Feng Yunjie's wrists trembled involuntarily.
He was horrified as he looked at Duge, his expression akin to having seen a ghost, the shock even stronger than when he first saw Feng Qi's self-healing scars.
After a long while, he came back to his senses with a flash of fright in his eyes, stuttering, "Mr. Seven, your... the growth of your strength... is it too rapid?"
At this moment.
He understood Feng Shiren's concerns. The Heavenly Demon was growing too quickly. In the future, could they truly control Feng Qi?
"All thanks to the wisdom of the Family Head. If the Family Head hadn't resolved to make changes, my strength wouldn't have grown so quickly," Duge said, waving his fists a few times to savor the joy of becoming a Superman, "Speaking of which, suddenly having so much strength, I'm still not used to it! Are your hands okay? I didn't hold back my strength just now..."
Feng Yunjie only then felt the intense pain at his wrists, as if they were broken. He grimaced and rubbed them while still staring at Duge, his mind blank. In less than two hours, he went from being severely injured to having inhuman strength, almost equal to my ten years of hard training—simply defying the natural order.
"Mr. Seven, can humans transform into Heavenly Demons?" Feng Yunlu asked enviously, saliva nearly dripping out, his face full of hope.
"There should be no chance," Duge glanced at him and said morosely, "Fourth young master, you only see my growth, not the suffering I've endured. Heavenly Demons are born in the barren Demon Realm, spending their entire lives waiting for spatial rifts to appear.
After eagerly waiting, breaking out of the Demon Realm through a crack in space carries the risk of possession. Choose the wrong host for possession, and you might perish without a trace. If you're lucky enough to succeed in taking over a host, to achieve anything significant, you must constantly maintain your keyword, not daring to make a single misstep.
Encountering good opportunities can lead to growth. Without them, we still face the annihilation of our Divine Souls. This time, if I hadn't shared a roof with Feng Jiu, had no protector to care for, I might not have lasted long with my severe injuries, and would have died along with Feng Qi's fading life, the world not even knowing a Heavenly Demon had ever visited..."
As he spoke, Duge seemed to understand what those swiftly disappearing numbers meant.
It's likely a failed possession.
Being kicked out of the simulation because of possession issues at the start, the simulation didn't seem quite like what he had imagined before—it probably wasn't just a simple game...
Feng Yunlu pursed his lips, sourly saying, "Even so, your growth is too rapid. If I could grow that quickly without the hard work of practicing martial arts, I'd be willing to take on even greater risks!"
Duge knew his meteoric growth had aroused the suspicion of the Feng family. Such suspicions were detrimental to teamwork, to his growth, and they needed to be allayed quickly. His gaze swept over everyone as he asked, "Fourth young master, have you ever considered what would happen if I failed to protect the Feng Family in these chaotic times?"
"What would happen?" asked Feng Yunjie.
"We rise or fall together. If the Feng Family declines because of me, it would be my failure to protect them. I, too, would grow weak and be left at the mercy of others," Duge said with a sigh, looking at them all, "In this respect, you humans have a great advantage. The skills you possess, whether it be martial arts or Inner Strength, will always be yours, not changing due to external events. Thus, don't envy me. Being a Heavenly Demon is a tragedy. If possible, I'd rather be a human, successful through my own efforts. The restrictions on a Heavenly Demon are too great..."
Upon hearing this.
The three brothers of the Feng family unanimously breathed a sigh of relief.
They couldn't help but believe.
After all.
They had watched as Feng Qi changed with the decisions of the Feng Family and witnessed Feng Jiu recover simply by eating.
It was impossible that the attributes of a Heavenly Demon only constrained Feng Jiu and not Feng Qi. With Feng Qi bound to the Feng Family, they needn't worry about backlash.
The stronger the Feng Family, the mightier Feng Qi would become, making others hesitant to provoke the Feng Family—effectively granting them a powerful protector.
This was a great blessing!
Feng Yunjie felt grateful, fortunate that Feng Qi's keyword was "protection."
Heaven bless the Feng Family!
...
"Are you all reassured now?" Duge looked at the group, his face bearing a touch of bitterness, "If you still have doubts about me, feel free to ask the Family Head to recall those who are 'Searching Sky Demons', to seal off the news of the Heavenly Demon's appearance, or even to kill Feng Jiu. Wait a while longer, see if other Heavenly Demons in the world grow stronger, and see if I will weaken along with them..."
