After a brief silence, Huang Zhi spoke first, "Why now?"

Niu Chang looked directly into her eyes and earnestly asked, "Can't I?"

Raising her eyebrows in a questioning manner, Huang Zhi turned her gaze towards Feng Ning and asked, "What is your opinion on this matter? After all, it was you who was stalling for time."

Although her words seemed to imply something else, Feng Ning remained unaffected. However, deep down, he felt fear at Huang Zhi's perceptiveness.

"Go on," Feng Ning replied with a hoarse voice.

"Ahem, this poem was inspired by you, Little Zhi," Niu Chang said, slightly blushing on his cheek.

The frown on Huang Zhi's forehead deepened, and her mood instantly worsened. "Speak properly," she admonished.

"Well, what I mean is that looking at your great figure allows me to understand the true greatness and beauty of women," Niu Chang's eyes wandered towards specific parts of Huang Zhi's body.

Hearing such blatant words made Feng Ning almost vomit blood and lose control of his qi, causing qi deviation.

A strange smile appeared on Feng Ning's rigid face. "Do you know how to write the word 'death,' boy?"

Having lived for a long time, Feng Ning realized that Niu Chang was as crazy as he appeared. It was impossible for Niu Chang not to understand the seriousness of the situation, but he chose to ignore it.

'Perhaps this boy is not as simple as he looks,' Feng Ning thought. 'The powerful vitality that keeps him alive in that state, and that endless amount of qi. But unfortunately, I can't extract his secret.'

Feeling regret in his heart, Feng Ning observed Huang Zhi's reaction.

"If it's about me, why don't you recite it for me once I'm done dealing with that man? It would be more appropriate," Huang Zhi suggested.

Huang Zhi couldn't understand what Niu Chang was thinking, nor did she bother trying to comprehend his mindset. 'This person simply defies common sense. Trying to understand him only causes harm to oneself.'

The blush on Niu Chang's face faded, replaced by a serious expression. "Well, if it's just the two of us, how could I feel embarrassed by reciting my poem? We are good friends, so naturally, I wouldn't feel embarrassed in front of you. But it would be different with this old man here."

Huang Zhi's forehead reached its limit of frowning, and Niu Chang's reply caused her left eye to twitch.

Feng Ning found himself perplexed. 'Does this boy even speak human language? I can't understand a word he's saying.'

"Are you intentionally trying to embarrass yourself? Because it seems like you're doing a pretty good job already," he responded, bewildered by Niu Chang's words.

Seeking some clarification, he turned his gaze towards Huang Zhi, hoping to find some clues to unravel the mystery. As he observed her equally confused expression, he came to the realization that his confusion was justified.

Huang Zhi kept her eyes on Niu Chang. She felt beyond irritated and confused, and the more she tried to inquire, the more she regretted her decision.

'This boy has already reached a point where he can't connect with other people in this world,' Huang Zhi thought. 'At this point, only he can understand himself.'

"Suit yourself," Huang Zhi said, shaking her head with indifference.

"Alright," Niu Chang smiled softly, his eyes filled with compassion. "Listen carefully and don't shed any tears, okay?"

He winked at Huang Zhi as he finished speaking.

After making her decision, Niu Chang's playful behavior no longer bothered Huang Zhi.

Instead, it was Feng Ning who almost lost control and suffered qi deviation due to the dramatic scene.

Niu Chang calmed his heart and let his thoughts immerse with his emotions. The compassionate smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a soft voice.

"Oh, my beautiful lady,

Once again, I have come to see you. Your enchanting smile still lingers in the depths of my mind.

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My heart aches, consumed by the relentless fire of desire, eagerly anticipating our reunion.

Today, I will not depart until I can inhale the sweet fragrance of your pure body intertwined with that sacred robe. I wonder, will it differ from the cherry blossom petals that gracefully dance around you?

I yearn to feel the fiery breath of your life's essence. I crave the tender touch of your velvety skin, longing to embrace the warmth of your delicate form."

Niu Chang's voice was low, neither too fast nor too slow, but enough to convey his emotions through his words.

Huang Zhi listened attentively. The first line gave her goosebumps, the second line conveyed Niu Chang's strong affection, but the third line made her feel uncomfortable.

The fourth line triggered her sharpened instincts, and before she could grasp the situation, she heard the next line, causing her heart to pound heavily.

A flashback played in her mind, recalling the imagery that Niu Chang referred to in his poem. It suddenly dawned on her, and her eyes dilated in realization. Without a moment's hesitation, her body reacted before her mouth could utter any words.

