The First Venerable of All Paths

"Elder Gu, are we just going back to the mountain gate like this?"

Sitting on the back of the Night Fury Winged Tiger, Tiger Wind said in a buzzing voice, "We finally got out of the house, why don't we go for a stroll around?"

"You little rascal!"

Upon hearing this, Elder Gu was immediately enraged and said irritably, "What are you wandering around for? Look at Junior Nephew Futian, he's only been a disciple of the sect for a short time, and he's already broken through to the Divine Intent Realm. And you still have the mind to play around?"

"Elder Gu, aren't your words quite hurtful?"

Hu Feng's face fell. He said, "How many people in the entire Beast Taming Mountain can match Junior Brother Fu Tian's talent?"

"Knowing there is a gap, we should be even more motivated to catch up."

Elder Gu said earnestly, "When I was your age, I wished I could stay in the mountains every day to cultivate and improve my cultivation."

"I......"

Hu Feng was immediately rendered speechless.

If it were any other elder saying these things to him, Hu Feng would definitely be impatient.

But Elder Gu is different.

He was kind and gentle.

He was very popular in the mountains; from the elders to the lowest servants, everyone respected Elder Gu.

Even the Night Fury Winged Tiger beneath him was chosen by Elder Gu after requesting permission from the Mountain Lord to serve as his mount for this trip.

"Elder Gu, this disciple understands."

Hu Feng gently patted the Nightshade Winged Tiger on the back and said earnestly, "After we return, this disciple will definitely work harder and strive not to disappoint Elder Gu."

"This child is teachable."

Elder Gu stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "Although Junior Nephew Futian is the team leader for the next competition, I will recommend you to participate as well."

"If you can achieve good results in the competition, it will greatly benefit your spiritual practice."

Hu Feng was deeply moved upon hearing this.

"I am deeply grateful for Elder Gu's kindness and will never forget it."

Hu Feng promised, "When I achieve success in my cultivation in the future, I will definitely repay Elder Gu for his kindness in helping me."

"Silly child, what are you talking about repaying a debt of gratitude?"

Elder Gu smiled and shook his head, saying, "I only hope that you will achieve great things in martial arts in the future, and not tarnish the prestige of my Beast Taming Mountain."

"Your disciple will remember this!"

Hu Feng nodded and kept these words in mind.

"what?"

Elder Gu suddenly looked south, a look of surprise on his face.

"Elder Gu, what's wrong?"

Hu Feng followed Elder Gu's gaze but found nothing, and looked puzzled.

"I've found an interesting little thing. Come with me to take a look."

Elder Gu chuckled, then patted the seven-colored spirit deer beneath him, turned around, and flew south.

Tiger Wind followed closely behind.

Before half a cup of tea could be brewed, Hu Feng saw a young Taoist priest standing on a blue lotus and holding a whisk.

The other person had an ethereal air about them and wore a smile.

He had the air of a hermit sage.

Beside him was a woman dressed in a tight-fitting outfit and wearing a bamboo hat.

These two people were Fang Xuan and Li Guanlan.

"This old man is Guya from Beast Taming Mountain. I pay my respects here."

Elder Gu bowed to Fang Xuan with a smile on his face.

"So it's Senior Guya from Beast Taming Mountain. I've long admired your name."

Fang Xuan's smile remained unchanged. He bowed and said, "This humble Taoist, Xuan Tian, ​​greets Senior Guya."

Despite Fang Xuan's smiling face, he was actually shocked inside.

Seven-colored spirit deer, night-fiend winged tiger.

This is an ancient, extinct species.

I never imagined that Beast Taming Mountain could possess both at the same time; it's truly unbelievable.

What made Fang Xuan even more wary was that the ancient cliff's cultivation level was unfathomable.

"So it's you, young friend Xuantian. It's truly a pleasure to meet you in person."

Gu Ya laughed heartily, his face full of warmth.

To the uninitiated, they would seem to be longtime friends.

