The Heavenly Emperor’s attack deployed every ounce of power she currently possessed; all of her qi, a force so immense it threatened to shatter everything. Wherever the colossal crimson beam traveled, even sound itself was annihilated... Her target was not Lin Luo, but the Bamboo Forest of Lost Paths. (web)

No matter how hard she struck, Lin Luo’s form was impossible to destroy completely. She wouldn't waste effort on the futile, but guided by the aura of the Hishi no Ken (Sword of Scarlet Fantasy), she believed she could pinpoint the location of Lin Luo’s seed and annihilate it. That was the Heavenly Emperor’s assumption. However, the result was completely contrary to her expectations. As the crimson light shot into the Bamboo Forest of Lost Paths, shattering some of the stalks, a small black hole suddenly materialized directly opposite the beam. The incredibly potent Hishou Ten (Scarlet Fantasy Heaven) was utterly devoured by it.

“This… how is this possible?!” The Heavenly Emperor could scarcely believe it. Her strongest strike had been neutralized so effortlessly, not by Lin Luo, but by mere bamboo—a truly devastating blow to her morale.

“So, Eirin’s formation not only blocks intruders but actually consumes energy. Hmm, I’m starting to get it now. Thanks for the demonstration, Tenko-chan. Good job.” At that moment, Lin Luo drifted before the Heavenly Emperor, glanced at the vanished black hole, and then chuckled, patting her shoulder in praise.

“Ah!” The Heavenly Emperor cried out, instinctively dodging away. She realized Lin Luo had materialized back into a solid form, her face a mask of confusion. “Why? I definitely hit you!” Although the Hishou Ten had been swallowed by the black hole, she distinctly felt that the seed Lin Luo mentioned had been pulverized by her strike. How could he possibly reform?

“Are you an idiot?” Lin Luo rolled his eyes, displaying utter disdain. “If my seed were truly located there, do you think I would have allowed you to attack without intervention? You didn't even consider that basic possibility. It seems your intelligence quotient is around a nine.”

“You’re the nine!” The Heavenly Emperor roared in anger, then seemed to recall something and immediately questioned, “Then why did the Hishi no Ken believe my seed was over there?”

“Naturally, because I intentionally manifested a trace of my essence over there. It’s incredibly simple to do through the root of consciousness,” Lin Luo shrugged, smiling easily.

“Ah, I understand now. You intentionally guided me to strike that location!” The Heavenly Emperor froze for a moment, then recalling Lin Luo’s earlier words, she realized the truth with sudden clarity. “Your goal was to make me attack that patch of bamboo, wasn’t it?”

“Correct answer.” Lin Luo snapped his fingers. “Because that bamboo forest is currently a bit troublesome. Although I triggered the mechanism earlier, I couldn't be certain if it alerted the people inside. So, what’s needed now is a massive, overwhelming attack to let them know someone is assaulting the forest. I had planned to do it myself, but since you were here, I figured I’d have you assist with a small favor. But then your attack got neutralized. Sigh, I wonder if it achieved the effect I intended.”

As he spoke, Lin Luo sighed with genuine regret.

“You manipulative fiend, using me!” The Heavenly Emperor was furious. To think that the ultimate attack she painstakingly mustered hadn't defeated the enemy, but instead aided him—this was beyond outrageous; it was utterly unacceptable!

“I didn't exactly use you; I just had you perform a small service,” Lin Luo feigned innocence, then instantly materialized beside her, playfully tapping the hat on her head. “Besides, as my pet, helping me is part of your duties.”

“I am not your pet! I am a Celestial Being!” The Heavenly Emperor violently swung her sword at Lin Luo, but having just expended her ultimate technique, she was already depleted of strength. Lin Luo easily caught her wrist.

“That’s not quite right, is it? We had an agreement—if you lose, you become my pet. Celestial Beings shouldn't go back on their word,” Lin Luo grinned mischievously. “Or perhaps you believe you still have a chance to win? Even though I’ve restored my physical form, you’ve exhausted your qi. In this current state, I could defeat you a hundred times over without breaking a sweat.”

“Hmph…” The Heavenly Emperor immediately pouted, rendered speechless.

The Hishou Ten she unleashed was incredibly powerful; even an opponent of equal standing would likely be annihilated if struck. But the price was the complete expenditure of her qi. This meant the qi remaining on her Hishi no Ken was zero, rendering her combat effectiveness nonexistent. Restoring her qi would require a period of collection—a time long enough for Lin Luo to defeat her hundreds of times over. She did possess other powers, like her Kanai-Ishi (Stone of the Inner Sanctuary), but for an airborne enemy, seismic activity was utterly pointless.

“Drat! That last attack doesn’t count! I was just too careless, and besides, I never agreed to any ‘prior arrangement’ with you—that was all your own selfish machination, you scheming devil!” Knowing she had zero chance of victory, the Heavenly Emperor’s spoiled temperament immediately flared up, and she began to argue shamelessly.

Lin Luo couldn't help but shake his head with a wry smile. “Truly a flower raised in a greenhouse, unable to withstand even the slightest setback.”

