Feng Wenyuan burst into laughter as he watched Bìfāng darting up and down the tree, chasing after the clumsy antics of its shadow companion. These hide-and-seek games had all been Feng's teaching - Bifang spent most days only with its shadow companion without any peers or elders to guide it beyond basic survival skills like hunting, fighting, eating, and sleeping. When Feng taught him these simple childhood pastimes from his own youth, the phoenix hatchling became so excited he dragged Feng into endless rounds of play for two days and nights straight until even the fox collapsed from exhaustion.

Now that Feng had "fallen in battle," Bifang naturally turned to its shadow companion for entertainment. Unfortunately Shadow was a terrible playmate. When asked to find Bifang, it would shout loudly until the phoenix gave up hiding altogether; when asked to be hidden and hunted, it would vanish into some shadowy crevice where even Bifang's sweeping searches couldn't locate it. Now Bifang raged at these game-breaking behaviors: "You should come looking for me yourself instead of making me leave my hiding spot! When you're supposed to hide, you must choose places I can actually find!"

Feng found this scenario both amusing and pitiful. Shadow's careless neglect meant the phoenix received no proper care or training - such a rare celestial beast didn't even deserve harsh treatment in any realm. Yet Shadow made it live a wretched existence of hunger and cold. This reinforced Feng's belief that Bifang deserved better, though he knew removing the phoenix would leave Shadow vulnerable to survival threats. Still, as long as Shadow didn't become too reckless, Feng would continue protecting them both.

Bifang finally tired from playing and curled up on a branch for an unconscious slumber, forgetting Shadow was still hiding in wait. Given Shadow's personality, it likely intended to remain hidden until Bifang awoke and actively sought it out again. As Feng approached the rock shadow where Shadow was concealing itself, he murmured gently: "Bifang is asleep now - you can come out."

The shadow materialized from its hiding place with an almost imperceptible flicker. Feng suddenly realized that while these creatures couldn't become full-fledged demons through cultivation, their ability to vanish into any shadow made them formidable opponents. Tracking such a deceptive enemy in combat could prove extremely challenging if they chose flight over fight. As this thought briefly distracted him, Shadow had already slipped past his shoulder toward the sleeping phoenix - a routine necessity since Bifang required constant protection during its vulnerable sleep.

"I need to speak with you," Feng firmly intercepted Shadow's path.

The shadow hesitated mid-step, glancing between Feng and the sleeping phoenix.

"Trust me, I assure you Bifang will be safe while he sleeps."

Feng had already planned for such scenarios. Their trio had developed a hunting strategy called "Sleeping Lure Method": Bifang would feign unconsciousness at prominent forest locations where demons frequently gathered, while Feng and Shadow lay in ambush nearby. When some greedy demon crept closer to claim the vulnerable phoenix, the two hunters would silently capture their target.

This tactic eventually became ineffective as other demons caught on to Feng's cunning - but it left an enduring effect: no demon dared approach Bifang during his sleep now.

Feng led Shadow away from the sleeping phoenix. Previously Shadow would have stubbornly returned to Bifang regardless of requests, but through prolonged cohabitation, they had grown accustomed to following Feng's plans. He always proposed ideas that transcended their limited perspectives and possessed practical magic skills, so Shadow followed him patiently awaiting his words.

Feng examined his companion - this long-awaited moment now made his hand slightly tremble. Shadow was an honest creature whose reverence for Feng's spells satisfied the fox demon's vanity perfectly. His lifelong dream had been to become a great demon worthy of admiration...

"I... I need to tell you about my past," Feng stammered hesitantly.

Shadow merely observed him, saying nothing.

"You know I'm a fox spirit born into this existence. My parents were also fox spirits, but they were killed by stronger demons when I was young. Survival in those dangerous wilds was hard for any child, just like your struggles with Bifang - always wondering where the next meal would come from, fearing starvation until dusk, or becoming another demon's prey. Yet even compared to wild foxes who must scavenge and hunt for survival, my life as a born demon had value I took pride in. I dreamed of becoming a great demon, avenging my parents' deaths and dominating the wilderness...

...until one day I met a nine-tailed fox."

Feng looked at Shadow's blank expression before shaking his head with amusement at his own foolish question.

"Nine-tailed foxes aren't just ordinary foxes with extra tails. They're born demons, possessing innate supernatural powers that far surpass others from birth. Creatures like us must cultivate for millennia to achieve their base abilities."

