Chapter 196

Kaga Kiyomitsu understood nothing.

It couldn't read the atmosphere, didn't know what identity Imagawa Yoshimoto held, and didn't know what relationship Uesugi Toru had with the girl before him.

It only knew its Owner was calling it out now.

So it flew out of the sheath without a second thought, just like it would burrow back in when its Owner told it to return.

Hum—!

The sword blade, covered in pale Kaga Kiyomitsu, trembled lightly, issuing a warning.

Imagawa Yoshimoto's gaze swept coldly over Kaga Kiyomitsu, not caring about it.

She no longer addressed Uesugi Toru by name, but asked directly: "What do you want to do?"

"Those words, should be asked by me to you, Lord Imagawa."

Uesugi Toru weakly placed his right hand over Imagawa Yoshimoto's fingers, using all his strength to pry her fingers open one by one from his wrist.

This strength wasn't great.

Even now, if Imagawa Yoshimoto just tightened her palm slightly, she could grip Uesugi Toru's wrist tightly.

Press him down, push him over, she could use countless ways to make Uesugi Toru stop this behavior that ravaged his body and spirit.

Any way would work.

This sword looked frightening, but couldn't stop her either.

She wasn't without a sword at her waist.

Yet Imagawa Yoshimoto still didn't.

She allowed her five fingers to loosen, dangling in midair.

Because from that hand covering the back of her hand, she felt a force and a will.

A will of "no matter what, absolutely will not yield."

Isn't this the same as the answer to the question she asked Uesugi Toru earlier.

But the object this answer corresponded to was a group of utterly ordinary people with little value, who could only be ruled under this turmoil yet could do nothing.

Imagawa Yoshimoto stared tightly at Uesugi Toru's eyes, but the latter's gaze had long since dispersed, unable to see anything.

"I just want to continue."

Uesugi Toru's voice was very light, so light Imagawa Yoshimoto wouldn't hear it if she didn't listen carefully: "This small matter won't cause much affect to my body."

"In two days, I'll recover."

——This pain of squeezing Spirit Power from within the body couldn't compare to Bone Forging in the Medicinal Bath at all, at most it just made his spirit somewhat fatigued.

Naturally, this "somewhat fatigued" showed very obviously on his currently frail body.

So Imagawa Yoshimoto felt this looked completely unlike a small matter.

She said: "Toru, do you want to defy my command?"

But Uesugi Toru smiled: "Lord Imagawa, back in Totomi Province, didn't you agree wholeheartedly that after coming here, everything would follow my lead?"

The dim candlelight flickered, the Quiet Room left with only two breathing sounds.

Imagawa Yoshimoto was at a loss for words, clenching her fist hard.

Because this was indeed what she had said.

——A promise made to a Retainer must be kept.

If she couldn't even do this, what right did she have to become a Lord who could convince her Retainers?

Not hearing the girl's voice anymore, Uesugi Toru knew Imagawa Yoshimoto had tacitly accepted his behavior.

——Uesugi Toru understood clearly, even if Imagawa Yoshimoto had never said it, deep down she definitely categorized people by value into high and low.

This is the real Imagawa Yoshimoto, her instinct as the Imagawa Head of Family, also allowing her to make the "most correct" choices.

Those with value get aid, those without value get abandoned.

And when value collides with value, the scale in Imagawa Yoshimoto's heart naturally tilts to one side.

——The reason she disregarded the lives of Mikawa Province's Samurai, making them use their lives to constantly harass Owari, was also because from the bottom of her heart she treated Mikawa Samurai as country Samurai and lowly people.

The lives of Mikawa Samurai are just not as noble as the lives of Suruga Samurai.

But for the Subjects under her rule, Imagawa Yoshimoto also truly wanted to save them.

She truly wanted to save people, but also truly believed the value of all the Subjects in this entire Yoshida Castle added up was not as high as him.

Both are true feelings.

——Very obvious, a divergence appeared between his and her thoughts.

Uesugi Toru didn't say more either, but gathered his thin attention back onto the paper in his hand.

