Chapter 119: Haku Hannya's Advancement Item, the Curse of the Doll Figure (8.6k, please vote for monthly tickets!)

Are these old men in robes really Buddhist masters?

Uesugi Toru looked them over several times, and also exchanged a few words with Adult Ni Shaku.

Then he discovered that the three masters who had flown out of Amitabha Hall, though badly injured, did not seem to be in the extreme weakness of completely depleted spirit power.

Rather, neither their physical strength nor their spirit power fluctuations had even reached one star.

But the two young acolytes beside him, upon seeing the faces of the three old men, cried out in shock,

"Uncle Master Xuan Ji!"

"Elder Hui Deng!"

"Venerable Kong Hai!"

Uesugi Toru wore a subtle expression—their dharma names all sounded like enlightened monks who had retired to the back mountains, ghost-god level figures who could suppress great demons with a single strike.

Yet the strongest among them had barely touched the edge of one star, worthy of the title "peak half-star great perfection."

The monk Kong Hai, wearing a great red robe and possessing the most robust aura, looked with difficulty toward the young acolytes here, spat out a mouthful of blood, and murmured slowly,

"Hui Ming... go call everyone to escape, hurry! We cannot match this humanoid yokai!"

The young acolyte named Hui Ming stared blankly, then looked toward the depths of the hall and discovered that several more elders were still holding out, but continuing like this would inevitably end with them being picked off one by one.

"This..."

Hui Ming hesitantly clenched his fist.

And after more than ten seconds of careful observation, Uesugi Toru finally confirmed the true form of the yokai rampaging within Amitabha Hall.

——【Guan Ren Formation (One-Star Half)】

When Uesugi Toru first saw this prompt, he even doubted whether his eyes were playing tricks on him.

When did this one-star-half yokai become so strong?

A yokai with strength comparable to Adult Ni Shaku actually wiped out the Hongan-ji branch temple?

Did the version update again while he was napping in the carriage?

But Uesugi Toru immediately realized that it was not that this Guan Ren Formation was powerful, but rather that the cultivation of these kind-browed, kind-eyed old monks in robes... was somewhat lacking.

The vermilion Kaga Kiyomitsu fell into Uesugi Toru's palm.

He looked through the broken wooden door toward the depths of Amitabha Hall.

"Wuuuuu—"

A mournful wail echoed out from within the hall, the originally faint resentment deepened a bit, and the young acolyte Hui Ming finally made up his mind.

"Uesugi Benefactor, you run quickly!" The young acolyte showed determined eyes, speaking to Uesugi Toru who had been silent from just now until now, "Benefactor merely had business here and happened to encounter this, so there is no need for you to bear this karma."

Hui Ming said this, then sent another junior disciple running to shout for everyone to escape, and afterward somewhat stiffly formed a Buddhist hand seal, preparing to rush into Amitabha Hall.

If this were some orthodox hot-blooded story, next it should be the plot where young acolyte Hui Ming, though no match even while injured for the still-powerful Guan Ren Formation, enters a flashback, powers up, and counterattacks to save everyone.

"Sigh, don't rush."

Uesugi Toru reached out and lightly pressed on the young acolyte's shoulder; the Hannya mask and Four-Tailed Fox Jade Pendant at his waist quietly slid down.

Hui Ming felt as if a great mountain had suddenly fallen upon his shoulder, rendering him unable to move, not even able to lift his toes by a fraction.

"Ben... Benefactor?"

Hui Ming stared in astonishment as Uesugi Toru's aura suddenly changed, shedding his ordinary passerby feel, saw him step lightly over his shoulder with an airy and carefree gait, and heard him say,

"If you'd said it was this kind of little yokai earlier, I could have casually solved it for you."

Under Hui Ming's stunned gaze, Uesugi Toru, who had originally just walked in front of him, suddenly vanished from the spot, then transformed into a phantom flashing with thunder and white mist, reaching the doorway of Amitabha Hall in less than an instant.

The man with the vermilion uchigatana at his hip half-raised his eyes and said somewhat amusedly, "Put down the few masters, and I can let you die more pleasantly."

The roaring wind arrived afterward, sweeping away the wood chips and debris at the doorway of Amitabha Hall, as if announcing his arrival.

