While I was in Mondstadt, I never imagined becoming a god.

"So, you've agreed to help me?"

Yae no Miko's eyes suddenly lit up, her fox-like eyes gleaming with surprise. Even the unpleasantness of having her fried tofu stolen vanished in an instant.

"Unfortunately, no."

Xu Chuan's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over Yae no Miko's head.

Without sufficient strength, one cannot even get close to General Thunder, let alone enter the Pure Land of One Heart.

This is the biggest problem we face. Any scheme or plan is powerless in the face of an absolute power imbalance.

Yae no Miko bit her lower lip.

Xu Chuan is the strongest person she can find right now.

The man who could easily subdue the remnants of demon gods made even the Executors of the Fools suffer a setback, a being whose true strength was impossible to fathom.

If even he refuses to help, then what about Inazuma's future, and Kage's future?

She didn't dare to think about it anymore.

"but……"

Xu Chuan drawled out the last syllable, a sly glint in his eyes.

"If you're willing to help me accomplish something, maybe you can change my mind."

Chapter 194 Holding a Sister in His Arms, the Posture of a Strongman

Yae no Miko rested her right hand on her forehead and remained silent.

Her purple fox eyes peered at Xu Chuan through her fingers.

Her bright eyes held a hint of helplessness and amusement, as well as a sense of defeat that she herself was unwilling to admit.

She was the high priestess of Narukami Taisha Shrine, a member of the retinue of Inatsume Raikage, and a descendant of the Hakushū clan, having ruled Narukami Taisha Shrine for hundreds of years.

It's truly shameful that I've been manipulated by the same person time and time again.

Initially, he used Thor's Heart as a bargaining chip to obtain the other party's promise to help him.

Who would have thought that before the promise could be fulfilled, I would have to do things for him first.

This role reversal is so blatant; it's practically a prime example of the guest taking the lead.

Xu Chuan remained calm and composed, picking up his teacup and taking another sip without showing any sign of panic.

His composed demeanor made Yae no Miko feel even more like a fox who had willingly offered itself up, its tail being grabbed and still wagging happily.

"What is Your Highness's opinion?"

"Sigh, you might as well just call me God Child."

Yae no Miko rested her chin on her hand and leaned back lazily in her chair, as if Xu Chuan had completely worn her out.

"The last two words sounded like sarcasm coming from your mouth."

In her conversation, she was too lazy to maintain that polite formality any longer.

Lord Kuji abandoned all his reserve and airs, his tone became much more casual, and even his posture was no longer dignified.

"Tell me, what do you want me to do?"

She raised her chin, signaling Xu Chuan to speak.

"But little one, don't make any requests that might put you in a difficult position."

Yae no Miko blinked, her voice suddenly softening, becoming light and gentle, with a hint of pitifulness.

"I'm just a weak, pitiful, and helpless little fox; there's not much I can do to help you."

Upon hearing this, Xu Chuan's lips twitched.

You think you're weak and helpless?

Tell this to Goro and Ichito, and see if they believe it.

One was completely fooled by you and even helped you count Mora, while the other was tricked into participating in some bizarre competition and almost lost his life.

If he hadn't already known the true nature of this pink-furred fox, he might have actually believed her when he saw her weak demeanor.

"Then I'll get straight to the point."

Xu Chuan placed the teacup on the table, leaned forward slightly, and his expression became more relaxed.

"As you know, I've recently been researching people who have lost their divine eyes."

"Of course I know."

Yae no Miko rolled her eyes at him, her fox-like eyes filled with helplessness.

This guy really didn't hold back at all; he treated Narukami Shrine like his own home, taking away quite a few of its books.

Those books were the culmination of Narukami Taisha's collection accumulated over hundreds of years, and this person took them all away as if they were his own possessions.

"Ahem, that's not important."

Xu Chuan coughed twice, changing the subject without changing his expression, "The key is that I have made some progress in my research and need the help of the Divine Child."

At this point, Xu Chuan's expression turned serious.

The confident smile faded, replaced by seriousness and focus.

"When I first came to Yingxiang Mountain, I discovered a very special spirit at the foot of the mountain."

"Her state was extremely peculiar; it was neither pure filth nor a complete soul, but rather something in between."

For me, she is an excellent subject of study.

Yae no Miko raised an eyebrow, a hint of doubt flashing in her eyes.

Is there a spirit in the shadows below the mountain?

She had never heard of this matter before, nor was it mentioned in the records of Narukami Taisha.

"You must be wondering why I would go to such lengths to ask for your help, right?"

