Summoning a shikigami required releasing cursed energy outward, but Yuanfang's domain would immediately siphon it away, making it impossible to complete the summoning.
At that moment, Yuki Tsukumo finally stopped underestimating Yuanfang's strength.
After all, she was a Special Grade Sorcerer, while he was nothing more than a little brat.
Yet this seemingly unremarkable kid had actually managed to counter her. If he kept growing, the consequences could be unimaginable!
"Maybe there's another way! Can you sense any cursed energy coming from me?"
Suguru Geto had also come over to Yuanfang's side, a rare hint of a smile appearing on his lips.
"Hahaha..."
Unable to sense Suguru Geto's cursed energy, Yuki Tsukumo broke into a delighted smile.
She decided to investigate Yuanfang's cursed technique in depth. If she succeeded, eliminating all cursed spirits might no longer be an unattainable goal.
Yuanfang watched the two beaming faces. He was puzzled at first, but soon understood.
They clearly intended to study his cursed technique and open up an entirely new path.
However, Yuanfang knew they were destined to be disappointed. This was his own unique cheat, after all. How could it be so easy to figure out?
Still, he did not try to dissuade them. He thought:
Let them try. I can absorb some cursed energy along the way while they research it, so it's not a bad deal.
A few months later, it was 2008.
It had seemed that Yuanfang's presence would keep Suguru Geto from returning to his old path.
Unfortunately, even after all that research, they still had no leads. Coupled with the death of his junior, this ultimately drove him to repeat his mistakes and choose the same path as before-attempting to exterminate every non-sorcerer.
"Sigh. He was still too impatient..."
Looking at what Suguru Geto had done, Yuki Tsukumo let out a deep sigh, her eyes filled with regret.
She knew that although their research had made no progress, Yuanfang's growth had brought about a remarkable change-the area of effect was steadily expanding.
Perhaps, if Yuanfang were given enough power, that area might even cover the entire human world.
Of course, this was merely Yuki Tsukumo's wishful thinking. The cursed energy needed to achieve that goal was simply too immense to imagine.
Even someone as powerful as Sukuna, the King of Curses, probably could not unleash such a heaven-defying cursed technique.
"When someone spends years swallowing those nauseating things, it's hardly surprising if their mind starts to break!"
Yuanfang sighed.
Thinking back, Suguru Geto had once helped Riko Amanai. Though he had ultimately failed, Yuanfang was still grateful to him.
Yuanfang had hoped that, through his own efforts, he could escape the shadows of his past and find the right path.
But things had not gone as hoped. In the end, he had chosen his old path again.
Meanwhile, Misato Kuroi had also seen the news and was filled with disbelief.
She simply could not believe Suguru Geto would do something like this.
After all, Suguru Geto had left such a good impression on her. During his stay with them, she had not noticed anything particularly wrong.
So when something like this suddenly happened, she found it hard to believe.
Hana Kurusu also felt a little regretful. Suguru Geto had stayed there for a while, after all, and her impression of him had been fairly good.
"I hope I don't end up taking that path too!"
Yuki Tsukumo could not help wondering what would happen if, even with Yuanfang's help, she failed to achieve the path she had envisioned.
Would she become just as unhinged?
Hearing her words, Yuanfang could not help wanting to say, The crazier you all get, the more I like it.
After all, his ability needed cursed energy. The crazier this world became, the more cursed energy there would be, and the stronger he would grow.
"Well, I didn't realize I was getting so much attention!"
Just then, someone suddenly appeared in the living room. It was Suguru Geto.
Everyone except Yuanfang grew wary, afraid Suguru Geto might attack them too.
"No need to be so tense. I just wanted to say goodbye before I left!"
A smile seemed permanently fixed on Suguru Geto's face now. Whether it was genuine or fake was hard to tell, but it looked strange either way.
"You were too hasty. Our research still had a chance!"
"Sorry. I just couldn't stand those monkeys anymore!"
As he said this, Suguru Geto could not help recalling what he had experienced over the past few months.
Not long ago, he had nearly lost control when he saw how a village treated those two girls.
But thinking of the path they were pursuing, he had managed to contain his rage, rescue the girls, and leave.
A few months later, however, he received another assignment involving that village.
This time, he found that they had not only locked someone up, but broken all his limbs as well.
He could no longer hold himself back, leading to what had happened now.
And for some reason, after doing it all, he felt that the emotions he had suppressed for so long had finally been released.
Only then did he feel he had found his purpose in life and the drive to move forward.
"Heh... I can't be bothered to lecture you. Who knows? Maybe I'll lose my mind one day too!"
Yuki Tsukumo could understand Suguru Geto. She had encountered those utterly unreasonable people herself.
"Mr. Geto, does it really have to be this way?"
Looking at Suguru Geto, whose entire demeanor had changed, Misato Kuroi felt as though she no longer knew him.
"I'm sorry about Amanai."
Remembering that girl, Suguru Geto could not help thinking, If there were no cursed spirits in this world, she probably wouldn't have needed to merge. She could have lived the life she wanted!
"Goodbye!"
With that, he turned and left without lingering.
"Remember, I owe you a favor. Come find me if you need anything!"
Watching his retreating back, Yuanfang reminded him, hoping he would have a chance to repay him.
After all, Yuanfang did not like owing people favors.
"Heh..."
Suguru Geto chuckled without looking back, then vanished completely.
From beginning to end, he had always felt that he owed Yuanfang and the others, not the other way around.
After all, he had failed to protect Riko Amanai in the end.
"Could Mr. Geto have become like this because of what happened to Lady Riko?"
"Whether he did or not doesn't matter anymore! I'm hungry. Misato, could you make me something to eat?"
Seeing how sorrowful Misato Kuroi looked, Yuanfang changed the subject so she would not dwell on it too much.
"Of course!"
Hearing Yuanfang's request, Misato stopped thinking about it and hurried off to prepare dinner.
Yuanfang and Hana were still growing children. She could not let them go hungry.
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