The Leopard Cat Tribe's base.
"My lord, the Leopard Army has been wiped out, and the Leopard King has fallen!"
Donglan bowed as she reported the latest news from the battlefield to the enormous leopard cat before her.
To be honest, she had been stunned for a long time when she received the report. Eight thousand members of the Leopard Tribe, along with the Leopard King, had been annihilated by a single youth.
It was simply beyond belief.
Although Mingye had already made a name for himself, he was still far too young.
Donglan's heart had sunk at the time. This outcome had confirmed the uneasy premonition she had felt.
Yet she still could not shake her shock. The Panther Tribe Leader had been consuming human souls and cultivating then, and Donglan had waited several days before she was permitted to enter and report.
"What?! That brat!"
Michinaga had been in a good mood after making further progress in his strength, but this news darkened his expression, and anger flared within him.
Mingye had repeatedly slaughtered the yokai under his command. Even if they were not members of his own tribe, it still made the Panther Tribe Leader lose face.
The fact that they could not even deal with a brat who had only just made his debut truly infuriated him.
As Michinaga's anger rose, his aura spilled out. Terrifying and oppressive, it seemed like a mountain bearing down on the very air. Simply rising to his feet stirred up a fierce wind.
Donglan struggled to steady herself. Michinaga's aura pressed down on her, leaving her whole body in distress and her breathing rapid.
"My lord, there is one more matter. Tōga has challenged you to a battle at Heavenly Lake!"
Forcing herself to endure the discomfort, Donglan relayed Tōga's move.
"Hm? That old dog actually dared to challenge me first?"
Michinaga's aura faltered. Compared with Mingye, matters concerning Tōga commanded far more of his attention.
Tōga had been his formidable enemy all his life. It went without saying how seriously he took him.
Michinaga calmed down slightly. Ever since he had launched the war, he and Flying Moth had always been the ones to attack Tōga.
Now that old dog actually dared to issue a challenge himself. It puzzled him.
"Could that fellow have grown stronger again?!"
No sooner had the thought entered his mind than Michinaga dismissed it.
That was impossible. For Greater Yokai at their level, an increase in strength was certainly not something that could be achieved in a short time.
His own recent improvement had come from years of accumulation, coupled with his ceaseless absorption of human soul essences.
Tōga's recent outburst of power should have represented his full strength.
"Whatever the case, since that old dog dares to offer himself up for death, I'll grant his wish!"
Killing intent rose in Michinaga's eyes, and the entire space grew heavy, making Donglan shudder.
"Send him my reply. If he wants war, he shall have it!"
Michinaga spoke with authority.
"Yes, my lord!"
Donglan hurriedly withdrew.
Once Donglan had left, Michinaga took out a mirror and channeled his demon power into it. A brilliant light shone from its surface.
The image in the mirror changed at once. A pair of scarlet eyes appeared, followed by Flying Moth's figure.
"What is it?"
This mirror was how Michinaga and Flying Moth communicated. Even across great distances, they could contact each other.
After forming their alliance, the two powerful yokai had relied on this treasured mirror to communicate.
"That old dog has challenged me. This time, we'll send him straight to the Underworld to be reborn!"
Michinaga's voice traveled through the mirror. Flying Moth's expression shifted slightly; clearly, he too had not expected Tōga to take the initiative this time.
"How confident are you?"
Flying Moth asked.
His strength had not improved noticeably of late, and he still felt apprehensive about Tōga, who had recently defeated Kir inmaru in a head-on battle.
"Seventy percent!"
Michinaga spoke confidently. His strength had increased, and with Flying Moth's help, he would certainly be able to kill Tōga.
"Good! This time, he won't return alive!"
Seeing Michinaga's confidence, Flying Moth paused briefly and gave him a long, searching look before nodding.
Then his image disappeared.
"Just wait, old dog. Your death is near!"
Michinaga closed his eyes and prepared for the coming battle, gathering his momentum and strength and bringing himself into peak condition so he could crush and kill Tōga.
The Dog Tribe Base.
Night had replaced day. The moon shone bright among the sparse stars, its pure light spilling over the tender grass and a tall, imposing figure.
"General, why did you issue a challenge yourself?"
Red Evil Ogre looked at the figure before him and asked in genuine bewilderment.
"That boy wiped out the Leopard Tribe, cutting away a major source of support for the Leopard Cat Tribe. I imagine that old cat must be stamping his feet in fury..."
Rather than answer the question, Tōga spoke with a smile. He gazed up at the pale moon, seemingly able to picture Michinaga's enraged face.
"Ah... I suppose so..."
Red Evil Ogre froze at those words, instinctively recalling the scene of Mingye slaughtering the Leopard Tribe. Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind, and he understood. He said:
"You're helping Mingye, the wolf yokai?"
Even he could imagine Michinaga's furious reaction. Mingye would surely face a devastating strike from him.
"This battle has to be fought sooner or later..."
Tōga shook his head slightly. His injuries had already healed. With Tenseiga, the blade of healing, even the wounds left by Kir inmaru's ultimate attack had been mended.
As for why he had issued the challenge himself, it was because his child would soon be born.
At the thought of Izayoi, a trace of tenderness flashed through Tōga's eyes. As her husband, he had to return to her side at such an important moment.
And this battle had to end as quickly as possible.
That was the main reason. Of course, it would also draw the attention of Michinaga and the other Greater Yokai away from Mingye.
After all, he held that youngster in rather high regard.
"How confident are you that you can defeat Michinaga and Flying Moth?"
Just then, an icy voice suddenly rang out. It was utterly indifferent, as though its owner were asking about some insignificant matter.
"Lord Sesshomaru?"
Red Evil Ogre turned to look and saw a figure in splendid white robes and armor, his long silver hair all the more beautiful beneath the moonlight.
"What do you intend to do, Sesshomaru?"
Tōga slowly turned and looked calmly at Sesshomaru beneath the tree. That youthful face was utterly expressionless.
"Give me Sōunga. I'll deal with Flying Moth!"
Sesshomaru stared at Sōunga on Tōga's back and spoke coldly.
"You cannot control its power."
Tōga sighed inwardly as he spoke.
Even he could not fully master Sōunga, let alone Sesshomaru as he was now.
If it fell into Sesshomaru's hands, the ancient evil spirit within Sōunga would likely seize control of his mind.
"I can!"
Sesshomaru's voice remained cold. He was utterly confident.
But Tōga shook his head without a word.
After a moment, Sesshomaru spoke again. "In that case, Father, please give me Tessaiga!"
Yet Tōga still shook his head.
At this, Sesshomaru's expression soured. This was not the first time he had been refused.
"Ask me again when you understand what it means to protect."
Tōga raised his hand slightly and stated his condition.
Sesshomaru snorted coldly, turned, and left.
What nonsense about protecting others. Why would I, Sesshomaru, need to protect anyone?
"General... Young Master Sesshomaru, he..."
Red Evil Ogre's strained voice broke the silence. This was not the first time he had witnessed such a scene.
Tōga shook his head slightly, his gaze dimming as he sighed inwardly.
Seeing that Tōga was in low spirits, Red Evil Ogre knew better than to linger and tactfully took his leave.
Before you continue