The Guan Ren Formation stood atop the dense black hair spreading across most of the hall, she stopped her movements of besieging the remaining Hongan-ji masters, and looked warily toward the doorway.

The black hair that had been piled and entwined stilled, all aimed at Uesugi Toru at the doorway.

Although the Guan Ren Formation, as a doll imbued with resentment, did not possess very high spiritual wisdom, its instinct was warning it.

——The man before it was extremely dangerous!

Several Hongan-ji masters also saw Uesugi Toru, and thus formed seals again, speaking at the same time,

"Benefactor, hurry and leave! We few old fogeys can still delay it for a while!"

"Benefactor, no need to throw away your lives for us few!"

Faint Buddha light rose within Amitabha Hall, then was suddenly cut off by the pitch-black dense black hair.

The Guan Ren Formation was stunned for a moment.

Why was there no solid impact sensation on the hair?

Fine electric light slowly dissipated in the air; several masters only felt their vision blur, and for some reason found themselves standing behind this young benefactor.

Uesugi Toru's hand rested on the sword hilt of Kaga Kiyomitsu, but he still did not dare to draw it.

He glanced back over his shoulder and smiled at the several badly injured Hongan-ji old monks,

"Several masters, it should be you who ought to leave."

Uesugi Toru turned back to gaze at the slightly trembling Guan Ren Formation, his voice coming from ahead: "Could I ask the several masters to step back a little, and not hinder me?"

At this moment, the several Hongan-ji masters finally reacted to what had just happened, and quickly retreated backward.

"Alright, the field is mostly cleared."

Uesugi Toru slowly drew Kaga Kiyomitsu from its sheath; cloud-mist-like pale white strands hung down, and he hooked the corner of his mouth with an emotionless expression.

"Then let's try the blade on you first."

"Wuu—!"

The Guan Ren Formation emitted a dry, sharp wail; black hair grew rapidly, rising wildly from the shattered dharma seals on the ground, and charged straight at Uesugi Toru.

Drip-tap.

A sound like water droplets falling on a wooden floorboard seemed to ring out.

In the blink of an eye, the black hair that had nearly obscured Uesugi Toru's vision froze in mid-air, every strand still.

Then, strand by strand, it faded, lost its color, and finally turned into gray-white hair that snapped and fell into the pale domain.

The Kan'nyo doll stood frozen in place, seemingly unable to comprehend what was happening before its eyes.

"Just the passive effect is this powerful?"

Uesugi Toru raised an eyebrow in pleasant surprise. He gripped Kaga Kiyomitsu with both hands and exhaled a scorching breath tinged with electric light: "Come, let me see how much you've changed from before."

Kaga Kiyomitsu let out a clear, joyful hum in response.

"Inhale—"

Corona Breathing Technique, First Form!

Blade light far quieter and swifter than before flared from within the dense black hair, severing a large lock of irrelevant hair strands.

"Ah—!"

Yet the Kan'nyo doll let out an agonized howl because of this.

Large patches of black hair rapidly fell out and lost color; in mere seconds, the black hair that served as its primary means of attack—possessing both flexibility and rigidity—turned into gray-white trash on the ground.

Even faint traces of gray-white surfaced on the Kan'nyo doll's fair exterior. Sudden grief and rage intertwined and tore at each other, magnifying in its heart, causing it to shed tears of red blood.

And all of this was caused by a single, originally irrelevant slash from Kaga Kiyomitsu.

"Not bad, very good!"

Uesugi Toru even deliberately touched the icy-cold blade with his finger, but discovered the Separation Sorrow Domain's effect had absolutely no effect on him.

It was just the solid wood floorboards of this Amitabha Hall that suffered; in a short time they were corroded into pitted holes, and they would definitely need to be rebuilt afterward.

After testing Kaga Kiyomitsu's effect, Uesugi Toru walked toward the Kan'nyo doll that had already turned bald with satisfaction. Two swift slashes severed its hands, and he lifted it up.

Uesugi Toru stared at those pitch-black eyeballs constantly welling with bloody tears, listening to the miserable howls beside his ear. Upon seeing its magnificent kimono, he spoke: "Any last words? I can help deliver them."

The Kan'nyo doll's wailing stopped abruptly.

It suddenly returned to a motionless state, staring at Uesugi Toru with that pale face covered in bloody tears—utterly eerie.

