Crossover: A Different Inuyasha.

Moonlight filtered through the clouds, enveloping everything in a cool, silvery white.

Inuyasha sat on a horizontal branch of the Sacred Tree, leaning against the main trunk, legs crossed, hands resting on his knees, head tilted back, facing the bright full moon, breathing in and out.

The first breath was taken in very deeply.

The air enters through the nasal cavity, passes through the throat, and spreads downwards along the chest cavity, as if taking in the coolness of the night into the lungs.

The second breath was exhaled very slowly.

The breath that escaped from his lips carried a barely perceptible white mist.

As the breath left, my mind began to clear, and the distractions and anxieties accumulated during the day were also taken away, and my thoughts gradually settled.

The third breath, the fourth breath, the fifth breath. The cycle repeats endlessly, like the ebb and flow of the tide.

Inuyasha's breathing was steady and long, like a mountain that had been sleeping for thousands of years, slowly rising and falling under the moonlight.

Originating from the breathing techniques of the Rain Master Bailu, it is not as mysterious and terrifying as the cultivation of immortality—it can neither allow one to travel to the North Sea in the morning and the Cangwu Mountain in the evening, nor can it split the heavens and the earth with a single sword.

Its strength lies in its foundation, like a gentle stream that doesn't rush to become a mighty river, but nourishes the soil on both banks day after day.

According to Inuyasha, it's like Tai Chi, which everyone could practice in their past life. No matter how much you struggle, you won't kill anyone.

Over the years, Inuyasha, along with many demons and humans, repeatedly deduced and improved upon the methods, eventually developing a foundational cultivation method suitable for the people of the Eastern Lands.

On moonlit nights, the monsters would find a high place, either sitting cross-legged on a mountaintop or standing on a treetop, facing the bright moon and breathing in its essence.

From passively absorbing knowledge for hundreds of years, they have now become proactive, and the long-lost sense of growth has returned to the very core of the monsters.

At dawn, when the first rays of sunlight pierce the darkness of night, cultivators among humans will find a well-lit place, face the rising sun, and breathe in the first breath of the morning light that brings the revival of all things.

Inuyasha had promised Kaede that everyone should train, and by some twist of fate, he took the first step. What will happen in the future remains to be seen.

After all, the primary function of modern breathing techniques is to improve physical health.

To prevent humans from living for extended periods in places teeming with demonic energy, which could lead to physical weakness and illness.

However, for ordinary people who have suffered from war and demonic calamities, having a body free from illness and a stable environment is something they never dared to dream of before.

The establishment and development of the Eastern Kingdom can be said to be the will of the people and the inevitable trend of the times.

Even some of the shrine maidens and mages who liked to chatter and talk about justice actively integrated into the cultivation world of the Eastern Kingdom.

After completing a round of training, Inuyasha opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of stale air.

"The effectiveness of breathing techniques is nearing its end; I haven't felt any progress this year."

He lowered his eyes and spread his palms out in the moonlight—his fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles, and the blood of both demons and humans flowed quietly beneath his skin.

"However, this method has a very good guiding effect on the demon blood in the body."

Inuyasha clenched his fist and then loosened it.

He was certain that he no longer needed the Tessaiga to suppress the demon blood within him.

While he can't transform into a giant demon dog like Sesshomaru, he can still amplify his demonic power and achieve a rational demonic transformation.

"Now that I have an extra trump card, is there anyone in this world who can push me to the brink?"

Inuyasha stood up triumphantly, put his hands on his hips, and burst into laughter.

The wild laughter gradually subsided in the night wind, its echoes gathered by the branches and leaves in the forest, turning into a few distant reverberations before fading into silence.

On the distant horizon, a faint line of pale white light is beginning to appear.

The light seeped through the gap where the mountain ridge met the sky, peeling away the deep blue night curtain inch by inch from its edges.

The starlight is fading, the moonlight is dimming, and the dark hues that have hung over the world all night are being replaced by something new.

Inuyasha's mind raced, and his heart skipped a beat—his silver hair lost its ink color, revealing the jet-black hue that only appears on the night of the new moon.

The ability to switch between human and demon forms is now completely at their command.

After practicing breathing exercises, Inuyasha stretched his neck and leaped down from the horizontal branch of the Sacred Tree.

Four years have passed, and Maple Village, which once had only a few dozen households, has been transformed under the machinations of the half-demon and the influence of the two capitals.

The east and west roads were completely opened up.

One road connects to Shanjianjing, and the other leads to Luoshengjing; the two roads intersect at the village entrance.

Centered on the intersection, a massive shrine that governs 6,000 square kilometers and rules the entire eastern country rises from the ground.

