The First Venerable of All Paths

The atmosphere inside the Fang family's council hall was as cold as ice, sending chills down one's spine.

The people looked at Fang Xuan with astonishment and disbelief.

Who could have predicted that Fang Xuan, whom everyone thought had perished, would actually be standing here alive and well, and even killed Fang Zhi, who was at the fourth level of the Blood Creation Realm, with a single palm strike.

His dementia has been cured? And he's even regained his cultivation level?

How is that possible!

"presumptuous!"

A cold shout, as loud as thunder, shattered the brief silence.

Fang Yue pointed at Fang Xuan and shouted sternly, "Fang Xuan, how dare you harm your own clansman! This is an unforgivable crime! According to clan rules, you should be stripped of your bloodline and executed immediately!"

Regardless of whether Fang Xuan regained his senses or not, and regardless of whether he truly recovered his cultivation, in Fang Yue's heart, this person absolutely could not be allowed to live!

"Second Uncle, no!"

Fang Rou struggled with difficulty, then knelt on the ground with a thud, pleading tearfully, "Second Uncle, elders, please forgive my brother for fighting for the family this time. It was all my fault, punish me instead."

"Little sister, get up, there's no need to kneel before these people!"

Fang Xuan rushed forward and helped Fang Rou up. Seeing her covered in wounds, Fang Xuan felt a pang of pain in his heart. "Little sister, I'm so sorry you've suffered so much."

Fang Rou stared at the boy before her, stunned for a long time, tears welling up in her eyes, her lips trembling as she asked, "Brother... is it really you?"

She was afraid it was all a dream.

"it's me."

Fang Xuan responded softly, helping Fang Rou sit down. A gentle, chaotic energy quietly flowed into Fang Rou's body, slowly relieving her injuries.

The injuries on Fang Rou's body made Fang Xuan's eyes flash even colder.

Fang Xuan slowly turned his head, his gaze shooting towards Fang Yue like an ice blade, a cold smile curving his lips.

"Harming one's own kind? A heinous crime?"

Fang Xuan's gaze shot towards Fang Yue like a sword, then he looked around at everyone and said, word by word, "Fang Rou is my sister, Fang Xuan's sister."

"No matter who it is, whoever dares to touch her..."

Fang Xuan's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

"Kill without mercy!"

The boy's words were resounding and echoed throughout the hall like a great bell.

Many people avoided eye contact with Fang Xuan.

They used to bully Fang Xuan quite a bit.

"Fang Xuan, you've gone too far!"

Fang Yue flew into a rage and coldly shouted, "This is the family's important ground! How dare you spout such nonsense here? You disrespectful wretch! Fang Song, Fang Tao, take these two siblings to the water dungeon and await their fate!"

Immediately, two figures pounced on Fang Xuan like cheetahs, their blood surging.

It was Fang Song and Fang Tao.

One person created a Blood Realm Level 5, and another created a Blood Realm Level 6; both were stronger than Fang Zhi.

The two had always been Fang Xiao's lackeys, and they bullied Fang Xuan a lot during the three years that Fang Xuan was mentally impaired.

Three years ago, Fang Xuan, out of consideration for blood ties, would have only given him a slight punishment at most.

However, for the past three years, he has suffered humiliation and torment as a fool. Now these people are bullying his younger sister and humiliating his father and mother. How could he be soft-hearted again? He must use thunderous means to completely suppress them!

Thinking of this, Fang Xuan's eyes flashed with a cold light, and he made a fierce move.

"Slap slap—"

Fang Xuan was too fast. Fang Song and the other man only saw a blur before their bodies were sent flying backward at an even faster speed, crashing heavily to the ground and coughing up blood.

Fang Xuan cracked his knuckles, his face expressionless: "You were trash three years ago, and you're still trash now!"

"hiss--"

Seeing the two critically injured and dying people, everyone gasped, their eyes widening as they stared at Fang Xuan in disbelief.

This former fool has not only regained his senses, but also seems to have recovered his cultivation, and his methods are even more ruthless and cunning than they were three years ago.

What exactly did he experience in those three days?

"Anyone else who's not afraid of death, come on up."

Fang Xuan's murderous gaze swept over the Fang family members, his tone chilling.

"You little beast, you're too arrogant!"

Fang Yue's aura surged violently, his eyes flashing with cold light: "You think you can do whatever you want here just because you have some unorthodox methods? Today, I will cleanse the sect and kill you on the spot, you little beast!"

"Fang Yue, how dare you!"

