Chapter 114: Four-Tailed Fox · Epic Level, Everyone Calls the Soul Seal Loyal (8.1k, please vote for monthly tickets!)

"Non-taboo Yin-Yang techniques or breathing technique classics can be browsed freely... historical archives should be included too, right?"

Uesugi Toru asked Nakajima Onmyoji, whose attitude had completely changed.

Nakajima nodded, hesitated for a moment, and said: "Theoretically, yes."

The reason he said "theoretically" was because of Rituna Minami's existence in Arakawa Ward; if placed in other administrative districts, those three words could be completely removed.

Ever since the Five Person Council decided to designate Arakawa Ward as a pilot area and grant Rituna Minami unprecedented power, she could almost be said to have absolute authority in Arakawa Ward.

It was precisely because of this that within just one week, Arakawa Ward restored order with extremely exaggerated efficiency.

It could even be said that post-disaster reconstruction was almost completed by the third day, and the remaining few days were just finishing touches.

Exorcising yoma, calming hearts, launching full-scale search and rescue, rebuilding ruins, settling victims...

None of these tasks were simple; they could be said to require consuming massive manpower and resources.

If placed before the Wave, the Arakawa Ward government wouldn't know how long they'd discuss and pass the buck before making a decision, and how long after that before the decision was truthfully conveyed to the grassroots.

Not to mention one week, even with help from other wards, restoring order in Arakawa Ward within one month wasn't necessarily possible.

But Rituna Minami completed everything with thunderous efficiency within one week, and on the seventh day officially put Arakawa Ward back on the normal track, handing the Five Person Council a nearly perfect efficiency report.

Therefore, the original Onmyo Daizoku Kondo Tomoya was also reassigned by the Five Person Council to a more frontline place—according to his request.

However, although Arakawa Ward appeared to have settled, yoma or mononoke lurking in the dark definitely existed, and their numbers definitely wouldn't be small—at least more than before the Wave arrived.

This was an unavoidable matter.

So to minimize yoma harm as much as possible, and prevent the previous situation where the Youdao Sect's Nue dispatched just two living beings causing thousands to die, become demented, or lose their memories, the Special Affairs Division had to push the trend of everyone cultivating even more.

This way, not to mention fighting yoma, at least ordinary people could have some warning and self-protection ability.

"Theoretically?"

Uesugi Toru chewed on this word for a while, recalled what he had seen and heard after the Wave, and roughly understood Nakajima's roundabout meaning.

He didn't expect Nanjo Sister's prestige to be so great that subordinates hardly dared to directly mention her name.

He asked again: "So besides that?"

"It's said one can also choose their own teachers?" Nakajima's tone carried some uncertainty, "I'm not too clear on the more detailed places either, Uesugi classmate, maybe you should personally go ask Nanjo Daimyo, after all she recommended you."

Uesugi Toru didn't insist, shook hands with Nakajima: "Thank you, Mr. Nakajima, for clearing up my confusion."

"No no, I hope what I said can help Uesugi classmate."

Nakajima smiled, and after exchanging contact information, bid farewell to Uesugi Toru's group of three—the first Yin-Yang Technique class hadn't ended yet.

Seeing off Nakajima and his assistant's departure, Uesugi Toru then saw several Special Affairs Division staff members greet them before tidying up the classroom just used to measure Spirit Absorption Speed.

Taking Shizuku and the somewhat dazed Kitano Runa to a secluded place with no one around, Uesugi Toru took out his mobile phone and dialed Rituna Minami's number.

Kitano Runa was startled upon seeing the contact's name,

"Huh? Is it really okay to directly call that Nanjo Adult?"

If placed in the past, she wouldn't have had any reaction, after all Kitano Runa often saw Rituna Minami alone running to the doorway to smoke when she stayed at the Special Affairs Division.

They had even chatted a few words about this and that.

But these past few days, whether news or television layouts were all filled by Rituna Minami.

Corrupt officials, incompetent officials, nepotists... if unwilling to give up everything they had previously obtained, then the ending would only have one word left.

