The First Venerable of All Paths

"Changfeng, are you sure Fang Xuan is inside?"

Outside the cave dwelling lies the Valley of Children.

Almost a month has passed since the cave entrance was closed.

The people waiting outside did not leave; instead, their numbers grew larger and larger.

At this point, the number of people had reached an astonishing level.

Today, countless people are watching the Valley of Children, the place where the bronze gate once opened.

This is because, seven days ago, the young master of the Lu family and a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect were teleported out of the cave one after the other.

To their shock, Song Fan, a disciple of Luoxia Valley, had lost an arm when he was teleported out.

When questioned by outsiders, the group remained silent, but did not leave, as if they were waiting for something.

Actually, everyone knows the truth.

Being able to enter the cave doesn't mean anything.

No matter what good fortune you gain inside, whether you can keep it after you come out is another matter.

Lu Ci and Qi Changfeng both have extraordinary backgrounds, so these people naturally dared not have any ideas.

But it's different for others.

If we can gain even one or two opportunities from them, then the trip will not have been in vain.

Faced with the questioning from Elder Jia Lian of the sect, Qi Changfeng said helplessly, "This disciple dares not lie, I did indeed see Fang Xuan."

Jia Lian had asked this question countless times.

But he still wanted to double-check.

"What is the opponent's cultivation level?"

Qi Changfeng paused for a moment, then said, "Very strong."

He glanced at Lu Ci not far away and said, "He was the one who suffered a crushing defeat at Fang Xuan's hands and was forced to teleport out."

Thinking back to the battle between Fang Xuan and Lu Ci, Qi Changfeng also found it hard to accept.

A martial artist at the seventh level of the Qi Gathering Realm defeated a martial artist at the ninth level of the Yuan Condensation Realm.

I've never even heard of such a thing, let alone seen it with my own eyes.

Even Senior Brother Zhao, who is about to be named a Holy Son, can only overcome three minor realms at most to defeat his opponent.

"It seems that Su Chongming was right; Fang Xuan is indeed destined for greatness."

Jia Lian said calmly, "However, killing my sect's disciples will ultimately have consequences."

Qi Changfeng understood.

Once Fang Xuan leaves the secret realm, Jia Lian will personally take action, either capturing Fang Xuan and taking him away, or killing him.

Those who wanted to take advantage of Fang Xuan and gain something from him were destined to fail.

"Boom!"

Just as Qi Changfeng had this thought, the world suddenly went dark.

An invisible wave of power swept across all directions.

Within the Valley of Children, spiritual energy surged back, forming ripples.

Amidst the thick fog, a colossal bronze gate suddenly rose from the horizon.

In the blink of an eye, the once towering and massive gate stood abruptly between heaven and earth.

One figure after another was spat out from the opened giant gate, crashing to the ground in a sorry state.

"They're out!"

Everyone gasped in surprise and stared intently in that direction.

These martial artists who had entered the cave were like treasures to them.

Rich and alluring.

In an instant, some people couldn't resist and rushed towards Haier Valley, wanting to get there first.

"Bang bang bang!"

Before these people could get close, a violent aura from Haier Valley suddenly descended, instantly immobilizing these martial artists in place.

An invisible force erupted, instantly blasting them into dust.

In just a few breaths, more than twenty martial artists perished on the spot.

Of course, these impatient martial artists only made up a minority.

More often than not, people choose to stand by and watch.

They used these fallen warriors as stepping stones.

"Thump!"

A flash of light appeared from the giant gate, and a figure was "spit out" and slammed heavily onto the ground.

This person radiated light.

Most importantly, the stone he held in his hand shone brightly.

An astonishing energy fluctuation emanated from the stone, clearly indicating that it was something extraordinary.

Many people felt greed.

"Such a treasure should belong to me!"

"Get lost! Who do you think you are, daring to steal my opportunity!"

"First come, first served! Don't miss out!"

In an instant, more than ten martial artists rushed towards this person.

What they did was the opportunity that person obtained in the cave.

But to everyone's astonishment, as soon as these people approached, layers of white light suddenly burst forth from the man's palm.

"Pfft pfft pfft!"

The white light spread very quickly.

All the martial artists who had approached earlier melted away as soon as they got close, just like snow melting under the blazing sun.

In the blink of an eye, all these martial artists were dead.

For a moment, everyone was stunned.

Although those martial artists were not very strong and only wanted to take advantage of the chaos, they were all at the Qi Condensation Realm.

In just a short while, they were all dead.

This scene is truly breathtaking.

The figure slowly raised its head, a ferocious look appearing on its face.

In his eyes, it was as if a flame was burning.

"They're finally out!"

.......

"elder brother!"

Upon seeing that figure, He Yaoyao's face first showed a look of shock, then her face was filled with joy.

She recognized him.

That was her older brother, He Yun.

However, He Yun seems to be in a strange state right now.

He was curled up on the ground, as if he were enduring immense pain.

