The Feathered Serpent, wreathed in lightning, kept the butterflies of the Sanzu River at bay, its gaping maw snapping at him.
"What a pain."
Sanzu River felt a pang of regret.
He could have taken Tsuchiya Garaku down in just a few more minutes, but someone had suddenly shown up to ruin things.
Anyone would be angry.
Sanzu River could only hover in the air for a short time thanks to the swarm of butterflies, while the Feathered Serpent could fly freely. Aerial combat was not in his favor.
More importantly, most of Sanzu River's power was being used to suppress Tsuchiya Garaku, who was fighting for his life.
'I need to retreat.'
Tamamo-no-Mae's voice echoed.
"But, if we just wait a little longer..."
Sanzu River was reluctant.
'There's no more time, look over there.'
Sanzu River followed the direction Tamamo-no-Mae indicated.
A towering figure, entirely white and with a Dharma wheel atop its head, was rapidly approaching the battlefield.
The strongest Summoned Spirit, Mahoraga.
'And you can't maintain this state for much longer, can you?'
Tsuchiya Garaku was fighting for his life, but so was Sanzu River.
If Tsuchiya Garaku, a Grade 1 Jujutsu Sorcerer, couldn't fully resist the erosion of the Cursed Stone, how could Sanzu River?
If Tamamo-no-Mae hadn't been controlling the Cursed Stone and holding back, Sanzu River would have been eroded long ago and become Tamamo-no-Mae's vessel.
But now wasn't the time; Sanzu River still had value.
Soon, just three more Cursed Stones, and I will be able to resurrect in my complete form...
Tamamo-no-Mae sighed inwardly.
Just as the Feathered Serpent's gaping maw was about to bite Sanzu River, a powerful Fox Fire erupted from his body.
The fierce flames turned the Feathered Serpent's upper body into a torch.
Severely wounded, the Feathered Serpent had no choice but to retreat from the battlefield.
A swarm of butterflies circled Sanzu River. By the time Mahoraga arrived and scattered them, Sanzu River had already vanished.
On the other side, the numerous Fox Fires attacking Tsuchiya Garaku also dissipated.
Mahoraga, having lost sight of its enemy, stood before Tsuchiya Garaku. Its imposing form provided an unparalleled sense of security.
Eiji also withdrew his consciousness from the Shadow World.
Activating the Ten Shadows Wheel, Nue emerged from Eiji's shadow and brought him to Tsuchiya Garaku's side.
Nue appeared and began to heal Tsuchiya Garaku, who had suffered extensive burns all over his body.
"Thank you, young friend Eiji."
Tsuchiya Garaku's injuries rapidly healed.
"Is that the culprit behind the recent surge of Cursed Spirits towards the city?"
"Yes, he's also the one who caused the Cursed Spirit disaster three years ago."
Tsuchiya Garaku nodded.
"Have you investigated his identity?"
"We couldn't find anything."
Tsuchiya Garaku shook his head.
"You couldn't find anything?"
Eiji was surprised.
This wasn't ancient times. How could a prominent family like the Tsuchimiya Family not be able to find someone's identity?
"I had people investigate three years ago, but we still couldn't find his identity."
"Is that so."
Eiji didn't ask further.
"There's no point in staying here any longer. I'll go provide support elsewhere. You should go check on Kagura too."
The two began to support other battlefields.
This Cursed Spirit incident was quickly quelled.
Isayama Mei woke up in an alley.
"What is this?"
Isayama Mei looked strangely at her perfectly intact body.
During the previous battle, Isayama Mei's clothes had been heavily damaged, exposing her fair skin to the air.
As a young woman who had grown up in a traditional, large family, Isayama Mei was very uncomfortable with having large areas of her skin exposed.
But at this moment, she had no intention of paying attention to her attire.
Isayama Mei's hand traced her smooth, unblemished skin, feeling very strange.
Isayama Mei's hand finally stopped at her chest.
She could feel a vast amount of cursed energy emanating from her chest.
Isayama Mei began to sense the new cursed energy within her, a power far greater than Isayama Yomi's.
"Hahaha, so strong! With this power, I can take back my rightful place as family head."
Isayama Mei was overjoyed and finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"The position of family head should have been mine all along! I'm the one with the Tsuchimiya family bloodline. Why should that mongrel adopted by outsiders become the Tsuchimiya family head! Why!"
Isayama Mei swung the naginata in her hand, shattering the surrounding debris.
Countless thoughts she had only dared to harbor in her heart began to be spoken aloud. Isayama Mei had never felt so unburdened.
She was absolutely ecstatic at this moment.
"Hoo, hoo, hoo."
After venting, Isayama Mei's mood calmed down a bit.
The naginata spun, its blade folding, transforming into a parasol.
Using the parasol to cover herself, Isayama Mei decided to find some proper clothes first.
"Well, it seems you're quite pleased with your new power."
A flippant voice sounded from behind Isayama Mei.
"Who!"
Isayama Mei spun around sharply, the parasol in her hand transforming back into a naginata.
"It's you!"
Isayama Mei instinctively wanted to flee, but then she remembered that she was no longer the same as before. A killing intent surged towards Sanzu River.
"Oh? Daring to resist? What a disobedient little cat."
Sanzu River raised his hand, and Isayama Mei felt a sharp pain in her chest.
"Ah!"
Isayama Mei collapsed, clutching her chest.
"You... you bastard..."
Isayama Mei was terrified. She hadn't become the Isayama family head yet, hadn't taken back what rightfully belonged to her. She... didn't want to die.
"Are you willing to listen now, my cute little cat?"
Sanzu River stroked Isayama Mei's long white hair with his right hand.
"What do you want!"
Isayama Mei said with humiliation.
"I will help you obtain the position of Isayama family head, and you will cooperate with me and help me obtain what I desire. How about it?"
Sanzu River leaned close to Isayama Mei's ear.
His warm breath landed on her ear.
Isayama Mei instinctively tried to dodge, but Sanzu River's hand held her shoulder.
"I'm going to be the Isayama family head. I won't cooperate with a curse user."
"I won't lay a hand on the Isayama family."
Sanzu River's flippant voice entered Isayama Mei's ears, his words constantly eroding her psychological defenses.
"What I want is in the Tsuchimiya Family. You help me get what I want, and I'll help you get what you want. It's a fair trade, isn't it?"
Sanzu River's words were like a devil's whisper, and the Cursed Stone continuously stoked the desires in Isayama Mei's heart.
"Miss Isayama, you wouldn't want your association with a curse user to be discovered, would you..."
Finally, her desires, like a flood, broke through the dam of reason.
"I'll help you, but only once."
Isayama Mei gritted her teeth and said each word distinctly.
"No problem. Oh, right."
Dozens of butterflies flew in, carrying a coat.
"This is for you. Your current clothes are unwearable."
"Th-thank you."
Isayama Mei put on her coat and left the alley.
"Heh heh."
Seeing Isayama Mei leave, Sanzu River couldn't help but let out a laugh.
"Once a person has done something once, they'll do it a second and third time."
A mocking expression spread across Sanzu River's face.
"You can't escape my grasp anymore, little kitten."
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Translation by: randomtranslator.com
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