I transformed into a demonic spider lily.

"Okay, I'll listen to you!"

However, Kikyo gave up thinking.

...Eh, eh?

Where did your supposed intelligence go? Kikyo! Can't you be a little more reliable? Don't just listen to me! Can't you have some independent thought?

What should we do?

Kikyo pressed the other shore flower for details about her plans.

"I...you..."

You're putting a lot of pressure on me.

The other shore flower sighed and continued, "Go to the center of this island, to the Roaring Cauldron, a sacred artifact coveted by the Four War Gods. Melting half-demon can restore their power. There must be the clues we need there."

"I...I'll take you there."

For some reason, Asagi was inexplicably inspired by the confidence of the two shrine maidens and yokai who had come from the outside world. Perhaps they really did have the ability to save them.

If that were the case, that would be great.

They have already experienced the life they have now.

Witnessing her companions die one by one, leaving them to eke out a living, what was more terrifying than death itself was the time spent waiting for it. Asagi was terrified, because she knew she would be next.

"...Please."

"Stand up," Kikyo said solemnly.

……

After making the decision, Asagi originally planned to go alone with the spider lily and the bellflower, so that even if the Four Gods won, only she would be held accountable.

However, the other children ignored Asagi's objections and followed along. They didn't care about being punished or not; they only knew that Asagi couldn't bear this alone. If they were all punished together, they would at most be punished together because they were still useful. The Four Gods wouldn't let them all die.

Finally, they arrived at the highest mountain on the island. There was a cave halfway up the mountain. Although it was steep, a path had been paved and stone steps led to the deepest part of the cave.

The steps were covered with moss and vines, and one could easily trip and fall. However, no one present was an ordinary person. Even though the half-demon had been stripped of their power, their basic physical attributes as half-demons could still help them avoid most dangers.

As they reached the deepest part of the cave, the surrounding temperature rose, and a massive furnace was cast in the center of the cave, from which the sound of flames burning could be heard from time to time.

call--

The entrance to the furnace was as large as a city gate. The other shore flower raised her parasol and aimed it at the resounding cauldron. She fired a magic cannon to test the waters. The beam of demonic energy struck the furnace door, but it didn't even leave a mark.

It was protected by a barrier of spiritual energy.

Kikyo carefully observed her surroundings to prevent them from being ambushed by the Four Gods again. However, after a period of careful sensing, she finally confirmed that there were no hidden figures among them.

"Kikyo, do you know? The structure of this island is extremely illogical. As an island, 60% of it floats in the air and is not connected to the earth at all. Even Newton would have eaten the apple if he saw it. And the center that maintains this structure is this, like a heart, which keeps the island in balance."

Having said that, the spider lily stretched out a hand and gently stroked the door of the cauldron of trembling. Then she looked up and saw a row of elegant characters engraved on it. She couldn't understand them, but she already knew their meaning. She said, "The hand of a demon is a hand of protection, and the hand of a human is a hand of nurturing. Join your hands together, open the door, and in the red lotus, I will return you."

“This is a folk song that has been passed down in the village for generations. We don’t know its specific meaning, but my sister said that this song is very important to us,” Asagi said.

"The Crimson Lotus Fire is the karmic fire of hell. The souls that burn in this furnace will remain in this world. This is the meaning of return, deceiving the law of reincarnation. Kikyo, can you do it?"

The red spider lily turned to the bellflower and asked.

"If it is as you say, then of course I cannot do it, but oh flower, where is the soul that was returned now?" Kikyo said, feeling ashamed of herself.

“You’ve already met him; he’s the ‘guide’ who led us to this village.”

"This……"

Upon hearing this, Kikyo suddenly recalled the fireflies she had seen while passing through the woods, and was instantly stunned. She hadn't noticed them before and thought they were just a spectacle.

"We must open the cauldron of resounding thunder."

"The other shore flower then said."

"……it's useless."

Although she didn't know what the "guide" that the spider lily and the bellflower were talking about was, when she heard that the other party was going to open the cauldron of the resounding bell, Asagi shook her head slightly and said, "The cauldron of the resounding bell will only open its gate when it lacks demonic power. Otherwise, it is always closed."

Has anyone ever told you this with such certainty?

The red spider lily turned its head away to look at the pale green.

"No, but it has always been like this."

"Just because it's always been this way, does that mean it's right?"

"Can you open it?"

Asagi countered with a question.

"Come together and open the door. Isn't that a pretty obvious hint? It's even engraved on the Roaring Cauldron. You didn't think you were opening your own house, did you?"

The other shore flower pointed to the words.

"Is not it?"

Upon hearing this, Asagi was stunned.

So that's what this folk song means?

She's been singing for decades and still doesn't understand why.

"Kikyo, you go to the right, I'll go to the left. Let's see if there's anything suspicious nearby." Higanbana didn't directly tell Kikyo that there was a switch to open the Resonating Cauldron next to the overgrown wall on the right, but instead kept guiding Kikyo in accidental ways.

"Ah."

The bellflower moved to the right.

—Umbrella Sword!

