The First Venerable of All Paths

"elder brother......"

Fang Rou grabbed Fang Xuan's arm, her face full of worry: "Why don't we run away? You can't fight them."

It's not that Fang Rou doesn't trust her brother Fang Xuan.

However, during the three years that Fang Xuan was mentally impaired, Fang Xiao's talent, strength, and even his skills were no less than those of Fang Xuan in the past.

His reputation and popularity even surpassed Fang Xuan's at one point, and he had many supporters.

For Fang Rou, nothing was more important than her brother's safety.

"Little sister, you're wrong."

Fang Xuan affectionately ruffled his younger sister's hair and said earnestly, "Some things can't be avoided. Not only can you not avoid them, you have to fight for them and compete for them."

A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "Little sister, remember this: your kindness and forbearance will only earn you more malice and humiliation. If they want to fight, then fight them. I'm not afraid of them!"

With a smile, Fang Xuan asked, "Do you trust your brother?"

"Uh-huh."

Fang Rou seemed to understand but not quite, but she still nodded obediently.

"My brother is the best!"

Fang Xuan looked at Zhan Yi and said, "Come with me."

After entering the dilapidated courtyard, Fang Xuan sat down in a chair with an air of nonchalance, looking at Zhan Yi and the others with a blank expression.

Even though Fang Xuan didn't say anything, Zhan Yi and the others inexplicably felt a captivating aura emanating from him.

He was like a towering mountain, simply standing there, breathtaking.

"Splash!"

Zhan Yi suddenly knelt down, bowed his head, and said in a deep voice, "It is our dereliction of duty that we failed to protect the young master and young lady. Please punish us, young master!"

That's not what I wanted to ask.

Fang Xuan's eyes turned cold as he said, "Of the ten guard teams, why are there only ten of you? Where are the other guard teams?"

There are ten family guard teams in total.

As Fang Xuan had instructed, in addition to the guards who were training outside, two more teams had to be left behind to protect his sister's safety.

But now, only Zhan Yi, the tenth guard, remains.

It's unusual that he's not even in the clan.

"this......."

Zhan Yi and the others looked at each other, not daring to breathe.

"explain!"

Fang Xuan gave a cold shout, and a heavy sense of authority, accustomed to high positions, appeared on his youthful face.

Domineering and fierce!

"Young Master, they've disappeared!"

Zhan Yi bent down, touching the ground with his forehead.

"Ever since the patriarch went missing, the brothers have never given up searching for him."

Zhan Yi said, "Two years ago, the commander received news that the patriarch had been found, so he personally led a search party. After that, there was no news of him since."

"What do you mean?"

Fang Xuan raised an eyebrow, his expression becoming even sharper.

"Neither alive nor dead has anyone been found."

Zhan Yi's voice was choked with sobs.

"For the past two years, I've led my brothers to inquire everywhere, but to no avail. We even nearly caused an accident for the young master and young lady. We are guilty!"

The remaining nine people spoke in unison: "We are guilty, please punish us, young master!"

After listening to Zhan Yi's story, Fang Xuan sighed deeply, feeling utterly helpless.

After a long silence, Fang Xuan spoke up: "Before Master Zhong left, did he tell you where they were going?"

Zhongye is a servant of the Fang family for three generations.

He was also the commander of the family guard. Although he was not very powerful, he was extremely loyal to Fang Xuan's lineage.

When Zhongye was mentioned, Zhan Yi's lips twitched, and he shook his head to indicate that he did not know.

"Alright, get up, all of you."

Fang Chen waved his hand and said, "From now on, you will go to the stronghold outside the city to recuperate and wait for my news."

Zhan Yi was taken aback, and asked with concern, "And what about you, Young Master?"

"Don't worry about me."

Fang Xuan laughed and said, "After this incident, the Fang family won't dare to do anything to me."

"Also, try to contact the other brothers."

Fang Xuan instructed, "I don't know about others, but Master Zhong is definitely still alive."

"Yes, young master!"

Zhan Yi cupped his hands and said, "Young Master and Miss, please take care. If there is any danger, we will protect you with our lives!"

After Zhan Yi and the others left, a cold glint flashed in Fang Xuan's eyes.

Their father has been missing for so many years, and they have been searching for him in vain.

Ironically, during the three years he was mentally impaired, he suddenly received the news.

Without a doubt, this is a trap.

They deliberately lured Zhongye and the others out.

But if it really was a trap, how could Master Zhong not see it?

Or is there some inside story he doesn't know about?

Since he couldn't figure it out, Fang Xuan gave up.

The most urgent task is to improve one's cultivation level as much as possible in order to prepare for the life-or-death battle with Fang Xiao in ten days.

He must win this battle!

In martial arts cultivation, the martial lineage is paramount.

A useless vein becomes an insect, unable to cultivate; a divine vein becomes a dragon, soaring through the nine heavens.

Fang Xiao awakened a level-earth martial vein, making him a genius.

In addition, the martial arts techniques he cultivates are extraordinary, making his combat power absolutely terrifying.

Even though Fang Xuan obtained the inheritance of the Nine Emperors, condensed the Chaos Saint Body, and opened all the martial meridians in his body, his talent far surpassed what it used to be.

But defeating Fang Xiao will not be an easy task.

What Fang Xuan wanted was not a simple victory.

Instead, they crush, defeat, and trample their opponents underfoot with absolute strength!

Thinking of this, Fang Xuan said to his younger sister who was busy at work, "Little sister, you stay home and behave yourself. I'm going out for a bit."

He has already demonstrated his strength, so the Fang family would certainly not dare to do anything to my little sister again.

......

Tianbaolou.

This is the largest chamber of commerce in Qingyang County, bar none.