And those with more serious circumstances wouldn't even have a chance.

Uesugi Toru was confused: "It's almost noon twelve now, the superior who made her work overtime is gone, Nanjo Sister surely isn't still sleeping at this time, right?"

That's not what I meant...

Kitano Runa laughed it off and didn't speak anymore.

Soon, the phone was connected.

But what came through was not Rituna Minami's voice, but another voice all three of them were very familiar with:

"Hello, please speak if you have business."

Shizuku leaned close to the mobile phone and asked loudly: "Hello hello hello? Is it Manatsu?"

Shizuma Manatsu on the other side was obviously stunned by Shizuku, but she quickly reacted: "Shizuku, do you have something to tell me? Nanjo Daimyo is working, I'll pass it on to you after..."

Shizuma Manatsu hadn't finished speaking when she gasped in surprise a few times, then said: "Wait a moment, Nanjo Daimyo is coming to answer the phone."

The next moment, Rituna Minami's voice came from far to near: "Miss Tokugawa and Uesugi-kun? I think you definitely came to ask about that Potential Assessment System, right."

Uesugi Toru smiled: "Nanjo Sister truly knows everything, I just found out I became the so-called 'Seed', so I wanted to ask what benefits this thing can get."

The sound of typing on a keyboard echoed for a while, then Rituna Minami made an 'oh' sound: "So you've already talked with Nakajima, then I'll briefly explain."

"First is Uesugi-kun, the Special Affairs Division will arrange a new residence for you. You should have experienced the effect of the Spirit Gathering Barrier, and your house will be set up with high-level Spirit Gathering Barriers, Tranquil Barriers...

Of course, gyms and sufficiently spacious dojos will also be found places to open.

In short, Astronomy Dao Onmyoji will be asked to turn your new house into a cultivation treasure land while arranging it to be watertight."

Rituna Minami: "That way you and Miss Tokugawa can have enough space to cultivate after school."

Shizuku's eyes lit up, and she said in a coquettish voice: "Thank you, Nanjo Sister~"

New house.

Not bad... Nanjo Sister actually remembered that stunning glance when facing off with Oni Taisho.

Although Uesugi Toru originally planned to buy a house with his extra money, now that there was an arrangement, it could be considered saving quite a bit of money.

Moreover, Astronomy Dao Onmyoji will arrange various enhancement barriers, maybe he could secretly learn a thing or two by then.

After the Wave arrived, Uesugi Toru went back to his hometown once and found that Oni Taisho at home had suddenly disappeared, not knowing where he ran to cause trouble for others as a new father.

Although it was a pity he didn't get to settle accounts with Oni Taisho, the disappearance of the calamity was after all a good thing.

But even so, Uesugi Toru no longer planned to live in his original hometown.

Not to mention the space wasn't large and inconvenient for his own cultivation, the balcony occasionally spawning stray Tokoyo Yoma was also an unstable factor.

As time passes, the distance between Tokoyo and Genjitsu will only get closer; if one day while he was exploring Tokoyo a high-star yoma suddenly spawned on his balcony, it would be a big problem.

However, the "Monster Spawner Phenomenon" on this balcony has also been reported to the Special Affairs Division; let's hope they can solve it.

Rituna Minami: "Other requests can also be raised; the Special Affairs Division will try its best to satisfy them — this charter also needs you to help perfect it together."

Uesugi Toru responded, thinking to himself that it was fortunate he wasn't the one going to work for the Special Affairs Division, but rather the Special Affairs Division working for him; otherwise, time would be wasted again on accepting commissions and obtaining so-called contributions.

That would be far from worth it.

"Naturally." Rituna Minami slightly raised her volume, "While bringing rights and welfare, you naturally must shoulder equivalent responsibilities."

Uesugi Toru blinked and asked: "Is it a fixed quota of how many Yokai to exorcise each month?"

"—No, it is to Become Stronger."

