439 The Astonishing Metamorphosis of the Black and White Witches... And Stones (Two Chapters Combined, Requesting Monthly Votes)
Words have already been combined into two chapters. I think this chapter should probably fix those bugs in Volume Four.
As always, to comprehend a rule, one must first understand their own limits - knowing oneself is paramount. An ant cannot challenge an elephant; a breeze cannot topple mountains. Only by breaking through personal limitations can the ant become a dinosaur and the breeze transform into a typhoon capable of defeating previously unbeatable opponents. This requires qualitative change, i.e., rule power!
A rule is absolute force emerging from inner transformation after transcending limits within one's mind-eye (the core consciousness), manifesting as either tangible or intangible development - it's essentially secondary evolution of strength.
To break through these limitations demands another aspect of the mind-eye: penetration. First comes self-penetration, then enemy analysis, and ultimately environmental/natural/world understanding. Gaining truths from this penetration allows rule comprehension. Of course, for Level 2 Walkers, world penetration is extremely difficult - nearly impossible. Generally speaking, only when reaching Level 3 with greater capacity can one use perception domains to achieve breakthroughs toward rule power.
Thus, self-understanding and penetration form the mind-eye. The extended powers derived from it (mind-eye abilities) are diverse since they precede rule forces. If every mind-eye ability were identical, different rule forces wouldn't exist.
Arthur's mind-eye ability is immortality - within his perceived limits, he merges body with spirit as auxiliary and primary respectively, making physical form a spiritual extension. As long as his spirit survives, so does his body...
Conversely, if his spirit gets destroyed, the physical form also vanishes. Yet typical forces can't obliterate this spirit since knightly ideals have become his faith itself - haven't great minds said "we may destroy their bodies but never their spirits"?
Though Arthur's combat power is weak, his mind-eye ability is exceptionally strong. At least in Lin Luo's eyes, aside from lacking direct attack capabilities, it already resembles rule force potential in certain aspects. Should this evolve into actual rules...
It was obvious why Ling Yi could shatter atomic decay and Lin's incomplete rules with a single punch - she possessed the mind-eye to detect vulnerabilities through penetration! Her Hunter Book implies her mind-eye ability likely specializes in destroying forces itself, otherwise pure penetration would be meaningless against direct material destruction.
Even though Arthur explained everything away misunderstandings, Lin Luo felt growing anxiety. Not only does the mind-eye greatly influence rule force comprehension, it's foundational for future growth - yet he lacks this power entirely! While two rules might temporarily outpace other Walkers now, later stages will surely see him fall behind due to weak fundamentals.
Take present circumstances - if he had a mind-eye, even understanding 5-10% of rules would allow using Destroying Black Flames at full strength despite injuries...
"Is there any way I can recover my lost mind-eye?" Lin Luo asked Arthur, knowing every Walker has this ability at Level 2. The fact that he can't use it just means he hasn't discovered it yet - not necessarily a permanent loss.
"I don't know," Arthur admitted helplessly as an average Level 2 Walker lacking deeper knowledge...
"Fine then, let's drop this for now." Though disappointed, Lin Luo wouldn't give up easily. Regaining such crucial ability was vital for future survival!
"What should we do next?" Huangquan suddenly joined them with her usual abruptness. Both she and Shinkō had woken long ago but remained silent seeing their conversation.
"Hmm..." After pondering, Lin Luo said, "My barrier holds another half-hour when the spirits will attack. We can't actively find Yūmei's location now - only wait here as bait. In his eyes we're tasty prey in his territory like sheep entering a tiger's mouth. He won't release his grip until he feels confident defeating me personally..."
"But this is too passive!" Huangquan frowned, disliking waiting for others to strike when she preferred aggressive tactics.
"...," Lin Luo remained silent, equally uncomfortable with passivity but seeing no alternatives...
Arthur observed both and solemnly said: "Miss Kagemori, things aren't so simple. With Master's abilities he could freely traverse this world anywhere! Even if Yūmei regains peak strength it'd be at most a match against current Master - defeating him is impossible. That's why Master doesn't attack actively because we're holding him back..."
Some details Lin Luo couldn't explain, but as partial outsider Arthur could: "Earlier with evolved undeads we fought desperately. If they keep evolving even one-on-one would be tough! Then if Yūmei appears and blocks Master or sends subordinates to do so, he can easily defeat all of us while we won't have any chance to resist!"
