Tokyo: Starting with the Shrine Maiden

But as Tachibana Yui watched his relationship with the Hoshino sisters grow closer, she always felt like her own cabbage had been dug up by someone else.

Haruhiko was slightly startled.

This reminded him.

If the ruins of the Great God are not dealt with, and other forces see them, they will inevitably harbor ulterior motives.

After all, that's a precious spirit ore.

However, Haruhiko believes that Izumo Shrine will handle this perfectly.

His Utsunomiya clan can be carried away.

"According to my estimates, the Underworld will open next week."

Tachibana Yui continued, "You should continue your training during this time."

Haruhiko nodded.

This is what he thinks too.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Haruhiko went upstairs.

The training of spellcasters is equally important.

He still remembered what Tsuchimikado Mari had said: once he reached the fifth level, he would be able to help Tachibana Yui.

After living off a woman for so long, it's time to give something back.

Fortunately, he is making good progress and has reached the fourth stage. The rest is just a matter of time.

A week passes in the blink of an eye.

Haruhiko continued his training and rest as before.

The only difference is that a fox steals food every morning.

He suffered terribly.

However, he had no right to refute the verbal instruction he received from Jinguji Tougo.

The ruins of the Great God of the Nation.

Haruhiko came here once again.

But this time there were a lot of people.

All sixteen major factions of the Psionic Council were present.

To facilitate their movements and also to conceal the spirit mine, Izumo Shrine built a huge passage leading to the surface.

A powerful barrier was also set up inside the passage.

It is the same as the barrier of the seven forbidden zones, but it is not the same barrier.

Because once the entrance to the Underworld is opened, it is mutual.

They can go in, and the Otherworldly Demons can come out.

Therefore, it is necessary to set up enough barriers to block them.

In addition, half of the manpower will be left here to guard the area, in order to prevent the demons from escaping and causing a great disaster.

While everyone was on high alert, Tsuchimikado Mashiro and Tsuchimikado Mari were both filled with emotion.

They hadn't expected to meet Hoshino Rin.

They all thought she died in the first forbidden zone, but it turns out she was guarding the entrance to the underworld.

However, he is indeed dead.

With their combined strength, Tsuchimikado Mashiro and Tsuchimikado Mari could easily tell that Hoshino Ri was currently in a spirit form.

"I called you here because there's something I need to discuss."

Hoshino Aoi spoke calmly.

She only allowed Tsuchimikado Mashiro, Tsuchimikado Mari, Yukihime, and Haruhiko to meet Hoshino Ri.

As for the rest, she didn't believe them.

Although Hoshino Rin is at the fifth rank, as a spirit, she has a clear method of countering it.

If a malicious psychic finds out, and someone is scheming against you, it could easily lead to trouble.

"Is it related to the Underworld?"

Tsuchimikado Mashiro showed interest upon hearing this.

Izumo Shrine has guarded the underworld for a thousand years, so it must know a great deal of secrets.

"They are Haruhiko's parents."

Hoshino Aoi glanced at Haruhiko, who already knew, so he remained relatively calm.

"what?"

Tsuchimikado Mashiro was startled and looked at her, puzzled.

"They are in the underworld."

Hoshino Aoi didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "But don't worry, they have the sacred artifacts of Izumo Shrine, so they should still be alive."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro stood there, stunned.

This news came as quite a surprise to her.

She knew that Haruhiko's parents, Utsunomiya Mengnori and Utsunomiya Yuya, were missing, but their disappearance in the Underworld was truly unexpected.

No wonder she couldn't find it.

"You should have told me sooner."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro took a deep breath.

As the head of the Tsuchimikado clan, she quickly regained her composure.

"Telling you won't help."

Hoshino Aoi shook her head and said, "It was impossible to open the Underworld before."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro was slightly taken aback, but then he understood.

Previously, the Imperial Palaces were all fighting their own battles, making it difficult for them to unite.

Only now that they have the enormous benefit of the Yamata no Orochi have they temporarily put aside their grudges.

Opening the Yellow Springs would then become possible.

"I'll leave the rest to Hotaru."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro said quite sincerely.

The key to finding Haruhiko's parents actually lies with Hoshino Hotaru.

Because it is impossible to clear the demons in the Yellow Springs in a short period of time.

By relying on the scent of Hoshino Hotaru, one can delve deeper into the search.

Perhaps we can reap some rewards.

"Let's go out."

Seeing that the two had finished their conversation, Tsuchimikado Mari said, "They should all be here by now."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro and Hoshino Aoi nodded.

The group arrived at the entrance to the Underworld.

The lively sounds that had been filling the air disappeared.

Everyone was looking at Tsuchimikado Mashiro and Hoshino Aoi.

As for Haruhiko, he was naturally ignored.

But he didn't care either.

He glanced at the white fox at his feet; this time, he had brought along Jinguji Fuyumi.

After feeding him for a week, I have to do something about it.

As for Mina Utsunomiya and Minami Utsunomiya, they were not present.

The former is still in the ruins of Takamagahara, while the latter has taken Haruhiko's spiritual artifact, The Tale of the Moon God, and is searching everywhere for traces of the Nine Swords of Godslaying.

At her pace, it would actually be quite fast for her to tour the entire Japanese islands, probably in just one or two months.

"There's no need to say anything more; everyone should know the consequences."

Tsuchimikado Mashiro looked at Hoshino Aoi and said, "Let's begin."

"There will be spatial fluctuations when it is opened, which will alert the alien demons. Everyone should act in time."

After giving a brief reminder, Hoshino Aoi took out the Kagura Bell and began chanting a spell.

A large amount of psionic energy slowly surged out, gradually covering the entrance.

The existing barrier shattered with a crack and a crash.