Suddenly, a venomous glare shot from the Kan'nyo doll's eyes. It spoke word by deliberate word:

"Her Highness the Princess will definitely find you... and then torture you alive to avenge me—"

Before the words were finished, its doll head made of expensive materials, along with its entire body, was crushed in Uesugi Toru's grip.

"Why is it that during precious last-word time, no one ever wants to say something more useful?"

Uesugi Toru sighed with regret.

It was only upon seeing the exquisitely crafted kimono on the Kan'nyo doll that he decided to give the other party a chance to voice a final wish.

Because Uesugi Toru finally remembered why he felt this Kan'nyo doll looked so familiar.

—The Kan'nyo doll, also a type of Girl's Festival doll (Hina Doll).

Usually gifted by parents to their young daughters, displayed every year on March 3rd for the Girl's Festival, praying that their daughters would grow up smoothly, healthy, and happy in the future.

A Kan'nyo doll like the one just now would certainly not be cheap; at the time of purchase, it surely carried the parents' beautiful wishes for their daughter.

Thinking of this, Uesugi Toru decided to show leniency.

—Although it was unclear why the Kan'nyo doll became full of resentment, if this trivial bit of time could exchange for a blessing from the past, or an understanding of a wish, nothing could be better.

Unexpectedly, the other party not only failed to appreciate the kindness, but bit back and cursed him to be tortured to death by another cursed doll.

"Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit."

Uesugi Toru clicked his tongue, already deciding in his heart to capture the "Princess" the Kan'nyo doll spoke of later.

They've already said they want to kill and torture him; if he doesn't go eradicate the root of the problem, wouldn't that mean he's sick in the head?

Moreover, even the Prompt states that this Kan'nyo doll and that Doll Curse are at least two parts of one whole; if not all are slain, Soul Ash cannot be obtained.

【You killed a One-Star Half Demon Kan'nyo doll, gained 0 Soul Ash!】

【You used Kaga Kiyomitsu: Blade of Parting to slay the Kan'nyo doll, Kaga Kiyomitsu's quality slightly improved!】

【Your Skill, Corona Breathing Technique Proficiency +30!】

【Your Skill, Tennen Rishin-ryu Proficiency +10!】

【Your Skill, Five Thunder Method: Kiai Proficiency +45!】

Stepping out of the wrecked Amitabha Hall, Uesugi Toru immediately saw six or seven Hongan-ji elders surrounding him, bowing solemnly.

"Many thanks, Benefactor Uesugi, for lending a hand."

"Please rise, Masters. There's no need for such formality... I merely had business here, saw a matter I could handle, and helped out in passing."

Uesugi Toru shook his head: "If this demon were too strong, I would just turn around and leave, not let myself lose my life."

The several Hongan-ji elders exchanged smiles. Master Kong Hai, whose injuries had already stabilized, stepped forward, palms pressed together:

"Benefactor Uesugi is truly a sincere person."

"Master overpraises."

Uesugi Toru raised his head and saw the sparse dozens of little monks and novices on the Broad Square. He then understood why the "Masters" in this Hongan-ji weren't very impressive in strength.

—Because the total population of Yokohama Tsuzuki Ward is only about two hundred thousand, not even one-tenth of Arakawa Ward. The pace of life isn't that tense, people's resentment isn't great, and supernatural phenomena probably aren't too common on ordinary days.

Several elders similar to Master Kong Hai joining forces can basically resolve One-Star and below Yaoguai. Normally this is already sufficient, after all Tsuzuki Ward doesn't only have Hongan-ji.

The appearance of a One-Star Half Kan'nyo doll this time should be a situation that occurs after the Wave arrives.

That said, as one of the largest Buddhist Sect organizations in the territory, Hongan-ji surprisingly still hasn't completed intelligence updates and personnel deployment a week after the Wave passed. Efficiency is truly low.

You must know, originally each district's Special Affairs Division outside Tokyo had roughly one Three-Star Onmyo Daizoku, plus three to five Onmyoji Minor Officials of around Two-Star Half strength to manage things.

But after the Wave arrived, it rapidly became a Three-Star Half + Three-Star + Two-Star Half situation, while simultaneously promoting or dispatching and recruiting some Newcomers to fill personnel gaps.

In contrast, Hongan-ji...

No wonder Huijue, who wants to strive to adapt to the New Era, can't get along with those pedantic, outdated old fossils.

