Chapter 137

May 12, 2024, Arakawa Ward, sunny.

"Thanks for the meal."

Uesugi Toru watched Shizuku carry away his half-true, half-false story ending along with the food, and patted his flat abdomen.

Upon feeling a perfectly appropriate seventy percent full, Uesugi Toru couldn't help but marvel that Shizuku's grasp of his stomach was truly exquisite.

If it were one-tenth less, he would definitely be hungry enough to see black before noon; but if it were one-tenth more, it would make one feel an obvious "fullness after eating food".

For them, a breakfast that makes one think "Huh, did I really eat this morning?" is a good breakfast.

It can reduce appetite, yet won't let the feeling of fullness affect cultivation.

Of course — Shizuku also took into account Uesugi Toru's currently weak body, so this breakfast was a probe of his physical condition.

If he couldn't keep the food down, he would vomit it out shortly after eating and then be forcibly sent to the Special Affairs Division hospital by her.

Eating this little would also reduce the burden on the body a bit.

And if he felt it wasn't enough due to lack of energy, Shizuku believed Uesugi Toru would absolutely actively request another serving.

She knew he was just that kind of person.

Although Shizuku wasn't good with words and had never learned how to take care of people, she had always been able to grasp those trivial details that ordinary people wouldn't pay attention to or would miss.

Because for her, isn't this also a kind of cultivation?

Since it is cultivation, one must give it their all, doing it to perfection.

Leaning on the bed and spending a few more minutes adapting to this flesh body no different from an ordinary person's, Uesugi Toru finally opened the panel that had been tossed aside not long ago, and selected all three rewards.

They were respectively "Basic Plain Spear Style · Mastery Level", "Five Thunder Method: Kiai Proficiency Reduction", and "Constant World Walker Identity related mission prop".

The next moment, a dense and delightful mass of prompts appeared across a large swath of his vision —

【You have learned Basic Spear Technique!】

【Your Basic Spear Technique has risen to Entry Level... Proficient Level... Mastery Level!】

【Basic Spear Technique (Mastery ∞/∞)】

【Effect: Thrust, lift, collapse, smash, shake, coil, block — you have mastered them all. You can send the spear tip into the enemy's vitals in the cleanest, neatest way, but likewise limited to this.】

【— Steps like mountain pines, spear strikes like a snake. There is empty and solid, there is unorthodox and orthodox. Whether it changes or not, all lies in a single thought.】

Uesugi Toru only felt a slight trance, then felt as if a long and unfamiliar segment of muscle memory had been forcibly stuffed into his flesh.

Immediately following, a massive amount of knowledge and key points on how to wield a spear poured into his mind.

Although this art is called "Basic Spear Technique" such an ordinary name, the fundamentals of spear use cannot be explained in a few sentences, and plain spears are also divided into several usages due to varying lengths.

Therefore, the amount of knowledge force-fed this time was simply quite a bit more than Tennen Rishin-ryu and Corona Breathing Technique combined.

On top of that, with Uesugi Toru's willpower currently forcibly weakened to 5 points, after learning Mastery Level spear technique, he only felt a bout of fierce dizziness, as if phantom images of plain spears kept appearing before his eyes.

This sensation persisted for over half an hour before it eased.

"Damn... learning like this really is convenient to the extreme."

Uesugi Toru laboriously raised his hand, rubbing his sun temples that felt about to burst: "If I trained myself, without two or three thousand proficiency points it probably wouldn't come down."

He caught his breath for a good while, and after using the breathing technique to smooth the stagnation in his body, he glanced at the remaining prompts, discovering his Physique attribute had increased.

【Because your Basic Plain Spear Style rose to Proficient Level, your Physique +2!】

【Because your Basic Plain Spear Style rose to Mastery Level, your Physique +3!】

【Because your Basic Plain Spear Style rose to Mastery Level, you can now switch to cultivate any spear art style without loss.】

But right now, because he was still in the "Anger" aftereffects, it temporarily could not be reflected on his body.

"Switch to cultivate any spear art style, huh..."

Uesugi Toru gradually absorbed everything regarding the Basic Plain Spear Style, and after perusing the vast spear knowledge, couldn't help but click his tongue: "Forget it, let's wait until I've figured out Tennen Rishin-ryu first."

When it comes down to it, this spear technique that suddenly appeared merely adds a means for him to handle more situations.

Good enough is fine, no need to research too deeply.

Moreover, just fully integrating this Mastery Level spear technique will probably consume no small amount of Uesugi Toru's time.

— Even though he has already learned spear technique through the panel, knowing it and being able to use it effortlessly in a life-and-death struggle are completely two different matters.

