The First Venerable of All Paths

"Tell me what you know about the Hall of Hundred Souls."

After a long silence, Fang Xuan slowly spoke.

Now that we've been targeted by the Hundred Souls Hall, we need to learn more about this hidden force and prepare in advance.

"The basic information is pretty much what that little girl said."

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor quickly calmed down and said, "In the Hundred Souls Hall, there is a clear hierarchy of status, from low to high, divided into four types of robes: white, black, red, and purple."

"Is it related to cultivation level?"

Fang Xuan recalled the three men in black robes and the man in blood robes he had seen.

"right."

Chi Lin continued, "White robes represent Soul Masters below the Divine Intent Realm, black robes represent those at the first to fifth levels of the Divine Intent Realm, and red robes represent those at the sixth to ninth levels of the Divine Intent Realm."

"Tongxuan, in purple robes!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan gasped in shock.

"So, the one who seriously injured you was a Transcendent Realm expert?"

Fang Xuan was shocked.

So far, the strongest martial artist he has ever seen is Master Qinghe.

A powerful sword cultivator whose cultivation had reached the peak of the Divine Intent Realm, yet who suddenly attained the Dao of Profound Enlightenment.

It's a pity that Master Qinghe has already passed away.

Fang Xuan had never seen a living Transcendent Realm expert before.

However, the Crimson Scale Demon Emperor was once severely injured by a Soul Dao expert at the Profound Realm.

"That's right."

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor coldly snorted, "If it weren't for that, how could I have been injured by him and sealed away?"

Fang Xuan could sense the resentment and anger in the Crimson Scale Demon Emperor's tone.

But he knew it better.

A Soul Dao expert at the Profound Realm is far stronger than an ordinary Profound Realm martial artist.

The fact that the Crimson Scale Demon Emperor was able to escape from his opponent indirectly proves his terrifying strength.

"At that time, I was only one step away from becoming a member of the Demon Sect, what you often call the Profound Realm."

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor continued, "Including other factors, they succeeded; otherwise, hmph!"

Peak Demon Emperor.

Fang Xuan pondered for a moment, then said, "So, the Hundred Souls Hall has more than one purple-robed figure?"

"As far as I know, the Hundred Souls Hall has at least three purple-robed figures."

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor knew what Fang Xuan was going to say and said, "But don't worry, every purple-robed member of the Hundred Souls Hall is in seclusion for cultivation year-round and rarely shows themselves. What you need to be wary of are those red-robed ones."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as you don't have to face a Transcendent Realm expert, it's fine.

"Because the Hundred Souls Hall is full of Soul Masters, their cultivation methods are very different from those of ordinary martial artists."

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor said, "They like to collect and capture souls that have lost their physical bodies. If they encounter a high-ranking Soul Master, they will kill him and capture his soul."

"Whether they are humans or demons, they are all their targets."

"What?"

Fang Xuan exclaimed, "Collecting and capturing souls? Isn't the Hundred Souls Hall afraid of becoming the enemy of all martial artists?"

"That's why they went from the light to the shadows."

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor said, "The reason why the Hundred Souls Hall is unknown to outsiders is because they once extensively collected and captured the souls of martial artists, which aroused public anger and made them the target of various parties."

"The more this is the case, the more dangerous the Hundred Souls Hall becomes."

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor warned, "Boy, your friend possesses the Devouring Heaven Soul Jar, and now he's being targeted by them. It's only a matter of time before you have to face them. You need to be mentally prepared."

Fang Xuan nodded, his expression becoming serious.

"There's something else I need to tell you."

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor said, "There is a purple-robed figure in the Hundred Souls Hall who is extremely obsessed with Heavenly Flames. If he knew that you possess two Heavenly Flames, he might..."

Although the Crimson Scale Demon Emperor did not finish speaking, Fang Xuan understood his meaning.

The escaped man in the blood-red robe already knew that he possessed Heavenly Fire.

If this matter reaches the ears of that purple-robed man, he will probably personally take action against him.

