Chapter 126: Shikigami · Samurai Zanmetsumaru, Realm of Mind Mid-Stage · Clear Mirror (9k, please vote for monthly tickets!)

There was still more.

Uesugi Toru lowered the Kaga Kiyomitsu in his hand, tapping the rough ground with the sword tip, slightly surprised.

He hadn't expected that the slash power of a Three-Star Level wasn't the limit of the Sword Trial, and there were even higher-tier rewards—it looked exceptionally generous.

Feeling Uesugi Toru's calm gaze cast upon him, the Record Clerk in a long robe trembled twice, hurriedly apologized to him, then said to wait a moment.

Immediately afterward, he pushed open the door and quickly ran into the courtyard behind, seemingly to find someone to fetch a higher-grade Zanmetsumaru.

The Record Clerk even took a nasty fall right before entering the door, but among so many people present, no one had the mind to mock him.

Everyone's gaze fell upon the boy dressed in ordinary cloth clothes, wearing a lifelike Hannya Mask on his face.

—Of course, some preferred the Kaga Kiyomitsu standing on the ground over Uesugi Toru, but that was ultimately just a tiny minority.

"This is... true genius."

This thought arose simultaneously in the hearts of everyone present.

They all practiced Breathing Technique, trained daily in swordsmanship, horsemanship, and archery, nearly all able to slash out over five hundred kan of force, and were reserves of the Samurai.

Therefore, naturally they understood better than ordinary people who knew nothing what that sword just now meant.

Some among them had even slain yokai alone, and at full power could slash apart an ordinary red-black Zanmetsumaru, far stronger than ordinary Samurai...

But the limit they had seen and slashed was only that blue Ashigaru Zanmetsumaru just now.

—It was said that those able to move an Ashigaru Zanmetsumaru were at least warriors capable of fighting a hundred Ashigaru alone.

And above the Ashigaru Zanmetsumaru was the 【Samurai Zanmetsumaru】 that only some Commanders, sword masters, or peerless geniuses far away in Heian-kyo would get to use.

As the name suggests, those able to move it were at least strong ones capable of fighting a hundred Samurai alone.

In other words—that boy of the same age called "Uesugi Toru" could single-handedly slay everyone present.

The sound of swallowing saliva rose and fell; some boys and youths who had previously slandered and looked down on Uesugi Toru had even quietly retreated to the edge of the crowd, preparing to flee at the fastest speed.

In this era where reform had not yet begun, powerful Samurai slaying people in the street was not common, but could not be said to never happen.

Let alone that Uesugi Toru was a genius with a limitless future at a glance, every family wanted to win him over, so slaying these fellows who liked to gossip behind backs in the street truly wasn't a big deal.

—Uesugi Toru didn't have that idea.

He just felt the Record Clerk took too long to fetch a Zanmetsumaru; was it really that he couldn't come in a minute or two for a distance of just two steps?

Just as Uesugi Toru was bored enough to yawn, the Record Clerk finally carefully came out holding a very finely made brocade bag.

Seeing Uesugi Toru's appearance, the Record Clerk kept bowing his head, his tone full of apology: "Uesugi-kun, sorry for the wait, sorry for the wait!"

Uesugi Toru's pupils brightened, feeling a very extraordinary Spirit Power fluctuation from the brocade bag in the Record Clerk's hand.

Since even the packaging bag was so impressive, surely the thing inside would bring him a surprise.

Only to see the Record Clerk bite his finger hard, then drip blood onto the center of the complex Onmyo Jutsu Formula on the brocade bag, muttering: "Samurai, come out!"

Whoosh—!

A gale swept up sand and dust, obscuring the view of everyone around.

When they opened their eyes again, they saw the tall and majestic pitch-black Zanmetsumaru standing in the center of the Broad Square.

Uesugi Toru also sized up the Zanmetsumaru before him, pitch-black all over, eyes tightly closed, expression very serious, like a true Samurai wearing Chest Armor.

And the Status Window popping up above its head made Uesugi Toru slightly startled.

—【Samurai Zanmetsumaru (Four-Star)】.

He hadn't expected Zanmetsumaru actually belonged to the category of Yaoguai, and moreover the Rank of a mere Zanmetsumaru had reached the equivalent of Ghost God Level Four-Star.

"Since the strength of an Ashigaru Zanmetsumaru roughly reached the bottom edge of Three-Star, then is this Samurai Zanmetsumaru before me equivalent to a Four-Star Ghost God standing before me for me to slash?"

