The First Venerable of All Paths

"That's it?"

He Zhongtian blinked hard, thinking he was seeing things.

But He Yun was indeed floating in mid-air, without any external force.

The aura emanating from him, unique to a martial artist at the Divine Intent Realm, was absolutely genuine.

"Yun'er, you..."

As soon as He Zhongtian opened his mouth, he seemed to sense something, suddenly looked up at the sky, and his pupils shrank sharply.

"That is..."

He Zhongtian's lips trembled slightly, and his body even shook slightly.

There was excitement, but even more fear.

Because what was constantly gathering in mid-air were actually patches of thunderclouds.

"Lightning...lightning tribulation?"

He Zhongtian felt his voice was a little hoarse and his breathing was a little rapid.

The dark clouds hanging in mid-air were indeed lightning tribulations.

It is indeed possible for a martial artist to attract a tribulation lightning when breaking through to the Divine Intent Realm.

However, the power of lightning tribulations varies.

The stronger the tribulation lightning, the greater the martial artist's potential and the higher their martial arts achievements.

Similarly, it is extremely dangerous.

One wrong move and you'll be struck down to ashes by lightning.

What He Zhongtian feared was that He Yun wouldn't be able to withstand this wave of lightning tribulation.

"Snap!"

Lightning bolts darted about, and wind and thunder converged.

A bolt of lightning, as thick as a thumb, suddenly fell from the thunderclouds and struck He Yun below.

Suppressing the urge to speak, He Zhongtian could only watch helplessly as the lightning tribulation struck He Yun.

"boom!"

He Yun's body trembled as he successfully withstood the first lightning tribulation, but his aura weakened by ten percent.

The tribulation lightning gave him no time to prepare; the second and third lightning bolts struck down one after another.

"Boom!"

He Yun's body plummeted, but he gritted his teeth and stood in mid-air, only spitting out blood.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his black hair falling down and dancing wildly in the wind, his eyes fixed on the lightning in the sky like lightning.

"Come on, let's continue!"

As if provoked, the fourth and fifth lightning bolts struck simultaneously.

"Wow!"

He Yun's clothes were torn to shreds, large patches of his skin were charred black, and his flesh was even torn up and bleeding profusely.

He Yun's aura had weakened to the extreme.

"Yun'er!"

Looking at the figure who, even after enduring five lightning tribulations, still stood upright, He Zhongtian's eyes reddened slightly.

He knew that the tribulation was not over yet.

Moreover, this time, the lightning tribulation will be more powerful than ever before.

Even when he broke through to the Divine Intent Realm, he only attracted four lightning tribulations.

He Yun's ability to attract six lightning tribulations is enough to prove that his talent surpasses that of myself.

But can he do it?

"It has to work!"

He Zhongtian roared inwardly, "You are my son, He Zhongtian, and you should surpass your father."

Even if he can't compare to that prodigy Fang Xuan, as long as he can surpass him, He Zhongtian will be able to comfort his ancestors.

The sixth lightning tribulation was delayed, which made He Yun realize that something was wrong.

His expression turned solemn, and he subconsciously took out the Fire Spirit Whip.

This whip was originally made from stalactite essence, and it is naturally compatible with him, enabling it to unleash extremely terrifying power.

It should be able to weaken the power of the lightning tribulation.

"Buzz!"

The heavens and earth trembled, and the lightning tribulation struck without warning.

Moreover, it was a terrifying lightning tribulation as thick as an arm.

"this......."

He Zhongtian was terrified, his face filled with despair.

The power of this lightning tribulation was terrifying. The pressure it emitted was so great that even he couldn't get close, let alone help He Yun.

He Yun knew better than anyone that he couldn't withstand this sixth tribulation lightning.

He Yun's eyes dimmed for only a moment before brightening up again.

A fierce fighting spirit erupted from his body.

"Come!"

He Yun let out a low shout, holding the Fire Spirit Whip, and charged directly towards the sixth lightning tribulation.

"Thump!"

The moment the two sides made contact, He Yun was struck as if by an ancient thunder beast, his body plummeting straight down onto the cliff.

