The story of the Ashina Chapter was approaching its conclusion.
This was not only the creation of Ashina Country's history, but also the setting of a new record for Miracle City.
The conditions required to achieve "Dragon's Homecoming" in the Ashina Chapter were exceptionally harsh, and the difficulty was extremely high. Precisely because it was so difficult, it was all the more valuable. The first Adventurer to accomplish it would undoubtedly become a legend—an enduring monument within the Chronicles of the Foreign Lands.
Bihua couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought of such honor.
She immediately went to meet the Divine Child.
Handing over the materials, she said:
"Master, I've completed the task. All three materials have been collected!"
Kuro Hirata looked at his loyal shinobi with a complicated expression.
He felt both gratitude and guilt.
The journey to obtain these materials must have been filled with danger and hardship. Not only had Wolf gathered everything, but he had also broken free from the shinobi code, personally slain his foster father Owl, and discovered a more perfect method—Dragon's Homecoming—beyond the ancient ritual.
"This journey must have been extremely difficult," Kuro said softly. "I'm sorry you had to bear it all alone…"
Bihua interrupted him calmly.
"This is my mission. Please prepare the source incense immediately."
"…Alright."
There was no time to waste.
Ashina Castle—and even the Castle Keep—could fall at any moment.
Kuro placed the three materials into the incense burner, added his own blood, and successfully created the source incense.
With it, one could enter the Divine Realm.
Adventurers would step into a place beyond mortal reach—and meet the legendary Source Deity.
Everything was ready.
Bihua glanced at the time.
Only one hour of stamina remained.
Not much—but enough to at least enter the Divine Realm.
Just as she was about to depart—
Emma entered the room.
"Lord Isshin has returned," she said. "He wishes to see you."
---
Meeting the Sword Saint
Isshin Ashina—the legendary Sword Saint.
Bihua recalled what Owl had said earlier. During the recent large-scale assault by the Interior Ministry, Isshin had fought while already at the brink of death. This battle had likely consumed the last of his life.
She followed Emma.
Inside the room, Isshin sat cross-legged, covered in blood.
His aura was faint—like a candle flickering in the wind.
Yet he laughed freely.
"Hahaha! Sit, have a drink! I heard you defeated that old fox Owl. Well done!"
Even at death's door, he remained open-hearted.
"I still have a mission to complete," Bihua replied. "I can't drink."
"What a pity," Isshin chuckled. "Then we'll drink when you return from the Divine Realm!"
He gestured for Emma to bring a box.
Inside was a small green katana.
"This blade is called Rustfang," Isshin said. "It carries a potent poison. A relic left behind in the Castle Keep. Though I've never been to the Divine Realm… I've heard it works well against the creatures there."
Bihua immediately understood.
He was helping her.
"Thank you, Lord Isshin."
Then she hesitated.
"There is one concern… the Divine Child."
Isshin nodded.
"As long as I still breathe, no one will touch him."
He paused.
"Let this old body make one final contribution to Ashina."
That reassurance was enough.
Still—he didn't have long left.
The mission had to be completed before Ashina fell… and before Isshin died.
Bihua felt deep respect for him.
A true hero until the very end.
---
Entering the Divine Realm
Without delay, Bihua used the Sculptor's Idol to travel to the Palanquin Cave.
A dim cavern.
A beam of light from above.
An ancient palanquin resting quietly on a stone platform carved with faded divine symbols.
This was the gateway.
She stepped inside.
Placed the Mortal Blade before her.
Lit the source incense.
Then waited.
Minutes passed—
Suddenly—
BOOM!
A massive tremor shook the world.
Before she could react, a gigantic hand—woven from straw and rope—descended from the sky and grasped the palanquin.
"What is this?!"
The Adventurers watching were stunned.
The hand was enormous—lifting the palanquin like it was nothing.
Higher and higher she rose—
Until finally—
They saw it.
A colossal straw giant.
Hundreds of meters tall.
Bound in worn sacred ropes.
Towering like a mountain.
Its sheer presence surpassed even the White Serpent.
It felt… otherworldly.
Ancient.
Unfathomable.
---
The giant carried her across mountains at incredible speed.
After half an hour—
It collapsed before a towering peak.
Its task complete.
Bihua climbed out.
Standing atop its arm—like a bridge over an abyss.
There was only one path forward.
Across the giant.
Into the mountain.
She moved forward—
Through mist—
Until the view opened.
A hidden peak.
Red maples.
Palaces.
Cherry blossoms.
A dreamlike realm.
"This… must be it."
The Divine Realm.
---
The Final Gate
At the entrance stood a massive vermilion gate.
Bihua activated a Sculptor's Idol nearby.
This was the Source Palace.
The final area of the Ashina Chapter.
She stepped forward.
A bridge stretched ahead—
Crimson.
Covered in maple leaves and snow.
Then—
A voice.
Low.
Chanting.
"Who goes there?"
A massive figure dropped from above.
Boom.
A warrior monk.
Holding a giant naginata.
"The Corrupted Monk…"
But this time—
Not an illusion.
The real body.
Tier 3 strength.
A terrifying presence.
"Turn back," the monk said coldly. "This is no place for mortals."
Bihua drew her blade.
That was her answer.
---
Defeat
The battle began instantly.
Blades clashed.
Sparks flew.
Bihua parried perfectly—
But the monk vanished.
Illusions appeared.
Attacks from all sides.
She couldn't distinguish the real one.
A thrust—
Pierced through her.
"Amitabha… attachment leads to ruin."
Death.
---
Aftermath
Silence.
Failure.
She had reached the Divine Realm—
But could not enter the Source Palace.
Still—
It was a massive breakthrough.
The Adventurers were ecstatic.
Tomorrow—
They would uncover the final secrets.
---
Qi Ji's Breakthrough
Meanwhile—
Qi Ji reviewed the day's results.
Spiritual energy income had exploded.
Over 20,000 gained.
Total reserves: nearly 26,000.
Enough.
Without hesitation—
He upgraded.
[Spiritual Power -20,000]
[Tier Up Successful → Tier 4]
[Spiritual Sea Awakening +2]
In just half a month—
He had reached Tier 4.
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