Uesugi Toru rubbed the Sword Hilt, hung the Hannya Mask back at his Waist, and without any hesitation transformed into the Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation.

Next,

Angry Eyes, activate!

In the next instant, the Four-Tailed Fox with crimson tail tip and muscles swollen and knotted all over slowly opened those violent blood-colored eyes.

Uesugi Toru exhaled a hot surge like a sea current, causing the Record Clerk nearest to him to let out a strange cry of "Eek," plop down on the ground, and hurriedly crawl backward.

He just quietly felt the surging power and Spirit Power in his flesh, then looked at the Samurai Zanmetsumaru before him, grinning happily.

—The chance to freely slash at a Ghost God Level figure and still survive was not common.

Uesugi Toru glanced at the unprecedentedly luxurious Attribute Panel—

【Uesugi Toru (Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation)】

【Physique: 104】

【Will: 44】

【Charm: 0】

【Spirit Arts: 122】

What concept was 122 points of Spirit Technique Attribute?

Uesugi Toru actually didn't know either; he only felt the Spirit Power in his body was inexhaustible and endless, and now even casually throwing a small Fireball should cause destructive power comparable to a Hand Grenade.

"If only I had practiced Five Thunder Technique: Kiai to Proficient Level before."

He sighed—then, this 122 points of Spirit Technique Attribute should mostly be integrated into his slash power, and even slashing this Samurai Zanmetsumaru apart in one strike was not impossible.

But now, the improvement brought by Spirit Technique Attribute was not as great as the numbers on paper.

A bit regrettable.

"However, I do have an idea."

Uesugi Toru moved his tendons and bones, suddenly toughened to the point he was somewhat unaccustomed, emitting sharp explosion sounds continuously in midair.

The crowd around subconsciously moved away from him, fearing they would be killed by the aftereffects of his next slash.

—This one called Uesugi Toru, originally just now hadn't even displayed half his strength.

—Are we really of the same age group as him?

"Mmm..."

Samurai Zanmetsumaru felt a gaze both powerful and sharp enough, so it slowly opened its solemn eyes.

It first fixed its gaze on Uesugi Toru, who was twisting his neck, and asked in a hoarse, deep voice,

"He who slashes me, state your name."

Uesugi Toru raised an eyebrow strangely.

It's just swinging a blade to test slash power, why act so chuunibyou?

But since this four-star-ranked good-hearted Zanmetsumaru was willing to speak, saying a bit more wouldn't hurt.

"Uesugi Toru."

The four-tailed fox with a body like refined steel spoke.

"Uesugi Toru, I remember you."

The Dharma Egg-like Samurai Zanmetsumaru stared at him tightly and roared, "Then come! Let me see how strong the youngsters of today are!"

Accompanied by Samurai Zanmetsumaru's roar sweeping over, everyone present felt a surge of subtle hot-blooded excitement.

Uesugi Toru felt it most obviously.

He looked at the newly appeared "Battle Intent" buff and smiled helplessly,

"Doing this will make me feel embarrassed when I slash you to pieces later."

"No need, Uesugi-kun." Samurai Zanmetsumaru stood firm as a mountain, its voice flat, "To slay me, you are not yet qualified."

Hah, is that so.

Then I can rest easy.

"Then, I'm going all out."

Corona Qi, increased to an unknown degree due to strengthened physique, was consumed at extreme speed; Uesugi Toru adjusted his breathing and assumed the starting stance of the Three-Stage Thrust.

The vast Corona Qi was consumed in an instant like a reservoir opening its gates, all to gain that last bit of power.

After a long yet short minute, Uesugi Toru finally opened his tightly shut mouth and roared suddenly.

Corona Breathing Method·Form Five!

Scorching air currents centered on Uesugi Toru ravaged the surroundings like a sudden hurricane.

At the same time, an antique folding fan was opened by him in an instant, causing a terrifying blue-purple thunderbolt capable of enveloping the entire Samurai Zanmetsumaru to fall upon Kaga Kiyomitsu's necessary path.

Uesugi Toru half-opened his eyes, feeling the whole world had come to a standstill, only he and Kaga Kiyomitsu still moved at turtle speed in this stagnant world.

In the moment before the falling thunderbolt could disperse, Kaga Kiyomitsu's sword passed through the panicked heavenly thunder.

