I cultivate a deity in Tokyo

Saturday.

Hachioji City, Mount Takao.

Although it is less than 600 meters above sea level, it is ranked as the mountain with the most climbers in the world every year.

It is estimated that approximately three million people visit this place each year.

Especially during the autumn foliage viewing season, the number of visitors is particularly high, with crowds thronging both up and down the mountain.

At this moment, the red leaves are in full bloom, setting the once verdant mountains and fields ablaze with color.

Along the tree-lined mountain path, Hanekawa Yaya, who was dressed in sportswear instead of a shrine maiden, no longer possessed the same energy she had when she first arrived and strolled through the shops at the foot of the mountain.

They stubbornly remained on the bench, refusing to budge, content to be a couch potato.

Seeing this, Hanekawa Arashi, who was sitting next to her, had to remind her, "Yaya, you should rest enough too, let's go."

"Sister, can you rest a little longer?" Yu Chuan Ye Ye raised her head and looked at Yu Chuan Lan pitifully.

"Hang in there a little longer, we're almost at the top of the mountain."

"Hanakawa-san's stamina is really bad," Kokonoe Reina said with some sympathy.

Although physical strength was not her strong suit to begin with.

But since she began transforming into a yokai, stamina has no longer been an issue for Kokonoe Reina.

If it weren't for waiting for Yuukawa Yaya, she could have gone up and down Mount Takao ten times during this time.

"It seems you're lacking exercise. I'll have to keep a close eye on you from now on." Looking at her younger sister's tired appearance, Yuukawa Arashi couldn't help but sigh.

"What?! Even a normal person would get tired climbing a mountain! I'm just a normal person!" Yuukawa Yaya said angrily.

Hanekawa Arashi and Kokonoe Rena both shook their heads.

Yuukawa Yaya pouted, her face puffed up like a steamed bun, and snorted angrily.

My sister is one thing, but why is Kokonoe-san wearing a shrine maiden outfit and looking so relaxed?

Aren't we all shrine maidens?

While pondering, Yuukawa Yaya seemed to suddenly discover a common point between the two people in front of her.

She looked down at her flat chest with some resentment.

Could it be that there is insufficient backup power?

I'm not angry.

To prevent getting angry from harming her health, Yuukawa Yaya immediately tried to distract herself.

She looked up, searching around curiously.

"By the way, where is Priest Shiraki?"

Hanekawa Arashi said helplessly, "It's all because you always need to rest. Shiraki-kun went ahead to the observation deck to save us seats."

what?

Yuukawa Yaya was taken aback.

She hadn't forgotten why she came here.

Without Priest Shiraki, isn't it all meaningless?

With this in mind, she made up her mind and resolutely said it.

"Let's rest for another five minutes and then we'll set off!"

Then he changed to an even more laid-back pose.

I've heard this kind of talk many times.

Hanekawa Arashi and Kokonoe Reina exchanged a helpless smile.

During the break, Yuukawa Arashi flipped through the guidebook in her hand and pondered.

"I heard that from the observation deck here, you can see the entire view of Mount Takao."

"On a clear day, you can even see Mount Fuji in the distance."

"I'm kind of looking forward to it."

The foot of Mount Takao.

In the shadowy, secluded spot hidden in the woods, several furtive figures lurked about.

"It has been confirmed that the human priests have arrived at the observation deck."

When do we set off?

"Don't rush, we still need to wait for orders from above."

Just as the demons were discussing this, suddenly, a migratory bird with strange hands on its wings descended and darted into the shadows of the jungle.

Its sound is sharp.

"In the name of the Great Demon of Red Maple, I hereby order all demons to immediately withdraw from Mount Takao and not to approach it, immediately!"

The monsters stationed there were stunned when they heard the order.

They couldn't help but discuss it.

"What exactly does the Red Leaf Demon want to do?"

"Such a good assassination spot, you're just going to throw it away like that?"

"Is the Red Leaf Demon out of its mind?"

"Shut up! How dare you talk about a great demon behind its back? You don't want its demon core anymore!" the migratory bird shouted sternly.

Upon hearing this, all the demons obediently complied and quickly withdrew.

Before leaving, Youyao turned back and muttered to himself as he gazed at the mountains covered in red leaves.

"Don't you think the maple leaves on the tree are a bit redder than before?"

Takao Mountain, Takao Mountain Yakuoji Temple.

This temple was built by order of Emperor Shōmu more than a thousand years ago, and its incense has never been interrupted, continuing to this day.

The current head monk of the temple, Master Shizuri, is also a highly respected monk in Tokyo.

At this moment, he is leading his disciples in worshiping the Buddha in the Buddhist hall.

Amidst the peaceful chanting of scriptures and reverence for Buddha.

Excited shouts kept coming from the temple entrance.

One wave after another, as if a New Year's temple fair had been held at the temple gate.

Disturbed, Master Jing Shui opened his eyes with slight displeasure.

"Huiyuan, go out and take a look. What's causing this commotion outside?"

On the prayer mat behind him, a disciple immediately nodded in acknowledgment, rose, and respectfully withdrew from the Buddhist hall.

A moment later, he jogged back into the Buddhist hall, looking somewhat excited, and reported loudly.

"Host, host, come quick! Look! The maple trees outside have suddenly turned all red!"

"I've lived at Yaowang Temple for so many years, and I've never seen such a spectacular scene! It's so beautiful!"

The maple trees have turned red, what's the big deal?

Master Jing Shui listened with some puzzlement.

However, he had to maintain a proper image in front of his many disciples at all times.

At that moment, he smiled and raised his hands.

He clenched his other hand and made a gesture as if calculating with his fingers.

The disciples held their breath, waiting for Master Jingshui's interpretation.

Master Jing Shui stroked his deliberately grown white beard, and his fingers paused.

With some relief, he said, "Amitabha, all the trees are flourishing together; this is an auspicious sign."

"It seems that my Medicine King Temple is about to become popular."

"Come, let's go out and have a look around."

After saying this, Master Jingshui stood up with a smile on his face and led dozens of monks behind him out of the temple.

We arrived at the viewing platform where tourists were gathered.

Amidst the barely suppressed murmurs of discussion, I looked up.

Suddenly I understood why people were so excited.

A gentle breeze rustled through the maple leaves covering the mountain.

It seemed as if it had been plucked from the branch, detached from its own stem.

Instead of scattering and falling, they drifted upwards into the sky, carried by the wild winds of the mountains.

A crimson cloud of autumn leaves formed, floating above the heads of everyone on the viewing platform.

The bright sunlight shone through the gaps, dyeing half of the clouds red.

Seeing this, tourists on the observation deck couldn't help but make sounds of admiration, or take photos with their phones to share, or ask others to help them take photos together.

This natural wonder is truly a once-in-a-millennium spectacle.

Master Jing Shui, moved by a sudden inspiration, raised his shiny bald head, smiled and raised his palms towards the maple leaves, and exclaimed, "Amitabha!"

Suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply.

I sensed an indescribable sense of crisis.

It felt like a cleaver was held to your neck, and it was sharpened to an incredibly high level.

"Master, what's wrong?" The disciple behind him couldn't help but ask, puzzled, when he saw Master Jing Shui frozen in place.

"It's nothing." Master Jingshui forced himself to calm down. He turned to look at everyone and said calmly, "They're probably just confused. Quickly return to the temple."

The disciples responded in unison, "Yes."