Chapter Summaries

Luo Zhen used the true Fire Realm Incantation to burn down the Chimera while Kogure Zenjirou and Kagami Reiji helped prevent its escape. As the barrier in the Curse Training Ground shattered, a pitch-black crow appeared in midair.

• Luo Zhen's Fire Realm Incantation burned away the Chimera's miasma and weakened its body, astonishing Kogure Zenjirou and Kagami Reiji.
• Kagami Reiji recognized Luo Zhen's power, marked him as prey, and vowed to kill him someday.
• The Chimera tried to flee, but Kogure Zenjirou and Kagami Reiji struck it down and severed its wings, sending it back into the flames.
• Luo Zhen continued chanting as the Chimera burned, until the Curse Training Ground's barrier suddenly shattered.
• Luo Zhen and the onlookers saw a pitch-black crow appear in midair.

Karasuba Ori, the sealed Cursed Tool that could become a Shikigami, appeared in the Curse Training Ground and sought a vessel to fight the Chimera. It targeted Luo Zhen, and after he stopped chanting, the Chimera unleashed its miasma, triggering a chaotic battle.

• A black crow broke through the barrier and circled above the training ground, revealing itself as Karasuba Ori, the forbidden Cursed Tool sought by Kurahashi Miyoshi.
• Kurahashi Miyoshi warned that Karasuba Ori was searching for someone to possess and would drive anyone without Yakou's Spiritual Energy berserk.
• Karasuba Ori chose Luo Zhen as its vessel and charged at him, but he blocked its attack with Magic Defense.
• Luo Zhen canceled Fire Realm Incantation to stop Karasuba Ori, allowing the Chimera to break free and unleash its miasma across the training ground.
• Kogure Zenjirou and Kagami Reiji fought back the miasma as Karasuba Ori charged at Luo Zhen, and the battle grew chaotic.

Luo Zhen battled Crow Feather with barriers, fire, and a flock of Shikigami crows while Kogure Zenjirou and Kagami Reiji fought the Chimera. A hidden girl halted the Spiritual Energy across the Curse Training Ground, dispelling the protective and offensive arts and allowing Crow Feather to possess Luo Zhen.

• Kogure Zenjirou and Kagami Reiji continued fighting the Phase 2 Chimera as its miasma threatened the spectators and instructors.
• Luo Zhen used barriers and the Acalanatha Minor Incantation to fend off Crow Feather, then generated white crow Shikigami to surround it.
• A hidden girl chanted an incantation that stopped Spiritual Energy and nullified the cursed arts throughout the Curse Training Ground.
• Luo Zhen's crows reverted to talismans, the instructors' barriers vanished, and Kogure Zenjirou and Kagami Reiji's attacks failed.
• Crow Feather charged Luo Zhen while he prepared its seal and landed on his body.

Luo Zhen summoned Beidou to repel Yayu’s attack, drawing both Yayu and Chimera into a three-way standoff. After detecting the hidden person who had interfered, Luo Zhen pursued them, and the others followed as chaos spread beyond the Curse Training Ground.

• Yayu’s black gale descended on Luo Zhen, but Beidou burst from him and blasted it away.
• Beidou and Yayu recognized each other and faced off as Chimera became fixated on the dragon.
• Beidou confronted Chimera, and the three beings unleashed their power while the onlookers watched in shock.
• Luo Zhen detected the invisible person who had interfered and chased them out of the Curse Training Ground.
• Beidou, Yayu, Chimera, Kogure Zenjirou, and Kagami Reiji pursued Luo Zhen, while Kurahashi Miyoshi stayed behind and wondered if it was fate.

Luo Zhen chased down the hidden girl who had released Crow Feather to test whether he was Yakou’s reincarnation. After exposing her, he learned that she was an Onmyo Academy senior named Saotome Ryo.

• Luo Zhen pursued the girl as she used the Invisibility Technique and Walking Technique to escape.
• Luo Zhen struck the space ahead with a lightning spell, forcing the girl to reveal herself behind a barrier.
• The girl claimed she was an Onmyo Academy senior and explained that she had become a little girl because she liked little girls.
• Luo Zhen demanded to know why she had interfered, and the girl said she wanted to confirm whether he was Yakou’s reincarnation by seeing if Crow Feather would recognize him.
• The girl explained that she had released Crow Feather so it would attach itself to Luo Zhen, then introduced herself as Saotome Ryo.

Luo Zhen confronted Saotome Ryo over Karasuha’s release and Natsume and Kurahashi’s disappearance, but a powerful old man arrived to take her away. The old man revealed himself as Ashiya Douman, leaving Luo Zhen stunned and unable to stop them.

