Three Questions, Three Moves

The Dangul Desert.

A silver moon hung high in the sky.

Feng Wuwang, dressed in a white robe, sat cross-legged atop a sand dune. His robes fluttered fiercely in the wind as his icy gaze locked onto a lotus-shaped flying artifact in the distance.

He had come from the Yunxiao Sect and had just entered this desert.

The desert winds brought him tidings: there was more than one Soul Formation cultivator in this land, and they were all moving in the same direction. Clearly, more than one faction had their eyes on the Spiritual Fire.

Thus, he positioned himself outside this Snake-Man City.

Waiting for the right moment.

No matter who emerged victorious in the end, they would have to leave the Snake-Man City. After a fierce battle, their spiritual energy would inevitably be vastly depleted. If he struck then, he could secure the prize with ease.

As the saying goes, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

Wu Tianxing, Mu Yunxi, Medusa, Master Mochen...

Feng Wuwang softly muttered the names carried to him by the wind, his gaze disdainful. Even combined, these people were no match for him.

After all, he was a majestic... Void Reversion mighty figure!

He simply did not want to waste his spiritual energy.

But more importantly... ever since he entered this desert, he had faintly sensed a cold, terrifying aura. It was incredibly faint, almost nonexistent, lingering on the edge of perception. It was merely a feeling in his heart, lacking any concrete proof.

Yet, the cautious Feng Wuwang still chose to bide his time.

However, he had been sitting here for two months.

Let alone people.

He hadn't even seen a single desert lizard.

Am I being too cautious? Feng Wuwang murmured softly.

In the distance, the light of the lotus platform was about to vanish over the horizon. If someone else harbored the same intentions as him, they should have struck by now.

I cannot wait any longer.

As the lotus platform completely disappeared, Feng Wuwang could no longer hold back and stood up: To think that little brat became the winner. A mere Foundation Establishment child snatching the Exotic Fire from the hands of so many Soul Formation experts. No wonder he forced Mengli to use her death-substitution artifact. This boy absolutely cannot be allowed to live.

However, just as he prepared to give chase and eliminate this major threat to the Yunxiao Sect, an aged voice suddenly rang out from behind him.

Once I held half the sky of Qingxuan, standing with you before the grandmaster.

Who knew you would turn to heartlessness, leaving me to fail our virtuous peers.

Since hiding in the peak, ashamed of the past, how many times have I sighed at the passing years under the moon.

Now hearing the true master descends to the mortal realm, I emerge from the cold sands to protect the youth.

What... what kind of joke is this!

When did he...?

Feng Wuwang's pupils shrank as he abruptly turned his head.

Behind the sand dune, amidst the sky full of swirling dust, a hunched old man draped in coarse hemp garments was slowly walking over. Half of his face was hidden beneath a hood, making him look utterly unremarkable.

Fellow Daoist, we hit it off at first sight, yet you are about to leave. Since our parting is imminent, why not let me see you off? The old man raised his head, looked at Feng Wuwang in mid-air, and smiled faintly.

How is this possible?

When exactly did he get here?

A drop of cold sweat slid down Feng Wuwang's temple. With his cultivation base, he actually failed to detect when this person had arrived behind him?

Mid-stage Void Reversion?

Late-stage?

Or perhaps... a Void Refinement mighty figure?

No, impossible. Void Refinement experts were renowned figures even in the Central State. How could one appear in this desolate desert? And why would they even care about this Green Lotus Heavenly Fire?

Who exactly are you? Feng Wuwang swallowed hard, feigning composure.

Me?

The old man raised his head, his eyes melancholic.

He unfastened an old-fashioned gourd from his waist and took a swig of wine, his robes flapping loudly in the fierce wind.

Just a lost traveler.

Feng Wuwang was speechless.

That was as good as saying nothing.

He took a deep breath, cupped his hands, and said, I am Feng Wuwang, Sect Master of the Yunxiao Sect. May I know Senior's esteemed name?

I told you, just a wretched old man.

The old man waved his hand dismissively.

Since Senior is unwilling to say, this junior will not pry. May I ask why Senior has stopped me here? Feng Wuwang forcibly suppressed his anger, lowered his posture, and asked respectfully.

When facing an opponent whose depths were unknown, caution was the best policy.

Hearing this.

It's nothing much, really.