Accompanied by the crude use of Five Thunder Technique: Kiai, Uesugi Toru absorbed a wisp of heavenly thunder power and perfectly attached it to the sword tip.

—The Three-Stage Thrust has been known since ancient times as a high-difficulty technique of three consecutive thrusts: the first a feint, the second harassment, the third a one-hit kill.

But three-stage thrusting means three attacks, not one slash test.

What Uesugi Toru needed to do now was to unleash these three-stage thrusts simultaneously with his extraordinary physical strength, and land them on the same point.

Turn three into one.

In the silent stagnant world, Uesugi Toru felt he had merged with Kaga Kiyomitsu, the blade becoming an extension of his own limbs.

He could feel the tearing and destruction of the flesh within his body with extreme clarity.

Then, in the moment before even he himself had reacted, he swung this sword as if enlightened.

Tennen Rishin-ryu·Three-Stage Thrust!

Slap.

Uesugi Toru gently withdrew Kaga Kiyomitsu from Samurai Zanmetsumaru's chest, then his whole body went limp as he half-knelt on the ground leaning on his sword.

Everyone around, including the Record Clerk, widened their eyes; they had just been drawn by the thunderbolt that suddenly fell beside Uesugi Toru, so they hadn't yet reacted to what happened.

Only Samurai Zanmetsumaru trembled slightly, and after one second fell backward with a "thud," then bounced back upon touching the ground, and immediately roared angrily with full vigor,

"Slash power, thirty-eight thousand eight hundred eighty-eight kan——!"

Silence.

The broad square where over a hundred people stood was silent as a grave, all just staring at Uesugi Toru half-kneeling on the ground.

Their expressions were either blank or shocked, but without exception, none could utter a word.

Only Samurai Zanmetsumaru's voice kept echoing.

In the crowd, a youth with a wooden sword at his waist, whose delicate looks even resembled a girl, likewise stared at that figure on the square, his eyes flashing with brilliance.

"Someday, I want to be like him..."

—Uesugi Toru could no longer hold on, set aside Kaga Kiyomitsu, and let himself lose strength, kneeling on the gravel ground covered with cracks.

He returned the motionless Kaga Kiyomitsu to its sheath with his trembling hand, exhaled, and raised his head.

Uesugi Toru smiled at the still majestic Samurai Zanmetsumaru, "Hey, looks like I'm still far away."

"Please do not underestimate yourself, Uesugi-kun." Samurai Zanmetsumaru gazed at him calmly, speaking seriously word by word, "With just this one sword, you would definitely rank in the top fifty among the young generation nationwide."

Top fifty.

Only top fifty?

Uesugi Toru slightly widened his eyes, and upon sensing the low spirit concentration around him, couldn't help but show a brilliant smile,

"—Then that is truly, wonderful."

Accompanied by the constant feeling of powerlessness in his flesh, the people and scenery around him quickly began to blur, including Samurai Zanmetsumaru nearby; everything of that Bakumatsu Period quickly receded.

A moment later.

Waaah—

The piercing sharp whistle pulled Uesugi Toru back into the cheap minivan that was constantly shaking and bumping.

"Nanjo Sister..."

He pressed his temple, which was throbbing with faint pain, and clicked his tongue: "Not changing the car is one thing, but you won't even spend to repair or replace a single part."

"I think this kind of honking makes it clearer to others what I'm doing."

Rituna Minami replied, tore open a lollipop's plastic wrapper, and handed the strawberry lollipop to Uesugi Toru: "Here, want the last one?"

"You've already unwrapped it, how could I not eat it..."

Uesugi Toru stuffed the lollipop into his mouth, about to sigh in relief and check the current time and the Sword Trial rewards, when he saw Rituna Minami's strange gaze.

"What is it?" he asked.

Rituna Minami narrowed her eyes, left her seat and leaned over: "Uesugi-kun, you can break through just from sleeping?"

Hearing this, Uesugi Toru suddenly realized the world in his eyes seemed to have changed.

It became clearer, more orderly, and at the same time... quieter.

He turned his head to look at the Nure-onna and Hiyobou shikigami huddled in the trunk, and found he seemed able to predict their "next" movements from what was before his eyes.

It seemed he had indeed broken through.

Uesugi Toru took two deep breaths, gradually freeing himself from the weakness and boundless fatigue just now.