Because no matter how much he said, he couldn't change the other's thoughts at once.

Imagawa Yoshimoto isn't some child.

She secularized from a Temple at fourteen, single-handedly purged the interior, descended as the Imagawa Clan Head, and who knows how many things she's experienced until now.

Her worldview is harder than iron.

This kind of thing can only be slowly changed in the long time of getting along afterwards.

So Uesugi Toru let his trembling fingertips fall on the paper, using a deep breath to force out the barely perceptible Spirit Power again.

Imagawa Yoshimoto kept a cold face, silently watching.

From the words just now she also understood equally, no matter what she said, she couldn't change Uesugi Toru's thoughts.

After a long time, Imagawa Yoshimoto's cold hard voice suddenly came,

"How to help you?"

Uesugi Toru's difficultly moving fingertips paused, he paused for a moment, the corner of his mouth curling up slightly: "Then please, Lord Imagawa, help me out a bit."

At this time, Kaga Kiyomitsu, which had been floating beside them for a long time but didn't know what to do at all, finally received the command and burrowed back into the sword sheath.

Imagawa Yoshimoto responded indifferently, she sat down opposite Uesugi Toru, and then moved sheet after sheet of paper to the same position in front of Uesugi Toru's hands.

After that, Uesugi Toru only needed to mechanically move his fingertips to complete the production of Toubyoufu one after another.

Deep breath, move fingertips, deep breath……

In Uesugi Toru's subjective time perception, during the incomparably long long night, he did not know how many times he repeated such actions.

Until ten o'clock in the morning, sunlight passed through the thin window paper and fell on Uesugi Toru's body.

He felt a bright light surge up in the dark world before his eyes, and so he said hoarsely,

"Is it dawn……"

"Throw the talismans into the water jar, afterwards each person drinks a bowl of water, if anyone's illness still persists, then drink another bowl the next day……"

Imagawa Yoshimoto, who had likewise accompanied him for a night, listened quietly to the end, confirmed there was not even a single word or sentence omitted, and then asked,

"That's it?"

Uesugi Toru nodded slightly.

She immediately picked up the Toubyoufu stacked into a small mountain, stood up, and walked quickly towards the outside of the Quiet Room.

Hearing Imagawa Yoshimoto's footsteps depart, Uesugi Toru lowered his head, plucked his heartstrings,

"Xiao Jia, you go too…… if anyone messes around, or if any Yokai appear, slay them all together."

Hum……

"I'm fine, go quickly." Uesugi Toru tapped its sword hilt, "Will be fine in a bit, you've seen it before too, haven't you."

Hearing these words, Kaga Kiyomitsu also no longer hesitated, and drifted out following Imagawa Yoshimoto's retreating figure.

Uesugi Toru sat in place, exhausted to the point that he could barely even sense his own breathing.

Not long after, Imagawa Yoshimoto, having finished giving all instructions, hurried back to the courtyard, yet the moment she stepped into the courtyard she slowed her pace, returning to normal speed.

A few steps later, Imagawa Yoshimoto, who had just reached the doorway, saw Uesugi Toru, who had been sitting stiffly in place for a long time, slowly collapse.

She also didn't say much, merely coldly snorted in her heart,

"Tch, serves him right."

Imagawa Yoshimoto knelt down to the side, didn't even spare Uesugi Toru a single glance.

——After all, Toru said this was a small matter.

But a long time passed, and Imagawa Yoshimoto still did not hear any additional movement inside the room, simply as if there was only her alone.

She bit her lip tightly, secretly glanced in the previous direction with the corner of her eye.

On the wooden floorboards, Uesugi Toru lay on the ground with eyes half-open, his breathing and complexion even worse than yesterday.

Imagawa Yoshimoto instantly stood up, tripped over herself, stumbled over, and carefully picked up Uesugi Toru, probing his nasal breath with her fingers.

None?!

She blankly blinked her eyes.

But Toru's body was clearly still warm.

Imagawa Yoshimoto subconsciously wanted to call out for servants, but she immediately realized this place was not the Imagawa Residence, and Yoshida Castle was far from being called safe.

