Preparing Some Contingencies / Does Hua Have One Too?

Two days have passed since the collaboration with Divine Gate. Following that batch of materials, Yotsuya Miko requested more materials in exchange for the "Life Spiritual Qi Extraction Method," which also included the part that solved the spiritual energy problem of Kamikakushi Mountain.

Divine Gate was planning the procurement and acquisition of these materials; before they arrived, she had a few more days of peace and quiet to enjoy.

School life began to return to normal, and the impact of the Kawamori tragedy gradually faded, no longer affecting Miko's daily life. Her worries about Hana's estrangement also did not materialize. Both Yuria and Yurikawa Hana maintained their previous relationships with her.

Apart from being a little too intimate, Yotsuya Miko simply assumed it was because she hadn't seen Hua for a week, considering that Hua had been much closer than usual these past few days. Besides, it didn't seem like there was anything wrong with girls being a little intimate with each other.

After explaining to his younger brother that he was an "exorcist" who eliminated evil "spirits" and explained to him what "spirits" were, Yotsuya Kyosuke lost much of his "Creepy" feeling and only asked himself one question.

"Does a person necessarily become a spirit after death?"

Yotsuya Miko didn't say anything; she didn't know the answer to this question either, nor did she want to discuss it. Zhang Qiudao's research on life and death was far more profound than hers, and therefore her concept of True Spirit was the same as Zhang Qiudao's. She believed that those Ghosts could no longer be reclassified as their original human forms because their True Spirit had dissipated, leaving only a Soul Body with empty memories. Otherwise, Zhang Qiudao wouldn't have resented the heavens because of the issue of lifespan; in the Xuanhui Realm, there was no such thing as a ghost immortal.

Once you're dead, you're dead.

"That's right, people cannot be brought back to life."

That's how she answered, giving a perfunctory and dismissive answer to the question.

"Creepy" is still airing on television, and the show's popularity hasn't waned; it seems likely to remain so for a long time.

People have a fear of life and death, and also a curiosity about them. This is what has given rise to a huge market for the supernatural. People believe in the existence of the supernatural for various reasons—curiosity, supplication, or something else entirely.

The middle-aged man on the show continued to play with his paranormal photos, using these specially edited images to evoke a paranormal reaction in the audience. Even though some viewers knew these were fake, they couldn't help but cling to a sliver of hope that they were real, and thus never looked away, quietly watching the show.

The same applies to Yotsuya Kyosuke.

"Sister, can you see me?"

He began to speak, his gaze turning to Yotsuya Miko. There were some things he hadn't considered before, but now he realized they probably all made sense. He looked at his older sister, hoping for an answer.

"That pudding is for Daddy."

Yotsuya Touko is a very sensitive person when it comes to discussing her husband, and she doesn't want his death to affect her two children's lives. Because of this, after learning that Miko can see non-human beings known as "ghosts" in folklore, she didn't ask her about it, nor did she allow Kyosuke to do so.

But Yotsuya Kyosuke really wanted to know if the pudding that was placed on the table, the pudding that was placed in the empty space, was actually for his father who had become a "spirit".

Kyosuke chose a good time, when his mother was already planning to go to bed, and he and his sister were still watching Creepy.

"Yes, it's for Dad."

Yotsuya Miko looked at him and admitted to it.

"However, people cannot be brought back to life."

Humans cannot be brought back to life; this is an inherent limitation of the Xuanhui Realm. Zhang Qiudao is also unable to alter the cycle of life and death. He could easily bring a dead person back to life, but that person would only possess the original memories; their True Spirit would be completely lost. And such a resurrection would inevitably mutate sooner or later. A "living person" without True Spirit would sooner or later be rejected by heaven and earth and die an ominous death.

Yotsuya Miko's strength was far inferior to Zhang Qiudao's Zhang Qiudao, and her knowledge of cultivation was even more superficial. What Zhang Qiudao couldn't do, she was powerless to do either. Therefore, she could only wait and see and chose to give up.

"Kyosuke, that's a spirit, not Dad."

His tone was very flat, as if he didn't take it seriously at all, and was only answering because he had been asked a question.

"That spirit has already left, and I don't want to kill it. So, I let it go."

"... is that so?"

A look of disappointment crossed the child's face. He tried to see even a hint of unease on Miko's face, but all he saw was calm, nothing but calm.

Yotsuya Miko reached out and placed her hand on Kyosuke's head, without saying anything more.

Lying becomes natural, even taken for granted, when you do it too often.

The show, "Creepy," continued to play. It was quite adept at attracting attention, but the Yotsuya siblings in front of the television had no interest in watching it. They simply sat quietly until the show ended.

