Chapter 143

Chaos in the mist, a liminal space, boundaries difficult to discern.

This was the first impression the Inner World gave Uesugi Muneyuki.

It was very similar to the real world, but Uesugi Muneyuki could clearly feel that this was not the real world; the surrounding environment was dim and unclear, and although it was dusk, no sunlight could be seen, and although it was night, no moon or stars could be seen. Amidst the haziness, a similar yet more ancient-looking Kurosawa Shrine appeared before Uesugi Muneyuki.

"Your ability to adapt is very strong." Seeing that Uesugi Muneyuki had adapted to the Inner World so quickly, a flash of amazement crossed Mai's eyes, and she smiled, gesturing for Uesugi Muneyuki to follow her: "Come."

Uesugi Muneyuki followed behind Mai, looking around curiously: "Is this the Inner World?"

"Generally speaking, yes." Mai moved slowly in front: "I told you before that the Old Gods have different attitudes toward humans, right?"

"Kurosawa Shrine is a place where one of the Old Gods who was relatively friendly to humans once operated. Because that god did not mind humans entering their domain, generations of Shrine Maidens have practiced here and maintained the Barrier." Mai smiled: "Precisely because of this, it is relatively safe here."

"In other words, the Inner World needs to be maintained? Are there also dangerous Inner Worlds?" Uesugi Muneyuki said thoughtfully.

"That's right. Even an Inner World left behind by an Old God who is relatively friendly to humans, like Kurosawa Shrine, still requires constant maintenance by people. Take the Kurosawa Shrine you and I mentioned, for example; it hasn't been maintained by a Shrine Maiden for a long time, so no one knows what might appear inside." Mai said indifferently: "So you were right not to rashly go to Kurosawa Shrine to explore."

"Now, follow me, I will pass on to you a Secret Method suitable for cultivation." Mai signaled for Uesugi Muneyuki to follow her.

"The Diamond Dharma of Kurosawa Shrine is actually not very suitable for you. The Diamond Dharma emphasizes precepts and abstinence, but Lady Kurosawa herself..." Mai couldn't help but laugh: "She herself is a person extremely addicted to desire. Practicing such a Secret Method naturally leads nowhere, and then there is you; the Diamond Dharma also requires you to abstain, but it turns out you are also not a person who practices much abstinence."

"The master leads you to the door, but the cultivation is up to the individual." Uesugi Muneyuki revealed a mouthful of white teeth, feeling a bit ashamed but also open-minded: "People live for... people live for a clear state of mind. If living is just for suffering, then it means endless suffering, so why should I live? Might as well reincarnate early."

"Pah, only a rich kid who has never suffered would think that way." Mai glanced at her junior who came from the Peerage, signaling him to follow her: "I can tell from your personality."

Because entering the depths of the Inner World required passing through a deep, dark passage, Shirakawa Mai did not rush in; she took a pair of bright red satin fragrant high-heeled shoes from the side.

These high-heeled shoes had straps. Following the ankles she had wrapped in white wool stockings, she gently tied the straps. The ribbons wound around her ankles, encircling the ankles wrapped in white silk stockings, looking more charming than ordinary wooden clogs. From a distance, it looked like she was wearing bright red agate anklets, possessing a prominent attraction.

But what Uesugi Muneyuki cared about more was another sight.

He stood behind Mai, and as she bent over to step her white-silk-clad jade feet into the high heels, the round moon bulging beneath the red hakama of her Shrine Maiden outfit formed an exquisite curve with her slender calves. As that thick, long, straight black hair slid down along the Chihaya she wore over her shoulders, even a veteran of the flower fields like Uesugi Muneyuki could not resist the temptation of this National Goddess, and his attention was stolen in an instant.

Hiss~

So, the temptation of a young girl who hasn't reached adulthood like Asuka wearing white silk just can't compare to a mature woman like Shirakawa Mai, especially when paired with the holy Chief Priestess outfit; in the dim environment of the Inner World, it gives one a special kind of impulse.

Uesugi Muneyuki observed with great interest, but unfortunately, it didn't last long; just putting on a pair of high heels didn't even take ten seconds.

After tying the straps, Shirakawa Mai was just about to signal that they could set off.

Turning her head, Mai met Uesugi Muneyuki's gaze.

She keenly noticed the heat in the man's eyes and instantly associated it with a few things.

Hmm? It seems this kid can't hold it back anymore, huh? According to intelligence, he seems to especially like silk stockings?

Mai did not notice the previous posture and thought it was the Shrine Maiden outfit and white cashmere silk stockings on her body that had attracted Uesugi Muneyuki.

The existence of the Inner World itself attracts each other. Normally, this attraction is dangerous, but there are a very small number of people like Mai and Uesugi Muneyuki who have reached a temporary consensus, and that is another kind of attraction.

Just like that, Mai walked in front, and Uesugi Muneyuki followed behind, admiring the fair, long legs wrapped in white silk and the tender skin showing beneath the white clothes, which were incomparably dazzling in the dim environment of the Inner World.

From this, one could see just how white her skin really was.

This was indeed a National Goddess who could be called perfect in every aspect.

After Uesugi Muneyuki admired her for a while, he followed her into a vast marsh deep in the mountains.

The path led to the center of the lake, where there was an identical shrine.

The shrine was surrounded by a large lake, filled with thick fog, so dense one could not see their own fingers. The surroundings seemed like both daytime and dusk, because there was a faint light penetrating through, but the sun could not be perceived.

"Although the Old Gods have left this world, their power is too strong, so much so that residual shadows remain." Shirakawa Mai said softly in front: "These residual shadows are just fragments of the Old Gods' past consciousness. They do not possess the ability to think independently, but they still react to the outside world and will respond simply according to some existing logical formulas."