Yae nods, then, as if remembering something, asks a question.

"Could that spirit... be related to my Narukami Taisha Shrine?"

“You guessed right.” Xu Chuan’s tone was calm and confident.

"Not only was the other person dressed in the shrine maiden attire of Narukami Taisha, but they also exuded an aura similar to that of the shrine maiden."

“I’ve recognized that aura before. It comes from the same source as yours and is a unique feeling of Bai Chen’s bloodline.”

This statement is like a boulder thrown into a calm lake.

Yae no Miko's body stiffened for a moment, and her languid expression vanished instantly.

"Let's go, I want to see who she really is."

She frowned and began to urge Xu Chuan on.

She stood up, the Kagura bell jingling crisply at her waist, and her entire demeanor transformed from languid to decisive and efficient.

Xu Chuan chuckled softly and slowly stood up.

"Yes, who could she be?"

His words were full of meaning, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes that the Eighth Divine Child did not notice.

For hundreds of years, that existence has been right under Yae no Miko's nose, in the roots of Kageshiro, and deep in the earth at the foot of Narukami Shrine.

But our Lady of the Palace never noticed the other person's presence, as if that guy was deliberately avoiding her.

Even the Great Exorcism of Divine Cherry was only completed with the help of Ying.

In the midst of scattering flowers.

Having inherited the memories of the Fox Palace, why did you do this? Is there some unavoidable hardship you have?

Xu Chuan silently recited the name in his heart, but his face remained expressionless.

Kamisato-yashiki is not far from Kagemōyama.

At their own pace, they traversed the forest path and soon arrived at the foot of Shadow Mountain.

Beside a huge underground pit.

The pit is hidden beneath a cliff on the north side of Shadow Mountain and looks quite ordinary.

Even if you pass by, you won't notice anything special.

However, upon closer inspection, one will find that the rocks at the edge of the cave entrance exhibit dark purple patterns.

Xu Chuan and Yae no Miko stood side by side, gazing at the dark and deep void below.

Xu Chuan stood with his hands behind his back, his body radiating a dazzling golden light.

The light, like molten gold, flowed and condensed on his body, then suddenly shot out a beam of light.

The beam of light pierced the air with a sharp whistling sound, trailing a long golden tail of flame, and shot into the deepest part of the dark void.

The dazzling golden light seemed to have struck some invisible barrier when it fell above the dark void.

The golden light and the void were locked in a stalemate for a moment, sparks flying everywhere.

Immediately following this was a low humming sound.

A layer of purple light film appeared in the darkness, like an inverted glass bowl, sealing the entire pit completely.

Barrier.

It was originally completely integrated into its surroundings and could not be detected by the naked eye.

However, Xu Chuan's casual probe forced this deeply hidden barrier to reveal its true form.

The dark, deep underground space was illuminated by the light of the purple barrier. The gnarled roots of the Thunder Cherry Tree, like giant pythons, coiled around the rock walls, emitting a faint glow.

"This is it."

Yae no Miko fell into deep thought, her purple eyes fixed on the barrier below, as if digesting this sudden information.

She was completely unaware that such a place was hidden at the foot of Yingxiang Mountain.

This fact stirred up indescribable feelings within her.

"This barrier is very strong; the person who set it up doesn't seem to want it to be easily discovered."

"If I hadn't gone out of my way to investigate, even I wouldn't have noticed it immediately."

"It is Yae no Miko," she said slowly, her tone tinged with solemnity. She crouched down, her hand hovering above the barrier as she sensed it for a moment.

"This technique... feels familiar, yet somewhat unfamiliar."

She looked up and glanced around.

"By the way, what about that special spirit you mentioned?"

Xu Chuan withdrew his senses and shook his head.

"I haven't seen her yet."

His gaze pierced through the purple light membrane of the barrier, looking down at the space swallowed by darkness, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

"However, after we go down, she might show herself."

"But this barrier is extraordinary; it will take some time to open it..."

Before Yae no Miko could finish speaking, and was pondering how to use the secret technique of Narukami Taisha to break the barrier, she suddenly felt a tightening around her waist.

"what you do!"

She gasped in surprise.

That large hand, still warm with familiar touch, once again rested on her slender waist, pulling her tightly into its broad embrace.

The man's arms were strong and powerful, and the warmth from his palms penetrated her clothes and burned against her skin, making her stiffen.

"There's no need for that, we can just go down."

With practiced ease, Xu Chuan embraced Yae no Miko, then leaped down with her on his toes.

The sound of the wind filled my ears.