The First Venerable of All Paths

"Boom!"

A palm, obscuring the sky and sun, suddenly fell from mid-air, covering Fang Xuan and the other person.

Amidst the earth-shaking tremors, an area spanning hundreds of meters was shattered by the giant palm of spiritual energy, creating an extremely shocking scene.

"Dead?"

Everyone gaped, their faces filled with horror.

The two men, who were once so arrogant, were killed by a single palm strike.

"Whoosh!"

A whooshing sound came as a figure stood in mid-air, surrounded by flowing spiritual energy and an aura of power.

It was none other than Gu Tang, the eldest elder of the Gu family.

A powerful cultivator who has reached the fifth level of the Divine Will Realm!

"Greetings, Grand Elder!"

Steward Liang and Attendant Yan bowed respectfully, their hearts pounding with nervousness.

They were extremely worried, fearing that Gu Tang would slap them to death.

Gu Tang didn't even glance at them, his gaze fixed on the ruined earth, a cold glint in his eyes.

"He's still alive?"

Gu Tang snorted coldly and stepped into thin air.

"Buzz!"

The heavens and earth trembled as a giant foot of spiritual energy slammed down on the spot where the hand had landed.

The overwhelming pressure completely destroyed all the surrounding buildings.

This is the strength of a fifth-level Divine Intent Realm expert, far beyond what Gu Xiao can compare to.

Just as his feet were about to shatter the earth, a streak of azure light suddenly burst out from the dust and smoke, speeding away into the distance on his sword with a speed exceeding that of lightning.

"Are you able to leave?"

Gu Tang's eyes turned cold, and the area covered by his foot instantly doubled.

The terrifying aura caused Fang Xuan, who was carrying Li Guanlan away on his sword, to change his expression.

Without hesitation, he hurled the Sun-Eating Bronze Ring.

The copper ring transformed into a black sun, unleashing immense power and frantically devouring Gu Tang's attacks.

"Ding!"

However, the Sun-Devouring Copper Ring only lasted for three breaths before it was blasted away.

Fortunately, the time gained was enough for Fang Xuan to escape hundreds of meters away on his sword.

With a few flashes of sword light, it plunged into a mountain range outside Mingyang County.

"That's interesting."

Gu Tang raised an eyebrow and took a step, covering a hundred meters.

Seeing Gu Tang chasing after Fang Xuan, Steward Liang breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master Yan, what do we do now?"

Steward Liang looked at Elder Yan and asked, "Are we going to help the Grand Elder?"

"The Grand Elder is at the fifth level of the Divine Intent Realm. If even he can't deal with Fang Xuan and the others, what use would our trip be?"

Yan Gongfeng sighed and said, "I think Steward Liang should think about how to explain this to the clan when he gets back."

Upon hearing this, Steward Liang's expression grew even more unpleasant.

He had given the young master his assurance.

If he couldn't bring Li Guanlan back, he would offer his head in return.

"The only option now is to contact the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce."

Manager Liang's expression shifted between anger and uncertainty as he gritted his teeth and said, "Manager Sun was also killed by Fang Xuan. If we can get the help of a powerful member of the Chamber of Commerce, there might still be a glimmer of hope."

The deed is done, and no one can change it; Manager Liang can only try his best to salvage the situation.

Hopefully, the young master will spare his life out of consideration for his loyalty.

......

"The speed of a fifth-level Divine Intent Realm expert is indeed fast."

At this moment, Fang Xuan was frantically fleeing for his life with Li Guanlan.

He pushed his sword speed to the limit, trying to create as much distance as possible from Gu Tang behind him.

The internal energy and innate sword energy were greatly depleted.

However, the distance between the two has not only not widened, but is actually shrinking.

"Fang Xuan, we can't go any further."

Li Guanlan, who was being held in Fang Xuan's arms, spoke up at this moment: "Further ahead is the Valley of Death. This place is extremely evil. Even a strong person at the fifth level of the Divine Intent Realm cannot survive if they enter it. It is a notorious forbidden area and death zone in Mingyue County."