Shadow finally showed rare surprise - in his mind, Feng was already formidable, but now there were even more powerful beings than the fox.

Feng sighed, continuing with a mix of pride and bitterness: "My master was a nine-tailed fox couple who saved me during an attack by several demons when I was still small. When I recovered, they took me in rather than discard me as just another common fox demon..."

Shadow instinctively tried to return to Bifang.

"Listen first," Feng gently restrained him.

The story unfolded with growing emotional weight: the rejection he faced from both his peers and elders due to his lowly origins; the cruel treatment by fellow apprentices who resented a wild-born fox among refined nine-tails; the forbidden romance with Yue Ronghuan that shattered when arranged marriages were proposed; the heartbreak of seeing Ronghuan reduced to a hollow shell after being forced into submission...

When Ronghuan's parents finally arrived at Feng's master's home, she appeared gaunt and bloodied from self-inflicted lip wounds. Her silent procession past Feng without even acknowledging his presence nearly broke him completely.

"I'm sorry I have no better story for you to listen to," Feng finished wearily as they returned to the sleeping phoenix. "But remember this: some things are worth fighting for, even when all seems lost."

Rong Huan continued, "I have one condition. Please stop tormenting Wenyuan!" Her parents shouted in unison, scolding her for talking nonsense about that wild fox at such a time. Rong Huan ignored them completely and turned to address my senior apprentice brother: "You told me if I refused your marriage proposal you would bribe your parents to expel Wenyuan then kill him and frame other demons. Now that I've agreed, will you swear before these elders never to do it?"

My sudden understanding clarified everything - why Rong Huan accepted the union, why Senior Brother hadn't driven me away eavesdropping on their conversation. The senior apprentice brother turned crimson with embarrassment as he tried desperately to deny his accusations in front of the elders. But Rong Huan continued: "There's no need for explanations now that I've already agreed to marry you. You won't renege your promise, but I don't trust you'll leave Wenyuan alone because you're a despicable man! Even if we become husband and wife, if anything happens to him in the future you can expect me to confront you without mercy!"

I immediately left quietly as my master's furious reprimands echoed through the hall. I knew despite his current rage he'd eventually forgive Senior Brother - after all, he was a nine-tailed fox, his biological son. But for me, an outcast wild fox, no matter what happened I could never rival him in their eyes. Since Senior Brother had threatened Rong Huan with expelling me, now it was time to leave on my own. Without me as leverage over her, and with elders suspecting him if anything ever happened to me... I wanted to see if without this wild fox luring away their daughter, Rong Huan's parents would still marry her off to such a despicable nine-tailed fox.

With these thoughts, I hurried back to my chambers. To make it seem spontaneous, I took nothing but the sword from my master and the token from Rong Huan. As fellow disciples called out my name in alarm behind me, I reflected on their possible intentions - confronting Senior Brother about his threats? Or were they afraid he might harm me as well? Did they truly believe him capable of such things or had they all been deceiving themselves?

Gazing at the forest home where I'd lived for nearly a century, knowing this parting might be permanent, I resolved to grow stronger. One day I would match those nine-tailed foxes - no, surpass them entirely so I could openly ask Rong Huan's parents: "My strength as a demon far exceeds yours. You can entrust your daughter to me with confidence."

I left behind my letter in the tree hollow where we'd often talked, then journeyed away from my homeland. Decades of wandering taught me even basic survival was difficult for solitary demons. Eventually I chose to enter humanity's realm - harsh for supernatural beings but fewer powerful creatures there. Only recently hearing about the divine beast Bifa here made this decision seem fortuitous.

Feng Wenyan exhaled heavily as Shadow Phantom remained expressionless, "You really aren't suited for Bifa. After explaining so much have you still failed to grasp my intentions?"

"I need power equaling nine-tailed foxes, but years of wandering show it's nearly impossible," he said while drawing his master's sword against Shadow Phantom.

Shadow Phantoms had minimal odds becoming demons in the first place, and Feng Wenyan's travels had taught him their translucent forms made them difficult to wound. They dispersed into mist when attacked yet couldn't retaliate themselves. He'd envisioned countless battles with this one - decisive strikes were essential before Bifa arrived for assistance.