However, Thunder did not stop there, but continued to smash into He Yun with unstoppable momentum.

"Yun'er!"

He Zhongtian roared and, with all his might, broke through the pressure of the lightning tribulation and charged towards He Yun.

He released all his spiritual power, forming a protective shield in front of him and protecting He Yun behind him.

"Snap!"

The spiritual energy shield couldn't even last a moment before being shattered by the lightning tribulation.

As a result, He Zhongtian suffered a backlash, spitting out blood.

"father......"

Just as He Yun was about to struggle to get up, he spat out a mouthful of blood and his breath became weak.

"Father, elder brother!"

As the lightning tribulation was about to engulf He Zhongtian and his son, He Yaoyao cried out in alarm, tears streaming down her face.

All the members of the He family stared at the back mountain shrouded in lightning, their faces ashen.

"laugh!"

A beam of axe light shot out, cleaving towards the thundercloud.

But before they could get close, a bolt of lightning shot out, shattering the axe blade and striking Yuan Yan heavily.

"Pfft!"

Yuan Yan spat out blood, and his body flew more than ten meters away like a kite with a broken string, crashing into the courtyard wall.

He couldn't even stand up on the spot.

At this moment.

Everyone knew that He Yun's breakthrough attempt had failed.

They might even perish under the lightning tribulation.

At this critical moment, a white light, like cold frost, shot out and gently struck the thundercloud.

"Click click click!"

The snow-white ice, as thick as a mountain, solidified and froze the thunderclouds.

"hiss!"

"This...how is this possible?!"

Staring at the frozen lightning tribulation, all the members of the He family widened their eyes and stood there dumbfounded.

What is that thing? It can even freeze lightning tribulations.

Soon, they saw it clearly.

What froze the lightning tribulation was actually a fan.

The fan ribs are slender, like black hair.

The fan surface is pure white, like black ice.

The fan looks like a piece of white jade, exquisite and beautiful, yet it also resembles a water beast that has just awakened.

It was this water beast that spat out a beam of cold, white moonlight, freezing the lightning tribulation.

"This fan..."

He Yaoyao stared at the fan with a look of fascination.

So beautiful, so powerful!

As everyone was in shock, a ghostly figure appeared on the back mountain and grabbed the fan.

Then he lightly tapped the frozen lightning tribulation with his fan.

"Disperse."

As soon as those words were spoken, the previously invincible lightning tribulation instantly turned into specks of ice and dissipated into the world.

"Gentlemen, the tribulation lightning has dissipated; you may rise now."

Looking at the dumbfounded He Zhongtian and his son, Fang Xuan smiled calmly.

"Fang...Fang Xuan?"

He Zhongtian stared blankly at Fang Xuan, then exclaimed, "You, how could you...?"

"Alright."

Fang Xuan helped He Zhongtian up and put a pill into his mouth.

"Patriarch He, your injuries are too severe. You should go back to seclusion as soon as possible."

Then he looked at He Yun and nodded, saying, "Congratulations, Brother He Yun, on cultivating the Divine Will."

He Yun struggled to his feet and said with a wry smile, "I never imagined that in the end, I would still have to rely on you."

"Why are you and I being so dramatic?"

Fang Xuan rolled his eyes, tossed over a bottle of pills, and said, "You've just broken through, your realm isn't stable yet, you should go into seclusion too."

He Yun took the pill, but his gaze fell on the white jade fan in Fang Xuan's hand.

"This fan..."

He Zhongtian's heart also skipped a beat.

A fan capable of withstanding lightning tribulations—that's a priceless treasure!

"Oh, a weapon crafted for Miss Yao Yao."

Fang Xuan snapped open his fan and said, "How is it? Not bad, right?"

"It's more than just good."

He Zhongtian said in a deep voice, "Even among the top powers, this thing would be considered a family treasure."

He Yun nodded in deep agreement.

Only by personally experiencing a tribulation of lightning can one truly understand its terror.

This fan can withstand lightning tribulations; it would definitely make countless people fight tooth and nail to get their hands on it.

"It's just a third-grade weapon, it's not as exaggerated as Patriarch He makes it out to be."