Upon reaching the left, the spider lily cuts off the vines in front of it, revealing a wall with the inscription: "Those who are not permitted, leave immediately. This is not a place for you. Only those with beautiful hearts are allowed to place their hands upon it." This passage carries a clear and profound meaning.

"Hua, there is a wall here with words carved on it."

At the same time, Kikyo also noticed something was wrong.

"Then what are you waiting for?" The other shore flower placed her hand on the round bead in the center of the wall.

"..."

Kikyo also placed her hand on it.

Suddenly, the beads on the two walls turned into holes, allowing them to reach deeper. After probing inside, the spider lily and the bellflower touched a warm chain, which they then pulled out together.

—Bang!

The cauldron began to tremble, and the closed door slowly opened as the spider lilies and bellflowers pulled it open. Asagi and the other children quickly retreated, because in the past, when this door opened, their companions would be pulled into the furnace.

The flames roared as fiercely as a ferocious beast.

The moment the door was opened, the temperature inside the cave rose sharply, becoming even hotter than in midsummer.

"It actually opened?"

Upon seeing this, Asagi exclaimed in astonishment.

Kikyo's smile was delighted because Moegi had just translated the inscription on the wall for her: "Only those with beautiful souls are allowed to place their hands on them." And the spider lily was clearly allowed to do so, which meant that the other person had a beautiful soul. She was even happier than if she herself had been recognized.

Chapter 114 Maiden: Midori~ She's a very good woman [4K words]

Flames from the Crimson Lotus Hell surged through the open door. The spider lily stood in front of Kikyo, and with a mere wave of her sleeve, the flames were instantly blown back by the demonic wind, leaving only a few sparks swirling within the cave.

Inside the furnace, the flames burned fiercely. Kikyo glanced inside and asked, puzzled, "Hana, what are you planning to do?"

"Kikyo, I need the clothes you're wearing."

Similar to Inuyasha's Fire Rat Robe, the "Phoenix Feather Robe" that Higanbana gave to Kikyo may have benefited from the name "Phoenix," as it also possesses fire resistance.

Of course, this is only a mid-level piece of equipment. Fire resistance does not completely prevent immunity to fire, but it is enough for the Spider Lily to cope with the current situation.

Upon hearing this, Kikyo instinctively tightened her grip on her clothes, then looked at the blazing cauldron of crimson flames. In a daze, she seemed to realize the problem and questioned, "Do you know what you're saying?!"

"I need to go in."

Standing beside the door of the Roaring Cauldron, the Spider Lily answered matter-of-factly.

The power of the Four War Gods was sealed within the Resonating Cauldron by the priestess of Penglai Island. Higanbana knew that only by obtaining the Jade Box that sealed the source of the Four War Gods' power could they force Longluo and Shouluo to come out and fight them. This was her plan, barring any unforeseen circumstances...

Damn it, she's made another bold statement!

"...No!"

At that moment, Asagi suddenly stepped forward and explained to Higanbana, "The flames inside the Roaring Cauldron will burn everyone and everything that goes inside. If you go down, you will never come out!"

"..."

Higanbana glanced at Asagi. While Asagi's well-intentioned reminder was for her own good, now was not the time. Not to boast, but she knew the situation of the Roaring Cauldron better than any of the youkai on the island.

Once inside the Roaring Cauldron, one's demonic power will be exhausted in no time, so the Spider Lily has prepared something special...

[Mermaid Soul Crystal (Intermediate Equipment): Increases maximum HP by 44%, maximum MP by 30%, and MP regeneration by 50%. It does not provide amplification for attributes above B rank. It also grants the "Soul Condensation" skill; Soul Condensation: Stores MP equivalent to a level 25 MP cap. Stored MP replenishes MP consumption, and each target can replenish their cap twice per day.]

When you're relaxing at home, you can store your demonic energy in this container. When it's time to fight, the Spider Lily can use this hidden energy to catch your opponent off guard.

However, her current purpose is to retrieve her when she is about to sink inside the Cauldron of Roaring Sounds, for the Spider Lily should never be left under a dangerous wall.

"You stay here, I'll be right back."

The red spider lily stretches out a hand to the bellflower.

"Hana, although I don't understand your thoughts, I believe you are absolutely right. However, even so, please forgive me for not being able to agree, because it is far too dangerous!" Kikyo said righteously, looking at the scorching flames inside the Roaring Cauldron.

"Kikyo! I'm not here to argue with you about whether you agree or not. Give me the clothes."

Under normal circumstances, the spider lily would be happy because of the other person's worry, but now is clearly not the time, so she repeated what she had just said.

"If you really want to do this, then let me go with you. This garment protects me, and I will protect you."

Having said that, Kikyo grasped the outstretched hand of the spider lily and stared at it with an unquestionable gaze.

"……what ever."

Despite the strong stance of the other woman, Kikyo, who was holding a particularly firm hand, clearly not wanting her to go down on her own, she agreed to let Kikyo accompany her, as the exploration would only last for a quarter of an hour at most.

The red spider lily and the bellflower stood with their hands clasped together in front of the door of the clashing cauldron, the firelight reflecting in their eyes as an orange-yellow color.

Such scenery resembles a painting.