At this moment, Li Guanlan's pretty face was also pale, and she had very little strength left in her body.

Of course, compared to before, she is now only weak because she has exhausted too much energy.

"The Valley of the Dead?"

Looking at the calm, still mountains ahead, Fang Xuan asked in bewilderment, "Why can't I sense any danger at all?"

"This is precisely the peculiarity of the Valley of Death; it can shield one from the detection of the divine soul and makes it impossible to detect danger in advance."

Li Guanlan said urgently, "But once you step inside, you will completely lose your way and be trapped inside to death."

"But that old man is hot on our heels."

Fang Xuan glanced back and saw that Gu Tang was less than 300 meters away from them.

Given their strength, they could catch up with them completely in ten breaths at most.

"If we don't enter the Valley of the Dead, we have absolutely no chance of escape."

"Then let's split up and escape!"

Li Guanlan made a decisive decision and said calmly, "If I die, you help me wipe out the Li family and the Gu family."

"You should take revenge yourself."

Fang Xuan said, "Besides, we might not necessarily die if we enter the Valley of Death."

Having said that, Fang Xuan increased his sword speed again and, without further ado, led Li Guanlan into the Valley of Burial.

"Boom!"

Just then, a giant hand slammed down, but it didn't even touch the hem of Fang Xuan's clothes.

"You dare enter the Valley of Death with such severe injuries?"

Gu Tang hovered at the edge of the Valley of the Dead, a cold glint gathering in his eyes.

"They're courting death!"

Buried in the Valley of Death, it was infamous throughout Mingyue County.

Even Gu Tang wouldn't dare to step inside so easily.

"However, that kid is a sword cultivator and has the Heavenly Fire protecting him, so he might be able to get out of there alive."

After hesitating for a moment, Gu Tang immediately took out a communication talisman and sent a message to the Gu family about what had happened, asking them to send powerful experts to help.

In less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, Steward Liang and Attendant Yan arrived at the Valley of the Dead.

"Elder, could it be that they've gone inside?"

When Steward Liang arrived, his expression changed immediately upon seeing Gu Tang guarding the entrance to the Valley of the Dead.

Gu Tang ignored what Steward Liang said.

A while later, several figures arrived together.

The person in the lead was none other than Gu Can.

"Young Master!"

Upon seeing Gu Can, Steward Liang hurriedly stepped forward to bow, his expression filled with trepidation.

"Useless! You can't even handle such a small matter, and you've caused the loss of so many powerful members of the Gu family!"

Gu Can slapped Steward Liang to the ground, shouting angrily, "I'll spare your life for now. Once I catch that bastard Fang Xuan, I'll deal with you!"

"Thank you for sparing my life, young master."

Manager Liang, with disheveled hair and a face covered in blood, repeatedly kowtowed and thanked them.

"Elder, have those two really entered the Valley of Death?"

Gu Can hovered in mid-air, his wings flapping behind him, his gaze fixed intently on the Valley of the Dead.

"good."

Gu Tang nodded and said, "They are quite decisive, thinking they can find a glimmer of hope among them."

"This is indeed something that Fang Xuan would do."

Gu Can's gaze was icy as he said, "Elder, would you be willing to come with me? Haven't you been searching for the Heavenly Fire? I can give you the Heavenly Fire that Fang Xuan possesses."

Gu Tang frowned and said, "But the Valley of Death is fraught with danger. Even I am not confident that I can escape unscathed."

Moreover, he also had to take care of Gu Can, which made Gu Tang hesitate.

"Elder, please do not worry."

Gu Can smiled calmly upon hearing this.

"The Sihai Chamber of Commerce anticipated this and had already made preparations in advance."

Gu Tang was taken aback, and then several figures broke through the air and arrived.

Judging from their attire, they are members of the Sihai Chamber of Commerce, the Lu family.

"Fellow Daoist Lu Fa?"

