Feng Zikang smiled and waved his hand. "My esteemed Daoist Friend's Heart-Demon Fire is so potent; how could I possibly be a match? However, having slain so many, you must surely need a destination. Thus, I came specifically to point you toward a clear path. Do not mistake a good person for the wrong one."

"Oh?"

Fang Tian's tone remained icy, but it was clear his interest had been piqued by Feng Zikang's words.

His quest for vengeance was complete, yet the world was vast. He had no idea where to go, and with Su Huijuan lost in her current state, he truly didn't know where to turn.

"The Prince of Lizhou, Wu Ji, is currently raising a banner to denounce the tyrannical ruler. Why doesn't Daoist Fang seek an opportunity there? If you render meritorious service and help establish order in the realm, both the imperial court and Prince Wu Ji will back you. Even the cultivation world wouldn't dare cause you trouble," Feng Zikang suggested.

Fang Tian had slaughtered the entire Xuan Tian Sect, which was one thing. After all, such a declining minor sect had neither connections nor kin; with his entire family wiped out, few would seek revenge out of righteous indignation. But he had killed three disciples who came calling at his door. Those families were not to be trifled with; the news couldn't possibly be kept entirely secret. Soon, trouble would find him.

In truth, joining Wu Ji's army was indeed his best option, as that was where the great calamity of heaven and earth was unfolding—a place ordinary people dared not venture. For Fang Tian, it offered temporary stability. Once he truly earned merit under Wu Ji, he would share in the realm's fortune, making it difficult for even powerful sects to openly confront him later.

Whether he died on the battlefield was outside Feng Zikang's consideration. In the end, even if Fang Tian perished, his remains could be repurposed. Deification and then reuse.

"Good!"

Fang Tian agreed readily. He wasn't a fool; this path was truly his only viable choice. Without further ado, he rose into the air, preparing to depart.

Feng Zikang chuckled and extended a finger. A letter of recommendation flew after him.

"Present this recommendation from Feng Zikang to the Prince. He will certainly make arrangements for you."

"Thank you!"

Fang Tian snatched the letter, tucked it casually into his robe, and strode away.

Feng Zikang watched their receding figures with a sly smile, thoroughly satisfied with this trial run.

"So, utilizing the connections of the mortal world to forge a demonic figure is indeed a feasible endeavor. Ah, I almost forgot, there is one more person I can use."

Feng Zikang smiled faintly and transformed into a streak of sword light, soaring east toward Yi.

The small fishing village on the East Sea was as dilapidated as it had been years ago, despite his absence.

Several tattered fishing nets hung from a rotting wooden rack at the village entrance, emanating a thick stench of fish.

Feng Zikang dropped his sword light, casting a disdainful glance at the tiny village where he had once stayed for a few days. The village head, recognizing him, hurried forward to bow.

"Immortal Elder Feng, you have arrived."

Feng Zikang had visited Wang Village before. Although he seemed to have done little, compared to the vile Liu Yue of the Tai Shan Sword Sect, he counted as a benevolent immortal.

"Nothing major has happened in the village these past few years. Why has the Immortal Elder troubled himself to visit again?"

The last time Feng Zikang visited, it was to slay the monstrous sea beast, the Twin-Finned Whale Shark. On that occasion, he had hidden behind two foolish disciples of the Tai Shan Sect and gifted the village head's son power for a single night, enabling him not only to repel the two Tai Shan disciples but also to slay the Whale Shark and become a hero.

But that boy, he thought, should be crippled by now, right?

Feng Zikang smiled faintly. "Village Head, do not worry. I am merely passing through and taking a look."

The village had enjoyed relative peace these past two years. Though life remained poor, as long as there were no disasters, the common folk always found a way to survive.

The village head suddenly remembered something and pleaded cautiously.

"Oh, Immortal Elder Feng. Ever since you left that day, my son, Xiao Gouzi, somehow fell gravely ill. He can only lie in bed now and cannot even walk. You are an immortal; could you perhaps examine him?"

Feng Zikang intended to do just that anyway, so he nodded. "No trouble. I shall go and see him."

The village head's hut was even more decrepit than it had been years ago. Xiao Gouzi, ever since slaying the Whale Shark and falling ill, had been kept in a small, separate room, cared for by his mother.