At this time, Uesugi Toru couldn't help but once again marvel at the convenience of Shizuku's Sword Heart Penetration.

If his mental state cultivation had also reached this level, then right now he would only need to close his eyes, enter meditation, and fight the enemies visualized in his mind dozens or hundreds of times to fully integrate the spear technique.

"Don't think about this, just take it step by step and walk on."

Uesugi Toru's current mental state cultivation has only just reached the first stage of Jinken Gōitsu, "Mirror of the Mind", not long ago.

Let alone Sword Heart Penetration, even the third stage of Jinken Gōitsu's "Mirror of the Mind, Hundred Refinements, Return to One" — Return to One — is still eight poles away.

And aside from simply forcibly raising the Will Attribute, there should also be other methods to train the mental state — I'll ask Shizuku when I look back.

Next is the Five Thunder Method: Kiai proficiency reduction.

Uesugi Toru brought up its panel, nodding imperceptibly.

【Five Thunder Method: Kiai (Entry 154/700)】

This way, only 550 proficiency points are needed to grind Five Thunder Method: Kiai to Proficient Level.

Judging from the experience of Spirit Control Technique and Corona Breathing Technique, generally an art becomes useful enough once it reaches Proficient Level, and this amount of proficiency can definitely be maxed out before the Shinken Shiai arrives.

Finally...

Uesugi Toru looked toward his hand.

An antique-styled copper pocket watch lay quietly in his palm.

The pocket watch was heavy; the case seemed to be made of pure copper.

If one brought the watch face close to the eyes to examine it, one would discover the enamel dial had already cracked, and specks of green rust clung to the watch's edges and corners.

Flipping it over, one could see the same strange and mysterious carved pattern as on the back of the Walker Gathering Token.

【You have obtained, Walking Watch (Special Prop)】

【Walking Watch (Special Prop)】

【Effect: None for now】

【——Activates after first entering the era designated by the "History Key".】

Uesugi Toru tried pressing the crown, but discovered that no matter how he pressed it, the pocket watch would not open.

"Need to use the History Key first, huh."

Uesugi Toru glanced at the Storage Backpack where the bone key lay quietly, utterly still, and without further observing the pocket watch in his hand, he placed it beside the History Key.

Since the History Key can only be used in Chang Shi, he could explore how to use it after entering the next map, or wait until the next Walker Gathering to ask Magatsukami for clues.

For now, there was no need for unnecessary overthinking.

After finishing reviewing the Area Settlement rewards for Kisaragi Station, next came the Region Unlock Mission for the next map.

【Since you have completed all missions in the current area "Kisaragi Station", the "Region Unlock Mission" has been issued!】

【Region Unlock Mission: Wind and Rain Okehazama】

【Unlock Condition: Arrive at Ancient Owari Okehazama Mountain while it is raining, then enter the History Phantom "Battle of Okehazama" and follow Oda Nobunaga to achieve victory in the battle.】

"Okehazama?"

Uesugi Toru froze for a moment; these three words were a place name even he, a history-blind who knew absolutely nothing about Japanese Warring States history, recognized.

Its fame could almost rival the later "Honnoji Barbecue".

However, this Region Unlock Mission was surprisingly simple.

Because in history, Oda Nobunaga led two or three thousand Oda Army soldiers in a surprise attack on the main camp of that Daimyo nicknamed "First Bow of Tokaido" amid a torrential downpour.

Then he directly took that Daimyo's head, turning defeat into victory with a tenfold disparity in forces.

From then on, Oda Nobunaga truly began his career as the "Sixth Demon King", and the Battle of Okehazama became a battle of absolutely unparalleled legendary significance in Japanese Warring States history that could not be passed by.

Uesugi Toru took out his Mobile Phone and looked it up, finding that "Okehazama" was roughly located in the vicinity of present-day Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya.

If he wanted to go there, taking the Shinkansen for a few hours would get him there; it was surprisingly close.

"Shizuku's Home seems to be around there too..."

Uesugi Toru recalled the information on the Tokugawa clan he had seen earlier, weighed it for a moment in his heart, and decided not to let Shizuku know his destination.

After all, he was just going there to open the map, not do anything else; there was absolutely no need to let Shizuku know and cause extra trouble.

"But forget about today and tomorrow."

Closing the Region Unlock Mission prompt Panel, Uesugi Toru stretched lazily, slowly climbed down from the Bed, and stood by the window gazing at the scenery.

The Side Effect of Anger was still ongoing; if he rushed on the road now, who knew if he'd have his head taken by a Great Demon suddenly popping out halfway, so resting for a day or two was perfectly justified.

