Chapter 644: Chapter 644: Shadow’s Fear (3)

But that wasn’t the only reason it had been avoiding Li Feng.

There was another reason.

...A reason Shadow had never dared to tell him.

Even now, as it quietly held Li Feng in its arms, that strange feeling began to surface once again.

Shadow instinctively tightened its embrace for a moment before quickly loosening it.

It lowered its head, hiding the complicated emotions behind its mask.

It didn’t know what this feeling was.

But somehow, deep within its existence, it knew that it was something it shouldn’t let grow.

Then, an alluring yet playful voice suddenly echoed deep within Shadow’s mind.

[Ohh~? Such a noble one you are, Sever~]

The voice carried a teasing amusement that seemed almost delighted by Shadow’s struggle.

[Ahh... if it were me, I would’ve already dissolved myself~]

Hearing that, Shadow’s body stiffened slightly.

It immediately recognized that voice.

Its expression behind the mask became complicated.

"..."

Ever since its Authority had been used, that voice had started surfacing in its mind from time to time.

Shadow silently ignored it and continued hugging Li Feng.

Unfortunately, the voice had no intention of letting it go so easily.

[You’re really going to keep pretending you don’t feel anything? Hehe... how cute. Ahhh~ You have no ideaaa how lucky you are right now~ I’m so jealous of you~]

[...So much that I want to change places with you right now~...]

Shadow’s eyes narrowed behind the mask.

It had no idea why that voice had suddenly started appearing in its mind after that incident, but it was becoming increasingly annoying, especially since it kept talking about feelings that Shadow itself didn’t even understand.

But as annoying as the voice was, Shadow had learned to tolerate its teasing.

However, the moment it heard those words, something strange suddenly stirred within it.

The thought of that voice actually changing places with it caused an unfamiliar surge of emotion that Shadow couldn’t explain.

It wasn’t fear, and it wasn’t anger either.

It was something much more instinctive... like...

...Possessiveness.

Before Shadow even realized what it was doing, its arms tightened around Li Feng.

The voice immediately noticed the change and let out a playful laugh.

[Ohhh~? Why are you mad? You should take this opportunity to indulge yourself~ After all... This might be the last time you’ll get to enjoy that warmth~]

The voice paused briefly before continuing in a strangely cheerful tone.

[It’s unavoidable~ You will die when the ’chain’ needs to be cut down~]

"..."

[Are you scared~? Hehe~ Then let me take your place~ I will make sure he is happy—]

Shut up.

[...Ohh~?]

I will make sure... my Master is happy... with my own hands.

With that,

Silence fell within Shadow’s mind.

For once, the playful voice didn’t immediately respond.

It seemed to have been caught off guard by those resolute words.

But then, a few moments later, however, a soft laugh finally echoed through Shadow’s mind.

[I see... Hahahahah~]

The voice sounded genuinely amused, as if it had just discovered something interesting.

[Well then, do your best, Sever—]

[No... Shadow~]

The voice dragged out the last word playfully before falling silent again.

"..."

Shadow said nothing and simply continued holding Li Feng.

For some reason, hearing that name from the voice felt different this time.

The thin slits of light behind Shadow’s skull mask slowly became clearer and brighter, as though something deep within it had finally awakened.

But then—

"Um... Shadow?"

Li Feng’s slightly muffled voice finally came from within its embrace.

"Ehem..."

He coughed lightly before continuing.

"...I don’t think a hug is supposed to last this long."

"Oh, I didn’t mean it like I didn’t like the hug. It’s just..."

Shadow blinked.

For a moment, it didn’t understand what he meant.

Then it finally looked down and realized just how tightly it had been holding Li Feng.

Its arms were wrapped firmly around his body, practically pulling him against its chest.

It had been holding him for so long that Li Feng had barely been able to move.

It immediately loosened its arms and took a small step back.

Li Feng finally took a proper breath and rubbed his chest with a wry smile.

They had actually been hugging for a full ten minutes straight.

Shadow silently looked away.

Li Feng couldn’t help but chuckle at this.

"I guess you really liked the hug."

Hearing that, Shadow nodded frantically.

It was such an enthusiastic response that Li Feng couldn’t help but stare at it for a moment.

"O-Oh? I didn’t know you liked it that much."

He scratched his cheek awkwardly before smiling.

"Well, if you want another hug, you can just ask me. Haha."

The thin slits of light behind Shadow’s skull mask curved into what almost looked like happy crescents at those words.

Seeing Shadow so happy, Li Feng couldn’t help but smile as well.

For a moment, the two simply stood there, quietly enjoying the warmth of the moment.

However, Li Feng’s smile suddenly changed... as a mischievous, almost lewd grin appeared on his face.

"Hehe... and now that we’re done here..."

He rubbed his hands together excitedly.

"It’s time."

Shadow looked at him, clearly wondering what he meant.

Li Feng’s grin widened as he pointed dramatically toward the heavens.

"It’s time to hunt... the Peach Blossom, as per the Heaven’s guidance!"

Shadow was confused by Li Feng’s strange declaration.

Inside the sword, Sword Exalt watched the scene with a warm smile on his old face.

Although he was still somewhat wary of Shadow’s strange existence, he had gradually become less concerned after seeing how naturally Li Feng interacted with it.

From the way the two treated each other, it was obvious that they were quite close.

However, when Li Feng suddenly declared that it was time to hunt the Peach Blossom, even Sword Exalt couldn’t help but blink in confusion.

"Peach Blossom? Heaven’s guidance?"

Shadow seemed just as confused.

The two of them looked at Li Feng at the same time before tilting their heads in perfect sync.

""...?""

_

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Soon,

Li Feng quickly made his way back toward the auction house.

The moment he stepped inside, the atmosphere around him immediately changed.

Right now,

The entire auction hall was a wreck after the chaos.

Tables and chairs had been overturned, the floor was covered in cracks, and traces of battle could be seen everywhere.

Several black-cloaked figures lay motionless across the hall.

Some cultivators were still recovering from the earlier fight, while others were busy checking the damage and helping their injured companions.

Just then, one of the cultivators noticed Li Feng and his eyes widened.

"Oh? The Righteous Sword has returned—"

Before he could finish, Li Feng suddenly shouted angrily.

"Who is the owner of this place?!"

His face twisted into an exaggerated expression of pure fury, his eyes blazing with righteous indignation as if he had just saw some unimaginable injustice.

At the same time, a terrifying wave of pressure erupted from his body and descended upon the entire auction hall.

BOOM!

The air itself seemed to become heavy, and an oppressive force spread through the surroundings, suffocating everyone in the hall.

Everyone’s bodies stiffened as an oppressive force pressed down on them, making it difficult to breathe.

All of the cultivators’ faces immediately turned pale.

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