Not to mention, he personally killed one of the black-robed men.

This grudge is no small matter.

"So let's try to improve our strength as much as possible."

The Crimson Scale Demon Emperor said, "With your current foundation, it won't be long before you break through to the Divine Intent Realm. At that time, your chances of survival against the people of the Hundred Soul Hall will be much greater."

Fang Xuan did not object to this.

It has been some time since we left the Azure Lotus Secret Realm.

Although his cultivation level had increased too quickly before, Fang Xuan possessed the Chaos Sacred Body, and he had already perfectly controlled these powers.

However, the amount of energy he needs to break through to the Divine Realm is simply too much.

Fang Xuan estimated that at least a complete high-grade spiritual vein would be needed.

Even the Lu family only has one top-grade spiritual vein.

Thinking of this, Fang Xuan couldn't help but shake his head and smile bitterly.

If people knew that he needed to use a high-grade spiritual vein to break through, they would definitely laugh and call it extravagant.

"It seems I need to prepare for a breakthrough."

Fang Xuan quickly sorted out his thoughts.

"It's best to break through to the Divine Intent Realm before reaching the Dao Seeking Sect."

With his current strength, Fang Xuan wasn't entirely confident in challenging and killing Zhao Qingcang in front of so many powerful figures from the Dao Seeking Sect, and then escaping unscathed.

Therefore, improving one's cultivation level became an urgent matter.

"There are still two months left, hopefully it'll be in time."

Two months may seem like a long time, but for a martial artist, it may just be the time it takes to meditate in seclusion.

After clarifying his thoughts, Fang Xuan plunged into the cultivation room.

He took a pill and slowly refined it using his internal energy.

Fang Xuan closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into his body, carefully observing the enlightenment platform within the sword bone.

"Huh, what's this...?"

Upon closer inspection, Fang Xuan discovered some astonishing changes.

On the Enlightenment Platform, the mysterious and complex patterns were converging towards the center.

Although the speed is very slow, it is really happening.

"Buzz!"

At that moment, the innate sword energy within the sword bone, like hundreds of rivers flowing into the sea, frantically converged towards the Enlightenment Platform.

"Boom!"

The enlightenment platform suddenly swayed, then returned to normal, and nothing happened.

"What happened?"

Fang Xuan carefully examined the Enlightenment Platform and found that apart from a hole appearing in the center of the platform, there were no other changes.

"This thing..."

As soon as Fang Xuan's consciousness approached the hole in the stone platform, his soul was swallowed up by a black hole and completely poured into it.

"not good!"

Fang Xuan's expression changed, and he was about to forcefully stop.

However, the devouring power within the hole was too terrifying and completely beyond Fang Xuan's control.

In the blink of an eye, Fang Xuan had consumed two-thirds of his spiritual power.

In addition, the innate sword energy within the sword bone was also being frantically plundered by the holes.

"Not enough, far from enough!"

The moment this thought crossed his mind, Fang Xuan formed a hand seal.

Within the Nine-Turn Dantian, surging energy burst forth, pouring into the sword bone and rushing into the orifice.

However, the hole was like a bottomless abyss, and no matter how much energy Fang Xuan poured in, it never reached saturation.

"I'll see how much you can swallow!"

Fang Xuan became ruthless and grabbed with his large hand.

The Innate Sword Box came hurtling towards them.

"open!"

Fang Xuan raised his sword fingers and gently wiped the sword box, unlocking the first layer of restrictions.

"Buzzing!"

The vast, surging sword energy of Guixu poured out of the sword box and continuously rushed into the hole in the stone platform.

"Snap!"

After an unknown amount of time, a slight cracking sound was heard.

Several fine cracks appeared on the Enlightenment Platform, covering the entire stone platform.

"Won't it burst?"

Fang Xuan was dumbfounded.

Fortunately, the Enlightenment Platform only developed cracks, but did not completely break apart.

At the same time, the stone platform stopped absorbing Fang Xuan's power.

Conversely, strange and inexplicable auras quietly emanated from the holes in the stone platform.