So the young woman tightly embraced Uesugi Toru, and immediately used yesterday's method to mobilize the Gang Qi within his body.

——Uesugi Toru also did not know how much time had passed.

He only knew that when he opened his eyes again, he could clearly feel the Gang Qi slowly circulating within his body, and the prompts constantly popping up before his eyes.

【Current Constant World Walker's Historical Influence Degree: 1.1%→1.14%!】

【Your Muromachi Late Period·Sengoku Period Reputation +2……】

【Your Muromachi Late Period·Sengoku Period Reputation +4……】

Is it because the Toubyoufu water was very successful?

Uesugi Toru just wanted to turn his head to look at the situation, but discovered that various parts of his upper body were all wrapped in warm softness——the slowly circulating Gang Qi also benefited from this.

He barely raised his gaze, and discovered Imagawa Yoshimoto's sweat-covered snow-white neck was right before his eyes.

Further up, was that face of hers with slightly furrowed brows, looking quite displeased,

"Awake?"

Upon seeing Uesugi Toru indeed meet her gaze, Imagawa Yoshimoto tch-ed, but heavily exhaled a breath.

Making Uesugi Toru feel the supporting force behind him lessen by a section.

She asked indifferently: "How is it compared to yesterday's state?"

"Better by some."

Uesugi Toru once again used his mind to dismiss the pile of prompts before his eyes and replied.

So Imagawa Yoshimoto pinched her nose: "Your body reeks of Yokai bloody smell, from yesterday to now it's gotten stinky, later go give you a wash."

Wash wash?

Who will wash wash?

Uesugi Toru, who had already recovered general thinking ability, thought.

He himself had no extra strength, Imagawa Yoshimoto also would not allow strange Buren or Maid to approach near his body.

Uesugi Toru, having understood the answer, opened his mouth: "Lord Imagawa, this is improper……"

"Shut up."

Coldly interrupting Uesugi Toru's words with two words, Imagawa Yoshimoto gently leaned him against the soft cushion: "Wait here."

Before long, Uesugi Toru saw someone carry over a bath tub filled with a large amount of warm water, a basin of bath beans, change of clothing of different sizes, and large bath towels.

Bath beans, are spices made from mung bean flour or wheat flour mixed together, however this item is expensive, so even Samurai rarely get to use it for daily bathing.

Slap.

Imagawa Yoshimoto closed the sliding door, walked over expressionlessly, and removed his clothing piece by piece, folding them to the side.

When the girl looked back, a flush inevitably rose on her cheek, but it faded away very quickly.

She bent down, picked up Uesugi Toru, and lowered him little by little into the bathtub, then used a small towel dipped in water to carefully wipe his full and sturdy body.

From head to toe, not a single seam was missed.

Her movements were careful and gentle, forming a stark contrast with the cold, hard expression on her face.

Uesugi Toru did not put up any meaningless resistance, merely sighing in his heart that Imagawa Yoshimoto was truly one whose words belied her thoughts.

There is no doubt, she is a good Main Lord, yet still not a good Tenka-bito.

To become a true Tenka-bito, she still has a very long road to walk.

After passively having his clothes put on, Uesugi Toru listened to the cheers coming continuously from outside the Matsudaira Clan residence, as if they would lift the roof off.

He knew it was the Toubyoufu's effect matching expectations.

Imagawa Yoshimoto, for her part, meticulously took care of Uesugi Toru in every detail during the 48 hours after this "Anger" ended.

Bathing and changing clothes, guiding Internal Qi into his body, bringing three meals a day, even feeding him mouthful by mouthful with her own hands, and accompanying him almost without leaving his side.

Simply even more attentive to his physical condition than those loyal Buren.

Only she kept a cold face the whole time, not giving Uesugi Toru a good look.

……

Forty-eight hours passed in a flash.

Afternoon.

Uesugi Toru stood up, clenched his fist hard, feeling the long-lost abundant power transmitting from within his body.

He had never felt that being able to breathe deeply at will could be so refreshing.