"..." Feng Jiu looked at Duge with a grievance, helpless on his face. Why do I always get burned? Even though I know you're using reverse psychology, you can't always trap me alone, right? What if they take it seriously?
"Mr. Seven is joking." Feng Yunming entered the room, and cupped his fist towards Duge, "Sir has exhausted his thoughts for the Feng Family, how could we not trust you? Yunjie and the others are young and ignorant; please don't take offense at their actions." He turned his head and glowered at Feng Yunjie and another, chiding, "Third brother, fourth brother, have you not yet apologized to Mr. Seven?"
"Sir, we are sorry." Feng Yunjie and the other hurriedly bowed to Duge in apology, "We shouldn't have doubted you."
"It's alright, it's all for the Feng Family. Put in your shoes, I wouldn't rashly trust a Heavenly Demon from the Demon Realm either." Duge said with a smile, helping the two of them up, "Now that everything is clear, we are all one family. You don't need to worry that I will hold any grudges. The key phrase bounds my actions, no matter how unfairly I am treated in the Feng family, or when danger arises, I will still take the knife for the Feng family when needed."
"Mr. Seven's fate is tied to the future of the Feng Family; if anyone should take the knife, it should be us for you," Feng Yunming said with a smile, "Whoever gets into trouble, you shouldn't."
"Eldest Young Master, you can't say that. If you take the knife for me, you are harming me." Duge looked at Feng Yunming, speaking earnestly, "Don't forget my key phrase, taking the knife is to protect, and to protect is to grow. No one is more suited to be a protector than me."
The fact that even such a small matter as taking a knife was in contention, settled the issue. The three brothers of the Feng family exchanged glances and completely let down their guard.
"Mr. Seven, you wouldn't mind if I inform the Family Head of your strength, would you?" Duge's strength had greatly increased, and he was utterly loyal to the Feng Family, so Feng Yunming's attitude became much more respectful.
"Of course." Duge said, "Letting the Family Head see my strength has increased will only boost his confidence and inspire the morale of the Feng family. However, Eldest Young Master, I have a favor to ask."
"Please speak, Sir." Feng Yunming said.
"Ask the Family Head if I can learn the Feng Family's martial arts," Duge said, "The rise of the Feng Family requires time, and my strength cannot always increase as rapidly as today. Moreover, the increase that the key phrase gives me is only in speed and strength, which is far from enough. If I could learn a few of the Feng Family's techniques, our chance of success would be that much greater."
"That's no problem, and I don't need my father to make that decision," Feng Yunming laughed, "Later, have Yunjie teach you. He has mastered all the Feng Family's martial arts."
Feng Yunjie nodded.
"Mr. Seven, is there anything else you would like to instruct?" Feng Yunming asked.
"Not for the moment," Duge said, "If Yunjie is teaching me martial arts, there's no need to stay at the Feng Family. We should travel outside, and learn along the way. Compared to the Feng Family members, I have a better understanding of the Heavenly Demons, and it's easier for me to identify them. And as I said before, the earlier the better..."
Coming to the martial arts world, one naturally wants to venture out.
Who would want to stay in one place and train, when there are more opportunities outside? The Feng Family is too weak, obviously lacking prospects for development.
Even the Iron Palm Gang is too much for them to deal with; they lack manpower and influence. Do they really expect them to go out and find a bunch of Heavenly Demons?
By the time they've gathered everyone, it'll be too late...
"I will ask the Family Head," Feng Yunming looked at Duge, nodded, and turned to leave.
Feng Jiu quickly took two steps forward and called out to him, "Eldest Young Master, wait, I have something else."
Feng Yunming turned around.
Without waiting for him to speak, Feng Jiu eagerly said, "The digestive aid and the laxative I asked for, please urge Dr. Hu to prepare them quickly. Eldest Young Master, though my key phrase isn't 'protector', as a Heavenly Demon, my growth will only benefit the Feng Family."
In comparison to Duge, he almost became invisible; truth be told, he was the most envious of Feng Qi, wishing to fight ten by himself too!
Feng Yunming looked at Duge.
Duge nodded at him, confident, "Go ahead with the preparations, within the Feng Family's territory, I can suppress any Heavenly Demon weaker than myself."