Fang Xuan's lips curled into a smile as he said, "Oh? Senior Gu Ya has heard of me?"

Hu Feng glared at Fang Xuan with surprise.

Could this person really be a master?

Li Guanlan was also somewhat surprised, but more so nervous.

She worried that the name Fang Xuan had casually mentioned might actually be based on a real person, and that Gu Ya might happen to know him.

Gu Ya: "..."

I was just being polite, you took it seriously.

He inwardly grumbled, but Gu Ya showed no sign of it on his face. Instead, he changed the subject, saying, "Young friend Xuan Tian, ​​if I'm not mistaken, that thing on your shoulder should be the legendary Crimson Blood Demon Python, right?"

Fang Xuan glanced down at the Crimson Scale Demon Emperor on his shoulder, and his heart skipped a beat.

Oh no, I forgot to tell this guy to hide first.

Since the other party is an elder of Beast Taming Mountain, he must be extremely interested in all kinds of demonic beasts.

Fang Xuan was worried that the smiling old man might be harboring some ill intentions.

Fang Xuan had seen many smiling tigers.

The more kind and gentle a person is, the more vigilant you should be.

"The Crimson Blood Serpent?"

Hu Feng exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't this an ancient beast that has long been extinct? How could you possibly have it?"

"Senior Guya really has a good eye."

Fang Xuan was smiling, but there was little warmth in his smile.

"However, when it comes to ancient exotic species, Beast Taming Mountain is even more extravagant. It has two kinds of rare exotic beasts such as the Nightshade Winged Tiger and the Seven-Colored Spirit Deer, not to mention the others."

Upon hearing this, Gu Ya laughed and said, "Young friend Xuan Tian, ​​please don't misunderstand. I am not after your spirit beast."

Gu Ya could easily detect the coldness and wariness in Fang Xuan's tone.

"But I have a favor to ask, and I hope you will grant it."

Gu Ya spoke earnestly, his face full of seriousness.

But Fang Xuan refused without even thinking.

"I advise you, senior, to refrain from speaking."

Fang Xuan gently stroked the Crimson Scale Demon Emperor, secretly sending a telepathic message to comfort him.

"This guy has a bad temper. If he accidentally hurts either of you, it would be a huge loss."

Upon hearing this, Li Guanlan's expression turned anxious.

Isn't this guy afraid of offending Gu Ya by saying that?

"Hey, Elder Gu hasn't even said what it is yet, and you're already refusing?"

Hu Feng said gruffly, "Besides, given Elder Gu's character, it's not like he won't compensate you."

Fang Xuan ignored him, only looking at the ancient cliff, runes flowing in his eyes.

Gu Ya was taken aback at first, then smiled and said, "It was my rudeness, young friend. Please forgive me."

"You're too kind, senior."

Fang Xuan smiled calmly, and the runes disappeared.

"Since you disagree, then I will not force you to do so."

Gu Ya changed the subject and said, "However, if you wish for this Crimson Blood Python to evolve, you are welcome to come to Beast Taming Mountain to find me anytime. I will certainly welcome you with open arms."

"If that day ever comes, I will certainly not stand on ceremony with you, senior."

Fang Xuan nodded, then cupped his hands and said, "Senior, I have important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now!"

After saying that, Fang Xuan nodded slightly to Li Guanlan, and the two flew away side by side.

"Elder Gu, they seem to be heading in the direction we came from."

Hu Feng said in a low voice, "Do you think they're heading for the Hundred Beasts Secret Realm? If so, then they can't..."

"Nephew Hufeng, you're overthinking it."

Gu Ya chuckled and said, "This young friend Xuan Tian must just be passing by."

"Too."

Hu Feng said, "Even if he really has designs on the Hundred Beasts Secret Realm, it contains the unique mark of my Beast Taming Mountain, so he shouldn't dare to act recklessly."

"good."

Gu Ya laughed and said, "Alright, let's go."

