Chapter Summaries

Luo Zhen was escorted through the Onmyo Agency under arrest, with his spiritual power sealed and his shikigami taken away. Yakushimaru, an oni serving Princess, freed him from his guards’ escort and asked him to meet her.

• Miyaji Hanao had Luo Zhen’s magic power sealed with enchanted handcuffs and separated him from Natsume, Suzuka, Yatagarasu, and Jade Rabbit.
• Luo Zhen decided he could not remain in the Onmyo Agency, which he suspected could not be trusted.
• Yakushimaru used Word Spirit to send away the four Curse Search Officers escorting Luo Zhen.
• Luo Zhen recognized Yakushimaru as one of Soma Takiko’s shikigami and learned that he was an oni called Yase Doshi.
• Yakushimaru told Luo Zhen that Princess wished to meet him and asked him to come with him.

Luo Zhen met Soma Takiko and her Yase Doshi at the Onmyo Agency, where he recognized Kumomaru as Rokuninbe Chihiro and learned that Yakushimaru was Dairenji Shido. The revelation that Shido was Suzuka’s father and a ruthless former Twin Horn Society leader left Luo Zhen coldly confronting him while still handcuffed.

• Yakushimaru brought Luo Zhen to the reception room, where Soma Takiko greeted him eagerly beside Kumomaru.
• Luo Zhen recognized Kumomaru as Rokuninbe Chihiro, and Kumomaru said he now served as Takiko’s shikigami.
• Luo Zhen guessed that Yakushimaru had also been a former Department of Divine Spirits member and Twin Horn Society believer.
• Yakushimaru revealed that his living name had been Dairenji Shido, the former director and Suzuka’s biological father.
• Luo Zhen asked Yakushimaru to remove his handcuffs so they could fight, but Yakushimaru expressed interest in how Luo Zhen had summoned a god.
• Luo Zhen grew disgusted with Yakushimaru, and the reception room’s temperature dropped sharply.

Luo Zhen confronted Soma Takiko and deduced that the Soma Family had orchestrated the recent chaos in the sorcery world to pursue Divine Descent. Yakushimaru applauded his insight, leaving the room’s intentions openly hostile.

• Luo Zhen demanded that Soma Takiko explain her identity, and she revealed she was the direct-line heir of the politically focused Soma Family.
• Luo Zhen accused Yakushimaru and Kumomaru of serving the Soma Family and identified Dairenji Shido and Rokuninbe Chihiro as its agents.
• Luo Zhen concluded that the Soma Family had used the Twin Horn Society’s schemes and spiritual disasters to pursue Yagyoku and achieve Divine Descent.
• Yakushimaru applauded Luo Zhen’s deduction as the atmosphere in the reception room grew colder.

Luo Zhen deduced that the Soma Family sought to summon its ancestral god using Soma Takiko as a vessel. He rejected Yakushimaru’s attempt to equate their ambitions, leaving the reception room tense.

• Luo Zhen reasoned that Dairenji Shido and Rokuninbe Chihiro had caused spiritual disasters after their failed attempts to summon gods for the Soma Family.
• Luo Zhen deduced that the Soma Family wanted to summon its deified ancestor and that Yase Doshi guarded its bloodline.
• Luo Zhen identified Soma Takiko as the shrine maiden chosen to serve as the ancestral god’s vessel.
• Yakushimaru claimed Luo Zhen should understand the Soma Family’s thousand-year pursuit because he had summoned gods himself.
• Luo Zhen condemned the Soma Family’s exploitation of others and told Yakushimaru not to lump him in with them.

Luo Zhen confronted Soma Takiko, Yakushimaru, and Kumomaru about their ruthless pursuit of their inherited mission, then exposed Kurahashi Genji and Miyaji Hanao as their allies. Kurahashi revealed that Natsume and Suzuka were being interrogated and the Golden Crow and Jade Rabbit were sealed, then invited Luo Zhen to join their cause.

• Luo Zhen recognized that Soma Takiko, Yakushimaru, and Kumomaru accepted any sacrifice to fulfill their long-held wishes and blamed them for the occult incidents.
• Luo Zhen called in Kurahashi Genji and Miyaji Hanao, realizing that they had long been allied with Soma Takiko and the others.
• Luo Zhen asked Miyaji Hanao about Natsume, Suzuka, the Golden Crow, and the Jade Rabbit, and Miyaji said the girls were being questioned while the shikigami had been sealed.
• Kurahashi Genji told Luo Zhen that Natsume and Suzuka were safe, then invited him to join their group as a comrade.

