Volume 1 Volume 7 Chapter 22

Volume 7 Chapter 22: I Shall Become a Demon (Part 3)

Seeing Wang Li’s determined expression, Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but feel a little guilty inside.

Although it was said to be a mutual decision, and the only way now, and although he had already made up his mind, pushing such a poor person to the edge of hope and despair still stirred unexplained emotions in Xu Qingfan’s heart, feelings of weariness, helplessness, and even disgust.

"To achieve great things, you must overlook small details… sacrificing the few for the greater good… Ha, what a grand excuse."

Xu Qingfan secretly mocked in his heart, and seemed to recall his own times as a pawn, when he was one of the few who could be sacrificed for the greater good, and all the emotions he felt back then.

Looking at Wang Li, who showed no awareness of being used, his eyes burning with intensity, Xu Qingfan said again, "Have you really made up your mind? I hope you will reconsider. It’s better for us to be clear with each other. I must tell you, after gaining that power, you will no longer be able to return to your current self. You won’t be recognized by your former friends and kind, and you will be hated and hunted down by everyone in the world. At that time, I won’t be able to save you, and even… if I find you out of control, I will have to end you myself."

After a pause, Xu Qingfan continued, "First, let go of the various Chou hates in your heart and think carefully if this is worth it. You should know that the days ahead of you are long, and your life is not as frightening as you imagine. People like Shen Gang actually care about you, but you’ve been controlled by Chou hate, so you haven’t noticed."

Although Xu Qingfan spoke with seriousness, Wang Li remained resolute, only pausing for a moment when Xu Qingfan mentioned Shen Gang before asking, "Why do you say I won’t be able to control myself? Will I lose my sanity after gaining that power?"

"No," Xu Qingfan replied. "But the hatred in your heart will grow infinitely under that power’s control. At that time, I don’t know what you will do in your quest for revenge."

Wang Li asked again, "So, after I gain this power to take revenge, will you give me the time and opportunity to do so?"

"Yes."

Hearing Xu Qingfan say this, Wang Li nodded and said, "In that case, Island Master, you do not need to persuade me anymore. My decision is not a momentary impulse, and I cannot let go of the hatred in my heart. I would rather be destroyed by the world after seeking revenge than live in a nightmare forever."

After a pause, Wang Li looked directly at Xu Qingfan and said in a firm voice, "Island Master, no matter what I become after I gain power, I promise that as long as you allow me to take my revenge, and give me the time and opportunity to do so, I will do my utmost to control myself and follow your guidance."

Xu Qingfan remained silent for a moment before saying, "In that case, I agree to grant you that power… I hope that later we will not regret today’s decision… You can stay here with me for now; I need some time to prepare."

"Thank you, Island Master."

Wang Li bowed again before Xu Qingfan; although he did not know what would happen in the future, at least at this moment, his gratitude was truly sincere.

Xu Qingfan nodded but then offered his room to Wang Li, patted Wang Li on the shoulder, and walked toward the door.

As Xu Qingfan reached the door, it seemed he remembered something. He suddenly turned back to look at Wang Li and asked, "The reason I agreed to give you this power is not just to help you take revenge with your own hands, but because there are other plans. To put it simply, I am using you. Do you understand this?"

Wang Li was slightly taken aback, then nodded and said, "I can imagine that you are very cautious about this power and that you do not have control over it. Since that is the case, your willingness to give me this power cannot merely be for the sake of letting me take revenge myself."

Looking at Wang Li’s calm demeanor, Xu Qingfan suddenly realized that Wang Li was much more intelligent and mature than he had imagined. However, often this maturity and intelligence were overshadowed by the hatred he displayed.

"I am using you like this, and after using you, I might very well abandon you. Don’t you hate me for that?"

Xu Qingfan asked.

"As long as you can let me take my revenge myself, no matter how you treat me, I can only be thankful to you."

Wang Li looked directly at Xu Qingfan and said firmly and slowly.

Xu Qingfan suddenly smiled, realizing that Wang Li’s experience was very similar to his own. When Lu Huayan used himself to test that incomplete cultivation method back in the day, how was his mindset any different? However, compared to Xu Qingfan back then, the sacrifices that Wang Li was making now were much greater, and it seemed that the outcome had been destined from the beginning.

Turning to leave the room, outside, the previously bright moonlight and scattered stars had been completely covered by dark clouds, and the world grew dim.

