Chapter 174

In the Imagawa Residence, within Uesugi Toru's personal small courtyard.

After seeing the attendants who were preparing the medicinal bath inside the room walk out, Uesugi Toru stood up.

Just one more medicinal bath cultivation session away from completing the first major stage of the Flesh Palace — Skin Tempering cultivation.

Regarding the "Flesh Palace," there are actually two places where this term is used.

One is the Mastery Level of all Breathing Techniques; this proficiency rank is collectively called the "Flesh Palace" by the experience of predecessors.

As for the reason, Toru guessed it was probably because in the vast majority of Breathing Techniques, the proficiency requirement for "refining flesh" is the highest during this stage.

The second is one of the four Ultimate Forms unlocked shortly after reading the Nine Breathing Methods — the "Flesh Palace."

Here, the Flesh Palace is the Ultimate Form of "Flesh" among Skin, Bone, Flesh, and Tendon.

Although both are called Flesh Palace, the gap between the two is still surprisingly large.

"Shiraishi, not going to rest a bit? Combining work and rest allows one to walk faster and steadier."

Before entering the room, Uesugi Toru spoke to Shiraishi, who had been crouching in the tree shade reading the secret manual for a whole day.

Ever since Shiraishi tasted the sweet fruits of strong positive feedback four days ago, aside from eating meals and sleeping, he had spent almost all his time studying and practicing the ninja secret manual in his hands.

In four days' time, this secret manual had already been roughly read through by him.

Benefiting from this, the current Shiraishi should also possess a strength level of roughly a little over half a star.

— But judging by Shiraishi's personality, such intense learning enthusiasm was obviously abnormal.

Simply like three minutes of heat.

If not restrained a little now, he feared that encountering a setback later would deal a huge blow to his cultivation interest.

The engrossed Shiraishi did not hear these words, until the two-shaku Adult sitting on a tree branch singing chirp-chirp along with the sparrows jumped down and patted his shoulder, only then did the latter raise his head.

The two-shaku Adult repeated the words once.

Shiraishi blinked, just about to say no no no need to rest at all, but saw Uesugi Toru stand up, probably preparing to start the daily "terrifying cultivation."

He called it terrifying cultivation because every day after Uesugi Toru entered the room, a burst of crackling, whooshing, spine-chilling sounds would come from inside.

And this duration was usually about one double-hour.

If it's one double-hour, the time has only just reached afternoon.

Shiraishi's eyeballs rolled around, then he attempted to propose: "Boss, lately that 'Slash Power Test' in the east of the city seems to be very popular.

They say after one strike hits, that big black ball that gets struck will even use a strange tone to precisely report your force, it's miraculous!"

The two-shaku Adult standing beside him had a strange complexion.

Isn't that... the pitch-black Zanmetsumaru that Toru-sama took out two days ago?

— Because at home the two-shaku Adult beats the Samurai Zanmetsumaru every day, she has long since gotten used to it, and thus did not find it all that miraculous.

She thought Toru-sama probably thought the same.

So Shiraishi would probably return disappointed.

Shiraishi, face full of anticipation: "Why don't we go try it this afternoon too?"

Contrary to the two-shaku Adult's expectations, the not-far-away Uesugi Toru actually nodded after thinking for a moment: "Fine. I'll take you guys together after I finish today's cultivation."

Shiraishi immediately let out a strange cry: "Hooray!"

The two-shaku Adult scratched her head, not quite understanding what Uesugi Toru was thinking.

— Uesugi Toru naturally had his own considerations.

Three days ago, after he took the Samurai Zanmetsumaru out publicly, it instantly attracted samurai and ronin from the five lakes and four seas in Sunpu Castle.

Including many people in the Imagawa Residence who followed the trend and went, causing the manor to be unexpectedly quiet now.

In the region where the Samurai Zanmetsumaru resides, the place abbreviated as the "Test Cutting Ground" has been packed to the brim and burning hot for these three days.

Although it requires having "a certain connection to the Imagawa Clan," besides that nothing else needs to be paid.

More crucially, Imagawa Yoshimoto made the important decision of "first three times can be free slash tests."

This is the real reason the Test Cutting Ground has stayed explosively popular until now.

Because they can free slash test, many itchy-handed samurai come with a "why not try" mindset.

Then the samurai, after slashing once, are amazed to the heavens, turning into spontaneous word-of-mouth spreaders.