Just as Fang Yue was about to make a move, the Second Elder, Fang Shanhe, stepped forward and stood in front of Fang Xuan, staring directly at Fang Yue.

The Third Elder then spoke up, "Fang Yue, are you so eager to make your move that you intend to kill him without warning?"

"Second Elder, this boy has harmed his own clansmen; he is vicious and ruthless. Such a person must be executed on the spot to uphold the prestige of our Fang family!"

Fang Yue's voice was stern: "Otherwise, if this matter gets out, what will become of the Fang family's reputation? What will become of our authority?"

"This is utterly absurd!"

Fang Shanhe retorted without hesitation, "Don't you know how Fang Zhi and the others bullied Xuan'er before? Offending the young master is a serious crime. They deserve their fate; they have no one else to blame!"

"you......"

Fang Yue was about to speak when Fang Xiao stopped him: "Father, don't be hasty. If you really kill this good-for-nothing, wouldn't people say you're bullying the weak and give you cause for gossip?"

"Xiao'er, what do you plan to do?"

Fang Yue looked at Fang Xiao, somewhat puzzled.

"Our family's ancestral precept is that the position of young master should be held by the most capable person."

Fang Xiao put his hands behind his back, looking arrogant: "Ten days from now, it happens to be the Fang family's competition. So I will have a match with Fang Xuan. Whoever wins will be the young master of the Fang family."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yue's eyes lit up.

He knew that his son, Fang Xiao, was trying to use Fang Xuan to gain fame, solidify his reputation as a genius, and secure his position as the young master.

Anyway, Fang Xuan is a good-for-nothing, how could he be a match for Xiao'er?

When the time comes, we will kill them fair and square, and who will dare to say anything against it?

Fang Xiao looked at Fang Xuan and said coldly, "Fang Xuan, in ten days, a life-or-death battle awaits you. Do you dare accept?"

A life-or-death battle?

Everyone was taken aback upon hearing this.

It seems Fang Xiao is determined to kill Fang Xuan.

"Why bother killing you..."

Before Fang Xuan could finish speaking, a clear voice suddenly rang out.

"That's utterly ridiculous!"

A woman walked briskly towards them; even though she was covered in dust, it couldn't hide her cool and aloof aura.

"Yu Rong, why are you back?"

Upon seeing the visitor, the Grand Elder's face lit up with surprise and delight.

Fang Yurong is his adopted granddaughter. She has been exceptionally talented since childhood, no less than Fang Xuan and Fang Xiao, and has even joined the Dao Seeking Sect.

If she weren't not of the Fang family bloodline, she should have been the young master of the Fang family.

"If I don't come back, the Fang family will be in an uproar."

Fang Yurong's beautiful eyes sparkled as she scanned the crowd. When her gaze fell on Fang Xuan, her eyes lit up slightly, but she only lingered there for a moment before finally looking at Fang Xiao.

"We are of the same blood, how can we shout and kill each other? Does it sound good if word gets out?"

As a disciple of the Dao Seeking Sect, Fang Yurong's status far surpassed that of ordinary members of the Fang family, even elders. When she spoke, everyone fell silent.

"Niece Yu Rong, your words are somewhat biased."

Fang Yue sneered, "It was that little beast Fang Xuan who attacked first, killing Fang Zhi and seriously injuring Fang Song and Fang Tao; Xiao'er was merely following the rules of the duel."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yurong noticed that Fang Zhi's corpse and the seriously injured Fang Song were looking at Fang Xuan with a hint of surprise in their eyes.

"snort!"

To everyone's surprise, Fang Yurong merely snorted coldly and said, "Fang Xuan is the young master of the Fang family. They have committed insubordination and deserve what they deserve."

Fang Yue angrily retorted, "Fang Yurong, you're showing favoritism towards Fang Xuan! How dare you, an outsider, interfere in the struggle for the young master's position!"

"you......"

These words made Fang Yurong's face turn red with anger, but she was speechless.

"Yu Rong, stop fooling around."

At this moment, the Grand Elder spoke indifferently: "This matter shall be decided by Fang Xuan and Fang Xiao themselves."

Fang Yurong is not of the Fang family bloodline, a fact that even he couldn't say anything about.

"grandfather......"

Fang Yurong was about to speak when the boy interrupted her.

"I accept this life-or-death battle!"

Fang Yurong turned her head, staring wide-eyed at Fang Xuan, and said angrily, "Are you crazy? Or has your dementia relapsed?"

"I know what I'm doing."

