Wang Rongyuan’s Earth Evasion technique looked clumsy, but it was actually full of calculated details—the kind of subtleties that even many sect disciples might not understand.
The first rule of the Wang Clan's secret combat arts: Run first!
Running first might seem cowardly, but it was actually a highly sophisticated piece of wisdom.
If the opponent was powerful and couldn't be beaten, running allowed one to seize the speed advantage early, greatly increasing the chances of a successful escape.
In a situation where strength was evenly matched, running first could show weakness to the enemy. By feigning weakness and suddenly turning back to strike, one could reverse the situation and seize the initiative.
If one's strength was vastly superior, running first could also test whether there were other hidden opponents lurking in the shadows.
An observer waiting for the right mont would likely reveal themselves to give chase upon seeing you flee, preventing you from suffering an unexpected defeat in the dark.
If there were no hidden watchers, running a few steps wouldn't stop you from turning around and catching up to the unfortunate soul across from you.
In short, running first was a decision where the rewards always outweighed the risks.
That was why this strategy had been elevated to the very first rule of their secret combat arts.
But if Yulou were in his place, analyzing this with a modern mindset, he would see even deeper underlying logic.
For instance, running first and feigning weakness was actually a specific form of expectation managent.
In modern workplaces and daily life, managing the expectations of oneself and others was a profound and complex science—practically a holy text for corporate warfare.
Applying the logic of expectation managent to the combat strategy of running first made perfect sense.
Running first to show weakness was managing the enemy's expectations!
That Miaofeng Mountain cultivator who shouted 'You're only at the middle Qi Condensation stage and you think you can run?' had clearly been successfully managed by Wang Rongyuan.
Anticipating an enemy’s moves in advance was incredibly difficult, because in an accidental encounter, you couldn't predict the enemy's strategies or special thods ahead of ti.
When you knew nothing, how could you anticipate their moves?
However, by actively guiding the opponent and directing their actions through your own controllable behavior, you could guess their next move based on the expectations you had established.
This was the practical application of expectation managent in magical combat—achieving anticipation through proper expectation managent!
Being half a step ahead was still being ahead!
A cultivator's reactions and speed were incredibly fast. Half a step could an the difference between life and death!
Seeing Wang Rongyuan dive into the earth with Earth Evasion at the middle Qi Condensation stage, the three rogue cultivators quickly closed in, using various thods to search for his tracks.
Beneath the ground, Wang Rongyuan first swallowed a Qi Awakening Pill—popping a potion before a one-versus-three fight even truly began was the exact difference between having a clan heritage and not having one!
Then, he manipulated the wood puppet he had deployed the mont he crashed into the ground from the sky, causing it to expose itself in the opposite direction of his actual location.
Run first to lure them in, then use a wood puppet to show a flaw!
"Over there! Block him quickly, don't let him escape!"
The Miaofeng Mountain cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining was the quickest to notice the wood puppet. He pointed in its direction, alerting his two companions.
The three of them rapidly flew toward the puppet.
Due to the differences in their cultivation bases and their initial entry angles, their formation while flying on their tools naturally ended up with the Miaofeng Mountain cultivator in front, the tenth-layer Qi Refining rogue cultivator in the middle, and the eighth-layer Qi Refining rogue cultivator at the very back.
The perfect mont to strike had appeared. How could Wang Rongyuan let such a golden opportunity slip away?
"Watch out!"
Two thick wooden vines rose from the ground, rushing straight toward the eighth-layer Qi Refining rogue cultivator flying at the back.
This was the Rapid Vine Spell commonly used by wood-attribute Qi Refining cultivators, emphasizing speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness. If an opponent's defenses were lacking or their fire magic reactions weren't fast enough, a single touch would spell their doom.
The eighth-layer cultivator countered instantly, unleashing two Fire Shot Spells to block the path ahead of him.
However, the tenth-layer rogue cultivator in front of him subconsciously summoned a round defensive artifact, intending to help his junior brother block the attack as well.
This was the real opportunity!
With a loud boom, the ground exploded, sending dust flying everywhere.
Before the sound could even reach the ears of that tenth-layer rogue cultivator, a green-and-red dicine King Pestle struck from beneath him.
The seventh rule of the Wang Clan's secret combat arts—if you absolutely must fight one against three, kill the one with the middle rank of strength first!
