Sect's Olive Branch and the Martial Path's Original Intention

News of the bloody battle at the Seven Stars Sect's mountain gate spread like wildfire throughout the entire immortal cultivation world. The feat of "Martial Venerable Chen Fan killing three Nascent Soul Elders" shocked countless immortal cultivators – a martial artist without Spiritual Roots could shake the high-level combat power of the immortal cultivation system. This undoubtedly subverted everyone's understanding of "Spiritual Roots and Heavenly Mandate."

Three days after the battle ended, in the welcoming hall of the Seven Stars Sect, Chu Xinghe was accompanying Chen Fan as he reviewed messages from various regions. Suddenly, a disciple's report came from outside the hall: "Sect Master, envoys from the Heavenly Sword Sect, Pill Cauldron Sect, Ten Thousand Beasts Valley, Purple Haze Palace, and Pure Void Temple have arrived. They wish to pay their respects to Mr. Chen Fan."

Chen Fan was slightly taken aback. These five major sects were all top powers in the immortal cultivation world, far surpassing the Xianyun Sect in strength. Their arrival at this moment was clearly for him. A hint of understanding flashed in Chu Xinghe's eyes, and he smiled, "It seems your name has already caught the attention of the entire immortal cultivation world."

Soon, five envoys entered the welcoming hall one after another. The envoy from the Heavenly Sword Sect was a swordsman in a green robe, with an ancient sword at his waist and eyes as sharp as a blade. The envoy from the Pill Cauldron Sect was a plump old man, carrying a medicine box and smelling strongly of herbs. The envoy from the Ten Thousand Beasts Valley was accompanied by a snow-white spirit fox with a lively aura. The envoy from the Purple Haze Palace was a stunningly beautiful woman, surrounded by a faint glow of mist. The envoy from the Pure Void Temple was a Taoist priest, holding a horsetail whisk with a calm expression.

"Mr. Chen Fan, we have long admired your name," the Heavenly Sword Sect envoy spoke first, with a hint of admiration in his tone. "My Heavenly Sword Sect proves the Dao with the sword and values strength above all else. Your ability to kill Nascent Soul Elders while in the Martial Venerable realm is enough to place you as an honored guest elder in my Heavenly Sword Sect. If you are willing to join, the sect can bestow upon you a high-grade spirit sword and teach you the 'Sword Qi Manifestation' technique, helping you merge your martial path with the sword path."

Before he could finish speaking, the plump old man from the Pill Cauldron Sect stepped forward with a smile, "Mr. Chen, even the best swords of the Heavenly Sword Sect are not as practical as elixirs. My Pill Cauldron Sect has top-tier elixirs such as the 'Nine Revolutions Soul Returning Pill' and the 'Marrow Cleansing Body Tempering Pill.' If you are willing to come, our sect can assign three alchemists to refine Body Tempering Pills specifically for you, helping you break through to the Martial Saint realm as soon as possible. Moreover, our sect can find 'False Spiritual Roots' for your little brother, allowing him to embark on the path of immortal cultivation as well."

As soon as these words were spoken, Lin Xiaohu's eyes lit up. He had always been self-conscious about being a Mortal. If he could possess False Spiritual Roots, he could become stronger with Chen Fan and no longer be a burden. He couldn't help but look at Chen Fan, his eyes full of anticipation.

The envoy from the Ten Thousand Beasts Valley was not to be outdone, "Mr. Chen, my Ten Thousand Beasts Valley excels at Beast Taming Arts. If you join, you can choose an ancient exotic beast as a companion. Not only can the exotic beast help you in battle, but it can also take you through various dangerous places to find ancient Martial Path inheritances. Furthermore, our valley's 'Beast Soul Body Tempering Technique' can allow you to merge with the power of an exotic beast, further enhancing your physical strength."

The female envoy from the Purple Haze Palace said softly, "Mr. Chen, although my Purple Haze Palace is mainly composed of women, our cultivation techniques are exquisite. The 'Cloud Haze Body Protection Art' can withstand the full power of a Nascent Soul realm cultivator's attack. If you are willing to come, the Palace Master will personally teach you the 'Purple Qi Comes from the East Art.' This art can convert the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into your own true qi, which will greatly benefit your martial path breakthrough. In addition, our palace also houses the 'Celestial Maiden Chart' left by an ancient Martial Immortal, which may help you break free from your Mortal Body Shackles."

Finally, the Taoist priest from the Pure Void Temple spoke slowly, "Mr. Chen, disputes are constant in the immortal cultivation world, and all major sects have their own selfish motives. My Pure Void Temple emphasizes tranquility and non-action. If you are willing to come, you can cultivate peacefully in our temple without disturbance. Our temple houses the 'Heaven and Earth Profound Yellow Array,' which can gather the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and also block external probing, making it an excellent place for cultivation. Moreover, the Temple Master once had dealings with an ancient Martial Immortal, who may be able to guide you through the confusion of your martial path."

The five envoys took turns extending their olive branches, each temptation greater than the last, involving not only cultivation resources and inheritance of techniques but also Lin Xiaohu's future. Chu Xinghe stood by, saying nothing. He knew this was Chen Fan's own choice, and no one else could interfere.

Lin Xiaohu tugged at Chen Fan's sleeve and whispered, "Brother Fan, the Pill Cauldron Sect said they could give me False Spiritual Roots..." His voice trembled slightly, filled with both anticipation and guilt. He knew that if Chen Fan chose the Pill Cauldron Sect, it would be for his sake.

