"You bastard!"
Mahiru Hiiragi glared at Shikama Dōji with burning hatred, wishing she could tear him apart alive.
Unfortunately, in her current spiritual state, she was completely powerless to act.
Shikama, recognizing that he could no longer afford to linger, offered a perfunctory apology before retreating back into the demon weapon.
"Damn bastard, don't give me another chance, or I'll destroy you completely!"
Mahiru could only vent her fury through harsh words, her spiritual form trembling with rage.
It was at this critical moment that Krul's breakthrough reached its climax.
In an instant, the overwhelming aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm radiated from her without restraint.
The spiritual pressure was so intense that Shinoa Hiiragi's knees buckled slightly, making it difficult for her to breathe properly.
Under this crushing spiritual presence, Mahiru was forcibly suppressed back into the Mahiru-no-Yo sword.
Fortunately, Victor intervened at the crucial moment, establishing a containment formation around Krul that blocked the spread of her aura. Peace gradually returned to their surroundings.
"So this is the oppressive feeling of the Foundation Establishment Stage... it's absolutely terrifying."
Although there were many Foundation Establishment cultivators among their chat group members, they were all friends who naturally restrained their spiritual pressure when meeting each other.
This marked the first time Shinoa Hiiragi had experienced such overwhelming pressure from the Foundation Establishment Realm at such close range.
She was clearly at the tenth level of Qi Refinement, merely one step away from establishing her own foundation.
Yet this single step felt like an insurmountable abyss, a vast chasm separating mortals from true cultivators!
Time passed minute by minute, and finally, after approximately half an hour, Krul's spiritual momentum returned to a calm state.
In that moment, she had successfully completed her breakthrough and officially become a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator!
"Congratulations."
Krul slowly opened her blood-red eyes and graciously accepted the congratulations from Victor and Shinoa Hiiragi.
"This is all thanks to your support," Krul said, gazing at Victor with eyes full of gratitude and a hint of alluring charm.
After we return, I absolutely must thank Victor properly.
As for how to express my gratitude... I remember that position he mentioned before. I'll use that when the time comes.
Thinking of this, a delicate blush appeared on Krul's pale cheeks.
"Now that you've successfully broken through, we can proceed with our main objective."
After speaking, Victor retrieved the bodies of Ashera and Mikaela from his system storage.
At that moment, Mahiru and Shikama materialized once again in their spiritual forms.
Even Asuramaru's spirit emerged to witness the proceedings.
Victor immediately pressed his palms together and declared, "Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique!"
Spiritual energy surged forth and was guided by invisible forces into the three corpses lying on the ground.
Shinoa Hiiragi and the others watched their deceased relatives with nervous, hopeful expressions.
However, after the technique concluded, there was no discernible reaction.
Mahiru and Asuramaru remained standing beside the group in their ghostly spiritual states.
"Did it fail?" Mahiru asked, her voice heavy with disappointment.
"How is this possible?"
Their expectations shattered, and everyone's eyes reflected hints of despair.
Victor remained calmer than the others. "The technique was performed successfully, but the resurrection didn't occur. It appears that the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique isn't effective in every world."
This conclusion made sense, after all, different worlds operated under different fundamental laws.
If the Outer Path technique could function across all dimensions and realities, such an ability would be far too overpowered.
"Don't feel discouraged. Since resurrection isn't possible in this world, let's return to the ninja world."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's hope was rekindled.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go immediately!"
When Victor transported Shinoa Hiiragi, Krul, and the others back to the ninja world, they found Tsunade already seated on the Hokage's throne, struggling with mountains of paperwork in her office.
Seeing Victor appear, her face lit up as though she had encountered a savior.
"Come and help me with these documents!"
Victor spread his hands helplessly. "We're neither Hokage nor Konoha ninja, so we can't assist you with official duties."
Shinoa Hiiragi nodded in agreement, indicating she was equally powerless to help.
"Then why did you come back?" Tsunade's expression fell when she heard this response.
What happened to the promise of mutual support?
He won't even help me process documents!
What? We never made such a promise?
Fine.
Victor explained, "Our experiment in that world failed, so we had to return here to attempt the resurrection."
"Then have Shizune escort you to Training Ground No. 12. There are fewer people there, and you'll have privacy."
Tsunade didn't want them performing resurrection techniques in the village center where others might witness it.
After all, if such a technique, capable of resurrecting the dead at will, were discovered by the general population, it would inevitably cause chaos.
To maintain secrecy, she had even changed her brother Nawaki's official designation, listing him in the records as an adopted son rather than revealing his true identity.
Only a select few high-ranking officials knew Nawaki's genuine relationship to her.
Victor nodded and accepted her suggestion.
Subsequently, under Shizune's guidance, they made their way to Training Ground No. 12.
After confirming that no outsiders were present in the vicinity, Victor once again attempted the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique.
To everyone's shock, Mahiru and the others still weren't resurrected!
"What's happening now?"
This time, even Victor was puzzled about the cause of the failure.
Shinoa Hiiragi and the others felt disappointment wash over them once again.
"Could it be because these individuals' souls don't originate from this world?"
Compared to the others, Shizune remained more composed and voiced her hypothesis.
"Souls?!" Upon hearing this word, Victor seemed to grasp something important, and sudden understanding dawned on him. "I know the reason!"
"The issue is that your souls haven't entered this world's Pure Land!"
Yes, that was precisely the problem!
The Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique functioned by summoning the souls of the deceased from the Pure Land and returning them to their physical bodies to complete the resurrection process!
"Then how do we get our souls to this world's Pure Land?" Mahiru inquired.
"It's quite simple. We just need to destroy the weapons that are currently housing your spirits."
The reason Mahiru and Asuramaru could maintain their existence as ghosts was because their souls were contained, or rather, sealed, within their respective Cursed Gear!
Once the Cursed Gear was destroyed, their souls would naturally be liberated and then proceed to the Pure Land!
"But what if their souls don't go to the Pure Land after the Cursed Gear is destroyed?" Shinoa Hiiragi worried aloud.
"Don't be concerned. Even if they can't reach this world's Pure Land, I can ensure that their souls won't dissipate."
With Victor's current level of power, protecting a few souls was a simple matter.
"I have complete faith in Victor."
Krul chose to trust Victor without reservation.
Asuramaru also declared, "Since my sister believes in you, I believe in you as well!"
"Then let's proceed with the attempt," Mahiru agreed with a determined nod.
Only Shikama released a heavy sigh.
He possessed no physical body for his child, which meant his child could not be resurrected regardless.
Victor addressed Shikama apologetically. "I'm sorry, but it appears I cannot help you in this matter."
"However, don't lose hope. If other methods become available in the future, I will still do everything in my power to assist you."
Regardless of the circumstances, he had made a promise to others before, and he naturally couldn't go back on his word.
"Thank you for your consideration."
After expressing his gratitude, Shikama carefully collected his child's remains and returned them to the Cursed Gear for safekeeping.