177: Qin Feng made his move; this demon is such a good actor!

Wang Teng's arrogant laughter finally dissipated in the vast, empty space.

His 'perfect' evaluation and generous reward were like an invisible slap, striking the hearts of every survivor.

Especially Qin Feng.

He quietly stared in the direction where Wang Teng had vanished, the corner of his mouth beneath the bronze mask forming a frigid, rigid line.

[Fool... he actually passed?]

[With a 'perfect' evaluation?]

In Qin Feng's heart, disbelief surged, along with a trace of... jealousy that he swiftly suppressed.

He had originally thought that a reckless brute like Wang Teng, who knew only slaughter, would definitely be eliminated.

He had even prepared his mocking words in advance.

But reality had dealt him the heaviest blow.

Not only had Wang Teng passed, but he had done so in such a 'dazzling' manner, earning unprecedented praise from the Stele.

[Twisting hearts... corrupting Souls...]

Qin Feng chewed over these eight words repeatedly, his gaze flickering uncertainly.

[So that's it.]

[This trial doesn't test destructive power at all.]

[It tests the depth of one's understanding of the word 'devil'.]

[It doesn't want a butcher.]

[It wants an artist who toys with people's hearts.]

In an instant, Qin Feng achieved perfect enlightenment.

He had to admit that Wang Teng, that madman, truly possessed astonishing talent in the Domain of 'pure evil'.

But that didn't mean he, Qin Feng, had lost.

[Hmph, toying with hearts? I am the true ancestor of that art!]

Qin Feng thought coldly.

[What Wang Teng did is merely the lowest-level method, crude and vulgar, forcibly twisting things through fear and violence.]

[I will show this Stele what it truly means to kill a man and destroy his heart!]

[What true, top-tier art, as gentle and imperceptible as rain nurturing the earth, really is!]

A light of confidence reignited in the depths of his eyes.

He had found his own answer.

An answer more 'Advanced' and more 'artistic' than Wang Teng's.

Qin Feng straightened his robes and, with unhurried steps, also walked into that Illusory Village.

Once again, he stood before the little Boy with the Spiky Pigtails.

The Boy seemed to have just broken free from Wang Teng's devilish voice's bewitchment. He was hugging his knees, his small body trembling, clearly terrified by the recent experience.

The candy he treasured so much had fallen to the ground, covered in dust.

Qin Feng looked at him. His expression beneath the mask was invisible, but he slowly crouched down, bringing himself to eye level with the Boy.

This simple action disarmed much of the Boy's guard.

"Little one, are you alright?"

His voice was not loud, yet it carried a peculiar, soothing rhythm.

The Boy looked up. Seeing those eyes that still appeared gentle despite the mask, the fear in his heart miraculously faded by more than half.

"You... who are you? Are you a bad person too?" the Boy asked timidly.

Qin Feng smiled, shaking his head gently. "No, I'm not a bad person. I'm here... to help you."

He reached out and picked up the dirty candy from the ground.

He showed not a trace of disdain. Instead, he used his own clean sleeve to meticulously wipe away every speck of dust from it.

His movements were gentle, as if handling a priceless treasure.

Then, he offered the now crystal-clean candy back to the Boy.

"Take it. This belongs to you."

The Boy was utterly stunned.

He hadn't expected this strange older brother to do this for him.

Hesitating, his small hand finally accepted the candy.

"Thank you... thank you, big brother."

"You're welcome." Qin Feng maintained his posture. "But can this candy truly make you happy?"

The Boy was taken aback.

Qin Feng's voice became even more persuasive: "It can only give your tongue a moment of sweetness. Once that sweetness fades, your troubles will remain."

"That Fat Bully who often picks on you will still snatch your toys tomorrow."

"Your parents might scold you the next moment for being naughty."

"This world is full of unfairness and pain. A tiny piece of candy can change nothing."

The Boy listened, only half-understanding, but his little face was already etched with dejection.

He felt what this big brother said seemed... to be true.

"Then... what should I do?" The Boy looked up blankly, turning to his only source of hope.

A glint of cold, triumphant scheming flashed silently in Qin Feng's eyes beneath the mask.

But the demeanor on his face became even more gentle, even taking on a near-sacred quality.

"It's simple."

"What you must do is not resist, not hate."

"It is to... love."

"Love?" The Boy was even more confused.