The old man casually held up three fingers.

Three? Three what? What three? Three hundred thousand spirit stones? Three minutes? Feng Wuwang stared at the old man's three fingers, completely bewildered.

The old man shook his head.

Feng Wuwang was puzzled: Then what does three mean?

The old man raised his wine pot, took a sip, and spoke in a tone as casual as if he were discussing the day's weather.

If you survive three moves, I will spare your life.

Upon hearing this, Feng Wuwang's expression changed drastically.

Three moves?

He was a majestic Void Reversion mighty figure! Anywhere in the Taiwu Dynasty, he would be treated as an honored guest. Had the world changed just because he hadn't shown himself for a few years? But even if he racked his brains, he couldn't figure out what kind of sacred being he had provoked.

Gritting his teeth, he cupped his hands and asked:

Have I ever offended Senior?

Never.

Have I ever met Senior?

Never.

Have I ever done anything to cause Senior dissatisfaction, prompting you to hunt me down here?

Never.

After asking the three questions, Feng Wuwang raised his head and said through gritted teeth: Since I have never met Senior, nor have I ever offended Senior, then why must Senior make things difficult for this junior?

Hearing this, the old man seemed to recall something amusing and actually chuckled, I was merely passing through, and my hands were itching. I just felt like killing someone, that's all.

Having said that, the aura around his body erupted with a boom. The oppressive might of the early Void Reversion stage rolled over like a crushing blanket.

The old man stepped onto the void, his eyes indifferent.

I won't make it too hard for you. As long as you can endure three moves, so what if I let you leave?

Feng Wuwang's face turned ashen, and he roared furiously.

Arrogant!!!

Even a clay figurine has a bit of temper, let alone a dignified Sect Master like him. How could he not be enraged after being humiliated and looked down upon like this? I respected you as a Senior and treated you with polite words, but who knew you would be so unreasonable. Then do not blame this junior for being ruthless!

Today, I shall experience Senior's brilliant moves for myself!

With that said, his figure flashed as he took the initiative to attack the old man, Thousand Peaks Crashing the Sky!!!

In an instant, the winds howled and the clouds surged.

The yellow sand on the ground was swept up by an endless gale, forming countless upside-down mountain peaks in the sky that smashed toward the old man with overwhelming force.

Instead of running away, you chose to attack me?

The old man raised his eyes, a flash of surprise crossing them. Commendable courage. It's just a pity... courage and strength are ultimately two different things.

The world darkened as ten thousand peaks plummeted simultaneously.

The old man stood amidst the sky full of yellow sand, his robes snapping in the wind, yet he remained perfectly still.

He simply raised his hand and wiped.

The sky full of sand-formed mountain peaks was like a smudge on a mirror; with a gentle wipe, they dissipated cleanly. The lone moon hung high in the sky, cloudless for ten thousand miles. Silvery-white moonlight spilled across the desert, peaceful and serene, as if the apocalyptic scene from a moment ago had never happened.

How is this possible?!

Feng Wuwang's eyes nearly popped out of his head.

He had struck with all his might, yet it was neutralized so effortlessly?

Before he could even recover from his shock.

He saw the old man slowly raise a single finger.

First move.

Almost the instant his voice faded, his figure vanished from where he stood and appeared right in front of Feng Wuwang. With indifferent eyes, he pushed out an ordinary, unremarkable palm strike.

A palm was thrust forward. There were no fluctuations of spiritual energy, no worldly anomalies, not even a gust of wind from the strike. It looked like something that could be dodged with a simple twist of the body.

Yet, Feng Wuwang felt as if he were being crushed by an invisible weight.

Even lifting a single finger was a monumental struggle.

Watching the palm approach his chest, he mustered every last ounce of his strength to throw himself to the right—

Boom!

The strike grazed his waist, instantly annihilating his flesh and blood along with a hundred miles of space behind him. The shockwave plowed through the desert below, carving out a bottomless ravine of unknown miles in width. It stretched all the way to the distant horizon, with endless yellow sand cascading into the abyss like a waterfall.

Gulp!

Feng Wuwang swallowed hard.

If he had not dodged in the nick of time, his body would have perished and his Dao would have been entirely erased from existence.

But before he could even feel a trace of relief...

The old man raised his head, revealing a faint smile as he extended a second finger.

"Now, the second move."