Above the wasteland, wild winds howled, whipping up clouds of yellow sand.
The sand rose with the gale, blotting out the sky and sun. Though the sight was terrifying, it had become one of the defining features of this barren desert.
Yet right now, there was something even more astonishing.
It was a semi-transparent mass of light, drifting through the sky like clouds, stretching endlessly in all directions, as though it shrouded the entire wasteland.
That was a formation.
And such a powerful formation had been created by a single, diminutive figure standing in the desert.
That figure, compared to the formation that blanketed the heavens, was as insignificant as a speck of dust.
But it was precisely because of this figure that the colossal formation existed.
This person was none other than the Ox-Nosed Old Daoist.
After instructing Chu Feng on what to do once he entered the Source of the Dragon Veins, the Ox-Nosed Old Daoist had begun setting up his formation.
And the moment he made his move, aside from Grandmaster Long Duan and Chu Feng, every Dragon Clan elder present had their expressions shift.
If they had harbored any doubts about the Ox-Nosed Old Daoist's abilities before, they now began to believe in the old man's strength.
That formation, which shrouded the very sky, was not merely grand in scale — its aura was breathtaking, making one keenly aware of just how formidable it truly was.
Aside from the Sage of Enlightenment and the Zhuge Yuankong of old, none of them had ever seen anyone capable of commanding such a powerful formation.
And the rather plain-looking, even somewhat ugly Ox-Nosed Old Daoist wielded this formation with astonishing ease.
This made them realize all the more that the old man's reputation was well-deserved.
"Truly extraordinary, Master."
Before long, a voice of admiration rang out, and two figures descended — the Dragon Clan's patriarch and Long Xiaoxiao.
"My little benefactor, is this your Master?"
Long Xiaoxiao hurried over to Chu Feng the moment she landed.
Despite all her relatives being present, it was Chu Feng who received her gentlest gaze.
"That's right. This is my Master," Chu Feng replied.
"He's amazing."
Long Xiaoxiao looked up at the formation overhead, then at the Ox-Nosed Old Daoist, her eyes full of admiration.
Had she met the Ox-Nosed Old Daoist under ordinary circumstances, even if she acknowledged his prowess, Long Xiaoxiao would never have looked at him this way.
But once she learned that it was this very elder who had freed her mother, his standing in her heart had changed entirely.
"This young lady must be the one who saved my disciple — Princess Xiaoxiao, I presume?"
At that moment, the Ox-Nosed Old Daoist actually turned his head toward Long Xiaoxiao.
And what was truly remarkable was that while he spoke to her, his hands continued forming Techniques without pause.
The formation was still being laid out in perfect order — its pace hadn't slowed even slightly.
Such multitasking only further demonstrated his extraordinary mastery over formations.
"This junior, Long Xiaoxiao, greets the senior."
Long Xiaoxiao promptly bowed with impeccable manners, her demure demeanor utterly endearing.
"A true beauty, no wonder my disciple keeps talking about you," the Ox-Nosed Old Daoist said.
"He talks about me often?" Long Xiaoxiao asked, surprised.
"Oh yes. My disciple is always saying things like, 'Xiaoxiao, you're so beautiful, won't you let me hold you and kiss you?' in his dreams."
The Ox-Nosed Old Daoist wore a mischievous grin as he spoke.
"This…"
The moment those words left his mouth, both the Dragon Clan patriarch and the Grand Elder were left speechless.
Long Xiaoxiao's cheeks flushed bright red.
But if anyone had reason to be speechless, it was Chu Feng.
"Master, when did I ever say anything like that?"
"There has never been a Princess Xiaoxiao in my dreams!"
Chu Feng hurriedly protested.