※※※※

In the next month, Xu Qingfan seemed very busy, continuously moving between Tianshu Island, Tianquan Island, and Yuheng Island. Sometimes, he would even disappear for a while. However, during that time, what Xu Qingfan was doing and where he went remained a mystery to everyone.

Wang Li stayed in Xu Qingfan’s room. While Dongfang Qingling took care of Ting’er every day, she also looked after Wang Li. Xu Qingfan would appear once every six or seven days, and during those visits, he would chat with Wang Li and use the "Way of Life and Death" to heal his wounds.

The stories of the Shura Clan, the source of the power Wang Li was about to receive, and the situation in the cultivation world over the years were gradually shared by Xu Qingfan. Strangely, at that time, Xu Qingfan acted like a mentor to Wang Li, teaching and sharing many things, even though he knew that any teachings would be useless once Wang Li turned into a demon.

Two months passed swiftly, and on this day, Xu Qingfan returned to Wang Li’s room. However, Xu Qingfan’s expression was extremely serious compared to his usual relaxed demeanor.

Seeing Xu Qingfan’s solemn face, Wang Li was slightly startled and quickly understood that the day for him to gain that power had arrived.

Xu Qingfan asked, "Are you ready?"

Wang Li nodded and replied, "I am ready."

"Come with me."

Xu Qingfan waved his hand and left the room first, while Wang Li silently followed behind. Once outside, Wang Li noticed that two women, one big and one small, were quietly watching him from the doorway of the adjacent wooden house. One was Dongfang Qingling, who had taken care of him during Xu Qingfan’s absence, while the other woman was someone Wang Li could not name. He had seen her a few times over the past month. Her face was covered with dark patterns, and her eyes were darker than the night, carrying an inexplicable allure. However, this woman was very cold, as if indifference was her nature. Compared to her, Wang Li’s coldness, formed from hatred, seemed insignificant. Her extremely cold gaze made even Wang Li feel uncomfortable every time he saw her.

However, for some reason, this woman, who was ten times colder than him, left a very deep impression on Wang Li. These days, apart from being surrounded by hatred like in the past three years, he occasionally thought of this woman.

Xu Qingfan nodded at Dongfang Qingling and Ting’er, then said to Wang Li, "Let’s go."

As he spoke, Xu Qingfan waved his hands, and a cloud appeared beneath Wang Li and Xu Qingfan’s feet, carrying them away towards the sea outside Yuheng Island.

Instinctively, Wang Li glanced back at the woman who appeared extremely indifferent, and after turning away, his eyes were filled with indifference. In his heart, there was nothing but a desire for revenge and power.

※※※※

"Island Master, where are we going?"

After seeing Xu Qingfan take him away from Yuheng Island, Wang Li noticed they were not flying towards the other five small islands but rather towards a vast ocean, and he could not help but ask out of curiosity.

"Yaoguang Island."

Xu Qingfan replied.

Yaoguang Island? The most mysterious of the Seven Islands of the Rainbow Spirit, a place where no one has entered for over thirty years, except for Xu Qingfan?

Upon hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Wang Li felt a shock in his heart. Although he had not cared about anything else in his pursuit of revenge over the years, he had still heard others speculate about the mysteries of Yaoguang Island more than once. Some said it held endless treasures and talents, even more than the combined riches of Tianxuan Island and Tianji Island. Others said an unmatched villain was imprisoned there, someone even the Island Master could not control and could only confine. And some said it led directly to the immortal realm, with Xu Qingfan as the guardian of this path.

And at this moment, the mysterious veil of Yaoguang Island was finally about to be lifted before Wang Li.

Xu Qingfan brought Wang Li to a wide, empty sea area and stopped. Here, besides the faint sea mist, there was nothing else, causing Wang Li to be momentarily stunned.

Then, Xu Qingfan made a hand gesture, and Wang Li saw the mist in front of him suddenly thickening quickly, obscuring his sight in an instant, making it impossible to see his five fingers in front of him, surrounded only by dense fog.

Next, with a soft shout from Xu Qingfan, the sea mist before Wang Li and Xu Qingfan split to the sides, revealing an air passage made of mist right before Wang Li’s eyes.

Through this passage, a small island appeared in Wang Li’s view, and he knew this must be the legendary Yaoguang Island.

However, although Wang Li had imagined the appearance of Yaoguang Island many times, nothing he thought matched this.

This Yaoguang Island was not a passage to the immortal realm; it felt more like the entrance to hell!