He withdrew his gaze from the two shikigami huddled in the corner, distinguished a bit, and found the prompt he wanted—

【Your Will Attribute has exceeded 20 points!】

【Your Mental State Rank has reached Middle Stage: Like a Mirror!】

No wonder Nanjo Sister said I broke through; it turns out my Mental State suddenly rose from Chu Duan·Xin Ru Shui Shui to Middle Stage.

As for why the Will Attribute increased, it was naturally because of the Sword Trial rewards just now.

And judging by my current feeling, this attribute reward shouldn't be small.

Uesugi Toru continued looking down.

【Because your Mental State Rank has reached Middle Stage: Like a Mirror, your Will Attribute +5!】

【You gained the new state: Clear Mirror Still Water.】

【Clear Mirror Still Water: You will be able to discard distracting thoughts and focus on yourself faster; your resistance to all Mental Illusions increases; you will be able to "Mind-Read" others' behavior.】

【——Clear Mirror Reflects True Heart, Still Water Reflects Sky.】

【Middle Stage: Jinken Gōitsu (Like a Mirror, Hundred Refinements, Return to One).】

【Current Mental State Rank: Middle Stage: Like a Mirror】

【Note: Raising Will Attribute to 50 points will allow you to reach Middle Stage: Hundred Refinements.】

Mind-Reading.

Uesugi Toru blinked twice and found he could still "predict" the Nure-onna and Hiyobou's "subsequent movements."

So this is what Mind-Reading means... roughly, it means judging others' future behavior patterns and what they will do based on their current movements.

He turned back and looked at Shizuma Manatsu and Rituna Minami sitting ahead.

For Shizuma Manatsu, his prediction time was the longest; Uesugi Toru could even see what she would do in the next five or six seconds.

But the Mind-Reading ability on Rituna Minami seemed completely ineffective.

What's the reason?

Rituna Minami lightly curved her lips: "Can't see me, right?"

Uesugi Toru nodded honestly.

Rituna Minami pulled the grape lollipop from her mouth, bringing a faint glimmer, shook the lollipop, and then made it vanish without a trace before Uesugi Toru's eyes,

"Very simple, because the 'Clear Mirror' in your heart cannot reflect me."

Rituna Minami stuffed the lollipop into her mouth again at some point: "People cannot understand things beyond their own cognition, Uesugi-kun; right now, in your eyes, I am exactly that."

Uesugi Toru understood.

—Simply put, Nanjo Sister is now far, far stronger than me, resulting in infinitely many predictable futures, which naturally equals being unable to predict.

"But Uesugi-kun, you're really a freak." Biting off half the lollipop with her canine tooth, Rituna Minami glanced at him, "Breaking through in Mental State while driving asleep—if this gets out, no one will believe it."

"Luck, luck."

Uesugi Toru said very humbly.

He was actually just an Ordinary Person, except he happened to open a small cheat.

Seeing Rituna Minami turn back without pursuing it, Uesugi Toru summoned Ni Shaku Adult, letting her go exchange feelings with the big and small ones behind.

Nure-onna blinked: "Huh? Ni Shaku, why is your head pointy and glowing?"

Hiyobou circled around: "You didn't install LED lights behind you, did you?"

Ni Shaku Adult put her hands on her hips and explained to them the story of how she had already secured an establishment and become a "Buddhist Bodhisattva."

Currently, "Ni Shaku Adult" had become mighty and omnipotent, saving Uesugi Toru from water and fire several times.

Uesugi Toru saw this and did not stop her—if it could let Ni Shaku Adult build feelings with those two, sacrificing his image a bit was no harm.

He came back to his senses and looked at the large pile of prompts still lingering in midair—

【Because your Slash Power reached 500 kan, meeting the minimum standard of the Samurai Assessment, you will gain the Basic Reward of the Special Trial.】

【You slew "Zanshigimaru," Slash Power reached 3000 kan! Your reward gets a Medium Increase!】

【You slew "Ashigaru Zanshigimaru," Slash Power reached 5000 kan! Your reward gets a Medium Increase!】

【You struck "Samurai Zanmetsumaru," final Slash Power reached 38000 kan! Exceeding the "Famous Sword" baseline, your reward is Significantly Increased!】

【Calculating your final reward...】

【Calculation complete!】

【Your Will Attribute +10!】

【Your Era Reputation in Bakumatsu Edo Region +1000!】

【Current Fame: Widely Known.】

【You have gained the recognition of the Nameless Sword Saint.】

【You have obtained Shikigami · Samurai Zanmetsumaru (Four-Star) ×1】

The rewards total four items.