At first, the villagers visited him often out of gratitude for slaying the Whale Shark. But as time passed and everyone had to attend to their own lives, these visits became fewer and fewer. Eventually, even his parents struggled to care for him adequately.

Fortunately, the youth was remarkably resilient. He bore his suffering silently, often just staring blankly out the window at the horizon, as if yearning for something.

When Feng Zikang entered his room, Xiao Gouzi was lying on his side on the rough mat, greedily watching the towering waves crash upon the sea. Only when the wind and waves reached such a height could he catch a fleeting glimpse.

"Xiao Gouzi, look who has come!"

The village head deliberately raised his voice. Xiao Gouzi slowly turned his head and froze upon seeing the smiling Feng Zikang.

"Mas—"

Feng Zikang waved a hand. "Do not address me so!"

"Yes!"

Xiao Gouzi lowered his head. He knew he was not fortunate enough to become this Immortal Elder's disciple, but he would never forget that this Immortal Elder had allowed him to avenge his sisters and slay the Twin-Finned Whale Shark for the villagers, making him a hero for one night.

Though it was only one night. He was content.

"Let me examine Xiao Gouzi. Village Head, you may attend to your affairs!"

"Right!" The village head slipped out, leaving Feng Zikang alone with the dazed Xiao Gouzi. Xiao Gouzi had never imagined he would have another chance to see Immortal Elder Feng.

The Immortal Elder had told him that he could only be a hero for one night, and every day thereafter would be spent paying the price for that single night.

"Xiao Gouzi, I only wish to ask you: having arrived at this state today, do you ever regret it?"

Xiao Gouzi shook his head. "Never!"

Of course, he didn't regret it! If he could choose again, he would make the exact same choice, even if it meant never walking again, aging early, or dying young. He cared for none of it. For in that one night, he had realized his value and his glory.

Feng Zikang smiled slightly. "Since you have no regrets, I can offer you an opportunity."

"An opportunity?"

Xiao Gouzi was bewildered, but then he saw Feng Zikang wave his hand, and Xiao Gouzi immediately fell into a deep sleep.

When he awoke, Feng Zikang was gone.

"Ah..."

He hadn't expected Immortal Elder Feng to leave so quickly. Xiao Gouzi felt a pang of disappointment. Hadn't the Elder said he would give him a chance? Why leave so suddenly?

Annoyed, he used his arms to push himself up and was shocked to find an unexpected surge of strength within his body. He cautiously tested his legs. His previously stiff limbs could actually move slightly!

"Could this be the opportunity Immortal Elder Feng gave me?"

Xiao Gouzi was overcome with joy. He shuffled to the edge of the mat, planted his feet on the ground, gritted his teeth, and stood up!

He was standing!

Tears welled up in Xiao Gouzi's eyes. How long had it been since he last stood? Only those bedridden for years could understand the sheer ecstasy of standing up again!

He took careful, tentative steps, finding no discomfort in his legs. Though his body was still somewhat weak, his ability to walk and move was completely normal.

"Thank you, Immortal Elder Feng!"

He bowed deeply toward the sky in genuine reverence. After bowing, he stood up, not daring to run, and slowly walked toward the front room to share this wonderful news with his parents.

"Father! Mother!"

Xiao Gouzi hadn't reached the front room before he shouted, only to see his father, the village head, rush in, his brow deeply furrowed.

"What are you shouting for? Isn't that Immortal Elder Liu here? Your sisters are currently serving him wine! Don't cause trouble, lest you anger him and risk our family's lives!"

"What?"

Xiao Gouzi could hardly believe his ears. He staggered to the front room's back window and peered inside. Sure enough, Liu Yue was sitting there, drunk, his lecherous hands groping at his two older sisters.

"But my sisters are already married! How are they back? And when did this brute arrive!"

Xiao Gouzi was furious, his eyes bloodshot. He grabbed his father's collar and shook him desperately. The village head seemed to know he couldn't argue his way out and sighed, lowering his head.

"No! I must teach him! I must kill him! I cannot let him come again!" Xiao Gouzi's eyes were wide with rage, the fury and humiliation from that past night surging back.

"Hush!" The village head was terrified and tried to restrain his son, but he saw him dash out the door, shouting hoarsely.

"Immortal Elder Feng, lend me strength one more time! Just this once, and I'll never ask again! I must kill this Liu Yue!"

