Chapter 12: Yin-Yang Arts and the Supreme Ghost Deity

【Life Equipment has been upgraded to "0-Star, 5th Tier"}
【Triggered Star Upgrade Requirements】
【Requirement 1: Fill all rune slots】
【Requirement 2: Consume "10,000" Spirituality】
【Requirement 3: Consume any "1-Star Rated" material ×1】

Zhou Yan stared silently at the swirling prompts before him. Filling the rune slots and gathering ten thousand points of spirituality posed little difficulty for him. The real problem lay in finding this so-called "1-Star Rated" material. After all, the strongest opponents he had encountered in this world so far were at the level of Ibaraki-douji and Great Tengu, who were merely "4th Tier," not even reaching the "5th Tier," let alone capable of providing Zhou Yan with "1-Star" materials.

So, what opponents in this world could possibly be stronger than these great demons?

Zhou Yan set aside his thoughts, no longer dwelling on matters for which he had no leads. He comforted the sorrowful maiden, and seeing her force herself into calmness, her eyes resolute, he knew she had not given up her desire to follow him.

Yet, Zhou Yan, unable to make any promises at the moment, refrained from saying more. Everything would wait until he successfully advanced to one star and unlocked the "Life Equipment Master" function.

That night, Zhou Yan received an invitation from Seimei of the Mikado-in Shrine, delivered via a paper flying bird shikigami.

"Seimei, I must say, learning your Onmyoji arts truly takes some effort," Zhou Yan teased with a smile when he met the head of the Demon Slaying Bureau.

Seimei, seeing Zhou Yan's attire had changed yet again, looked astonished. Clearly, such exquisite, close-fitting armor had never been seen in this era reminiscent of ancient Japan.

"Lord Yan, even if we gathered all the finest craftsmen in the world today, they could not forge such armor," Seimei's gaze glittered. "The only explanation I can conceive is that this is the work of the gods."

"They say that whenever storms loom, Amaterasu herself sends divine beings to aid the people of Genroku," Seimei stared intently at Zhou Yan. "Lord Yan, could it be that you are one of those heavenly messengers?"

"Haha, think as you wish. Just teach me your Onmyoji arts," Zhou Yan replied cheerfully, unconcerned, repeating his purpose.

"Since you are a divine envoy, it is only right that Seimei offers the Onmyoji arts with both hands," Seimei nodded with a smile. "However, Lord Yan, may I ask a favor?"

"Speak freely," Zhou Yan chuckled.

"I hope this transmission of art ends with you, Lord Yan. Please do not pass it on further."

"Agreed!" Zhou Yan accepted immediately. "Rest assured, I will not give it to anyone else in this world."

"Then I leave it in your hands, Lord Yan..." Hearing Zhou Yan's promise, though it was only a verbal one, Seimei still smiled.

*

The next morning, Zhou Yan awoke with Oboro nestled in his arms, lying atop the bedding arranged for him. The girl clung tightly to his waist, and sensing his movement, she immediately opened her eyes. Seeing she was still in his embrace, she relaxed and murmured sleepily, "Lord Yan, are you getting up? I... I'll help you wash..."

As she spoke, she sat up, her kimono so loose it slid off one shoulder. Outside, the sky was only barely lit, yet inside, a brilliant holy light burst forth, nearly blinding Zhou Yan's remaining left eye.

"Oboro, mind your effect," Zhou Yan, exasperated, pulled up her collar.

"Hehe..." The girl giggled, making Zhou Yan's cheeks flush. He simply stood up from the bed, his body enveloped in the black light armor of his life equipment.

Now that his equipment had reached the fifth tier, his entire body was clad in sturdy yet lightweight armor. Sleeping alone was manageable, but Oboro insisted on sharing his bed.

With no other choice, Zhou Yan had to remove his armor, pressing his skin to hers so she could rest more soundly.

It was all for Oboro's well-being, to ensure she slept well. It was absolutely not because Zhou Yan had been stirred by the girl's antics in her loose kimono last night, unable to restrain himself, finally losing control, and giving the girl a thorough lesson in the newly learned Onmyoji arts.

Absolutely not!

On this matter, Zhou Yan declared himself upright and guiltless.

Seeing Zhou Yan rise, Oboro followed suit, her movements swift and agile, showing none of the awkwardness she had displayed last night while practicing Onmyoji arts with Zhou Yan. This was natural — she was a swordswoman of the Oboro school. Though she did not channel her demon energy to reinforce her body outside of battle, countless battles had subtly enhanced her physical prowess beyond normal limits.

Any minor injuries from practicing Onmyoji arts were insignificant to her.

As for Zhou Yan, he feared nothing.

As for the Onmyoji arts themselves, this time was genuine: Seimei of Mikado-in personally taught Zhou Yan.

As Seimei had predicted, Zhou Yan, already activated by the Oboro mark and affected by demon energy, could only use what was called "spiritual power" to drive the Onmyoji arts, making it impossible for him to utilize them at all. Even the simplest talismans could not be summoned.

Yet Zhou Yan was not discouraged.

In the end, he memorized Seimei's "Mikado-in Onmyoji Manuscript" by sheer mental effort.

This was not difficult for him — his mental attributes were already exceedingly high. By burning his spirituality, he easily committed the thick notebook to memory.

Once he found a way to isolate demon energy contamination, he would have a chance to truly study the arts.