"This aura..."

Fang Xuan sensed it carefully, then exclaimed in surprise, "Such pure sword intent!"

What was released from the hole in the stone platform was a sword intent that Fang Xuan could not understand.

It lacks the sharpness of the Phoenix Cry Sword and the clarity of the Azure Lotus Sword.

But its strength lies in its purity, and it carries a complex sense of annihilation and rebirth.

"Could it be...?"

Fang Xuan seemed to think of something, and subconsciously swallowed, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

"Will this Enlightenment Platform help me cultivate my third named flying sword?"

Fang Xuan's heart began to pound.

If he successfully cultivates his third named flying sword, his strength will undergo a tremendous qualitative change.

"It seems I'll need to spend some time each day from now on feeding this stone platform with sword energy."

Fang Xuan withdrew his consciousness from the sword bone, allowing the stone platform to slowly absorb the innate sword energy.

"It will take quite some time to develop the third named flying sword, so we can ignore it for now. The most urgent task is to improve our strength as much as possible."

After hesitating for a moment, Fang Xuan still chose the second sword technique recorded in the "Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Ruins Manual".

"Heavenly Fire Sword Technique!"

The Heavenly Fire Sword Technique is a sword technique that is automatically unlocked after the second level of the "Ten Thousand Swords Return to the Void" manual is cultivated.

Although it is only a low-grade Xuan-level sword technique, this sword technique can only be practiced after the "Breaking Ten Thousand Laws" has been successfully cultivated.

Because of the high prerequisites, even a low-grade Xuan-level sword technique is comparable to a mid-grade or even high-grade Xuan-level sword technique.

"Fusing the sword with fire, carrying the fire within the sword, fire and sword becoming one..."

As the name suggests, this sword technique requires fire as the medium of power.

Fang Xuan possesses two Heavenly Flames, and this sword technique seems tailor-made for him, a perfect match from the start.

As Fang Xuan carefully studied the core principles of the Heavenly Fire Sword Technique, his mind gradually became immersed in it.

This sword technique is far more profound than Fang Xuan had imagined.

However, Fang Xuan did not encounter any bottlenecks when he was comprehending this sword technique.

The entire process can be described as a natural and effortless success.

"wrong!"

Fang Xuan suddenly opened his eyes, looked at his hands, and said in a deep voice, "It's the Enlightenment Platform! This thing is actually enhancing my comprehension!"

Fang Xuan was somewhat shocked.

He didn't expect that the Enlightenment Platform wouldn't lose this function after entering the sword bone.

"So, in the future, whenever I cultivate any martial arts technique, my spiritual platform will automatically enhance my comprehension and accelerate my cultivation progress?"

Without saying a word, Fang Xuan grabbed the Azure Lotus Sword, which then appeared in his hand.

"Swish, swish, swish!"

Fang Xuan wielded his three-foot-long sword swiftly, effortlessly executing one profound and exquisite sword move after another.

One sword pierces the peak!

One sword can cleave the river!

Break through all laws!

Once the entire "Breaking Ten Thousand Laws" was completed, there was no sense of stagnation; it was perfectly natural.

But Fang Xuan did not stop there. He changed his sword technique and thrust forward quickly.

"laugh!"

A point of blue light burst forth from the tip of the sword, sparking a burst of fire in the air.

The next moment, the flames transformed into slender sword energy, shooting out with lightning speed and piercing through the hard and heavy training room.

"hiss!"

Fang Xuan's eyes widened as he stared at the small hole in the wall.

"Such terrifying penetrating power."

What he just used was merely the first move of the "Heavenly Fire Sword Technique"—"Spiritual Fire Piercing the Sky".

Surprisingly, it actually succeeded.

"If the Azure Lotus Karmic Fire were incorporated into it, the power of this sword strike would be absolutely comparable to the unity of man and sword."

Fang Xuan's eyes shone brightly, and he appeared extremely excited.

"Strike while the iron is hot, and see if we can successfully master the last two techniques!"