A few dozen hours of rest time was something Uesugi Toru could still squeeze out.

Moreover, he could conveniently use this gap to organize his current Items and learned Arts, giving him a rough plan for future development.

"Ah, right, there's also the Material Arts."

Uesugi Toru opened his contact list and dialed Rituna Minami's number — since he had learned Material Arts, he definitely needed a material spear on hand.

He didn't require high quality; as long as it was solid and durable, it would do.

"Speak your business."

The call was still picked up instantly; it seemed that ever since becoming an Onmyo Daizoku, Rituna Minami had completely bid farewell to her former slacking life.

Uesugi Toru didn't beat around the bush either, speaking directly: "Nanjo Sister, send a few material spears, for training and transitional use."

After a pause, Uesugi Toru added: "No need for the blessed kind or treasure spears engraved with Yin-Yang Technique; can't use those."

"You know how to use a spear?" Rituna Minami's flat voice carried a hint of surprise.

This puzzlement was normal; as the saying goes, "month for staff, year for saber, lifetime for spear" — this spear thing, a few days fundamentally can't train out anything, at most just learn a poke, a thrust, a smash.

On an Ordinary Person it might be remarkably effective, but for a Supernatural of Uesugi Toru's caliber, this bit of distance between cold weapons wasn't some insurmountable chasm.

Not to mention Uesugi Toru had never previously shown any sign of training with or even touching a spear.

Uesugi Toru replied: "Barely passable. These past two days I happened to get my hands on a long spear, felt quite suitable for me so I want to try training with it."

"Material spears emphasize basics most, and don't have too many variations, so I want to start from this aspect."

Rituna Minami fell silent.

——If Uesugi Toru said suitable, that proved his talent in spear arts was at least on the same level as his talent in other aspects.

And Uesugi Toru's other talents... mastering Spirit Control Technique at a glance, entering Five Thunder Method: Kiai in minutes.

So Rituna Minami asked no further questions and didn't dissuade him, instead asking: "Need a spear arts teacher? I can shake up a couple of Dojo Master level ones for you."

Uesugi Toru: "Not necessary."

"Alright then." Rituna Minami didn't drag her feet either; she seemed to order Manatsu to do something, then replied, "Ordinary material spears can be delivered to your door today; just remember to open the door when they knock."

"Got it!"

Uesugi Toru answered with a laugh — having the Special Affairs Division where Nanjo Sister is as backing was exactly this good; ordinary needs solved with a single phone call, saving a lot of troublesome business.

Otherwise, just the material spears he wanted today would at minimum require running out several trips and still not necessarily getting suitable ones.

Fearing Rituna Minami would just hang up, Uesugi Toru coughed twice and quickly said: "Also, two more things."

Hearing there was more business on the other end, Rituna Minami also stopped her fingers flying across the keyboard.

She moved her wrist, sipped her bottomed-out coffee, leaned back in the boss chair for the first time in ages, propped her feet on the desk, and said lazily,

"No rush, speak slowly."

Uesugi Toru then said unhurriedly: "First, conveniently send a Mobile Phone in today's 'delivery' too."

"Mobile Phone?"

"Yeah, my Shikigami is clamoring to use one." Uesugi Toru shrugged helplessly, "This is also Nure-onna and Hiyobou's fault for each having a Mobile Phone, making her drool with envy, very unbalanced inside."

Hearing this, Rituna Minami glanced at Nure-onna who had spent half an hour processing the same document she gave her yet had already changed her Mobile Phone's position countless times.

Then looked at Hiyobou wearing headphones nearly as big as her body watching children's cartoons, unwilling to let the sound disturb her even while swaying unsteadily.

Then she said lightly, "Small matter, the phone card will be handled for you together too... just don't let her get a phone and forget her owner."

In the corner of the desk, the soaked woman who felt the grim gaze shrank her body, and an ominous premonition arose in her heart.

——If she could forget me, that would count as a good thing too!

Uesugi Toru thought it would be best to let the Two-Shaku Adult play with a phone happily every day, so she wouldn't come harass him all day long.

When needed, just grab the Two-Shaku Adult into his arms and hold her tight.

But Nanjo Rituna didn't think so... looks like every family has a sutra hard to recite.

After a sigh, Uesugi Toru continued: "Also the shikigami matter — Nanjo Sister, I want to contract a shikigami with strength at least Three-Star Level, able to communicate normally."

The contract price and difficulty of a Three-Star Level or above shikigami, can that brat suppress it?

Although Nanjo Rituna had doubts in her heart, she did not reveal them; she never casually pointed fingers at decisions others had already deeply considered.

