Meanwhile, in a corner of the main hall, Yui Yuigahama was pulling Yumiko Miura aside to whisper.
"Yumiko, join us!"
Hearing Yui Yuigahama's sudden and ambiguous words, Yumiko Miura froze for a moment.
"Join... what?"
"Join our club, of course."
"Me?"
Yumiko Miura glanced towards Ye Xing, who was talking with Shouko Nishimiya in the distance, then looked back at the sweetly smiling Yui Yuigahama before her. Her expression turned somewhat complicated as she responded noncommittally.
"You... even if you're naturally airheaded, there should be limits. Who actively invites their competitor to join their club?"
"Competitor?"
Hearing this word, Yui Yuigahama waved her hand dismissively with a carefree expression.
"We're all friends here, what's all this talk about competitors?"
Yumiko Miura was beginning to find this ridiculous.
Wait, could Yui Yuigahama's magnanimity really reach such heights?
In fact, Yumiko Miura even began to feel somewhat ashamed of herself.
"But..."
Yumiko Miura pursed her lips, her expression showing hesitation.
"I probably... don't meet your club's recruitment standards..."
"Huh?"
To Yumiko Miura's surprise, Yui Yuigahama actually showed a confused expression upon hearing this, tilting her head slightly as she asked curiously.
"Our club has recruitment standards? I didn't know that."
"Eh? You don't?"
"As far as I know, we shouldn't have any."
At this point, Yui Yuigahama used a gaze that made Yumiko Miura somewhat uncomfortable, carefully examining her from head to toe before finally speaking with a smile.
"Even if we did, Yumiko, you would definitely meet the standards."
"Ah, you're really..."
Yumiko Miura sighed helplessly, rubbing her forehead as she pointed towards Mai Sakurajima and others standing in the distance, lowering her voice.
"Shouldn't you discuss with the other club members before extending such an invitation to me? You might not have any objections, but that doesn't mean they don't either. If this isn't handled properly, it could easily cause problems."
"That won't happen."
Yui Yuigahama seemed to recall something, her eyes showing emotion.
"In the past, I might have been careful before making every decision to maintain a harmonious atmosphere, or even avoided making any decisions at all."
"But in the Supernatural Society, I don't need to force myself like that anymore."
"Because... all of us share bonds that are tightly connected and will never disappear."
...
That noon, outside Shitennoji Temple grounds.
After the morning activities ended, students from both schools could begin their free time.
They would gather at four o'clock in the afternoon, then take the Shinkansen back to Kyoto in the evening.
Naturally, the Supernatural Society members with spiritual power returned to the hotel with Ye Xing to discuss their next plans.
"Shitennoji Temple... actually contains such evil spirits..."
Miko Yotsuya frowned deeply, contemplating the scenes she had witnessed during the tour, speaking thoughtfully.
"The temple and the grounds have too many people. With so many innocent people around, if a battle were to occur there... it would definitely affect the surrounding people."
All the members had recognised this problem, which was why they hadn't acted directly earlier.
Hina Amano thought for a moment before tentatively asking.
"Um... if Ye Xing uses his Domain, shouldn't we be able to avoid affecting the surroundings? We just need to eliminate those evil spirits within his Domain, right?"
"This method is indeed feasible."
Ye Xing nodded first, then changed his tone.
"But I don't think this matter is as simple as just eliminating evil spirits."
Rio Futaba frowned slightly, murmuring.
"Indeed... for a famous scenic spot of Shitennoji Temple's level, if any major disaster had occurred, there would definitely be related news reports. Since there aren't any, it means no accidents have happened. But then... why would so many evil spirits be born, all in the same area... Is someone manipulating them..."
"Maybe we should just take the simplest approach."
Ye Xing appeared completely unwilling to think about it further.
"After the park's operating hours end, we'll just burn down Shitennō-ji Temple, kill everyone and the evil spirits inside, and that'll settle it directly."
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Mai Sakurajima frowned slightly, looking somewhat incredulous.
"You can't be serious, are you?"
"I'm very serious."
Ye Xing maintained his slacker attitude, lounging leisurely in his chair.
"I've been thinking too much lately, my head's getting itchy - feels like a brain is growing. I've decided to abandon my brain and go for some pure exorcism."
"You guy..."
"Mai-senpai."
Rio Futaba interrupted Mai Sakurajima's words, sighing slightly with a helpless expression.
"He's joking. What he means is he doesn't want to think, leaving us to discuss what to do while he just handles the execution."
Hearing this, Mai Sakurajima finally understood.
So that's what it was.
When Ye Xing is with Rio Futaba, he directly activates his passive skill: abandoning his brain and transforming into a single-celled organism.
Thinking carefully...
Whenever Ye Xing stays with Rio Futaba, he indeed never proposes any plans. Should this be called knowing how to delegate appropriately, or not missing any opportunity to slack off?
