Chapter 280: Ghosts and Gods as Specimens

Twelve memory pillars, protected by forbidden seals, caused the group to linger only briefly before continuing forward.

Meanwhile.

While Uragawa Mitsu and others remained in the Starry Hall, learning of Tamamo-no-Mae's life, more and more people arrived in waves, thousands entering the hall—numbers nearing ten thousand, including elites from various nations.

Ignoring the crowd, Uragawa Mitsu led Uragawa Chie forward into the Starry Hall.

Along the way, Uragawa Chie did not forget to livestream, earning some extra cash.

"Everyone, want a close look at my brother? See? Isn't he handsome? If any young ladies like my brother, don't be shy—go after him boldly; maybe he'll even be moved."

Uragawa Chie chattered nonstop, still trying to find her brother a girlfriend, like a mother driven to gray hair by her child's marriage prospects.

Uragawa Mitsu, amused and exasperated, tapped Uragawa Chie on the head.

"Chie, if you keep acting up, I won't take you on trips next time."

"No, brother! I'm doing this for your own good! You're the last heir of the Uragawa family! As a member of the Uragawa clan, how can I not think about continuing the lineage? Right? Hehe, besides, you're not getting any younger—you really need someone by your side."

As Uragawa Chie shifted the livestream camera toward Uragawa Mitsu.

"Young ladies, look at my brother—so distinguished, so charming! Action speaks louder than words—what are you waiting for? I'm sure some of you young ladies and girls already like my brother. If you like him, why not chase him boldly? If you're proactive, you'll get everything; if you're passive, you'll get nothing."

"So remember—first come, first served. Opportunity knocks but once."

"I don't mind age—even if you're my age, it's fine. As long as you truly love my brother, I approve."

As she shifted the livestream camera toward Uragawa Mitsu.

The livestream's gift notifications never stopped flashing.

Comments flooded the screen.

【Uragawa-san, I love you! I've liked you since long ago!】

【Uragawa-san, please go out with me.】

【Uragawa-san, recognize me, recognize me, aaaaaahhh!】

【Hmph! Uragawa-san would never be with you common girls—don't even think about it. Only I… aaaaaahhh, Uragawa-san is so handsome!】

【Look here, look here, Uragawa-san! I really like you! I asked a fortune-teller yesterday—we were destined to be together since birth, so I love you!】

Tokyo, Japan, Tsuchimikado residence, study.

Tsuchimikado Xia Mei held her phone, watching the screen flooded with "I love you," her eyes shimmering as she murmured:

"Uragawa-kun is so popular… Did I forget to open the window? Why do I suddenly feel suffocated, like it's getting hot?"

Immediately, she stood, one hand holding her phone, the other reaching to open the window.

Unconsciously, she recalled the first time Uragawa Mitsu came to her home—he had been reading ancient manuscript copies in this study, complaining of heat. She had thought the family's forbidden arts were acting up, startled into a jump, then—just like now—went to open this very window.

Unbidden, images of his expression that day surfaced in her mind—the slightly unsteady, flustered look.

As she thought of it, Tsuchimikado Xia Mei smiled sweetly.

Uragawa-kun's expression back then was so adorable.

Tsuchimikado Xia Mei froze, startled by this sudden thought.

Could it be… I like Uragawa-kun?

Without thinking, she lowered her gaze to the livestream, where Uragawa Mitsu's face was being filmed.

Tokyo, Japan, Mizushima Iori's home.

At this moment, only Iori was home, watching the livestream of Uragawa Mitsu.

"Uragawa-nii! Uragawa-nii!! Uragawa-nii!!! Huh~ huh~ Uragawa-nii~" Mizushima Iori's voice grew louder, nearly distorted, then gradually softened as she panted.

Tokyo, Japan, maid café.

Rikai held her phone, silently watching Uragawa Mitsu in the livestream, saying nothing, just gazing.

But upon closer look, her enchanting, alluring eyes were more beautiful than ever, glowing with seductive radiance, exuding maturity, allure, and fragile grace…

Suddenly, determination flared in her eyes.

"Strength—I must become stronger!"

Inside the palace.

Uragawa Chie's antics made Uragawa Mitsu pinch both her cheeks hard, then turn to the screen.

"Everyone, my sister's just joking—don't take it seriously."

He moved himself out of the phone's frame and walked along the corridor of the Starry Hall.

Inside the Starry Hall stretched a corridor at least a thousand meters long.

Around them, stars were densely scattered, twinkling brilliantly—utterly beautiful, majestic beyond measure. The crowd marveled: clearly, this entire palace was forged from a world, with the heavens as its ceiling.

And this was only a shattered fragment of the palace—vast portions still lay within the ancient city.

Impossible to imagine the grandeur of the intact palace, let alone the boundless scale of the ancient city.

At this moment.

A cold, misty haze appeared before them, faintly revealing a distant high sky, upon which a palace shimmered, half-hidden.

An aura of eternal immutability, inviolable by all laws, washed over them.

"I feel like we've just entered a boss level in a game."

Someone's heart lurched—a wave of reverence rose.

Though the entire palace seemed cleansed of danger by Jiang Taigong's single finger, and they'd encountered no threats so far, no one could guarantee true safety.

As the crowd stepped onto that high sky.

Boom—

A thunderous roar echoed as a colossal white jade staircase descended from the palace above, spanning countless stars and worlds.

It descended.

Stretching all the way to their feet.

Beyond the white jade staircase.

The high heavens changed abruptly, as if a world were about to open yet had not, yin and yang thrown into chaos, earth, wind, water, and fire running rampant, grinding away everything, destroying everything, recasting all—only that white jade staircase remained untouched; whatever drew near was pacified, the sea of suffering could not invade, no tribulation descended!

Earth, wind, water, and fire were suppressed; yin and yang thrown into chaos.

On either side of the white jade staircase floated scattered lamp cups, lighting up the steps; on closer look, beside the staircase hung many mirrors.

Looking at the earth, wind, water, and fire beyond the staircase, at this moment many people understood that if one walked on the steps and carelessly stepped off, death was certain.

Can we go up or not?

Many thought this in their hearts, hesitating on the spot, some losing heart before they even tried.

Kamikawa Mitsu saw that Kamikawa Chie was also afraid; he patted her shoulder: "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Kamikawa Chie nodded, the panic in her heart fading by more than half, her mind settling; she followed Kamikawa Mitsu up the white jade staircase.

Walk up.

In an instant, across the entire white jade staircase, the light from the floating lamp cups flared brighter, all lighting up together, no before or after, illuminating the darkness like a dream, as if the chaotic yin and yang of a world were about to be cleaved open.

They walked up a dozen or so steps in a row.

Nothing happened.

So some people hesitated a moment, gritted their teeth, and followed up, stepping onto the white jade staircase, trailing right behind Kamikawa Mitsu.

……

8)