The First Venerable of All Paths

"Awooo!"

The wolf king howled, and its massive body trembled violently, as if it were enduring excruciating pain.

At the same time, the crimson runes on the wolf king's body swirled, and its size continued to shrink until it disappeared completely.

However, a wolf-shaped mark appeared in Fang Xuan's palm.

The moment the mark was formed, some scales appeared on Fang Xuan's skin.

Red hairs are growing out of the pores.

His entire being had transformed into a wolf-like state.

"Click-clack!"

Looking at the wolf-like hands, Fang Xuan grinned, revealing a bloodthirsty smile, and a strong aura of malevolence emanated from his body.

"This feeling is pretty good!"

By reversing the Slave Seal and drawing upon the power of the Wolf King's blood and qi, Fang Xuan's cultivation level surged to the peak of the Body Refinement Realm.

However, Fang Xuan was able to control a portion of the secret realm's power to deal with ordinary third-tier blood beasts.

If Fang Xuan were to encounter a fourth-tier blood beast, he would have to pay a price.

"But that's enough."

Fang Xuan looked into the depths of the lake and murmured softly, "As long as I can gain some opportunities inside, a small price is not unaffordable."

After saying that, Fang Xuan leaped into the lake.

Having mastered a portion of the power of the secret realm, Fang Xuan could manipulate the lake water, supporting his body as he continued to descend deeper.

His muscles were tense, and he was under immense mental strain.

The body circulates its internal energy to prepare for any unexpected events.

However, the anticipated danger did not materialize.

The entire lake was eerily quiet.

"There are no fish or shrimp, no living creatures at all."

Following his inner intuition, Fang Xuan descended.

"It's like a dead lake!"

This discovery did not make Fang Xuan relax; on the contrary, it made him even more cautious.

There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.

Fang Xuan didn't believe that this lake, located in the center of the secret realm, was truly without any danger.

"Splash!"

The lake water parted on its own, and Fang Xuan, swept along by the power of the secret realm, moved at an extremely fast speed.

After an unknown amount of time, Fang Xuan estimated that he had gone a hundred meters deep, but still couldn't see the bottom of the lake.

"On the contrary, there's even more blood mist inside."

Even with the protection of Yuan energy, Fang Xuan could still feel the scorching heat constantly penetrating his skin, causing his blood and qi to circulate faster.

"This crimson power is too pure."

In just a short while, Fang Xuan absorbed the equivalent of three days' worth of crimson power.

"Could this crimson power be the very source of the secret realm's opportunity?"

This thought flashed through Fang Xuan's mind.

Then, Fang Xuan made a decision without hesitation.

They used these crimson powers to cultivate.

"Buzz!"

A purple light emanated from Fang Xuan's eyes, and his Chaos Saint Body was activated.

"Boom!"

The moment he activated his Chaos Saint Body, the entire lake began to boil.

Streams of blood-red power, as thick as a hair, surged in from all directions, pouring into Fang Xuan's body with a tyrannical and domineering manner.

The Nine-Turn Golden Elixir was operating wildly at this moment, refining and absorbing these powers.

The crimson power was already incredibly pure, and after being refined by the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, it transformed into the purest power, flowing through Fang Xuan's limbs and bones.

His physical condition improved.

Qi and blood are strengthened.

Yuanli also continued to rise.

With so much power flowing into his body, Fang Xuan not only felt no discomfort, but also felt incredibly comfortable.

His body, in particular, was like parched earth finally receiving the nourishment of spring rain, absorbing this power like a wolf or tiger.

"It's not just because of the Chaos Holy Body, but also because I borrowed the power of the Wolf King, which allowed my body to withstand even greater limits than before."

Fang Xuan's eyes lit up, and he no longer resisted, fully releasing his Chaos Saint Body.

"Thump!"

After an unknown amount of time, a sound like muffled thunder came from Fang Xuan's body, and his aura suddenly rose a notch.

"You broke through just like that?"

Feeling the changes in the power within his body, Fang Xuan was still somewhat incredulous.

Keep in mind that only half a day has passed since his last breakthrough.

"That's it!"

Fang Xuan became increasingly certain: "These lakes are the opportunity I have for this trip!"

Thinking of this, Fang Xuan opened his arms and activated the Primordial Chaos Scripture, frantically devouring the surging crimson power.

As his cultivation level broke through, Fang Xuan's body became even more ravenous, greedily trying to possess all that crimson power.

"Boom boom boom!"

The entire lake began to boil.

A massive amount of crimson power surged in from deeper and farther away, engulfing Fang Xuan.

At the center of the crimson power, Fang Xuan sat cross-legged in the water, his eyes closed, circulating his golden core to refine this power.

His body transformed into a bottomless funnel, where he readily accepted and easily refined all the crimson power.

If anyone were to witness this scene, they would see that behind Fang Xuan, nine blurry figures were also sitting cross-legged, their hands forming various hand seals to help Fang Xuan guide these crimson powers.

And his aura continued to rise.

Body Refinement Level Six!

Seventh level of Body Refinement!

The eighth level of body training!

In the blink of an eye, Fang Xuan had advanced three minor realms in succession.

"boom!"

Fang Xuan suddenly opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them that shattered the lake water.

The nine avatars behind him also disappeared.

"Eighth level of Body Refinement!"

Feeling the surging power within his body, Fang Xuan's lips curled into an excited smile.

In just four days, he broke through from the fourth level of Body Refinement to the eighth level. This speed is astonishing.

If Fang Xuan were willing, he could actually continue to break through.

But in that case, he would not be able to perfectly control the power within his body.

Eighth level of body refinement, just right.

"Besides my cultivation level, my physical body has also been greatly improved."

Fang Xuan was extremely satisfied with this.

