Panoply Yokai Power

Devouring a Fang Sword from a Mid-Level Yokai only increased my yokai power by a little, not even as much as five days of natural growth.

Still, there was a considerable improvement in quality and combat strength.

Tōga set down the Fang Sword, now reduced to its hilt. In the sealed chamber, without even a hint of a breeze, his bangs began to flutter on their own, responding to the power surging within him.

A newly born mass of wind-aspected yokai power flowed through his meridians to his fingertips like a nimble living creature. In an instant, it condensed into golden sword energy-the Wind Scar.

Tōga's control over his yokai power had reached a realm of minute precision, as effortless as moving his own limbs. He could unleash or withdraw it at will, and the strength of the Wind Scar changed entirely according to his wishes.

It was not having Tessaiga that allowed him to use the Wind Scar. Rather, it was his existence that gave Tessaiga the ability to unleash it.

Tessaiga served to amplify Tōga's strength, allowing him to wield one measure of power as two.

The Wind Scar used yokai power as a medium, resonating with the world's "wind veins" through his body or a weapon to form multiple intersecting vacuum blades.

At its core, it was a resonant wave that tore through space, using the yokai aura emitted by an enemy as a "fuse" to track and cut its target.

In the original story, Inuyasha's initial use of the Wind Scar relied on gaps in the flow of yokai power.

When an enemy's yokai power field fluctuated, the Wind Scar cut into the gaps in their aura, like a blade cleaving cloth.

Tōga had no need for such trouble. With a casual wave of his hand, even his Iron-Reaver Soul-Stealer could become five Wind Scars.

Wind-aspected yokai power is an excellent match for the Wind Scar. I can keep an eye out for it and continue strengthening the Wind Scar.

Tōga blew out the Wind Scar at his fingertips, then turned and walked over to the desk to continue writing his cultivation journal.

Tōga defined his own yokai power as panoply yokai power-the power of all things and all manifestations.

After devouring the wind-aspected yokai power, he could feel an improvement in the fundamental nature of his panoply yokai power. It was as though another step had appeared beneath his feet, allowing him to stand higher.

Moreover, with his stronger panoply yokai power, he could convert it into purer wind-aspected yokai power, almost at the level of a High-Level Yokai.

With the added benefit of specialization, the Wind Scar's strength had improved gratifyingly.

Using Third Elder Zi Yan as a benchmark, if he brought all his abilities to bear, his strength would no longer fall short of an ordinary High-Level Yokai's until his yokai power ran out.

In the yokai world of the Western Country, Tōga now had the beginnings of the strength needed to run rampant.

At this point in his writing, Tōga's brush paused. He gently closed his eyes and concentrated on sensing his mental power.

For now, it was somewhat difficult to determine whether his mental power had grown during his fierce clash with the lingering will in the Fang Sword.

The most fundamental and important factor in advancing from a Mid-Level Yokai to a High-Level Yokai was "spirit."

Devouring the essence of yokai power can trigger a clash of wills. It should help temper my mind.

Once Red Evil Ogre brings back the hearts of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Leopard Cats, I can make more attempts.

Then there are the thirty-odd Mid-Level Dog Yokai in the tribe. They should be enough to keep my strength surging ahead.

Tōga's plan proceeded in an orderly fashion. He intended to begin by devouring lifeless objects.

Next, he would try things that had only recently died, before finally tackling living beings.

This would allow him to explore the effects produced by different targets of his devouring ability.

He would only need to take some blood from his tribesmen, though he did not yet know how much would be required.

Tōga intended to exchange his merits for all the remaining Fang Swords in the treasury.

Most of the time, those Fang Swords did nothing but gather dust. They might as well contribute to increasing his strength.

As for experiments in devouring living beings with yokai power, he could simply find enemies foolish enough to cross him.

After all, this world might lack many things, but it certainly had no shortage of demons and monsters roaming about.

Tōga intended to put off devouring High-Level Yokai for now. Mid-Level Yokai had already made him frown; High-Level Yokai would surely leave him sweating.

Only when a fierce pang of hunger came from his stomach did a thoroughly satisfied Tōga emerge from the sealed study.

The sun on the horizon had long since quietly retreated, replaced by a bright moon.

Another day of grumbling about the Dog King. I'll put another mark against him in my little notebook.

Without his sweet bride-to-be there to cook, Tōga could only shovel down a few mouthfuls of food before hurrying back to the sealed chamber, devoting himself wholeheartedly to exploring his unique bestowal ability.

Before he knew it, another two days had quietly passed.

Far away in Wind-Thunder Gorge, outside Thunderclap Hall, the main hall of the Karasu Tengu.

The Karasu Tengu Chieftain Anhamaru's raven wings stretched taut as a fully drawn bow beneath the thunderclouds. Blue-violet arcs danced along their tips, their light reflected in his trembling pupils.

The Panther Cat Third Elder's tail was wrapped around Anhamaru's son's neck. His son's agonized, purple face and pleading gaze made Anhamaru's throat bob, murderous intent chilling his eyes.

"Third Elder, do you really want us to destroy each other?"

Without even trying to conceal his movements, he had returned to Thunderclap Hall from the barracks in Wind-Thunder Gorge.

He had made his intentions plain so that the Panther Cat Third Elder stationed nearby could leave without worry to take part in the great battle against the Dog Tribe, rather than fear that he would cause trouble.

Yet now, the Third Elder had stormed the barracks, slaughtered its defenders, and captured his son. And now he was even flaunting his might before Thunderclap Hall!

The dignity of all the Karasu Tengu had been thrown to the ground and viciously trampled!

"Hah. Destroy each other? As if you're worthy," the Third Elder scoffed.

The Third Elder, who had received orders brought by the Sixth Elder to stir up trouble and demonstrate the Panther Cat's strength, held these Karasu Tengu in utter contempt.

Call them unyielding, yet they kept wavering, forcing the Panther Cat to station him here.

Call them spineless, yet they stubbornly refused to leave Wind-Thunder Gorge. It would have been stranger if they were not hiding a secret.

Thus, when the Sixth Elder discussed probing the Karasu Tengu Homeland and demanding their tribal treasure, the two had immediately hit it off.

"Hand over the Azure Wings of Wind, or watch your son get struck by lightning until he's charcoal."

The Third Elder tightened his tail slightly, setting off a string of dazzling electrical sparks. The Karasu Tengu caught in it let out a harrowing scream.

Under everyone's gaze, Anhamaru closed his eyes, then opened them again. They were now utterly cold.

At that moment, anyone with a clear head understood-

If Anhamaru handed over the Azure Wings of Wind, he would be cutting off his own wings, and his strength would inevitably fall below that of a High-Level Yokai.

Without a High-Level Yokai, the Karasu Tengu Tribe would likely soon be reduced to the dust of history at the hands of the Leopard Cat.

Not only for his own sake, but for the survival of his tribe, there was only one thing Anhamaru could do.

"I am the chieftain of the Karasu Tengu Tribe! I am not merely my son's father, but the father of our entire tribe!"

A low rumble of thunder rolled from Anhamaru's throat. The Azure Wings of Wind, fused into the raven feathers on his back, shuddered, and fierce winds swept across the sky.

"Everyone, form ranks with me and face our foe!"