Yotsuya Kyosuke returned to his room, looking rather dejected.

Miko had turned off the TV and tidied up the sofa cushions, Qi Er San Ling and Si Jiu Qi San walked towards their room, only glancing at a certain room with their Spiritual Sense, without making any further moves.

Among those who follow the Demonic Path, there may be those who are inherently cold-hearted, but such people are not Yotsuya Miko, nor will they become like Yotsuya Miko in the future.

Everything she has done so far has nothing to do with morality or justice, nor with any self-interest or purpose. She simply chose to do these things for a reason, so it can be said that Yotsuya Miko has no desires whatsoever.

Currently, she only plans to finish dealing with the matter of the Divine Gate first, and then continue cultivating her techniques until her strength reaches a certain level so that she can explore the Gate of the Underworld and figure out what the creation of the Nightmare Refining Art is doing. After that, she has no further goals.

Zhang Qiudao sought the Dao and transcended life and death. Other Demonic Path cultivators, whether seeking revenge, wealth, or power, solidified their beliefs.

Miko now, all she wants is to live a peaceful life until the end of her days.

She's had enough experience already. After dealing with the trouble she caused, neither the Gate of the Underworld nor the Divine Gate has much to do with her anymore.

Therefore, she should resolve the matter completely now to avoid future troubles.

Ideally... the victory should be achieved without bloodshed.

P:1: On how to handle a protagonist who constantly longs to return to a normal life. The answer is to give her a reason that forces her to come out of seclusion. Family ties, friendships, social relationships, and all sorts of other things are hard to let go of. From this perspective, orphans are much easier to write about, since there aren't as many complicated things to consider.

PS2: I've been talking a lot lately, maybe even a bit rambling? I guess I've hit a writing roadblock. I'll go back and organize the outline to avoid getting it messy.

Chapter 177 Some Contingency Plans

Although Yotsuya Miko had never studied array formations, she still knew what array formations were thanks to her knowledge of the Soul Nourishing Artifact Path Understanding and the Soul Merging Artifact Casting Understanding. An array formation is a comprehensive system set up in a field, a sophisticated operating system. Learning it is a problem of achieving an optimal solution, that is, maximizing utility and minimizing cost or energy consumption.

Zhang Qiudao's contribution to array formations lies in his "Ten Thousand Thoughts Transforming Demon Array Understanding," an array capable of drawing upon the lives of an entire lifetime. Its power is unparalleled in the world. This is a bizarre array that even cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage are powerless to resist, and it represents one of Zhang Qiudao's highest achievements in the Demonic Path.

Setting up such a grand formation naturally requires a great deal. The requirements for the caster and the materials used in the Ten Thousand Thoughts Transforming Demon Array Understanding are extremely stringent, involving the crafting of several special Magic Treasure, or rather, formation flags.

The Ten Thousand Thoughts Transforming Demon Array Understanding involves the crafting of Magic Treasure like array flags, while the Soul Merging Artifact Casting Understanding and the Soul Nourishing Artifact Path Understanding also contain some arrays that can be used, but they are specialized in their respective spells and are unique.

For example, the Soul Nourishing Artifact Path Understanding Controlling Objects has its own unique array for certain runes related to the Scripture of Controlling Objects. However, those runes are permanent runes, and Miko currently lacks the resources and ability to refine them.

Within the Soul Merging Artifact Casting Understanding, there are two formations: one focuses on triggering heavenly lightning, and the other on igniting earthly fire. Indeed, the purpose of these two formations is to refine artifacts. Both heavenly lightning and earthly fire are excellent aids for cultivators without a furnace or cauldron in crafting artifacts. They are quite adept at using this aid for free. However, those who have the means will still forge a furnace or cauldron first, because without one to control the refining process, the unstable heavenly lightning and earthly fire can easily destroy the artifact being forged.

Previously, it was stated that the artifacts crafted by Yotsuya Miko were inferior products, which could be shaped and forged simply by using spiritual energy. However, most materials in the Xuanhui Realm cannot be shaped by spiritual energy alone, which requires smelting. This is true for alchemy, and it is also true for Artifact Refining.

A formal cultivator, like Yotsuya Miko, who is comparable to a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator about to Core Formation a Core, will have at least the basic cultivation setup, regardless of how much wealth they possess. First, there are spirit stones as purchasing power, and then there are decent magical Magic Tool.

There's no real way to categorize these Magic Tool from low to high. Zhang Qiudao, in his Soul Merging Artifact Casting Understanding, uses a quality-based classification: Magic Tool is classified according to the materials it's made from. If Yotsuya Miko successfully forges the robe and banner she intends to use the Xuanming Python as the main material, those two Magic Tool will be Core Formation Magic Tool.