She said: "Then I'll compile a list for you later, tell me which one you fancy, and I'll bring that guy before you."

"Then many thanks, Nanjo Sister."

Nanjo Rituna: "If you want to say thanks to me, then don't die in the Shinken Shiai."

She lowered her eyebrows, finished the last sip of coffee, then accurately tossed the empty coffee cup onto the head of the soaked woman who was sneakily playing with her phone again, making a "dong" sound.

The latter, who was peeking at a light novel, was scared stiff, her phone nearly falling to the ground.

"The few disciples of Oboro Moon Hall definitely all hide killing moves no one has seen, so even if you have absolute grasp, don't be careless..."

Nanjo Rituna sighed imperceptibly: "If you slip up or an accident happens, quickly admit defeat and get off the stage, life is most important."

Uesugi Toru was slightly stunned hearing this, not understanding why Nanjo Rituna emphasized this kind of thing again tirelessly.

But after thinking carefully for a while, Uesugi Toru understood.

This probably relates to Nanjo Sister's unique personal experiences, and those partners who once teamed with Nanjo Sister but are now all underground.

Uesugi Toru didn't say more, just replied calmly,

"Rest assured."

"Mm, then goodbye."

Nanjo Rituna actively hung up the phone.

Uesugi Toru also put down his phone, a strange feeling in his heart — as time passes, every call with Nanjo Sister feels more and more motherly.

Because it's always him who raises needs first, Nanjo Rituna regardless of reasonable or not, agrees indiscriminately then starts nagging and admonishing endlessly.

Clicking his tongue savoring the aftertaste for a moment, Uesugi Toru took the Two-Shaku Adult out from the Jizo Statue, informing her the phone would arrive in the evening.

"Yay! Long live Toru-sama!"

The Two-Shaku Adult finished speaking and pounced onto Uesugi Toru's body, hugging him tightly like an octopus, ten fingers clasped behind his back, legs also knotted behind, becoming a veritable little pendant.

She blinked her big eyes, raised her head and asked: "Actually we can compromise a little, be Toru-sama's bed-warming maid po~"

The little thing got a bargain and still isn't satisfied, wants to eat and take more.

Uesugi Toru wanted to pull her off, but alas his current ordinary person physical quality simply can't compare to the Two-Shaku Adult with One-Star Half strength.

Just then Shizuku pushed open the door, wanting to ask if he's coming to steam sauna together.

The girl stood at the doorway looking at this scene, arms crossed, raised an eyebrow: "Uesugi-kun, did I come at a bad time?"

"No, you came at just the right time."

Uesugi Toru turned his head, pointed at the Two-Shaku Adult hanging on his waist and said seriously: "Please help me pull this white-hat octopus off."

……

No matter how the Two-Shaku Adult struggled, she couldn't shake Shizuku's hand pinching her nape.

This made her even more determined to become stronger in the future — otherwise, she can't even snatch a position from this female demon!

The Two-Shaku Adult, whose bottom line had slowly retreated, sat on the dining table in a huff, eating the "enemy's" made children's breakfast in big mouthfuls.

Gu, even she had to admit, the flat-chested female demon's cooking is still delicious.

Since that's the case, from now on just get along peacefully with her during meals!

After making this decision in her heart, the Two-Shaku Adult ate the children's meal even faster and more fragrantly.

On the other side, Shizuku was staring at the pink heart, crystal clear and wrapped in transparent glass, held in Uesugi Toru's hand.

She curiously approached the Dissociated Love sealed in special glass and asked,

"Uesugi-kun, what is this?"

"Special material for polishing mental state."

Uesugi Toru stared at the Dissociated Love for a while, didn't discover any strange additional thoughts in his mind sea, and nodded secretly in his heart.

——Fact proves, mental state is indeed linked to will, but not completely determined by Will Attribute.

For example, even if his Will Attribute dropped to 5 points now, because his mental state has reached the "Mirror of the Mind" stage, he won't be easily confused by the Dissociated Love.

Although still need to vigilantly guard his mind, it's no longer to the point of being infused with strange thoughts the moment he's not careful.

"This is... a good thing."

The squatting Shizuku's eyes shone, she clapped her hands: "If Uesugi-kun your body can still endure it, then bring it along to steam sauna."

"High temperature environment also helps with mental state tempering."

"This can be tried."

Uesugi Toru touched his chin and replied.

Even an ordinary person wouldn't be taken down by a mere sauna, let alone he has Corona Qi continuously circulating Zhou Tian in his body, heat resistance is pretty good.

