The First Venerable of All Paths

"Master, we've finally found you."

A hoarse voice rang out, and a thin old woman slowly emerged from the void, standing between Lu Fa and Fang Xuan.

"Grandma Yin?"

The old woman's appearance startled Lu Fa.

He frowned and said in a deep voice, "Granny Yin, you also know Fellow Daoist Xuantian?"

"This person was invited by my young mistress through connections to examine her health. Of course, I know him."

Granny Yin looked at Lu Fa, her face stern, and said, "Lu Fa, were you just about to attack a True Immortal?"

Lu Fa's heart skipped a beat.

This Fellow Daoist Xuantian was actually invited by Patriarch Lu Zhao?

That makes sense.

"Grandma Yin has misunderstood."

Lu Fa chuckled and said, "I just wanted to ask Master Xuantian for a favor: to catch the culprit who set fire to the Li family mansion."

"The Li family?"

Granny Yin sneered and said, "A bunch of self-inflicted wounds. They're dead, so what? How can they compare to my young lady's safety?"

Sensing the faint aura emanating from Granny Yin, Lu Fa's heart sank once again.

"Grandma Yin is right."

He took a half step back and said, "In that case, let's not delay your business any longer."

Although Lu Fa is Lu Ren's man, the nominal power holder of the entire Sihai Chamber of Commerce is Lu Zhao.

This woman, who had no cultivation whatsoever, possessed a talent for business that even Lu Fa found as astonishing, considering her a prodigy.

In addition, Lu Zhao has been in charge of the family for many years, and there are quite a few people who are loyal to her.

Apart from Granny Yin, a powerful figure whose cultivation level was no lower than his, no one knew how much power she had accumulated over the years.

Even though the young master has been planning for many years, it is not yet time to break ties with the other party.

Especially since it involved Lu Zhao's only daughter, Lu Fa dared not continue to make things difficult for Fang Xuan.

"Master, come with me."

Granny Yin smiled slightly at Fang Xuan and said, "My young lady has prepared wine and dishes to welcome you, Master."

"In that case, I'll trouble you."

Fang Xuan flicked his whisk and nodded in agreement.

Although he didn't know why Granny Yin would cooperate with his act, he didn't sense any malice from her.

From her conversation with Lu Fa just now, it's not hard to guess that the two are not on good terms, and there may even be some underlying conflict.

Choosing to go with Granny Yin, based on the mindset that "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," was undoubtedly the right choice.

If the other party really has some purpose, they can simply summon Crimson Scales and force their way out.

Lu Fa's gaze remained fixed on Fang Xuan.

It wasn't that he discovered that the Xuan Tian Zhenren in front of him was Fang Xuan, whom he had been searching for.

Rather, they felt that the timing and purpose of the other party's appearance were too coincidental.

His biggest worry was whether Fang Xuan was an accomplice hired by Lu Zhao.

"Oh, right."

Grandma Yin suddenly stopped and turned to look at Lu Fa.

"Lu Fa, I am merely a servant by your side, Miss. There are many things that I should not be saying."

Grandma Yin said calmly, "But there are some things I hope you can think twice before acting, so you won't regret it later."

Lu Fa narrowed his eyes and looked at Granny Yin.

He understood what Granny Yin meant; she was telling him that Lu Zhao already knew about what he and Lu Ren had done.

"Thanks for reminding me."

Lu Fa sighed, his tone complex, and said, "We are each serving our own masters; I have no other choice."

"Then... take care."

Granny Yin nodded and said to Fang Xuan, "Master, please!"

As Lu Fa watched Fang Xuan and Granny Yin leave, his expression was unpredictable.

"Elder, what's wrong?"

Elder Zhou sounded somewhat uneasy.

"It's nothing."

Lu Fa waved his hand and said, "Go back, guard the city gate, and do what the young master asked you to do."

"And who was the arsonist?"

"Ignore it."

Lu Fa said, "Three powerful individuals whose strength is no less than mine, as long as they are not coming for us, let them be."

"yes!"

After Elder Zhou left, Lu Fa sighed inwardly.

"It seems the Lu family is about to undergo a major upheaval."

......

"Senior, I don't know..."

After flying a distance behind Granny Yin, Fang Xuan couldn't help but speak.

"Don't be impatient, sir. You'll understand once you see my young lady."

Granny Yin interrupted Fang Xuan directly, saying with a smile, "Besides, the True Man's friend is safe now, so there's no need to worry."

Li Guanlan?

Fang Xuan's heart sank.

It seems that Granny Yin has already seen through his identity.

But since the other party had already hinted to him that Li Guanlan was in their hands.

Even if it's a den of dragons and tigers, Fang Xuan still has to go.

Before long, Granny Yin led Fang Xuan across half of Mingyue County and flew straight into a large mountain.

The fog rolled in above the mountains, making it impossible to see anything inside.

"The Cloud-Shielding Formation?"

Fang Xuan raised an eyebrow and said, "What a grand scheme! Only a master of formations could set up such a formation."

"You have a good eye."

Granny Yin smiled and said, "This formation was indeed set up by a grandmaster of formations."

"Mother-in-law, please don't make fun of the younger generation."

Fang Xuan said helplessly, "No matter how sharp my eyes are, I can't escape being seen through at a glance by my mother-in-law."

Grandma Yin just chuckled and didn't reply.

With a wave of her hand, the mist swirled, revealing a passage.

The two followed the passage and entered the formation.

What came into Fang Xuan's view was a huge manor.

Artificial hills and flowing water, pavilions and kiosks—it presents a magnificent and imposing scene.

Under the pavilion sat a plump woman with a dignified appearance.

She possesses a gentle demeanor, yet subtly exudes the authority of someone who has long held a high position.