"Setting aside that there should still be many innocent people inside Shitennō-ji Temple, and not considering collateral damage for now, just regarding the idea Amano just proposed, there are also flaws."
As the Supernatural Society's primary operations strategist, Rio Futaba began her analysis.
"Last time in Kyoto, Ye Xing encountered fanatical believers brainwashed by that so-called Izanami."
"Although their thinking was distorted, those people were just ordinary humans."
"If similar individuals exist in this incident, then even if Ye Xing deploys his Domain and we eliminate all evil spirits and psychics drawn into it, we'd still leave behind these hidden dangers."
Hearing this, Ye Xing quietly spoke up.
"So wouldn't killing them all settle it?"
"You focus on slacking properly and stop talking."
Rio Futaba first said irritably, then wore an expression of intense concentration, trying to find a perfect solution.
Just then, Hina Amano suddenly spoke up as if struck by an idea.
"Um... if I change the weather to bring heavy rainfall, and then we somehow damage the drainage system inside Shitennō-ji Temple to trigger flood warnings... of course not actually creating a flood, but by that time, if anyone still refuses to leave the temple, it would clearly be illogical behaviour. Wouldn't screening this way help us identify the targets?"
"Eh?"
Upon hearing Hina Amano's proposed plan, Rio Futaba paused briefly, then suddenly understood.
"That's right! The idea you proposed, Amano, has feasibility!"
"Really... that's great."
Hearing her idea being adopted, Hina Amano couldn't help but show a slight smile.
Mai Sakurajita hesitated before asking.
"But... The rainfall caused by Amano changing the weather contains spiritual power. If there are psychics inside Shitennō-ji Temple, shouldn't they notice something wrong?"
"Precisely because of that, they'd be even less likely to leave."
Rio Futaba adjusted her glasses and spoke slowly.
"Although we don't know how those people managed to create so many evil spirits, since the location is within Shitennoji Temple, it means this historic temple is crucial to their plans."
"If the flood warning is actually triggered, they'll either use all their power to protect Shitennoji Temple, or they'll try to find the person controlling the rainfall."
"Either way, they won't easily abandon Shitennoji Temple. But for ordinary monks and staff who don't know the truth, once they learn about the flood warning and realise they can't change the situation, they'll definitely choose to evacuate from Shitennoji Temple. This is what we call screening."
Hearing Rio Futaba's explanation, Miko Yotsuya nearby spoke in a calm tone.
"By the way, don't forget there are so many Gates throughout Osaka City. And there's another questionable point."
"If I were the mastermind behind this incident, I would definitely keep the evil spirits in the Reverse World. Even though these evil spirits were born in the real world, with the existence of Gates, they could easily go to Shitennoji Temple within the Reverse World."
"Placing such a group of evil spirits in the real world - not just psychics like us, but even people like Godmother Granny and Mr Oda who have some ability - would be able to sense that something's wrong within Shitennoji Temple."
"I'm not particularly clever, but if I were to guess..."
Miko Yotsuya's golden eyes flickered as she pondered.
"Hmm... by some method, rapidly increase the opening degree of Gates throughout Osaka City. Through this method, connect parts of Osaka City with the Reverse World, then release the evil spirits from Shitennoji Temple to begin indiscriminate slaughter."
"Although the area that can merge with the Reverse World is limited and can't kill all residents, that's actually better. The survivors would experience the most intense fear of their lives."
"By sacrificing an entire city in this way, creating powerful evil spirits in the corresponding Reverse World - this might be the enemy's goal."
Hearing Miko Yotsuya's words, a scene involuntarily appeared in everyone's minds.
An evil spirit with a giant-like form, appearing as a Buddha statue on the outside but twisted and ferocious, rampaging through Osaka City without restraint, its massive hands stained with fragments of bone, flesh, and blood.
Streets collapsing, the sky dyed red with blood.
If this really happened... it would be literally purgatory on earth.
Thinking of this, Mai Sakurajima murmured.
"The Gates we've discovered existing in Osaka City so far... are eleven in total..."
Mai Sakurajima looked up at the members before her, her face showing concern.
"But... if we exclude Shoko Makinohara from consideration, those of us who have the power to fight against evil spirits are only the seven people present. Ye Xing needs to go to Shitennoji Temple, Hina also needs to focus on controlling the weather... and if we count one more person to protect Hina's safety... then even if we include the Matchmaking Deity, only five can take action."
"Four people and one deity, to deal with eleven, or possibly even more Gates..."
"This... isn't it too much to ask?"
Hearing these words, Kazusa Touma, who had remained silent until now, suddenly looked towards Ye Xing and casually waved her hand.
"You go out first."
"Eh?"
Ye Xing chuckled in disbelief.
"Wait, you're telling me to leave? Little Kazusa, are you trying to stage a coup?"
"Stop talking nonsense and just go out."
Ignoring Ye Xing's words, Kazusa Touma directly pushed him out of the room and then closed the door.
Immediately after, Kazusa Touma looked at the members present and spoke softly.
