The red maple tree swayed without any wind, and several maple leaves drifted down. Before they could reach the ground, they dissipated in midair.
The old man sat cross-legged beneath the maple tree. His tattered clothes made him look rather disheveled. He had none of the air of an immortal sage, and his eyes were so dark they sent chills down the spine.
"Successor, what is your choice?"
The old man's black-hole-like eyes stared at Su Xiao. Su Xiao frowned slightly. The other party had not given him any choice at all, much less explained what he was supposed to choose.
"..."
Seeing Su Xiao remain silent, the old man seemed somewhat displeased.
With a whoosh, Su Xiao's vision blurred. He had originally been more than ten meters from the old man, but now the old man and the red maple tree were right in front of him.
The old man raised a hand as withered as a branch. With a loud crackle, vast golden patterns of light appeared around Su Xiao.
"Don't worry. I mean you no harm."
The old man glanced at his palm, and the cracks on it quickly healed.
Su Xiao did not know what was going on yet. While he had been improving his swordsmanship, he had suddenly been dragged here by a spatial force. Not only had his swordsmanship failed to improve, but this old fellow was also asking him to make a choice.
Su Xiao had never believed in things like pies falling from the sky. A chance encounter with an unparalleled expert followed by receiving his true teachings was simply impossible.
"Who are you?"
Su Xiao spoke. The old man smiled, making the wrinkles on his face especially prominent.
"Who am I..." The old man thought for a moment before finally shaking