He Yaoyao approached cautiously.

"elder brother......"

Afraid of startling the other party, He Yaoyao kept her voice very low.

Are you alright?

When they were still a few steps away from each other, He Yaoyao spoke softly.

The figure slowly raised its head and looked at He Yaoyao.

His eyes were a ghastly white, like those of a demon, sending chills down one's spine.

He Yaoyao was startled and backed away repeatedly.

"Get out of my way, you little bitch!"

At that moment, a figure rushed over.

Because He Yaoyao was blocking the way, he slashed directly at her with his long sword.

He Yaoyao seemed unable to react, only staring at that figure with red eyes.

Just as the long sword was about to fall on He Yaoyao, the figure gently raised his arm.

"Buzz!"

The stone transformed directly into a long whip of magma, which was then lashed out with effortless ease.

"puff!"

The magma whip first shattered the longsword, then landed on the man.

"Bang!"

A martial artist at the fifth level of the Qi Condensation Realm was only grazed by the long whip of magma before he exploded on the spot.

He died on the spot without even being able to scream.

Then, the magma whip swept across, killing several martial artists who followed closely behind.

Still shaken, He Yaoyao looked at the figure in front of her and swallowed hard.

"elder brother......"

Before she could finish speaking, the man grabbed her by the head and said coldly, "Why are you causing trouble?"

"I just..."

"Get out of here!"

With a forceful jerk of his hand, he threw He Yaoyao out.

He Yaoyao steadied herself, her eyes slightly red, her face full of grievance.

"He Yun, you bastard."

He Yaoyao felt extremely wronged.

My older brother would never treat me like this.

But He Yaoyao was very angry that she had been embarrassed in front of so many people.

"Yaoyao, stop fooling around!"

He Zhongtian shouted coldly, "Your older brother isn't acting right!"

He Yaoyao looked closely and discovered that her older brother, He Yun, was surrounded by a strange light.

He was breathing rapidly, his face contorted in pain, as if he were enduring inhuman torture.

"Hmph, I'm sure it's my brother..."

"Shut up!"

He Zhongtian sternly reprimanded, "It's one thing at other times, but what kind of time is this to be so willful? What kind of behavior is this!"

He Yaoyao felt a little wronged after being scolded.

"What? I was just concerned about my older brother."

But she didn't dare say anything more, only looking at He Yun with a hint of worry in her eyes.

This is exactly what is meant by being overly concerned and losing one's composure.

Watching his father walk towards his eldest brother, he rubbed his hands together while drinking his medicine, looking somewhat uneasy.

"Don't worry, Miss."

Yuan Yan comforted him, saying, "Young Master is a lucky man, he will be alright."

He Yaoyao didn't speak, nor did she notice that a figure shrouded in a black robe was subtly approaching her.

A flicker of excitement flashed in his eyes.

He recognized the stone in He Yun's hand that had transformed into a long whip of magma.

Stalactite essence.

This thing was conceived from the heart of a stalactite.

This stuff can be used directly to temper the physical body, and it is also a top-grade material for refining elixirs or weapons.

He had been searching for the essence of stalactites for many years and was about to give up.

I never expected to run into you here.

Leaving aside the other experts at the Divine Intent Realm, He Zhongtian himself was also extremely strong.

Obtaining the essence of the stalactite is no easy task.

Therefore, he turned his attention to He Yaoyao.

As long as we have that little girl in our grasp, we're not afraid He Zhongtian won't give in.

As more and more people emerged from the cave, the scene became increasingly chaotic.

Taking this opportunity, he quietly approached He Yaoyao.

"Boy, hand over the essence of the stalactite!"

At the same time, a powerful expert at the Divine Intent Realm suddenly appeared in front of He Yun, and his powerful aura pressed down on He Yun.

"roll!"

He Yun's eyes were bloodshot, and he swung his lava whip directly at his opponent.

The intense, scorching aura swept out, actually forcing the man back half a step.

"Hmph, you won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!"

The man snorted coldly, raised his arm, gathered spiritual energy, and transformed it into a giant spiritual hand, which he slapped hard down at He Yun.

As the overwhelming pressure descended, He Yun's body trembled, and he immediately knelt on the ground, spitting out blood.

"You dare hurt my son? You're asking for death!"

Upon seeing this, He Zhongtian, who arrived a little later, immediately became furious.

He Zhongtian unleashed a punch, breaking through the giant spiritual energy hand, and then slammed another punch at his opponent.

Sensing the domineering force of He Zhongtian's fist, the man's expression changed, and he hurriedly struck out with a palm.

"Thump!"

A dull, loud bang erupted, the force of which swept through, and both men took a step back.

"Yun'er, are you alright?"

He Zhongtian steadied himself and turned to look at He Yun.

He Yun shook his head, but the madness in his eyes was almost impossible to suppress.

"rest assured."

He Zhongtian shook his wrist, looked at the person opposite him with murderous intent, and grinned.