Uesugi Toru, aside from not understanding what use "Era Reputation of the Bakumatsu Edo Region" serves, was satisfied with the other three rewards.

It could even be said he was very satisfied!

First, the significant increase of 10 Will Attribute points directly broke his Mental State Rank through to Middle Stage: Like a Mirror, and granted him a very useful ability in actual combat—"Mind-Reading."

And after the breakthrough, Will Attribute rose another 5 points as a result, now surpassing Spirit Technique Attribute to become the second-highest among his Four Dimensions attributes.

Without wearing any equipment, Uesugi Toru's attribute values had effectively become—

【Physique: 32】

【Will: 31】

【Charm: 9】

【Spirit Arts: 24】

The increase in Will Attribute was not as obvious as Physique and Spirit Arts.

But the constant perception of his surroundings from his five senses, and his increasingly clear and rapid thinking, made Uesugi Toru understand that this increase was absolutely real.

Specifically how much it increased, he would understand after sparring with Shizuku later.

Next was "Recognition of the Nameless Sword Saint."

Although Uesugi Toru didn't quite understand why slashing Zanmetsumaru in his trial could earn him recognition from the Nameless Sword Saint far away in Edo Castle, anyway this was a good thing.

Since the prompt popped up, it meant that taking his broken Walking Token to find the Nameless Sword Saint should no longer result in being turned away.

Perfect—after returning, he could first go to Edo Castle to complete the task for upgrading his Wanderer Identity, then ask the Omikuji Sticks if they could conduct the Walker Gathering.

After arranging his subsequent plans, Uesugi Toru looked at the last reward, his mouth twitching slightly.

—Samurai Zanmetsumaru.

Directly rewarding him with a four-star Shikigami was truly generous, but where was he supposed to put such a big fellow?

Zanmetsumaru couldn't be carried around, and it seemed unable to move easily on its own... hadn't he seen that Record Clerk release Zanmetsumaru from a brocade pouch inscribed with Yin-Yang Technique?

Uesugi Toru shook his head, still feeling he should first check the Attribute Panel of the Samurai Zanmetsumaru he hadn't defeated.

【Samurai Zanmetsumaru】

【Quality: Rare】

【Rank: Four-Star】

【Rank Limit: Four-Star】

【Talents: Good at Contracting, Size Change, Slash Measurement, One-Pointed Cultivation, Guard House】

The rank was indeed still four-star.

But Zanmetsumaru's "four-star" was somewhat watered down—because this probably only represented that it could withstand attacks up to the four-star level.

【Good at Contracting: Samurai Zanmetsumaru's contract difficulty is extremely low, and it has no requirements for the contractor.】

【Size Change: Samurai Zanmetsumaru can change size freely by 1~10 times according to the contractor's will.】

Uesugi Toru nodded repeatedly while reading.

These two talents were quite good; the Onmyoji who designed it really understood things.

【Slash Measurement: No matter what method is used to attack Samurai Zanmetsumaru, it will precisely report the attacker's force. Attack Power Limit: 100,000 Kan.】

【Note: Samurai Zanmetsumaru will explode after receiving an attack exceeding its tolerance limit; please note safety.】

"100,000 Kan."

Uesugi Toru stared at this number for a while, remembering that the number from his all-out slash was 38,888 Kan.

"Still far from Ghost God Level."

Uesugi Toru exhaled; no wonder his Mind-Reading couldn't see through Ai at all—ordinary Ghost God Levels were probably like clay dolls before Nanjo Sister.

【One-Pointed Cultivation: Cultivation speed increases when cultivating beside Samurai Zanmetsumaru.】

【Guard House: Samurai Zanmetsumaru naturally possesses "Samurai Qi," capable of scaring off petty villains, warding off evil, and peacefully guarding the residence.】

Overall, Samurai Zanmetsumaru was still a quite good support-type Shikigami.

—Just place it in that home; whenever he thought of a new move, he could slash it with one knife, and it wouldn't cry pain, but would precisely report the damage geometry of that move.

And it could change size, not taking up space made it even more convenient.

And besides this, there was another prompt.

【Your skill, Tennen Rishin-ryu Proficiency +300!】

This was the proficiency increase brought by Uesugi Toru forcibly combining the three strikes of Three-Stage Thrust into one.

Although with his current physical strength he could no longer use this move, the muscle memory and sensation from wielding the sword back then were firmly engraved deep in Uesugi Toru's memory.

