The First Venerable of All Paths

"So it was Fellow Daoist Gu from Beast Taming Mountain and Fellow Daoist Qi from Azure Cloud Sect."

Zhao Kou laughed loudly, cupped his hands and said, "You two have come from afar. I am sorry for not welcoming you properly."

On top of the giant elephant stood an old man holding a whisk.

It was none other than Gu Ya, the elder of the Beast Taming Mountain.

Behind him were several disciples of the Beast Taming Mountain, including Hu Feng.

One of them, in particular, was over eight feet tall, like a small mountain, and exuded a profound and ancient aura.

A young girl of about sixteen sat upright on his shoulder.

A young girl dressed in red stroked a small white snake.

"The Holy Son of Beast Taming Mountain, Tuoba, is arrogant!"

Someone recognized the Beast Taming Mountain disciple who resembled an iron tower and exclaimed in surprise.

"I heard that this person broke through to the Divine Intent Realm a year ago. On the day of the breakthrough, the Divine Beast Mount Elephant of Beast Taming Mountain took the initiative to form a contract with him. Is that true?"

"I have also heard about this matter. After the two parties successfully concluded the contract, the Beast Taming Mountain conferred upon him the title of Holy Son, but it was not as grand as the Dao Seeking Sect."

"My God, that mountain elephant is capable of fighting against a peak Divine Realm expert, yet it actually took the initiative to form a contract with it. Tuoba's arrogant talent is truly astonishing."

On the Qingyun Flying Boat, the leader was a cool and aloof woman in her early thirties.

His figure was as straight as a sword, and he wore a long blue robe. There was a faint but sharp sword aura flowing around him.

Qi Xuanlin.

The Sword Master of Qingyun Sect, a sword cultivator with unfathomable cultivation.

She brought only two disciples with her.

A young man in a green robe, carrying a long sword, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, had a warm smile.

A veiled woman, with a graceful figure, a cool and aloof demeanor like the moon, and an otherworldly air.

"Is that the peerless young master of Qingyun Sect? He seems a bit different from the rumors."

"It's not the Peerless Young Master. His name is Yan Daoming, and he is also one of the prodigies of the Qingyun Sect, no less than the Peerless Young Master."

"No wonder he's so handsome."

"Ahhh, he looked at me!"

"What's he looking at you for, you grown man? Get lost!"

The entire Wenda Square had already become excited and thrilled because of the arrival of the two major sects.

Various comments were made about the sect's prodigies, such as Tuoba Xiaozhang and Yan Daoming.

On the contrary, the masked woman on the Azure Cloud Flying Boat was rarely mentioned because her face could not be seen.

......

"You're too kind, Mr. Zhao."

Gu Ya cupped his hands slightly and said, "We are late, please forgive us, Peak Master Zhao."

"No, no."

Zhao Kou smiled broadly and said, "It is an honor for Cang'er and my Daoist Sect that you two could attend Cang'er's investiture ceremony. I am deeply grateful."

"Please, gentlemen, take your seats."

"Then I'll have to trouble Peak Master Zhao."

Gu Ya nodded with a smile, then looked at Qi Xuanlin on the flying boat.

Qi Xuanlin didn't even glance at him. He lightly touched the flying boat with his feet and landed on the high platform like a gust of wind.

Yan Daoming's eyes showed a hint of helplessness as he turned his head and said, "Junior Sister, let's go down too."

The masked woman dodged Yan Daoming's outstretched hand, and with a swift movement, she landed silently behind Qi Xuanlin like a flash of sword light.

"The people of Qingyun Sect are all so arrogant."

Hu Feng muttered something to himself.

"Snapped!"

Gu Ya smacked Hu Feng on the head with his whisk, laughing and scolding, "What kind of sword cultivator wouldn't be proud?"

"Elder Gu, what you say makes perfect sense."

These words made the towering Tuoba arrogant laugh, but the girl on his shoulder slapped him on the head.

"Are you trying to die?"

Tuoba Xiaozhang's expression changed, and he quickly smiled apologetically, "I was wrong, I was wrong. It's all the fault of that fool, Junior Brother Hufeng."

"You're not much smarter than me."

Tuoba Zhenzhu rolled her eyes, then said to a disciple next to her, "Junior Brother Futian, let's not go down. Otherwise, I'm afraid this big oaf might start fighting with someone, and it will affect us."

"I'll listen to my senior sister."

The disciple from Beast Taming Mountain named Futian obediently responded upon hearing this.