"You bastard, you dare steal my son's opportunity? You're tired of living!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he flashed forward and rushed directly towards the man.

His spiritual energy surged, and his fists slammed out like raging dragons, creating a flurry of fist shadows that enveloped his opponent.

Although He Zhongtian didn't know what his son had experienced in the cave, nor did he recognize the essence of stalactite, he sensed that it was extraordinary.

With many powerful figures present, he needed to use domineering and forceful methods to deter the villains and prevent them from making any rash moves.

Sensing the killing intent emanating from He Zhongtian, the man's expression changed.

However, He Zhongtian's attack was swift and fierce, clearly intended to make an example of him.

Enraged, he also struck out with his palm.

"Knock knock knock!"

The spiritual energy surged, and the aftershocks of the fierce battle spread outwards, drawing the attention of everyone.

He Yaoyao's entire attention was focused on the battle between the two, and she didn't notice the figure that had unknowingly approached her.

Yuan Yan discovered it.

He frowned, about to speak, when the other person flashed forward, their five fingers grabbing at He Yaoyao like eagle claws.

"presumptuous!"

Yuan Yan roared angrily, flipped his hand, and the Myriad Fiend Battle Axe appeared, directly slashing at the opponent.

A sinister smile curled at the corner of the mouth of the figure in the black robe, hidden beneath the hood.

He flickered and vanished from the spot.

Yuan Yan's attack missed.

When the figure in black robes reappeared, he was already behind He Yaoyao, and his hand, which resembled a withered branch, gently rested on He Yaoyao's neck.

"Don't move."

"Otherwise, she could die."

The hoarse voice coming from under the hood made Yuan Yan freeze.

"I won't move."

Yuan Yan quickly raised his hands and said, "Your Excellency, please don't hurt her."

He Yaoyao's delicate body trembled, and she was so nervous that she almost cried.

"That's a good girl."

The figure in black robes smiled sinisterly again, casually sealing He Yaoyao's Yuan Power, and looked at He Yun.

"Kid, if you don't want anything to happen to your sister, hand over the stalactite essence you have to me."

He said in a mocking tone, "Otherwise, I'll kill her."

"elder brother......"

Tears welled in He Yaoyao's eyes, and she shook her head slightly.

"No, that's an opportunity you've had all the time in the world."

He Yun didn't speak, but it was clear that the madness in his eyes had reached its peak.

"Release my daughter!"

He Zhongtian, who was fighting someone, also discovered that his daughter had been captured. He punched his opponent away and looked at the figure in black robes with bloodshot eyes.

"Anything you want is negotiable."

"I said, I only want the essence of the stalactite."

The figure in black robes said, "Give me the item, and I'll return the person to you."

"Can."

Before He Zhongtian could speak, He Yun said directly, "But you have to release my sister first."

"You have no right to bargain with me."

The figure in black robes remained unmoved, simply gripping He Yaoyao's hand with a slight tightening.

"for you!"

Seeing his younger sister's face contorted in pain and struggling to breathe, He Yun quickly threw the essence of the stalactite, which had turned into stone, at her.

Seeing the essence of the stalactite flying towards him, the figure in black robes immediately released He Yaoyao and grabbed the essence of the stalactite.

"The essence of millennia-old stalactites, truly a wonderful thing!"

The figure in black robes laughed wildly and was about to back away from this place of trouble.

Just then, a deafening roar shook the heavens and the earth once more.

Within the colossal bronze gate, the void cracked open, and two figures slowly emerged from within.

Both of them were surrounded by a blue aura.

It's like possessing some kind of priceless treasure.

"Let's do it!"

Some martial artists who had been waiting for a long time rushed towards the two of them.

"Thump!"

"Thump!"

"Thump!"

Just then, three loud drumbeats rang out.

Those martial artists who got close were instantly blown apart.

Lotus blossoms bloom in mid-air.

Within these lotus flowers, chilling sword energy emanated, shredding some martial artists to pieces, leaving no trace of their bodies.

In the blink of an eye, hundreds of martial artists perished on the spot.

"retreat!"

The remaining martial artists were all horrified and quickly retreated.

After retreating to a safe position, everyone stared at the figure in utter horror and swallowed hard.

"Fang Xuan!"

Upon seeing the other person's appearance, exclamations of surprise rang out.

There was shock, there was excitement.

He also harbored murderous intent.

Lu Ci.

Qi Changfeng.

Nangong Xingyu.

Those who had conflicts with Fang Xuan all wore expressions of murderous intent.

Fang Xuan closed his eyes slightly, not looking at the crowd.

His face was filled with sorrow, and the tear stains on his face had not yet faded.

In my mind, all I could recall were Qinghe's reflections on life and her insights into the way of the sword before her demise.

"Life is like a sword; once drawn, there is no regret."

The next moment, Fang Xuan suddenly opened his eyes, a sword shadow flashing in his eyes.

He glanced at the restless martial artists and smiled sinisterly.

"roll!"