Kurahashi Genji explained why the Kurahashi and Soma Families had joined forces to revive the full path of yin and yang and develop curse arts. He asked Tsuchimikado Akimi to inherit Yakou’s legacy, become their king, and lead the world of curse arts.

• Luo Zhen identified Kurahashi Genji’s request as an invitation to join their wrongdoing, and the others accepted that their actions were extreme and unacceptable.
• Kurahashi Genji recounted how the Kurahashi and Soma Families had supported Tsuchimikado Yakou in reviving and systematizing curse arts.
• Kurahashi Genji explained that the Kurahashi Family wanted to reveal onmyodo’s yin aspect and advance curse arts, while the Soma Family sought to summon a god.
• Kurahashi Genji said the Tsuchimikado were the true kings of the world of curse arts and criticized Tsuchimikado Yasuzumi for failing to help awaken Yakou.
• Kurahashi Genji praised Tsuchimikado Akimi’s talent and asked him to inherit Yakou’s legacy, lead the world of curse arts, and become their king.

Luo Zhen rejected Kurahashi Genji and the Soma Family’s plan to enthrone him as king, refusing to accept success built on other people’s sacrifices. Kurahashi ordered Luo Zhen taken into custody, while Soma Takiko was left devastated by his refusal.

• Luo Zhen questioned whether Kurahashi Miyoshi knew about Genji’s actions, and Genji admitted that his mother was unaware.
• Luo Zhen asked about Kurahashi Kyoko, and Genji revealed that he had forbidden his daughter from leaving the house.
• Luo Zhen rejected the plan, saying that the curse-user world’s development had nothing to do with him and that he would rather die than succeed through others’ sacrifices.
• Soma Takiko challenged Luo Zhen’s refusal, but Yakushimaru and Kumomaru tried to calm her as the Core Cracking Phenomenon appeared.
• Kurahashi Genji ordered Miyaji Hanao to take Tsuchimikado Akimi to the dungeon, and Miyaji led Luo Zhen away.

Luo Zhen secretly restored his magical energy while imprisoned in the Onmyo Agency, then broke free of his handcuffs. He left the cell ready to cause trouble, though his Command Seals remained depleted.

• Miyaji Hanao left Luo Zhen in the Agency’s hidden underground prison after inviting him to reconsider joining them.
• Luo Zhen drew spiritual power from nearby Hokuto through their shikigami contract and gradually restored his magical energy.
• After several hours, Luo Zhen regained his strength, but his three Command Seals remained blurred and unrecovered.
• Luo Zhen explained that he had secretly damaged the handcuffs’ inscription, then shattered the weakened restraints.
• Luo Zhen declared that he was ready to raise hell.

Luo Zhen summoned the Three-legged Crow and Jade Rabbit, who smashed through the Onmyo Agency’s barriers and prison to reach him. After they transformed into Cursed Tools to conserve his magic power, he set off to rescue Natsume and Suzuka.

• The Three-legged Crow and Jade Rabbit broke free of their sealed cages after hearing Luo Zhen call them.
• The two divine spirits tore through the Onmyo Agency and flew to the fourth underground floor, where they burst into Luo Zhen’s cell.
• Luo Zhen welcomed the Three-legged Crow and Jade Rabbit, then checked how much magic power their charge had consumed.
• The Three-legged Crow became Luo Zhen’s black coat, and the Jade Rabbit became a ring on his left hand.
• Luo Zhen flew out of the prison toward the surface to rescue Natsume and Suzuka.

Kurahashi Genji and Yakushimaru learned that Ukon and Gyokuto had escaped and discussed the danger Tsuchimikado Akimi posed with the gods’ power. Meanwhile, Luo Zhen broke out of the underground prison and fought his way into the Onmyo Agency, leaving the officers’ next attempt to capture him pending.

• Kurahashi Genji told Yakushimaru that Ukon and Gyokuto had escaped their restraints and likely rescued Tsuchimikado Akimi.
• Yakushimaru explained that Ukon and Gyokuto were powerful deities and wondered how Tsuchimikado Akimi had won their favor.
• Kurahashi Genji ordered Divine Fan to guard Tsuchimikado Natsume and Dairenji Suzuka and sent the remaining independent exorcists to capture Tsuchimikado Akimi.
• Luo Zhen emerged into the Onmyo Agency building and was attacked by a group of Curse Search Officers.
• Luo Zhen swept the officers’ curse arts back at them, defeating them without being harmed.