"Target his crown!" he decided. Even if Shadow Phantom dissipated, the sword should prevent complete dispersion.

Totally unprepared, Shadow Phantom had grown accustomed to Feng Wenyan's presence and was focused on his strange words when suddenly struck.

As the demon dissolved into mist merging with forest humidity, Feng Wenyan lingered in silence before departing. Who could blame him? A shadow phantom daring to associate with a divine beast...

Bifa was already awake at the tree where Feng Wenyan arrived breathlessly, yawning and asking, "Where have you been? I'm starving! Where's my meal?"

"He's dead," Feng Wenyan murmured, "killed by someone."

"Impossible!" Bifa cried, eyes widening.

Understanding this was a critical moment, Feng Wenyan raised his voice: "Would I lie to you? Look at these wounds - if not for superior magic arts I wouldn't have escaped! It was Zhou Ju. You know him - the human lord of this forest terrified by your growing power and decided to strike first. We must flee!"

"Still don't believe me!" Bifa roared, tearing vegetation with wings.

"Fact is fact!" Feng Wenyan insisted as distant noises interrupted their argument, "We need to go now before they come here!"

"No! I'll find him first!" Bifa declared.

"Just listen - when you grow stronger we can return for vengeance. Now hurry!" Feng Wenyan urged.

As they struggled, Bifa suddenly froze: "Where did your sword come from?"

Feng Wenyan glanced at his weapon. He'd hidden its origins to mask strength. This master-forged blade had saved him countless times during wanderings - today it killed Shadow Phantom.

"This?" he shrugged carelessly, "Just a trinket from my master."

"That's... yours?" Bifa asked hesitantly.

"Yes," Feng Wenyan answered easily. Even if tempted for the sword's power, acquiring Bifa would be worth any sacrifice.

Suddenly Bifa lunged, knocking away the weapon: "You killed him!"

"What nonsense!" Feng Wenyan staggered back, "I was with him when attacked - I just happened to survive! I came here to warn you..."

But Bifa was already advancing furiously. The sword's residual energy revealed all. Feng Wen and realized too late how cleverly the beast had unraveled his deception.

"Stop!" he pleaded desperately as Bifa closed in, "I'm your friend - don't be rash!"

Fire burned in Bifa's eyes as it advanced with terrifying intensity unlike its usual playful demeanor. The rage radiating from this divine beast was hotter than any flame.

"I can do better for you," Feng Wenyan stammered backwards, "Better food, travel the world..."

"You murdered my father!" Bifa screamed finally, "You killed him!"

"No - it was an accident! He wasn't careful!"

"You murdered... my... father..." The realization struck like lightning. Shadow Phantom had become more than just a companion.

Bifa seized his collar, eyes blazing: "I'll burn you to ashes and drown them in the river!"

"But we're friends!" Feng Wenyan protested.

"Never again! You killed my father!" Bifa howled, "Now fight me!"

Feng Wenyan scrambled for excuses while dodging attacks: "He was just using you - a weak shadow phantom who couldn't survive without your help. You're far greater than that!"

"I'll start roasting from here," Bifa muttered, already planning to try reviving Shadow Phantom under the sun.

Shadow Phantom awoke in bramble thickets as mere mist. He sensed Feng Wenyan's absence and quickly relocated elsewhere, hiding carefully before emerging when certain of safety.

The attack puzzled him - most predators either wanted Bifa or sought vengeance for lost kin. But since Bifa hadn't consumed any family... Wait! Feng Wenyan had desired the divine beast!

Panic struck as Shadow Phantom rushed toward their separation point. He attempted to reconstitute a form, surprising himself with ease despite recent trauma. Rushing through twilight woods unaware of another shadow trailing him.

After their confrontation left Feng Wenyan cornered under trees, Bifa preparing final strike when suddenly stopped by Shadow Phantom's appearance. The divine beast joyfully cried: "You're alive! I knew he was lying!"

Feng Wenyan turned to see the two reunited with affectionate gestures - Shadow Phantom unharmed and expressionless.

Shadow Phantom leapt forward as Bifa landed, both launching attacks in their signature strategy. Feng Wenyan barely raised his sword before realizing this tactic now worked against him.

"Wait! I have something important to say!" he cried desperately.

Their attacks paused confusingly. "Why fight?" asked Bifa.

"He tried to kill me," Shadow Phantom declared coldly.