He looked around and found that the dark lake water had become much clearer.

He actually devoured most of that crimson power.

"Sure enough, I need a lot of power to support each breakthrough."

Although the Chaos Sacred Body granted Fang Xuan talent far surpassing that of the Innate Dao Body, the resources required were terrifyingly high.

"This might be the culmination of countless years of accumulation within the entire secret realm, yet it only allowed me to break through four minor realms. If I were to reach the Qi Gathering Realm, the Yuan Condensation Realm, or even the Divine Intent Realm, the resources required would be..."

Fang Xuan shivered inexplicably; just thinking about it made his scalp tingle.

"The Wolf King's power is almost exhausted; it's time to leave this place."

Fang Xuan stretched his body and was about to turn around and leave when the sword box on his back began to vibrate slightly.

Moreover, the sword bone that replaced his spine also emitted a strong heat, making Fang Xuan's entire body extremely hot.

He suddenly looked down into the depths of the lake, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"There's something else inside that can actually cause the sword case and the sword's frame to resonate!"

Fang Xuan's breathing became inexplicably rapid: "Could there be a divine weapon hidden down there?"

Otherwise, it would be impossible to cause a resonance between the sword case and the sword bone.

"Let's go down and take a look!"

Without hesitation, Fang Xuan swam down into the lake, his speed several times faster than before.

This visit lasted for more than two hours.

Just as Fang Xuan was getting impatient, two bright red flames suddenly appeared before his eyes.

At the bottom of the dark, deep lake, the red flames resembled two lanterns.

However, when Fang Xuan looked closely, the hairs on his body stood on end.

These aren't lanterns at all; they're clearly two enormous eyes.

"Splash!"

The lake water parted, and a giant crimson python, hundreds of meters long, came into Fang Xuan's view.

However, the giant python had several thick chains on its body, which firmly bound it to the depths of the lake.

The chains taut, deeply embedded in the giant python's body, and gushing blood continuously flowed out, staining the surrounding lake water red.

Fang Xuan then realized that the crimson power he had absorbed earlier was the essence blood of this giant python.

"Just the essence blood alone allowed my cultivation to break through; could this be a fourth-tier demon king, or even a fifth-tier demon emperor?!"

Fang Xuan's pupils suddenly contracted, and this guess exploded in his mind like a thunderclap.

"roar!"

Unable to break free of its chains, the giant python suddenly let out a deafening roar, sending Fang Xuan flying more than ten meters away.

A trickle of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.

"This is definitely a fifth-tier demon emperor!"

Fang Xuan looked at the giant python, his expression becoming extremely solemn.

A fifth-tier demon emperor is equivalent to a master of the Divine Intent Realm.

This giant python was clearly not an ordinary fifth-tier demon emperor; it was at least a peak demon emperor.

"Why was it imprisoned here, and by whom?"

The one capable of imprisoning such a peak demon emperor here must be an existence that has surpassed the divine realm.

Fortunately, as long as I don't get close, the other party can't hurt me.

But what is it that causes the sword bone and sword box to resonate?

Fang Xuan looked around.

Finally, he turned his gaze to the back of the giant python, his eyes flashing with purple light.

Immediately afterwards, Fang Xuan shuddered, his mouth gaping open, his face filled with horror.

In his line of sight.

On a rock behind the giant python, there is a skeleton.

A sword was stuck in the skeleton's chest.

A broken sword!

The broken sword had no hilt, and its blade was as red as blood, with a hollowed-out section in the middle.

Broken sword, skeleton.

Adding to the scene was the imprisoned giant python, which made Fang Xuan think of many things.

In his mind, he sketched out a picture.

Two people once sneaked into this place for something.

But this alarmed the giant python demon king.

In an attempt to survive, one of them ambushed his companion, pinning him to a rock with a single sword strike, thus attracting the giant python and buying himself time to escape.

However, before dying, his companion broke the other's sword.

"This sword is no ordinary weapon!"

Fang Xuan stared intently at the broken sword, his gaze burning with fervor.

Even after so many years, he could still feel the sharp sword intent on the sword.

"This is a sword cultivator's natal flying sword!"

Fang Xuan's body trembled slightly with excitement.

Fang Xuan quickly calmed down again.

"But how do I retrieve the sword?"

To retrieve the sword, one must approach the giant python.

Given Fang Xuan's current small stature, the other party could easily blow him to death with a single breath.

Going to retrieve the sword is tantamount to courting death.

The giant python seemed to realize this as well, and a mocking, anthropomorphic expression appeared on its face.

"Young man, you want this tattered thing?"

A deep, hoarse voice reached Fang Xuan's ears.

Fang Xuan's eyes widened: "You...you can talk?"

"nonsense!"

The giant python said irritably, "I am the Demon Emperor, which, according to your human classification, is equivalent to a Divine Realm expert. Naturally, I can speak your human language."

"I see."

Fang Xuan said, "So, you've been imprisoned here for many years, haven't you?"

"Alright, kid, stop trying to pry into my secrets. I'm not telling you."

The giant python said, "As long as you agree to my three conditions, I will not only give you this... cough cough, this sword cultivator's natal flying sword, but also bestow upon you some opportunities, such as the inheritance of this divine intent realm expert."

"Not interested."

Fang Xuan refused without even thinking.

"Don't you want this sword anymore?"

The giant python was surprised that Fang Xuan would refuse, and quickly said, "There is also the opportunity bestowed upon me by the Emperor."

"Your Majesty the Demon Emperor has misunderstood."

Fang Xuan laughed and said, "I have absolutely no interest in what you call a fortuitous opportunity."

"As for that sword..."

Fang Xuan's lips curled up: "I naturally have a way to get my hands on it."