The First Venerable of All Paths

"Please speak frankly, senior."

In an inn in Shangyun City, Fang Xuan looked at Qi Xuanlin across from him and spoke frankly.

"I will never refuse if I can do it."

Compared to when they were on the Azure Cloud Flying Boat, Fang Xuan's attitude was undoubtedly much better now, and his tone was not as harsh.

After all, it is an indisputable fact that Qi Xuanlin intervened to protect him and help him leave the Dao Seeking Sect.

His previous tough stance was simply because he didn't want to be used as a pawn.

Before we get down to business, let me ask you a question.

Qi Xuanlin tapped his fingers lightly on the table, staring at Fang Xuan as he asked, "Is Qinghe... still alive?"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan was also taken aback.

Judging from Qi Xuanlin's tone, she knows Senior Qinghe?

Fang Xuan asked, "May I ask, who are you, Senior and Senior Qinghe...?"

Qi Xuanlin stroked the teacup and said softly, "Actually, most of what I said at the Dao Seeking Sect was true. Qinghe was indeed a member of the Qingyun Sect, and her status was... second only to my Qingyun Sect Master."

"Uncle-Master, are you telling the truth?"

Yan Daoming said, "But why haven't I heard this name before in the sect?"

Qin Luoli, standing beside her, also had a hint of doubt in her eyes.

"It's normal that you haven't heard of this. In fact, apart from a few elders in the sect, no one knows about it."

Qi Xuanlin sighed and said, "This is because Qinghe was expelled from the Qingyun Sect not long after he joined, due to certain matters. All traces of him in the sect were completely erased and he was forbidden to mention them."

"Expelled from the group?"

Qin Luoli's eyes flashed, and she said, "Could it be because this Senior Qinghe violated the sect rules?"

But what she couldn't understand was what rule she had broken to deserve such a severe punishment.

"If it's just a violation of the rules, then it's fine."

Qi Xuanlin said softly, "Senior Brother Qinghe... once killed everyone during a sect trial."

"Including the two elders leading the team from Qingyun Sect."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan and the others gasped in shock.

Killing all the trial participants, including two elders of the Qingyun Sect, is simply outrageous.

"At the time, everyone thought that Senior Brother Qinghe had gone astray in his cultivation and suffered a qi deviation."

Qi Xuanlin said in a low voice, "Originally, according to the rules of Qingyun Sect, Senior Brother Qinghe should have been executed on the spot. However, because his swordsmanship talent was too high, after discussing it, the elders decided to imprison him on the Cliff of Repentance."

"Rather than imprisonment, it's actually protection. We hope that Senior Brother Qinghe can suppress his inner demons and return to the righteous path."

Qi Xuanlin sighed and said helplessly, "Who would have thought that half a year later, Senior Brother Qinghe injured the elder guarding the Cliff of Repentance and left the Qingyun Sect, and has been missing ever since."

"The sect was furious and expelled Senior Brother Qinghe from the sect, erasing all traces of him. All elders and disciples who knew about this matter were ordered to remain silent, and some even had their memories erased."

"wrong!"

Fang Xuan suddenly said, "If it's just for these reasons, then erasing Senior Qinghe's traces is fine, but there's no need to erase the memories of those who know the truth."

"You also find something strange?"

Qi Xuanlin looked at Fang Xuan in surprise, but quickly said helplessly, "There are indeed not many elders and disciples who know about this matter, and since so much time has passed, the truth is no longer known."

"If that's the case, how did you know I received Senior Qinghe's inheritance?"

Fang Xuan looked at Qi Xuanlin and said, "Could it be that you met Senior Qinghe later?"

"good."

Qi Xuanlin nodded and said, "That was many years ago. Not long after I joined the Qingyun Sect, I went down the mountain on a mission and accidentally entered a dangerous place. In the end, it was Senior Brother Qinghe who saved me."

Fang Xuan frowned.

Therefore, when Senior Qinghe met Qi Xuanlin, it must have been before he entered the Azure Lotus Secret Realm.

"Even so, how did you know that I know Senior Qinghe at a glance?"

Fang Xuan said, "Although I received some guidance from Senior Qinghe, I did not inherit his teachings."

Fang Xuan was not lying.

Qinghe's swordsmanship is actually not suitable for her.

However, Fang Xuan had also promised to help Senior Qinghe find the most suitable successor.

"That shouldn't be the case."

Qi Xuanlin looked at Fang Xuan suspiciously and said, "Since you have already obtained the Azure Lotus Karmic Flame, how could you not have received Senior Brother Qinghe's inheritance? Could it be...?"

Qi Xuanlin shuddered, his voice trembling as he said, "Senior Brother Qinghe... he's fallen?"

Fang Xuan nodded and said in a low voice, "To be honest, Senior Qinghe has indeed passed away."

"Snap!"

The teacup in Qi Xuanlin's hand suddenly shattered, and a chilling, sharp sword aura swept out from her body, turning all the tables, chairs, and benches in the room into pieces.

"Master!"

Qin Luoli's expression changed slightly, and an even colder sword intent erupted from her body as she tried to help Qi Xuanlin suppress his out-of-control power.

Fortunately, Qi Xuanlin's power came and went quickly.

"Go on."

Qi Xuanlin said coldly and without any change in tone, "I want to know everything about Senior Brother Qinghe."

Although Qi Xuanlin was trying her best to restrain herself, Fang Xuan could feel the tremor in her voice.

It was a sense of loss, sadness, and a deeper meaning that was hard to explain.

Fang Xuan didn't think much of it and simply recounted what he knew.

