The First Venerable of All Paths

"Gulp!"

Liu Que swallowed hard, feeling as if the cane on his shoulder was a mountain weighing a thousand pounds.

The pressure made his bones creak under the weight, and his spiritual energy seemed to have died, rendering him unable to even perceive anything.

The spiritual energy was afraid, it was terrified.

Who exactly is this old man?

How could he possibly possess such terrifying strength?

Besides him, are there any other extremely terrifying old monsters in the Fang family?

"What? I rarely ask for favors, are you not even going to give me this much face?"

Seeing that Liu Que remained silent, Ye Fan chuckled, revealing his two missing front teeth.

"In that case, then you..."

Before Ye Fan could finish speaking, Liu Que hurriedly said, "Senior, please calm down. This junior will leave immediately!"

"That's right."

Ye Fan smiled with satisfaction, put away his cane, and then gently patted Liu Que's shoulder three times.

Each slap felt like a blast from a prehistoric beast, causing Liu Que to drop an inch.

What terrified Liu Que even more was that, although Ye Fan's palm showed no spiritual energy fluctuations, his cultivation level was weakened by a fraction.

After three strikes, Liu Que actually dropped from the fourth level of the Divine Intent Realm to the first level.

"My cultivation level..."

Liu Que's pupils contracted, and he angrily asked, "What...what did you do to me?"

For a cultivator at the Divine Realm level, advancing to the next level requires an unknown amount of time, effort, and resources.

Even if he is indeed an elder of the Dao Seeking Sect, the resources he receives each month are still limited.

In addition, as martial artists age, their vital energy and blood will also deplete and weaken.

To regain one's cultivation level will require several times more effort than before.

In fact, he'll never be able to return to the fourth level of the Divine Realm in this lifetime.

It can be said that Ye Fan's three slaps directly severed Liu Que's path in martial arts.

Even if Ye Fan was unfathomable, how could Liu Que not be furious?

"You forced your way in, injured the Fang family, and terrified the children. Is it too much to ask you to learn a lesson?"

Ye Fan said with a smile, "Of course, if you're not satisfied, I can give you a chance. Let's have a fair and square competition."

"A life-or-death battle, how about it?"

Looking at Ye Fan's kind face, not only Liu Que, but everyone else was stunned.

This terrifying old man actually wants to fight Liu Que to the death?

"Elder Liu..."

A disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect looked at Liu Que, his face turning pale.

He was genuinely terrified.

If Elder Liu Que accepts the challenge and wins, that would be fine.

If they lose, will they be able to leave Qingyang County alive?

Would Liu Que dare to accept the challenge?

"You flatter me, senior."

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Liu Que forced a smile and said, "I was in the wrong first, so it is only reasonable for you to punish me, senior."

"You've been quite obedient. That's settled for today."

Ye Fan said, "When you get back, remember to tell your sect that my young master will personally go to the Dao Seeking Sect. If he dares to send anyone to Qingyang County again and frighten the younger generation of the clan, then I will have no choice but to hold you accountable."

"I will remember your words, senior."

Liu Que dared not refuse and quickly agreed, "I will definitely report to the sect truthfully and will not disturb your cultivation again."

He figured it out.

This kind-looking old man is definitely a highly skilled old monster, and also the Fang family's biggest backer.

He didn't kill himself not because he couldn't, but because he didn't want to escalate the situation and affect his cultivation.

Sending someone to deliver a message is both a reminder and a warning.

Having figured all this out, Liu Que's attitude towards Ye Fan became slightly more respectful.

"very good."

Ye Fan waved his hand and said, "Go back now, I won't see you off."

"I wouldn't dare trouble you, senior."

Liu Que cupped his hands and said, "I apologize for any offense I may have caused you, senior. I will take my leave now."

After saying that, Liu Que turned and left.

His back view looked somewhat disheveled.

Several disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect looked at each other in bewilderment and quickly followed, not daring to linger.

They even made up their minds.

From now on, no matter who wants to come to Qingyang County, they will not dare to come again.

That old man was absolutely terrifying and frightening.

After Liu Que and his group left, Fang Shanhai and the others all surrounded them.

"Thank you for your help, Village Chief Ye."

Fang Shanhai cupped his hands in greeting and said politely, "If it weren't for Village Chief Ye's intervention, my Fang family would probably be finished today."

Fang Shanhai felt lingering fear at the thought of the consequences.

"Please accept my bow, Village Chief Ye."

"Elder, you mustn't do this."

Ye Fan quickly grasped Fang Shanhai's arm and said, "If it weren't for the young master's pity and taking me in, I would have died. But the children in my Ye Village are still young."

Fang Shanhai was startled when his arm was grabbed.

This Village Chief Ye possesses terrifying power.

It rendered him completely immobile.

No wonder Liu Que didn't dare utter a single word in front of the old village chief.

Ye Fan smiled and said, "This is my home in Ye Village now. If anyone wants to demolish my home, I will be the first to object."

Ye Fan's sincere words moved Fang Shanhai and the others.

To be honest, when the young master took in these people from Ye Village, he was somewhat skeptical.

After all, the Fang family was also struggling to survive. Taking in such a group of old, weak, and frail people, each of whom could eat as much as the last, would be unbearable for anyone.

In particular, the resources they consume on a daily basis amount to an astronomical figure.

Many elders suggested reducing the allocation of resources to Ye Village, but Fang Shanhai refused.

He silenced the dissenting elders with just one sentence.

"Most of what the Fang family has now was earned by the young master. Since the young master has no objections, you should all behave yourselves."

Since then, no one has mentioned it again.