Ruri Shrine.

This is the name Inuyasha chose.

According to Feng, "Liuli" is crystal, which is clear and flawless, reflecting one's true self.

She stated that the shrine did not belong to any known deity; it belonged only to those who were willing to believe in something in times of chaos.

A new shrine, new gods, and a new world that will surely be cleansed of filth.

While the half-demon suppressed his laughter, in the solemn and dignified main hall, the serious priestess personally experienced a meaning beyond "transparent and flawless".

Today, both the sacred tree and the Bone-Eating Well are located within the back mountain area of ​​Ruri Shrine.

Inuyasha walked down the mountain path, the stone steps beneath his feet slightly damp from the morning dew, feeling cool and firm under his feet.

A morning breeze swept through the mountain path, carrying the scent of grass soaked in night dew, and brushed against his long hair that fell over his shoulders.

As your gaze follows the slope of the stone steps upwards, the entire Ruri Shrine unfolds in the morning light.

The stone steps are divided into nine sections from the foot of the mountain to the mountainside, with a torii gate spanning each section.

The mountain wasn't high enough originally, so Yura drove a dozen mountain demons, each as big as a hill, to dig out a huge mountain from a distant mountain range and pile it up on the shrine's low hill like children's building blocks.

The remaining monsters were then filled and compacted with clay and gravel selected by human craftsmen.

The nine stone steps were laid at that time, and each time a section was completed, the craftsmen would erect a torii gate as a marker.

Only when the height of the entire mountain was high enough to see both the eastern and western capitals did Yura finish his work and return to Rashomon.

That's the power of extraordinary charm.

Carrying the mountains on your shoulders, covering the sun and moon with your hands!

Compared to transmigrating to the city and opening a crystal palace, Inuyasha absolutely loves this world.

Furthermore, the yokai who participated in the construction of the Ruri Shrine are regarded by the people of Zenkenkyo as servants of the gods.

Like the wrathful Vajra in a temple, its fierce appearance is draped in a sacred cloak.

Leaving aside the area outside the Eastern Kingdom, within its borders, all the monsters were recruited by Rashomon. Those who refused to abide by the law, were foolish, or were stubborn were all wiped out.

This applies to both monsters and humans.

The prejudiced and arrogant nobles and lords, the stagnant and unambitious fools, were all wiped out by Rashomon's demon army.

With these old fogies no longer hindering the progress of history, the atmosphere in Dongguo was completely renewed.

The status of half-demons rose rapidly—they not only became a bridge between humans and demons, but also became highly sought after for their humanoid and handsome appearance.

The reason is very simple.

Even a half-demon, at the very least, has the word "demon" in its name.

Demons represent power and survival, and lifespans of hundreds of years!

In the Eastern Kingdom, demons and humans coexist!

Inuyasha descended the steps, where stone lanterns were arranged symmetrically in the open space between the torii gates.

Landscape trees line both sides of the stone steps.

On the left is a gnarled pine tree with needles that gleam dark green in the morning light; on the right is a row of ginkgo trees, whose leaves have not yet turned completely yellow, but whose edges are already tinged with a pale gold.

The shadows of the trees, swayed by the wind, fell onto the stone steps, spreading out in fragments.

A few steps further up, you'll reach the approach to the shrine's main entrance, where a huge bronze incense burner stands in the center.

There are cherry trees on both sides of the incense burner. Even though they are no longer in bloom at this time of year, their leaves are a bright green in the light, like two open green umbrellas.

The roofs of the main hall and the worship hall are covered with newly fired gray tiles, and the copper bells on the eaves sway gently in the wind, making a clear and delicate sound.

Inuyasha stepped onto the steps of the main hall.

The paper door of the main hall was half-open, and the morning light slanted in through the crack.

He stood outside the threshold, not in a hurry to step inside, his gaze fixed on the scene inside the hall.

Dozens of young witches were kneeling on the floor in the center of the hall, dressed in white robes and red trousers, their hair neatly combed and their posture upright.

They ranged in age from about seven or eight to thirteen or fourteen, and were natural spiritual beings selected from all over the Eastern Kingdom in recent years.

A fine horse is common, but a discerning eye is rare.

Just like the despicable Naraku, many shrine maidens who haven't grown up are killed by demons in their innocent youth.

Some of the young witches came from farming families, some from artisan families, and some were descendants of surviving nobles.

"The morning sun shines brightly, and all things receive its grace."

"With timely wind and rain, the five grains will be plentiful."

"May the revealed God protect my divine kingdom;"

"Humans and demons alike are revered, each finding its own way to live."

"A pure heart, like crystal, reflects one's true nature."

