The power of the twelve Satsuseki stones, when combined, could manifest the Nine-Tailed Fox—one of the most formidable beings in existence, possessing world-ending power capable, as legend claims, of obliterating an entire city with a single strike. Bai Rui, possessing but a single Satsuseki stone and acting as a mere avatar of the Nine-Tailed Fox, possessed strength far beneath the original entity, yet it carried the same spirit of savage malice, having once been a creature of unparalleled wickedness that brought ruin upon the world.

While Bai Rui might find itself outmatched by certain supremely powerful entities, against common akuryō (evil spirits), it wielded an absolute suppressive force; to call it their natural nemesis would not be an overstatement.

When this beast emerged, the akuryō scattered!

Just as now: under the crushing aura of Bai Rui’s malevolence and killing intent, neither the shambling 'living dead' nor the evil spirits dared to approach an inch closer; even the shamblers, creatures supposedly ignorant of fear, were constantly retreating backward.

Tsuchimiya Kagura’s inner joy was ineffable. She had never imagined that at such a critical moment, Bai Rui would suddenly appear and save them—a possibility she hadn't even entertained before.

Bai Rui was the guardian spirit beast of her Tsuchimiya clan. Truthfully, Kagura’s feelings toward it were complex. Without Bai Rui, the Tsuchimiya clan could never have become the most powerful lineage of exorcists; for the clan, Bai Rui was not just a spirit familiar, but a partner in battle, and the family’s very talisman. Yet, it was precisely because of Bai Rui that every head of the Tsuchimiya family was fated to be short-lived. Her mother had died in her early thirties; her father, in his early forties. All of this was due to Bai Rui.

She had once loved and hated it. She had hated it when her mother, injured and unable to contain Bai Rui, was forced to transfer it to her father and died in the process. She had hated it again when her father perished following Bai Rui’s disappearance. But only after losing Bai Rui did she realize that what she called hatred was merely a form of escape.

If one accepts the power of Bai Rui, then one must accept the price required to wield that power. There is no such thing as a free lunch in this world. She once wondered if Bai Rui’s sudden vanishing was somehow caused by her own resentment.

And throughout these two weeks of brutal fighting, Tsuchimiya Kagura’s heart had been incessantly calling out for Bai Rui. Every day, she thought: if only Bai Rui were by my side right now, I could surely protect the people most important to me far better.

Even if it meant shortening her own life, it would not matter, because what was most important was not her own lifespan.

So, when she saw Bai Rui in this moment, Kagura was overwhelmingly ecstatic. That familiar form seemed to show her the parents she had long lost, and it also showed her the hope to continue living. In this instant, the past, present, and future connected… Tsuchimiya Kagura understood what she needed to do.

“Because… you are my family too.” Tsuchimiya Kagura reached out a hand, her slender fingers brushing across Bai Rui’s snow-white fur, her gaze filled with resolve, her voice echoing without fear, “So, come back… Bai Rui!”

“Roar!” Bai Rui threw its head back and bellowed, as if conveying something. A few seconds later, a thread deep within its soul was severed. Simultaneously, a circular sealing array materialized behind Kagura’s back, and Bai Rui’s enormous body instantly plunged into it.

Although Kagura had never been Bai Rui’s host before, as the sole heir of the Tsuchimiya clan, the sensation of their connected bloodlines remained unchanged, and the inheritance of their souls could not be severed.

The next moment, Kagura pressed the tips of her index fingers together, a faint white light flickering between them. “Shokurei Release, Bai Rui!”

As the young woman spoke the words, Bai Rui’s massive form burst forth from the sealing array on her back. “Devour!”

The young woman waved her right hand, chains rattling as Bai Rui began its merciless slaughter. Wherever its bloody maw passed, both the living dead and the evil spirits were rendered as insignificant as ants, utterly defenseless… At this moment, Bai Rui had found its true Master, and Tsuchimiya Kagura had gained the power that belonged uniquely to her.

Kagura no longer needed to exert herself; Bai Rui alone could annihilate all the enemies. Except for one… Raising her head, the young woman looked toward the white-haired youth hovering in the sky. Currently, he was the only opponent Kagura truly regarded with concern.

“Splendid, truly splendid.” Watching the sudden turn of events unfold before him, Sanyokawa showed no alarm; instead, he applauded with a smile. “Truly marvelous, daughter of the Tsuchimiya clan. I heard Bai Rui vanished from the Tsuchimiya family a year ago, yet you managed to summon it back. As expected of the White Priestess.”

The White Priestess?

This title caused Tsuchimiya Kagura a slight pause, but she didn't dwell on it. The most crucial matter now was not these unsubstantiated titles, but Isayama Yomi’s injuries.