The two changed direction and sped towards Beast Taming Mountain.

"Elder Gu, were you just asking for the essence blood of that Crimson Blood Python?"

Hu Feng suddenly spoke up and asked.

"good."

Gu Ya did not hide his true intentions and said, "The Kui Water Dragon that I raise is currently at a critical juncture in its breakthrough. If we can find some ancient beast essence blood for it to devour and refine, it can help it evolve smoothly."

"That Xuan Tian guy really doesn't know what's good for him."

Hu Feng sneered, "It's just taking a bit of his spirit beast's essence blood, not killing it. Besides, would Elder Gu treat him unfairly?"

"You may say this to me, but you must not let anyone else know."

Gu Ya suddenly said in a serious tone, "My Beast Taming Mountain is famous for its beast taming. They may seem like mounts, but they are actually companions and comrades-in-arms whose lives are intertwined with ours."

"If the other elders hear you say that, your natal spirit beast will probably be taken back by the sect."

Gu Ya spoke earnestly and seriously, and Hu Feng, realizing his mistake, quickly said, "Elder Gu is right, this disciple knows his error."

Gu Ya nodded and said nothing more.

However, his gaze shifted, and he recalled the runes in Fang Xuan's eyes earlier, his thoughts racing.

"Dressed in a Taoist robe, with the name Xuan Tian, ​​and eyes imbued with array patterns, could it be... that he's a wandering Taoist from that place?"

......

"I'm really afraid you'll start fighting."

Li Guanlan said with lingering fear, "That Elder Guya's strength is unfathomable; you and I simply cannot deal with him."

"It's unlikely to escalate into a fight."

Fang Xuan said, "However, Gu Ya's intentions are not pure."

"nonsense!"

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor stood up and said angrily, "That old man dared to make a move on me, I really want to swat him to death with one claw."

"Alright, you're just being stubborn."

Fang Xuan said, "If it really comes down to a fight, you won't be his match either."

"Boy, how dare you underestimate me, the Emperor?"

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor glared and said, "If I reveal my true form and fight with all my might, it's uncertain who will live and who will die."

"They also have two demon emperors."

Fang Xuan said, "Let's not talk about the Seven-Colored Spirit Deer, but the Night Fiend Winged Tiger is known for its fighting prowess and brutality, and its combat ability is extremely strong, not to mention that Ancient Cliff."

"You're just making others look good."

Chi Lin coiled up and said, "If that little kitten dares to bare its teeth at me, I'll beat it to death."

Fang Xuan shook his head, not explaining himself, but he had actually sensed a very faint killing intent from Gu Ya.

However, he intimidated the opponent with the aura of the Three Thousand Array Diagrams, which dispelled Gu Ya's idea.

"We've found them."

At this moment, Li Guanlan gently tugged at Fang Xuan and gestured towards the distant mountains and forests, saying, "It's right there."

"Go, get down!"

Fang Xuan moved swiftly and silently rushed into the forest below, concealing his aura.

He looked up and saw Liu Ming leading a group of disciples from the Beast Taming Hall into a vortex one by one.

"The entrance to the secret realm?"

Upon seeing this, Fang Xuan's face immediately revealed a sinister smile.

"This is truly a stroke of luck!"

He looked at Li Guanlan and whispered, "Guanlan, sense the guy following behind Liu Ming."

Li Guanlan immediately released his divine soul and carefully surveyed his surroundings.

"Can't find it!"

Li Guanlan said, "The other party is not within my perception range."

Fang Xuan pondered for a moment. Seeing that Liu Ming had already entered the secret realm, leaving only a few people to guard the entrance, a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"Never mind, let's get to work!"

Fang Xuan took out a pair of array-setting devices and said to the Crimson Scale Demon Emperor, "You know what to do, right?"

"You underestimate me, don't you?"

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor raised his claws and grabbed the equipment, cackling, "Just you wait and see! I'll make sure none of them leave alive!"