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"Do you want me to take care of that man for you?" the voice inquired, its tone laced with an unsettling calm.

Lu Zheng hesitated, about to nod in agreement, but then he shook his head firmly. He turned around, locking eyes with the crimson gaze, feeling a surge of courage within him. This time, he was bolder, and his voice rang with determination. "I want to avenge him by myself, but I beg for you to give me power to do so. Even if I have to sell my soul to you, I wouldn't mind."

The voice hummed thoughtfully, the amusement evident in its tone. "Hmm... How about this? You acquire power by yourself, and I will help you."

Lu Zheng felt a flicker of uncertainty but quickly pushed it aside. "What do you mean? How will you help me?"

The crimson eyes narrowed slightly, and the shadows around them seemed to swirl in agreement. "You will embark on a journey to discover your true potential. I will guide you, but the strength you seek must come from within. You must prove yourself worthy of the power you desire."

As the voice spoke, it turned its attention to the projection that floated in the air, revealing images of Lu Zheng's past—the moments of pain, betrayal, and loss that had led him to this very moment. "Remember the pain, the anger. Let it fuel you. It is a part of who you are, but it does not define you."

Lu Zheng's heart raced as he absorbed the words. The memories flooded back, each one a reminder of what he had endured. "I won't forget. I want to make them pay for what they did," he said, his voice low but resolute.

"Good. Use that fire to forge your path," the voice encouraged, its crimson gaze piercing through the darkness. "But know this: power comes with a price. The more you seek, the more you must sacrifice. Are you prepared for that?"

Lu Zheng hesitated for a moment, weighing the implications of the voice's words. He had already lost so much; what more was there to give? But the desire for vengeance burned brighter than his fear. "I am prepared to pay any price," he declared, the conviction in his voice strengthening.

"Very well," the voice replied, a hint of approval threading through its tone. "Then let us begin this journey. I will offer you guidance and knowledge, but you must take the steps yourself. Seek out the trials that will test your resolve, and I will be with you every step of the way."

As the shadows shifted, a path illuminated before Lu Zheng, leading into the unknown. He felt a rush of exhilaration mixed with trepidation. This was the moment he had been waiting for—the chance to reclaim his power and seek vengeance.

"I won't disappoint you," Lu Zheng vowed, stepping forward onto the path. "I will become stronger, and I will avenge him."

"Then embrace the darkness," the voice urged, the shadows swirling around them like a tempest. "Let it guide you, and remember: true strength lies not just in power, but in the choices you make along the way."

With those words ringing in his ears, Lu Zheng set forth on his journey, ready to confront the trials ahead and harness the power that awaited him. He would rise from the ashes of his past, fueled by vengeance and the promise of transformation. This was only the beginning, and he was determined to see it through to the end.

Lu Zheng's mind raced as the voice echoed in his thoughts, replaying the chilling command: *"Stab them with your nails. I will absorb their blood and help you recover your strength and even get rid of the poison."* The prospect filled him with a mix of fear and exhilaration. The promise of power was intoxicating, and he felt a surge of determination rising within him.

With newfound resolve, he nodded. He wouldn't question the methods anymore; he would do what was necessary to reclaim his strength.

"You better worry if you can move, first," the voice warned, its tone a blend of mockery and genuine concern. Those words lingered in the air as Lu Zheng felt his consciousness slip away, darkness enveloping him.

---

When Lu Zheng woke up, he was immediately assaulted by searing pain that coursed through his body like fire. He could barely contain the grunting noise that escaped his lips, a raw expression of the agony he felt.

As his eyes fluttered open, he struggled to focus, the world around him coming into view in a blur of shapes and colors. He lay on a cold, hard surface, and the stench of blood filled the air, making his stomach churn. Panic surged through him as he remembered the events that had led him here.

"Where am I?" he gasped, trying to push himself up, but the pain shot through him, forcing him back down. He winced, feeling the remnants of the battle and the poison still coursing through his veins.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, and Lu Zheng squinted against the dim light. It was a woman, her features sharp and striking, with an aura of confidence that drew his attention. He recognized her; she was known as Lunara Vex, a name whispered among those who spoke of powerful beings and fierce warriors.

"What have you done?" she asked, her voice both curious and accusatory. "You were reckless, and now you're paying the price."

"I... I had to," Lu Zheng replied, struggling to find his voice. "I needed power. I needed to avenge him."

Lunara's eyes narrowed, assessing him, and Lu Zheng could sense the weight of her scrutiny. "Power comes with a price, and it seems you've already begun to pay it. But you're not finished yet. You still have a chance, but you need to gather your strength."

He looked at her, desperation creeping into his tone. "How? I'm not strong enough. I can barely move."

"Then you must focus," Lunara instructed, kneeling beside him. "Breathe and center yourself. You have a choice: you can succumb to the pain, or you can use it to fuel your resolve. The poison is still in you, but there's a way to cleanse it. You must embrace the darkness that surrounds you and transform it into strength."

Lu Zheng felt a flicker of hope at her words. "Will you help me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lunara nodded, her expression softening slightly. "I will guide you, but you must be willing to face the darkness within yourself. Only then can you emerge stronger."

As she spoke, Lu Zheng felt the pain start to shift, transforming from a debilitating force into something he could harness. He concentrated on her words, focusing on the flickering flame of determination within him.

"Now, summon the strength to rise," Lunara urged, her voice steady and commanding. "You are not alone in this. Together, we will confront the challenges ahead, and you will reclaim your power."

With her encouragement, Lu Zheng took a deep breath, feeling a spark ignite within him. He was determined to overcome the pain and embrace the path laid before him. He would not allow fear or weakness to hold him back any longer. This was only the beginning of his journey, and he was ready to face whatever awaited him, alongside Lunara.