Rituna Minami said blandly: "Become Stronger at the fastest speed in the shortest time; aside from that, the vast majority of things you need not consider — this is also the meaning of the Potential Assessment System's existence."

"—Before the next Wave, perhaps a Full-Scale Wave, arrives, the Special Affairs Division needs more Great Onmyoji and Sword Saints who can hold their own, not mere mediocrities who can only fight shrimp soldiers and crab generals."

Uesugi Toru and Shizuku looked at each other, both seeing irrepressible delight in the other's eyes; an Official Organization this open-minded is truly rare.

Rituna Minami continued: "Therefore, naturally, there will also be strength Assessments every month."

"From C-Rank to S-Rank, and then the Seeds of each division, the Assessment content is also very simple — everyone fights one bout and that's it.

Strong Prevail, Weakling fall. It's just that simple a principle."

Uesugi Toru nodded: "As it should be."

Having enjoyed more Resources, one must become even more Powerful; otherwise, it is a waste of Cultivation Resources.

As for how exactly to fight and what the specific Rules are, Uesugi Toru need not worry; he believed Nanjo Sister and the Special Affairs Division could handle such matters properly.

"Right." Rituna Minami seemed to suddenly recall something, "Almost forgot to mention, I nominated Tokugawa Miss's Potential as S-Rank; because I cannot recommend two Seeds simultaneously, so please, Tokugawa Miss, work hard on your own next month."

Shizuku rubbed her fists in anticipation: "Understood, understood."

Huh? I fight Shizuku?

Kitano Runa beside her gaped, a look of utter despair — she thought this defective S-Rank who couldn't even understand the Basic Spirit Absorption Method would probably be cruelly eliminated next month.

Uesugi Toru, meanwhile, was pondering.

If he could thereby duel many powerful Rivals skilled in Swordsmanship or Yin-Yang Technique, would his Skill Proficiency grinding speed not become much faster?

Uesugi Toru had often fought Yokai to the death before, but rarely sparred.

But one Phenomenon was very Obvious — the stronger the Yokai he fought, the more his Skill Proficiency increased.

This Phenomenon should be even more applicable to human Cultivators whose Technique levels are usually higher than their own Attributes.

He craved more worthy Rivals!

Thinking of this, Uesugi Toru also grew slightly expectant of those unseen Rivals; he asked: "Then, will we spar with Seeds from all of Tokyo, or even nationwide, in the future?"

Rituna Minami replied while typing on the keyboard: "Tokyo is possible, but nationwide would be somewhat Difficult..."

The sound of a lighter ignited; she seemed to have lit a Cigarette first, then said displeasedly,

"This system was developed and promoted by the Special Affairs Division; although recommended to the Onmyoryo, that side doesn't seem to buy it; as for those Small Places' Noble Families who value Bloodline, and Dojos that value Inheritance, even less need be said."

"—Later there will be an Imperial Precedent Grand Tournament; whether this system can be promoted nationwide will depend on your performance then."

Remnants and stragglers of the Old Era.

Uesugi Toru and Shizuku's hearts simultaneously flashed with this thought; he sighed: "Business is about done... Nanjo Sister, are you on speaker now?"

"Wearing Headphones, you speak."

Uesugi Toru then said: "How is Manatsu's situation?"

"Pretty good, Work Attitude serious, also willing to endure hardship and work Overtime diligently; although many aspects still seem a bit unfamiliar, overall Adaptation is good. Rest assured, with me Protecting her, there won't be any Workplace Bullying."

Uesugi Toru almost laughed out loud hearing this; in today's Arakawa Ward, anyone bullying Rituna Minami truly thinks the Nine Clans are too few; rows of Precedent grave grass haven't even grown yet.

He thanked Rituna Minami and hung up, turning to see Shizuku staring blankly.

"Nothing."

Shizuku smiled: "Just suddenly remembered Manatsu used to say even if she became a Convenience Store Clerk, she absolutely wouldn't enter the Workplace... everyone's changed, huh."