"Yes, love." Qin Feng's voice seemed to take on a sacred, chanting tone.

"If he snatches your toys, you actively give him more, even better toys."

"If he pushes you down, you get up yourself, help him steady himself, and tell him you forgive him."

"If your parents scold you, repay them with even more obedient and sensible behavior."

"You must use your love to embrace this unfair world!"

"When your love becomes strong enough to encompass everything, you will find all pain and injustice will dissipate before you!"

"Then, you will become the 'Saint' of this village! Everyone will respect you and cherish you!"

"The happiness that comes from being genuinely needed by everyone is ten thousand times more wonderful than the sweetness of a piece of candy!"

Qin Feng's voice was filled with passion and bewitchment.

The picture he painted made the Boy's eyes shine brighter and brighter, his breathing becoming rapid.

Being respected by everyone... being cherished by everyone... becoming a 'Saint'... This... this seemed far more impressive than being a murderous Devil Head!

"C-can I really do it?" The Boy asked, his little face flushed with excitement.

"Of course you can." Qin Feng affirmed in an unquestionable tone. "Go now. From this moment, spread your love to everyone!"

"Mhm!"

The Boy nodded heavily. Without even looking at the candy in his hand, he casually tossed it aside.

His little face radiated a sacred, fanatical glow.

He dashed towards the village.

He wanted to immediately practice the 'supreme Dao' this big brother had taught him!

He was going to 'love' everyone!

Qin Feng watched his 'hopeful' retreating figure and slowly stood up.

Beneath the mask, the gentle facade instantly peeled away, leaving only an ice-cold indifference.

[Fool.]

[Go on. Use your ridiculous 'love' to embrace the malice of this world.]

[When you give all your toys to that Fat Bully, he will only become more aggressive, treating you as a fool he can bully at will.]

[When you become utterly obedient to your parents, they will only take it for granted and make even harsher demands of you.]

[When you embrace the world with 'saintly love', the world will only repay you with one resounding slap after another.]

[By then, when all your hopes are shattered by reality.]

[When your 'love' is repaid only with betrayal, bullying, and bone-chilling indifference.]

[How utterly... delicious the ultimate 'hatred' born from that ultimate 'saintliness' will be.]

[This is the highest form of art.]

[I have planted a seed of 'saintliness', but I am destined to harvest a fruit of 'devil'.]

Finally, the corner of Qin Feng's mouth beneath the mask curled up soundlessly, sketching out a sinister arc.

Unlike Wang Teng's direct corruption.

He had woven the most perfect dream for this Child.

And then, all he had to do was wait quietly and watch as reality tore this dream apart with its own hands.

The despair at that moment would be the purest, the most supreme devil!

Boom——!

The giant Stele erupted with light once more, its brilliance even more dazzling and eye-catching than when Wang Teng had cleared the trial!

A line of evaluation, burning with golden flames, materialized in the air!

[Evaluation: Using saintliness as the guide, love as the bait, planting the seed of hope, awaiting the fruit of despair! This is not the Demonic Path, it is already a devil's heart! Has glimpsed the Origin of devilry, has grasped the true essence of devilry! Super Perfect! Passed!]

A golden devilish light, ten times thicker than Wang Teng's, descended like a celestial river pouring down from the heavens, crashing violently into Qin Feng's body!

Crackle! Pop!

Under the torrential, vast impact of this Origin Devilish Qi, Qin Feng's bones emitted explosive groans of strain.

The Bottleneck at the Peak of the eighth level of the Saint Realm was torn apart like thin paper in an instant!

Ninth level of the Saint Realm!

The rise in his aura did not stop!

Middle Stage of the ninth level!

Late Stage of the ninth level!

Finally, it stabilized firmly at the Peak of the ninth level of the Saint Realm!

Just one step away from reaching the Saint King Realm!

Feeling the unprecedented, vast power within him, Qin Feng could no longer restrain himself and let out a hearty, unrestrained laugh.

"Hahahaha! Wang Teng! Do you see? This is the insurmountable gap between you and me!"

"Su Chen! Just you wait! Once I get out, I will definitely trample you underfoot and make you taste every torment this world has to offer!"

Amidst the laughter that shook the heavens, Qin Feng's figure also vanished within the dazzling radiance.

The entire trial space was left with only a few examinees, scared Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering by the actions of these two 'Devil Gods', utterly bewildered and in disarray.