"Strive for progress day and night, and live up to this life."

"To follow the will of God and act among men."

With this heart, I wish to protect the peace of this land.

With their eyes closed and hands clasped together, they followed the familiar voice ahead, reciting the final syllables of their morning prayers.

These young shrine maidens will be the foundation of Ruri Shrine's future, and the first new branches to grow in the Eastern Shinto system.

"They're so cute! Should we send one to Sesshomaru?"

Inuyasha thought of Sesshomaru, who had come every year to attend the reunion night and whose cold demeanor had taken on a human touch, and his mind wandered for a moment.

Then his gaze passed over the drooping heads and landed on the figure directly in front of him.

Feng sat facing the palace gate, on the high platform at the innermost part of the main hall.

The shrine maiden's robes were neatly folded, and the pleats of her scarlet hakama were as straight as if cut by a knife. Only two stray strands of hair fell from her temples.

The marks left on her by four years are not obvious, but they are everywhere.

Her figure has become fuller, the lines of her shoulders and neck are more relaxed, and the once clear and sharp quality in her eyes has been polished by time into a layer of warm glaze.

Like a rough stone that has been washed by the river hundreds of times, revealing its jade-like base color.

Living environment influences one's temperament, and upbringing influences one's physical condition.

She sat upright on the high platform, facing the morning light that slanted in through the doors and windows, as if the light had cleansed her from the inside out.

It possesses both the warmth of everyday life and a serene purity that makes one hesitant to approach.

Inuyasha suddenly remembered Kikyo.

He hadn't thought about that face for a long time, but at this moment, when he saw Feng, a string buried deep in his heart was plucked.

When Kikyo stood under the corridor of the shrine, she was also bathed in a light that shone upon her—a divine aura that was both awe-inspiring and captivating.

But the maple tree before me is different from the bellflower.

The spirit of the bellflower is solitary.

Like the snow on a mountaintop that never melts, so clean that one dares not touch it.

The divine quality of maple is warm, like the thin mist that permeates the fields at sunrise, crisp yet carrying the scent of damp earth, making one want to get closer and closer.

Inuyasha leaned against the door frame, and Kaede also saw the silver-haired half-demon. Kaede slightly raised her chin and looked at him as if she had seen XX.

Disdain, helplessness, and love.

After finishing his morning prayers, Feng closed the scripture scroll, nodded slightly, and made no further arrangements.

The squad leader then stood up.

They were three older shrine maidens, around thirteen or fourteen years old, whose expressions already showed a certain maturity and competence.

They stood up and clapped their hands twice to signal the children in the back to follow.

The little witches rose one by one from the floor, the hems of their white robes and crimson trousers brushing against the floor with a soft rustling sound.

Dozens of figures filed out and walked along the corridor of the main hall toward the entrance.

The squad leader, seeing Inuyasha at the door, straightened up, clasped his hands in front of him, and bowed respectfully.

Upon seeing this, the little witches behind them bowed one after another, like wheat waves bent by the wind.

Dozens of clear, crisp children's voices converged into a bright greeting in the morning breeze.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Everyone should be good."

Inuyasha smiled, revealing his bright white teeth, and waved at them, his tone carrying a smile that made everyone unconsciously relax.

"Naughty people get a spanking."

Some of the little witches immediately smiled, and a few of the younger ones secretly raised their heads to steal a glance at him before quickly lowering their heads again, their ear tips turning a faint red.

The class monitor blushed slightly, turned to the side and gestured for the group behind her to "follow," then led the group to continue down the steps.

There are no male servants in the shrine; all the affairs, big and small, are handled by the female staff.

Once the young shrine maidens grow up, they are assigned to guard various places, becoming the tentacles that extend from the shrine in all directions.

To become the eyes and ears that the people of Dongguo can see, touch, and trust in their daily lives.

They do not interfere in government affairs, nor do they overstep their authority to interfere. They simply record, observe, and listen quietly, occasionally relaying voices that should not be forgotten back to Ruri Shrine.

After all, everyone makes mistakes.

The priestesses, whose values ​​were shaped and nurtured at the shrine, were the first locks that Inuyasha placed on officials throughout the eastern lands.

In time, the officials will realize that there are gods above them and eyes around them; if they want to become local tyrants, it all depends on how many lives they have.

Inuyasha straightened up, stretched, and walked in with a smile, meeting the gaze of the priestess inside the sanctuary.

Kaede's first words were, "Inuyasha, news has come that foreign sorcerers and priestesses are causing trouble within our territory."

"That's not difficult."

Inuyasha sat beside Kaede and said nonchalantly, "Let the mages fight the mages, and the priestesses fight the priestesses."