Just in this short time that Uesugi Toru was moved, Master Kong Hai and the other several severely injured elders, the masters had already been taken away to rest by the young novice monks who rushed over or directly sent to the Hospital.

Another old master who looked to also be in his fifties or sixties stepped forward, smiling at Uesugi Toru as he said,

"Benefactor Uesugi, hearing from Hui Ming and the other that your purpose this time is not yet complete, from here on this poor monk will bring you there."

Uesugi Toru nodded, following behind the old master: "Troubling you."

Not walking two steps, Uesugi Toru opened his mouth to ask: "Master, just now that Guan Ren Formation threatened me once more before death, wonder if Master knows its origin?"

"Threaten……"

The old master's brows tightly knit, he revealed an apologetic expression: "Very sorry to drag Benefactor Uesugi into this…… this Guan Ren Formation, was a girl called 'Yazi' who brought it yesterday saying she wanted to exorcise evil."

"Such accidents we've encountered quite a few before and solved without difficulty, so we agreed right away, just didn't expect that after that Wave Coming, a tiny doll would actually have such threat……"

The old master sighed.

"Master need not worry." Uesugi Toru said lightly, "Since this Yokai used words to threaten me, then me tracing back the past is not impossible either."

"If so……"

The old master originally wanted to admonish, but seeing Uesugi Toru's unwavering complexion he nodded: "Then afterwards let Hui Ming guide Benefactor."

"Many thanks."

Before long, the two walked to the doorway of the miniature Gohoe-do.

This Gohoe-do before the eyes, compared to Higashi Hongan-ji's that one, the scale was smaller by not even a star half, some exterior Refining Detail could also see obvious difference.

But thinking it's probably exactly because of this, only Eight Shaku Figure Adult could maintain form approaching here.

If swapped for the genuine Gohoe-do, Eight Shaku Figure Adult walking that close would probably be evaporated by Buddha Light until soul scattered.

Uesugi Toru pulled up Eight Shaku Figure Adult's hand who had been silent from just now, together with her walked up the steps.

The old master slowly pushed open those two wooden doors that perhaps weren't even older than his age, making a "please" gesture to Uesugi Toru and Eight Shaku Figure Adult.

"Hearing Benefactor Uesugi is here for Shikigami promotion, then this poor monk thinks the spirit tablet still should be placed here first for best."

The old master went around the tall Buddha bronze statue sitting in the front, came to the secluded Side Hall, pointing at the empty spot in the most Corner smilingly said.

"Please Master answer."

Concerning own Shikigami's promotion, Uesugi Toru naturally had no outsider's opinion casually expressed, instead humbly Request Teaching.

The old master spoke unhurriedly: "Although every Temple and shrine receive Incense Wish Power from worshippers, but simultaneously, there isn't a single Temple and shrine that receive exactly the same Incense Wish Power."

"Some Temples have many seeking wealth, some Temples have quite a few seeking children, also have those wanting safety, hoping for smoothness or other various thoughts of worshippers…… such types are endless."

The old master looked at the timid Eight Shaku Figure Adult, toward her revealed a kindly smile: "Benefactor Uesugi's Shikigami is First time absorbing Incense Wish Power, not yet knowing if there are problems, then still best to use Attempt contact."

"If not good, can promptly remove spirit tablet change location; if good, in this era can also make a phone call let us change position."

The old master again pointed at the most center empty spot in the Side Hall: "This position also has no problem."

Didn't expect Shinto Path's ins and outs quite a lot.

Although Nanjo Sister previously said no problem, but Shikigami and Shikigami's Constitution cannot be generalized, Uesugi Toru still thinks steady is comparatively better.

"Then follow Master's words."

Uesugi Toru pretended from clothes Pocket, actually from Storage Backpack took out 【Special Affairs Division's Standard Spirit Tablet】 handed to the old master.

【Special Affairs Division Standard Spirit Tablet】

【Quality: Excellent Quality】

【Effect: Simply serves as a transit station and receiver for Incense Wish Power of Shikigami walking the "Shinto" path.】

【——Solid and firm, durable and Useful. Special Affairs Division produced, you deserve to own.】

The spirit tablet is Wooden, texture somewhat rough, touching it even feels a bit prickly.