"Tiger Wind, arrogant! Come with me!"

Listening to the conversation of his disciples, Gu Ya looked helpless. With a wave of his long sleeves, he landed on the high platform with Hu Feng.

"Keep an eye on my sister."

After Tuoba Xiaozhang and his younger sister jumped down, he said to Futian, "If she loses even one... ouch ouch ouch!"

Before he could finish speaking, Tuoba Zhenzhu grabbed his ear and twisted it half a turn, causing Tuoba Xiaozhang to howl in pain.

"Don't worry, Senior Brother Tuoba, I will protect Junior Sister."

Seeing this, Fu Tian was both amused and exasperated.

"Remember what you said."

Tuoba Xiaozhang muttered something under his breath, then bent his knees and leaped up from the elephant's back, like a cannonball, falling straight down from mid-air.

The force released in that instant caused the massive, thousand-pound mountain elephant to suddenly sink.

This scene caused everyone's pupils to shrink.

This Tuoba is arrogant; what terrifying power he possesses.

Most importantly, Tuoba Xiaozhang landed right in the middle of the crowd.

If that were to actually hit, the people around would be either killed or seriously injured.

In an instant, everyone exclaimed in alarm and scattered in all directions.

The scene immediately descended into chaos.

"That idiot!"

On the back of the elephant, Tuoba Zhenzhu couldn't bear it and covered her eyes.

Zhao Kou's eyes sharpened. Just as Tuoba Xiaozhang was about to land, he raised his hand and used his spiritual power to form a palm, forcefully supporting Tuoba Xiaozhang and sending him behind Gu Ya.

"You damned brat! I've told you a thousand times not to cause trouble, but you just can't seem to remember!"

Gu Ya swung his whisk and smashed it wildly, shouting, "Apologize right now!"

"oh."

Tuoba Xiaozhang scratched his head and said to Zhao Kou, "Next time I'll choose a less crowded place to jump."

Upon hearing this, many people on the platform twitched at the corners of their mouths.

Countless people were dumbfounded.

It seems that the Holy Son of Beast Taming Mountain isn't very bright.

Gu Ya felt like dying.

How embarrassing! How embarrassing!

"Peak Master Zhao, this is just a small gift, nothing more."

Gu Ya quickly took out a box and handed it to Zhao Kou, saying, "This is a gift prepared by my Beast Taming Mountain for the Holy Son of the Dao Seeking Sect. Please accept it, my subordinate."

"Fellow Daoist Gu is too kind."

Zhao Kou said, "Then I thank Fellow Daoist Gu and Beast Taming Mountain on behalf of Cang'er."

"Senior Zhao, this is a gift from my Qingyun Sect. Please pass it on to the Holy Son Qingcang."

Yan Daoming also came over carrying a box and respectfully handed it to Zhao Kou.

"Your family is very kind."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Kou's smile deepened.

Compared to those simpletons from Beast Taming Mountain, the disciples of Qingyun Sect are much more pleasant to talk to.

With the arrival of the two officials, the investiture ceremony was drawing to a close.

Zhao Kou announced loudly, "I hereby declare the investiture ceremony hereby concluded..."

"etc."

The entire room fell silent instantly.

Zhao Kou looked directly at Tuoba Xiaozhang, and said with slight displeasure, "I wonder what advice Junior Nephew Tuoba has for me?"

The disciples of the Dao Asking Sect were even more furious.

Interrupting the investiture ceremony in public is a blatant provocation against the authority of the Daoist Sect.

Tuoba is arrogant, indeed arrogant.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Tuoba Xiaozhang, who had previously been simple and reckless, stared intently at Zhao Qingcang.

"I have long heard that the Holy Son of Qingcang possesses an innate Dao body and is the most talented in Qingzhou. I admire him greatly."

Tuoba arrogantly said, "I wonder if the Holy Son Qingcang would do me the honor of exchanging a few blows with me, which would also entertain the guests who have come to witness the ceremony?"

"You want to challenge Cang'er in public?"

Zhao Kou's expression suddenly turned serious. He turned to look at the ancient cliff, his eyes filled with scrutiny.

Gu Ya stroked his beard and chuckled, calmly saying, "Peak Master Zhao, there's no need to be angry. It's common for juniors to spar and exchange martial arts techniques. Consider it a friendly exchange between the two sects; it's harmless."

Then, feigning a reprimand, he said, "Arrogant and rude. To challenge someone in public during the investiture ceremony is extremely disrespectful. Get out of here immediately."