"But wasn't it just play?" Bifa questioned, still not grasping the reality of events.

Feng Wenyan sighed: "We were friends once. Must you kill me?"

Shadow Phantom gave no expression as he answered simply: "If you try to kill me, I will kill you."

Feng Wenyuan sighed again. "Do you think Bei Fang is happy living with you like this? It's a powerful spiritual beast, yet you let it follow you through such a wandering life. Don't you feel guilty toward it? Haven't you been too selfish by tying Bei Fang to yourself just for your own safety? Shouldn't it have a better life in an environment more suitable for its nature?"

Shadow Demon listened silently as he always did, offering no response at all. Just when Feng Wenyuan thought perhaps his words might persuade him, sudden agony pierced his back, silencing him mid-sentence. Bei Fang's sharp beak had plunged into his heart, injecting both searing flames and death through the wound. "You..." Feng Wenyuan hadn't expected the killing blow would come from the Bei Fang behind him. He heard its hiss to Shadow Demon: "I hate hearing him speak ill of you! Oh no, I went too far - now he's inedible!" The thought of Rong Huan waiting for his return tore through his mind... All regrets and frustrations vanished from Feng Wenyuan's consciousness at this moment. Only one desperate wish remained - to reunite with Rong Huan, whose promise of eternal companionship still echoed...

As Shadow Demon watched the body first burn into fox form in the flames, then stop struggling before finally turning to ash, an unprecedented thought surfaced in his mind - he suddenly longed to sigh and furrow his brow just as Feng Wenyuan often did. Bei Fang impatiently urged beside him: "Let's hunt! I'm starving now - what a shame, no one left to play hide-and-seek with anymore. Don't look at me, I won't play with you anymore..."

Shadow Demon disappeared into the forest with Bei Fang gone. A shadowy figure that had been trailing behind stepped forward from concealment, gazing at the pile of ashes while sighing and furrowing its brow.

Today proved lucky for Shadow Demon - he quickly captured both a Huan Dog and a Ju Ru. Sated, Bei Fang curled in his embrace to sleep. Shadow Demon sat high on a tree branch basking in sunlight, this being his only known pleasure as an emotionless spirit beast merely observing the sun.

"Hello."

He looked up to find an elderly man trembling slightly on another tree branch offering greeting. Shadow Demon had never spoken with any creature outside of Bei Fang and Feng Wenyuan beyond battle grounds, so he remained silent in cautious observation.

"The view is pleasant," the old man sat beside him, "you have good taste."

"View..." Shadow Demon didn't understand this word. To him it was merely a place to sunbathe unobstructed.

"A lot of spirits have been killed recently, right?" The elder shifted topics directly.

"Food?"

"You kill them just for eating?"

"They eat."

"There's plenty of food in the forest - why consume your own kind!" The elder's voice grew stern.

"They like it."

"Merely because they prefer to devour you!" His fingers tightened into fists unconsciously.

"They also eat - monkeys, birds, tigers, wolves... grass... everyone eats and gets eaten." Shadow Demon struggled to express his understanding through limited vocabulary.

The elder studied him intently before loosening his grip: "What if one day you become food yourself?"

"I don't eat, so I cannot be eaten."

"And what about Bei Fang being devoured?"

"Bei Fang?"

He pointed at the creature in Shadow Demon's hands.

"No way!" Shadow Demon tightened his hold. "It can't be consumed - it's forbidden." In his consciousness, this specific Bei Fang was fundamentally different from other creatures that could become food; it represented something immeasurably precious to him.

"Hahahaha..." The elder burst into laughter. "After living so long, I've finally met such an interesting Shadow Demon!" He jumped down from the branch and gestured: "Come with me."

Shadow Demon suddenly said while watching him: "I remember seeing you before." He recalled encountering many spirits gathered together once, this old man being their revered center.

"Follow me already! Don't be annoying - do you think I'll take just any Shadow Demon?"

As these memories flowed back, Zhou Ying's face softened with a faint smile.

Zhou Ju represented his most treasured memory. It was from that time he and Huo Er gained this master and father figure - the best fortune of their lives. Reflecting now on what might have been without Zhou Ju, would they still be wandering forests as outcasts? Still struggling daily for food? In truth Feng Wenyuan had spoken correctly; such a life benefited Huo Er nothing at all.