"Then it's decided!" Shizuku snapped her fingers before his eyes, turned and walked downstairs, "I'll shower first, no problem if you're slow."

——After showering, Uesugi Toru who never steamed sauna learned from anime to tie a thick white towel around his crotch, knotted it, then walked to the sauna room and pushed open the glass door.

Sizzle sizzle sizzle.

Instantly, the sound of water falling on high-temperature stones and evaporating entered Uesugi Toru's ears.

He blinked, discovering Shizuku holding a wooden spoon, pouring light-green medicine water onto a volcanic stone to one side.

—This medicine water seemed to be concocted by Shizuku with her own homemade formula, offering considerable benefits whether for nourishing the body or soothing the spirit.

Of course, Uesugi Toru had not experienced it himself before, only hearing Shizuku mention it.

Stepping up onto the platform, Uesugi Toru's footsteps paused slightly.

Because... from this angle, it seemed somewhat subtle.

Since the volcanic stones were piled in a corner, if she did not want to move, Shizuku needed to first scoop up the medicine liquid with the wooden spoon, then turn sideways and extend her hand to pour the liquid onto them.

Thus, that pair of healthy, powerful, long thighs, their tan lines dividing them almost all the way to the absolute domain, and her fair, beautiful back were exposed to the fellow walking up from the platform.

Even though the vast majority in between was blocked by a towel, human imagination is boundless — rather, half-hidden, faintly visible is the best state.

Uesugi Toru quietly admired for a moment, then chose to turn a blind eye, sitting beside Shizuku holding the sealed Dissociated Love.

Crackle crackle.

The last of the medicine liquid was poured from the wooden spoon, large amounts of gleaming white steam rising, causing the temperature inside the sauna room to rise another notch.

Uesugi Toru slowly exhaled, controlling his strength as he circulated the Corona Breathing Technique, quickly adapting to the high-temperature environment inside the sauna room.

The sound of the wooden spoon being placed to one side came, and immediately Uesugi Toru felt the back of his hand resting at his side covered by a mass of scalding soft flesh.

"Mm..."

The girl who accidentally sat on Uesugi Toru's palm after turning around pursed her mouth, shifted her buttocks, pressed her legs together, and sat to one side.

Uesugi Toru, having witnessed this scene, was somewhat confused.

Strange.

Was this a sound Shizuku could make?

According to his understanding of Shizuku, if she sat on his hand, she just sat, sitting there normally was fine, and moving away nonchalantly was no big deal.

But what was this "mm" situation?

Uesugi Toru played with Dissociated Love, and as his gaze scanned up and down carefully, making Shizuku's ears keep turning red, he suddenly understood.

—She seemed to have taken off the Kendo Pendant she never left behind even when sleeping!

So now sitting before him was that Shizuku who would hug his waist on the bread van without caring about her image, crying loudly, soft and glutinous!

But this was even stranger.

Uesugi Toru remembered that ever since the Fox Dog Raccoon made her drop the pendant, Shizuku had not taken off the pendant outside even once.

Shizuku was the type to remember lessons very heavily, so the vast majority of mistakes she would only make once.

Uesugi Toru couldn't be bothered to hide it, directly asking his question: "Where's your pendant?"

"Cough! Cough!"

Shizuku coughed loudly twice first, seemingly to gather courage, then she said: "I took it off — of course it was for cultivation!"

The girl spoke like a string of firecrackers, chattering away: "Taking off the pendant makes the heart more sensitive to external stimuli, more conducive to mental state cultivation."

"And the sauna room isn't a dangerous place; it's impossible for yokai to suddenly jump out and clamor to eat me."

This explanation was reasonable.

If a method was proven beneficial to her cultivation, Shizuku would definitely do it; this was fundamentally something that needed no hesitation.

As for whether staying by his side counted as safe... that definitely counted, what relationship did he and Shizuku have — hit buttocks friendship, teacher-disciple relationship, adoptive father relationship!

So Uesugi Toru nodded, shifted his body until he was almost pressed against Shizuku, then placed Dissociated Love on her thigh.

He explained: "This thing's attenuation is quite severe if it's a little farther away; use it close up."

"Ah... oh."

Shizuku's somewhat dazed voice came, making Uesugi Toru raise his head in confusion.

Then he discovered the girl's face, like a ripe red apple, fresh red and dripping.

Uesugi Toru thought he might as well move farther away, and asked: "What's wrong?"

"No, nothing." Shizuku shook her head stiffly, then roared in her heart, "Dead heart, jump slower for me!"