Kitano Runa shrank behind her, a bit wanting to say what about me, how come I haven't changed.

But she still didn't speak to break this slightly sentimental atmosphere.

But such an atmosphere only lasted ten-odd seconds before Shizuku herself broke it.

She clapped her hands heavily: "Since the extra matters are done, Uesugi-kun, let's begin today's Cultivation!"

Cultivation.

Hearing these two words, Uesugi Toru's whole body involuntously sent waves of phantom pain — these days, never mind how satisfyingly Shizuku beat him.

Ever since Shizuku grasped the so-called "Domain" technique on the day the Wave Came, she could strike arbitrarily within a radius of roughly ten zhang around her.

The specific Operation Mechanism principle of this Idealistic Ability Uesugi Toru completely did not understand; he only knew Shizuku, by continuously beating him, made this new ability more and more proficient.

Up, down, front, back, left, right — no matter which Direction, Shizuku could attack from it.

To the point that now Uesugi Toru could finally let go and go all out, trading blows evenly with Shizuku without using Spirit Power.

And during training, Shizuku could even act like an outside Guidance teacher, constantly pointing out his Swordsmanship problems.

Both gave each other greater Pressure, simultaneously increasing each other's Progress speed.

Only, Shizuku consumed Mental Power, while Uesugi Toru took the beating on his flesh.

Uesugi Toru twisted his Neck, strode toward the Dojo: "Come on!"

—But for the sake of continuing to rapidly increase Swordsmanship and Breathing Technique Proficiency, this bit of Suffering is nothing at all!

Kitano Runa followed behind them, having already downloaded the Special Affairs Division's APP, preparing to check her S-Rank's specific Welfare benefits.

Before long, Uesugi Toru and Shizuku arrived at the lively Kendo Dojo.

Unlike before when everyone went to classrooms for cultural classes and it was deserted.

After the Wave Came, these students who had achieved results in Swordsmanship training or had some talent could autonomously choose when to come to the Dojo to train.

The dojo, where the sound of bamboo swords striking had been incessant, was suddenly mixed with quite a few exclamations the moment Uesugi Toru and the other appeared.

Someone stopped what they were doing and called out to everyone: "The President, the President has come to cultivate!"

A beginner's eyes shone: "Can we see Goddess Tokugawa air-slash and beat up the Endurance King again?"

"What air-slash." Kondo Eiji, who was instructing beginners, struck a knife-hand on his head. "That's called 'Sword Domain', an ultimate technique only legendary ancient sword saints can master."

Having said that, Kondo Eiji looked with a somewhat complex expression at the girl who was smiling and waving to everyone.

That Tokugawa who once bowed to him requesting teaching had already thrown herself far behind him.

"Uesugi-kun isn't called the Endurance King!" A girl was dissatisfied. "Besides him, who else can spar with the President? If you can do it, you go up!"

That beginner smiled wryly: "Then forget it."

The two at the center of the discussion didn't even turn their heads, completely not caring about these words.

And soon, the originally crowded dojo cleared out a sufficiently spacious area for them.

On the four sides of the dojo, rows of students sat waiting to observe and learn Uesugi Toru's sword art.

As for why it wasn't learning from Shizuku, whose sword art level was better... leaving aside that they couldn't understand overly exquisite sword moves, the more crucial point was that these days Shizuku had almost never personally moved her hands.

But Uesugi Toru was different.

Uesugi Toru's Tennen Rishin-ryu was at Mastery Level, just right for these students, most of whose sword art levels hovered around Entry or Proficient Level, to observe and learn.

Wearing his kendo uniform, gripping the new bamboo sword made of special materials, Uesugi Toru took the Soul-Calming Incense Ash (Minor), and first glanced at his current proficiency—

【Tennen Rishin-ryu (Mastery 720/3000)】

【Corona Breathing Technique (Proficient 1050/3500)】

One long cultivation session with Shizuku could provide about a hundred proficiency points to both skills.

