Hikaru smiled gently at Chen Duo, his eyes full of warmth and encouragement.
"Not much," he said softly. "As long as it's something you like, we can make it happen—one thing at a time."
He knew that for Chen Duo, these simple wishes were the kind of life she longed for the most.
When she heard Hikaru's words, her eyes shimmered with happiness.
She had never imagined that one day, she could live like an ordinary person—feeling such simple joy.
And now, it all seemed to be reaching out to her.
"Really? We can actually do all these things?" Chen Duo asked, her voice trembling with disbelief.
"Of course," Hikaru said, standing up. "Let's go make them happen."
They first went to a nearby shopping mall.
Chen Duo, like a happy little bird, flitted from place to place, picking out clothes and accessories she liked.
Hikaru followed behind her quietly, holding her shopping bags and occasionally offering a few suggestions.
Then, they went to an ice cream shop.
Chen Duo ordered a huge cone and ate it with childlike delight.
Watching her satisfied expression, Hikaru felt a warm sense of contentment rise in his chest.
Lastly, they visited an arcade.
Chen Duo played to her heart's content while Hikaru stayed by her side, sharing in that simple happiness.
For Chen Duo, that day was one of pure, unforgettable joy.
In the days that followed, every moment felt new and full of wonder to her.
They explored every corner of the city, tried all sorts of food, and experienced countless new things.
Chen Duo's smiles grew brighter and more frequent; she slowly opened her heart, accepting the world that had once felt so strange and frightening.
Through this, Hikaru came to understand her more deeply.
He realized that despite the pain and distortion left by her past, deep within her remained a core of innocence and kindness.
And under his quiet guidance, that purity and goodness began to awaken again—allowing her to see herself and the world from a new perspective.
One evening, the two of them sat on a park bench, watching the sunset scatter golden light over the lake, illuminating their faces.
Chen Duo suddenly turned to him, her expression serious.
"Thank you, Hikaru. Without you, I might never have known what this kind of life feels like."
Hikaru smiled and shook his head. "You earned all of this yourself. I just opened the door. The one who stepped through it—was you. It was your own courage and resolve that made this possible."
Chen Duo's eyes shimmered again with emotion.
"I'll keep trying," she said softly. "To chase even more freedom and happiness. I believe if I don't give up, the future will definitely be better."
Hikaru nodded, his gaze full of pride and encouragement.
He knew she had taken a vital step forward.
The road ahead would still be long, but Chen Duo would now walk it with determination and confidence.
Meanwhile, Fu Rong and the others didn't keep Hikaru waiting for long.
They hurried over, faces tense and anxious.
Upon hearing of their arrival, Ma Hongxian immediately contacted Hikaru—the signal for action had been given.
So when Fu Rong's group arrived, what greeted them was shocking news.
Ma Hongxian had been defeated—by one of the company's temporary workers.
The message hit them like a bolt of lightning, leaving them momentarily stunned.
Even so, none of them showed any intention of giving up.
After all, Ma Hongxian had helped and guided them countless times; they owed him too much to abandon him now.
Even Zhao Guizhen, though reluctant, considered himself far superior to any "temporary worker" and didn't voice any objection.
News of the incident spread quickly through Biyu Village.
As the village leader and head of the New Jiejiao, Ma Hongxian's defeat caused a massive uproar.
The Upper Root Adepts wanted to come to his aid but were too far away to arrive in time.
In this world, where anyone could awaken as a Gifted, the Company held immense power—it was responsible for managing and disciplining those with extraordinary abilities.
Ma Hongxian's New Jiejiao preached that "all should be taught, without distinction," but his improved Body Refinement Furnace was something truly miraculous—it could awaken latent powers and enhance one's natural talent.
Such a heaven-defying artifact was bound to attract endless greed and conflict.
Everyone in Biyu Village knew the Company would eventually intervene.
And given the Company's ruthless reputation, many feared that once they took over, no witnesses would be left alive.
So when the news of Ma Hongxian's capture spread, many villagers quietly slipped away—leaving the place in utter chaos.
In the midst of this turmoil, inside a hidden room, someone was furtively sending out messages.
Just as Hikaru and Ma Hongxian had suspected, there truly was an informant of Qu Tong hidden within the village.
At that moment, the mole was transmitting crucial intel directly to her—
a storm far greater than before was about to descend.
Thousands of miles away, a seductive woman elegantly picked up her phone.
The moment she read the message, her calm expression hardened.
She parted her crimson lips, her tone carrying unmistakable authority.
"Come."
At once, several subordinates appeared before her, kneeling respectfully.
Her voice was sharp and cold.
"The Company's already onto Ma Hongxian. He's been captured. Prepare immediately—we can't let him be taken inside their main branch."
"Yes, ma'am!"
They answered in unison and swiftly departed.
Qu Tong rose and walked to the window, gazing at her reflection in the glass.
A faint unease rippled through her heart.
Something felt wrong—but she couldn't tell what.
Unable to shake the feeling, she picked up her phone and dialed a number.
The line rang for a long time before being answered.
A tired voice spoke, "What is it?"
Qu Tong's tone was direct.
"Help me see if there's any trouble ahead."
There was silence for a while before the voice replied slowly,
"You, of all people—the developer of the Twin Perfection Hands—should know the risks of the Eight Forbidden Techniques. I can't use that power anymore."
Qu Tong inhaled deeply, then said after a pause,
"I have a way to fix that."
A low chuckle came from the other end.
"Heh... If you could fix it, there'd be no need for Tian Shi Du to exist.
The Eight Forbidden Techniques should never have existed in the first place!
If we keep pushing further, we'll all become sinners. Don't you see that?"
At those words, the crimson glow in Qu Tong's eyes flared stronger.
She gritted her teeth.
"Gu Jiting, you want me to give up?!"
"Impossible! I will take revenge on those who hunted us—
even if it means becoming a sinner for all eternity!"