Having consumed the forbidden Hourai Elixir over a thousand years ago, Kaguya was sentenced to death by the Lunarians. However, because she was immortal, she was instead exiled to Earth as punishment before her cycle of reincarnation could complete.

Kaguya’s reincarnation method differed from that of other immortals—perhaps due to some manipulation from the Moon, or perhaps her own power—as she was born from inside a bamboo stalk. She was subsequently adopted by an ordinary elderly couple, living in the human world thereafter under the name "Princess Kaguya," also known as the Bamboo Cutter Princess.

Her unparalleled beauty and radiance captivated countless men of the time, from common laborers to high-ranking officials. Regardless of wealth or status, all desired her as a wife, yet Kaguya remained unmoved. Finally, out of filial piety, and at the request of her adoptive father, she reluctantly agreed to grant five high-ranking noblemen, who had never given up hope, a single chance—the Five Riddles, a test passed down through generations that remains unsolved to this day!

Many more harbored ambitions for Kaguya than just those five men, but the Five Riddles sent them all retreating in defeat. By the time Kaguya's sentence was served and Eirin Yagokoro, along with envoys from the Moon, arrived to escort her back to the lunar capital, the Five Riddles had brought those noblemen not opportunity, but only shame and mortification.

From that point on, Princess Kaguya became a legend, and the Five Riddles became an unsolvable, beautiful artifact—a symbol of something that could only be admired from afar, never touched.

"To think she used the Five Riddles on me of all people," Lin Luo muttered, a wry smile touching his lips as he looked at the five Noctis Orbs in his hand, having just left Kaguya's Eternal Moon. For others, the answers to those riddles might have been difficult, but for him, they were nothing. Anything that existed in this world, he could procure, and even things that did not exist, he could "create" using the abilities of the World King.

However, the current Five Riddles were not so simple. They demanded more than just a material answer; the core lay in the intent behind them. The five Noctis Orbs were now entirely dark. Only when his intent reached a level that satisfied Kaguya would these five orbs once again shine with brilliant light, signifying that he had truly solved the Five Riddles.

Although Lin Luo knew Kaguya intended these five riddles as a genuine opportunity to test his sincerity, rather than to humiliate him, the pressure weighed heavily upon him.

How could he make these five Noctis Orbs flare to life? Intent was something no substance or power could purchase, especially when trying to move Kaguya’s heart... It felt as insurmountable as climbing the heavens.

"Give up," Suika patted Lin Luo's shoulder in a gesture of comfort, then pointed towards Reimu, who walked ahead, and whispered, "Honestly, I think you'd have better luck pursuing my family's Reimu. I’ll be your inside agent."

"Really?" Lin Luo ignored the first part of her statement but was highly interested in the second. He pressed, "What kind of scheme are you cooking up to volunteer as my mole?"

"Oh, well, that’s..." Suika laughed awkwardly, then scratched her head. "Wouldn't it be quite amusing if Reimu actually got married?"

"..." Lin Luo was speechless. That was her reason? Suika’s moral compass seemed to rival that of the Scarlet Devil herself. Was it because she had become the Shrine Maiden Shrine Maiden Suika?

"What are you two whispering about? A shrine maiden's ears are very sharp, you know." Although Lin Luo and Suika kept their voices low, Reimu had clearly overheard them. She turned back and glared at the pair. "My duty is to protect the peace of Gensokyo. As a dedicated shrine maiden, I won't just marry anyone!"

Well, now she pulls out the shrine maiden's duty. I haven't seen her that diligent at other times... Lin Luo grumbled internally, but he had no intention of arguing with Reimu. Dealing with Kaguya was headache enough; trying to court Reimu, who barely understood the Divine Conflict, was impossible.

After that, while Suika continued to discreetly give Lin Luo encouraging looks, signaling her full support, neither Lin Luo nor Reimu said anything further. When they left that corridor, the three parted ways... Reimu intending to take her lack of scruples to new heights, and Lin Luo needing to find Lily immediately.

The activities at Eientei were not yet over; Kaguya had said they would last until evening. However, this held little importance for Lin Luo. Even if he stayed, he would only end up chatting idly with the girls. The priority was finding Lily; after all, the Tenth Dark King had already arrived in Gensokyo, and leaving Lily alone in Muenzuka felt slightly irresponsible.

Muenzuka served as a crossroads between Gensokyo and the Underworld, accessible from both realms. It was located behind the Forest of Magic, past a path lined with spider lilies called the Path of Reconsideration, situated in the farthest reaches of Gensokyo.