Listening a little longer, Uesugi Toru discovered the disease situation inside Yoshida Castle had already improved greatly, and currently no diseases had appeared that the Toubyoufu could not treat.

——Even for symptoms not caused by sickness and suffering, the Toubyoufu still has a simple healing and alleviating effect.

Creak.

The sliding door opened; Imagawa Yoshimoto, carrying a plate, stared blankly at Uesugi Toru inside the room, his gaze bright and his Qi exceptionally abundant.

She went out to get a meal, and Toru's body actually recovered?

And not a trace of the weakness from just now could be seen.

Has the effect of that secret art passed?

Imagawa Yoshimoto thought.

As it turned out, Toru had not lied to her the night before last.

He had not lied to her for the moment...

Besides that, the residents in Yoshida Castle who could drink water had all drunk the first bowl, and one after another fell into fanatical worship and praise of her.

These two good things coming together left Imagawa Yoshimoto not knowing whether to laugh out loud or continue maintaining this cold poker face.

Uesugi Toru bowed slightly to the girl carrying the meal: "These two days, I've caused Lord Imagawa worry."

Imagawa Yoshimoto narrowed her eyes.

For some reason, seeing this smiling face made her recall the matter of him defying her command that night, and then a baffling surge of anger welled up in her heart.

"Eat it yourself!"

She strode over, slammed the wooden plate onto the small table, and threw out the words in a huff: "Whether I worry or not, what difference does it make to you?"

Just as he sat down, preparing to eat, Uesugi Toru froze for a moment.

Judging by this tone, Imagawa Yoshimoto is... angry?

He was a little astonished.

Because Uesugi Toru had not expected that Imagawa Yoshimoto would actually get angry over this kind of small matter.

You must know, the previous time she got angry was because those Elders brought the Red Oni into the Imagawa Residence; at that time Imagawa Yoshimoto was so furious her palm trembled, her gaze almost able to kill.

But this time is different.

Her anger this time is purely purposeless anger.

So Imagawa Yoshimoto also has such a girlish side.

Rare.

Therefore Uesugi Toru not only did not feel irritated because of this, but felt quite happy in his heart.

He chewed on white radish, drank the slightly salty miso soup, shoveled large mouthfuls of polished rice, and observed the small expressions of Imagawa Yoshimoto, who had her arms crossed and wasn't speaking.

This look is probably waiting for him to actively apologize, then coax her.

——Because Imagawa Yoshimoto's identity makes it impossible for her to directly say "I'm angry" in front of him.

——Or rather, the vast majority of the time even if she is angry she has to pretend not to be, causing Imagawa Yoshimoto to fundamentally not know how to open this mouth.

Uesugi Toru completely failed to fulfill her wish.

He just ate the lunch she brought over with great relish, then appreciated Imagawa Yoshimoto sulking.

By the time Uesugi Toru was almost finished eating, Imagawa Yoshimoto finally couldn't hold back.

She slapped the table corner,

"Eat your meal properly, why do you keep staring at me!"

"Mmph..."

Uesugi Toru swallowed the last mouthful of hot dish, thought for a moment, gestured in mid-air: "Because, I feel Lord Imagawa you're actually quite cute?"

Imagawa Yoshimoto's complexion didn't change, she silently stared at him.

After a moment, she helplessly sighed: "Toru, that kind of thing, don't do it again in the future, okay?"

"Naturally not." Uesugi Toru answered immediately.

He immediately explained: "If Lord Imagawa's subjects die off seven or eight out of ten, wouldn't the road to becoming a Tenka-bito become even more difficult?"

"In other words, if we can ensure Lord Imagawa becomes the Tenka-bito, then even if I die alone, it would be nothing..."

Slap.

Uesugi Toru's words were not yet finished when he steadily caught the teacup Imagawa Yoshimoto threw at him, then heard her voice speaking through gritted teeth,

"You, how do you always say such unpleasant things!" Imagawa Yoshimoto's chest heaved violently with anger as she glared at him fiercely, "If you want to die, then die die die die!"

Uesugi Toru blinked and raised a finger: "Then I will do my best to live until after Lord Imagawa becomes the Tenka-bito."

