The First Venerable of All Paths

"It's just a minor achievement, nothing to brag about."

Zhao Qingcang stood up, looking at the undulating mountains ahead, his gaze deep and calm.

"If I had a few more years, reaching the pinnacle of my cultivation wouldn't be too difficult."

Hearing this, Zhao Kou smiled with even greater satisfaction.

"I am very pleased that you can maintain such a calm mindset."

Changing the subject, Zhao Kou said, "But you don't need to underestimate yourself. You are still young. Even I, at your age, was still exploring the threshold of the Divine Realm."

He had witnessed Zhao Qingcang's efforts over the past two years.

Break through the gathering of Qi, condense the essence, and refine the divine will.

When he was in the Condensation Realm, he already possessed the strength of a powerful expert who could defy the divine will.

Not to mention, Zhao Qingcang has now formed his innate Dao body and has honed his Divine Intent Realm cultivation to an extremely solid level.

Among all the disciples of the same generation in the Dao Seeking Sect, Zhao Qingcang was undoubtedly the best.

The investiture of the Holy Son is truly well-deserved and in line with popular expectations.

"Thank you for the compliment, Second Grandfather."

Zhao Qingcang smiled and said, "How long until the investiture ceremony?"

"Three days from now, the sect will officially confer a title upon you."

Zhao Kou stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "At that time, the Beast Taming Mountain and the Azure Cloud Sect, as well as many families from the Central Plains, will come to witness the ceremony."

"The clan will also send people over."

Zhao Kou smiled meaningfully and said, "You'd better perform well then, lest you tarnish the reputation of our sect and the Zhao family of Zhongzhou."

Zhao Kou, Zhao Qingcang's second grandfather.

He is also a peak master of the Dao Seeking Sect, with unfathomable cultivation.

"Grandson will do his best and will not let Second Grandfather down."

Zhao Qingcang suddenly asked, "Second Grandfather, do you think he will come?"

Zhao Kou was taken aback, and the smile on his face slowly faded: "Cang'er, if you're worried, your second grandfather can..."

"No need!"

Zhao Qingcang immediately rejected the idea, a cold smile curving his thin lips.

"I'm not afraid he'll come, I'm afraid he won't come!"

Zhao Qingcang clenched his fists, a chilling and malevolent aura appearing in his eyes.

"I will let everyone know that only I, Zhao Qingcang, am worthy of the Dao Body!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kou smiled.

"Good, grandson, you have great ambition."

Zhao Kou then sneered and said, "Speaking of which, that little beast was really lucky. Back then, you destroyed his dantian and qi sea and took away his Dao body, yet he still managed to survive and even became a sword cultivator."

"If I had known this would happen, I should have just killed him in the first place!"

"So what if you're a swordsman?"

Zhao Qingcang smiled calmly and said, "If I can step on him once, I can step on him a second time."

With a clench of his five fingers, ribbons of spiritual energy gathered from the heavens and earth, condensing into a colorful ribbon in Zhao Qingcang's palm.

With a casual toss, a stream of spiritual energy roared out, blasting a bird that had leaped up from the valley into dust.

"Fang Xuan, don't let me down."

.......

"Kill all the men, take all the women with you!"

On the edge of the Sunset Wasteland, a great battle has just ended.

The ground was littered with corpses, and the yellow sand was a deep reddish-brown.

They couldn't even tell if it was yellow sand or fresh blood.

Rat Shadow Gang leader Rat Rampant, meticulously wiping his broadsword, roared without looking up, "Hurry up, all of you! Do two more heists, then we're out!"

During this period, taking advantage of the investiture ceremony of the Holy Son of the Dao Seeking Sect, many merchant caravans passed through this area and were thus targeted by him.

Rat and his gang ate with gusto, their mouths greasy with oil.

"Hehe, boss, the inventory is finished."

A shifty-eyed subordinate trotted over, his face beaming with excitement, and said, "It's a big, fat sheep! We've made a killing this time!"

"nonsense."

Rat glared and said, "If it's not a fat sheep, I won't bother with it."

"But boss, won't what we're doing anger the Dao Seeking Sect?"

The subordinate said with some concern, "After all, this place is too close to the territory of the Dao Asking Sect, and these people are all going to Dao Asking City to do business. If we rob them, and the Dao Asking Sect investigates, the alliance won't be able to protect us."

"What's there to be afraid of!"

Rat Chao spat out a mouthful of phlegm, wiped the remaining blood from his face haphazardly, and said, "Every time we do something, we clean up the mess perfectly. Who would know it was done by our Rat Shadow Gang?"

"Besides, we're only robbing scattered caravans. With the Dao Seeking Sect's Holy Son Ceremony just around the corner, they have no time to concern themselves with such trivial matters."

Rat snorted coldly and said, "It's a pity we haven't found Huang yet, otherwise the alliance's rewards alone would have been enough for us brothers to live a carefree life for several years. Why bother with this kind of robbery on the way!"

The Mouse Shadow Gang is also one of the top ten mercenary groups in Sunset Wasteland.

But only the eighth one was sent.

The entire Rat Shadow Gang only has two experts at the Divine Intent Realm.

The group leader, Rat Rampant, only possessed the cultivation level of the third level of the Divine Intent Realm.

After Shangguan Yun created the alliance, he issued a bounty to find Huang's whereabouts.

For the past half month, the entire Sunset Wasteland has been turned upside down, but nothing has been found.

The Mouse Shadow Clan also participated in the search.

After eating sand for several days, the rat-like creature encountered a caravan and, overcome by greed, robbed them, making a fortune.

Having tasted success, the rat rampant then blocked the edge of the territory adjacent to the Dao Asking Sect and started a business with no capital.

Over the course of several days, we have gained a great deal.

"Boss, someone else is here!"