Guided by his memory, Lin Luo navigated safely out of the Bamboo Forest of Lost Souls and spent the next ten minutes soaring high above the Forest of Magic. Looking down from above, he quickly spotted a small path shrouded in mist, exuding an ominous aura.

Without a doubt, that was the Path of Reconsideration.

Flying overhead, his view was obstructed by layers of dense fog, and furthermore, the barrier here was thin and the magical state extremely unstable. Thus, Lin Luo chose not to remain airborne, descending directly to the ground.

The moment his feet touched down, Lin Luo frowned. The path was overgrown with spider lilies, their blood-red color unsettling, and the air was thick with toxic fumes. A feeling of intense disgust and discomfort immediately flooded his senses.

"No wonder no one comes here; it’s truly wretched," Lin Luo muttered, pinching his nose as he cautiously stepped forward. Although the poison gas posed no physical harm to him, the smell was so foul it nearly made him vomit up his last meal.

Walking along the path, Lin Luo remained highly alert to his surroundings, as the Path of Reconsideration was a sanctuary for vicious Youkai and restless spirits. Since it bordered both the Underworld and the mortal realm, people from the outside world who intended to commit suicide often wandered here by mistake. The ill omen hanging over the area would sometimes rekindle their will to live, hence its name, the Path of Reconsideration.

However, those harboring resentment were the easiest prey for the evil Youkai that lurked here, specifically hunting those seeking death. Those who finally found the resolve to live were often devoured by Youkai before they could ever return... Lin Luo spotted several skeletons already, and the clothing next to the bones was clearly not of Gensokyo origin—visitors from the outside world.

"So, even suicide requires some clear thought," Lin Luo sighed, continuing his trek down the Path of Reconsideration. Once he passed this dreadful stretch, he would reach Muenzuka.

Naturally, such an evil road would not allow him passage so smoothly. Not long after setting out, Lin Luo felt an abnormal fluctuation in the atmosphere around him. He knew he had been targeted by Youkai.

Just as this thought crossed his mind, a massive black shadow suddenly lunged from a patch of flowers beside him, radiating malice as it attacked.

"You seek death!" Lin Luo scoffed, without even glancing at the shadow. With a single, unadorned punch, he struck out. Boom! The shadow was instantly hurled backward, slamming into the ground where it lay, its breath gone.

Lin Luo looked down. He couldn't tell what species of Youkai it was—entirely black, shaped somewhat like a beast, terrifyingly hideous—truly ugly by any standard. The Youkai here were nothing like the cute girls of Gensokyo; they were savage, evil, and bloodthirsty, making Lin Luo's task of killing them effortless.

"Well, an unearned bit of experience points just dropped into my lap. I won't be polite. If you’re coming one by one, it’s a bit slow. Why don't you all attack together?" Lin Luo stretched his shoulders, flashed a grin, and strode forward.

He hadn't committed any slaughter since arriving in Gensokyo; this was an opportunity to vent.

The Youkai clearly were not intimidated by the death of one of their own. The stimulus of death only served to ignite the inherent bloodlust hidden within those lurking in the shadows. Countless Youkai streamed out of hiding; some rushed to feast on the remains of the one Lin Luo had killed, while others charged directly at him.

"Now this is more like it." A cold smile flashed across Lin Luo's face. He snatched his hand through the empty air, and a tachi blade materialized in his grasp. As the steel sliced through the air, a flash of white light erupted, instantly dismembering a dozen Youkai before they could even scream.

Then, Lin Luo pushed off the ground, his body flashing like lightning toward the swarm of monsters... The strongest of the Youkai here were barely at the peak Spirit Rank, making them nothing more than fish on a cutting board to him. This charge was a tiger entering a flock of sheep, slaughtering the Youkai utterly.

At first, the Youkai attempted to resist the attacks, but as Lin Luo’s ruthless carnage continued, a chill crept into their very essence. Even animals understand strength differentials, let alone Youkai who had gained sentience. After Lin Luo had killed the majority, they scattered and fled, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

"Hmph, that’s all they amounted to, I suppose." Lin Luo made no move to pursue, sheathing his blade with a slight smile. But just as he prepared to continue forward, a sensation of incredibly heavy killing intent struck him from behind.

This one... is different!

Lin Luo's expression changed instantly. Most creatures, human or Youkai, could gauge strength by aura. If the previous monsters were mere chaff, the one attacking him now was an 'A' rank threat!

He immediately activated Instant Movement, flashing away into the distance. As he instinctively looked back, he saw a... pure white creature with black stripes—a White Tiger!