The First Venerable of All Paths

at the same time.

Blazing Canyon.

"Boom!"

As Fang Xuan absorbed the spiritual vein into the desolate realm, the entire Blazing Flame Canyon suddenly trembled violently.

The arrays led by Huo Sang seemed to have lost their source of power and began to collapse and disintegrate.

The spiritual energy between heaven and earth was also rapidly dissipating, eventually becoming extremely thin.

"What happened?"

Huo Sang exclaimed in shock, "The spiritual energy is dissipating! Could it be that the spiritual vein has been taken away?"

"impossible!"

Huo Ye exclaimed, "The two spiritual veins were personally sealed by the Lion King. Unless someone removes the entire sealing foundation, it's impossible... No, that's not right!"

Huo Ye's pupils contracted, and he said in a terrified voice, "Could it be that Fang Xuanzhen took away the entire sealing foundation stone?"

"Absolutely impossible!"

Huo Sang said in a deep voice, "Shu Heng had already laid an ambush near the spiritual vein. As long as the timing is right, Fang Xuan will have no chance to take away the spiritual vein, unless..."

"Unless even the rats fail!"

Huo Ye looked shocked.

They had previously planned with Shu Heng that Shu Heng would lie in ambush at the spiritual vein, and if Fang Xuan dared to attack the spiritual vein, Shu Heng would quietly make his move.

Once Fang Xuan is poisoned by datura, even if he had ten lives, he would not escape death.

But judging from the current situation, their plan seems to have failed.

Fang Xuan not only survived, but also took the spiritual vein.

Huo Sang and Huo Ye exchanged a glance, both seeing an expression of disbelief and shock on each other's faces.

"The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is waning; this is a golden opportunity!"

The wolf also noticed the weakening of spiritual energy, and its eyes suddenly lit up.

"Second brother, Brother Fang Xuan succeeded. Keep up the good work and finish them off."

Having said that, Canglang took a step forward and threw a punch at Huosang.

"The Howling Wolf of the Moon!"

The fist energy transformed into a giant gray wolf, which pounced fiercely on Huo Sang.

Although Huo Sang mobilized his spiritual power to block, his cultivation level was several minor realms lower than Cang Lang's, and he was also injured, so he was unable to intercept him at all.

"Pfft!"

The domineering fist struck Huo Sang's body, causing him to spit out blood. His body plummeted from mid-air and crashed heavily onto the ground, completely losing his fighting ability.

Huo Ye wasn't much better off.

Wen Kang moved with uncanny speed, appearing behind Huo Ye and striking Huo Ye on the back with a palm.

"Wow!"

Huo Ye spat out a mouthful of blood mixed with bits of internal organs and flesh, and his body crashed to the ground like a kite with a broken string, never to live again.

"It's over, Elder Huo Ye is dead!"

The warriors of the Mad Lion Mercenary Group looked at the two men, one dead and one wounded, with expressions of despair on their faces.

"Run!"

Someone shouted, and then several mercenaries fled towards the edge of the canyon.

"Little Wolf!"

The wolf barked, and the wild wolf charged out like an arrow. First, it smashed a mercenary to pieces with one claw, then smashed a second mercenary into a bloody mist with its tail. Then it rushed towards the third mercenary, bit him, and quickly returned to the wolf's side.

"Well done."

Canglang patted Huanglang's head, then looked at the remaining mercenaries.

"Those who flee will die!"

These mercenaries were all at the Qi Gathering and Yuan Condensation Realms. Faced with two Divine Intent Realm experts and a demon emperor, they dared not flee. They all knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.

Seeing this scene, Huo Sang couldn't help but burst into tears.

"It's over. Years of hard work, all gone in an instant."

Huo Sang looked at Cang Lang and said, "Captain Cang Lang, the victor is king and the loser is villain. I admit defeat, but I hope you will give my brothers a way out."

"Elder Huosang, if you had known this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?"

The wolf said, "I did give you a chance."

"Canglang, kill me or torture me, I will do as you please."

Huo Sang gritted his teeth and said, "But they didn't lay a hand on us. I will take full responsibility."

Canglang looked at Mad Lion's many mercenaries and saw that they were already terrified and kneeling on the ground begging for mercy. He frowned.

"We can't make the decision on this matter. Let's wait for Fang Xuan to arrive before making a final decision."

Wen Kang leaned closer and whispered something to Cang Lang.

"OK."

Canglang looked at Huosang and said, "If Brother Fang is willing to let them go, I won't stop them from leaving or staying."

"Thank you, Commander Canglang."

Huo Sang bowed deeply to Cang Lang and said, "I will repay this kindness in my next life!"

Soon, Fang Xuan returned alone.

"Brother Fang Xuan!"

Seeing this, the wolf quickly went to meet him and asked, "Did you succeed?"

Fang Xuan nodded and smiled, "It's done."

"That's good."

Canglang continued, "Brother Fang, that old man Huosang hopes we'll let his gang go. What do you think...?"

Fang Xuan looked at Huo Sang.

"Young friend Fang, this matter is entirely my fault, no matter how many mistakes I have made."

Huo Sang looked somber and said, "But they are innocent after all. I hope you will have a change of heart and give them a way out."

"I can let them go for the sake of the Blazing Fire Squad."

Fang Xuan said indifferently, "As for you..."

"I will give you an explanation, young friend."

Huo Sang smiled bitterly, looked at the mercenaries around him, and sighed deeply again.