At this moment, another subordinate rushed over and whispered, "He flies through the air; he's a lone wolf."

"A lone wolf?"

Upon hearing this, Rat Maniac grinned maliciously: "Send the brothers to scout things out first. If they're not suitable, release them; if they are, kill them directly."

A martial artist at the Divine Intent Realm possesses quite a few valuable items.

Catching one is more profitable than them robbing several caravans.

"Boss, that guy is coming this way."

Rat was taken aback, then suddenly stood up and laughed, "A fat sheep delivered to our door, why not take it?"

"Tell the brothers to proceed according to plan."

Soon, dozens of mercenaries from the Rat Shadow Gang quickly hid and lay in ambush in the surrounding area.

As soon as they were hidden, a streak of light shot out from the vast yellow sand and landed several meters away.

This person was dressed in white, as white as snow, and carried a sword case.

He had an upright posture, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes.

If it weren't for the fact that he didn't exude any aura whatsoever, people would really mistake him for some peerless sword immortal descended to earth.

"Boss, this guy looks kind of familiar."

Rat frowned and said, "You've seen it before?"

"I can't remember."

The subordinate scratched his head, but his eyes remained fixed on the man.

This person was none other than Fang Xuan.

As soon as he landed, his brows furrowed involuntarily.

Although the battlefield had been cleaned up, Fang Xuan could still smell the strong stench of blood in the air.

Not only that, but countless eyes were also watching him intently from the shadows, filled with greed and murderous intent.

Is this person trying to get themselves into a trap?

Fang Xuan found it somewhat amusing, but his face remained expressionless. He simply asked slowly, "Excuse me, how long is the journey from here to Dao Wen City?"

"Oh, young man, you're asking for directions."

Rat-like man tugged at his beard and laughed heartily, "I wonder if you're going to visit relatives or friends, young brother?"

"Let's visit some friends."

An enemy, yet also an old friend.

"I didn't expect you to have friends in Daocheng, young man. I'm truly envious."

A glint flashed in Rat's eyes as he secretly gestured to his subordinates, signaling them not to act rashly.

"From here, it will only take half a day to reach the territory of the Dao Seeking Sect by air."

Rat said, "If we go another half a day, we will see the City of Inquiry. However, within the territory of the Inquiry Sect, flying is prohibited without permission."

Thank you for letting me know.

Fang Xuan cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and was just about to leave.

"Fang Xuan!"

A mercenary suddenly exclaimed, "Boss, it's Fang Xuan!"

"Fang Xuan?"

Rat-like figure suddenly yanked his hand, tearing off the beard.

"Is he the kid the Alliance has a bounty on? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"

"That's him!"

The subordinate confidently declared, "I've seen his portrait; I'm absolutely certain I can't be mistaken."

Rat suddenly burst into wild laughter.

The laughter was filled with fervor and greed.

"Hahaha, I've really stumbled upon a big fish."

Rat-like man, his face contorted with rage, said, "Brothers, don't let him get away! We're going to strike it rich this time!"

As soon as he finished speaking, dozens of figures rushed out from the shadows and surrounded Fang Xuan.

There were also more than ten martial artists at the Condensation Realm.

Rat looked at Fang Xuan and said, "Kid, I didn't expect you to be so lucky. You were captured by Huang and still managed to come out alive. Many people would beg for such a stroke of luck."

"Unfortunately, your luck has run out today, no matter how good it is."

The rat grinned maliciously, "Now that you've fallen into our hands, you might as well accept your fate."

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

Surrounded by dozens of mercenaries, Fang Xuan showed no fear whatsoever.

Yes, there is only utter indifference.

"If you make way, I will forgive and forget what happened."

Upon hearing this, Rat was taken aback at first, then laughed even harder.

"Kid, who are you trying to scare?"

Rat said coldly, "I know you're strong. The alliance sent so many people but couldn't catch you, and you even killed several of them, but..."

"Today, all I need to do is stop you. Once the alliance's powerful warriors arrive, you will surely die!"

After saying that, Rat Rampant threw a communication talisman into the air.

The talisman exploded, turning into a firework that burst open in mid-air.

"Rat rampage," this is a signal sent to the alliance.

"Then you probably won't be able to wait that long."

After saying that, Fang Xuan's figure flickered and he instantly disappeared from the spot.

When it reappeared, it was already in front of the Rat King.

He clenched his fist and suddenly slammed it out.

"So fast!"

The rat's pupils contracted.

However, as a powerful expert at the third level of the Divine Realm, Rat Rampant's reaction was naturally quick.

He slashed out with his sword, and as the blade flashed, it enveloped Fang Xuan.

"Die!"

No matter how skilled you are in martial arts, one strike from your blade will kill you!

However, the moment the longsword touched the fist, it shattered like porcelain, breaking into countless fragments.

The violent force forced the rats to retreat.

"How is that possible?!"

The rat looked horrified, its face filled with disbelief.

His strike just now was enough to kill a martial artist at the second level of the Divine Intent Realm, but it was not only blocked by Fang Xuan, but also shattered his martial weapon.

Fang Xuan didn't care whether the other party was shocked or not. His figure was like a blur as he rushed towards the rat again.

"Quick, stop him!"

The two martial artists at the Condensation Realm hesitated for only a moment before drawing their swords and slashing at Fang Xuan simultaneously.

A cold glint flashed in Fang Xuan's eyes, and he delivered two seemingly ordinary punches.

"Bang! Bang!"

With two muffled thuds, Fang Xuan smashed the bodies of two martial artists at the Qi Condensation Realm, killing them instantly.

"Kid, you're too arrogant!"

Just then, Rat Rampant gathered spiritual energy around his body, his ten fingers like hooks, and fiercely grabbed at the back of Fang Xuan's head.

This strike was extremely powerful.