Cultivation techniques, martial arts, elixirs, weapons... all sorts of things, anything you can think of, you can find it here.

Similarly, this is also the largest den of iniquity in Qingyang County.

Many martial artists would spend a fortune, even to the point of bloodshed, for a single manual, martial art, or elixir.

No one knows how powerful Tianbao Tower's background is. All that is known is that even disciples of the powerful Daodao Sect have to be polite and respectful when they set foot in Tianbao Tower, and dare not act rashly.

Because a powerful expert at the Qi Condensation Realm once fought with someone in the Tianbao Tower.

It was smashed to pieces by a single slap from a powerful guardian of Tianbao Tower.

The kind that can't be pieced together completely.

After changing his clothes and disguising himself, Fang Xuan followed the crowd into Tianbao Tower. Unlike the newcomers who looked around aimlessly, he went straight to a certain area.

Fang Xuan had been to Tianbao Tower countless times, so he knew the way very well.

"Dear guest, how may I help you?"

At this moment, a maid in green came forward and bowed respectfully to Fang Xuan.

Her voice was melodious, and her smile was charming.

It is enough to deceive those with weak minds, making them want to give away all their savings.

Fang Xuan, with his dark complexion and deep voice, said, "I've come to buy some pills."

"Okay, please follow me."

The maid nodded and led the way, her figure swaying gracefully without being deliberately revealing.

Everything was just right, perfectly natural.

Fang Xuan kept his eyes straight ahead, calculating in his mind the pills he wanted to buy.

"Dear guest, we have arrived."

Soon, the maid led Fang Xuan to the third floor, to the area where pills were sold.

The enormous third floor is filled with countless cabinets.

On the cabinet were bottles of pills.

Many martial artists, accompanied by maids from Tianbao Tower, are already selecting their favorite pills.

The fragrance of cinnabar and body odor intertwine, slightly invigorating the mind.

Fang Xuan, who had inherited the legacy of the Dan Ding Empress, immediately recognized that the air on the third floor was filled with the scent of the Alluring Incense.

Combined with the invigorating powder on these maids, it can create a special fragrance that is light, elegant, yet can subtly invigorate the warrior's mind.

If combined with Tianbaolou's special persuasive techniques, it can make many low-level martial artists unconsciously empty their pockets.

"Guest, these are healing pills, these are pills to improve cultivation, and these are pills to refine the soul, but the quantity is relatively small."

The maid in green said softly, "May I ask what kind of elixir the guest requires? Xiaoling can introduce it to you."

"Three bottles of Qi and Blood Pills, one bottle of Yuanxin Pills, and one bottle of Dragon Bone Pills."

After the other party finished speaking, Fang Xuan slowly opened his mouth, only to find that the maid was looking at him blankly.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem?"

Fang Xuan looked at the maid.

"We have Qi and Blood Pills and Yuanxin Pills here, and they are of high quality, guaranteed to satisfy our customers."

The maid said somewhat awkwardly, "But this Dragon Bone Pill is something I've never heard of before."

"I see."

Fang Xuan was not surprised.

Because there aren't many people who know about this Dragon Bone Pill.

"Then please take me to the medicinal herb area. I'd like to see if there are any herbs needed to refine Dragon Bone Pills."

Without a ready-made Dragon Bone Pill, Fang Xuan had to settle for second best.

"Alright, please follow me, guest."

Compared to before, the maids are now much more respectful.

Whether or not Dragon Bone Pills exist, anyone who dares to claim they can refine pills must be someone of great importance.

Either you know an alchemist, or... this guest is an alchemist himself.

But she guessed it was the former.

This guest has absolutely no air of an alchemist.

Upon arriving at the medicinal herb section, Fang Xuan began to examine each herb individually.

As expected of the largest merchant guild in Qingyang County, they were able to gather the necessary ingredients even for an obscure elixir like the Dragon Bone Pill.

"This, this, and this... give me three portions of all seven of these medicinal herbs."

Fang Xuan casually pointed to the medicinal herbs he needed and instructed the maid.

"OK."

Soon, the maid packed up the seven kinds of medicinal herbs and handed them to Fang Xuan.

"Guest, if you wish to refine pills, our Tianbao Pavilion has ready-made alchemists."

The maid explained, "Because the medicinal herbs are purchased from our establishment, hiring our alchemists will result in a significant discount."

"No."

Fang Xuan smiled and said, "I plan to refine it myself."

"what?"

The maid stared in astonishment, her mouth agape, her large, watery eyes blinking as she looked at Fang Xuan.

"Guest, you mean... you want to refine the elixir yourself?"

Fang Xuan nodded and asked, "Is there a problem?"

"No...no."

The maid's attitude immediately changed 180 degrees, and she said respectfully, "Respected Alchemist, I will arrange an alchemy room for you right away, and I guarantee that no one will disturb you."

Tianbao Tower also provides an alchemy room, which is convenient for alchemists to refine pills on their own.

The fee charged is less than that of hiring an alchemist to refine elixirs.

Thank you for your trouble.

Fang Xuan nodded and followed behind the maid.

The two walked downhill and finally stopped in front of a large door on the first floor.

Two burly men were guarding the entrance.

These two burly men, with broad shoulders and powerful builds, exuded a formidable aura.

His actual strength was actually at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm, making him even stronger than Fang Yue.

The maid in green chatted with the two men for a few moments. The two burly men looked at Fang Xuan curiously for a few seconds, then nodded and pressed the token on their waists into the groove on the door.

"Click-clack!"

The gate suddenly opened, revealing a passageway.

The scorching air rushed towards him from inside the passage, causing Fang Xuan to squint slightly.