The dazzling flame-wreathed slash carried an unstoppable edge as it cleaved straight towards Senhime Rin Getsu.
The sheer lethality of the attack, enough to make her fur stand on end, startled even the prepared Senhime Rin Getsu:
"Another human at Great Yokai level?"
The incoming blade radiated scorching Flame Arts energy, clearly demonstrating power on par with a Great Yokai.
Though she had long sensed someone lurking nearby through her Dog Demon's danger perception, Senhime Rin Getsu was still greatly shocked by this development.
Since when had Great Yokai-level combatants become so common?
During the Warring States period, the number of Great Yokai was limited, and as the mistress of the Western Country, Senhime Rin Getsu was familiar with practically all of them.
Yet today alone, she had encountered Luo Shu, who effortlessly withstood Sesshōmaru's Dokkasō, Chisato Nishikigi controlling Silver, Takina Inoue commanding Black Iron, and now this human unleashing such a slash.
Four combatants equivalent to Great Yokai in a single day.
Was Tōga's grave really that enticing?
Though inwardly astonished, Senhime Rin Getsu's movements remained swift.
She had already noticed someone lurking in the shadows, so how could she not be prepared when reaching out towards Yomi Isayama?
In a partial physical transformation, Senhime Rin Getsu's right hand morphed into a massive wolf claw, wreathed in gold-red Demon Power.
The yokai race's formidable physique, combined with the inky depths of her Demon Power, collided head-on with the incoming crimson blade light.
Boom!
A deafening explosion erupted!
The fierce gales generated by the clash uprooted the surrounding forest, sending countless trees soaring into the air before scattering them in all directions under the shockwave.
"Waaah!!"
Jaken planted his staff into the ground, shielding Sesshōmaru as he frantically erected a barrier, screaming while enduring the impact.
Nearby, Yomi Isayama also drove her sword into the earth, anchoring herself with spiritual power to withstand the force.
The confrontation between Senhime Rin Getsu and the hidden figure ended in mere moments.
Both sides recognised the other's formidable strength, leading to a tacit agreement to cease hostilities—for now.
It was then that Senhime Rin Getsu finally saw her opponent's true form.
A shrine maiden clad in a red and white miko outfit, wielding a greatsword, her hair styled in the traditional hime-cut.
Taking in the youthful glow of the girl's face, Senhime immediately deduced she couldn't be older than twenty.
Considering the recent emergence of such powerful humans in such a short span, Senhime felt a probing urge:
"I don't recall any shrine maidens who excel at blending swordplay and spiritual arts like you."
Shirayuki Hotogi frowned at this, casting a wary glance at Senhime.
This opponent was strong—even among Great Yokai, she was a cut above. Only the top three of the Twelve Divine Generals could reliably overpower her.
Moreover, judging by the Demon Power, was this yokai related to the tomb's owner?
With these thoughts in mind, Shirayuki sheathed her greatsword, shifting her left foot forward and right foot back, hips aligned, adopting an iaijutsu stance.
Seeing this, a massive, fluffy wolf tail unfurled from Senhime's back.
The tail coiled around Yomi Isayama, lifting her off the ground before flinging her towards Shirayuki with a swift flick.
Wary, Shirayuki didn't reach out to catch her, nor did she drop her guard against Senhime, instead watching the yokai cautiously.
Fortunately, Yomi Isayama was no slouch—ranked as Elite by the system—and twisted mid-air, landing gracefully before offering thanks:
"My gratitude, Vermilion Bird General."
Shirayuki didn't respond, merely nodding slightly before turning a puzzled gaze back to Senhime.
She couldn't fathom why the yokai had suddenly returned Yomi.
"Your goal was to retrieve your companion, wasn't it, shrine maiden?" Senhime smirked. "And judging by your appearance, you must be from the Onmyou Agency that Hōsengki mentioned?"
"Hōsengki?" Shirayuki blinked, then stiffened slightly. "So the old master did send word to you after all?"
Senhime waved a hand dismissively.
"Tōga was my husband, after all, and Sesshōmaru is the perfect pureblood we created together with our Demon Power. Even if Tōga's dying wish was to leave Tessaiga to Inuyasha, it's only natural I'd be notified when outsiders come seeking treasure."
"Perfect pureblood?"
Shirayuki and Yomi gasped, their eyes locking onto Sesshōmaru with intense scrutiny.
Among yokai, pure-blooded Great Yokai generally refer to those whose bloodline descends from Great Yokais, possessing a natural advantage in breaking through to become Great Yokais themselves.
Yet, there exists a type of yokai that surpasses even the pure-blooded Great Yokai—pure-blooded yet superior to them.
These are Great Yokais created through the combined efforts of two or more Great Yokais, who gathered their clans' power to emulate the gods born of heaven and earth, as legend has it. Through vast amounts of Demon Power, they are brought into existence from nothing.
Among yokai, such Great Yokais are regarded as the purest of pure-bloods, the most perfect of their kind, possessing the most flawless Demon Power of their lineage. It is said they hold the potential to glimpse realms beyond that of Great Yokais.
Such yokai are legends even in the present world. Yet here they were, encountering one in this Abyss world.
At this thought, the hostility in Shirayuki Hotogi and Yomi Isayama's eyes diminished slightly.
Both had the same idea: recruitment.
Though the Onmyou Agency primarily consisted of local Shrines, Shinto Priests, and Onmyojis, wasn't the very term 'Familiar Spirit' created to recruit powerful beings from among the yokai?
As for the Ministry of Environment's Countermeasures Office, it was even simpler. Directly under government authority yet lacking deep foundations, recruiting a Great Yokai—especially a perfect pure-blood—would yield far greater rewards than obtaining a few Grade 3 Abyss Artefacts alone.
Noticing the change in their gazes, Senhime Rin Getsu remarked meaningfully:
"It seems you're not mere outsiders after all!"
Understanding the significance of a perfect pure-blood implied they belonged to organisations with inherited traditions.
This made things... rather delicate.
Could these people truly be members of the Onmyou Agency?
Even with Nobunaga Oda clearly in Kyoto, they still managed to hide forces to interfere with her Dog Tribe's affairs?
Moreover, the most crucial point was that these two individuals were clearly from a different faction than Luo Shu's group had been earlier.
At the very least, compared to Luo Shu's decisive and lethal approach, Shirayuki Hotogi showed less killing intent, with more emphasis on probing.
Thinking this, Senhime Rin Getsu immediately said in a faint voice:
"Though somewhat presumptuous, let us join forces."
Hearing Senhime Rin Getsu suddenly propose an alliance, Shirayuki Hotogi was momentarily stunned.
At that moment, Senhime Rin Getsu smiled and said:
"You wouldn't want Tessaiga to fall into someone else's hands, would you?"
Hearing this, Shirayuki Hotogi was still suspicious, while Yomi Isayama beside her spoke bluntly:
"Vermilion Bird General, the SDS personnel have already entered the tomb."
As she said this, Yomi Isayama's expression turned uneasy:
"The one leading them is the Black Reaper from the Hidden Management Department."
At these words, Shirayuki Hotogi's expression finally changed.