But solid is true, Uesugi Toru just got it when he smashed over a dozen bricks and didn't see it have the slightest damage.

The old master took over the spirit tablet, placed it in the most Corner among the many spirit tablets, then silently made several Buddhist Sect hand seals.

About one or two Minutes later, the originally shivering Eight Shaku Figure Adult stopped trembling, somewhat surprised Raised Head: "Toru-sama, surroundings seem to suddenly not reject me anymore."

This should be normal Phenomenon.

Uesugi Toru looking at the top of head starting to Light Up dots of faint Buddha Light girl, somewhat wanted to laugh.

Eight Shaku Figure Adult revealed a Comfortable expression, hehe laughed: "Body has a warm feeling, very comfortable."

The old master seeing everything normal even more comfortable Eight Shaku Figure Adult, also breathed a sigh of relief.

Next Moment, before Uesugi Toru's eyes Jump Out Prompt——

【Shikigami·Eight Shaku Figure's Rank is promoting: 0% (estimated half year to complete promotion)】

Uesugi Toru Thought for a moment said: "Master, can every three days move the spirit tablet toward center once? If problems appear I will call, or personally rush over."

The old master nodded: "Naturally no problem."

Bang——!

Just at this time, the Gohoe-do Side Hall's wooden doors were smashed open.

Panicked breathing sounds came, Uesugi Toru Turned Head, saw the sweating profusely Hikyou-shoni, heard him say,

"Abbot! Not good!" Hui Ming full face anxious said, "Senior Disciple Hui Yang heard you all still haven't solved yesterday's delivered doll after a day, went alone to Yazi Benefactor's residence wanting to solve this matter alone!"

The old master's complexion changed, he hurriedly asked: "When did Hui Yang go?"

Hui Ming turned back and pulled out another novice monk leaning at the doorway.

That novice monk seeing the Abbot's angry expression, instantly lowered head and threw the confidential matter to the ninth heaven, trembling said: "More than an hour ago, calculating time, Senior Disciple Hui Yang should have already reached the Place."

The old master heavily sighed once: "This child!"

"Hui Ming, call Xuan Ji and those few people, together with me go to that Place." The old master narrowed eyes, "Must quickly rescue that stupid child Hui Yang."

"Abbot."

Uesugi Toru suddenly spoke, attracting the three people's gazes on scene.

He lightly tapped Kaga Kiyomitsu's Sword Hilt: "How about me going, just happens just now I formed enmity with that Yokai, personally Exorcism it would also be peace of mind."

The old monk parted his lips, then bowed deeply to Uesugi Toru: "Then... I'll have to trouble Benefactor Uesugi."

"No problem."

Uesugi Toru smiled at Hikyou-shoni and winked: "Little Master Hikyou, can you show the way?"

The little novice recalled Uesugi Toru's astonishing performance just now and nodded seriously.

"Perhaps... that child shouldn't have been given this 'Hui' character..."

The old monk's faint sigh drifted over.

……

In the silver-white Mazda, Uesugi Toru looked at Hikyou-shoni gripping the steering wheel with both hands, his face full of surprise,

"Little Master, you can drive too?"

"It was all taught by Senior Brother Huijue." Hikyou-shoni grinned, "Benefactor Uesugi, you'd better sit tight, we're in a hurry now!"

Uesugi Toru, who had finally fastened his seat belt once, asked: "What's Huijue's relationship with you all?"

"Hm?"

Hikyou-shoni showed a puzzled expression: "Senior Brother is Senior Brother, ah. If I must say, probably everyone's been together in the temple since childhood, relationship very very good."

Uesugi Toru froze.

Huijue actually stayed in this little temple where the Abbot seems to be only one-star since childhood... then how did he reach his current level?

Before Uesugi Toru could figure out this question, the Mazda drifted to a stop in front of an apartment building.

"Benefactor Uesugi, it's right here..."

Hikyou-shoni pulled the handbrake, preparing to turn off the engine and pull out the car key.

But Uesugi Toru had already keenly noticed a panicked girl run out from across the road, and behind her, a Curse heavy with resentment was rapidly charging over.

——That should be Yazi, the one related to the Dolls!

Can't let her die here first.

Uesugi Toru rushed out of the car without hesitation, unfolded his folding fan, and shattered the Curse chasing close behind the girl with a blinding bolt of Thunder.