This rate of improvement was already terrifying; if Uesugi Toru cultivated swinging his sword alone, the effect would be discounted by at least five or six tenths.

This could be seen from the extra proficiency of the Corona Breathing Technique — in his personal time, Uesugi Toru cultivated the breathing technique almost without stopping for a moment.

Yet even squeezing himself to this extent, the breathing technique's proficiency was only less than three hundred points higher than the sword art.

He shook his head, suppressing his fatigue: "Simply a double torture of spirit and body."

Shizuku, who had already tied her hair into a ponytail opposite him, asked: "Uesugi-kun, what did you say?"

"I said..."

Uesugi Toru moved his arms, internal qi surging at the most minute ends of his nerves and then being rapidly suppressed, transforming into stronger internal drive.

He advanced with his sword raised like a ghost,

"——It's good to have you!"

——Surrounding students seeing the two for the first time were stunned.

"This sword speed, this dodging ability... why can't I see anything clearly?!"

Seeing these new students with clear and foolish eyes, Kondo Eiji rubbed his sun temple in distress, explaining patiently for who knew how many times:

"Uesugi Toru, that boy, has already cultivated the breathing technique to the 'Internal Organs Fortification' realm, able to control his internal qi freely and apply it to any part of his full body.

Precisely because of this, his turning and sword moves can suddenly change midway, making it completely impossible for ordinary people to defend against."

Kitano Runa scrolled her phone woodenly — she was actually the same level as those two guys on the stage, kidding me, completely no sense of reality at all!

Better first see what benefits I can get my hands on.

"No way!"

The moment she tapped "Basic Monthly Salary", Kitano Runa covered her mouth and exclaimed, then hurriedly picked up her phone, carefully and cautiously counting the zeros on it.

"Four zeros, five zeros... six zeros!"

Kitano Runa fumbled with her fingers helplessly, and only after a good while did she think in shock: "Eight million?! Eight million yen a month?!"

Eight million... how many figurines could that buy, how many luxury bentos could that eat, how many clothes could that buy for Old Mother and them?

Almost in an instant, Kitano Runa made a decision.

——To grip this S-Rank tightly in her hand.

——This was the only chance in her life to change her fate.

And what Kitano Runa didn't know was, the moment she made her determination, the surrounding spirit qi began continuously pouring into her body.

Even though she hadn't even learned the Basic Spirit Absorption Method yet.

……

Two hours later, dojo partition.

A clear breeze blew from outside the window.

After a fierce battle, Uesugi Toru and Shizuku lay or leaned resting with their kendo uniforms open, sweat dripping from their temples.

Uesugi Toru, sore all over, raised his head in doubt,

"Strange, why is the spirit qi concentration on this side of the dojo so low?"

Shizuku didn't respond to him; long use of Sword Domain had exhausted her mental power, to the point she couldn't even continue deducing slaughter in her mind.

Uesugi Toru didn't pay it much mind either; he took out the divination sticks tube from his storage backpack, remembering that yesterday he should have sought a sign for "what happens after using the Walker Gathering's token".

For this kind of prop not yet used, with unknown effect, Uesugi Toru thought it better to first use the divination sticks tube to predict the general trend.

Result was he actually forgot because cultivation was too tiring.

"Regret a day."

Uesugi Toru closed his eyes, began slowly shaking the sign tube, letting the bamboo omikuji make a crisp shaking sound inside the tube wall.

Before long, a slender omikuji fell onto the wooden floor, attracting Shizuku's curious gaze.

She panted two breaths, staring at the characters 【Matsuri】 on the sign and asked: "Uesugi-kun, what is this?"

She didn't ask how the divination sticks tube appeared; Shizuku was already used to Uesugi Toru's ability to produce items at will, Yin-Yang Technique being able to do these things was only natural.

"Omikuji. Said to be a prayer for good fortune that brings good luck." Uesugi Toru picked up the 【Matsuri】 sign from the ground, his eyes narrowing slightly.

