When strength fails, strategy prevails

Yi Feng's curses hadn't even finished echoing when the bald old man stretched out his palm, aiming toward the canyon. A fierce gale erupted, and an immense aura gathered, churning even the clouds above. It was clear he was about to unleash a terrifying strike!

This guy really didn’t waste time—straight to robbery!

The first time, Yi Feng hadn’t reacted in time, letting this bastard steal the kill.

After getting away with it once, the old man had developed a taste for it.

Now he wanted to pull the same stunt again?

Not a chance!

Yi Feng’s temper flared. Gripping his blade, he roared, "Old bastard! What the hell are you doing?!"

"You stole my prey yesterday, and now you’re trying to snatch what I found today?!"

His shouts tore through the sky.

The bald elder glanced down, his gaze cold and dismissive.

Hovering high above with an air of superiority, his half-lidded eyes brimmed with arrogance. He showed no intention of stopping—couldn’t even be bothered to acknowledge Yi Feng.

With a sidelong glance, the old man resumed raising his palm.

Judging by his demeanor, this wasn’t his first time hijacking someone else’s hunt. He was clearly accustomed to the law of the jungle, where the strong preyed on the weak without hesitation.

Witnessing such brazen banditry, Yi Feng knew words were pointless.

"Fucking dog never changes its habit of eating shit!"

A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as Yi Feng swung his blade skyward.

A seemingly ordinary slash cut through the air.

The old man barely paid it any mind, his aged eyes filled with disdain.

But as the blade’s light closed in—

What had appeared mundane suddenly made the elder’s pupils tremble, as if he were witnessing a slash capable of splitting heaven and earth!

Before that blade’s radiance, no one dared stand tall!

In the blink of an eye, the slash was upon him, aimed straight at his raised right hand. Even if he tried to pull back now, it was too late.

Snap!

The old man had no time to react. The crisp sound rang in his ears.

His eyes widened in horror, his entire body drenched in cold sweat.

His dilated pupils reflected the sight of his severed right hand, his face twisting with shock and fury.

"AAAAARGH!"

"You wretched brat! I’ll make sure you die without a grave!"

Snarling like a beast, the bald elder glared down at the ground.

His gaze locked onto Yi Feng’s figure, now burning with a mix of rage and disbelief. What had begun as contempt had morphed into something far more complicated.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined a mere youngster—someone he hadn’t even deemed worth noticing—could sever his hand!

The searing pain only fueled his humiliation and fury.

His wrinkled face contorted as he fixed a venomous stare on Yi Feng.

But when his eyes landed on the long blade, his expression froze.

"A Heavenly Weapon!"

"So that’s it…!"

Gritting his teeth, realization dawned in the old man’s eyes.

No wonder this brat had wounded him—it was the power of a Heavenly Weapon!

He couldn’t be blamed for underestimating. Who would’ve thought an unremarkable youth would wield such a treasure?

A single strike from this blade had cost him a hand.

This weapon… it had to be beyond a first-tier Heavenly Weapon.

No matter who this kid was, disappearing without a trace on the Waterfrost Star wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. Even if news of his death eventually spread, so what?

After a few more glances, the old man’s fury flared anew, but greed soon flickered beneath it.

"Brat, hand over that blade! Otherwise, I’ll take your life as compensation!"

His aura erupted, shaking the surrounding mountains and triggering avalanches.

Yi Feng blinked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

This guy was a real piece of work.

He was the one who’d just lost a hand, yet here he was, still posturing and demanding someone else’s weapon. Who was the injured party here?

Couldn’t even tell who had the upper hand—his confidence was downright delusional!

Was robbery not enough? Did he have an addiction to acting high and mighty too?

Before Yi Feng could fully process the old man’s twisted logic, the elder’s haughty voice boomed again.

"Listen well, boy! I’ll give you three breaths. If you don’t surrender that blade, it’ll be too late for mercy!"

Holy shit.

Now he was outright threatening him!

This old thief had the audacity to act superior after getting his hand chopped off mid-robbery. Where the hell did he get this confidence?

First, he kept stealing kills. Now he wanted the blade too.

Basically, he’d marked Yi Feng as an easy target—someone to bully at will.

Well, Yi Feng wasn’t about to indulge this nonsense. His anger surged as he pointed his blade at the sky.

"You senile moron! Are you out of your damn mind?!"

"Get a grip on reality, will you? Still putting on airs like it’s your damn hobby! Want my blade? Then come and take it, you old fool!"

The bald elder’s face darkened, veins bulging at his temples.

Ignoring his bleeding stump, he channeled all his remaining power into his left hand, preparing to unleash a devastating strike.

But before his palm could descend—

An invisible force smashed him into the frozen ground, burying him several meters deep.

His bones shattered. Agony wracked his body.