The girl, startled by the Thunder, was about to fall forward.

But before that, Uesugi Toru had already scooped her up and asked: "Where are that monk and the Doll?"

The girl raised her trembling finger and pointed at that room with windows tightly shut and curtains drawn: "Still in the ro... room."

Actually still in the room.

Uesugi Toru raised his vigilance in his heart — he had just felt no obvious resentment or Spirit Qi fluctuations there.

Seeing Hikyou-shoni run over, Uesugi Toru said to him: "Little Master, you stay here and look after her, I'll go up!"

Finished speaking, Uesugi Toru kicked up a hurricane carrying electric sparks and vanished from the two's sight.

In the stairwell, Uesugi Toru first confirmed no one was around, then transformed into a four-tailed fox and shook the Komainu Bell he hadn't used for a long time.

Ding-ling-ling~

A faint bell sound rang out.

Instantly, a Komainu with a lithe figure, narrow and powerful limbs, a dignified face covered in full armor quietly landed on the stairs, rubbing against Uesugi Toru's trouser leg.

Uesugi Toru looked down.

——【Komainu Group Leader (Two-Star)】

The Komainu, having already reached Two-Star, vigilantly looked up at that half-open door above, "woo-woo" calling twice as if reminding Uesugi Toru.

Although this time's luck was rather bad and only one Komainu was summoned, the good news is the Komainu's rank has clearly already reached Two-Star, its combat power already surpassing Two-Shaku Adult.

But the Komainu Bell is at most a Rare Equipment, who knows what the rank upper limit of summonable Komainu is.

"Go."

Remote-controlling the Komainu to charge into the room first, giving it the "Rescue" command, Uesugi Toru then held his breath and leaped out from the stairwell window, clinging to the tightly shut window outside.

All signs indicated this Doll Curse shouldn't be too weak, so Uesugi Toru naturally sought a way to resolve the battle more easily.

——Let the not-weak Komainu draw attention, he would wait for an opportunity to Backstab from this unexpected position — a good plan.

"Wang!"

In a few seconds, the Komainu's angry roar rang out.

Immediately after, another weak voice sounded: "Komainu, huh, whose Shikigami are you... forget it, anyway thanks, wah——"

The Komainu let out a muffled woo-woo sound, as if injured.

——Looks like can't keep waiting anymore.

Fine then.

Kaga Kiyomitsu left its sheath, slicing the plastic, glass, and curtains before him into a pile of gray-white dregs.

Uesugi Toru raised his eyes and immediately spotted that "Doll Curse" standing in mid-air amidst the messy living room, draped in a gorgeous luxurious kimono.

——【Doll Curse (Two-Star)】

At the same time, a resentment deep to the extreme rushed at him, lifting Uesugi Toru's hair strands, making the calm lake surface in his heart rarely stir a ripple.

"No wonder the Komainu couldn't do anything to you."

Uesugi Toru instantly judged this Doll Curse even among Two-Stars counts as the most top-notch batch, because the feeling she gave him was already not too far from that Two-Star Half Nue from back then.

But unfortunately, the current him is already a different person from before!

The Doll Curse sensed the movement behind, that huge pale head instantly rotated one hundred eighty degrees, using those two pure black eyeballs to lock tightly onto Uesugi Toru.

It screamed,

"Enemy! Kill you!"

Buzz-buzz-buzz.

A strange fluctuation swept toward Uesugi Toru, seemingly wanting to induce that piece of deepest fear and hatred in his heart.

"A mental attack?"

Uesugi Toru's movements had no stagnation.

The pale domain suddenly extended, causing a trace of human-like wariness to surface on the Doll Curse's exquisite face.

Boom—!

An exaggerated air explosion sound rang out; before the Doll Curse could even react, Kaga Kiyomitsu had already pierced into its chest.

"Hiss—!"

The Doll Curse shook its head frantically, emitting bursts of eerie screams, causing Hui Yang, who was already on his last legs in the corner, to reveal an expression of extreme agony.

Seeing this, the Komainu immediately bit his collar and dragged him out,

The heart isn't a weak point?

After landing a hit, Uesugi Toru quickly retreated several meters away, observing the Doll Curse as grayish-white surged over its full body.

"Shri—!"

Substantial sound waves once again emitted from the Doll Curse's mouth, causing Uesugi Toru's thoughts to suffer slight influence.