Chen Fan stroked Lin Xiaohu's head, his eyes full of tenderness. He then turned to the five envoys and said calmly, "Thank you all for your sects' kindness. However, I have a few words I wish to say to you all."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the five envoys, and slowly said, "I cultivate the Martial Path not to pursue powerful strength, nor to obtain abundant resources, but to break the shackles of 'Spiritual Roots and Heavenly Mandate' and prove that Mortals can also have the opportunity to defy fate. Although the conditions offered by your sects are excellent, most of them require me to depend on the sect and follow its rules, which is contrary to my original intention in pursuing the Martial Path."

"As for Xiaohu's False Spiritual Roots," Chen Fan looked at Lin Xiaohu, his voice firm, "I will personally find him a Martial Path inheritance, allowing him to become stronger through his own efforts, rather than relying on external things. Although the path of the Martial Path is difficult, as long as one has perseverance, a Mortal can forge their own path."

Hearing this, the anticipation in Lin Xiaohu's eyes gradually faded, replaced by determination. He nodded vigorously, "Brother Fan, I'll listen to you! I don't want False Spiritual Roots; I want to cultivate the Martial Path with you and become a martial artist who can protect himself and protect you!"

The five envoys were surprised that Chen Fan refused so decisively, their faces showing astonishment. The Heavenly Sword Sect envoy frowned, "Mr. Chen, do you know what you are losing by refusing us? Resources in the immortal cultivation world are limited. Relying solely on the Seven Stars Sect, it will be difficult to support your breakthrough to the Martial Saint realm, let alone withstand the subsequent retaliation from the Xianyun Sect."

Chen Fan smiled, a hint of arrogance in his tone, "The path of the Martial Path is inherently against the heavens. If there are no resources, I will fight for them myself; if there is no inheritance, I will seek it myself; if Xianyun Sect retaliates, I will meet their attack with my own fists. My Martial Path, Chen Fan's Martial Path, never depends on others; it relies only on myself!"

These words were powerful and made all five envoys fall silent. They had initially thought Chen Fan was merely a brave but reckless martial artist, but they hadn't expected him to have such a firm conviction. A hint of approval flashed in the eyes of the Pure Void Temple's Taoist priest, "Mr. Chen indeed possesses the demeanor of an ancient Martial Immortal. Since that is the case, we will not press further. However, if Mr. Chen encounters trouble in the future, the Pure Void Temple is willing to lend a hand."

The other envoys also nodded. Although they failed to recruit Chen Fan, they did not wish to make an enemy of him. The Heavenly Sword Sect envoy left a sword talisman, "If Mr. Chen needs help from the Heavenly Sword Sect, crush this talisman, and our disciples will rush to your aid immediately." The plump old man from the Pill Cauldron Sect left a bottle of pills, "These are 'Qi Nourishing Pills,' which can nourish meridians. Consider it a small token of our sect's sincerity."

After the five envoys left, Chu Xinghe walked to Chen Fan's side, his eyes full of admiration, "Chen Fan, your words just now truly made me see you in a new light. Now, I finally understand why you have been able to go so far on the path of the Martial Path."

Chen Fan shook his head, "Sect Master, you flatter me. I am merely adhering to my original intention. By the way, the Xianyun Sect suffered heavy losses in this battle and should not cause trouble for some time. I want to take this opportunity to go to the 'Dragon Burial Abyss'."

"Dragon Burial Abyss?" Chu Xinghe's expression changed, "That place is one of the dangerous areas in the immortal cultivation world. It not only contains powerful demonic beasts but also ancient residual restrictions. Even Nascent Soul realm cultivators dare not venture there lightly. What are you going there for?"

"I saw a record in the 'Martial Path Elixir Scripture' that the depths of the Dragon Burial Abyss contain the 'Dragon Bone Flower.' This flower can temper the physical body and help martial artists break through the second layer of Mortal Body Shackles, which is crucial for my breakthrough to the Martial Saint realm," Chen Fan's eyes flashed with determination. "Moreover, I also heard that there are ruins of ancient Martial Immortals left in the Dragon Burial Abyss, where I might find more secrets about the Martial Path."

Chu Xinghe knew Chen Fan's personality; once he made up his mind, he would not easily change it. He sighed and said, "Since that is the case, I will not stop you. I will prepare enough pills and talismans for you, and I will also send ten Golden Core realm disciples to accompany you, to help you deal with demonic beasts and restrictions."

"Thank you, Sect Master," Chen Fan cupped his fists.

Lin Xiaohu walked to Chen Fan's side, his eyes full of determination, "Brother Fan, I want to go to the Dragon Burial Abyss with you too! I've already started practicing the basic boxing techniques you taught me, and I can protect myself!"

Chen Fan looked at the determination in Lin Xiaohu's eyes and did not refuse, merely nodding, "Alright, we'll go together. However, you must listen to me and not act rashly."

Lin Xiaohu nodded vigorously, "I understand, Brother Fan!"

Three days later, Chen Fan, accompanied by Lin Xiaohu and ten Golden Core realm disciples, set off for the Dragon Burial Abyss. Their figures disappeared into the distant mountains and forests, heading towards one of the most dangerous places in the immortal cultivation world. What they didn't know was that after they left, a shadowy figure quietly followed them, their eyes flashing with a strange light. A new crisis was brewing in silence.