In an instant, the once-mighty elder was reduced to a broken mess—missing teeth, disheveled hair, and a bloody nose, his face a picture of utter bewilderment.

It took all his effort to crawl out of the crater, his ashen face now pure terror.

Gasping for breath, his voice trembled.

"Huff… huff…"

"W-what just happened…?"

As he grappled with the shock, a bored voice reached his ears.

"That’s it?"

"And here I thought you were hot shit."

Dazed, he looked up to see the young man lowering his left hand—the same hand that had been casually outstretched moments ago.

The sheer disdain in those eyes struck him like lightning.

One slap…

A single, effortless slap had nearly ended him. What kind of monstrous strength was this?

Thud.

Belated dread flooded his veins. His heart lurched.

Meeting that indifferent gaze again, the old man’s face turned deathly pale.

He’d screwed up.

That one moment of carelessness had almost cost him his life.

He’d assumed this youngster only posed a threat because of the Heavenly Weapon—perhaps some spoiled young master from a powerful clan.

But now…

Not only did he possess a Heavenly Weapon, his own strength was terrifying. This was no junior—this was a hidden expert, someone far beyond his level!

Beneath that youthful appearance lay the power of a seasoned veteran.

And he’d dared to provoke such a person—repeatedly!

This… this was practically suicide!

The realization sent shivers down his spine. Despite his grievous injuries, he scrambled forward, kowtowing like a man possessed.

"F-forgive me, Senior!"

"This lowly one was blind! I didn’t recognize your greatness! Spare this ignorant fool, I beg you!"

Seeing the once-arrogant elder reduced to a quivering wreck, Yi Feng scoffed.

Took him long enough to figure things out.

If he’d known this would happen, maybe he shouldn’t have acted so high and mighty.

Probably got too cocky after bullying a few weaklings.

Yi Feng couldn’t be bothered to waste more time on him. With a dismissive wave, he sheathed his blade.

"Fine, I won’t kill you. But you owe me for yesterday’s stolen prey. I’m a reasonable man—I don’t want your treasures or weapons. Just find me some monsters to make up for it."

Killing this old fool would’ve been as easy as breathing, but aside from venting anger, it wouldn’t benefit Yi Feng.

Might as well keep him around—maybe he’d still be of some use.

The bald elder blinked, disbelief and fear warring in his eyes.

"Senior… you mean it?"

His cautious tone made it seem like he was the one being robbed, his face the picture of pitiful innocence.

Yi Feng rolled his eyes.

"Why would I lie?"

"However, there's one condition—you stole quite a few of my kills yesterday, and you must make up for every single one. Otherwise, this matter isn’t over!"

The old man acted as if granted a pardon, hastily nodding in fearful agreement.

"Many thanks, Senior! Many thanks!"

"I’ll definitely lead you to enough monsters to compensate! I swear I’ll make it right!"

With a flattering smile, he bowed repeatedly, now several times more obedient.

He appeared thoroughly repentant, but in his heart, schemes were already brewing.

This opponent was far beyond his strength—only cunning could prevail.

No matter how profound Yi Feng’s cultivation was, the humiliation of losing an arm and kneeling in surrender couldn’t be left unavenged.

If word got out, how could he ever hold his head high in the star system again?

If he could use this chance to lure Yi Feng into a powerful demonic nest, he could let the demons do the dirty work. Not only would he exact revenge, but he might even reclaim that treasured blade in the process.

A perfect two-for-one strike!

His eyes flickered briefly before Wei Zhenfang hurriedly bowed again.

"Senior!"

"I know of a demonic nest teeming with monsters—more than enough to compensate for your losses. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!"

Yi Feng’s eyes lit up.

"Really?"

The old man bent at the waist, patting his chest as he raised a finger to swear an oath.

"I, Wei Zhenfang, vow upon the Heavenly Dao that I will lead you to the demonic nest. If my words prove false, may I be struck dead by divine lightning!"

His earnest demeanor bolstered Yi Feng’s hopes.

He knew well—a Heavenly Oath was unbreakable. If the old man dared swear it, the demonic nest must exist.

If they went, he’d gain a massive haul of experience points.

With a demonic nest in sight, the measly monsters before him were hardly worth mentioning.

It seemed this bald old man had truly turned over a new leaf.

Yi Feng’s impression of him softened slightly, and he remarked with a sigh,

"Who’d have thought you could be honest for once?"

The words sounded like praise but carried an insulting edge.

Wei Zhenfang seethed inwardly but dared not show it. A Heaven-tier expert like him, forced to endure such indignity—gnashing his teeth in rage yet playing the meek servant!

Bowing under pressure, he forced a smile and obediently gestured ahead.

"You flatter me, Senior..."

"The demonic nest lies just ahead. Please, follow me."

Seeing Yi Feng nod in satisfaction, Wei Zhenfang wiped the blood from his nose, gritted his teeth against his injuries, and led the way.