Han Yu observed his newest creation finding its form impressive. Though the most eye catching part of it was its face.

It was locked in rage, in a permanent expression of fury.

Its eyes glowed with a deep red light, burning with intensity.

The aura it released filled the workshop.

It was violent, oppressive and of a primal fury.

Han Yu remained still as he watched and waited for his creation's reaction.

The Jiangshi looked at him.

For a moment, there was silence.

Then it spoke.

"Master…"

Its voice was rough.

Broken.

"Who… kill… I?"

Han Yu blinked once.

Then slowly…

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"…so that is what anger creates."

Han Yu did not rush through the testing of the Anger Jiangshi. If anything, he slowed down, taking a far more deliberate approach than he had with the previous ones.

This creation radiated raw power, and while it remained obedient, its presence carried an inherent danger that could not be ignored. Strength without control often led to catastrophe, and Han Yu had no intention of becoming a victim of his own creation.

He began with materials.

From his storage ring, he took out several metal ingots, each one carefully selected. These were not ordinary materials. Thousand Refined Spirit Steel, Deep Ocean Iron, Black Vein Alloy, and even a small slab of Star Tempered Bronze were placed in front of the Jiangshi.

Each of these metals required significant effort to shape or break, even for cultivators.

Han Yu pointed at the first ingot.

"Break it."

The Anger Jiangshi did not hesitate.

It stepped forward and grabbed the Thousand Refined Spirit Steel with both hands. Its fingers dug into the surface with alarming ease. A moment later, it tightened its grip.

Crack!

The sound echoed sharply.

The ingot split apart as if it were brittle wood rather than refined metal.

Han Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Again."

The Jiangshi moved to the Deep Ocean Iron.

This material was denser and far more resistant. It carried a natural heaviness along with a resistance to Qi itself.

The Jiangshi raised its arm and brought it down.

The impact was direct; the iron bent then fractured!

KACHA

Within seconds, it had been broken into uneven chunks scattered across the ground.

Han Yu observed silently, then moved on to the next.

Each material met the same fate.

Cut.

Crushed.

Torn apart.

The Jiangshi did not show hesitation, nor did it exhibit any fatigue. Its movements remained aggressive and straightforward, relying entirely on overwhelming force.

Han Yu folded his arms slightly.

"In terms of raw power…"

He did not finish the sentence.

The conclusion was obvious.

This Jiangshi surpassed all his previous creations in physical strength.

He considered testing it against the other Jiangshi, but dismissed the idea immediately. There was no benefit in risking damage to his more refined units. The outcome was already clear.

Instead, he chose a different method.

He stepped forward.

"Attack me."

The Jiangshi's eyes flared slightly, and it moved instantly.

Its claw came down with immense force.

Han Yu raised his arm, activating Abyssal Frost Qi. A layer of dark ice formed over his skin, dense and reinforced, capable of withstanding significant impact.

The claw struck.

A sharp sound followed.

Crack.

Han Yu's arm trembled slightly.

The frost layer fractured.

Not completely, but enough to reveal the strength behind the attack.

Han Yu stepped back, his expression calm, though his mind was fully engaged.

"It can breach my defense."

That alone placed it in a different category.

He tested a few more exchanges, confirming the same result. Each strike carried enough power to challenge his defensive techniques. While he could still withstand it, the margin was far narrower than before.

Satisfied, he raised his hand.

"Stop."

The Jiangshi halted immediately.

Han Yu lowered his guard and looked at it carefully.

Power was its defining trait. But something else was equally clear.

"Unrefined," he said quietly.

The Jiangshi lacked finesse.

Its attacks were direct, almost primal. It did not adapt or strategize the way the Fear Jiangshi did. It did not show the cognitive responsiveness of the Joy Jiangshi. Even the Trust Jiangshi displayed better coordination in complex tasks.

This one relied on instinct. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

On aggression.

On overwhelming force.

Han Yu nodded slightly.

"That is its nature."

It was not a flaw.

It was a role.

A weapon designed for direct confrontation.

A destroyer.

Han Yu turned away, his thoughts already moving ahead.

"Foot soldiers," he said softly.

This Jiangshi would excel in large scale conflict. It would not require delicate handling or precise commands. It would simply need direction and targets.

And perhaps most importantly… It obeyed him completely.

Even without the stabilizing influence of Trust or the expressive nature of Joy, it recognized him as its master. Its first instinct had been to seek his command.

Who to kill.

That was its purpose.

Han Yu allowed himself a faint smile.

Three months.

That was how long it had taken.

Three months of continuous experimentation, refinement, and risk.

And the result… Was a new foundation.

He now possessed multiple variants of Jiangshi, each with distinct capabilities. Trust for stability and obedience. Joy for intelligence. Sadness for mental erosion. Fear for personalized illusion. Anger for raw destruction.

Each one had a role.

Each one had potential.

And all of them…

Were his.

Han Yu's gaze sharpened slightly.

"This is more than a breakthrough," he thought. "This is leverage."

He could already see how they could be introduced into the sect. Improved Jiangshi were always welcomed. If he presented these as enhanced variants, they would be accepted quickly. Their superior performance would ensure widespread use.

And through them… Control.

The final authority would remain with him.

The only uncertainty lay in one question: Detection.

Could others sense the Eight Emotions energy within these Jiangshi?

If they could, everything would fall apart.

If they could not… Then this would become his greatest hidden weapon.

Han Yu did not delay.

He stored the Jiangshi within his rings, sealing them carefully, and made his way to the Puppet Peak.