Chapter 57: Shenle Dance

Martial Dao Tianren?

Feels alright.

Though my strength still feels rather ordinary—I still struggle to split a large mountain.

But at least I’ve escaped the low-martial world’s plight of ten meters per step.

Hermes was already a key focus of the chat group; as soon as he uploaded this martial Dao technique, he was quickly noticed.

Master of Huashan: “@Open Wisdom, Ning Qingyu here—thank Itachi, Lord Hermes!”

Master of Huashan: “With this Primordial Pure Yang Art, our Huashan Sect now has a path to further advancement!”

After carefully reading the mall’s description of this technique, Ning Qingyu was overjoyed.

Although, since Li Hanyi joined the group, Ning Qingyu had already preliminarily broken free from the limitations of martial Dao techniques.

But.

Though both are martial Dao techniques, after careful study, Ning Qingyu realized the martial philosophies of their two worlds still differed significantly.

These techniques suit Li Hanyi’s world—but here, in ours, they seem ill-fitting?

Cultivation is still possible.

After all, the chat group mall’s localization capability is quite reliable.

Yet, to truly cultivate, certain auxiliary resources available in Li Hanyi’s world may not exist here.

So.

In this time, despite obtaining a higher-tier technique, Ning Qingyu’s progress has not been nearly as great as expected!

But now—this [Primordial Pure Yang Art] perfectly adapts to our world!

How could this not make Ning Qingyu overjoyed?

Open Wisdom: “Just study martial Dao a bit—no need to get excited.”

Omniverse Big Female Lead: “@Master of Huashan, don’t get so worked up over something this minor. Wait until a fellow citizen develops a martial Dao path to immortality before celebrating—right now, just watch the livestream!”

Luo Qianqiu glanced at the chat interface and felt speechless.

A mid-martial-level technique has them this excited?

Let's be honest, Ning Qingyu's starting point in this low-martial world is still too low.

Now, Kikyo has begun her actions and opened her livestream.

Warring States Shrine Maiden: “The shrine is built, the villagers are mobilized—I’m about to begin the ritual.”

Omniverse Big Female Lead: “Envious—how lucky is Hermes to have gotten Kikyo?”

Kikyo!

She’s a gifted, pure-hearted Warring States shrine maiden!

Though her omniverse world has many outstanding female leads.

But honestly, Luo Qianqiu admits each of these heroines has her own charm—but even she, deep down, doesn’t believe any of them can truly rival Kikyo.

Moreover, Kikyo has joined the chat group—her future achievements are limitless!

Star Voyager: “@Omniverse Big Female Lead, how can Itachi say that? The boss earned this through strength! What do Itachi mean ‘so lucky’?”

Star Voyager: “Still, Kikyo’s charm is truly hard to resist.”

Watching the livestream, Kikyo wore a seemingly plain shrine maiden’s robe.

Yet through the chat group’s perspective, Kage saw Kikyo’s ink-black hair, translucent skin, and exquisitely refined features—cold yet radiant, as if shaped by heaven and earth’s spirit.

Her calm, obsidian eyes held faint threads of sorrow…

The shrine maiden’s sanctity and the warrior’s sternness were perfectly embodied—what a compassionate savior of suffering mortals!

Honestly, even Kage felt a whisper of envy—not just the group owner.

“Lady Kikyo, all is prepared.”

The village chief, appearing far older than his thirty-some years, bowed deeply.

Reality differs from anime: as a protector whose power stems from within, Kikyo holds a transcendent status here.

Beyond her duty to guard the land, all other matters are cared for by the villagers.

Otherwise, after slaying demons, she’d have to farm and cook—wouldn’t that be absurd?

Kikyo nodded, gently touching the sacred bell at her chest, making it ring with a clear, melodious tone.

At sunset—the hour of demons.

Kikyo deliberately chose this time to perform the ritual.

In the past, she might have feared this hour, even leaving the village to ambush demons attempting to strike.

But.

Now, it’s unnecessary.

On the open ground outside the shrine, villagers had already gathered.

Since hearing that Great Shrine Maiden Kikyo intended to perform the Invoking God ritual, the villagers had erupted in excitement—no encouragement, no mobilization needed.

In an era where merely surviving is a luxury, their yearning for divine protection is unimaginable to those in peaceful times.

Thus, there’s no need to doubt their sincerity—or their faith!

Drumbeats rose, deep and solemn, echoing over the dusk-shrouded shrine.

Kikyo stepped slowly onto the pre-built stage, her shrine maiden robes stirring without wind.

Kikyo gazed at the villagers below, at her sister, and at the quietly opened livestream—all eyes now focused on her.

At this moment, Kikyo’s hands rested before her chest, as if pleading to unseen deities.

A faint smile touched her lips, yet invisible faith surged around her, granting her an untouchable divine dignity.

Her steps were light and slow; the sacred bell chimed in rhythmic, clear, melodious tones, drawing forth the villagers’ faith.

Dots of golden light appeared above the shrine, rising like fireflies, gathering around Kikyo—faith made manifest, prayer given form!

Outside Feng Village, several great demons were stirred by this sudden commotion.

“Is this… an Invoking God ritual?”

A colossal, sky-blocking “centipede” shifted its body, unleashing torrents of demonic energy.

The Hundred-Legged Demoness stared at the golden light gathering in the distance—her eyes flickered with greed and longing, yet also faint fear.

Before this era, it was the age of divine dominion.

Back then, demons could barely cower in corners beneath divine might.

Had the gods not needed us demons to play the “villains” to gather human faith…

They would have purged us long ago.

Fortunately.

The age of gods has long passed—now, it is the age of demons!

“The gods have vanished from heaven and earth—Great Shrine Maiden Kikyo surely knows this well!”

A formless, shapeless great demon’s voice appeared out of nowhere.

This was Wanxiang Mian—a higher-tier demon than the Hundred-Legged Demoness, a possessing demon formed from the convergence of countless spirits.

He/She coveted Kikyo’s body, seeking to seize the identity of this peerless shrine maiden and escape her current rootless state!

“Hehehe~”

“What else could it be? Even a Great Shrine Maiden, Kikyo is still just a human!”

The Flying Locust Demon, wings flapping, revealed a gloomy, wary expression: “Perhaps she senses the pressure we’ve applied—she’s gathering faith to prepare a deadly counterattack?!”

“Are we just going to watch?”

“Of course not! Wait—until the shrine maiden’s preparations reach their critical moment…”

“Prepare now—then strike for a single, fatal blow!”