The Sword Manual Takes Shape, Three Profound Mysteries; Alone into the Savage Wastes, Seizing Fire Escape Again

"From now on, I can use this [Fire Escape Otherworldly Art] repeatedly. Ideally, I should alternate it with other escape techniques to make my movements even more unpredictable, but I must watch its consumption."

Lin Changheng gathered in his magical power and dispersed the flames. Standing in the courtyard, he looked up at the moon and silently pondered.

At present, this otherworldly art was still only at the first realm, [path-peeking]. Its range remained short-just ten zhang-which limited its usefulness.

It was useful for darting and weaving, but that range restriction made closing in difficult.

After all, an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator had an effective attack range of roughly three hundred zhang.

This was related to divine sense. Through testing and analysis, earlier cultivators had determined that this effective range was generally half the maximum reach of one's divine sense.

Within that range, attacks could maintain their greatest deterrent power and effectiveness.

That did not mean attacks could not reach beyond it, only that their deterrent power and effectiveness diminished with distance.

For one thing, even strength had its limits. A close-range surprise attack would certainly carry greater force than an attack gathered from afar,

and would be faster and more sudden. A bolt at the end of its flight was not enough.

For another-and most importantly-the greater the distance, the more variables arose. An attack spanning hundreds of zhang might be dazzling, but it also gave an opponent more time to react and prepare. Whether dodging, blocking, or activating a protective item, they would have ample time. Not to mention the possibility of interference from formations, terrain, or even unrelated people and objects along its path.

A true killing move was like a venomous snake lying in ambush: once close enough, it struck swiftly, precisely, and viciously.