He nodded in satisfaction; although this Fishing Master suddenly turned into a Sword Trial, overall the harvest had actually increased quite a bit.

Especially the recognition of the Nameless Sword Saint—Uesugi Toru had originally thought his Identity Promotion Mission would be stuck, but unexpectedly made a breakthrough here.

Leaning back in a cheap chair, Uesugi Toru casually swiped the panel, counting the various props he currently owned.

"Damn, I almost forgot to continue promoting Shirabyoshi."

He frowned and rubbed his temples; earlier at the hotel he had been preparing to continue promoting Shirabyoshi when he was interrupted by knocking at the door.

This interruption cost him over two full days.

That day he had been busy dealing with Goto Yako and the Hongan-ji masters, and after finishing he went straight to sleep without thinking much.

If not for the rare free time to swipe the panel, Uesugi Toru estimated he would lose another few days.

That guy called Nishiyama Ryota... really let him die too easily.

Carrying the resentment of wanting to dig up Nishiyama Ryota's Void Tomb, Uesugi Toru used his mind to click "Promote" on the Shirabyoshi Card.

In the blink of an eye, four portions of Soul Incense Ash (Medium) and one portion of Soul Incense Ash (Small) were consumed.

White Prajna advanced from Two-Star to Two-Star Half, requiring only 250 points of Soul Ash value, adding a mere 100 points—far less than doubling the original.

【"White Prajna (Adult Form)" upgrading: 0% (remaining time 20 days)】

The promotion time had only increased by five days—truly an unprecedented act of conscience.

Uesugi Toru had thought these two would each become "300 points" and "30 days."

But he didn't celebrate too soon.

As the saying goes—gifts bestowed by fate always have their price marked on the back.

Uesugi Toru always felt that what he saved now would be repaid double later; he had sensed this same bad taste when pulling from the first card pool.

Speaking of card pools…

【Soul Ash: 2080】

There was still plenty of Soul Ash, enough to support another ten-pull.

But the gacha animation made too much noise, so to avoid accidents, he'd wait until after parting with Nanjo Sister before pulling.

Uesugi Toru glanced again at the remaining promotion time of the Four-Tailed Fox—hmm, about five days left.

Enough to finish before the Shinken Shiai.

…

"Nanjo Sister, where are you taking me? Want to sell my kidney to the yakuza?"

Uesugi Toru looked out through the frosted van window, seeing the surrounding buildings grow lower and lower, and vehicles and pedestrians gradually thinning out.

They had already driven from downtown Arakawa Ward to the suburbs.

Rituna Minami's voice drifted faintly from the front: "If you don't want to see your new home and would rather sleep on the floor with us at the Special Affairs Division, Manatsu won't mind."

New home?

Uesugi Toru was startled—hadn't they just mentioned this not long ago? How was it already finished?

What absurd speed was this?

"No, I have an opinion." He immediately raised his hand. "I think it's better to go see and live there."

Shizuma Manatsu showed no reaction to this bickering, still driving the van unhurriedly—she bickered with Shizuku and little Runa all the time, just laughing and joking; who would take it seriously?

Soon, the van drove into a villa district that looked brand new.

Uesugi Toru looked at the villa clusters and fences on both sides, gardens each at least worth 200 square meters of shared area, and couldn't help but open his mouth: "This is where I'm supposed to live?"

"No."

Rituna Minami pointed to the outermost edge of the villa cluster, but also the largest and tallest villa: "That is your new home."

Without even entering, indeed without even getting out of the car, Uesugi Toru felt the surrounding spirit concentration rise slightly.

"Damn, once you actually go inside, how much will it increase…"

Uesugi Toru clicked his tongue slightly, narrowed his eyes, as if he saw the formless barrier shrouding the villa.

Besides the Spirit Gathering Barrier, there was also an Exorcism Barrier?

The van stopped at the doorway of the villa.

So Uesugi Toru turned around, brought forward the Two-Foot Adult that was undergoing "strict selection" with Nure-onna and the others, pointed at the gate, and asked,

"Two-Foot Adult, what do you feel?"

"Toru-sama, what are you…"

The Two-Foot Adult immediately turned his mobile phone screen downward, about to protest in dissatisfaction, but upon seeing the doorway of the villa, he immediately shrank and said softly: "If it weren't for Toru-sama's shikigami, it seems one would die."

The barrier's lethality is between One-Star Half and Two-Star?