Although he had suspected it beforehand, Fang Xuan was still somewhat surprised when he saw the other person.

Fang Xuan stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed.

"Fang Xuan, thank you for your help, Patriarch Lu."

At the same time, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Since it's Lu Zhao, there's no need to worry about Lu Fa and his group's retaliation for now.

"Brother Fang Xuan, how have you been?"

Lu Zhao covered his mouth and chuckled, saying, "Come and sit down."

Fang Xuan nodded and bowed deeply to Granny Yin: "Thank you so much for helping me out earlier, Granny. I am deeply grateful."

"It's alright, it's alright."

Granny Yin smiled kindly and said, "Young master, please rest for a while. I will go and prepare the meal right away."

"Thank you for your trouble, Mother-in-law."

Fang Xuan bowed again before entering the pavilion and sitting down in front of Lu Zhao.

"Master Xuantian?"

Looking at Fang Xuan before him, Lu Zhao suddenly chuckled and said, "When did Brother Fang Xuan join the Xuan Sect?"

"Please stop teasing me, Patriarch Lu."

Fang Xuan said, half-laughing and half-crying, "It's just a last resort."

"Why are you being so formal with your sister?"

Lu Zhao's eyes flickered, carrying a hint of resentment.

Today, Lu Zhao is wearing a light-colored home dress, her black hair is styled into a bun, revealing her fair neck.

Whether by accident or design, a strand of black hair wrapped around his neck and fell right over his full breasts, rising and falling with Lu Zhao's breath.

Among the women Fang Xuan knew.

Li Tianjiao was full of heroic spirit, no less so than the bearded man.

Lan Meier is naturally alluring and extremely cunning.

Xiao Jinyu is as aloof as the moon, cold on the outside but warm on the inside.

Li Guanlan was calm and composed, yet possessed a resilient spirit.

As for Lu Zhao, he gave Fang Xuan a very different impression.

One moment she's like a friendly older sister, the next she's like a secluded orchid in a valley, and then she's as majestic as a mountain.

"You little rascal, have you stared enough?"

Seeing Fang Xuan staring at her, Lu Zhao said coquettishly.

Although she has already given birth to a daughter, she is actually quite young, and with her excellent maintenance, she is at the most charming and alluring age for a woman.

Her youngest daughter's demeanor was not at all coquettish or affected; on the contrary, it was even more mesmerizing and captivating.

Fortunately, Fang Xuan's Dao heart was resilient, and he quickly regained his senses.

He wasn't embarrassed, and simply said, "Sister Lu Zhao, my friend..."

"She was slightly injured, but it's nothing serious. She's currently in seclusion."

Fearing that Fang Xuan wouldn't believe him, Lu Zhao took out a recording talisman and handed it to Fang Xuan.

"This is what she gave you before she went into seclusion."

Fang Xuan picked up the recording talisman and poured his soul into it, and Li Guanlan's voice rang in his ears.

"We'll talk about it after I get out of quarantine."

That simple sentence completely put Fang Xuan at ease.

"Sister Lu Zhao, thank you so much this time."

Fang Xuan said solemnly, "If it weren't for your intervention, Guanlan and I might already be..."

"Tsk, Guanlan, calling me so affectionately?"

Lu Zhao parted her red lips, her beautiful eyes sweeping over Fang Xuan, and said, "Another one of your confidantes?"

"Sister Lu Zhao, please don't talk nonsense, she and I..."

"Are you saying you're innocent?"

Lu Zhao picked up the conversation, grinning, and said, "If you really wanted to be innocent, would you have just stormed the wedding in public, even at the cost of offending the Gu family and the Sihai Chamber of Commerce?"

Fang Xuan fell silent.

"You're quite the romantic, aren't you?"

Lu Zhao smiled, his eyes narrowing, and said, "Li Tianjiao, do you know him?"

Fang Xuan rubbed his temples; his head was a little sore.

Upon seeing Fang Xuan's appearance, Lu Zhao immediately slapped the table and burst into laughter.

Flower branches tremble wildly, and waves surge.

His laughter was hearty and unrestrained, showing absolutely no trace of the demeanor of a family head or guild leader.

Fang Xuan silently chanted "Boundless Heavenly Venerable," carefully guarding his mind.

"Brother Fang Xuan, let's get down to business."

With a serious expression, Lu Zhao put away his smile and said, "My sister might need your help this time."

"Sister Lu Zhao saved me once, and Fang Xuan will naturally repay her."

Fang Xuan also said solemnly, "Within my capabilities, I will not shirk my duty."

"With your words of comfort, I can finally rest assured."

Lu Zhao nodded and said, "You should have noticed by now that the Sihai Chamber of Commerce and the Lu family appear glamorous on the outside, but in reality they are beset by internal and external troubles and riddled with problems."

"Sister Lu Zhao, do you want me to help you deal with those disobedient guys?"

Fang Xuan frowned and said, "But with my current strength, I'm afraid I'm not up to the task."

"Brother Fang Xuan, you don't need to belittle yourself."

Lu Zhao said, "You were able to join forces with Li Guanlan to destroy the Li family and kill many elders of the Gu family. Even Lu Fa and the others couldn't do anything about you. Your strength is beyond doubt."

"Aren't you worried that if my identity is exposed, I won't be able to help you and will only cause you trouble?"

Lu Zhao was prepared for Fang Xuan's question.

"Aren't you called Xuan Tian? What other identity do you have?"

Looking at Lu Zhao blinking, Fang Xuan was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head and smiled, "I didn't expect Sister Lu Zhao to have thought of this step."

"Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Lu Zhao took a deep breath and said, word by word, "I need you... to help me kill Lu Ren!"