Fang Xuan smiled, shoved the fan into He Yun's hand, and said, "This fan is called Xuan Yu Shuang Hua. Once refined, it will increase in grade by two as the owner's cultivation level improves, which will be enough for Miss Yao Yao."

Holding the fan, He Yun frowned and said, "Aren't you going to give it to her yourself?"

"No."

Fang Xuan shook his head and said, "I've already lingered here too long. After I finish taking care of some things, I have to leave."

Upon hearing this, both He Yun and the other person fell silent.

How could they not understand that Fang Xuan was trying to avoid suspicion?

"Brother He Yun, Patriarch He."

Fang Xuan cupped his hands in greeting to the two of them and said, "May we meet again someday, as the green hills remain unchanged and the clear waters flow on."

After saying that, Fang Xuan waved his sleeve, and the Phoenix Cry Sword appeared beneath his feet. He rode away on the sword, as graceful as an immortal.

Watching Fang Xuan's rapidly disappearing figure, the father and son felt a mix of emotions.

"Father......"

Don't look at me!

He Zhongtian turned around and said, "I need to go back and heal my injuries."

Watching He Zhongtian flee in disarray, He Yun sighed heavily.

How should he explain this to his younger sister?

"elder brother......"

At that moment, a weak voice rang out.

"Little sister, you've arrived?"

He Yun was somewhat afraid to look his younger sister in the eye.

"Is this the weapon Brother Fang forged for me?"

He Yaoyao took the fan expressionlessly, nodded and smiled, "It's really beautiful, I like it very much."

"Little sister, you..."

"Brother, you don't need to say anything."

He Yaoyao stroked her fan and said softly, "I know it's impossible between him and me."

"Let's just consider meeting him as a dream."

"Let's just consider that incident a dream between us."

Looking at the young man in front of her, Xiao Jinyu showed no extra emotion, only her tone was somewhat cold.

"I don't need you to take responsibility, and you don't need to blame yourself."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan did not speak immediately.

He gazed at the sunset hanging in the sky and slowly said, "I'm leaving."

"oh."

Xiao Jinyu nodded slightly: "Then I wish you a safe journey."

Fang Xuan turned to look at Xiao Jinyu and chuckled softly.

Feeling somewhat uncomfortable under Fang Xuan's gaze, Xiao Jinyu felt both ashamed and angry, and glared back at him.

"What...what are you looking at? Don't laugh!"

"I will kill Lan Lin."

Fang Xuan put away his smile and said seriously.

"Whatever."

Xiao Jinyu pursed her lips slightly, seemingly not taking it seriously.

"I just wanted to tell you."

Fang Xuan looked at Xiao Jinyu and said seriously, "I, Fang Xuan, always keep my word and never go back on my word."

Xiao Jinyu's delicate body trembled slightly.

She suddenly remembered what Fang Xuan had once said to her.

"What kind of man is he if he can't even protect his own woman?"

"Since that happened between us, I will take responsibility for you."

What exactly does this blockhead mean?

Just to be responsible, or...

"I'm gone."

Fang Xuan rose with his sword suspended in the air, his posture upright and his aura as imposing as a sword.

"wait for me!"

He glanced at Xiao Jinyu, then flew away on his sword without looking back.

Watching the figure disappear, Xiao Jinyu subconsciously took a step forward, hesitating to speak.

An inexplicable feeling welled up inside me, and I felt inexplicably lost and sad.

But then, Xiao Jinyu's beautiful eyes widened.

A streak of light flashed like lightning and reappeared before her.

Then, he pulled her into a tight embrace, so tight that she could barely breathe.

Xiao Jinyu's delicate body trembled violently, and she even forgot to push the young man away.

"Your man can only be me."

The young man forcefully lifted her chin and said, "Remember?"

Looking into those deep, bright eyes, Xiao Jinyu subconsciously nodded.

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan smiled brightly.

"They're really leaving this time!"

The sword flashed like a streak of light, and laughter echoed throughout the heavens and earth.

Rubbing her slightly sore chin, Xiao Jinyu smiled faintly.

"You domineering little rascal."