Chapter 78 The Strangeness in My Heart
When countless searchlights shone, the place where the light converged gradually condensed into a vague figure composed of light. It was not dazzling, but the face twisted into a swirling vortex of flowing light as the halo rotated.
A deep voice emerged from it: "Old Ba, please show your mark."
Xia Feng lifted his hood, and as the light figure projected a straight beam toward him, he removed his mask. A dark purple flower mark suddenly appeared between his eyebrows—this was the hydrangea emblem engraved into his spirit body.
He could replicate it if needed, but this particular mark had been crafted by the Holy Department.
Thanks to Wei Shutong's assistance, the Holy Department possessed extensive information and methods to imitate the Lister family's techniques.
"Old Ba, given the extraordinary circumstances, the Lord King has ordered stricter inspections. I must trouble you to remove your spirit weapon coat, reveal your true form, and display the aura of evil."
The light figure bowed and spoke calmly.
Xia Feng's expression darkened with displeasure, but after a brief pause, he shed the illusory outer layer of the Vermilion Bird Armor. His form shrank into that of an elderly, diminutive man, while a faint aura of evil emanated from him.
The light figure glanced at him and nodded before turning its swirling face toward Mushroom. "And who is this?"
"Can't you tell? Li Hongdou!" Xia Feng grinned. "I don't know what you people in the Six-Tails Society are doing. So many went after Li Hongdou and failed, yet here I am, having caught him."
The light figure verified Li Hongdou's identity once more and quickly confirmed it was genuine.
The alloy door ahead slid open. The light figure bowed and vanished as the searchlights dimmed.
Xia Feng re-donned the illusory outer garment, glanced at Mushroom, and strode forward.
Pingshan Hospital had been reduced to ruins, yet in just a single day, it had been rebuilt with layers of thick walls and reinforced metal doors.
"Haha! Old Ba, you're something else! Not only did you take out two rookies, but you also brought back a trophy!"
A black-robed man wearing a black-bottomed mask marked with the number 7 leaped down from the high wall, his voice cheerful. "As expected of the new member the boss has such high hopes for—you're way too strong!"
Xia Feng studied the newcomer. Based on the Holy Department's intelligence, this man was likely the one designated as Number 7.
"Seems the prince's subordinates aren't quite up to the task."
Xia Feng casually hoisted Mushroom by the collar and smirked. "Let's go. The prince must be getting impatient. Time to deliver this little guy to him."
"Right, let's move."
Under the dim corridor lights, Xia Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. Holding Mushroom like a scruffed chicken, he walked half a step behind the masked man.
According to the intelligence, Number 7 possessed no spirit weapon but had gained an ability called Evil Resolution after becoming a Calamity.
Evil Resolution was a power acquired by certain Calamities whose souls had stabilized—those who had merged with fetal evil beasts through the influence of malevolent deities.
The key difference between Evil Resolution and Spirit Resolution was that users of the former had to offer sacrifices to their patron evil gods. Failure to do so would result in backlash, killing them outright.
In other words, Evil Resolvers were effectively employees of evil deities—perpetually bound to grueling labor, working from dawn till midnight just to survive.
Number 7's particular ability was called Thread.
By forming a contract with a willing target and establishing a shared thread, he could distribute physical damage, pain, pleasure, and other sensations between himself and the other party. The more pain and injury he endured, the greater his physical prowess became.
However, the target had to voluntarily agree to the connection from the bottom of their heart—he couldn't forcibly impose the thread on anyone.
The ability sounded formidable, but its restrictions made it nearly impractical.
Who in their right mind would willingly sign up for such suffering?
If the ability belonged to a beautiful woman, perhaps a few desperate admirers might agree to share her pain and pleasure.
"By the way, Old Ba."
As they walked, the masked man chattered cheerfully. "How did it go last time?"
"Huh? Last time?" Xia Feng feigned confusion, though his heart tightened.
The pressure was building. If this guy started asking about secret memories, it would be hard for him to wriggle out of it.
"Tsk~ Still pretending to be me? My wife," the seven-face man said with a tone of displeasure. He leaned in closer and whispered mysteriously, "My wife tastes pretty good, doesn't she? Want to go another round?"
"?" Xia Feng: (=°Д°=)
As expected, this group of cult members were all some kind of twisted degenerates. Their tastes were truly niche and perverted.
They really lived up to the seventh one-line connection—able to share everything.
Xia Feng thought about it for a moment and replied with a slightly scornful tone, "Average."
"Tsk~" The seven-faced man was suddenly upset, clearly annoyed.
But when he recalled Old Eight's physical condition, he couldn't help but find it funny. He mocked, "Old Eight, looks like your body's falling apart. No wonder you think it was average."
"My wife has a figure, you know. Don't tell me you didn't feel anything!"
Xia Feng had no interest in entertaining this cuckolded grassland lover. He bit his lower lip hard while still holding the mushroom in his hand. His cheeks flushed as he tried to hold back a laugh.
"Old Eight, have some self-control," Cuckold Seven kept jabbering.
I'm controlling myself from punching you, Xia Feng griped inwardly.
At that moment, as the three of them approached the door, a displeased voice rang out from inside—Wang Jue's.
"Zhao Jie isn't back yet?"
"President Zhao tracked down the whereabouts of the cat-faced man, but by the time he arrived, no one was around the No. 004 Wisdom Tree. He's still pursuing him."
"This useless trash!" Wang Jue clearly hadn't expected Zhao Jie to fail at capturing a single person.
"But Lord Wang Jue, the true dream you desired has been constructed. Once we capture Li Hongdou and let her enter the dream to witness Xia Feng's dying state with her own eyes, I believe she'll truly be willing to acknowledge the princess as her mother."
Xia Feng and Mushroom, who were eavesdropping just outside the door, were both slightly stunned when they heard this. Lister's methods were truly endless.
"Knock knock knock!" The seven-faced man pushed open the door.
Everyone inside looked surprised.
Xia Feng took in the scene before him. Inside the ice-blue glazed coffin lay the sealed, stunning Fox Fairy. A red-dressed woman, blindfolded but identical in appearance, stood barefoot on snow-white slender feet. Her delicate neck arched as she gazed up at the long coffin.
The moment he saw the scene, Xia Feng's pupils instinctively dilated, and his heartbeat quickened. A strange sensation stirred within him.
He frowned slightly. Something felt off, but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Maybe it was just because the princess was too beautiful. He had already been amazed the last time he saw her true form, so it was normal to feel a little out of sorts.
Still, the sensation reminded him of that dream he'd had the night before the Prince's birthday banquet.
That dream…
Xia Feng's brows furrowed even deeper.
(End of this chapter)