• Luo Zhen challenged Saotome Ryo and demanded to know what she had done to Natsume and Kurahashi.
• Saotome Ryo assured Luo Zhen that the girls were fine and said he could not stop her because someone had come to get her.
• Ashiya Douman appeared and explained that Saotome Ryo had used the chaos to release Karasuha and confirm whether Luo Zhen was Yakou’s reincarnation.
• Luo Zhen sensed that Ashiya Douman was a terrifying monster and recognized him as a threat greater than the Flame Demon.
• Ashiya Douman announced his identity, then vanished with Saotome Ryo in a black wind while Luo Zhen made no attempt to stop them.

After the Tokyo spiritual disaster rampage ended, Luo Zhen stayed with the unconscious Natsume and Kyoko while the Exorcism Bureau exorcised the Chimera. In the Academy Headmaster’s office, he learned that Kogure Zenjirou and Otomojin had been classmates and turned to ask about the identities of three people.

• Hokuto and the Chimera fought at Onmyo Academy until Kogure Zenjirou and Kagami Reiji helped subdue the Chimera, while Karasuha disappeared.
• The Exorcism Bureau’s forces exorcised the Phase 4 Chimera near dawn, and the attack was named the Jōshi Second Exorcism.
• Luo Zhen found Natsume and Kyoko asleep in the infirmary, called Hokuto back, and stayed beside them instead of joining the exorcism operation.
• Kurahashi Miyoshi, Otomojin, and Kogure Zenjirou summoned Luo Zhen to the Academy Headmaster’s office.
• Kogure Zenjirou revealed that he and Otomojin had been classmates and good friends at Onmyo Academy.
• Luo Zhen asked the three people about the identities of three others.

Luo Zhen told Otomojin and Kogure Zenjirou that the mysterious Onmyoji D was truly Ashiya Douman, not an impersonator or inheritor. The chapter left them considering the possibility that the legendary Onmyoji had manifested in the modern era.

• Otomojin asked Kogure Zenjirou whether he could tell Luo Zhen about the three people, and Kogure agreed because Luo Zhen was involved and powerful.
• Otomojin identified the mysterious Onmyoji codenamed D as Ashiya Douman and asked Luo Zhen if he had encountered him.
• Luo Zhen realized that Ashiya Douman's presence in the modern era could mean Divine Spirit Manifestation, though Otomojin cautioned that the identity was unconfirmed.
• Luo Zhen insisted Ashiya Douman was the original, saying he could sense that the old man was a monster on the level of the Flame Demon.
• Otomojin and Kogure Zenjirou fell silent after hearing Luo Zhen's certainty.

Luo Zhen questioned Otomojin and Kogure Zenjirou about whether Ashiya Douman was the original and how he related to Rokuninbe Chihiro. Kurahashi Miyoshi revealed that Chihiro belonged to the Twin Horn Society, an organization of Yakou’s fanatical believers tied to the Jōshi incidents.

• Luo Zhen asked whether someone comparable to Miyaji Hanao could appear in the modern age, and Kogure Zenjirou said he doubted it but noted Luo Zhen might one day match the Flame Demon.
• Luo Zhen asked whether Ashiya Douman was the original and whether he had a direct connection to Rokuninbe Chihiro.
• Kurahashi Miyoshi asked Luo Zhen if he knew about the Twin Horn Society, and Luo Zhen guessed it was an underground organization of Yakou Believers.
• Kurahashi Miyoshi explained that the Twin Horn Society included Dairenji Shido, mastermind of the Jōshi Great Exorcism, and that the group grew out of the Department of Divine Spirits.
• Kurahashi Miyoshi revealed that Rokuninbe Chihiro had been Dairenji Shido’s trusted aide and was a Yakou Believer in the Twin Horn Society.

Luo Zhen learned that Rokuninbe Chihiro may have died after causing the second spiritual disaster, and began to suspect the attacks concealed a larger secret tied to Yakou. When he identified the mysterious shikigami as Saotome Ryo, Kurahashi Miyoshi, Otomojin, and Kogure Zenjirou recognized the name and connected her to Hishamaru.

• Kurahashi Miyoshi explained that Rokuninbe Chihiro had vanished for two years before following Dairenji Shido's example and causing another spiritual disaster.
• Luo Zhen inferred from the others' silence that Rokuninbe Chihiro was likely dead and suspected the attacks served a hidden purpose related to Yakou.
• Luo Zhen asked whether Ashiya Douman belonged to the Twin Horn Society, and Otomojin said there was no evidence that he had joined it.
• Otomojin explained that Ashiya Douman had said his shikigami claimed to be his disciple and wanted to free Karasuha and confirm Luo Zhen's identity.
• Luo Zhen told Kurahashi Miyoshi, Otomojin, and Kogure Zenjirou that the mysterious woman had called herself his upperclassman and named herself Saotome Ryo.
• Kurahashi Miyoshi, Otomojin, and Kogure Zenjirou reacted with shock, and Kurahashi Miyoshi murmured about Lady Hishamaru, leaving Luo Zhen stunned.