Therefore.

Uesugi Toru wanted to go to the Test Cutting Ground after Skin Tempering completion and generously display a wave of his own strength without too much reservation.

Because yesterday Okabe Motonobu had already secretly sought him out in private.

Saying Imagawa Yoshimoto wants to wait until after they set out on campaign to Mikawa Province, until they have nominally left Sunpu City and possess an alibi, before moving to solve those Elders remaining inside the Imagawa Residence.

This way, no handle for gossip will be left.

Even if someone suspects the Elders' deaths are related to Imagawa Yoshimoto.

But without evidence, these suspicions will only collapse on their own before the three words "Tenka-bito" in the future.

— The campaign to Mikawa Province should be just a few days away.

And if Uesugi Toru goes to the Test Cutting Ground now to show off a wave of strength, although there is the risk of "exposing own combat power."

But equally, this move will also make those Elders summon more powerful guards by their sides, fish out more potential reactionary forces.

Moreover, this deterrence from Onmyoji Toru's strength will also make those Elders even more wind-and-cranes, not daring to act rashly.

Because judging by Imagawa Yoshimoto's usual style, this is merely a simple warning, and absolutely will not involve action.

Contradicting the above situation of summoning guards, the Elders would even feel an inexplicable sense of security because of this.

Besides, the purge after demonstrating powerful strength can also make the remaining ill-intentioned fellows weigh in private whether they are truly qualified before acting.

Onmyoji Toru's reputation will also spread even more widely, thereby increasing his Sengoku Period Era Reputation.

— This thing looks like it has little use, but it can increase Main Quest Completion.

So this move of going to the Test Cutting Ground to openly trial cut, aside from exposing part of his own strength, the benefits are simply too many!

A hundred benefits, and only a single harm!

But this one harm is truly too slight.

Because……

"Even if they know my strength, what can they possibly do?"

Uesugi Toru calmly clenched his fist, pure white Gang Qi and fine threads of lightning leaping between his fingers.

So-called conspiracies and schemes — one punch to shatter them is enough.

He entered the room without a word, and after closing the door took a deep breath, instantly feeling his thoughts become light and quick.

Clear-headed and refreshed!

——In the very center of the room, an unlit Soul Incense Candle stood quietly there, continuously emitting a fresh, strange fragrance.

And beside the Soul Incense Candle, on a piece of red silk cloth, a crystal-clear Five Thunder Orb was displayed.

Uesugi Toru again took from his bosom the "Star" he had bound with silk thread into a necklace, and hung it around his neck.

He took off his thin clothing, leapt into the black medicinal liquid in the wooden bucket, and as usual swallowed the String Hun Xiang Hui.

——Under the amplification of a full five layers of buffs, it would be hard for cultivation speed not to be fast!

Uesugi Toru finally glanced at the two Skill Proficiencies that would increase.

【Corona Breathing Technique (Skin Tempering 336/360)】.

【Five Thunder Method: Kiai (Proficient 579/1400)】.

Skin Tempering is just this one session short, and in these few days the Five Thunder Technique's proficiency has also risen quite a lot.

However, Tennen Rishin-ryu has been slightly neglected these past few days, just swinging the blade to maintain the feel, after all the Breathing Technique has reached the important stage of imminent promotion.

As for Spirit Control Technique, Uesugi Toru also attempted cultivation during spare time, only each time it rose a mere 1 point of proficiency before he gave up.

One can only say that Yin-Yang Technique in the Warring States era truly isn't something for humans to cultivate.

Even he, whose Spirit Power absorption speed is hundreds of times that of ordinary people, is still like this — let alone ordinary cultivators……

Uesugi Toru closed his eyes, banishing these distracting thoughts from his mind, and instead embraced the scorching pain.

——This cultivation session, he absolutely must complete Skin Tempering!

……

Outside the room, Adult Erchi sat on the corridor acting as Dharma Protector for Uesugi Toru, idly swinging her legs, teasing the little sparrows that flew onto the back of her hand and the top of her small white cap.

With the Affinity Halo, Adult Erchi's relationship with these small animals in nature has progressed remarkably fast.

Shiraishi pressed his ear tight against the wooden planks, clearly hearing the continuous sounds coming from inside the room.

Just listening from outside made him unable to stop his complexion from twitching, his legs turning somewhat soft.