Upon seeing the person in the lead, Gu Tang's expression changed, and he said, "Why are you here too?"

This Lu Fa is an elder of the Lu family, whose cultivation is also at the fifth level of the Divine Intent Realm, making him no less powerful than Lu Fa.

However, Lu Fa always stayed at the Lu family headquarters and rarely showed his face.

Gu Tang never expected to see Lu Fa here.

"Fang Xuan killed my guild's manager; this matter must be explained."

Lu Fa said calmly, "I intend to take him back with me to await further instructions."

dispose of?

Gu Tang was filled with disdain.

This Lu Fa is probably after Fang Xuan's treasures.

"Catching that kid won't be an easy task."

Gu Tang cautioned, "This Valley of Death was once the final resting place of a powerful expert at the seventh level of the Divine Intent Realm. Why should we risk our lives entering it?"

Lu Fa did not answer, but slowly took out a piece of old tortoise shell.

The tortoise shell is covered with mysterious patterns.

If you look at it too long, it might even devour your mind and soul.

"Black Tortoise Scales?"

Gu Tang exclaimed in surprise, "You actually brought this out?"

These black tortoise scales are the remains of a black tortoise that had reached the Demon Sect realm before its demise.

It is said to have unparalleled defense, impervious to all evil.

An ancestor of the Lu family once entered the Valley of the Dead with this Xuan Turtle Scale Armor in hand and came out safely.

And it was from that time that the Lu family completely took control of the Sihai Chamber of Commerce.

"How is it?"

Lu Fa laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Gu Tang, would you be interested in joining me to explore the Valley of the Dead?"

"Haha, since Fellow Daoist Lu Fa has even brought out such a fine item, wouldn't it be a regret in life not to see for yourself what makes the Burial Valley so special?"

"The Xuan Turtle Scale Armor can only protect a maximum of five people at a time."

Lu Fa said, "Let's each have two people from our two families."

"Can."

Immediately, Gu Tang and Gu Can were on the Gu family's side.

On the Lu family's side were Lu Fa and a figure completely shrouded in purple robes.

"Fellow Daoist Lu Fa, who is he...?"

Gu Tang narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the figure in purple robes.

"One of my juniors."

Lu Fa said calmly, "My purpose in doing this is actually to broaden his horizons."

"I see."

Gu Tang said, "Let's not delay, let's set off now."

"You wait here."

Gu Can looked at Steward Liang and the others, and said, "If you find Fang Xuan coming out from inside, do everything in your power to bring him down!"

Lu Fa also instructed the people of the Four Seas Chamber of Commerce to guard the entrance to the Valley of the Dead.

After giving his instructions, Lu Fa channeled his spiritual power into the Xuan Turtle's scales.

"Buzz!"

Four beams of light suddenly emanated from the scales, enveloping the four people.

"As long as you don't leave my vicinity of 100 meters, the aura in the Valley of the Dead won't affect you."

Lu Fa was the first to enter the Valley of the Dead, followed closely by the other three.

at the same time.

In the Valley of the Dead, a profusion of flowers bloomed.

"Is this the Valley of the Dead?"

Looking at the vibrant spring scene before him, Fang Xuan was momentarily stunned.

"Why is it different from what I imagined?"

"Don't be so happy yet."

Li Guanlan, his face slightly pale, said expressionlessly, "Sense carefully, isn't it true that your divine soul can't probe very far?"

Fang Xuan tried it and found that it was indeed the case.

The power of the soul seemed to be suppressed by an inexplicable force, and could only leave the body by a maximum of ten meters.

This distance is completely meaningless.

"Apart from that, there seems to be no sign of life here at all."

Fang Xuan's expression gradually became serious, and he said softly, "It seems... there are only the two of us alive."

"Since you're already here, don't overthink it."

Li Guanlan sighed helplessly and said, "Let's find a hiding place before it gets dark."

"The most dangerous time in the Valley of the Dead is at night."