The colossal flames surged upwards, resembling blossoming fire flowers when viewed from above.
Observing the flame's light, Nagoya Shomei suddenly slapped Tomoki's shoulder and said gravely:
"Asuka, see that? Someone's attacking the Akihabara Grand Barrier!"
Hearing this, Tomoki's expression darkened:
"So this is the source of my earlier unease."
"Of course... it all makes sense now."
"Whether it was the crown princess attack incident or other events, they were all diversions to tie up official forces - making us and international governments misjudge their true objective."
"Their real target is Akihabara... something within Akihabara?"
"The Phenex Society? No, a five-year-old organisation couldn't pull this off alone. Truth Astronomy? Or is there an even darker mastermind?"
Tomoki shoved his thumb into his mouth, biting down hard:
"Damn criminal organisations and their tricks."
"Shomei, take your team to protect the joint research base. I'll activate the sealed artefact."
"Although it's unclear what method the enemy used to suppress the barrier, those four pillars of flame light visible only through Spiritual Perspective are undoubtedly the key to the problem."
"Contact the captains of each joint task force. We'll dispatch teams to destroy those unidentified flame pillars."
Hearing this, Nagoya Shomei, who was already holding his third communicator, couldn't help but laugh and curse:
"No need to tell me! I'm already on it!"
"Inform the other task forces. I'll handle the northern light pillar."
Without time for small talk with Nagoya Shomei, Tomoki Asuka rushed straight into the police box, heading for the underground sealing chamber.
Nagoya Shomei couldn't resist calling after him: "Don't go dying on me."
"Relax, I'll outlive you!"
Receiving this response, Nagoya Shomei sighed as he watched the direction where Tomoki's figure had already disappeared, muttering to himself:
"Always small matters when idle, then suddenly a major crisis. Fate truly is unpredictable..."
...
Meanwhile, at the centre of the eastern flames.
Kotoko Iwanaga leaned on her cane, observing the three other distant pillars of fire before lowering her gaze to the bustling Akihabara crowds still winding down their evening.
While a few clearly mystic-side individuals fled in panic when the flames appeared, most ordinary people went about their lives undisturbed.
"Oh? So only those capable of activating Spiritual Perspective can see these flames?"
"To think the Hell Sect possesses such technology. Truly remarkable."
Adjusting her beret, Kotoko narrowed her eyes and murmured:
"Now then, let's see which faction's representatives will reach me first~"
...
Simultaneously, due north.
At the heart of the northern flames, Enigma observed the towering spiritual light with amusement:
"The Zhuanxu Sky Severance Formation - based on Kyoto's Four Gods Great Barrier, with the Abyss Artefact 'Yellow Emperor's Blood' at its core."
"Originating from ancient myths across the sea, this replicated formation divides people within its range into gods and mortals, ensuring neither disturbs the other's order."
"Thus achieving the miracle where sorcerers cannot harm common folk, nor common folk harm sorcerers."
"To disrupt such a formation requires polluting the Yellow Emperor's Blood with high-authority tainted blood at four points, temporarily suppressing the formation's power and causing it to skew."
Enigma chuckled before continuing:
"That Three-Eyes fellow actually procured blood potent enough to taint the Yellow Emperor's lineage, plus planted operatives in America's joint task force to obtain the grand barrier's layout. Quite impressive."
...
Meanwhile, due west.
Dressed in martial arts attire, Li Jianlin stroked his beard while frowning at the surrounding flames, his expression grave:
"The Akihabara Grand Barrier."
"America provided land rights, England supplied cultural artefacts, France constructed the techniques, Russia contributed spiritual leyline energy, and China offered both the Yellow Emperor's blood and the formation theory as the core."
"The Five Great Powers have joined forces to construct a grand barrier on the land of Japan, a territory that can be sacrificed at any time, in order to contain Abyss Artefacts and conduct research on various types of them."
"Heh, those on the mystic side all know that Akihabara is the trading hub for Abyss Artefacts, the intelligence exchange station of East Asia. Yet few are aware that this is also the Five Great Powers' experimental base for conducting all sorts of forbidden Abyss Artefact experiments."
After murmuring this softly, Li Jianlin let out a heavy sigh.
As one of those privy to the inside story, Li Jianlin had no desire to stir up trouble in Akihabara. After all, the slightest misstep could invite violent suppression from the Five Great Powers.
But unfortunately, the Flame Demon resided in the Abyssal Depths beneath Akihabara, forcing him to conduct the ritual here to drag this immortal phoenix into the human world.
Such an act would undoubtedly draw the full wrath of the Five Great Powers. From this moment onward, most nations would no longer offer him refuge.
Contemplating the consequences, Li Jianlin sighed and produced a Disguise Mask, pressing it slowly onto his face. Soon, his appearance transformed into that of a short, drunken old man with a bulbous nose.
"Let's hope this mask helps me avoid some trouble."
"Of course, the best outcome would be if the Hell Sect's tainted blood doesn't corrupt the Yellow Emperor's Blood too severely. Otherwise, life will become rather difficult from now on."
...
At the same time, to the far south.
Gokuro Seto sat cross-legged on the ground, tilting a jar of liquor to his lips and gulping noisily as he squinted at the surrounding flame's light.
"Quite the commotion. Seems like we'll have plenty of company soon~" He chuckled roughly. "Let's hope the newcomers are strong enough. Otherwise, my Blood Swallowing Method won't reach its advanced stages."
His coarse laughter echoed through the flickering flames.
...
Meanwhile, near the western outskirts of Akihabara, at the Hidden Management Department's garrison.
"Big Brother~ It seems things have already started~"
Mukuro Hoshimiya floated before the window, her right hand pressed against the glass as she curiously observed the distinct beams of light outside.
Hearing her words, Luo Shu, seated on the sofa, looked up.
"Yes, it's begun!"
"Mukuro, time to prepare."
Nodding, Mukuro then asked curiously, "Big Brother, all I need to do is temporarily sever the connection between that thing called the Yellow Emperor's Blood and the barrier, right?"
Luo Shu smiled faintly. "Be careful when you do it. Don't break anything."
"Understood~"
Before soaring into the sky, Mukuro declared confidently, "Muku won't break anything~"
"Muku will lift the barrier when Big Brother needs it~"
"Then, Big Brother, see you later~"
As her words faded, a dark void manifested behind Mukuro, swallowing the girl whole.
After Mukuro departed, Luo Shu narrowed his eyes and glanced at Kurumi Tokisaki, who was filing her nails nearby.
"Prepare yourself, Kurumi."
"—The ritual is about to begin!"