Shiraishi asked in a low voice,

"Erchi little boss, will the boss die in there……"

Adult Erchi gave a faint cold snort,

"What are these? The extent of Toru-sama's willpower is not something a little brat like you can imagine."

She actually didn't like Shiraishi very much.

Because Adult Erchi always felt this guy Shiraishi was slick-tongued, doing nothing proper all day; not to mention helping Toru-sama, he often dragged him down instead.

Unlike myself, who thinks of Toru-sama in every way; even where I can't help, I return to the Jizo Statue to avoid causing trouble as much as possible.

Two hours passed in a flash.

This bit of time naturally counts as nothing for Adult Erchi who has stayed alone for over a hundred years — a blink and it was gone.

On the contrary, Shiraishi again couldn't help pulling out the Ninja Secret Manual to practice.

Crash.

The somewhat heavy Sliding Doors were all pulled open in an instant, a large amount of white high-temperature steam surging out from the room in a split second, startling away the small animals beside Adult Erchi.

But the girl didn't mind; she immediately turned her head in delighted surprise,

"Toru-sama!"

Shiraishi, hearing the commotion, also looked with great curiosity into the steam gushing out.

Autumn wind blew past.

The steam slowly dispersed.

Then, both of them froze.

Because as the steam dispersed, a man of heroic bearing, with skin like jade, was exposed in the sight of the two of them.

The bare-chested man slightly twisted his neck, letting the afternoon sunlight fall on the jade-white skin membrane flowing like water, giving rise to a luster like that on illuminated marble, revealing pure physical beauty.

"Huu——"

Uesugi Toru comfortably exhaled the Gang Qi that had been stained by the high temperature, and after feeling the deep autumn coolness stretched lazily with great ease.

Feeling the clear breeze on his face, Uesugi Toru lowered his eyes to look at the large pile of Prompts popping up before him——

【Your Skill, Corona Breathing Technique Proficiency +26!】

【Your Skill, Five Thunder Method: Kiai Proficiency +6!】

【You completed Flesh Palace Cultivation · Skin Tempering Stage!】

【Your Skin Strength moderately increased!】

【Your Physique +3!】

【Because you completed "Skin Tempering Stage", your Gang Qi utilization efficiency slightly increased!】

Although the path of cultivation is painful and slow, by now this Skin Tempering Stage is ultimately considered complete!

Originally this Skin Tempering required a full 1500 proficiency points to complete, nearly equivalent to half the proficiency needed for Corona Breathing Technique to advance from Proficient Level to Mastery Level.

But with the help of multiple factors, it was actually completed in just these few days in the Warring States era.

This bit of time converted to reality……

Uesugi Toru's thoughts stagnated slightly; only now did he recall that these past few days he had been immersed in cultivation and forgotten to check the time flow on both sides.

Mm, I'll confirm this matter before leaving Imagawa Residence later.

Thinking this, Uesugi Toru casually brought up his attribute panel — he hadn't properly looked at this thing in a good long while.

【Uesugi Toru (Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation)】

【Physique: 51】

【Will: 31】

【Charm: 12 (21)】

【Spirit Arts: 79】

Ho.

Not having looked in a long time, his Physique attribute had actually broken through 50 even without wearing the Hannya Mask; if he put the mask on he could easily break through the 70 threshold as well.

"This really is, unexpected."

Uesugi Toru marveled inwardly.

If he progressed at this speed, perhaps before long he could go to Edo Castle again and cross blades with that wax figure who once killed him head-on with a single slash.

Probably not many days have passed for the other party.

Uesugi Toru merely thinking of the expression that might appear on the wax figure's face, the corner of his mouth couldn't help but curve up slightly.

Finally, the newly popped up proficiency panel for the next stage "Bone Forging".

Shizuku is currently also in the Bone Forging stage, just unknown exactly what step she has reached.

But regardless, presumably by the time he reunites with her, he will surely be able to give her a surprise as well.

【Corona Breathing Technique (Hard Bone 2/600)】

【Effect: Cultivate to Perfection, bones like hard wood.】

【——Skin is the outline, bone is the pillar.】

"Even with a 10% reduction it's still 600 proficiency points, slightly more than Skin Tempering."

Uesugi Toru thought it might be the effect brought by the previous completion of the Nine Breathing Methods.