"If this Old God harbors hostility toward humans, then humans who enter the Inner World will be viewed with hostility by the residual shadows, and the Inner World will be very dangerous. If this Old God harbors goodwill toward humans, then we can rest and practice here, borrowing a little of the Inner World's energy... many shrines and temples were created this way." Mai explained to Uesugi Muneyuki: "But be careful, no matter what, the Old God's residual shadows are very dangerous. Even the Old God who likes and is closest to humans is still elusive and difficult to predict."

"I see."

Opening the shrine, it was the usual tatami wooden structure. In the center of the shrine was enshrined the ancient god Konohanasakuya-hime, the goddess of Mount Fuji and cherry blossoms. Mai lit the candles in the shrine. Just as Uesugi Muneyuki wanted to sit cross-legged, Mai leaned over, even reaching out to grab his clothes.

"What are you doing? Ouch~" Uesugi Muneyuki shrank back suspiciously, looking at her vigilantly, raising his eyebrows in question.

The faint smile at the corner of Shirakawa Mai's mouth immediately faded, and she said irritably: "You dislike me that much?"

Uesugi Muneyuki shook his head hurriedly, but still refused to let go of his vigilant expression: "I'm afraid you'll come over and kill me to seize my Dharma Image."

"Hahaha~" Shirakawa Mai covered her mouth and chuckled, her gaze lingering on the man's body: "Then why did you follow me in? You should have prepared to resist while you were still outside."

"I know I'm not your match, I can't beat you, and I really need your guidance, but I always feel like you're plotting something." Uesugi Muneyuki was still very uncomfortable; he always had the feeling of a sheep entering a tiger's den.

"You're right, but now that we're here, you no longer have the qualifications to refuse." Seeing that Uesugi Muneyuki wouldn't undress, Shirakawa Mai untied the red ribbon on her chest and loosened her collar: "Hurry up, don't make me force you."

"Hmm?!" Uesugi Muneyuki was startled by Shirakawa Mai's actions.

Is this woman trying to force herself on me?

This, this cannot be! How could my pure body be defiled by such a demoness?!

However, following Mai's movements, the scenery before Uesugi Muneyuki's eyes changed!

Shirakawa Mai's body rose gently, floating in the air. A brilliant light of the galaxy enveloped her entire body, a halo appeared behind her, and from the top of Mai's head to her lower body, seven light Wheels appeared in sequence!

From top to bottom, the light Wheels were positioned at the crown, forehead, throat, heart, navel, lower abdomen, and root!

Among the seven light Wheels, six were shining brightly, and only the light Wheel at the lower abdomen was dim and lusterless.

"This is?"

"This is the Esoteric Buddhism Seven Wheels, originating from Indian Esoteric Buddhism and combined with Shintoism after being introduced to Japan." Five-colored clouds were spewing from the top of Mai's head: "It is also the Secret Art practiced by my sect, and the cultivation method I intend to pass on to you today."

"The second component of our body's energy system is the seven Chakras. These Chakras are the entry and exit points for the Inner World's energy in the body. There are seven main entry and exit points on the body, so it is generally said there are Seven Wheels."

"Of the Seven Wheels, I have already cultivated six, only the Seishokurin, which is the Sacral Chakra, remains uncultivated." Mai pointed to her lower abdomen: "For some reasons, I am not suitable for cultivating the Sacral Chakra, so it just so happens that I plan to transplant the Sacral Chakra to you. In this way, you and I will share a set of Esoteric Buddhism Seven Wheels, and from then on, we will share life and death, living and breathing together."

"You're only transplanting one of the seven to me?" Uesugi Muneyuki understood why Mai was also eager to cooperate with him: "You have six and I have one?"

"Junior, Haruna Mountain is right there. The path of cultivation is the process of climbing to the peak, but there are different ways to climb: walking, taking a bus, driving yourself, taking a sightseeing cable car, or even taking a helicopter. As long as you can reach the top, it is feasible." Mai frowned, saying softly: "Have you noticed that every time you absorb the Inner World's energy, you always have strong physiological needs? That is actually due to the mixed and impure nature of the Inner World's energy, coupled with the heavy presence of Dead Soul energy."

"And the Sacral Chakra, as the true knowledge method of the reproductive wheel, is just right for your cultivation, so this is the most suitable cultivation method for you."

Mai's words hit the deepest hidden worry in Uesugi Muneyuki's heart. He had discovered long ago that every time he triggered a Death Soul Contract, he would have a very strong need for Princess Connect. This situation made him understand that the Death Soul Contract must have side effects.

"Then if I transplant your Sacral Chakra, can I avoid this situation?" Uesugi Muneyuki was persuaded.

"Of course. The Death Soul energy enters from your body, is purified and cycled within my body, and then fed back to you. Both you and I can benefit." Mai caught the sudden realization and hesitation on the man's face and almost couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Let's see if I can't play you to death!

However, her attention was quickly drawn to the Aizen Myoo Dharma Image behind Uesugi Muneyuki.

Just as she had guessed, as she displayed her own Sacral Chakra, the Aizen Myoo Dharma Image behind Uesugi Muneyuki shone brightly, the crimson Inner World energy and the dim Wheel echoing each other from afar, gradually resonating!

The third eye on the head of the Aizen Myoo opened, the bright red sun wheel was glowing, and the Sacral Chakra on Shirakawa Mai's body also began to activate, with flowers blooming and flowing light overflowing.

Uesugi Muneyuki also felt this intense sense of compatibility.

The man took a deep breath and finally reached out his hand firmly.

Do it!

(End of this chapter)