"This..." Huangquan suddenly froze - it was their fault? Indeed with Lin Luo's strength and Walkers' free movement they could easily leave even if defeated by Yūmei. Yet now they were fleeing together... The most frustrating person probably wasn't them but Lin himself!
Huangquan felt a pang of guilt, realizing she'd been too hasty.
"Don't mention it..." Seeing her intention to apologize yet hesitating awkwardly, Lin Luo chuckled inwardly and cut off the conversation before it could become awkward. "Actually I can take you all away anytime, Arthur could go elsewhere - but as runaway dogs we'd be, would you truly agree?"
"Of course not!" All three instantly replied in unison.
Beyond Arthur's knight ideals clashing with Yūmei's actions, even Huangquan and Shinkō couldn't forgive his world destruction killing their loved ones!
"So then, since we can neither attack nor leave, waiting here is our only option..." Lin Luo sighed inwardly - indeed, no matter how strong one was sometimes they were powerless. If either Evangeline or Sakuya existed here now the dilemma would easily resolve...
"By the way, why don't you three sign a Heart Contract?" Arthur suddenly suggested.
"Woah!" This stunned not only Lin Luo but both girls too as Shinkō instantly blushed deeply. While signing a Heart Contract wasn't technically marriage it was practically identical since separation becomes impossible - lifetime commitment with just physical distinction remaining!
"This..." Huangquan looked conflicted, only having learned about contracts the previous day! Just one night wasn't enough time to prepare mentally, and when she glanced at Shinkō who also stared back, they instinctively turned their heads hesitatingly.
"Please stop hesitating! This is an emergency period anyway. You'll eventually sign with Master later - better sooner than later!" Arthur continued urging.
Seeing Arthur so enthusiastically mediating made Lin Luo chuckle thinking of matchmaker career opportunities.
"You two decide for yourselves," he told them honestly since Heart Contracts require mutual consent anyway, making forced decisions pointless...
Yet this statement somehow increased their favorability slightly. After another glance exchanging unspoken understanding, they nodded toward Lin Luo: "Fine then... we'll sign."
"Yesss!" Most excited turned out to be Arthur who cheered like a child and immediately ran off claiming not to peek but already disappearing behind a hillside.
Now alone with Huangquan and Shinkō, the two girls suddenly felt nervous again despite earlier agreements. Their cheeks flushed red while Shinkō fidgeted with her skirt edge nervously.
As the older sister Huangquan stayed calmer (having experienced betrothal before) though still struggled to speak clearly without eye contact: "U-um... what exactly is the ceremony for signing?"
Being a purification expert, she was familiar with contracts but uncertain about this Heart Contract ritual which surely must have formalities beyond just words.
"It's simple," Lin Luo explained with utmost seriousness to avoid wolf-like impressions. "Just let me touch your World Hearts..."
"Ha?!" Despite his solemnity both girls still gasped in embarrassment - what nonsense ceremony! It was pure harassment!
Both thought simultaneously...
Well, it is emergency period anyway...
But quickly reassured themselves since they'd already agreed earlier and touching breasts wouldn't cause missing body parts or falling off teeth!
"Okay then," Huangquan volunteered as the older sister to lead by example while stepping forward with closed eyes like facing execution. "Go on ahead!"
Though Lin Luo found her dramatics overdone, he still coughed to get her attention before explaining: "Actually you two share one World Heart so we must perform it together simultaneously."
"..." This made both girls flush bright red - being touched by a man in front of sister? Previously this would have caused Red Lotus devouring men but now was emergency period! Yet doing it together with sister...
"Lin Luo-ōji..." Shinkō gave him an accusatory look.
"This isn't my fault!" Lin Luo quickly explained. "Normally World Hearts only reside within individuals so contracts are solo signings. But your case is special since the shared heart requires both of you to be present for completion - understand?"
Only together counts as complete?
Exchanging glances they understood little except this sentence which sparked flickers of expectation and joy in their eyes...
Since World Hearts are divine selections, deeming their union necessary by such existence meant it was natural! Conversely, separating would defy fate!
"Fine then," they agreed instantly.
With that decision the girls closed their eyes again as Shinkō approached Lin Luo. Though trembling slightly she summoned courage to raise her small chest before closing her fluttering eyelids revealing anxiety through shivering lashes...
Though various awkward movements made Lin Luo feel uneasy, he ignored it (being nervous himself about first-time "double flight" in daylight outdoor environment!). Taking a deep breath to calm his excitement, he gently placed hands on both chests.