Saotome Ryo reflected on how she became Yakou’s shikigami Hishamaru, survived his death, and later took a new name while studying at the Onmyo Academy. After researching immortality, she became Ashiya Douman’s shikigami until Yakou awakened, and the chapter ended as a man approached her by the riverbank.

• Saotome Ryo recalled how the Tsuchimikado branch family raised her to become a shikigami worthy of Yakou, and how she became Hishamaru at his side.
• After Yakou performed the Taizan Fukun no Matsuri and died, Ryo stayed in Tokyo until Kurahashi Miyoshi invited her to the Onmyo Academy and gave her the name Saotome Ryo.
• At the academy, Ryo befriended Otomojin and Kogure Zenjirou, and the three became known as the Three Crows of the Thirty-Six.
• After graduating, Ryo joined the Department of Divine Spirits, then left when she discovered its ties to the Twin Horn Society.
• Ashiya Douman reminded Ryo that she had promised him a favor in return for studying a part of him, and made her his shikigami until Yakou awakened.
• By the riverbank, Ryo murmured that her master was the only one, as a man’s voice spoke and Demonic Qi spread around her.

Saotome Ryo met Kakugyo Ki, the one-armed oni and former guardian shikigami, and discussed Karasuha’s failed attempt to possess Tsuchimikado Akimi. Kakugyo Ki proposed a simpler way to confirm whether Akimi was Yakou’s reincarnation and decided to meet him personally.

• Saotome Ryo confronted Kakugyo Ki for arriving late and addressed him by his legendary name, Dojikumaru.
• Kakugyo Ki brought Karasuha to Saotome Ryo, who criticized the Yatagarasu for failing to possess Tsuchimikado Akimi.
• Kakugyo Ki and Saotome Ryo recognized Akimi’s exceptional onmyodo talent and discussed whether he was Yakou’s reincarnation.
• Kakugyo Ki offered an easier way to make Akimi use Karasuha and said he would meet Akimi himself.

After learning that Hishamaru, Saotome Ryo, and Otomojin had hidden identities tied to Yakou and the Onmyo Agency, Luo Zhen received a message to meet by the river. As he prepared to leave, his father, Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi, appeared and asked if he was going.

• Luo Zhen reflected on Kurahashi Miyoshi's revelations that Hishamaru was Yakou's protector and Saotome Ryo, while Otomojin was likely the secretive Twelve Divine Generals member called Kuroko.
• Luo Zhen reasoned that Otomojin had joined Onmyo Academy to deal with problems caused by the rumors that Luo Zhen was Yakou's reincarnation.
• A crow delivered Luo Zhen a Shikigami Talisman bearing the message, "Meet by the river," then vanished in flames.
• Luo Zhen decided to leave Onmyo Academy and keep the appointment.
• Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi appeared behind Luo Zhen and asked whether he was going.

Luo Zhen confronted Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi about the fate tied to Yakou’s reincarnation and uncovered why Yasuzumi had raised him at a distance. He concluded that he had been brought back as a scapegoat to protect Yasuzumi’s biological son from the schemes surrounding Yakou.

• Luo Zhen asked Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi why he had come to Onmyo Academy, and Yasuzumi tried to stop him from going on a journey that would change many people’s fates.
• Luo Zhen told Yasuzumi that the Academy Headmaster had helped him uncover the truth about Yakou’s reincarnation.
• Luo Zhen explained that Yasuzumi’s Star Chant prediction that Yakou would be born as his son had sparked the rumor that Luo Zhen was Yakou’s reincarnation.
• Luo Zhen asked where Yasuzumi’s biological son was and inferred that Yasuzumi had hidden him to protect him from Yakou’s schemes.
• Luo Zhen revealed that Yasuzumi had brought him back as a scapegoat to impersonate his son and bear the disasters tied to Yakou.

Luo Zhen confronted Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi with the truth that Yasuzumi had used his ability to find and raise him as a false reincarnation of Yakou to protect his biological son. Luo Zhen agreed to keep the secret but set his own terms, while Yasuzumi resolved to act to protect his son.

• Luo Zhen explained that Yasuzumi must have used his power to observe the stars to find a gifted infant suitable for impersonating Yakou's reincarnation.
• Luo Zhen accused Yasuzumi of naming him heir and giving him Hokuto to make the deception more convincing, and Yasuzumi's silence confirmed the accusation.
• Luo Zhen promised not to reveal the truth, but refused to claim he was Yakou's reincarnation, return Hokuto, or give up Natsume as his shikigami.
• Luo Zhen left for his appointment, and Yasuzumi watched him go, wondering whether fate could be stopped.
• Yasuzumi resolved to take action for the sake of his son, who had grown up safely and happily.

