Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

After all, this is the site of the Great God of the Nation.

What if there's some evil god or monster at the end of the passage?

The best course of action now is to give up for the time being, go to Izumo Shrine, talk to Hoshino Aoi, and see what exactly this thing is.

"Let's restore it to its original state."

Haruhiko snapped out of his daze and said.

Hotaru Hoshino nodded, withdrew her psionic energy, and the lava covered the area again.

"Minami."

Haruhiko looked up and called out again.

Utsunomiya Minami fell rapidly in the air.

The hem of the kimono fluttered upwards in the wind.

She made no attempt to conceal anything, showcasing the entire landscape.

If it weren't for Hotaru Hoshino being there, she would have preferred to use it as a head covering.

"Go and call them back."

Two words flashed through Haruhiko's mind: black.

However, he quickly looked away.

Because Hotaru Hoshino held his hand.

When two people stand together, they will naturally see the same things.

Haruhiko glanced at her instinctively.

Hotaru Hoshino's lips moved slightly.

His heart skipped a beat, and he became expectant.

As expected of Hotaru Hoshino.

Although she is very serious, she is no less impressive than Minami Utsunomiya in other aspects.

Not long after, Mina Utsunomiya and the others returned.

"Did you find anything?"

Haruhiko asked casually.

Although we know there probably isn't much useful information, you never know.

"No."

Mina Utsunomiya shook her head, sighed helplessly, and said, "We've reached the end of the lava, but we haven't found anything."

It seems that the magma here exists to conceal the barrier.

Haruhiko didn't explain further, and said, "Let's go down another road."

It's not too late to tell them once we've determined what's beneath the magma.

Utsunomiya Mina and the others assumed that he hadn't noticed either, so they moved to another place.

The group returned the way they came, and when they reached the fork in the road, they took the passage on the right.

Compared to before, this place is quite cool.

Moreover, it follows the spiritual veins, and the deeper one goes, the denser the spiritual energy becomes.

After walking for a few minutes, Mina Utsunomiya stopped.

"This is spirit ore!"

Her voice trembled slightly, her excitement evident.

Haruhiko was also stunned.

Spiritual veins are the result of highly condensed spiritual energy.

However, spirit ore is even higher than spirit veins; it is a mineral vein formed by spirit veins under special circumstances.

In addition to serving as a spiritual vein, it can also be used to mine spiritual stones.

Spirit stones are a general term for spiritual energy materials, which are often used to forge spiritual tools or set up magic arrays.

If it's a spirit mine, it means the Utsunomiya clan is about to enjoy immense wealth and power.

A spiritual vein is a whole; even if a part is forcibly dug out, it will dissipate over time.

Spirit stones, on the other hand, are permanent solids.

It can be sold to the public, and at a high price.

It's understandable why Mina Utsunomiya is so excited.

Neither the original Utsunomiya clan nor the Yagyu clan possessed any spiritual mines.

The quantity of spirit ore is extremely limited.

Just then, Haruhiko felt a movement at his feet.

He looked down and saw Jinguji Tougo rubbing his head against his trouser leg.

Given her personality, she would never act so coquettishly.

This indicates that there is danger.

"Everyone be careful."

Haruhiko reminded him, "Spirit ore is rarer than spirit veins, and it has a wider range of uses."

Mina Utsunomiya suppressed her excitement.

If she had access to a spirit mine and the time to do so, she was confident she could use it to kill a fifth-tier psychic.

The ruins contain spirit ore, which undoubtedly poses a great danger.

But no matter what, there is no way we can back down.

Mina Utsunomiya took a deep breath and continued walking forward.

At first, the ground was very clean, but the further in you went, the more you saw various pieces of gravel or minerals.

Spirit mines do not necessarily contain only spirit stones; they often contain many associated minerals.

Some associated minerals are valuable, but some are just waste rock.

It's normal that there have been signs of mining here.

Spirit mines are not mined; they can only be used as spiritual veins.

But soon something unusual happened.

Because a sound came from afar.

Haruhiko and others looked at each other.

Could it be that someone beat them to it?

Or were people originally living in this ruin?

The reason for speculating that it was a person is because it was the sound of mining.

A pickaxe-like tool was used to strike the spirit ore again and again.

"Could it be someone from the Serpent Spirit?"

After thinking for a moment, Mina Utsunomiya guessed, "They may have found another entrance."

"There is a certain probability."

Haruhiko wasn't sure either, but now that things had come to this, he had no choice but to go and take a look.

The group immediately used magic to conceal their movements as much as possible before continuing forward.

The passageway has been converted into a mine shaft.

The stone walls on both sides were covered with traces of excavation, and there was a noticeable increase in the amount of broken minerals on the ground.

Haruhiko had a bad feeling.

Judging from this situation, it's definitely not a snake spirit.

Because this is not a result that can be achieved in a short period of time.

It looks more like someone has been digging here for a long time.

While he was pondering, Mina Utsunomiya stopped in her tracks.

She raised her index finger, signaling everyone to be quiet.

Haruhiko then looked at Jinguji Fuyumi.

She appeared quite calm.

Haruhiko, who had been somewhat worried, was relieved.

As long as this powerful figure is involved, there's always room for maneuver.