Feng Ning was puzzled by Huang Zhi's sudden movement and unintentionally revealed his hidden card.

Dark purple qi expanded from his body, forming a pair of hands on his back. The hands, with intricate details, pushed forward, launching palm attacks towards Huang Zhi, buying him some time.

Niu Chang closed his eyes and ignored the changes around him, continuing to recite his poem.

"Alas, the confines of time and space deny our meeting. My senses ache for your presence. I thirst to taste your crimson lips, and I ache to hear the melodious melody of your voice."

As the sixth line ended, Huang Zhi finally understood Niu Chang's intentions. "Stop him!" she shouted at Feng Ning with a clear voice. However, due to her forceful opening, Feng Ning thought it was a smokescreen to confuse him, so he exerted even more power with his palms.

Thanks to Feng Ning's palms blocking Huang Zhi, Niu Chang was able to recite the last line.

"Oh, my beautiful lady in white and red, might you grant this destitute soul the chance to experience your divine embrace?"

Feng Ning suddenly realized something was amiss when he saw the dark expression on Huang Zhi's face, tinged with fear. He finally understood that Huang Zhi's target was not him but the boy he held.

Before he could react, he heard the final line.

Inside Niu Chang's mind, the gray horizon and the gray heaven and earth surrounded him. Only a small area not far away showed something different.

Under the aged cherry blossom tree, cherry blossom petals fell, providing cover for the shrine maiden who stood alone.

She enjoyed the cherry blossom petals, gracefully dancing as part of a sacred rite. Her movements were subtle, almost as if she were doing nothing in particular, blending with her surroundings.

In his original spot upon arriving in this place, Niu Chang smiled upon witnessing the divine dance, expressing his longing through the poem he created.

The strange sensation he experienced during his half-dead state directed his focus towards understanding the longing for the shrine maiden's embrace, which he couldn't comprehend.

Then, upon seeing the transformed Huang Zhi, he used his eyes to capture every detail of true beauty. Despite his curiosity about many things, he prioritized his goal.

Finally, he finished creating his poem and began reciting it. He arrived in this place, seeking the shrine maiden's mercy and requesting her divine embrace.

The shrine maiden, engrossed in her sacred dance, finally paused and turned her head toward Niu Chang.

As if his voice could reach her through the vast expanse separating reality and imagination, she saw Niu Chang.

Hearing the longing in Niu Chang's heart, she accepted his emotions and smiled gently. However, this time, there was no immediate effect.

When the last line was recited, she chose to grant Niu Chang's request. Stepping with butterfly-like grace, she broke free from the restrictions that confined her in this imperfect world.

In the outside world, Niu Chang opened his eyes and smiled, just as the shrine maiden had. The qi inside and around him turned a deep red, radiating affection and longing.

Cherry blossom petals bloomed from the affectionate qi, their shape clear and lifelike. But there was more to behold.

The wind carried the scent of cherry blossoms, along with the temperature and ethereal sounds of spring from a distant place, bringing the essence of spring to this location.

Niu Chang experienced the authentic sensations of the five senses as the qi transformation enveloped him. Even without mentally naming the skill, he unleashed his most powerful technique.

Demonic (Divine) Embrace of the Lady in White and Red.

As if emerging from the imagery surrounding Niu Chang's body, the shrine maiden appeared in this world.

Just as Niu Chang had envisioned this second skill of the Shrine Maiden Under the Sacred Tree, it targeted the five senses. As long as the enemy was unable to block their senses, they would be struck by the Demonic Embrace of the Lady in White and Red.

Let's not discuss the eyes, which could be closed, the nose that could be stopped from breathing, the tongue by sealing the lips, or the ears that could be blocked with something.

The skin, being the largest sense receptor, couldn't be closed or shielded from temperature or the sense of touch.

Behind Feng Ning and Huang Zhi, a red phantom of a lady slowly materialized. She encircled her hands around her target's neck, like an intimate lover.

Made of red qi, her body appeared shallow and hollow on the inside. Yet, her mere presence showcased the immense power of the Demonic Embrace of the Lady in White and Red.

Huang Zhi, who had been charging forward, came to a sudden halt as the red qi penetrated her body, gradually corroding her yellow qi.

The same fate befell Feng Ning.

Witnessing the successful casting of his skill, Niu Chang smiled and softly asked, "My lady, what about me?"