"Feng Zikang shook his head. Little Dog, who was He Nu, paused, unsure of his meaning. “Your strength requires rage, blood, and vital essence.

This place is full of your kin and friends. Not only will you fail to grow, but you will weaken daily. Before long, you will revert to the state you were in two years ago.” “Ah?” He Nu was startled.

“Please, Immortal Feng, guide my path!” He ultimately did not dare utter the word ‘Master.’ He was distressed, not knowing what to do. He had grown up in this small Wang Village since childhood; to ask him to leave was impossible—the world was vast, and he didn't know where he could go. Feng Zikang chuckled, “Given your current condition, going to the battlefield is best.

Right now, under Lizhou City, the fires of war rage. It’s the perfect time for you to come with me to see the excitement. If you earn merit there, you might even secure a proper position!” He Nu was dazed, not grasping the affairs of the world, seeing only Feng Zikang.

Since it was his suggestion, naturally, he would follow it, and he readily agreed. Feng Zikang smiled, telling him to bid farewell to his parents and accompany him to see Lizhou. Now that he held the Investiture of the Gods list in his hand, the situation for this trip to Lizhou was different.

The Emperor was currently pressing the war urgently, dispatching General Gu Zhongtang, a man who had long fought the Turkic demons. His strength was formidable, and he commanded a hundred thousand elite troops—certainly no easy foe. Furthermore, it was rumored that many masters from the sects affiliated with the Three Teachings had also been sent.

If he didn't go to stabilize the situation now, when else would he? In a few days, Feng Zikang brought He Nu across the entire Great Tang territory. Soaring through the air, He Nu was savoring the benefits of cultivation for the first time, and his confidence in Feng Zikang only deepened.

As the two approached Lizhou City, it was the fourth watch of the night. Suddenly, a streak of golden light flashed within the city, seemingly fleeing in panic. “Stop him!” Feng Zikang roared, and He Nu understood.

He darted forward, blocking the path of the golden light. The golden light neither dodged nor evaded, colliding head-on with He Nu! He Nu cried out, channeling all his strength.

With a mighty shove, a resounding crash was heard, and both were thrown back over ten zhang before stabilizing, both feeling dizzy. “So hard!” When rage gathered in He Nu’s body, it became as hard as refined steel. He hadn't expected the fellow opposite to be such a tough nut; capable of meeting him head-on, it was like two massive boulders colliding.

Both sides took a slight loss. The man opposite was also severely shaken. Since beginning his cultivation, he hadn't encountered such a sturdy opponent.

His tiger eyes widened as he gazed over. At this moment, Feng Zikang was also observing him. He appeared magnificent and handsome, a truly imposing figure, yet alas, his height was too short—it felt as if his head was only one-third the height of his body.

Even clad in golden armor and wielding a great blade, he couldn't muster any real majesty. “Who are you people? How dare you obstruct my path?” The man saw that one opponent could match him blow for blow, and the other looked immensely powerful, certainly no simpleton.

If he couldn't win in a direct fight, a head-on clash wasn't worth the risk. So, he decided to introduce himself first and try to establish a connection. Feng Zikang smiled faintly, “Why bother asking who we are?

Sneaking out of the city in the dead of night, you look like a spy. Name yourself!” “Hmph!” The man became enraged, his tiger eyes blazing. His face was indeed heroic.

“I am Hong Kang, the senior disciple of Qixia Mountain, True Lord Miaoxian! I descend the mountain under my sect’s orders to aid the Tang in destroying the Zhou. How could I be a spy?

You two rascals blocking my way—are you agents of that false Zhou?” “Hong Kang? Qixia Mountain?” Feng Zikang shook his head. “Never heard of it.” Hong Kang was furious, “Audacious villain!

I have practiced the Eight-Nine Arcane Art since childhood and understand all manner of transformations. How dare you look down on me? Even my sect elders say I am the foremost among the third-generation disciples in the current cultivation world!” Feng Zikang chuckled inwardly.

He realized these titles were often inflated by self-praise—flattery costs nothing. Everyone could speak nice words. He was accustomed to being called the number one third-generation disciple daily, but he hadn't expected to encounter another ‘Number One Third Generation’ today.

However, this man’s abilities truly could not be underestimated. The Eight-Nine Arcane Art and the Art of Transformations were considered high-level cultivation techniques and divine powers. Even among the myriad schools of the Three Teachings, few disciples managed to master them.

It was said that when the Eight-Nine Arcane Art reached its peak, one’s physical body achieved immortality, impervious to all tribulations. As for the Art of Transformations, it was an excellent method for evading calamity and for actual combat. He wondered how a mere disciple from such a small sect had encountered such fortune to learn these two formidable techniques.

Although Feng Zikang held him in higher regard now, based on Hong Kang's current cultivation level, he was still not a significant threat. “Boasting doesn't prove anything. If you can defeat my young friend here, then you can brag later!” Feng Zikang pointed at He Nu.

Having just collided, he felt a sting and was now eager to fight, his fists already clenched. Hong Kang knew this kid wouldn't be easy. His Eight-Nine Arcane Art had reached the third turning point, making his body as hard as metal and stone—far superior to ordinary cultivators.

