Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

Hoshino Aoi casually tossed the Totsuka Blade to Haruhiko.

He was a little dazed when he received it.

To be honest, when he handed it over, he was already prepared not to get it back.

After all, the Totsuka Sword is too important.

Neither Izumo Shrine nor the Tsuchimikado clan had any reason to give up.

Even if Tsuchimikado Mashiro and Tsuchimikado Mari entrusted him with the task out of trust, Hoshino Aoi would not.

Her actions took Haruhiko by surprise.

He began to wonder just how much of a debt Hoshino Aoi owed his mother that made her hand over the Totsuka Sword.

She said she wanted him to keep it temporarily, but given her relationship with Tsuchimikado Mashiro, it would probably be for a long time.

"Qingyan, congratulations on advancing to the fourth level."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro looked at Haruhiko with a faint smile on her face.

But because of the veil, no one could see it.

She and Tsuchimikado Mari had noticed that Haruhiko had reached the fourth level.

Compared to Hotaru Hoshino's fifth stage, his fourth stage can be said to be a natural progression.

After all, we were just one step away from getting there.

Now that he has been stimulated by illusion magic, advancing to the next level is a reasonable thing to do.

"The next step is to set up the ruins and spread the news. That's not your job. Go back to the surface and consolidate your fourth-tier skills."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro continued.

"Ok."

Haruhiko nodded.

He really can't be of any help, and staying here is just a waste of time.

Moreover, after advancing to the fourth rank, he will be able to learn fifth-rank spells.

This means he will be very busy.

He needs to increase his strength as much as possible before the ruins are fully set up.

Otherwise, he could only watch helplessly, without any experience whatsoever.

That's not very interesting.

"firefly."

Hoshino Aoi also spoke up, "You go back with Haruhiko. I'm worried about Rin being the only one at Izumo Shrine."

"Ah."

Hotaru Hoshino responded.

Hoshino Aoi was slightly taken aback.

She can actually talk?

In fact, there had never been a case like Hoshino Hotaru in the previous twin inheritance.

Both she and Hoshino Ri are relatively normal.

Hoshino Aoi speculated that Hoshino Hotaru's body was more adapted and could absorb more of the power of the other demons.

Influenced by the bloodline of the Otherworldly Demon, her functions became disordered.

Now that he has reached the fifth level, his body has been repaired by spiritual energy and has returned to normal.

This is a good thing.

This also means that Hoshino Hotaru's fifth rank will be stronger than the previous fifth rank psychics at Izumo Shrine.

"Since you're out, take this message to the Tsuchimikado clan and the Izumo Shrine, and keep an eye on the Serpent Spirit's movements."

Tsuchimikado Mari suddenly reminded him, "Ashiya Doman's true form has been destroyed, so there's a high chance he'll notice. He'll definitely take action, and those snake spirits that have been hiding will probably show themselves."

"That's a troublesome matter."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro said thoughtfully, "Remember to report to us promptly when the time comes."

After giving their instructions, Haruhiko and Hoshino Hotaru chose to leave.

The two of them needed to return to the Edo Archaeological Bureau first to see if there was a suitable exit to leave.

To be honest, Haruhiko was a little worried about encountering that shapeshifting demon.

However, the chances of this happening are obviously very small.

It probably doesn't even know what happened, and it wouldn't provoke Izumo Shrine and Tsuchimikado Clan for no reason, lest it arouse suspicion.

Haruhiko and Hotaru Hoshino spent a day at the Edo Archaeological Bureau before returning to the surface.

Familiar Tokyo.

Without the oppressive atmosphere of the Takamagahara ruins, Haruhiko felt much more comfortable.

Although he has plenty of psychic energy, he really feels like he's going to have mental problems if he stays in a dimly lit environment for too long.

No wonder many people at the Edo Archaeological Bureau want to resign every year.

"Shall I take you back to Izumo Shrine?"

Haruhiko looked down at the snow-white figure so close to him and couldn't help but ask.

He is now carrying Hoshino Hotaru in one arm, and the two of them are walking close together.

Anyone who saw them would assume they were a couple and would have to endure their public displays of affection before leaving.

But they are brother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Hmm, that's pretty exciting.

Hotaru Hoshino got too close to Haruhiko, causing wrinkles to appear at the neckline of the shrine maiden, revealing glimpses of what lay inside.

The two had a fierce battle before, so there was nothing inside except for Xue and Mei.

"Stay for dinner."

Hotaru Hoshino looked up at him, her eyes filled with expectation.

At the same time, it rubbed against him.

Haruhiko naturally couldn't resist such coquettishness.

It was already noon, and we could also catch a glimpse of Hoshino Rin.

"Well."

Haruhiko smiled and said, "I'll listen to you."

Hotaru Hoshino immediately stood on tiptoe and gently kissed him on the lips.

Haruhiko was slightly startled.

Unfortunately, since it was on the street, he couldn't retaliate.

Since they needed to return to Izumo Shrine, the two of them went back to the University of Tokyo first.

It wasn't that I was going back to Nanyuan, but rather to the small villa that Hoshino Rin rented to use the teleportation array.

With a flash of psionic light, the two appeared in the rear hall of the Izumo Shrine.

"My sister should be in the study."

Hotaru Hoshino reluctantly left Haruhiko's embrace.

The faint fragrance also disappeared.

For a moment, Haruhiko felt a little guilty.

Hotaru Hoshino is actually quite sensible and would never embarrass him.

Especially in front of Hoshino Rin.

She knew that Haruhiko didn't want her to know, so she never brought it up.

"let's go."

Hotaru Hoshino looked at him blankly, then leaned closer and kissed the corner of his mouth, saying something.

Haruhiko snapped out of his daze and looked at her rosy, jelly-like lips. He couldn't help but want to lean in again.

But now is not the time, let's do it next time.

The reason they didn't return to the ground until noon was because they had been busy the whole time.

After Hotaru Hoshino reached the fifth rank, she and Haruhiko were truly evenly matched, neither willing to admit defeat.

If there weren't a lack of time, it would be difficult to call a truce.

Haruhiko followed Hoshino Hotaru to the front of the study.

This is where Hoshino Aoi handles matters related to Izumo Shrine.