【Omikuji·Matsuri】

【——Dust-Sealed Land, Unlit Fuse.】

Shizuku pointed at the Fortune character and said listlessly, "Then doesn't that mean something good is going to happen?"

Uesugi Toru shook his head: "No, this isn't good."

Matsuri is the lowest tier leaning toward good luck, practically equivalent to Neutral or even 'Misfortune'.

This means that using the Walker Gathering Token right now might produce unpredictable consequences; although nothing bad will necessarily happen, it's also not a very good time.

So, should he use the Resign Token that can only be used once a week?

Uesugi Toru pondered for a moment, then gave up on the Resign Token option — he still had a pile of unfinished business, and using the Walker Gathering Token wasn't urgent.

If he drew a 【Daikyo】 it would be troublesome.

Waiting a bit longer wouldn't hurt.

Flipping his hand, he stowed this 【Matsuri】 slip into his Storage Backpack, then asked Shizuku, who had been staring fixedly at the Divination Sticks tube,

"Shizuku, are you interested in divination too? If you need it, you can use it once in a few days, no problem."

But Shizuku shook her head firmly: "No, I won't use it."

"I've never believed in fate, in something as illusory as luck. Just now I merely noticed that Uesugi-kun you seem to trust this stick tube a lot, which I found strange."

Uesugi Toru raised his head, meeting Shizuku's gaze in the dim light, hearing her say seriously,

"Things have always been decided by people, not by Heaven or nonexistent Gods."

Uesugi Toru thoughtfully touched the Divination Sticks tube in his hand, remembered Shizuku's words, then stood and said: "I have business to attend to first, what about you, Shizuku?"

The girl gave him a sidelong glance: "Lying down, resting a while longer."

Uesugi Toru curved his mouth: "It's rare to hear those words from your mouth."

Leaving the Dojo, after casually showering and changing clothes at the School's Public Bathhouse, Uesugi Toru found a spot under a Sakura Tree with no one around, lay down, and closed his eyes.

Tokoyo, Activate——!

Smoothly flowing through the water pressure that seemed to have become somewhat larger, Uesugi Toru opened his eyes again before Kisaragi Station, and with a *Slap* transformed into a three... no, should be four-tailed fox.

"Inhale——"

After transforming into a four-tailed fox, Uesugi Toru felt every pore on his body open comfortably from the Spirit Qi surging around him.

"If the previous absorption speed was 499 times the standard value, then this state has at least doubled again."

Four fluffy tails swayed in the cold dry air; Uesugi Toru raised his head and gazed at the Small Spirit Tide caused by his normal breathing.

He could even hear Explosion Sounds from within the tide, produced by Spirit Qi over-compression.

"Can an ordinary four-tailed fox achieve this degree?"

Uesugi Toru stared at 【Spirit Arts: 57】 in his Attribute Panel, feeling that his Spirit Technique Attribute might not simply refer to 'Spirit Power Quantity, Spirit Power Reserve'?

"Perhaps Spirit Qi affinity, absorption speed, and so on are all counted within the enhancement range of the Spirit Technique Attribute increase? Just like when enhancing Physique it doesn't only increase strength but provides Comprehensive Enhancement?"

Uesugi Toru couldn't help himself and revealed a subtle expression.

At the same time he glanced again at the new panel after the three-tailed fox evolved to four-tailed fox —

【Four-Tailed Fox (Youth Body)】

【Quality: Epic】

【Rank: One-Star Half】

【Rank Limit: Three-Star Half】

【Talents: Thousand Faces, Soul Seal, Divine Roaming, Anger】

【——Thousand Forms, Seemingly Illusory Yet Not False.】

【Thousand Faces: Consume Spirit Power, can mold Appearance and Height into Arbitrary Shape.】

【Soul Seal: Consume Spirit Power, cause Target to fall into Temporary Loyalty state. The higher your Charm and Spirit Technique Attribute, the Stronger the effect.】

【Divine Roaming: When transformed into four-tailed fox, Consume Spirit Power to Actively Detach this Yokai Avatar and place it in the External World for Free Control; as Time Passes, Spirit Power consumption Gradually Increases.】

【Anger: During Skill Duration, All Attributes Double, All Skill Cooldown Halved, lasts One Hour. After Skill Ends, for 48 hours All Attributes Fixed at 5.】

Although the three-tailed fox's promotion only brought him "Attribute Enhancement", "Four-Tailed Fox Jade Pendant", and two new talents "Soul Seal" and "Anger", Uesugi Toru considered the boost to himself still very significant.