Luo Zhen met Kakugyo Ki by the riverside, where the Demon King revealed that he wanted Three-legged Crow to possess Luo Zhen and confirm his identity. Kakugyo Ki proposed making a deal to secure Luo Zhen’s voluntary cooperation, leaving the terms undecided.

• Luo Zhen recognized Kakugyo Ki when the one-armed Demon King emerged from the shadows and calmly assessed his terrifying Demonic Qi.
• Luo Zhen guessed that Kakugyo Ki wanted him to use Three-legged Crow, and Kakugyo Ki confirmed it.
• Kakugyo Ki summoned Three-legged Crow, which landed on his arm and fixed its golden eyes on Luo Zhen.
• Luo Zhen recalled that Three-legged Crow had been hidden at Onmyo Academy and that the Exorcism Bureau and Curse Search Division had been searching for it.
• Kakugyo Ki said Luo Zhen could cooperate voluntarily and proposed making a deal.

Kakugyo Ki offered Luo Zhen a dangerous exchange: Crow Feather could pass on Night Shine’s recorded knowledge of Imperial-style Onmyo Arts and shikigami development, but might possess Luo Zhen if he could not wield it. Tempted by the chance to improve his own shikigami, Luo Zhen accepted the offer.

• Kakugyo Ki explained that Crow Feather could share Night Shine’s memories and Cursed Arts with its user.
• Kakugyo Ki revealed that Crow Feather held Night Shine’s extensive knowledge, including his shikigami development techniques.
• Luo Zhen considered how Night Shine’s knowledge could strengthen the ten shikigami he had created.
• Luo Zhen noted that failing to control Crow Feather could leave him possessed and berserk.
• Kakugyo Ki said he would leave with Crow Feather if Luo Zhen refused, and Luo Zhen agreed to the exchange.

Luo Zhen chose to risk being possessed by Karasuba to obtain Tsuchimikado Yakou’s sorcery knowledge, and the ritual began under cover of a hidden barrier. As he transformed into a Living Spirit, Kakugyo Ki watched to see whether he would retain control or become a demon.

• Luo Zhen agreed to let Karasuba possess him, and Kakugyo Ki ordered the crow to descend upon him.
• Saotome Ryo watched the black wind rise from a pedestrian bridge, while Ashiya Dōman observed from the sky and awaited the result of Abe no Seimei’s ritual.
• An invisible barrier sealed off the riverbank as Karasuba’s black feathers gathered around Luo Zhen and formed the cursed tool Karasuba Ori.
• Luo Zhen floated into the night sky and began transforming into a gigantic crow monster, with his spiritual energy disappearing beneath the spreading miasma.
• Kakugyo Ki recognized Luo Zhen as a potential Living Spirit and vowed to kill him if he lost control and became a demon.

Luo Zhen let Yayu possess him, knowing the Shikigami would go berserk, and fought to control it before it could turn him into an oni. He succeeded in subduing Yayu’s Spiritual Energy, and knowledge from the Shikigami began pouring into his mind.

• Yayu possessed Luo Zhen and began replacing his Spiritual Energy with miasma, threatening to turn him into a Spiritual Disaster.
• Luo Zhen explained that he had expected Yayu to go berserk and intended to make the possession a contest of control.
• Luo Zhen used Ajikan to restore his Spiritual Energy and carved curse inscriptions on his body to strengthen his control.
• Luo Zhen chanted spells for manipulating Shikigami and Familiars, gradually bringing Yayu’s Spiritual Energy under his control.
• Luo Zhen declared success as knowledge from Yayu began pouring into his mind.

Luo Zhen absorbed Yakou’s vast Cursed Arts knowledge through Karasuba and gained the complete Taizan Fukun no Matsuri system. After he awakened, he told Kakugyo Ki that he was not Yakou and that Kakugyo Ki had found the wrong person.

• Karasuba’s miasma vanished, and Luo Zhen emerged wearing a black coat as its power transferred Yakou’s Cursed Arts knowledge into his mind.
• Luo Zhen learned that the Taizan Fukun no Matsuri was a complete system for manipulating souls, not merely the revival ritual Dairenji Suzuka knew.
• Luo Zhen gained Onmyo Arts alongside his Summoning Arts and Puppet Arts, then opened his eyes before Kakugyo Ki.
• Kakugyo Ki questioned why Luo Zhen’s Spiritual Energy remained weak and unlike Yakou’s.
• Luo Zhen told Kakugyo Ki that he was not Yakou and that Kakugyo Ki had found the wrong person.