Just because someone doesn't mention it doesn't mean they don't have thoughts about it.

Only today did Fang Shanhai realize how wise the young master's decision had been.

The old village chief single-handedly turned the tide and saved the Fang family from dire straits, earning the Fang family's complete and heartfelt respect for the people of Ye Village.

Ye Fan's heartfelt words moved everyone in the Fang family.

Compared to the Su family who betrayed the Fang family back then, Elder Ye's actions today are even more admirable.

"The old village chief is right."

Fang Shanhai gripped Ye Fan's wrist tightly, his gaze sweeping over the Fang family members, his tone serious and earnest.

"Although our Fang family and Ye Village are not of the same lineage, we are still of the same clan!"

A crisis that threatened to wipe out the entire race came to an abrupt end.

By the time Li Shanya rushed over, Ye Fan had already left.

"Brother Shan Hai, what exactly happened?"

Li Shanya said solemnly, "I sensed a powerful aura and came immediately."

Since the Su family was destroyed and Su Chongshan fled, Li Shanya has been waiting for this day.

It would be a lie to say I wasn't nervous.

But the Li family and the Fang family are now completely intertwined.

It's simply unrealistic to try to stay out of it.

Therefore, upon sensing the arrival of a powerful figure from the Fang family, Li Shanya rushed over immediately.

"Hehe, it's already resolved."

Fang Shanhai chuckled.

Despite having just weathered a crisis, Fang Shanhai was in high spirits.

"Brother Shan Hai, what's wrong with you...?"

Seeing Fang Shanhai in a good mood, Li Shanya was somewhat puzzled.

"It's nothing, it's nothing."

Fang Shanhai waved his hand, then said in a low voice, "Brother Shanya, all you need to know is that from now on, our two families no longer need to live in fear and worry about the retaliation from the Dao Seeking Sect."

With a supreme expert like Village Chief Ye overseeing the Fang family, Fang Shanhai no longer needs to be on edge all the time.

"What do you mean?"

Fang Shanhai's ambiguous words only fueled Li Shanya's frustration, making him irritably retort, "Couldn't you have been more specific?"

"Unspeakable, unspeakable, hahaha."

Seeing Fang Shanhai grinning from ear to ear, Li Shanya said angrily, "Say it or don't, I'm leaving."

Li Shanya came and went in a hurry.

Halfway through the air, Li Shanya paused, turned his head to look at the Fang family's backyard, and laughed and cursed, "That old fox Fang Shanhai really got lucky."

.......

"Master Zhong, the matter is resolved."

In the mysterious realm, the old village chief Ye Fan stood respectfully before Grandpa Zhong.

In the old village chief's heart, the person he was most grateful to was the young master, Fang Xuan.

Secondly, there's Master Zhong.

The young master gave the people of Ye Village a new life.

It not only gave them a new home, but also empowered the people of Ye Village to protect themselves.

As for Grandpa Zhong, who personally brought them back to the Fang family and carefully taught them every day, the old village chief felt that he was unfathomable.

"Well done."

Grandpa Zhong put one foot on the stool, picked up a peanut and put it in his mouth, then took a sip of wine, thoroughly enjoying himself.

"Are the people you were asked to choose ready?"

Grandpa Zhong looked at the old village chief and said indistinctly.

"Everything is ready."

Ye Fan said, "But Master Zhong, is sending just those few brats really enough? Should we send a few more men?"

"What's the purpose of adding more staff?"

Zhongye said irritably, "I told them to take care of the young master, not to fight."

"Besides, with Master Zhong here, is there any need to worry about the young master's safety?"

Grandpa Zhong looked extremely confident.

"With Lord Zhong personally taking charge, I can rest assured."

Ye Fan nodded in deep agreement and said, "It's just a pity that I'm old and my legs are not strong enough, otherwise I would also like to serve by the young master's side."

"you?"

Grandpa Zhong glanced at the old village chief, rolled his eyes, and said, "You're not some young lady, what are you doing getting in the way of the young master?"

The old village chief wasn't angry; he just chuckled.

"Alright, it's not that Master Zhong doesn't want to take you with him."

Zhongye clapped his hands and said, "Although we have intimidated the people of the Dao Seeking Sect today, it does not mean that the Fang family can rest easy."

"With you personally overseeing things, I feel much more at ease, don't I?"

Ye Fan nodded and said, "I understand. I will certainly live up to Master Zhong's high expectations."

"Old Ye, that's not right of you."

With his greasy hands, Master Zhong gently patted Ye Fan's shoulder and said earnestly, "The person you should least let down is the young master."

"You must remember this."

Master Zhong chuckled and said, "The reason your Ye clan has everything it has today is all because of the young master."

"I will remember what Master Zhong said and never forget it."

With Ye Fan's assurance, Grandpa Zhong nodded in satisfaction, looking pleased.

"Old Ye, don't feel pressured."

Zhongye said meaningfully, "The things I left you should be enough for you to take that step."

"Cultivate diligently, and don't disappoint the young master."

Ye Fan's old body trembled, and he bowed deeply to Grandpa Zhong, his words filled with excitement and sincerity.

"Thank you, Master Zhong! Thank you, Young Master!"

"Um."

Master Zhong was even more satisfied with Ye Fan's attitude.

"Alright."

Zhongye said, "I'm leaving the Fang family to you. I, Zhongye, have to go find the young master."

"My poor young master, without your old servant me, are you going hungry, constantly being chased or on your way to be chased?"

Zhongye stood with his hands behind his back, glancing sideways at the sky, exuding an air of dominance.

"Young master, don't be afraid. Once this old servant arrives, your good days will begin!"