In a certain lower level of the Earth Spirit Palace, deep within the vast, scorching Hell of Karma, where fierce karmic flames burned on all sides, four individuals stood entirely unperturbed amidst the endless inferno.

"Ahhh, after eating and drinking my fill, my whole body is bursting with energy. Well then... here I come! Don't worry, since this is just training, I'll go easy on you!" Hoshiguma Yuugi held a massive bowl of sake in her right hand, an expression of intense excitement blooming on her face. She then stepped forward, her form vanishing instantly from its spot, rushing towards the man not far opposite her like a bolt of lightning. "Four Heavenly Kings Secret Art... Three-Step Certain Kill!"

Damn it! Lin Luo silently cursed. Using the Three-Step Certain Kill on the very first strike—that was her definition of going easy?

His heart tightened, and without hesitation, Lin Luo immediately unleashed his ultimate defense, the Strongest Shield. Yuugi’s fist slammed directly into the barrier, resulting in a thunderous BOOM, sending a visible shockwave spreading outwards. The flames struck by this wave were instantly extinguished, but the Karmic Fires of Hell are ceaseless, and they quickly reignited.

"Say, this is just a training match; must you be this ferocious?" Looking at the fist pressed tightly against the shield, Lin Luo could only manage a wry smile.

"Ferocious? I’m holding sake right now; I can barely unleash half my true strength," Yuugi replied casually, tilting her head back for another swig of wine.

Even half her strength was still the early stage of the Earth Rank. If it were only her, Lin Luo wouldn't mind, but the problem was the current situation...

"Sensing... Double Black Death Butterfly!" Just as Lin Luo was grumbling internally, a voice called out from the other side—Komeiji Satori. Acting on instinct, he looked over to see Satori with her eyes closed, one hand slightly raised. In a blink, countless black butterflies materialized in the air, fluttering around her, winking in and out of existence, subtly pulsing with an ominous power.

Lin Luo’s face changed. He knew this was Yakumo Yukari's ability, which Satori had managed to replicate through their previous encounters. Despite the vast difference in their actual power levels, any ability copied from Yukari meant he couldn't afford to be careless.

"Heart of Fantasy... World Destruction!"

Lin Luo controlled the shield with one hand while raising the other high. Instantly, a massive sphere of light shot from his hand toward the heavens, then burst forth in booming succession, unleashing countless rays that not only formed a defensive net around him but also systematically obliterated the Black Death Butterflies.

"Oh my, that move is quite nice, very flashy."

Hoshiguma Yuugi burst into laughter, her praise evident in her tone. Simultaneously, a Wheel of Karmic Fire formed around her arm, curving like a manacle to cuff towards Lin Luo's neck: "The Unforgiving Shackle for Sinners!"

Using karmic fire to bind sinners in shackles they could never break—this was her Buddhist Dao technique.

Buddhist Dao arts were still something Lin Luo didn't fully understand; this was his first true exposure to them. While he couldn't say they were overwhelmingly mysterious, the unknown always carried a significant threat. Lin Luo instinctively wanted to summon the Destroyer Black Flame.

But before he could deploy it, Yuugi chuckled, "Right, since neither of us is going all out, you shouldn't use that black fire either. I find that stuff a bit distasteful; I'd rather not touch it."

Hearing this, Lin Luo paused momentarily, but a second thought convinced him the Black Flame was indeed unsuitable. His goal wasn't victory but comprehension; using that nearly absolute power would offer no help to his own insight.

"Understood!" Lin Luo agreed readily. He instantly activated Instant Movement, dodging the Shackle of Karmic Fire. Simultaneously, Void Instant Movement activated again, his figure streaking at a speed invisible to the naked eye, his left hand wielding the Fantasy Sense and his right the Creation Principle, launching simultaneous assaults toward Satori and Yuugi.

Bad!

Suddenly, Lin Luo’s expression darkened. A profound sense of danger surged in his core. He couldn't pinpoint the source, but he knew peril was imminent. This feeling... it was an unconscious attack!

There was a fourth person on the field: Komeiji Koishi. Her unconscious attacks were undetectable by anyone; even Lin Luo, possessing the Seventh Sense, could only perceive them vaguely.

"These are the sparks of love!" Koishi squealed excitedly.

Lin Luo didn't look at her. Against this kind of unconscious assault, observing the attacker directly was futile; he could only guard his surroundings and, crucially, not look with his eyes!

He maximized his Perception Domain and pushed his True Sight to its absolute limit. Soon, Lin Luo detected countless heart-shaped projectiles rising from the ground—some red, some blue, appearing beautiful. But he knew that hidden within this lovely barrage lay fatal strikes. A moment's carelessness would lead to a terrible end.

Lin Luo used Void Instant Movement to evade the line of sight of the three women with sheer speed, while cautiously guarding against their every move... He focused the majority of his attention on Koishi, as relying purely on feeling was impossible against her unconscious attacks.