“Nonsense! I can handle setbacks just fine! And hurry up and let go of me—I absolutely will not be your pet!” The Heavenly Emperor flushed slightly, embarrassed but indignant, shouting her refusal.

Lin Luo chuckled softly and released her wrist. Although the Heavenly Emperor suffered from severe mood swings and often acted with self-important presumption, making her look quite punchable, in Lin Luo’s view, she was merely playful. Such an angular personality was, in its own way, quite endearing. As for the ‘pet’ matter, he had only said it casually; even if the Heavenly Emperor agreed, he would have to seriously consider it first... Of course, if it were just about feeding her, that wouldn't be a problem.

The two then landed back on the ground. The Heavenly Emperor’s Kanai-Ishi appeared beneath her feet when she ascended and vanished when she landed. Lin Luo found this mechanism curious. Logically, lifting and replacing such a massive stone beneath the earth should have thrown Gensokyo into chaos, but nothing happened. He assumed it was concealed by some other means.

Naturally, Lin Luo wasn't so intensely nosy as to press for details.

“Well, fighting a bit made me a little tired. It’s time to visit the Moon Capital Expo. I’m going to have a blast this time,” the Heavenly Emperor’s anger dissipated as quickly as it arose. She sheathed the Hishi no Ken and started walking toward the Bamboo Forest of Lost Paths.

“Wait a moment!” Lin Luo quickly grabbed her, pointing towards the bamboo grove across from them under her confused gaze. “You idiot, didn’t you notice just now? Your attack was devoured by the black hole. That forest is very dangerous right now; we can’t go in.”

“Didn’t the black hole disappear?” Although Lin Luo offered a kind warning, the Heavenly Emperor remained calm, even mockingly retorting, “Even if there is danger, it’s only for you, a mere human. As a Celestial Being, I have absolutely no issues.”

“…” Lin Luo was speechless. He resisted the urge to say that this useless Celestial Being was his vanquished opponent.

“Fine, if you’re that confident, then go ahead. But don’t blame me if you suffer later when I tried to warn you,” Lin Luo waved his hand and stopped trying to hold her back. Let this self-assured girl learn a hard lesson. However, beneath the surface, he prepared himself, ready to pull her out if the Heavenly Emperor found herself in peril.

After all, the formation within the Bamboo Forest of Lost Paths was capable of killing early-stage Earth-rank experts. And the recent battle had depleted most of the Heavenly Emperor’s strength; if she rushed in recklessly, she might not withstand it... While Celestial Beings were generally immortal, the Heavenly Emperor, being a flawed one, was another matter entirely.

But seconds later, the scene before him made Lin Luo’s jaw drop. He watched the Heavenly Emperor step a dozen meters into the Bamboo Forest of Lost Paths. No mountain appeared, no sea manifested—nothing happened. It was just as peaceful as when he had first arrived, quiet as still water in a well.

“See? Nothing happened,” the Heavenly Emperor turned back at that moment and smiled. “Perhaps you’re just timid, which is why you dare not enter.”

Lin Luo glared at her but ignored her, musing to himself: Could that formation have been deactivated? Was it because of the Heavenly Emperor’s attack, or did Yagokoro Eirin tamper with it from inside? How bizarre.

“Hurry up and come in, or I’ll go in alone,” The Heavenly Emperor, showing a sliver of conscience, didn't abandon Lin Luo but beckoned him over... In this regard, she was much better than Marisa.

Perhaps the formation truly was disabled.

Seeing the Heavenly Emperor proceed safely within the bamboo grove without any attacks befalling her, Lin Luo finally let down his guard. After hesitating for less than three seconds, he lifted his foot and stepped forward. Initially, he moved cautiously, but after taking four or five steps into the grove without any prior assault occurring, he finally relaxed completely and strode forward purposefully.

“It seems that formation truly has…”

Lin Luo started to say with a smile, but before he could finish, the ground beneath his feet suddenly transformed into a vast ocean, and a colossal mountain rumbled down from above!

“What the—!” Lin Luo’s expression changed drastically, and he instantly activated Shundou (Instant Movement) to retreat. Then, both the mountain and the sea vanished. The bamboo forest was once again peaceful.

“What are you doing? Why did you suddenly retreat?” The Heavenly Emperor looked at him, utterly perplexed.

Lin Luo, full of confusion, pointed toward the bamboo grove across from them. “Didn’t you see it? The mountain and the sea just now?”

“Mountain and sea?” The Heavenly Emperor paused, then bluntly insulted him, “Are you an idiot? There’s no sea in Gensokyo; that’s common sense. As for mountains, there’s only Mount Youkai.”

“…” Lin Luo scrutinized her for a moment, noting her expression was completely natural, showing no sign of deception. He understood then: the Heavenly Emperor truly hadn't seen it, or perhaps, she was simply immune to the formation’s triggers. In that case…

“Yagokoro Eirin, you tricked me!”

Lin Luo’s face turned green with fury, and he cursed out loud.

l;!--END--g;RH