Imagawa Yoshimoto raised her small fist upon hearing this.

Boom boom boom.

At this moment, a crisp knocking sound came from outside the door.

Imagawa Yoshimoto put down her fist, exhaled deeply, and eased the anxious expression on her face.

"Come in." Her voice was still a little high.

Honda Tadataka slid open the sliding door and saw Imagawa Yoshimoto with slightly disheveled clothes and flushed cheeks, and Uesugi Toru sitting not far from her, smiling.

—This Great Onmyoji Tooru seems to have an unusual relationship with the Imagawa Clan Head?

The Imagawa Clan representative before the Matsudaira Clan stiffened in expression.

Am I coming at the wrong time?

Honda Tadataka immediately lowered his head, not looking at what he should not see.

"Lord Imagawa, the effects of the Spirit Water are very good; many commoners with lighter illnesses have already recovered..."

Honda Tadataka knelt on the ground and truthfully reported the situation regarding Yoshida Castle.

A full ten minutes later, he stood with his head lowered, preparing to take his leave.

Uesugi Toru tapped the tabletop to make him stop and said sternly: "If anything abnormal appears within the castle, no matter what, you must report it to me."

—In many event records in the Special Affairs Division's materials, sometimes regions that were about to stabilize would experience new riots overnight.

Because known illnesses suddenly mutated, and no one could predict what effects this mutation would produce.

Honda Tadataka turned around and responded heavily: "I understand."

Without waiting for further orders, he turned and left after a few seconds.

Honda Tadataka recalled Uesugi Toru's healthy complexion just now.

This Toru... his complexion is actually this good?

Honda Tadataka remembered that yesterday morning, this Great Onmyoji Tooru seemed to have exhausted himself too much and could only be personally cared for by the Imagawa Clan Head.

At that time, seeing the talismans piled up like a mountain, he thought no wonder.

But unexpectedly, in just this short time, this Toru had already completely recovered.

As expected of a Great Onmyoji.

And that blade that can understand human speech...

—【Your Muromachi Period Sengoku Period Era Reputation +50!】

Indoors, Uesugi Toru, looking at the prompt that suddenly popped up before his eyes, raised an eyebrow.

Who is promoting my deeds again?

Forget it, a small matter.

Now his Warring States Era Reputation has exceeded 4000 points, and in a few days it is estimated to approach the 5000 mark.

These few points or tens of points truly cannot stir Uesugi Toru's mind.

Compared to this...

Uesugi Toru directed his gaze to the 【Mountain God Rock Heart】 in the Storage Backpack.

Now his body has also completely recovered.

It is time to eat it.

Uesugi Toru reached out, letting this reddish-brown crystal about the size of an ordinary person's fist fall into his palm.

The strange appearance of this Mountain God Rock Heart also attracted Imagawa Yoshimoto's gaze.

"Lord Imagawa, can you act as Dharma Protector for me?"

"Do what?" Imagawa Yoshimoto asked, then feeling it improper, added, "Right here?"

"Yes, right here."

Uesugi Toru briefly explained: "This was found on the Great Demon slain outside the castle gate earlier; it benefits my cultivation and can add a bit more to my certainty of victory."

Imagawa Yoshimoto pouted, took away the empty plate, and after walking halfway, turned back, revealing half a face still with a hint of displeasure,

"Then rest assured, no one will disturb you."

She closed the door.

Uesugi Toru looked at the faint silhouette sitting at the doorway and hooked the corner of his mouth: "Rest assured..."

He raised his head and threw this scalding Mountain God Rock Heart into his mouth.

Crunching it in one bite!

Instantly, a scorching yet gentle "Qi" flowed from his mouth into his body, and in a moment before Uesugi Toru could react, surged into his limbs and hundreds of bones.

A warm feeling spread throughout Uesugi Toru's body.

Uesugi Toru, who had originally prepared to endure intense pain, instead felt somewhat unaccustomed.

But at the same time he did not idly wait, quickly circulating the Spirit Control Technique·Qi, gathering all this warm "Qi" into one point within his body.