But looking at this kid, his cultivation seemed lower than his own, yet the hardness of his frame was equal to his own. Self-assured in his divine resonance and martial mastery, he naturally could not appear weak. With a great roar, he declared, “So be it!

Let’s go then!” He Nu wasted no time. He lunged forward with a straight punch, aiming directly for Hong Kang's face. Hong Kang twisted his head away, taking the blow squarely on the shoulder.

With a loud peng, sparks flew. Hong Kang retaliated instantly with a punch to He Nu’s chest, producing a sound like a bronze bell booming. The two clashed fiercely.

Hong Kang hadn't drawn his weapon, seemingly wanting to subdue He Nu using only his inherent skills. Feng Zikang watched from the side, nodding frequently. The Eight-Nine Arcane Art indeed held mysteries.

This fellow’s cultivation wasn't deep, yet his physical resilience rivaled the strength of the Wrath Demon body that Feng Zikang had painstakingly refined. It seemed he truly couldn't afford to underestimate anyone in the world. As they fought with vigor, they stopped evading, exchanging punches and kicks back and forth.

Sparks flew, making the fight highly entertaining. Unfortunately, after a short while, chaos erupted from within Lizhou City, and many more cultivators ascended, seemingly targeting Hong Kang! Hong Kang’s expression shifted.

He executed a feint, leaping out of the circle, and chuckled, “You have too many people today; I won’t play with you! Kid, if you have the guts, we’ll meet on the battlefield tomorrow!” He shook his body, transforming into a black bat, and vanished into the night sky, his whereabouts unknown! He escaped so quickly that He Nu, lacking experience, couldn't react in time.

He was left standing stunned, unsure what to do. “A'Nu, don't worry. Someday, this man will be captured by you.

Today was a good test of skill; I am very satisfied with your performance!” Feng Zikang offered comfort, but then a group of cultivators chased down from below. Seeing only the two of them and not Hong Kang, they looked puzzled. “Who are you people, and why are you here?” The leading man, ugly in appearance, shouted at Feng Zikang in a rage.

Feng Zikang sneered but did not answer, retorting, “Who are you? To behave with such discourtesy?” “Bold!” The man roared, “I am Daoist Withered Vine of Jiufang Mountain! That little brat Hong Kang stole my magic treasure today.

You were here covering his escape—are you in league with him?” Feng Zikang suddenly understood. So Hong Kang had infiltrated the city to steal a magic treasure. Seeing Withered Vine Daoist's furious expression, he couldn't help but smile.

He couldn't guard his own treasure, and it got stolen. Now, without asking for facts, he was being interrogated. This cultivator was truly the epitome of incompetence.

His cold sneer continued, but his companion beside Withered Vine Daoist couldn't stand it. “You thief from nowhere, lurking around Lizhou City in the dead of night, you must be up to no good! Senior Brother Withered Vine, let me capture him for you.” This man seemed eager to curry favor with Withered Vine Daoist.

He leaped forward, tossing out a puff of black smoke that enveloped a red bead, heading straight for Feng Zikang's forehead. Feng Zikang smiled calmly. “You dare show off such petty tricks in front of me!” He merely pointed lightly.

The black smoke instantly dispersed. The red bead lost its support and began to fall. The man panicked, flying after it—it seemed to be an important magical artifact for him!

Feng Zikang gave a cold smile, gently lifted his left foot, and kicked the man flying away, his expression unchanged. “Who exactly are you?” Withered Vine Daoist’s face changed drastically. Although the Soul-Snatching Bead was merely a minor technique of the crooked path, when refined skillfully, it was a vicious magic weapon.

In the recent battles, it had slain many half-baked Dao cultivators. Even he himself, without his Withered Vine Technique, would have needed significant effort to deal with it. This young man shattered the Soul-Snatching Bead with such ease—his skill was truly extraordinary!

Feng Zikang laughed heartily, “Who I am? Ask Wuji, or ask Mr. Xuanyuan, it’s all the same!” Withered Vine Daoist, who had been startled, changed expression again upon hearing the name Xuanyuan, cursing loudly, “What nonsense are you spouting, daring to invoke Mr.

Xuanyuan’s name so carelessly? If I don’t teach you a lesson today, you won’t know the immensity of Heaven and Earth!” “Qing—” Feng Zikang paused, surprised that Mr. Xuanyuan held such a high status in Lizhou City.

When he visited last time, although Xuanyuan was the strategist, Wuji merely listened to his suggestions. His status and prestige didn't seem to have reached this level yet. Xuanyuan’s cultivation was only average; how could he possess such high prestige?

He smiled slightly, unwilling to prolong the entanglement or offer explanations. “I am indeed acquainted with Mr. Xuanyuan.

Tell him I know him, and you will understand!” “Nonsense!” Withered Vine Daoist didn't believe a word of it. Mr. Xuanyuan was busy with countless matters; how could he have time to know such a nobody?

He had just let Hong Kang escape—he was likely a spy using delaying tactics! Thinking this, Withered Vine Daoist’s face filled with rage. He waved both hands, transforming into two segments of withered vine, sweeping toward Feng Zikang’s waist like an overwhelming tide!

“Oh?” Feng Zikang rarely saw a transformation divine power in action. This power looked quite promising. He wished to test its strength, smiling faintly.

He neither dodged nor retreated. With a sharp clack, the two segments of withered vine smashed precisely against his waist!"