This statement, seemingly a concession, actually put Zhao Kou in a dilemma.

Zhao Kou agreed, but worried about unforeseen circumstances.

Refusing would invite gossip and make people think that the Daoist sect was cowardly.

Zhao Kou's gaze darkened slightly, and out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Qi Xuanlin watching coldly, waiting to see what would happen. Instantly, he understood.

The three factions were inherently competitors, seemingly harmonious on the surface, but in reality, undercurrents were surging.

This move by Beast Taming Mountain is clearly a deliberate slap in the face to the Dao Seeking Sect.

"Brother Tuoba is eager to exchange skills, so I, Zhao, will naturally accompany you."

Just as tensions were about to rise, Zhao Qingcang spoke slowly, his words calm and confident.

"How about we limit ourselves to three moves, stopping when we've made our point?"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room nodded in agreement.

These words were neither humble nor arrogant, demonstrating the demeanor of a holy son while leaving room for maneuver, showing a measured approach and revealing a broad perspective.

"Three moves it is!"

Tuoba Xiaozhang's eyes blazed with fighting spirit, and the dormant, powerful blood energy around him exploded instantly.

"Take this punch first!"

Tuoba Xiaozhang suddenly burst forward, his eight-foot-tall body moving like thunder, and he threw a straight punch.

The fist's force was powerful and vast, carrying immense power.

It lacks any skill, yet is extremely domineering, representing the ultimate power that purely crushes the physical body!

Zhao Qingcang's gaze was calm. He also abandoned spiritual power martial arts, focused his physical strength, and threw a punch to meet the attack.

"Boom!"

Their fists collided, and a violent force exploded outwards from the two of them.

Zhao Qingcang stood on the altar, his robes fluttering, his figure as steady as a sacred mountain, completely still.

However, the hundred-foot-tall white jade altar beneath their feet trembled violently, and fine cracks spread rapidly.

The entire audience erupted in uproar, everyone's hearts trembling. They were amazed by Tuoba's arrogant and savage strength, and even more shocked by the formidable physical prowess of Zhao Qingcang's Dao Body.

Tuoba Xiaozhang's second punch followed immediately.

The energy and power around his body condensed on his fist, and faintly manifested behind him as a savage giant elephant.

Faced with the aggressive and arrogant Tuoba, Zhao Qingcang's expression turned slightly serious.

He quickly clenched his five fingers, and multicolored light gathered on his fist before throwing a punch.

"break!"

The fists and palms collided, creating a deafening explosion that shattered eardrums and shook the air.

"Snap!"

This time, the altar sank by an inch, and circular cracks covered the entire surface!

"What terrifying power!"

"Tuoba Xiaozhang's physical body is invincible; he truly lives up to his name of arrogance!"

"Zhao Shengzi's Daoist physique is unparalleled in the entire state!"

Everyone was deeply moved and filled with heartfelt admiration.

"The final blow!"

With a roar, Tuoba Xiaozhang rose up like a giant mountain, carrying immense power, and crashed down on Zhao Qingcang.

His fist struck like a thunderclap!

Zhao Qingcang's eyes sharpened, and he raised his hand to strike down with a palm.

"town!"

Five-colored spiritual energy gathered in his palm and was gently pressed towards Tuoba Xiaozhang.

"Buzz!"

The moment the two sides made contact, the arrogant mountain range of the Tuoba clan crumbled.

"Knock knock knock!"

Tuoba Xiaozhang landed with a thud, shattering the ground.

The terrifying aftershocks swept across the entire altar, shattering the patterns on several stone sculptures along its edge!

The incredibly hard white jade ground suddenly cracked open, with spiderweb-like cracks spreading for several meters!

Tuoba was arrogant, but he was defeated!

"good!"

"The Holy Son is mighty!"

"The Holy Son is invincible!"

Seeing Tuoba's arrogant defeat, cheers erupted in the square.

All the disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect were so excited that their eyes turned red.

Tuoba Xiaozhang, panting heavily, was not angry despite his defeat. He stood up, cupped his hands, and acted with composure and decisiveness.

"Zhao Qingcang, you are very strong! I accept my defeat today wholeheartedly. Next time we fight, I will definitely beat you!"

He slowly raised his eyes, his sharp gaze sweeping over the Beast Taming Mountain, the Azure Cloud Sect, and all the representatives of the Central Continent forces present. His voice was like a booming bell, resounding throughout the Thousand Miles Asking Mountain!

"Anyone may step onto the stage and fight me!"