The strongest one was undoubtedly the hardest to kill, so targeting him would be a waste of an opportunity. In magical combat, every single opportunity was vital.
In a one-against-three scenario, the concept of not wasting an opportunity beca incredibly concrete.
Any mistake could lead to disaster—and the end of one's cultivation journey!
As for the weakest one, he knew he was the weakest, so he would definitely be the most vigilant, fearing he would be picked on like a soft piece of fruit.
When an opponent was constantly on guard and there was no massive gap in strength, attacking the weakest might end up yielding no results.
Therefore, killing the one in the middle beca the option with the highest probability of success.
Wang Rongyuan’s choice was extrely clever. He first used the Rapid Vine Spell to attack the weakest eighth-layer cultivator.
The mont he saw the tenth-layer rogue cultivator trying to save his companion, he decisively chose to go all-in!
Going all-in required wisdom, and even more so, courage!
Uncle Rongyuan lacked neither wisdom nor courage!
"Damn it, the tenth layer of Qi Refining!"
By the ti the second brother at the tenth layer realized Wang Rongyuan shared the exact sa cultivation level as him, it was already too late!
To be precise, it was far too late.
The upper-grade artifact, the dicine King Pestle, was crafted primarily from rank-eight green flower agate with a rank-nine blood wood handle, containing twenty-one layers of restrictions. It was designed to shatter magic with brute force, making it practically indestructible among those of the sa rank!
As a rogue cultivator also at the tenth layer of Qi Refining, while managing two artifacts simultaneously, there was simply no ti to block Wang Rongyuan’s incoming pestle!
Under the horrified gazes of the two remaining rogue cultivators, the green-and-red dicine King Pestle pierced straight through their companion's chest. By the ti it erged, it was completely stained blood-red.
Looking down at his hollow chest, the tenth-layer rogue cultivator cursed.
"Liar!"
Then, the flying and defensive artifacts lost their master's control, crashing to the ground alongside their dying owner.
"Fellow Daoist, we were just joking with you. Who on earth are you?"
The Miaofeng Mountain cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining was shocked and furious. He truly hadn't expected his three brothers to fall into a trap today!
The Rapid Vine Spell was a distraction, the wood puppet was a fake, and the fifth layer of Qi Refining was an absolute lie.
What Red Lantern Illumination Sect, what Dripdrop Cave—it was all fake!
The wood puppet that had burrowed out of the ground had already fulfilled its mission. Its wooden face clearly had no expression, yet the Miaofeng Mountain cultivator felt as if it were laughing at him.
Laughing at how the three brothers were nothing but absolute fools.
If Wang Rongyuan paid any attention to the Miaofeng Mountain cultivator's nonsense, he would be a fool too.
Not only did he refuse to answer, but he didn't even show any intention of coming out of the ground.
He was set on playing the underground evasion style. If they had the guts, they could land and fight him, a cultivator with earth and wood spirit roots!
Either don't strike at all, or wipe them out completely!
Recalling the dicine King Pestle, Wang Rongyuan imdiately summoned two unique lower-grade artifacts—the Donkey Mane Sachets.
The Wang Clan was skilled at raising donkeys, relying on wood-attribute spiritual donkeys to sustain their lineage for a thousand years without interruption.
Naturally, they had developed the various spiritual materials from the donkeys to the absolute limit.
Even though the Donkey Mane Sachet was rely a lower-grade artifact with five layers of restrictions, possessing no offensive or defensive capabilities—where even decent mundane iron could destroy it—as long as different fillings were added inside, its effects beca sothing to behold.
As the two sachets flew rapidly along the ground, a pale yellow Lust-Provoking Incense began to perate the battlefield.
In gaming terms, this thing was a form of soft control. It seed minor, but if enough stacks accumulated, the opponent would inevitably be affected!
"Fine! If you want to fight to the bitter end, don't bla for not holding back!"
The Miaofeng Mountain rogue cultivator at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining was experienced. Catching a glimpse of the chanism, he understood Wang Rongyuan’s tactic.
He summoned a mid-grade artifact in the shape of a white cloud handkerchief. The handkerchief floated into the air, and water droplets began to fall in a dense mist.
You use incense to control , I use water magic to disperse your Lust-Provoking Incense!
"Third brother, let's use the Fiery Thunder together! If he won't co out, we'll blast this earth rat to death!"
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