The First Venerable of All Paths

"Fang Xuan, it's been a long time."

Upon seeing Fang Xuan, the young man named Su Mian immediately walked towards him.

He is Su Qingyao's older brother.

This person has exceptional talent in martial arts.

At such a young age, he has already broken through to the Body Refinement Realm.

He is the strongest among the younger generation of the Su family.

"I know everything about you and Qingyao."

With a guilty expression, Su Mian said, "Qingyao was wrong in this matter. If there is a chance, I will make her apologize to you."

"There's no need for an apology."

Fang Xuan smiled and said, "If your Su family is truly sincere, why not abandon this competition for the secret realm?"

"Fang Xuan, what are you thinking about?"

Before Su Mian could speak, Su Yang sneered, "My brother is already being very lenient with you by saying that. Don't be ungrateful."

"What's wrong?"

Fang Xuan glanced at Su Yang and said, "Have you forgotten the pain once the wound has healed?"

"Fang Xuan, you're asking for death!"

Upon hearing Fang Xuan mention this matter, Su Yang's face immediately filled with murderous intent, and he angrily said, "Last time I was just caught off guard by your sneak attack. If we were to fight head-on, how could you possibly be my match!"

Last time, Fang Xuan broke all four of his limbs, and he was bedridden for nearly half a month.

The pain he endured during that time made him wish he could tear Fang Xuan to pieces.

If you're not as skilled as others, don't make excuses.

Su Mian rebuked him and looked at Fang Xuan, saying, "Fang Xuan, I know you have a deep misunderstanding about my Su family, but it's absolutely impossible for me to give up the competition for the secret realm. How about we change the terms?"

"Changing the conditions is also acceptable."

Fang Xuan looked at Su Yang and grinned, "As long as you kill Su Yang now, this matter will be over."

"Fang Xuan, are you looking for death?"

Su Yang immediately retorted angrily, "Who do you think you are, daring to spout such nonsense here? Do you really think the Su family is afraid of you?"

Su Mian shook her head and said, "Fang Xuan, you should know that I can't agree to this condition."

"You won't agree to this, but you'll agree to that? Is this your sincerity, Su Mian?"

Fang Xuan sneered and said, "Alright, Su Mian, I know your character very well. You're only saying this because you think I'll remember our past relationship and not compete with you for this secret realm."

"I, Fang Xuan, am making this clear today."

Fang Xuan's tone was chilling as he said, enunciating each word clearly: "Even if Su Qingyao kneels before me, this matter is not over until your Su family is completely wiped out!"

"hiss!"

These words struck like a thunderclap on the calm surface of a lake.

Whether it was the Su family, the Li family, or the Fang family, they all looked at Fang Xuan with shock.

Is this... a declaration of war?

"How dare you!"

"Arrogant and ignorant fool!"

The Su family immediately launched into a tirade of curses.

Auras erupted and swept across, pressing down on Fang Xuan in an overwhelming manner.

"Want to make a move?"

Fang Shanhe stepped forward, fully releasing his aura as a Condensation Realm cultivator.

"Give it a try!"

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

"Hehe, what are you all doing?"

Just then, an aged voice rang out in the air.

Everyone looked up.

Three figures appeared, stepping through the air.

A master of the Divine Intent Realm!

Only those at the Divine Realm level can fly.

It was Li Shanya, the head of the Li family; Su Chongming, the head of the Su family; and Fang Shanhai, the eldest elder of the Fang family.

The speaker was none other than Li Shanya, the head of the Li family.

Three figures landed quickly, their spiritual energy flowing around them, causing ripples to appear in the surrounding air.

"This secret realm hasn't even started yet, are you all really going to start fighting?"

Li Shanya chuckled, looked at Su Chongming and Fang Shanhai, and said, "If that's really the case, I won't interfere. Let's talk after you've finished fighting."

"Elder Li is joking. It's just a verbal dispute between the younger generation. It's nothing serious."

Su Chongming glanced at Fang Xuan almost imperceptibly, then said, "Yang'er, in this battle for the secret realm, you must not act rashly. Listen to your elder brother."

"Yes, Father!"

Su Yang nodded, then gave Fang Xuan a provocative look.

"Fang Xuan, we'll see. Once we're inside the secret realm, I'll see how I kill you!"

Upon hearing this, Fang Xuan smiled coldly as well: "Perfect timing, I just couldn't find an excuse to kill you."

"How could it come to this? How could it come to this?"

Su Mian sighed and said, "Fang Xuan, the battle for the secret realm concerns the rise and fall of our clan. I cannot yield."

Fang Xuan gave Su Mian a deep look but did not reply.

"Alright, now that everyone's here, let's open the secret realm."

Li Shanya immediately waved his hand, and a jade talisman shot into the air.

Then Su Chongming and Fang Shanhai each took out a jade talisman.

The three jade talismans merged in mid-air, releasing a dazzling light that struck the barren mountain.

"Boom!"

In an instant, a pitch-black vortex appeared.

"The entrance to the secret realm has been opened. Please enter in turn."

As soon as the words were spoken, a figure rushed towards the vortex and quickly disappeared into it.

It turned out to be Li Tianjiao.

Then came the five martial artists from the Li family, who followed closely behind.

"Fang Xuan, see you in the secret realm."

Su Mian smiled slightly at Fang Xuan and led Su Yang and the others into the vortex.