Closing the last panel prompt, Uesugi Toru turned his head and saw the two little ones sitting and lying on the corridor dazedly staring at him.

Uesugi Toru, utterly unaware of his own immense charm, raised an eyebrow: "Is there something dirty on me?"

Seeing the two little ones still dazed, the Two-Shaku Adult even had drool about to drip from the corner of her mouth; only then did Uesugi Toru realize his current attire seemed rather "cool".

"I'll take you out in a bit, but right now I still need half an hour to consolidate the realm I just broke through."

Finishing speaking he turned and entered the room, shutting the door with a bang.

After simply tidying up the buff props in the room, Uesugi Toru took out the 【History Key Shrine】, closed his eyes and returned to the Genjitsu.

Then after glancing at his mobile phone time, he returned to the Sengoku Period once more.

The Two-Shaku Adult outside the room felt an abrupt change in her heartstrings; after blinking she understood what Uesugi Toru was doing.

So she placed her gaze on Shiraishi beside her, ready to intercept him at any moment, not letting him enter the room.

Half an hour passed in a flash.

Uesugi Toru, who had gone back and forth between the Sengoku Period and Genjitsu once more, confirmed one thing.

That is, the time flow between the Sengoku Period and Genjitsu has already changed.

No longer thirty to one.

But reduced by a full half, becoming fifteen to one!

"Fifteen to one……"

Uesugi Toru frowned slightly.

After a long while, he let out a breath.

Although the time flow ratio halved, it actually doesn't have too much impact on most of his plans.

If the time flow dropped to within five to one, then he probably couldn't continue maintaining his current leisurely pace in the Sengoku Period.

"Just, the Soul Ash is indeed not quite enough."

Uesugi Toru looked at the String Hun Xiang Hui quantity that had bottomed out again and the mere 567 Soul Ash points remaining.

This bit of Soul Ash is neither enough for a ten-pull, nor enough to summon Katsumi or open the next special gacha; even maintaining daily cultivation consumption is somewhat difficult.

——And compared to the one wreaking havoc in Mikawa Province, the Great Demon who currently doesn't even have a single stroke of the eight characters with him, it's naturally more realistic to search for famous spiritual anomaly locations in Genjitsu and obtain Soul Ash there.

As for Edo Castle…… before obtaining strength at least capable of slaying a three-star half ghost samurai like the White Bone Wax Figure, Uesugi Toru doesn't really want to enter it.

Because from the start of last time entering Edo Castle, Uesugi Toru always felt gloomy gazes watching him.

This is no good omen.

Additionally, the White Hannya and Four-Tailed Fox two incarnations' promotions will probably only be completed after the Mikawa Province incident as well.

So Uesugi Toru still wants to raise his strength as much as possible before encountering the unknown Great Demon.

Even if the Sengoku Period is just a three-star map, those who can be crowned with the name "Great Demon" are without exception either powerhouses or possess extremely outstanding specialties in some aspect.

Hence making two-handed preparations is never wrong; having more Soul Ash on hand means more choices.

But right now……

Uesugi Toru slid open the sliding door, lowered his head to look at the two little ones whispering something, looking like their relationship had suddenly improved somewhat, and said,

"Going out, to the Test Cutting Ground."

Shiraishi and the Two-Shaku Adult looked at each other, cheered with a high-five, then stood up and followed behind him.

Uesugi Toru meanwhile took out Kaga Kiyomitsu in advance and wore it at his waist.

This time he didn't intend to let the Two-Shaku continue holding the sword; the kid finally got to go out for a stroll, so let her relax a bit.

Not far from the Imagawa Residence doorway.

Imagawa Yoshimoto was frowning tightly, slowly tapping the hard-bristled brush in her hand, formulating a rough suppression strategy for Mikawa Province based on Hanzō's bit-by-bit detailed narration.

Ever since returning to the Imagawa Residence, Okabe Motonobu, who had been inseparable from the Head of Family, swept his gaze over Uesugi Toru who happened to pass the edge of his vision, and let out a surprised "Oh?",

"Huh? Mr. Toru seems to have broken through again in just a couple days?"

Imagawa Yoshimoto's thoughts on the table were pulled away; she raised her head, pondered for a moment, then asked for guidance: "Motonobu, didn't you say that body tempering after Gang Qi circulation is very difficult and very slow?"

"Naturally."