Gazing at the face before him that seemed like water could be pinched out of it, even Uesugi Toru, who didn't want to waste more time and directly enter a cultivation state, couldn't help but become interested and felt the urge to tease her.

Shizuku in this state was not common at all; it could even be said no one knew if there would be a next time.

So, play around?

Uesugi Toru's thought arose, and he first picked up Dissociated Love, pretending to want to say something to attract Shizuku's attention.

Then, his left hand hidden behind his back suddenly poked toward the girl's waist, directly striking deep into the soft flesh.

"Yah!"

Shizuku, as if electrocuted, suddenly stood up from the long bench.

The wet towel wrapped around the girl's body drooped down a section due to this large movement, clearly exposing one side of her thigh and her full, round curve to Uesugi Toru's vision.

Although Shizuku immediately pulled the towel back, this kind of healthy moment staying in memory for an instant was quite profound.

Uesugi Toru raised his hands.

To be honest, he really just wanted to poke Shizuku with his hand to see what interesting reaction she would have.

Facing Shizuku who hemmed and hawed, unable to squeeze out a complete word for a long time, it was Uesugi Toru who first sighed,

"No more fooling around, Shizuku Teacher, let's talk about mental state cultivation first."

He patted the spot beside him, letting the slightly hesitant girl sit down.

After suppressing the emotions in her heart with several deep breaths, Shizuku patted her cheeks, put on an expression no different from usual, and asked: "Uesugi-kun, you've just entered the Mirror of the Mind stage, right?"

"Correct." Uesugi Toru nodded, simply tossing Dissociated Love onto Shizuku, "Just arrived, haven't gone far."

With Dissociated Love as an external stimulus, Shizuku's heart calmed down a bit more; she pondered for a moment and said,

"Since that's the case, let me explain in detail my own path from Mirror of the Mind to Hundred Refining."

Uesugi Toru wiped the sweat from his chin: "All ears."

Shizuku swept him with the corner of her eye, and after confirming both her Hand Palms were within her visible range, she said,

"The so-called Hundred Refining is to hammer your own 【Xin Zhi Chen】 a hundred times, a thousand times, even ten thousand times or more, making it unyielding and indestructible."

"To forge the soul-born embryo into a piece of 【steel】 that reaches the ultimate limit in every direction you can perceive—whether hardness, toughness, sharpness... in short."

"Then." Shizuku raised her red finger, speaking seriously, "The process from Mirror of the Mind to Hundred Refining is the process of obtaining a 【Xin Zhi Chen】 that is presentable."

Uesugi Toru frowned and asked, "Turn the Mirror of the Mind in the heart into a raw embryo?"

"Yes. Turn the mirror in the heart, which originally could only actively reflect one side, into a raw embryo that reflects all things around oneself at all times."

Shizuku nodded, but now using her flushed face to put on a serious expression instead gave off a peculiar charm.

Raw embryo...

Uesugi Toru was confused: "But if it's a raw embryo, then how can it reflect others and things like a mirror?"

"——That is the difference between people."

Shizuku crossed her Arms Crossed, making the white towel bulge slightly: "Some people's raw embryo can only reflect a blurry outline of a huge object nearby, while some people's raw embryo can clearly reflect even the antennae of an ant at the end of their vision."

Uesugi Toru blinked: "So that's where your outrageous Perception comes from?"

Shizuku said nothing, just made a cat mouth and raised her head, putting on the expression of "praise me quickly."

Uesugi Toru naturally wouldn't praise her; he just thought in his heart that Shizuku in this state was exactly like a bratty high schooler of the same age.

Whatever was in her heart showed on her face; she couldn't hide anything at all.

After a moment, Shizuku looked back unhappily, and after poking Uesugi Toru's Calf with her hot, round, water-dripping toes, she continued,

"In short, use external stimuli, self-tempering, or anything else to polish the Mirror of the Mind in your heart brighter and brighter, reflecting farther and farther, finer and finer."

"——Only then will the quality of your 【Xin Zhi Chen】 be better, and only then can you go further when Hundred Refining comes later."

【Tokugawa Ririko is teaching you Sword Heart Realm knowledge·Mirror of the Mind Hundred Refining Chatter...】

【Your Sword Heart Realm slightly improved.】

【Your Sword Heart Realm advancement requirement slightly decreased.】

Slap slap slap slap.

After listening, Uesugi Toru was the first to clap: "Good! Teacher Shizuku lectures well! Profound yet simple! Even a fool like me can understand!"

"Hoho." After hearing this, Shizuku's nose was almost tilted to the sky.

"But, specifically, what to do?"

After sweeping a few Prompts with one glance, Uesugi Toru decided to ask about the location of the tree planted by predecessors.