Attacks visible through the Perception Domain could be seen by most residents of Gensokyo. However, Koishi's true unconscious attacks were undetectable by anyone—if one could see them with their eyes, they weren't truly unconscious!

Lin Luo’s judgment was correct; if he wanted to master the Seventh Sense, he naturally needed to spend more effort studying Koishi, and the unconscious could only be countered by the Seventh Sense. Yet, this judgment was also flawed... because Hoshiguma Yuugi and Komeiji Satori were not opponents to be easily dismissed!

"Remember... Terrifying Hypnosis!" Satori suddenly pressed both hands to her ears, eyes closed, the third eye on her chest blinking rapidly.

In an instant, Lin Luo felt a wave of sleepiness wash over him. He saw his fatigue, his body screaming exhaustion, a desire to sleep eroding his fighting spirit. Simultaneously, he envisioned a bed beside him, where lying down meant abandoning all responsibility...

No! This is a delusion! An illusion!

Lin Luo repeated this mantra in his mind, digging his fingernails deeply into his flesh, trying to use the pain to drive away the drowsiness. But—it was called 'Terrifying' for a reason. Even with his formidable willpower, he couldn't entirely resist the sleepiness. His body grew heavier, his movements slower.

At that moment, Yuugi attacked from the other side. Her broad, sweeping attacks showed no trickery; a heavy punch broke through Lin Luo's Strongest Shield and slammed viciously into his chest, blasting him backward.

"Thinking... Swarm of Flying Insects!"

Satori clearly wasn't one to let up. She pointed forward, and instantly, countless light beams resembling insects shot out from the sides of her body. These beams were untraceable, flickering in the air, and they didn't fly straight but seemed to pursue Lin Luo with independent awareness—this, too, was a power borrowed from Yakumo Yukari.

The pressure on Lin Luo was immense. With no other recourse, he enveloped himself in a defensive net while once again condensing the Strongest Shield. With his other hand, he drew a Tachi from his storage space; as the blade swung, vast sheets of white light poured forth.

"Rose of Hell!"

Koishi was not to be outdone. With a youthful, lively smile, she began dancing on the ground. As she moved, roses began to appear. While these roses didn't possess overwhelmingly destructive power, nor were their embedded energies too intense, Lin Luo dared not be lax, because hidden within this conscious attack was an unconscious assault undetectable by anyone.

"Indeed... it's not easy at all." Facing three opponents simultaneously, the pressure on Lin Luo was anything but ordinary. But this was his own choice; no matter how difficult, he could only steel himself and charge forward.

While Lin Luo trained in the Earth Spirit Palace, certain events unfolded in Gensokyo.

First, at the Hakurei Shrine.

"Hey, Reimu, let's go drink and admire the flowers," Ibuki Suika suddenly appeared at the shrine entrance, speaking to the girl emerging from within.

Reimu glanced at her, then walked toward the woods bordering the shrine. "No, I have to train today."

"Huh?" Suika was greatly surprised and hurried over, her face full of concern. "Reimu, are you sick?"

"What nonsense are you spouting!" Reimu rolled her eyes dramatically. "I'm perfectly healthy. How could I be sick? You, on the other hand, are tipsy; be careful not to crash into a tree. I won't be helping you up."

"Oh, I don't need looking after, but it really is strange. You’re not sick, yet you want to train? Did something shock you?" Suika asked, incredulous.

"Do you think I'm an idiot? I am the shrine maiden; training is perfectly normal, isn't it?"

"But I've never actually seen you train. Do you even remember the last time you trained?"

"Hmm..." Reimu tapped her chin in thought, then said, "Ask me that question again tomorrow, and I'll know the answer."

"Today's training?"

"Correct," Reimu replied with complete self-assurance, stating it matter-of-factly. "Alright, go have fun by yourself today. A shrine maiden's training cannot be observed by outsiders, especially you yokai."

"Who says that?" Suika's eyes suddenly lit up as she thought of a great idea. "Hey, hey, Reimu, do you have any shrine maiden outfits left in the shrine? Lend me one to wear."

"What are you planning?" Reimu regarded her suspiciously.

Suika laughed, "Of course, I'm going to accompany you in your training! Once I put on the miko outfit, I won't be a demon anymore; I'll be a shrine maiden too. Then it shouldn't matter if I watch, right?"

"...Even if you put on the outfit, you're still a demon. Just don't bother me," Reimu warned.

Although Reimu said this, Suika clearly wasn't giving up. Taking advantage of Reimu's inattention, she darted quickly into the Hakurei Shrine. Moments later, when she emerged, she was wearing a shrine maiden outfit. It was slightly too big, but it looked surprisingly becoming.

"Hahaha, Reimu, I'm here to join you!"

"..." Reimu was already too tired to deal with her.