Even if he could not, he could let Luo Xuan and Luo Ke learn them upon returning to reality.

After all, Zhou Yan had only promised Seimei not to teach anyone "in this world," not elsewhere.

After rising, washing, and eating, Zhou Yan brought Oboro back to join the team.

The final lineup was the five determined yesterday.

Onmyoji, shrine maiden archer, warrior monk, ninja, and shrine maiden — a perfectly balanced party.

"Lord Yan, did you rest well last night?" Seimei glanced at Zhou Yan and Oboro, smiling slyly, his narrowed eyes like a fox's.

Zhou Yan glared at the fox, sensing a hidden meaning. "So, what is your plan after yesterday's discussion?"

Hearing Zhou Yan get down to business, the head of the Demon Slaying Bureau grew serious: "The team is divided into three layers. The six or seven of us are the main force, clearing the mountain path from Aokigahara up to Mount Fuji, which is blocked by hordes of demons. The follow-up teams are elite warriors from the demon extermination assembly, who will guard and support us. Behind them, General Yoshinobu's army will enter the mountain to eradicate the remaining demons."

He looked around, lowering his voice, "As for us, we need not concern ourselves with those behind. After reaching Mount Fuji's summit, we charge straight for the volcanic crater gate!"

He then smiled at the solemn group, "If it were only us before Lord Yan joined, it would have been a near-certain death mission. But now, with Lord Yan..."

His expression grew excited, "Everyone, we might become legends who end this era of chaos! Even if we die, what does it matter?"

Zhou Yan watched the group, now fully inspired by Seimei's passionate words, and simply smiled along.

Perhaps, as the Bureau chief said, joining such a legendary team truly was an immense honor for the people of this world.

At that moment, seven rare, tall steeds were brought forth. Seimei mounted first.

"Then, let's depart!"

*

*

Mount Fuji, several hundred meters from the volcano's mouth.

A massive, one-eyed giant monk in robes was hurled from the dense forest, landing among the crimson rocks.

Just as it tried to struggle up, a figure clad in black armor leapt from the woods, descending from the sky, and crushed the giant monk's head beneath his heel.

【Killed "Ao-bozu," gained 157 Spirituality】
【Acquired "Rune Factor: Vitality"】
【Acquired "Rune Factor: Sensitivity"】

Zhou Yan had no interest in even viewing the attributes of this so-called Ao-bozu demon. He casually wiped his armored boots on the monk's robes, then looked up at the six who followed.

Naturally, rushing ahead was his devoted little companion, Oboro. She arrived at Zhou Yan's side, "Lord Yan, isn't it exhausting to handle all the powerful demons along the way yourself!"

"Indeed," the five following behind were somewhat speechless.

"Lord Yan, at least let us do something."

"Take a break, don't let yourself be worn out before the real battle..."

"Please believe in our strength, Lord Yan!"

Seimei and the others had prepared to clear lesser demons for Zhou Yan, the "ultimate weapon," so he could conserve energy for the final fight.

Yet, after hours on the road, from the main road to side paths, through all of Aokigahara forest, up to the volcano's summit, aside from the minor demons Zhou Yan deemed unworthy, every named, formidable demon was instantly slain by Zhou Yan, not giving his teammates any chance to prove themselves.

Zhou Yan seemed like a tireless deity; nothing could dissuade him.

As for Zhou Yan himself, upon hearing their repeated protests, he simply smiled and shook his head, insisting he was fine.

And he truly was! With his life equipment at the fifth tier, his endurance had grown further. Dealing with these demons was barely a warm-up, and there was no way he would let these treasure-bearing demons fall to his teammates.

Thus, along the way, Zhou Yan entered a rampage, especially upon entering Aokigahara and climbing Mount Fuji, where waves of demons swarmed them as if desperate, much to Zhou Yan's delight.

Though most were low-drop-rate "0-Tier" minor demons, with few reaching "1-Tier." Those like Ao-bozu, at "2-Tier," numbered barely a dozen.

Still, it was enough for Zhou Yan to fill his rune slots after reaching the fifth tier, with several left over.

Even his rune circuits gained three new ones: "Ingenious," "Marvel," and "Thorns."

Beyond rune factors and circuits, Zhou Yan accumulated various consumables such as "Micro Life Essence," and nearly five thousand points of spirituality.

"We're almost there, the summit." Zhou Yan turned to Seimei, "So, tell me, what monster guards the gate?"

Seimei grew solemn, "From my ancestors' manuscripts, I learned that the guardian is a terrifying giant demon from the depths of Hell, a ghost clan far stronger than any found in the human world. Even the legendary 'Demon God' Shuten-douji pales in comparison."

Seimei was interrupted midway.

"That's right!"

A booming laugh echoed from the forest behind the group, "I once tested myself against that giant demon. If it weren't bound to the gate, I would have been torn to shreds!"

"Who is it!" The ninja Ranmaru from the Village of Storms hurled a huge shuriken toward the source of the voice.

Before the shuriken reached the woods, a crimson blur dashed out at lightning speed, flicking the giant shuriken aside with a single finger.

In just a few steps, as if shrinking the earth, the figure appeared behind Zhou Yan's group.

Volcanic ash swirled in the gale stirred by his charge, and through the settling dust, a tall, burly man with a head full of red hair and a bare torso strode slowly toward them.

***

This illustration is truly handsome.