"As for me, it's practicing Swordsmanship."

When Swordsmanship was mentioned, everything about Shizuku suddenly calmed down.

She and Uesugi Toru Face to face, slowly, Word By Word, said, "Practice Swordsmanship with full Concentration. Seek out every deficiency in each sword swing, every tiny omission in detail, investigate every inch of your own flesh, Spirit, and Soul, until the end of yourself."

【Tokugawa Ririko is teaching you Sword Heart Realm knowledge·The Way of Polishing the Xin Zhi Chen...】

【Your Sword Heart Realm slightly improved.】

Seeking from within and from oneself?

Uesugi Toru Memorized Shizuku's "Way of Polishing," thinking in his heart that no wonder she could easily transform and create a technique suitable for herself.

Presumably it must have a great connection with such a tempering method.

——And after Shizuku's explanation, Uesugi Toru roughly understood.

In the stage from Mirror of the Mind to Hundred Refining, the most important thing is to polish the "Perception" of the Mirror of the Mind in the heart.

After understanding this, whether inward or outward, a Cultivator must always find a suitable method to polish this Perception.

Then what method should I use? Copy Shizuku's?

Although Uesugi Toru felt he could try it, he admitted he was not a seeker of the Dao who placed Swordsmanship above all else, far from being as pure as Shizuku.

Perhaps he had to find a suitable method himself.

After pondering for a Long Time, Uesugi Toru shook his head; his accumulation was not much, and for now he didn't have a good clue in this regard.

If he couldn't find it, then he could only forcibly use Will Attribute to crush numerically and Breakthrough.

Glancing at Shizuku who had been quietly staring at him without speaking, Uesugi Toru smiled, placing his finger on top of Dissociated Love, and closed his eyes.

For now, let's first temper the will with Dissociated Love and the high-temperature Environment of the sauna room.

After an hour and a half.

【After tempering by "Dissociated Love," your Will Attribute +1!】

Putting away Dissociated Love, Uesugi Toru walked out of the sauna room feeling refreshed.

Shizuku, who had already rehung the pendant in an extremely short time, looked back and threw him a new towel: "Wipe yourself."

"Thanks."

Taking over the towel, Uesugi Toru walked to the other side to change clothes, then he and Shizuku walked out of the bathing and sauna Area one after another, returning to the first floor Dojo.

The two-foot Adult, who was waving small fists to tickle Samurai Zanmetsumaru, looked back and saw the two of them, both spirited and with Complexions still flushed.

The two-foot Adult took a Deep Breath, stiffly looked back, and pretended not to have seen anything.

——Toru-sama promised to buy me a Mobile Phone today, so for now I'll generously let him off!

——Once I get the Mobile Phone, I'll definitely learn a hundred strategies to defeat the flat-chested Demon King on the internet!

"Drink!"

After an angry coquettish shout, a small fist about a quarter the size of a sandbag smashed into Samurai Zanmetsumaru with all its might.

Samurai Zanmetsumaru made an approving sound: "Three hundred eighty-two Kan~ this is your strongest strike, Miss Two Shaku."

After hearing this, the two-foot Adult's Small face fell.

——She clearly knew that Shizuku, who practiced Swordsmanship here every day, could manage two or three thousand Kan with just any casual swing, and even with eyes closed, standing still and swinging through the air, at least four or five hundred Kan.

Gwa gwa gwa gwa! She actually only has one-tenth of her power! Then doesn't that mean she'll have to spend her whole life under the Flat-Chested Demon King!

"Nooooo!!!"

Nisun-sama roared, her powder fists falling like raindrops, as Samurai Zanmetsumaru lightly reported numbers around two to three hundred one after another, bombarding her confidence.

Finally, accompanied by the casual voice saying "One hundred seventy-two kan~", Nisun-sama went *slap* and collapsed sitting on the ground.

She, burned out.

Ririko, who was just preparing to pick up her bamboo sword and walk over, poked Uesugi Toru's shoulder: "Hey, your shikigami doesn't have a problem, right?"

Uesugi Toru stared at Nisun-sama, who seemed to be turning gray-white, about to enter the manga world: "Probably just practiced until she got tired and fell asleep. Nisun hardly ever trained herself before, this is a good thing."

"Oh oh."

Ririko didn't suspect anything else, holding a respectful mindset carefully carried Nisun-sama to sit by the wall.

And Nisun-sama, having used up all her strength, could only feel herself being carefully carried away by Ririko, and a tiny sense of humiliation couldn't help but rise in her heart.

—Wuwuwu, I can't do anything.