A cultivator who has reached the Foundation Establishment stage, even if they don't have a full set of Foundation Establishment Magic Tool, at least one of their weapons and clothing must be a Foundation Establishment Magic Tool. One is related to whether they can cause damage, and the other is related to their life. Even the most unsuccessful Demonic Path cultivators, if they are ruthless and kill a lot, can still put together a very standard Demonic Path banner robe.

Then there are cultivation techniques and side hustles. Cultivation techniques for immortal cultivators are either inherited from a sect or from a freelancer. Cultivation techniques are distinct from spells, but sect inheritances are generally complementary, with spells matching the characteristics of the spiritual energy cultivated by the technique. As for freelancers, it's harder to say. "The Foundation Establishment realm is the beginning of immortal cultivation," these are Zhang Qiudao's original words.

At this stage, Foundation Establishment cultivators often need five, six, or even seven or eight years to break through to the next stage. This time is sufficient for Foundation Establishment cultivators to master their cultivation techniques and spells, gather the necessary materials for their spells, and acquire their own Magic Tool and resources. Many cultivators even develop side businesses during this period, such as alchemy or Artifact Refining, becoming producers.

Therefore, compared to these standard monks, Yotsuya Miko is quite eccentric.

Lacking any accumulation of resources, she appeared to be the poorest cultivator in the Demonic Path, lacking both Magic Tool and spirit stones, resembling a newly initiated Qi Refining cultivator. Yet, she possessed powerful cultivation techniques, countless incantations, and several fully developed paths that could propel her to the pinnacle of her secondary profession.

How should I put it? It feels like someone who suddenly became rich.

Turning Zhang Qiudao's knowledge into practical value is one of the things Yotsuya Miko needs to do now. And the process of turning this knowledge into practical value is extremely difficult.

The struggle between good and evil in the Xuanhui Realm over the years has always boiled down to one issue: without it, cultivators would be held hostage, unable to move an inch.

Yotsuya Miko is in a similar situation, hampered by two factors. One is time; it requires painstaking effort to gradually realize the value of that knowledge. Zhang Qiudao's knowledge encompasses the entire cultivation system, representing two thousand two hundred years of his accumulation. If she could absorb it all within a year, it would be considered an incredible feat. The other factor is that this world simply cannot provide what Yotsuya Miko needs. Many techniques, formations, and artifacts are required, and these are necessities that cannot be replaced by other materials.

After the battles with the Mountain God and the Xuanming Python, she became aware of this problem. However, she currently doesn't have a good solution to these two issues and is merely figuring out how to handle them.

One is to leverage the power of the Divine Gate, or more precisely, the power of a nation, to collect what is usable in this world. This is one of the reasons why she cares about the Divine Gate; having such an organization firmly under her control is not harmful to her in the present. After all, being an independent individual is not as convenient as being part of an organization.

Another option is to simply endure it. After dealing with the matter of the Divine Gate, nothing could affect Miko's life. She could spend her time to her heart's content, absorbing Zhang Qiudao's knowledge throughout high school, university, and into adulthood, transforming it into her own foundation for cultivation.

This time wasn't a waste of her lifespan. Foundation Establishment cultivators are limited to ten years at a time, and for a cultivator like her, who is close to Core Formation, there's really no need to worry about her lifespan. Moreover, her cheap master is an old monster who, despite having only a lifespan of 1,200 years Enlightenment Realm, has lived for an extra thousand years, making him unparalleled in his ability to prolong his life.

"Speaking of which, I have plenty of time now."

Silently burying a silver bead in the soil, Yotsuya Miko looked at the Kamikakushi Mountain in front of her, watching the faint spiritual energy that had reappeared surge into the location of the silver bead, and finally nodded in satisfaction.

"It seems there are no problems now."

These sparse spiritual energies are stored in the silver beads, and the runes inside them activate the energy, allowing the Kamikakushi Mountain attack any Ghosts attempting to enter.

Yotsuya Miko buried sixteen such silver beads in the Kamikakushi Mountain.

Unlike the previous small steel balls, these silver balls are quite heavy, each with a diameter of eight centimeters. Moreover, the material used is far superior to the previous small steel balls, with silver making up the vast majority of their volume.

Such an object can be used for twenty or thirty years without Yotsuya Miko's maintenance.

These silver beads could be considered a simple array, completely sealing off Kamikakushi Mountain, so that Miko could sense any movement.

"This batch of materials was handled much more smoothly."

