Du Chengfeng was uncertain if this was still Evil Qi. After all, the sinister resentments that once entangled him had been thoroughly eradicated in an endless massacre. Though the new power carried murderous intent, its method of use was quite different from the Evil Qi he had employed before.

Evil Qi was an external force that he needed to consolidate and then drive with his will. In contrast, this new power was an inner force that he could simply release.

This was somewhat similar to the miraculous Inner Strength he had always yearned for.

This power was indeed almost omnipotent, not only enabling him to unleash powerful force externally, making his weapons more adept and vicious, but also speeding up the healing of his injuries. Although Du Chengfeng suspected that his bones healed quickly due to an optimized physical condition, he truly felt the warmth and nourishment as this power flowed into his fists.

If there’s a problem, it’s that this power doesn’t seem to support creating energy spheres or launching a Turtle Wave Skill.

To fully utilize its potential, using a weapon is ideal.

As for why it works this way...

Du Chengfeng didn’t know.

Or perhaps he never had the chance to know, as he had ventured too far into the path of Evil Qi. Even those Chu people he met in his memories who had profound understanding of Evil Qi never reached his level or touched his path.

After all, no matter how difficult the Chu people’s struggles, they faced mundane slaughter.

While Du Chengfeng confronted the madness-driven powers to gain victory, forces that could almost rival an Immortal.

The former Chu people, relying on immense power, birthed the Yu people skilled in manipulating minds, and after witnessing the limits of power, they chose not to remain human—after enduring the pressure from the inhuman Chu people, what path had Du Chengfeng himself taken?

No one could tell him; no one had experienced such insanity.

"If only there were a matching miraculous Cultivation Technique..."

Du Chengfeng sighed.

Indeed, just like those martial arts novels, with various levels in a Cultivation Technique, practice one level at a time—how brain-saving that would be—if not possible, change to Immortal cultivation or fantasy is the same, with clear levels progressing upwards.

But he hadn’t encountered anything so convenient.

Past experiences couldn’t apply to him, and he had learned all there was to learn. The road ahead had no guides; he had to forge his own path.

"The question is, where to go?"

For a moment, Du Chengfeng felt lost.

He suddenly remembered the giant and the rootless towering tree he sensed during the battle.

Freed from roots’ constraints, the tree gained liberty and power, but where should the risen tree-person go?

Thinking this, Du Chengfeng reached towards the drifting Evil Qi before him.

If only the giant were still around, perhaps they could share insights, and he could learn from a predecessor—though the giant didn’t seem to fare well, he might still offer some inspiration or eliminate a wrong answer?

But now, nothing remained.

The giant had vanished, and the Evil Qi drifting back into the world could not reshape...

"...Hmm?"

Du Chengfeng’s pupils unexpectedly contracted.

Before him, the not entirely dissipated Evil Qi was indeed gathering and coalescing.

The lingering Evil Qi formed a solid pillar like swirling mist, within which branches of a tree vaguely emerged.

"...Ah?"

He glanced at the smoke pillar, then back at himself, and fell into confusion.

This made no sense, truly no sense. Though aware of the power’s utility akin to the miraculous Inner Strength he desired, this couldn’t bring wishes to fruition, right?

Moreover, he hadn’t intended to forcibly keep the giant, who found death as true relief—insisting would be impolite—besides, capturing it with Evil Qi would contradict the giant’s self-annihilation to escape its influence.

"Wait a moment?"

Suddenly, Du Chengfeng sensed something was amiss.

Indeed, something was amiss—because the tree outlined by the Evil Qi had too many leaves on its branches.

So dense, they resembled...

"Feathers?"

Du Chengfeng’s expression instantly changed, immediately wielding his broadblade to slash.

But the fierce fiery blade merely cut through air.

The nascent Evil Qi Phoenix, although small, was exceedingly agile, easily dodging the fiery slash with a flap of its wings—though such reflexes alone wouldn’t evade Du Chengfeng’s strike, having honed it in countless battles.