Uesugi Toru meanwhile stared at the top of Nisun-sama's head, surprisingly discovering that the promotion progress bar on top of her head had actually already reached 67%.

Calculating the time, at most two or three more days and she'll finish leveling up.

When she was staying in that side hall before, it definitely wasn't this fast.

Could it be that after they left that day, the old abbot of Hongan-ji decided to move Nisun-sama's spirit tablet to the main hall.

If that's the case...

Uesugi Toru silently noted this favor in his heart — moving a spirit tablet that exists outside the Buddhist sect into the main hall is no simple matter, let alone when Nisun-sama is still a mononoke.

"Ririko."

"Hm?" The girl who had changed into a kendo uniform turned her head.

"In a couple days I might have something and need to go out for a trip." Uesugi Toru swiped his phone, saying casually, "During that time, please watch the house."

"Got it."

Ririko moved her joints, twirled a sword flower, then walked toward Samurai Zanmetsumaru: "Small matter, no need to say it."

Uesugi Toru secretly raised his eyes, seeing the girl's straight back.

Was I seen through?

Hard to say, but he had this feeling.

Uesugi Toru closed his phone, sighing slightly in his heart.

Ririko's Sword Heart Penetration perception and intuition are really too sharp, nothing escapes her.

Two days later, Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.

On the Shinkansen, just before getting off, Uesugi Toru took a moment to glance at his attribute panel.

【Uesugi Toru】

【Physique: 38】

【Will: 33】

【Charm: 9】

【Spirit Arts: 29】

In these two days, although limited by the previous attribute constancy binding, Will still increased by 1 point again due to Dissociated Love.

The 5 points of Physique increased from Material Arts before were genuinely reflected on Uesugi Toru's body.

He could clearly feel that whether it was strength, nerve reflexes, or internal qi capacity and circulation speed, all had risen another level.

Just then, a mechanical female announcement voice sounded in the Shinkansen.

"The train will soon arrive at the station, Nagoya Station..."

"The train will soon arrive at the station, Nagoya Station..."

Uesugi Toru heard this, closed his attribute panel, took out sunglasses from his pocket and put them on, called to the girl beside him: "Nisun, stop looking, time to go."

Sitting in the window seat, the girl who had just silently watched the changing scenery for several hours without a word showed a sweet smile, grabbed Uesugi Toru's hand,

"Toru-sama, this Shinkansen is so amazing... it can run this fast, the scenery outside is also very pretty."

"Shinkansen technology is indeed quite impressive, just a bit expensive."

Uesugi Toru dragged the girl to the exit door, completely disregarding that not a single local had left their seat before the Shinkansen stopped steady, also casually ignoring the strange gazes coming from the surroundings.

—These Neon people all wait for the train to arrive and open its doors before they start preparing to get off, which results in incredibly huge crowds when getting off and on, squeezed to death.

This in turn causes some people to not make it off in time while organizing luggage.

Although Uesugi Toru this time traveled light, bringing no luggage at all, that doesn't hinder him from finding this behavior quite humorous.

Nisun-sama held the warm big hand in hers, thinking happily in her heart:

—Toru-sama and my Nagoya solo travel date, is starting po!

But Nisun-sama didn't expect that after getting off, Uesugi Toru would follow the navigation and advance toward the predetermined location with thunderous swiftness.

Walking, train, transfer, walking...

Not to mention passing those few places in her travel guide, she didn't even shop for half a minute.

In the afternoon, dark clouds covered the sky.

In front of the scenic spot marker labeled 【Okehazama】, Nisun-sama stuck out her little tongue lifelessly.

She didn't expect Toru-sama to rush so urgently, only to actually arrive at this place that has nothing but woods and scenic area stores.

Could Toru-sama be a fan of the Sixth Demon King Oda Nobunaga...

"It's going to rain."

Uesugi Toru raised his head in a good mood, this rain completely matched the time in the weather forecast, saving him from waiting longer or making another trip.

"However, before that……"

He looked at the two-shaku Adult behind him who was already faintly emitting Buddha Light and topped with a 99% Progress Bar, entered a deserted small woods, and waved at her: "Two-shaku Adult, come over."

Go over?

The two-shaku Adult who was still complaining in front of the Okehazama Status Window covered in traces of years froze for a moment, looking at Uesugi Toru who had already entered the deep dense forest and was waving at her.

Could it be……

The two-shaku Adult's eyes suddenly brightened.

——Unexpectedly Toru-sama usually looks so serious, yet actually likes this kind of play!

Hehe!

Then I, the two-shaku Adult, can only dutifully accompany you!

(End of Chapter)