The Oni are perhaps the most powerful clan among all Yokai; purely in terms of raw strength, no other Yokai can compare, and they are inherently warlike. (Net) The Oni departed the surface world partly because they despised the shameless deceit of humanity, and partly because, since the Great Barrier was erected, Gensokyo had become too peaceful, losing its appeal, leading them to establish a new domain in Hell.
The strongest among the Oni are the Four Heavenly Kings of the Oni, and Hoshiguma Yuugi is one of them, known to mortals as the 'Rampage of Monster Strength and Divine Madness.' In terms of power, she is on par with Ibuki Suika, perhaps even slightly superior.
Facing Hoshiguma Yuugi’s challenge, Lin Luo dared not underestimate her; the sheer magnitude of her aura startled even him... There were no Spell Card rules here; success depended solely on individual combat prowess.
“Releasing such a vast presence casually on a street is an act of provocation, isn't it... I like it, so I’ll play along.” Hoshiguma Yuugi gulped down a mouthful of sake, and amidst hearty laughter, she charged directly at Lin Luo. The ground cracked beneath a single stomp of her foot.
Lin Luo had not intended to fight, but the Oni are naturally belligerent. Once a battle begins, it will not cease until the Oni is defeated or utterly satisfied, so he did not hesitate. Activating Shun-dō, he rushed toward Hoshiguma Yuugi at an even greater speed, launching a kick toward her back.
“So fast.” Hoshiguma Yuugi appeared somewhat surprised, but her face remained relaxed. She hadn't even lowered the sake bowl in her hand. Her free hand swung directly backward, colliding with Lin Luo’s kick. Instantly, there was a tremendous boom, the air rippled from the impact, and an invisible wave of power swept outward.
Truly worthy of being one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Oni—so strong!
Lin Luo’s expression shifted slightly. Yuugi’s casual strike had made his legs feel numb. He hadn't taken the Oni lightly, but judging by her combat power, he seemed to have underestimated them slightly. Rampage of Monster Strength and Divine Madness could indeed drive spirits mad!
Lin Luo felt a hidden excitement stir within him. An opponent of this caliber, matched with him, and without the constraint of Spell Card rules, allowed him to unleash his strength to the fullest—perfect for sparring.
Without any hesitation after his first strike was blocked, Lin Luo immediately activated Phantom Demon Steps, creating three clones to surround Hoshiguma Yuugi and launch a fierce assault from all directions.
“As expected of a powerhouse! Ahhh! I must give this a proper contest!” Hoshiguma Yuugi roared with laughter, appearing even more thrilled than Lin Luo. She clenched her left fist tightly, using only that single hand to parry Lin Luo’s attacks coming from four directions. Then, an overwhelmingly massive power surged from her fist, and she bellowed, “Rampage of Monster Strength and Divine Madness!”
BOOM!!
Spatial barriers were utterly useless. Lin Luo’s three clones were instantly distorted, and an irresistible force surged toward Lin Luo’s true body.
“Fantasy Fusion—Defense!”
Lin Luo roared, crossing his arms in front of him, and instantly, a hexagonal white shield materialized before him... This was his ultimate defensive technique, comprehended by fusing the Rule of Fantasy, the Rule of Creation, and his understanding of Barriers. It was far more resilient than simply using the Rule of Creation or constructing a defensive net using his own attainment level.
CRASH!
Hoshiguma Yuugi’s punch struck the shield, erupting with a sound that shook the heavens. Even the entire street trembled, yet the shield remained utterly unscathed. Simultaneously, a massive rebound force shot out, violently throwing her backward.
“Oh my, truly impressive!” At this moment, even Hoshiguma Yuugi was astonished, a trace of gravity replacing her earlier ease. She no longer dared to underestimate Lin Luo.
However, Lin Luo was not limited to defense alone.
The instant he repelled Hoshiguma Yuugi, Lin Luo shifted his hands, forming the posture of drawing a bow. The shield transformed into an arrow, and he released his fingers.
“Fantasy Breakthrough Attack!”
Zzzzzwhip!
Faster than light, swifter than lightning, the white arrow shot forward, aiming directly at Hoshiguma Yuugi!
Hoshiguma Yuugi was still airborne, her right hand holding the sake bowl, which she had never let go of from beginning to end. Facing this domineering arrow, her expression changed. Watching the arrow arrive in the blink of an eye, she immediately thrust out her left hand to grasp it. She intended to shatter this arrow, something easily accomplished with the strength of one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Oni.
But, contrary to her expectation, as she seized the arrow, an invisible force was unleashed from within it, immediately binding her hand. The monstrous strength of the Oni was rendered useless. Not only did it fail to halt the arrow’s momentum, but it instead dragged her entire body backward at an even greater speed.
Hoshiguma Yuugi was deeply moved. She never imagined this arrow could suppress her strength—it was too bizarre!
“Aaaaaahhh!! Rampage of Monster Strength and Divine Madness... Break for me!”
Hoshiguma Yuugi roared toward the heavens. At this point, she dared not hold back any strength. All the power of an Oni Heavenly King was unleashed; her entire face flushed crimson. A visible surge of power spun rapidly around her wrist, and then, with a crack... the restraint vanished!