That's how it is.

Fang Xuan said, "Senior Qinghe has given me a second chance at life. Without him, I would not be alive today."

"If I hear the Way in the morning, I can die content in the evening."

Qi Xuanlin closed his eyes, concealing his sadness, and murmured softly, "At least, he has no regrets."

Qi Xuanlin opened his eyes again and looked at Fang Xuan: "Although you did not inherit his swordsmanship, you have indeed benefited from his kindness. It is not wrong to say that you are his disciple."

Yan Daoming opened his mouth as if to speak, but after glancing at Qi Xuanlin's expression, he obediently shut his mouth again.

"In that case, you and my Qingyun Sect are indeed destined to meet."

Qi Xuanlin said, "Then I can give you a spot in the sect trial three months from now, as repayment for the kindness of saving you."

"Uncle-Master, this will absolutely not do!"

Yan Daoming immediately said, "Fang Xuan is not a disciple of my Qingyun Sect, and the sect trial is related to the status of my Qingyun Sect. How can we entrust it to an outsider?"

Are you questioning my decision?

Qi Xuanlin glanced at Yan Daoming indifferently, his eyes sharp.

"This junior dares not."

Yan Daoming quickly lowered his head, but said in an unchanged tone, "It's just a sect rule that non-disciples are not allowed to participate in the trial."

"Since he is Senior Brother Qinghe's disciple, he is naturally a member of my Qingyun Sect."

Qi Xuanlin said calmly, "What's wrong with him participating in the trial?"

"But Master Qinghe has, after all, already..."

Before Yan Daoming could finish speaking, his legs gave way and he knelt on the ground.

Qi Xuanlin's aura, as thick as a mountain, pressed down on Yan Daoming.

"How dare you, a junior member of a sect, disrespect Senior Brother Qinghe? Who gave you the audacity!"

The last sentence was like a thousand swords clashing, making Fang Xuan's ears ring and his internal sword bones tremble.

Yan Daoming was the first to be hit, and was directly blasted away, spitting out a mouthful of blood before crashing heavily to the ground.

"Master Uncle, I know I was wrong."

Yan Daoming rolled over and knelt on the ground, touching his face to the ground.

However, his face was contorted with rage and twisted rage, filled with resentment and malice.

Fang Xuan, it's all your fault!

If it weren't for you, Uncle Qi wouldn't have scolded me.

If he wanted to become Qi Shishu's disciple again and take his relationship with Junior Sister Luo Li to the next level, it would be as difficult as climbing to the sky.

"Go out."

Qi Xuanlin waved his hand coldly and said, "From now on, you are not allowed to step into my room without my permission."

"yes!"

Yan Daoming clenched his fists and walked out of the room without looking back.

Staring at the tightly closed door, Yan Daoming's eyes burned with resentment and hatred, as if he wanted to vomit blood.

On what grounds?

Even though Qinghe was an elder in the sect, she was expelled from the sect.

Even if Fang Xuan obtained its inheritance, what connection does it have with the Qingyun Sect?

They even want a trial spot? That's outrageous!

"I must report this matter to the sect."

Yan Daoming gritted his teeth and muttered to himself, "Fang Xuan is an outsider; he absolutely cannot take up a spot!"

......

"Senior, isn't this inappropriate?"

Inside the room, Fang Xuan said, "Since Senior Qinghe has been expelled from the Qingyun Sect, I naturally cannot be considered a disciple of the Qingyun Sect. I dare not accept this so-called trial spot."

"If I say it's suitable, then it's suitable."

Qi Xuanlin said forcefully, "Besides, do you really think this so-called trial is anything good?"

Qi Xuanlin sneered and said, "Don't think you've gotten such a great deal. If you're not careful, you could end up dead in there."

Fang Xuan broke out in a cold sweat.

Of course he knew it wouldn't be that simple.

However, the way Yan Daoming looked at him just now was already strange.

If he goes to Qingyun Sect, this person will definitely target him in every way.

"Fang Xuan, let me tell you the truth."

Qi Xuanlin said, "This trial is of paramount importance to our Qingyun Sect. The reason I gave you a spot is that I hope you can win first place for our Qingyun Sect in this trial!"

Fang Xuan asked doubtfully, "Could it be that other sects will also participate in this trial?"

"That's natural."

Qi Xuanlin said, "Besides the three major sects, several aristocratic families in Zhongzhou will also send people to participate."

Fang Xuan said, "But Qingyun Sect has countless geniuses, and winning first place is a difficult task. Why would we need an outsider like me?"

"If it were that easy, why would I need to contact you?"

Qi Xuanlin said helplessly, "Because the trial grounds have a natural suppression effect on sword cultivators, whenever a disciple of my Qingyun Sect enters, their cultivation level will be suppressed by at least 30%. As a result, my Qingyun Sect has never won first place in recent years."

"Able to suppress sword cultivator techniques?"

Fang Xuan frowned and said, "There really is such a special place in the world?"

The world is vast and full of wonders.

Qi Xuanlin said, "Sword cultivators are only the best at killing within their own realm, but they are not invincible. It is not surprising that there are ways to restrain sword cultivators."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan nodded in agreement.

For example, Soul Masters have methods to counter Sword Cultivators.

However, joining the Qingyun Sect was not Fang Xuan's wish.

Seeing Fang Xuan's hesitation, Qi Xuanlin said, "Boy, don't feel that joining the Qingyun Sect is beneath you."

"Besides helping you deal with the Dao Seeking Sect, it can also help you solve another, even bigger problem."