Fang Xuan looked at Fang Xiao and said expressionlessly, "If he wants war, then let's fight. I will kill you honorably and take back what belongs to me!"

"good!"

Fang Xiao grinned maliciously and said, "Since that's the case, let's sign a life-or-death contract. Ten days later, we'll determine who's superior and who's dead!"

Soon, the two parties signed the contract. Upon seeing this, Fang Yurong stomped her foot in anger and turned to leave.

"Fang Xuan, cherish your last moments."

Fang Xiao carefully put away the life-and-death contract, looked at Fang Xuan with a mocking expression, and coldly said, "Ten days later, the Fang family will no longer have Fang Xuan, but will only know me, Fang Xiao!"

"I'd like to say the same to you."

Fang Xuan said expressionlessly, "Ten days is enough time for you to prepare your coffin."

After saying that, Fang Xuan helped Fang Rou leave.

Looking at Fang Xuan's back, a cold glint flashed in Fang Xiao's eyes.

Fang Yue asked in a low voice, "Xiao'er, are you confident?"

"Father, rest assured, I will win this battle."

Fang Xiao clenched his fists, and a flash of jade light appeared in his palm.

Upon seeing this, Fang Yue was overjoyed.

......

"Creak—"

Pushing open the dilapidated courtyard gate, Fang Xuan's eyes revealed a complex expression.

He was originally the young master of the Fang family and should not have lived in this dilapidated and filthy place. However, after being mentally impaired for three years, Fang Yue and others forcibly moved him out of the main house and abandoned him in this place next to the pigsty.

"Brother, you take a rest first, I'll clean up right away."

Fang Rou pressed Fang Xuan down onto a stool and began cleaning the courtyard.

At this moment, the courtyard gate was pushed open, and Fang Yurong stood at the door with a livid face, coldly looking at Fang Xuan.

"Sister Yurong, you're here! Please have a seat."

Fang Rou quickly dropped what she was doing and went outside, saying, "I'll go get you some food."

After Fang Rou left, Fang Xuan looked at the girl in front of him, a rare smile appearing on his face.

"Sister Yurong, what brings you here?"

Fang Yurong walked into the courtyard, still glaring at Fang Xuan.

"Don't call me 'sister'!"

Fang Yurong launched into a tirade against Fang Xuan: "Do you know that Fang Xiao has awakened a Earth-rank martial vein, and his cultivation has already reached the peak of the Blood Creation Realm. He could break through to the Body Refinement Realm at any time. What makes you think you can fight him? How can you do this to Uncle Fang?"

His tone was stern, full of disappointment and frustration.

"I know."

Fang Xuan's tone was calm, yet carried a strong sense of confidence: "If it weren't for Sister Yu Rong's sudden return, Fang Xiao would already be dead."

Fang Yurong is three years older than him.

After their mother passed away, Fang Yurong took good care of her and her siblings.

However, he later became unable to cultivate and became mentally impaired, which caused Fang Yurong to become somewhat estranged from him.

But Fang Xuan still remembers that feeling.

"Fang Xuan, stop being stubborn."

Fang Yurong said, "I know you've suffered a lot of injustices over the years, but you shouldn't have accepted the challenge. Here's what we'll do: come with me to beg Grandpa and Fang Yue to cancel this competition."

She reached out to pull Fang Xuan, but he avoided her.

"No need."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan's expression turned slightly cold, his tone calm yet undeniably firm: "In this battle, Fang Xiao must die!"

"You're utterly hopeless!"

Feeling her good intentions were misunderstood, Fang Yurong's eyes reddened with anger, and she said furiously, "Fang Xuan, you have disappointed me so much!"

She had heard that Fang Xuan was in trouble, so she rushed back to the Fang family home without stopping.

She was overjoyed to see Fang Xuan alive; but Fang Xuan's actions disappointed her greatly.

Watching Fang Yurong leave, Fang Xuan's heart remained calm and undisturbed.

He didn't kill Fang Xiao today, not only because Fang Yurong appeared, but also because he needed to defeat Fang Xiao honorably in the Fang family competition and take back everything that belonged to him.

"You little bitch, you dare steal? I'll beat you to death!"

Just as Fang Xuan was about to begin his cultivation, a cold shout and curse rang out, mixed with Fang Rou's painful screams.

He suddenly rushed out of the courtyard and saw two members of the Fang family punching and kicking Fang Rou on the ground.

Fang Xuan's eyes flashed with a cold light, and killing intent surged forth.

"You're asking for it!"