"As you all know, Mad Lion is gone. If you want to leave, go now. If you don't want to leave, you can join the Azure Wolf Mercenary Group. The leader of the Azure Wolf Group will not treat you unfairly."

Huo Sang said, "But I hope that no matter what choice you make, you will not resent anyone. Once you embark on this path, you should be prepared for this."

"Elder..."

Many of the mercenaries had red eyes.

"Alright, everyone, you can all leave now."

Huo Sang waved his hand, staggered towards Huo Ye, picked up his body, and walked into the depths of the canyon.

Before long, the entire Blazing Canyon trembled violently.

The grand hall that once stood in the canyon collapsed completely, turning into ruins and burying Huo Sang and Huo Ye.

Seeing this, Fang Xuan also fell silent.

Canglang sighed and said softly, "Although we have different stances, Huosang is indeed a person of importance."

"You can handle the rest yourselves. I'm leaving now."

After leaving these words, Fang Xuan transformed into a streak of light and quickly disappeared into the horizon.

After Fang Xuan left, Canglang looked at the remaining mercenaries of Kuangshi.

"You have three days to clean this place up."

Canglang said, "Anyone who wants to join Canglang is welcome anytime, and I won't pursue those who don't want to. But from now on, I don't want to hear the words 'Mad Lion' again."

After saying that, Canglang and Wenkang left together.

"Big brother, are you really planning to take over Mad Lion's men?"

On the way back, Wen Kang said, "Aren't you afraid they'll harbor resentment and ruin our future plans?"

"If there are any blind fools, just kill them."

Canglang sneered, "If it weren't for that old man Huosang's sake, none of them would have gotten away today."

"What about Fang Xuan...?"

Canglang waved his hand and said, "I'll go and talk to them myself. Since a decision has been made, we need to show sincerity and the right attitude."

Wen Kang nodded and said nothing more.

......

"You want to follow me?"

Canglang Mountain, a small courtyard.

Fang Xuan looked at Cang Lang and Wen Kang with surprise, appearing extremely astonished.

Why?

Fang Xuan was somewhat puzzled as to why the Canglang Mercenary Group, with its strength, would take the initiative to offer to follow him.

"Brother Fang, to be honest..."

Canglang said with a wry smile, "Since the Sunset Alliance was established, the mercenary groups, large and small, on this wasteland have either succumbed to the power of the alliance or struggled to survive."

"If Brother Fang hadn't suddenly appeared, I would have already agreed to cooperate with the alliance."

Canglang sighed and said, "But I also know that there's no hope of advancement if I follow the Sunset Alliance. To put it bluntly, I'll just be their dog."

"But I can't give you anything either."

Fang Xuan laughed and said, "And don't forget, I came back this time to cause trouble for the Alliance. Aren't you afraid of being implicated?"

"Brother Fang, what we value is your potential."

Canglang said earnestly, "Compared to your potential, this risk is nothing."

"And your personality is very much to my liking."

The wolf laughed and said, "Rather than following you, it's more like a collaboration between us, a mutually beneficial partnership."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan fell into deep thought.

"Brother Fang, is there something on your mind?"

Canglang asked, "If you're worried about the alliance, there's no need to. Since it's a cooperation, my Canglang Mercenary Group will stand firmly on your side."

"That's not it."

Fang Xuan said, "I can't stay here forever. I'll have to leave sooner or later once the alliance is resolved."

"Just this little thing? Then it's nothing at all."

Canglang laughed and said, "If the alliance is really resolved, someone will have to take over their territories and influence, right? And to put it bluntly, you've already made enemies with the Dao Seeking Sect. If you don't cultivate your own power, fighting alone won't be a long-term solution."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan bluntly stated, "Since that's the case, you're still willing to follow me? The Dao Seeking Sect is not comparable to the Sunset Alliance."

"The fact that you were able to survive the ordeal at Wendao Mountain proves that the strength and potential of those who chose you are even more terrifying than anyone imagined."

Canglang laughed and said, "Consider it me, Canglang, leading a group of brothers, taking a gamble with you. If we lose, we can always start over, but if we win, we'll soar to the heavens."

"Since Commander Canglang has put it this way, it would seem pretentious of me to refuse."

Fang Xuan said, "Then so be it. Let's cooperate sincerely and benefit each other."

"That's excellent!"

The wolf was overjoyed and asked impatiently, "Brother Fang, when do you plan to set off for Sunset City?"

Fang Xuan said calmly, "There's no time to lose. Let's set off first thing tomorrow morning."

"OK."

Canglang said, "Then I will go and select a group of elite brothers to go together."

"Commander, members of several major mercenary groups, including Flying Eagle, Fierce Bull, and Poison Spider, have come to pay a visit."

Just then, a subordinate hurriedly walked in.

"The people from Flying Eagle and Fierce Bull are one thing, but what are the people from Poison Spider doing here?"

Canglang slammed his fist on the table and roared, "They ganged up on Second Brother, and I haven't even gone to bother them yet! And they dare to come here personally? Do they really think I, Canglang, am all alone?"

"Captain, the people from Poison Spider say they've come to apologize."

Sensing the fury emanating from Canglang, the subordinate quickly said, "He also said that he hopes Mr. Fang can show himself, as he has something important to discuss."

"An apology? Then let them wait."

Canglang waved his hand, and after his subordinate left, he said to Fang Xuan, "That woman from Poison Spider is cunning. If you don't want to see her, I'll take care of her for you."

"No need."

Fang Xuan laughed and said, "It would be good to go and see them. I also want to know if they've come looking for revenge against me."