Because if the Spirit Control Technique was not circulated, the effect of this Mountain God Rock Heart would probably become ineffective.

In just a moment, Uesugi Toru clearly felt the Qi of the Mountain God Rock Heart churning, beginning to undergo certain changes he could not yet understand.

He held his breath and focused his mind, circulating the Spirit Control Technique step by step again and again, gathering all the "Qi" and pouring it into that point in his abdomen.

The Qi boiled, the Qi transformed.

There was no pain or abruptness at all.

Pop.

Like a bubble bursting, when he circulated the Spirit Control Technique for the 118th time, Uesugi Toru suddenly felt an additional "void" in his abdomen that did not exist within his flesh and blood.

Is this the Qi Sea?

Uesugi Toru opened his eyes, placing his gaze on the Prompt before him——

【You consumed the "Mountain God Rock Heart", simultaneously activating the Mountain God's origin power, opening up a "Void Qi Sea" within your body!】

Just this single, simple Prompt.

Feeling no change in the Breathing Technique and sensing no growth in Spirit Power whatsoever, Uesugi Toru pondered, sinking his awareness into the "void" in his abdomen.

In a flash, Uesugi Toru felt his awareness arrive in a cramped, narrow pitch-black space.

——This is his Void Qi Sea.

——But right now, there is nothing at all.

For some reason, this thought popped into Uesugi Toru's heart.

But he understood in the next moment.

It was Qi, a trace of the Mountain God Rock Heart's remaining origin Qi that told him the answer.

If that's the case... what if he inputs a thread of Gang Qi into this Void Qi Sea?

He acted the moment he thought of it.

Uesugi Toru focused on two things at once, using his mind to connect with his body in the external world, then circulated the Corona Breathing Technique, sending a slender thread of Gang Qi into the Void Qi Sea.

"Gazing" at the Gang Qi appearing in the Qi Sea, Uesugi Toru gained the remaining information from the origin Qi.

——Confirm the route, only then can one cultivate.

——The Void Qi Sea is without nature, a zero starting point, hard to cultivate, yet a Qi Sea with immense potential.

That thread of Corona Qi floated in the Qi Sea, looking out of place like an Outsider.

Uesugi Toru read these two pieces of information, thinking to himself: so that's how it is.

Opening up this Void Qi Sea is equivalent to giving you a plot of land.

What you want to do on this land afterwards, whether to farm it or build a skyscraper, all depends on you, and can only be built by you.

But what does "confirm the route" mean? And how does one set the route?

Uesugi Toru was at a complete loss for the moment.

Thinking about it, this kind of thing can only be asked of Nanjo Sister after returning to Genjitsu... she might not have this experience either, so he might have to ask the Big Hand who opened up a Qi Sea.

With some regret, Uesugi Toru withdrew his awareness from the Void Qi Sea, not forgetting to conveniently take that thread of Corona Qi with him.

He was just about to go out and tell Imagawa Yoshimoto that things were done, but discovered the Storage Backpack's Panel had forcibly popped up to the side.

Uesugi Toru cast his gaze over, discovering the two Yokai Avatar cards lined up alone in a row were actually emitting a golden Glow — a rare sight.

The two gilded cards slowly rotated, the White Hannya and Four-Tailed Fox on them gazing at him with lively, vivid eyes.

What's going on?

Could it be because he just opened up the Void Qi Sea?

Besides that, Uesugi Toru couldn't think of anything else.

Otherwise, the cards that hadn't stirred since being drawn had no reason to light up now.

This works too?!

Uesugi Toru manifested the two smooth-feeling cards in his palm, then sank his awareness into the Void Qi Sea once more.

This time was different from the darkness just now.

Because, two cards identical to those in reality were floating in the center of the Qi Sea.

Auto mode?

Uesugi Toru blinked, seeing wisps of "Qi" welling up from the edges of the two cards.

Like boundless water, continuously.

One was black-red and deep, emitting an aura unique to Ghost Gods — should be Hannya Qi; the other was white tinged with pink, looking like it had a soul-stirring power — that was the Four-Tailed Fox Qi.