While speaking with Sanyokawa to distract him, the young woman subtly surveyed the surroundings… Sanyokawa’s strength was unfathomably deep. Even with Bai Rui recovered, she lacked the confidence to defeat him in her current state, and Yomi’s injuries were too severe; they couldn't afford to delay. She needed to seize an opportunity to escape.

She believed that with her current strength, as long as she could evade Sanyokawa, she had no need to fear the other enemies. Once clear, she could find medical supplies, or perhaps requisition healing necessities from other exorcists, which should temporarily preserve Yomi’s life, allowing them to search for a complete cure later.

Sanyokawa suddenly laughed, “Indeed, you are impressive. In just half a month, your spirit has reached this level—so calm and decisive. You are correct; avoiding a fight with me right now is the best course of action…”

“…You!” Kagura’s face contorted drastically. She could not fathom how the enemy had seen through her thoughts. How was this possible? Did he possess mind-reading abilities?

“Is it strange? No, there is nothing strange about it. I can discern any human desire. For instance, your desire right now is incredibly intense… to survive, to live on with your beloved sister Yomi. Such devotion is quite moving.” Sanyokawa spoke blandly, yet his tone held not an ounce of sentimentality, but rather a growing intent to kill.

“However, while your idea is excellent, implementing it correctly will prove difficult, because… my mission is to kill you both right here.”

Tsuchimiya Kagura stared in shock. She saw countless emerald butterflies suddenly materialize around Sanyokawa. They appeared beautiful, but within them lurked a power that filled her with dread—it was the power of the Satsuseki stone!

“Bai Rui!” Without hesitation, Kagura commanded Bai Rui to attack the enemy, but Bai Rui remained completely motionless. When she turned to look, she realized that countless butterflies had already appeared around it, pinning it down and preventing any movement.

“It’s useless. Bai Rui possesses only one Satsuseki stone, while I have five. There is no way it can defeat me.” Sanyokawa smiled, then suddenly dozens of steel needles appeared in his hand. He flicked them forward lightly. “Farewell, Priestesses of Black and White.”

The needles shot forward at incredible speed toward Isayama Yomi and Tsuchimiya Kagura. The former was already unconscious, and the latter, weakened by excessive exertion, could no longer dodge. Kagura could only watch helplessly as the needles sped toward them…

Zzzira!

Just as Tsuchimiya Kagura braced for death, she suddenly saw countless lines of blue-white light materialize before her eyes. These rays rapidly wove themselves into a massive net between her and Isayama Yomi. With a sharp bzz-bzz-bzz sound, the dozens of steel needles were instantly halted mid-air, trembling violently.

“Electricity?” Kagura was stunned.

Sanyokawa’s expression also shifted. The sudden appearance of an electrical barrier clearly indicated that someone was intervening covertly. But in this city, besides that immortal bastard, who else would help these two girls? More importantly, he hadn't sensed the approach of any fourth party!

“Who is it? Show yourself!” A flicker of unease crossed Sanyokawa’s mind. He could no longer maintain his previous composure. He looked around warily.

The moment his words faded, a figure materialized directly behind him. “Perhaps you should be the one saying farewell, young man.”

Hearing the voice from behind, Sanyokawa’s face drastically changed, but before he could react, the person behind him seized his neck and flung him upward, then unleashed a sword strike: “Demon-Slaying Sword, Second Katana—Hyakka Ryōran!”

Instantly, countless specks of white light, like drifting cherry blossoms, enveloped Sanyokawa, instantaneously slicing his body into dust.

Then, the figure descended from the air and faced the wide-eyed, dumbfounded Tsuchimiya Kagura, chuckling, “Yo, Tsuchimiya Kagura, Isayama Yomi. It’s you two, right?”

It was stated not as a question, but as a certainty. Of course it was, because this person was Lin Luo, whom the two heroines of Shokurei would certainly recognize.

“Y-yes,” Tsuchimiya Kagura nodded dazedly, completely unable to process what had just transpired. Sanyokawa, against whom she was utterly defenseless moments ago, had been instantly obliterated by this man’s single attack. This was simply… preposterous!

At the same time, Lin Luo was also shocked, for he detected an extremely bizarre phenomenon displayed on the Contract Book:

Name: Isayama Yomi (Human) Status: Near Death Physical Strength: [Blank] Spiritual Strength: [Blank] Heart of the World: Reishi no Shinzō (No. 12, Form: Sympathy) Heart of the World Level: Sealed Overall Power Level: Human Rank, Mid Tier Name: Tsuchimiya Kagura (Human) Status: Normal Physical Strength: [Blank] Spiritual Strength: [Blank] Heart of the World: Reishi no Shinzō (No. 12, Form: Sympathy) Heart of the World Level: Sealed Overall Power Level: Human Rank, Mid Tier …

A single Heart of the World managing to simultaneously possess two hosts—this was utterly… inconceivable!