But Hoshiguma Yuugi felt no joy, for she sensed a second binding force approaching. She was inwardly alarmed; the binding process had been too swift, leaving her no time to react properly. In desperation, she inverted the arrowhead, pointing it toward the sky, but the arrow’s trajectory did not stop; it carried her and the arrow upward.
“Wheel of Hellish Agony!”
Hoshiguma Yuugi now understood the arrow's peculiar nature and dared not counter it with pure physical force. With a shout, a Wheel of Karmic Fire manifested around her body, wrapping around the arrow.
The Oni clan possesses not only immense inherent strength but also proficiency in various Buddhist and Taoist arts; some Oni specialize primarily in Taoism, with their physical strength taking a secondary role. Hoshiguma Yuugi was no exception. Her mastery of Buddhist and Taoist disciplines was peerless even among the Oni; this Wheel of Karmic Fire was her Dào (Path/Way).
With her Dào manifested, the pressure on Hoshiguma Yuugi drastically lessened. She then unleashed Rampage of Monster Strength and Divine Madness once more, completely suppressing the binding force. Next, she reversed the arrowhead and hurled it viciously back at Lin Luo, shouting, “Take this... Great Yama Mountain Storm!”
The power of the Oni could lift a mountain. Although Hoshiguma Yuugi was throwing the arrow using only her inherent strength, the destructive potential was akin to a nuclear weapon.
The arrow carved a streak of white light across the air, shooting toward Lin Luo even faster than before.
To redirect the attack back in such a short timeframe surprised even Lin Luo, yet he felt no sense of crisis. He smiled faintly, and just as the arrow was about to strike him, he murmured softly, “Change!”
As the word left his mouth, the arrow abruptly halted half a meter in front of him, transforming back into a shield.
“Ah!” Seeing this, Hoshiguma Yuugi was astonished again, instinctively asking, “What is that thing?”
Lin Luo looked up, smiling at her. “Spear and Shield.”
The three days spent at the Yakumo residence had taught Lin Luo much, and he had comprehended much more. This technique was inspired by the story of the ‘Spear and Shield Paradox.’ Which is stronger, the ultimate spear or the ultimate shield? There has been no answer since ancient times, but he had found the solution.
Why must they compete? Why not combine the two?
By fusing all power together, it becomes the strongest spear when attacking and the strongest shield when defending. Thus, both offense and defense reached their maximum potential—this was the new ability he created after reaching the Earth Rank. Naturally, for better handling, he had substituted the spear with an arrow here.
Lin Luo had not used this technique against Yuuka because, whether spear or arrow, he could not surpass Yuuka. But Hoshiguma Yuugi was different; they were evenly matched. As a sparring partner, she allowed him to perfectly utilize his Earth Rank power.
“Magnificent, truly magnificent! Hahahaha!” Despite facing a moment of extreme danger just now, Hoshiguma Yuugi was not angry or furious; instead, she was overjoyed, laughing heartily. “Since coming to the Underworld, I haven't truly fought anyone. Every day is spent drinking and playing with my fellow Oni, because apart from the other three Heavenly Kings, there is no one who can give me a full-effort fight. Although there was a human shrine maiden who was very strong before, her abilities were too bizarre; my attacks couldn't even touch her—it was no fun at all.”
Saying this, Hoshiguma Yuugi landed on the ground and tossed her sake bowl aside.
This action greatly startled Lin Luo. He knew that Hoshiguma Yuugi had a habit of always carrying her sake bowl, even during combat, without spilling a drop. After defeating an opponent, continuing to hold it suggested slight contempt; after losing, it was an excuse that she hadn't used her full strength. That bowl was a subtle presence, proof of her holding back, but now...
“Fighting my own kind fully isn't interesting, and fighting a shrine maiden I can’t touch is pointless, but you are different!” Hoshiguma Yuugi glared, licked her lips, and her mouth revealed immense excitement and fervor. “It’s so hard to find an opponent like you. I am very fond of you. Come, let me have some real fun!”
Hoshiguma Yuugi took a single step forward, and instantly, the heavens and earth changed color!
The Karmic Fire of Hell burned around her, and an invisible force warped space. Faintly, the sound of Buddhist chanting seemed to drift from the void—peaceful and tranquil, yet simultaneously brimming with violence and slaughter... It was an aura unlike any other.
Lin Luo’s expression shifted drastically, for he realized that Hoshiguma Yuugi had now faintly reached... the Mid-Earth Rank!
“Heavenly King’s Ultimate Art!” Suddenly, Hoshiguma Yuugi roared, took one step, shaking the ground; took a second step, her figure vanished; took a third step, and she materialized before Lin Luo, delivering a heavy punch.
“Three Steps to Certain Death!”
Lin Luo’s pupils dilated violently. Hoshiguma Yuugi’s fist had shattered his... Ultimate Shield!
BOOM!
The situation was reversed this time. The punch struck Lin Luo’s chest, sending him flying backward.
l;!--END--g;RH