Shinkō's youthful body remained small at barely - level compared to Sky Castle's girls who were only slightly bigger than Eve's child version. Though manga Shinkō wasn't huge she still looked fairly well-developed, making two years growth quite surprising!
Huangquan as a mature woman had + level curves feeling soft and warm through clothing that stirred emotions...
Two distinct sizes gave Lin Luo different tactile experiences until suddenly his mind received notification:
"Heart Contract Master Lin Luo. Spirit Link Hosts Kagemori Huangquan/Shinkō. Affection below 90: Non-Formal Heart Contract signed. This contract prevents using Contract Mode and obtaining Contractor traits. When affection reaches 100, all states recover... Proceed?"
"Proceed!"
After brief visual blur Lin Luo saw slightly different scenery - a black-white blended space with two nude girls floating separately in their realms: White Witch Shinkō and Black Witch Huangquan.
The spaces began merging as distance shortened until suddenly faint light emerged from both bodies fully fusing them together...
"Heart Contract Complete. Current Master State Unchanged. Contractor States Changed. Mental Link Connected Successfully. First-level Initiation achieved. Spirit Compatibility 100... Relationship changed to Life-and-Death, can share spiritual power and life threads..."
After mechanical notification ceased, the contract book displayed a heart mark half-black/half-white...
Lin Luo was shocked - this unique Spirit Link indeed differed! Being shared between two people naturally removed all seals instantly reaching Initiation level previously only achieved by Miko and Evangeline who had experienced major events with him... This was too incredible!
But even more shocking came next when he just moved his hands from their chests, sudden changes occurred: White Light erupted from Shinkō's body - gentle and sacred like a pure angel; Black Light emerged from Huangquan's form - eerie yet domineering like world-destroying demoness.
The radiant lights intensified so strongly they pushed Lin Luo backward! While startled he knew better than to interfere during metamorphosis. Observing closely revealed spiritual energies rapidly growing within both girls reaching Human Peak before continuing exponential growth hinting at qualitative transformation...
"Hey hey, this is getting totally out of control!"
Even with experience in weird events, Lin Luo remained stunned. Though others had broken through post-contracting (like Black Rock whose prior cultivation made contract just a trigger), these two had no previous accumulation!
Suddenly he recalled the mental world imagery - Black and White Witches form foundational balance here! In original works their deaths would destroy this realm itself... Now their "unity" likely signified awakening of innate potential through witch powers manifesting within them.
How powerful were the Black and White Witch Maidens? Lin Luo didn't have a clear understanding. Even in the original story, only Kyoumi's black witch magic had ever been showcased - and it nearly brought about global annihilation. Without Kagura's efforts and Kyoumi's sudden change of heart at the climax, the entire world would have perished.
As the light surrounding both girls gradually faded, Lin Luo immediately checked the status display on his contract book:
Name: Jinzen Kyoumi (Human)
Status: Normal
Physical Strength: B
Spirit Strength:
World Heart: Lingxi Heart (No.12, Form: Hearts in Harmony)
World Heart Condition: Initial Devotion
Overall Power Level: Adept Rank (Elementary)
Name: Tsuchimiya Kagura (Human)
Status: Normal
Physical Strength: B
Spirit Strength:
World Heart: Lingxi Heart (No.12, Form: Hearts in Harmony)
World Heart Condition: Initial Devotion
Overall Power Level: Adept Rank (Elementary)
Both girls also shared a synchronized combat technique - "Heartspeak Through Space." Lin Luo didn't understand the mechanics of this skill, but their current strength levels were indeed alarming. They'd leapfrogged two entire tiers in power without precedent, and Kyoumi's lingering Death Stone corruption had been completely purged... The latent potential of the Black and White Witch Maidens was truly terrifying.
Just as these thoughts formed, Lin Luo noticed something even stranger. Between the two girls floated a multicolored stone - shimmering with impossible hues!
To my readers: I've seen every message of support you've sent. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your enthusiasm and encouragement - be it through official platforms or unauthorized copies. Your continued backing means everything to me. In honor of these friends, I'll ignore negativity going forward and dedicate myself to writing better stories.
"Little Witch" has now reached 1.5 million words. Many novels would be nearing their conclusion at this point, but "Little Witch" is just beginning. Buried plot threads are finally unraveling, and the next world's grand conflict is building momentum. I promise you'll witness even more spectacular developments ahead... Thank you once again to all who've supported me this far.