Luo Zhen tested the power of the Golden Crow and Jade Rabbit Cursed Tools as he fought his way through the Onmyo Agency to rescue Natsume and Suzuka. He reached a corridor near them but was intercepted by Kagami Reiji, Yuge Mari, and Kogure Zenjirou.

• The Golden Crow Coat reflected the Curse Search Officers’ attacks, while the Jade Rabbit Ring nullified and reflected their illusions; Luo Zhen discovered that both tools also enhanced his abilities.
• Luo Zhen decided to use the Cursed Tools to rescue Natsume and Suzuka, then flew toward the direction of their contractual connection.
• Curse Search Officers attacked Luo Zhen along the way, but the Golden Crow and Jade Rabbit repelled their attacks as he continued onward.
• Luo Zhen entered a corridor and was struck by a seed syllable and a powerful slash, but the Golden Crow blocked the first attack and he dodged the second.
• Kagami Reiji, Yuge Mari, and Kogure Zenjirou confronted Luo Zhen in the corridor.

Luo Zhen faced three independent exorcists sent by the Onmyo Agency as he tried to press onward. They believed he had violated a taboo or awakened as Yakou’s reincarnation, and the chapter ended with them preparing to fight after he refused to surrender.

• Kogure Zenjirou, Yuge Mari, and Kagami Reiji confronted Luo Zhen in the barrier-covered corridor.
• Luo Zhen criticized the Onmyo Agency for sending exorcists to deal with a Curse User and noted their greater strength in handling spiritual disasters.
• Kogure Zenjirou urged Luo Zhen to surrender, believing he had recklessly pursued dangerous research related to Yakou.
• Yuge Mari and Kogure Zenjirou questioned whether Luo Zhen had fallen into Yakou’s influence or awakened as Yakou’s reincarnation, while Kagami Reiji welcomed the possibility.
• Luo Zhen said words were useless and asked them to move aside, prompting Kogure Zenjirou and Kagami Reiji to unleash their power as the battle began.

Luo Zhen faced three Independent Exorcists and unleashed his full strength, countering Kagami Reiji’s powerful spell before rapidly defeating all three opponents. The battle ended with Kagami Reiji, Yuge Mari, and Kogure Zenjirou incapacitated.

• Kagami Reiji opened the battle by casting the Buddha’s Victorious Crown True Words at Luo Zhen.
• Luo Zhen used Acalanatha’s Benevolent Salvation Spell to deflect Kagami Reiji’s attack, then struck him with an Imperial-Style Internal Impact Technique.
• Luo Zhen sent spell chains at Yuge Mari, changed them into lightning, and overwhelmed her after she raised a barrier.
• Kogure Zenjirou raised his Divine Sword, but Luo Zhen hit him with an unchanted Internal Impact Technique and sent him flying.

Luo Zhen faced Kogure Zenjirou and his four Guardian Shikigami, who disrupted his spellcasting while Zenjirou attacked with a War God-empowered Divine Sword. The chapter ended with Luo Zhen’s coat blocking Zenjirou’s second mighty slash amid the destructive clash.

• Luo Zhen assessed Kogure Zenjirou as the strongest of the three independent exorcist officers after Zenjirou survived his attack.
• Kogure Zenjirou questioned whether Luo Zhen had awakened as Yakou, but Luo Zhen explained that his apparent technique came from his Mind's Eye.
• Kogure Zenjirou summoned the four Karasu Tengu contracted as his Guardian Shikigami and ordered them to support him.
• Kogure Zenjirou chanted Vaisravana's True Words, gained the War God's protection, and attacked Luo Zhen with his Divine Sword.
• The Karasu Tengu used spiritual sound waves to disrupt Luo Zhen's spiritual power, while his coat blocked Zenjirou's successive slashes.

Luo Zhen used the Golden Crow, talismans, and enhanced sword techniques to fight Kogure Zenjirou on equal terms and force him backward. As their sword fight continued, a wounded beast-like voice chanted Acalanatha’s minor spell and sent a fiery serpent at them.

• Kogure Zenjirou pursued Luo Zhen with relentless Divine Sword attacks, while the Golden Crow dodged and deflected them.
• Luo Zhen used five talismans to generate the Five Elements and create a second Divine Sword.
• Luo Zhen caught the generated sword, strengthened it with Reinforced Blade, and attacked Kogure Zenjirou with a sword skill.
• Luo Zhen and Kogure Zenjirou fought at close range, with Luo Zhen’s enhanced body and the Golden Crow letting him match his opponent’s swordplay.
• A wounded beast-like voice chanted Acalanatha’s minor spell and sent a fiery serpent rushing toward them.