"Qi exists on all things in the world."

Uesugi Toru murmured, he now understood this saying a little.

Because, even two Yokai Avatar cards — such dead objects — actually possess Qi!

Through the Spirit Control Technique, Uesugi Toru could clearly feel his Void Qi Sea slowly expanding under the nourishment of the Qi welling from the two cards.

Moreover, it seems he doesn't need to keep his mind on the two cards at all; they can generate Qi on their own.

In other words, from now on the Void Qi Sea can be expanded by letting the Yokai Avatars idle-cultivate?

Uesugi Toru couldn't help but feel a surge of joy.

This really means he's becoming stronger even while sleeping.

But before that, he still needs to figure out what use the Void Qi Sea actually has for himself.

In the Quiet Room, Uesugi Toru spent a good while exploring and attempting.

About an hour later, he confirmed at least two effects of the Void Qi Sea.

First, he can draw upon the Qi in the Qi Sea, letting them transform into Corona Qi to replenish the Gang Qi consumed in his body.

This should be the most basic effect of a Qi Sea.

The second is a bit different.

If the Qi produced by these two Yokai Avatars is directly applied to the body, one can gain a portion of Hannya's power, or the Four-Tailed Fox's power.

The more Qi drawn upon, the more power gained.

——The power here refers only to Attributes.

As for those complex talent effects, Uesugi Toru still hasn't figured out how to handle them for the time being.

But Uesugi Toru discovered that in the Void Qi Sea, the Prajna Qi and the Four-Tailed Fox Qi were clearly distinct, each occupying half of the Qi Sea's volume.

Even those Qi were still surging ceaselessly at the edges where they touched.

It was very obvious that because the so-called "Road" had not yet been determined, the Void Qi Sea was still in a state of "barbaric growth, warlords dividing territories."

As for what changes the Qi Sea's expansion would bring... in several days it should be clear at a glance.

Uesugi Toru watched those two cards that kept generating Qi for a while longer, then tested that it wouldn't affect his normal Transform and clapped his hands happily,

"Then let the Yokai Avatar eat the suffering of this Qi Sea cultivation fiercely!"

Withdrawing his Awareness from the Qi Sea, Uesugi Toru moved his sore muscles and bones, discovering that the sky outside had already darkened somewhat.

Outside the Sliding Door, Imagawa Yoshimoto's back figure was still sitting in the same spot.

Not moving an inch.

He walked forward and pulled open the door, causing Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was dozing kneeling at the Doorway, to Raise Head, blinking in some puzzlement,

"Tetsu-kun, why do I suddenly feel you've become a bit different."

He also didn't poke through Imagawa Yoshimoto transitioning from "Toru" back to "Tetsu-kun" after just one Afternoon, wanting to secretly repair the relationship like a child.

Uesugi Toru likewise said in puzzlement,

"Is that so?"

"Just feels like you've become a bit more serious..."

Imagawa Yoshimoto's words halted, then he asked instead: "Cultivation successful?"

"Very successful." Uesugi Toru nodded, "Still have to thank Lord Imagawa for the Dharma Protection."

He was just about to invite Imagawa Yoshimoto to go eat dinner together when he sensed a familiar Qi appear within an even larger Perception Field.

Uesugi Toru raised his head in some astonishment: "Hanzō's Qi has Approached, he'll be here any moment..."

Hearing this, Imagawa Yoshimoto stood up, a touch of joy surfacing on his face.

Because usually speaking, Hanzō's return after being out for a Long Time represents effective Intelligence and information being obtained.

The two just stood in place.

In less than a Minute, that somewhat unfamiliar black figure half-kneeled before Imagawa Yoshimoto.

Hanzō didn't say a word, instead first taking out a slightly thick Archive from his bosom.

"Thank you for your trouble."

Imagawa Yoshimoto took it over, swiftly opening it.

Uesugi Toru leaned over, froze slightly, then revealed joy.

Because on top of this, prominently displayed was the current situation and Intelligence of most of Mikawa Province!

End of Chapter