After all the Su family members went inside, Fang Xuan also led a few of the Fang family's elite members he had selected into the vortex.

He heard Fang Shanhai's secret voice transmission in his ear.

"Young Master, there is a rather strange aura among the Su family's group. You must be careful."

Fang Xuan felt a chill run down his spine. He felt a sudden dizziness, and when his vision cleared again, he found himself in an unfamiliar world.

Before my eyes, there are green trees and red flowers, and verdant mountains.

The rich vital energy in the air drifted everywhere and condensed into clouds.

"Such abundant spiritual energy!"

A martial artist from the Fang family exclaimed, "If I could cultivate here, I would definitely be able to advance to the Qi Gathering Realm in at most six months."

His name is Fang Danian, and he is at the ninth level of the Body Refinement Realm.

According to seniority, he is Fang Xuan's cousin.

"No wonder the Three Races Grand Competition is about vying for this secret realm."

Another person said, "Such a place with abundant vital energy can definitely enhance the family's strength in a short period of time."

"Not only vital energy, but I also discovered many rare medicinal herbs, which are treasures that are hard to find elsewhere."

Everyone was visiting the secret realm for the first time, and they were all amazed.

"While the secret realm is wonderful, it also harbors various dangers."

Fang Xuan warned, "Some extremely powerful blood beasts live in this secret realm. They are even more ferocious and bloodthirsty than demonic beasts, and they crave the flesh and blood of martial artists."

"Blood beasts? This is the first time I've heard of them."

Fang Danian asked, "Young Master, how strong are these blood beasts?"

"It's hard to say."

Fang Xuan said, "But my father once said that although this secret realm is not of a high level, it is inevitable that some third-tier blood beasts will be born here because it has existed for a long time."

"A third-tier blood beast?"

A member of the Fang family said, "Isn't that equivalent to a martial artist at the Qi Gathering Realm?"

Fang Xuan nodded and said, "That's right. Therefore, we must be extremely careful in our next actions."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions became much more serious.

Seeing this, Fang Xuan said, "But don't worry, the competition for the secret realm is not about killing blood beasts, but about who can gain the recognition of the secret realm. Whoever does that will win."

Compared to the blood beasts in the secret realm, Fang Xuan was more concerned about the Grand Elder's words.

There was a strange aura emanating from the Su family's group.

He recalled for a moment.

He suddenly remembered that there were indeed two people in the Su family's group at the time, shrouded in black robes, whose faces could not be seen.

But he was certain that both of them were at the Body Refinement Realm.

This secret realm can only accommodate martial artists at the Body Refinement Realm.

Once you surpass this level, you will be rejected by the secret realm.

"Gaining the recognition of the secret realm?"

Fang Danian said, "That might not be easy, would it?"

"If it were easy, there would be no such thing as the Three Races Grand Competition."

Fang Xuan glanced at the sky and smiled, "It's getting dark. Let's find a place to rest and discuss our next move."

"Everyone, stick close to me."

Fang Xuan said, "Secret realms are formed from fragments of the world, and they automatically create all sorts of special places. If you go to the wrong one, you might be trapped there for life."

Fang Xuan activated his divine soul, probing the dangers around him.

Fortunately, the journey was uneventful, and Fang Xuan eventually found a cave on the mountainside to rest in.

"The danger in the secret realm increases significantly after dark, so it is not recommended to take action at night unless absolutely necessary."

Inside the cave, a campfire was lit.

Fang Xuan and his six companions sat cross-legged around the fire, the firelight casting dim and indistinct shadows on their faces.

"From now on, you must listen carefully to every word I say."

Fang Xuan said in a deep voice, "This determines your chances of survival in the secret realm."

Seeing Fang Xuan's serious expression, everyone quickly sat up straight and listened attentively.

"The battle for the secret realm, also known as the trial of the secret realm, lasts from five days to three days."

Fang Xuan said, "Once the time is up, regardless of whether you have gained the secret realm's approval, you will be automatically teleported out, without exception."

After a pause, Fang Xuan continued, "As for gaining the recognition of a secret realm, that is, making the secret realm acknowledge you as its master, there are countless methods. It could be that you accidentally bump into a tree, kill a blood beast, or even just pluck a blade of grass; any of these could become the central hub of the entire secret realm."

"Huh? You can do that?"

Upon hearing this, the group all wore expressions of disbelief.

This is way too... childish.

"Don't think this is easy; on the contrary, it's very difficult."

Fang Xuan said, "Although the entire secret realm isn't large, it's roughly the size of Qingyang County. What do you think the probability is of finding the central hub of the secret realm?"

"Isn't this just pure luck?"

Fang Danian said, "No wonder this secret realm has been unclaimed for so many years."

"Young Master, do you have a better way to quickly find the core of the secret realm?"

One of the clansmen spoke, his eyes fixed on Fang Xuan.

"Brother Fang Wentang is right."

Fang Xuan gave Fang Wen an approving look and smiled, "I do have a way to pinpoint the approximate location of the secret realm's central hub in the shortest amount of time."

"However, this method involves great risks, and could even cost you your life."

Fang Xuan's smile faded, and he said in a serious tone, "But if we succeed, my Fang family will not only obtain a secret realm, but the life and death of everyone who enters it will be in my hands!"

Is my life and death in my own hands?

Upon hearing these four words, Fang Danian and his four companions felt a chill run down their spines.