Xiao Gouzi screamed until he collapsed onto the sand, exhausted. Only then did Feng Zikang's figure slowly materialize.

"Gouzi, why the haste? If you had just endured it, this matter would have passed. If you insist on strength to kill Liu Yue, once this borrowed power is spent, you will die."

"I will die?"

Xiao Gouzi was startled, but his eyes were crimson, and he hesitated only briefly. "If I must die, so be it! I cannot swallow this insult!"

Feng Zikang smiled slightly. "Since you are so determined, I shall grant you one chance!"

He gently reached out and stroked Xiao Gouzi's head, applying a slight pressure.

"Drink!"

Xiao Gouzi felt a surge of vital energy, an indescribable pain throughout his body—the precursor to immense power. He waited, excited and ecstatic. Pain was irrelevant!

After a long moment, Feng Zikang withdrew his hand and chuckled, "Xiao Gouzi, your life force is depleted this time. This power will only last the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn. If you cannot kill Liu Yue within that time, you will die. Do you understand?"

"I understand!"

Empowered, Xiao Gouzi bolted away, his answer echoing in the air.

Feng Zikang chuckled softly, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, and slowly vanished into the sea mist.

Xiao Gouzi sprinted back into his house, kicked open the door, grabbed Liu Yue, and hurled him outside. Liu Yue roared in fury, drawing a sword to attack him.

Xiao Gouzi showed no fear. Knowing he was destined to die today, he cared nothing for injury. Moreover, his limbs and torso were now as hard as refined steel, making a head-on confrontation disadvantageous for Liu Yue!

Though Liu Yue managed to inflict several sword wounds on Xiao Gouzi, the youth's iron fist cracked the brute's face, causing his swordsmanship to grow increasingly erratic. Xiao Gouzi seized the opening, deliberately taking a sword strike across his left ribs to pin Liu Yue firmly, clamping his hand around the man's throat, refusing to let go!

Liu Yue struggled for a long time, his eyes bulging, his legs kicking wildly before finally growing still. He was dead.

Xiao Gouzi let out a long breath. He had succeeded in killing Liu Yue within the time limit of one stick of incense. It had been worth one more outburst; even death would be acceptable!

He sat cross-legged on the floor, closed his eyes, and awaited death!

Then, he heard a loud, booming laugh beside his ear. Xiao Gouzi snapped his eyes open to see Feng Zikang sitting by his mat. He himself was still lying on the rough bedding, unable to move in the slightest.

"Was... was that all a dream?"

Xiao Gouzi incredulously lifted his small fist, finding he was still paralyzed, no improvement at all.

Indeed. His sister was married off to a neighboring village; even if that brute Liu Yue returned, the previous incident could never happen again. Everything had merely been a hero's dream.

Xiao Gouzi suddenly felt disheartened, yet a strange realization dawned on him.

"Do you still wish to be a hero?" Feng Zikang asked with a faint smile.

"I do!"

How could he not? He clearly remembered the fury and humiliation in the dream; he distinctly recalled the power he possessed. He craved that strength! He wanted to be a hero, never again to be bullied or rendered helpless. He could no longer bear that feeling!

In reality, Xiao Gouzi's eyes also turned blood-red. He didn't notice that he had already straightened his back and sat up from the mat!

"Even if it means death, you are willing?"

"Even if it means death, I am willing!" Xiao Gouzi replied with absolute certainty.

"If that is the case, why aren't you standing up?"

"Huh?"

Xiao Gouzi gasped in shock. Suddenly, he felt boundless power surging within him, just like in the dream, just like that one night.

"Your strength comes from your anger and humiliation, fueled by burning your own life and blood. Of course, you could also choose to burn the lives and blood of others. The more people you kill, the stronger your power becomes!"

Feng Zikang's voice faded into ethereal mist.

Xiao Gouzi stood up, clenching his fists!

"What is your name?"

Xiao Gouzi scratched his head. "My family name is He, but I don't have a formal given name; I'm just called Gouzi."

"Heh." Feng Zikang chuckled lightly. "The name Gouzi hardly sounds imposing. Since your power stems from anger, I shall give you a new name: He Nu (He Rage)!"

He nodded. Xiao Gouzi was quite pleased with the name.

"From this day forward, you are He Nu, the Rage Demon, who draws strength from the blood and lives of others!"