Sensing the operation of this last silver bead with his Spiritual Sense, the matter on Kamikakushi Mountain was considered to have come to an end. This batch of silver beads was refined from the second batch of transactions. Because the bargaining chip for the cultivation technique was so great, the Divine Gate provided the second batch of materials very readily. Moreover, due to the large quantity, there wasn't even time to make a copy and send it to the research institute for experts to analyze its purpose.

That's true. After all, these experts have an even more important task ahead: to figure out the principles behind the techniques.

Yotsuya Miko quickly received the second batch of materials. This batch mainly consisted of tools related to Artifact Refining and the "Life Spiritual Qi Extraction Method," which could be considered a backup plan for Yotsuya Miko. In addition, she planned to craft some other things.

Does Chapter 178 also have it?

Good morning, Miko.

After returning to campus life and revealing his identity to Yurikawa Hana, there weren't many changes.

Whether it was Hua or Kyosuke, their mother accepted this situation very quickly.

As if he hadn't yet begun his cultivation, Hua launched a surprise attack from behind.

Although her Spiritual Sense had long since detected Hua's aura, Yotsuya Miko made no change.

Good morning, Hua.

Feeling the softness behind her, even though it wasn't the first time since returning to school, each hug brought Miko a sense of peace. For someone like her who now only sleeps for fifteen minutes every night before going out for a stroll, this hug was pure bliss.

"And, Yuria."

She turned around and greeted the orange-haired girl behind her, then looked at Yuria beside her.

If her busy period was from after school when she accompanied her younger brother to watch Creepy until before going to school the next day, then Yuria's busy period lasted from after school until evening.

Yotsuya Miko was busy dealing with Divine Gate plans, and she would have to go to Divine Gate again over the weekend to collect another batch. She wouldn't be able to sleep well until all these things were finished. Of course, after these things were finished, she would still need to continue absorbing Zhang Qiudao's knowledge or practicing what she had learned, such as runes.

Yuria's daily life was quite colorful due to joining Divine Gate. Although she was promoted and received a raise after Kawamori, she had no real power due to her age. Every day she would go to Takeda Mie to train her Spiritual Power, or go to Divine Gate to study and learn the techniques of using Spiritual Power. These things filled her life, but she did not complain.

Good morning, Miko.

Some things were subconsciously put aside by the three of them; they simply talked about what had happened, then went to class, and ate together.

"Oh, right."

It was after school, on her way to Divine Gate Yuria learn about Spiritual Power, when Yotsuya Miko walked up to her.

"Speaking of which, the batch of materials that Divine Gate gave me should arrive soon. How about we go together?"

"What about Hua?"

Yuria asked instinctively, then paused for a moment and changed her tone.

"I mean, aren't you going to spend time with Hua today?"

She felt that she was probably being too sensitive, and that she could think of Hua in everything.

Since the last time, a strange emotion has been nagging at her, making her want to say or do something.

She could only suppress the inexplicable panic.

"Hua... she's been a bit too clingy lately."

Yotsuya Miko didn't think much of it; when she heard Hua mentioned, the first thing that came to mind was Hua's recent actions.

Yuria and Hua both seemed to have some strange attitudes towards themselves.

Things started getting weirder and weirder after their last meeting. But the relationship between the three of them didn't change much, just a little awkward.

She's been busy lately working on a backup plan for Divine Gate, and hasn't had time to think about her personal life.

"Could it be that what happened to Kawamori really affected her?"

"After all, it's just too risky."

Yuria went along with her words, not revealing her own thoughts, but she did gain some understanding of Miko's slowness.

This guy is clearly an extremely powerful exorcist—no, a god—but he seems completely clueless when it comes to matters of the heart.

Thinking this way, she didn't intend to speak in favor of Hua; the last time she spoke up for Hua had already made her feel very uncomfortable.

"Even if you are powerful enough, you would have a hard time dealing with multiple Gate of the Underworld Miko."

"That's true."

Thinking of that troublesome Xuanming Python, Yotsuya Miko nodded in approval.

The ferocious beast at the late Core Formation was beyond her ability to handle. If it weren't for the extraordinary power displayed by her eyes, not to mention victory, even surviving would have been a question. However, Divine Gate probably didn't have any direct understanding of such a Divine Gate creature, so it wouldn't have much impact on her perception of her; at most, it would make Okita Qishen a little more cautious.

Thinking of the extremely painful look on his face every time he saw her, Yotsuya Miko could only say that he deserved it. After all, if things had been any worse at the time, Kawamori might have been able to escape on her own, but it was hard to say what would have happened to Yuria.

Why did this person have to step on his own landmines and dance like that? It's a miracle he wasn't directly hit in the Blood Soul Nightmare Entry back then, considering how Miko -hearted and beautiful he is.