Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

Yukihime used her slender fingers to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, and smiled, "Thank you for your hard work."

A day has already passed?

That was indeed hard work.

But what puzzled Haruhiko was that he did not feel tired; on the contrary, he was full of energy.

We could fight another 300 rounds without any problem.

"It's the effect of the hot spring water and the snow powder."

Yukihime quickly explained, "Too much of a good thing is bad. You need to rest for a few days, or something bad will happen."

The saying goes, "All that glitters is not gold."

His savings have been completely depleted.

If this continues, the loss will be of vital essence and blood.

Haruhiko nodded.

He stood up and looked at the hot spring in front of him; the water level had dropped by at least ten centimeters.

“In the past, we wouldn’t have used it so wastefully.”

Yuki sighed softly and said, "It's just the two of us now, so wasting a little bit won't be a big problem."

Haruhiko probably guessed the reason.

"There will be more people later."

He took her soft but cold hand in his.

"Ah."

Yuki turned her head, her gaze falling on his face, and said, "Then you'd better work hard."

Haruhiko stiffened.

He fully realized how terrifying the Yuki-onna clan was.

But he's just a Snow Child.

According to Japanese legend, Yuki-Dōji is a child.

It's like a foal being forced to go to work early.

"What I mean is that you should work hard to cultivate yourself."

Yukihime suddenly laughed.

Haruhiko rolled his eyes at her.

She clearly knew everything; she was doing it on purpose.

Yuki smiled and moved closer to him.

Her original red lips had a faint snow-like texture, just like ice cream.

Haruhiko swallowed hard and didn't stand on ceremony.

"Let's go out."

A moment later, Yuki bent down and picked up the clothes from the ground.

What should we do with this hot spring?

Haruhiko watched as she elegantly put on black stockings and a white cardigan.

"We can't take it with us, so we have to leave it here."

Yuki tilted her head slightly, pulled out her long silver hair that was pressing down on her back, and let it fall to her waist.

Haruhiko couldn't help but secretly thought it was a pity.

He gained a great deal this time.

But upon closer examination, it's a result of multiple factors.

Having a hot spring alone isn't very meaningful.

Moreover, according to Yukihime, the hot spring is used to help snowmen transform into snow children.

Haruhiko is now a Snow Child.

Trying it again probably won't make any difference.

The remaining task of the hot spring is to help strengthen the Yuki-onna clan.

"Can I take the water with me?"

Haruhiko was able to withstand the Yuki-onna clan's demon body this time because of the hot spring.

After leaving, things will probably go back to normal.

"Once the water leaves the hot spring, its effectiveness is greatly reduced."

Yukihime was already dressed. Seeing his appearance, she teased, "So you have to work hard!"

"..."

Haruhiko noticed her tone and asked, "Is it hard work in training again?"

"Both."

Yukihime slowly licked the corner of her mouth, exuding an indescribable allure.

Fortunately, Haruhiko was in Great Sage Mode and was not greatly affected.

"Shall we go straight back?"

"What? You want to see a fifth-tier alien demon?"

Yuki raised her hand, and the previously closed passage reopened.

The faint sunlight outside shone down, making the underground hall a little brighter.

"Do not want to."

Haruhiko shook his head and said, "At least not now. Once I reach the fifth level, it won't be able to escape."

"He's so young but so clever."

Yuki knew what he was talking about, and her heart warmed. "But even if you reach the fifth level, it will be very difficult to defeat it."

"That's a normal human being."

Haruhiko said with considerable confidence, "I'm different."

"You are indeed different."

Xue Ji did not refute his statement, but said, "When a demon reaches the fifth rank, it will have a unique talent, which is actually the same as the supernatural power of a monster. The one above us has the talent of transformation."

"Transformation?"

Haruhiko seemed to realize something, and his expression changed slightly.

"Transform other creatures into demons."

After Yuki finished speaking, she fell silent.

Haruhiko had previously thought that all the creatures in the Seventh Forbidden Zone had been devoured, but now it seems there's another reason why their remains were nowhere to be found.

In other words, the same applies to the Yuki-onna clan.

They have all been transformed into demons.

Haruhiko now understood why the Imperial Palace was unable to handle the situation.

Because close contact is not possible.

They might as well lure him into the barrier and imprison him there.

The two returned to the ground.

Yukihime's emotions returned to normal.

She raised her hand and chanted a spell, sealing off this forbidden area of ​​the Snow Woman clan.

"Do you know about the Otherworldly Demons of the First Forbidden Zone?"

Haruhiko followed Yukihime down the mountain.

On the way, he suddenly thought of the first restricted area guarded by Izumo Shrine.

Since each successor has to go there, could it be related to the Otherworldly Demons?

"The alien demons in the First Forbidden Zone appeared a long time ago."

Yuki took his hand and said, "Few people have seen it, but there are the most records about it."

"why?"

Haruhiko should be a good student and ask questions promptly.

"Because it killed too many people."

Yukihime's tone changed slightly, "Nearly 30,000 people died, and countless others were affected."