The first two need no further elaboration; the original talent "Bewitch" after changing to "Soul Seal" had its effect improved by far more than a star and a half.

Coincidentally, the edge of Uesugi Toru's gaze passed a mindless, ignorant Half-Star Chimei.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, activating Soul Seal with minimal Spirit Power.

In the next moment, Uesugi Toru could feel a tough, resilient "Soul Thread" connected to the Chimei appear in his heart.

Although he couldn't perceive the controlled one's thoughts through this Soul Thread, as long as the Soul Thread exists, it means the controlled one remains in a state of "Absolute Temporary Loyalty".

With a thought, Uesugi Toru saw that translucent Chimei rush toward him on all fours like a beast.

This was because Uesugi Toru conveyed the command "Run over like a wild beast", and simultaneously stuffed the knowledge of "how a wild beast runs" into the other party via the command.

The mindless, ignorant Chimei did it.

So Soul Seal has quite a few uses; it's just that Uesugi Toru temporarily has no opportunity to deeply develop it.

Patting the head of the well-behaved Chimei that had run right up to him, Uesugi Toru crushed it with a squeeze.

As for the talent "Anger"?

——The beauty of numbers as always; this time it also halved the cooldown of all skills.

You must know, whether it's the swordsmanship Uesugi Toru learned, Breathing Technique, or Yin-Yang Technique, they all count as skills.

"Exhale——"

Breathing out a mouthful of turbid qi, feeling his body refilled with Spirit Power, Uesugi Toru summoned the Two-Shaku Adult from the Jizo Statue — at her strong insistence.

"Yay——!"

Her voice was heard before she was seen.

As for why his person was not seen...

Uesugi Toru felt the root of his tail itch again, his face twitching slightly, and he reached out to pull the once again diminutive Two-Chi Adult from among the four large, fluffy white fox radishes.

The Two-Chi Adult smiled foolishly: "Hehe, Toru-sama, long time no see."

—Ever since the Two-Chi Adult saw her own Three-Tailed Fox Incarnation on the day the Wave Coming arrived, she had strongly demanded that whenever he entered Chang Shi, she must be let out.

The pretext was to get some air, but in reality it was to seize any opportunity to grip his ears and tail.

And the Four-Tailed Fox, as an Incarnation with high Charm and possessing long-range means, definitely had to be drawn out before the White Hannya Incarnation.

Therefore, after several attempts to instruct the Two-Chi Adult proved fruitless, Uesugi Toru said no more, but instead, like doing a daily Task, pulled the Two-Chi Adult out from the tail cluster and placed her to the side.

Anyway, letting his own Shikigami Touch him a couple of times was no loss, and that day the Two-Chi Adult had indeed perfectly served as an indispensable link in the Parting from Love Battle.

Regarding this matter, the Two-Chi Adult hadn't mentioned a Reward yet.

Her not mentioning it was fine, but he himself definitely couldn't not give one.

This was a matter of principle.

Uesugi Toru turned his head, and again saw the beaming Two-Chi Adult behind his tail.

He tightened his fist, forcing out an amiable smile,

"Two-Chi Adult, if you were not contracted as Shikigami, what means do you usually use to advance?"

"This simple knowledge I still know, oh, Toru-sama."

The diminutive Two-Chi Adult held her tail and said seriously,

"Generally speaking, it's divided into three categories."

8k words! Start of month asking for Monthly Ticket!

————

Future update time will probably move to around 10 PM, 8 o'clock can't finish writing meow

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