But that was all.

Uesugi Toru, who had mastered the techniques Zanshin and Shizuku's two heart methods, was almost immune to mental and illusion attacks.

Scenes that would plunge others into extreme chaos and madness were, to him, merely a breeze brushing the face.

"Luck's not bad."

Uesugi Toru grinned, fierce Corona Qi threading out from his fingertips: "Since there's no weak point, I'll just slice you entirely into fragments."

The Doll Curse covered its empty chest, laboriously opening its mouth: "Kill you!"

"Then come."

As the words fell alongside Kaga Kiyomitsu, it easily sliced through wave after wave of mental interference, and also severed the Doll Curse's hastily raised blocking hands together.

But unexpectedly to Uesugi Toru, those two arms that should have been severed actually transformed into two streams of pitch-black mucus in mid-air, carrying an incomparably deep curse aura as they rushed forth from close at hand!

Uesugi Toru was unstartled and unflustered; the closer to a critical juncture, the calmer he became.

He moved extremely fast, flipping Kaga Kiyomitsu, and collided with it using the sword hilt overflowing with pale velvet.

Simultaneously, Basic Yin-Yang Technique green light lit up at Uesugi Toru's left fingertips.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle.

The two streams of curse-containing mucus were dyed half-black half-white, then slowed speed, and the vast majority fell onto the wooden floorboards Uesugi Toru had just forcibly pried up with Yin-Yang Technique to block at his side.

Bang!

The wooden floorboards, almost corroded empty, shattered with a boom and struck the walls; Kaga Kiyomitsu borrowed this force to violently rotate!

Tennen Rishin-ryu: Tiger Tail Sword!

Pale blade light drew a perfect arc, bisecting the resentful-gazed Doll Curse in two.

The grayish-white on the Doll Curse's body rapidly spread to its full body starting from the break point; it trembled, shrieking resentfully,

"Human, I curse you... I curse you!!!"

Another blade light flashed, ending its words and curse.

Clatter.

Kaga Kiyomitsu entered its sheath.

Uesugi Toru looked down at the Doll Curse with only a small half of its head intact, and without hesitation stomped it to pieces.

He raised his eyebrows, then ground it twice more with his toe, questioning the grayish-white fragments covering the ground,

"Can you still speak."

The room was silent, no response.

Uesugi Toru whistled, lifted the clothing at his left arm, gazed for a while at the two or three pitch-black scorch marks on his skin, and poured a drop of Awakening Spirit Mist into his mouth.

The wound immediately began to heat and itch, healing at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Uesugi Toru lowered his arm, looking at the prompt that popped up beside him—

【You killed a Two-Star Demon Doll Curse, gained 377 Soul Ash!】

【You used Kaga Kiyomitsu: Blade of Parting to slay the Doll Curse, Kaga Kiyomitsu's quality medium increase!】

【Your Kaga Kiyomitsu: Blade of Parting is about to reach the Promotion Threshold!】

【Your skill, Corona Breathing Technique Proficiency +80!】

【Your skill, Tennen Rishin-ryu Proficiency +92!】

【Your skill, Five Thunder Method: Kiai Proficiency +60!】

【You obtained, Hina Doll Curse.】

Huh? There really is a curse?

Uesugi Toru clicked his tongue, taking out the black teardrop-shaped "Hina Doll Curse".

【Hina Doll Curse】

【Quality: Rare】

【293】 【Effect One: Can be used on any "Hina Doll", granting it life filled with resentment.】

【Effect One: Can be used on any "Hina Dolls", causing it to Gain life filled with Resentment.】

【Effect Two: Before use, the Hina Doll Curse binds to the carrier, continuously bringing bad luck.】

【—In the sunless darkness, the forgotten doll sprouts resentment.】

This thing... really is a bit troublesome.

Uesugi Toru frowned slightly.

But immediately after, another prompt popped up.

【Detected that item "Hina Doll Curse" has extremely high compatibility with Yokai Avatar: White Hannya; consume it to accelerate promotion time?】

Accelerate Haku Prajna's promotion time?

Uesugi Toru was first stunned, stunned that items and props could actually have hidden attributes.

Immediately afterward, he unabashedly showed his delight.

This curse is good; give me a dozen more curses like this!

End of Chapter