"My opinion is that we'd better not consider having Ye Xing deploy a Domain covering the entire city during critical moments. This plan is not approved."
"Agreed."
Rio Futaba let out a slight sigh, her face showing helplessness as she murmured.
"That guy... does he really think that after being together for so long, with our relationship being what it is, we wouldn't notice he's forcing himself..."
Those present understood Ye Xing's personality all too well.
They knew that Ye Xing loved to show off, make heroic entrances at critical moments, and pull off flashy moves.
It was indeed cool.
But this time, revealing his ability to deploy a city-covering Domain right after entering Osaka - this was the first time he'd shown his trump card so early, without even bothering to look cool while doing it.
Could Ye Xing actually do it?
Perhaps he could; no one could say for sure.
But through this behaviour of revealing his trump card prematurely, even neglecting to show off, the members could sense something was wrong.
Even for Ye Xing, deploying a Domain covering an entire city would be extremely draining and carry significant risks.
After all, just a few days ago, he had confronted a meteor falling from the sky, and according to the Matchmaking Deity, he had used astonishing power to eliminate all the evil spirits that had accumulated in Itomori Town since twelve hundred years ago.
How could he possibly have recovered to his peak condition in such a short time?
Not to mention, he would first have to battle the evil spirits and psychics within Shitennō-ji Temple, and then deploy a Domain covering an entire city.
Such a burden was simply too heavy.
"He's probably just doing this to reduce our pressure..."
Miko Yotsuya sighed softly, her golden eyes showing determination as she stood up and looked at everyone.
'He's really underestimating us. This level of pressure is nothing at all.'
"Tonight, you must act bearing the lives of all the innocent people in Osaka."
"Our Supernatural Society will absolutely not fail."
...
That afternoon, in front of the train station.
"Bye bye, Shizuka-chan."
Looking at Ye Xing and the Supernatural Society members standing there, Shizuka Hiratsuka's expression was complicated as she sighed softly.
"You... really never give me peace of mind. If you want to visit again, just come as usual. With you all like this, it's very difficult for me to explain to the school authorities."
"Don't give me that routine."
Ye Xing remained completely unmoved by Shizuka Hiratsuka's emotional manipulation, replying indifferently.
"The school authorities would give you trouble? Don't make me laugh."
"Tch, I can't fool you."
Shizuka Hiratsuka pouted, then asked curiously.
"But... why are you staying in Osaka City for an extra day? Is there some special purpose?"
"We're going to have an orgy."
Shizuka Hiratsuka: "...Then what about the other members of your club?"
"They weren't invited."
...
After the students from both schools entered the train station with their supervising teachers, Ye Xing finally turned to face the members before him, his smile fading as he spoke in a calm tone.
"Everyone is prepared, right?"
"Yes, no problem."
"Then let's begin."
According to the operation plan, Rio Futaba, Kazusa Touma, Miko Yotsuya, Mai Sakurajima, Yui Yuigahama, and the Matchmaking Deity would each go to the location of a Gate and wait for the signal - the moment when rain began to fall over Osaka City - to begin their operations simultaneously.
Due to the excessive number of Gates, this wasn't a group operation; everyone was acting on their own.
The only fortunate thing was that the mastermind behind this may have realised that only by creating massive casualties could the opening degree of the Gates be increased quickly, so most Gate locations were in bustling commercial districts. Three of them were particularly close to each other, within a five-kilometre radius.
Naturally, these three Gates were assigned to Miko Yotsuya, who possessed the strongest abilities.
Meanwhile, Ye Xing and Hina Amano would head to Shitennō-ji Temple.
Rio Futaba considered that, since there weren't enough people to spare to protect Hina Amano's safety, it would be better for Amano to accompany Ye Xing directly. If anyone in this operation still had the capacity to protect others while focusing on their own tasks, it could only be Ye Xing.
However, there was one thing Rio Futaba found unusual.
All the Gates were located in densely populated downtown areas, except for one Gate that was in a relatively remote location where hardly anyone would pass by.
If the mastermind deliberately created these Gates, why would they place a Gate there that was essentially useless - even if that area merged with the Reverse World, it wouldn't cause many casualties?
Was it randomly generated?
Rio Futaba felt there was something strange about this, but when she tried to think it through carefully, she couldn't quite grasp what was bothering her.
...
That evening, outside Shitennō-ji Temple grounds.
"Let's begin."
Hearing Ye Xing's words, Hina Amano nodded slightly, took a deep breath, clasped her hands together, closed her eyes, and whispered softly.
"Please."
As she spoke, the originally tranquil sky suddenly flashed with several blinding streaks of light, followed by deafening thunderclaps and torrential rain that poured down as if the sea had overturned.
Walking forward together through the pouring rain, Ye Xing, holding the pitch-black Onimaru Kunitsuna in his right hand, gazed at the string of temple buildings in the distance and said softly.
"It's time for the purge."