Uesugi Toru patted the girl's head and pushed her back: "Say hello to your friends; we're leaving."

After saying this, Uesugi Toru pondered with some doubt—clearly the Two-Foot Adult was older than him by who knows how much, so why did he feel like a male mom?

"Po."

The Two-Foot Adult nodded, said goodbye to the two with a beaming smile, and came over with a thud-thud-thud, looking up expectantly like a child: "Toru-sama, can you buy me a mobile phone later?"

Uesugi Toru: "…"

He didn't need to think to know what the Two-Foot Adult would do after getting a mobile phone.

But…

"I'll buy it for you, I'll buy it for you."

To successfully help the Two-Foot Adult make friends and at the same time reduce his own pressure, Uesugi Toru still agreed to the Two-Foot Adult's request.

"Yay!"

The girl in the white hat raised her hand and cheered, catching the flying Hiyobou and hugging him.

Uesugi Toru took the chance to glance at her promotion progress—hmm, it had reached 28%; it seemed the abbot of Hongan-ji still paid close attention to the Two-Foot Adult's memorial tablet.

After getting off the van, Uesugi Toru heard the sound of a window being rolled down, then Shizuma Manatsu's voice came,

"Barring accidents, Shizuku should have moved in already… she should be cultivating inside now. Uesugi-kun, just knock on the door; Nanjo Daimyo and I will leave first."

"OKOK."

Uesugi Toru nodded, and to prevent the Two-Foot Adult from causing trouble with Shizuku again, he first let the now very happy her return to the Jizo Statue, then watched the van slowly drive away.

But he hadn't yet had time to knock on the iron gate outside when he saw a familiar figure push open the door and walk out from inside.

"Kitano Classmate?" Uesugi Toru looked at Kitano Runa, who came running over upon seeing him and opened the iron gate, and smiled. "Long time no see."

"Long time no see?"

Kitano Runa blinked in confusion—it had only been a day or two; was that long?

But she immediately cast this trivial little problem to the back of her mind, raised her chin, pointed at herself, and said,

"Hehe, but these past two days, thanks to Shizuku's guidance, I've already comprehended the 'Basic Spirit Absorption Method' and can absorb Spirit Qi faster now!"

Uesugi Toru sensed briefly and discovered that Kitano Runa's Spirit Power had at least quadrupled since last time they met.

She had only been cultivating for a short while, this was indeed an extremely fast rate of progress.

"But the Basic Spirit Absorption Method really is difficult."

Kitano Runa stuck out her tongue, making a bitter face: "It feels even harder than the last sub-question of the final calculus problem."

No, it's completely not as hard as that problem.

Uesugi Toru felt the Basic Spirit Absorption Method and the Multiplication Table were comparable in difficulty, belonging to the category that any ordinary person with normal intelligence could learn.

"Ah! Almost forgot this is Uesugi-kun's home!"

Kitano Runa, blocking the doorway, lowered her head quite embarrassedly and stepped aside: "Please come in, please come in. Today I came to find Shizuku because I really couldn't understand the Spirit Absorption Method, so sorry for the intrusion."

Uesugi Toru waved his hand: "Such a small matter doesn't matter... but is it okay for Kitano Classmate to go out alone?"

"That's why I'm still standing inside the Kekkai." Kitano Runa sighed.

She pointed at the black sedan driving from the distant road: "After discovering I really have a Troublemaker Constitution, I definitely won't cause trouble for everyone — so now I have the Special Affairs Division Car pick me up and drop me off."

"But this doesn't count as abusing Public Resources."

Kitano Runa coughed twice: "This is just an S-Rank Special Privilege, yes, Special Privilege."

Seeing that Black Luxury Sedan approach, Uesugi Toru waved at her,

"Then Kitano Classmate, wishing you a Smooth Journey."

Kitano Runa blinked, and after peeking at the Villa suddenly revealed a Honeyed Smile, saying softly: "Shizuku is still on the first floor right now... Uesugi-kun you should be able to use Face Recognition to open the door, so please be careful to definitely not knock."

After saying a bunch of Meaning Unclear words, Kitano Runa got in the car.

Uesugi Toru rubbed his fingers, Face Recognition huh.

Then let's First Try, he hadn't tried what it feels like to open a door with this kind of high-tech before.

Uesugi Toru held his breath and silently paced to the Villa Doorway, then raised his head, aiming at the Pinhole Camera at the doorway.

Click.

With a light sound, the door opened.

End of Chapter