Okabe Motonobu nodded, then raised his fingers before his chest to make a cross shape: "But that is for ordinary people."

She smiled and countered: "But Mr. Toru... is there any part of him that looks like an ordinary person?"

Imagawa Yoshimoto took advantage of the last instant to glance at that back view, straight to the point of being "sharp," recalled everything about him, and nodded in agreement.

"Be that as it may, my lord." Okabe Motonobu smacked her lips, "Looking at his appearance, he's going out to stir up trouble; shouldn't we stop him?"

"No need to meddle, let him go."

Imagawa Yoshimoto refused her proposal, tapped the strategy book that had only just been started: "Mr. Toru acts with his own sense of propriety; we should focus more on the matter at hand."

"My lord is right."

Having sat here for half an afternoon without offering a single useful opinion, Okabe Motonobu laughed it off.

A moment later, seeing Imagawa Yoshimoto immerse herself in thought again, Okabe Motonobu slightly turned her head, looking toward the man standing behind her.

'Hanzō.'

Okabe Motonobu coldly opened her eyes, silently mouthing,

'Stay away from my lord.'

After leaving the Imagawa Residence, in just a few minutes he entered the bustling downtown.

Uesugi Toru paid no mind to the two little ones, letting them wander and play on their own.

Anyway, the Two-Shaku Adult and himself had a heartstring connection; as long as Shiraishi stayed within her line of sight, nothing would happen.

—Uesugi Toru didn't realize until halfway there now that he actually also felt some anticipation for this trial cutting.

Previously when he reached Slash Mastery, he used the Four-Tailed Fox's trump card talent "Anger," exerting all his strength to slash out a force of thirty-eight thousand eight hundred eighty-eight koku.

Who knows, this time without using "Anger," maintaining the state of the Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation wearing the Hannya Mask, how much force he could slash out?

Uesugi Toru touched the lightly trembling hilt of Kaga Kiyomitsu, recalling the first time at school he broke through the Kiai Technique to Proficient Level.

Truly, an anticipation long absent.

Because Uesugi Toru's trip to trial cutting this time was to further spread the fame of Onmyoji Toru, plus intimidate petty villains, and make the Elders take action.

So he wore the very conspicuous Chief Priest Robe, a Vermilion Tachi at his waist, swaggering down Sunpu Castle's streets.

This let many samurai or merchants on the street with slightly better information recognize him, and they whispered in low voices, or cried out in surprise.

"That getup... is that the Onmyoji Toru who supposedly can control heavenly thunder?"

"Seems like it; the direction he walked out from is the Imagawa Residence."

"He doesn't even bother with a disguise; where's he going? What's he doing?"

"Control heavenly thunder? Onmyoji?"

A wandering ronin who had only recently drifted here from the Western Sea Route sneered disdainfully: "That kind of superstitious talk, would anyone still believe it nowadays?"

But this ronin waited a while, yet didn't get the same echoes of agreement as in other regions.

Instead, everyone around him sang a contrary tune, either showing pitifully disdainful expressions, as if he were some ignorant country bumpkin.

"Wait a minute."

A sturdy samurai who had already done trial cutting twice suddenly spoke, probing: "The direction that Onmyoji Toru went, is it the trial cutting ground?"

The moment these words came out, the originally lively street instantly fell silent.

The next moment, discussion voices far exceeding the past erupted.

"Right! That direction is the trial cutting ground's direction; I went there just yesterday!"

"That place is truly a sea of people; just queuing takes several hours!"

"I saw Onmyoji Toru's waist had a sword..."

Finally, someone concluded,

"Could it be, this person is also going to test slash power?!"

These words spoken were like a giant boulder falling into an already intense lake surface, stirring up towering waves.

Immediately, busybodies shouted,

"Go go go! If we miss this Onmyoji's trial cutting, we might never see it again in this lifetime!"

Instantly many people put down the work in their hands and chimed in,

"Go!"

"Together together!"

"This excitement I absolutely must join!"

The crowd surged away with a clatter.

That ronin scanned the suddenly empty surroundings, stunned in place for a long while.

He turned his head, looked toward the direction the crowd surged and disappeared, recalled their discussion just now.

The ronin swallowed a mouthful of saliva, irrepressible curiosity rising in his heart.

Why not, go take a look myself?

Just one look.

Really, just one look.

End of Chapter