box came whistling in and hovered in front of Qinghe.

"Tsk tsk, you kid, I really don't know where you got such good fortune. Even I'm a little envious."

Qinghe stroked the sword box with her palm and exclaimed, "This box contains sword energy and is a first-class treasure for nurturing swords. Its quality is probably no less than those legendary sword-nurturing gourds."

It must be said that Qinghe has a sharp eye.

The gifts given by the Empress of Sword Ruins were naturally extraordinary.

"However, this item is incomplete and cannot be stored or opened at will, making it easy for others to see through, which is a minor flaw."

He was unaware that this was because the Innate Sword Box came with multiple seals.

This also led to the fact that, in Qinghe's eyes, the Innate Sword Box was not as good as the legendary Sword Nurturing Gourd.

As she spoke, Qinghe casually pointed.

The fragment of the image floating in the palm of his hand instantly transformed into a piece of animal hide, which covered the sword case.

On the fragmented map, the four large characters "Azure Lotus Secret Realm" gradually melted away, transforming into a lotus flower pattern that enveloped the sword box.

It's like putting an outer skin over a sword case.

From then on, unless one's cultivation level surpasses Qinghe's, no one can see the true nature of the sword box.

They would only regard it as an ordinary weapon.

This will also reduce a lot of trouble.

Of course, Qinghe wouldn't tell Fang Xuan that he originally planned to completely integrate the fragment of the painting, which contained his sword intent, into the sword box.

However, they were stopped by a terrifying force.

Left with no other choice, Qinghe had to settle for second best.

"Keep this item safe and do not let anyone take it from you."

After doing all this, Qinghe threw the sword box to Fang Xuan.

Then, he looked at Xiao Jinyu, his words filled with apology.

"Girl, I had no choice but to do this before, please forgive me."

Xiao Jinyu knew what he was talking about, but she just snorted and didn't reply.

"As compensation, I'll give this to you as a gift."

Qinghe pointed her finger, and the void cracked open.

A section of sword tip emerged from the void.

At the tip of the sword, the sword energy shone brightly, and the sword intent was chilling.

With a wave of his hand, the sword tip flew towards Xiao Jinyu and pierced straight into her body.

"This broken sword can not only help you suppress the Yin and Yang energies within your body, but it can also lend you a helping hand when you encounter a life-or-death crisis."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyu's eyes lit up, and she bowed deeply to Qinghe, her tone sincere.

"Kinkyo, thank you, senior."

Xiao Jinyu knew all too well.

Her Yin-Yang Dao Body is only temporarily suppressed; it will continue to erupt after a period of time.

The existence of this sword tip is equivalent to solving a major problem for Xiao Jinyu.

Not to mention, the "helping her" that Qinghe mentioned was probably the full-force sword strike of a Transcendent Realm sword cultivator.

With this item, why should she fear the Third Young Master of Tianbao Tower anymore?

Even in the Nine Provinces of this continent, there are many places to visit.

"However, this sword can only be used three times."

Qinghe seemed to see through Xiao Jinyu's thoughts and said, "You should be cautious when using it in the future."

"Thank you very much, senior. Jinyu is extremely grateful."

Xiao Jinyu bowed deeply again, his tone solemn and his attitude respectful.

The unpleasant feeling in my heart has mostly disappeared.

The rest, of course, has nothing to do with Senior Qinghe.

"Alright, it's almost time."

Qinghe looked at Fang Xuan and the other person, and said with a smile, "You two should leave now."

"Boom!"

A colossal bronze gate slowly opened from the horizon.

"Senior, you......."

Fang Xuan suddenly spoke, but hesitated before continuing.

"There's absolutely no need for that."

Qinghe guessed what Fang Xuan was going to say and slowly shook her head at him.

However, he looked at Fang Xuan seriously, his gaze complex yet gratified.

"Go."

With a wave of his hand, Fang Xuan and his companion were lifted by an irresistible force and instantly entered the giant bronze gate.

The heavens and earth roared, and the universe was overturned.

The entire secret realm began to collapse.

Fang Xuan suddenly turned around and looked at the increasingly faint figure standing between heaven and earth, his eyes slightly red.

"Junior Fang Xuan respectfully bids farewell to Senior!"

Fang Xuan bowed respectfully, his tone firm.

"Rest assured, senior. If the opportunity arises in the future, I will certainly choose a worthy disciple for you to pass on the way of the sword!"

"In that case, I have no regrets."

Qinghe burst into laughter, stirring up wind and thunder.

As she watched the door slowly close, Qinghe murmured softly, "Back then, I was young and thought myself a romantic..."

"I'm leaving."