Luo Zhen summoned Beidou and Enenra to fight Kagami Reiji and Yuge Mari, then revealed ten black Shikigami Talismans and called forth Valkyrie. The battle continued as Kogure Zenjirou watched from the air.

• Kagami Reiji attacked Luo Zhen with the Fire Realm Incantation, but Luo Zhen deflected Kagami Reiji's Nine Syllable Seal with Word Spirit.
• Yuge Mari trapped Luo Zhen in a barrier, but Beidou broke him free and fought Kagami Reiji with a clash of ice and fire.
• Luo Zhen summoned Enenra, which battered Yuge Mari's barrier and kept her from acting.
• Luo Zhen produced ten black Shikigami Talismans and summoned Valkyrie.

Luo Zhen summoned ten Guardian Shikigami Valkyries and used his full strength to overwhelm Kogure Zenjirou, Kagami Reiji, and Yuge Mari. The three Twelve Divine Generals were left unable to fight, while Luo Zhen remained unharmed.

• Luo Zhen summoned ten Valkyries, Guardian Shikigami he had developed using his SAO knowledge and later improved with Yeguang's knowledge.
• Luo Zhen sent cursed power through his contracts into the Valkyries, Hokuto, and Enenra, then ordered them to attack.
• The Valkyries coordinated their attacks and drove Kogure Zenjirou into a losing position, while four of them restrained his Karasu Tengu Shikigami.
• Enenra swallowed Yuge Mari in smoke and caused her to faint, while Hokuto blasted Kagami Reiji to the ground.
• The Valkyries defeated Kogure Zenjirou by blocking his Divine Sword and striking him in the chest with a war-hammer sword skill.
• Luo Zhen remained unharmed after using his full strength, and all three Twelve Divine Generals were unable to fight.

Luo Zhen defeated Yuge Mari, Kagami Reiji, and Kogure Zenjirou, then assessed his growing strength and decided to research Heroic Spirit Summoning. As he prepared to free Natsume and Suzuka, Miyaji Hanao appeared in his Flame Demon robes, setting up a confrontation.

• Luo Zhen reviewed his battle and concluded that he could contend with Top-Level Familiars, while the Crimson Wing Formation could let him face Strategic Class opponents.
• Luo Zhen decided he was ready to research Heroic Spirit Summoning and considered how the Golden Crow and Jade Rabbit could help him challenge powerful Servants.
• Luo Zhen bound Kogure Zenjirou with Immovable Binding and put him to sleep, causing the Karasu Tengu to disappear.
• Luo Zhen turned to free Natsume and Suzuka, but his shikigami sensed danger and Miyaji Hanao approached in monk-like robes as the Flame Demon.

Luo Zhen recognized Miyaji Hanao as an Onmyoji whose seemingly limitless spiritual power made him a formidable opponent, and questioned why he served the Kurahashi and Soma families. Hanao hinted that he could not control his own Fate, and the two prepared to fight.

• Miyaji Hanao arrived with exorcists, ordered them to treat Kogure Zenjirou, Yuge Mari, and Kagami Reiji, and had them deploy a sturdy barrier.
• Luo Zhen held back Hokuto, Enenra, and the Valkyries after sensing the immense spiritual power within Miyaji Hanao.
• Luo Zhen deduced that Miyaji Hanao was a unique source of spiritual power who could sustain maximum output indefinitely.
• Luo Zhen asked Miyaji Hanao why he worked with the Kurahashi Family and the Soma Family, and Hanao said he followed orders because he could not control his own Fate.
• Luo Zhen and Miyaji Hanao accepted that they would fight, and both unleashed their curse power.

Miyaji Hanao unleashed the full power of Acalanatha’s Fire Realm Incantation, overwhelming Luo Zhen’s shikigami and forcing the nearby exorcists to defend themselves. Luo Zhen’s attack failed against the flames, and the battle remained engulfed in fire as he struggled to endure the heat.

• Hokuto, Enenra, and the ten Valkyries charged Miyaji Hanao as Luo Zhen watched.
• Miyaji Hanao chanted the Fire Realm Incantation and flooded the corridor with flames that burned the shikigami and threatened the exorcists.
• The exorcists raised ten layers of Eight Array Barriers while Luo Zhen sheltered behind the Golden Crow.
• Luo Zhen used the Internal Impact Technique against Miyaji Hanao, but the flames burned away the attack.
• Luo Zhen recognized Miyaji Hanao as Acalanatha’s Chosen Son and struggled to breathe as the heat intensified.