The path to the Tenshukaku was unobstructed. Or perhaps it was more accurate to say that everyone, from the three humans and one fox to the sealed Herrscher personality, wanted Hiyokumaru to reach the Tenshukaku.
The moment he set foot on the Tenshukaku grounds, Ming Yu couldn't help but marvel.
Although the Tenshukaku was a place of sealing, its location was in the style of a classic Eastern garden. Pavilions, terraces, and towers were all present. The water in the small lake beside it was crystal clear, with fish swimming playfully within. If they weren't on an important mission, this would be a great place to visit.
The Tenshukaku stood quietly in the depths of the courtyard, its foundation extremely high, giving it an air of majesty and solemnity. From the outside, it was impossible to tell how many floors it had, as the windows on each side were at inconsistent heights, making it impossible to judge.
Arriving at the main gate of the Tenshukaku, Yae Sakura didn't open it. Instead, she stopped and turned around, saying, "Yu, I can feel a very powerful enemy behind this door."
Ming Yu looked at Yae Sakura, somewhat baffled. Isn't it normal for there to be an enemy inside? Whether the Tenshukaku held a sacred artifact or a demon lord, it would be strange if there was nothing guarding it.
Noticing Ming Yu's confusion, Yae Sakura continued, "I have already lost my power as a Herrscher, so I can't participate in the battles ahead. Therefore, I'm entrusting the task of retrieving Hiyokumaru's power to you."
"And this... is the only way I can help you." Before Ming Yu could reply, Yae Sakura's body dissolved into cherry blossoms, turning into specks of light that flowed into Ming Yu's body.
Ming Yu let out a muffled grunt and took a step back. As the light flowed into him, a flood of new information seemed to appear in his mind, and three red tomoe, the pattern of Yae Sakura's Stigmata, gradually appeared on his forehead.
Having lost her Herrscher powers, Yae Sakura's combat strength had dropped significantly, but her swordsmanship and battle experience remained. She was by no means weak. In a real fight, Ming Yu might not even be her match.
She could see Ming Yu's desire for power, how he didn't forget to train even during his time in the Stigmata Space. Although she had taught him swordsmanship, how much could she teach in such a short time?
Ming Yu had helped her so much, a debt that couldn't be repaid with just a few days of teaching. Even if Ming Yu didn't care, she wanted to give him more help.
Just as she said, teaching him her combat skills in a form similar to a Stigmata was the only way she could help him.
This could also be considered an early farewell gift.
Hit by the impact of the information contained in the Stigmata, it took Ming Yu a while to recover. Looking at the Sakura Fubuki now stuck in the ground before him, he couldn't help but sigh. *Was this really necessary?*
When Ming Yu accepted that power, Yae Sakura's feelings were conveyed to him. Although he desired power, he didn't want to be too indebted to others.
What Yae Sakura did was tantamount to entrusting her life to him. If he couldn't help Hiyokumaru regain her power, obtain Jizo Mitama, and project the power from the Stigmata back into the Stigmata Space, Yae Sakura's body would be unable to recover, remaining in this state forever.
Was he truly worthy of such trust from Yae Sakura? They had only known each other for a short time, just four or five days including the time in the Stigmata Space, yet she had entrusted her life to him.
What Yae Sakura gave Ming Yu was not just power, but more importantly, trust and hope for the future. That trust and entrustment were far heavier than mere power.
Placing his hand on Sakura Fubuki, Ming Yu could still feel the lingering warmth on the spirit blade, a warmth that penetrated from his palm to the bottom of his heart. It was the temperature of trust.
Slowly picking up the Sakura Fubuki before him and solemnly securing it at his waist, Ming Yu's resolve to obtain Jizo Mitama grew even firmer.
"What's going on? Why did she do that?" Theresa asked in astonishment. A living person just vanished like that. Even for the well-informed Principal, it was a startling sight. The scene before her reminded her of the time in Nagazora; that shrine maiden must have turned into the Stigmata on her back in the same way.
"It's nothing." Ming Yu shook his head, not intending to elaborate. "She just... believes in me."
Seeing that Ming Yu was not in a good mood, Theresa didn't press further, assuming there was a hidden reason.
"Then that thing on your forehead, is it a Stigmata?" Theresa asked, pointing at Ming Yu's forehead. After all, that Stigmata was originally hers. Even if she didn't care much about these things, she still felt a bit miffed. Besides, if she could master the technique of transplanting natural Stigmata, she could transplant one to Himeko.
"This, huh." Ming Yu also felt the strangeness on his forehead. He touched the three tomoe and silently opened his panel.
Host: Ming Yu
Honkai Energy Points: 190
Weapon: Spirit Blade: Sakura Fubuki (5-star)
Soul: Sakura of the Far Shore (Yae Sakura)
Skills: Inch-Heart Fist Technique (LV3: 150/3000), Sword Skill: Fallen Sakura (LV4: 5225/8000)
Evaluation: B+ (Thanks to Yae Sakura's dedication, you have successfully escaped the ranks of the weak and taken another step towards the pinnacle. But without these, you're still just a weakling!)
Ignoring the system's sarcastic comment, Ming Yu was surprised to see that the Stigmata slot was gone, replaced by a Soul slot he had never heard of before.
*Can a soul also be equipment?* Ming Yu couldn't figure it out but silently accepted this setting. *Considering I've already transmigrated, these things don't seem too strange, I guess.*
Yae Sakura's swordsmanship was self-taught, so it was reasonable that it hadn't reached the maximum level of five, but reaching level four was proof of her immense talent. Looking at the proficiency increase, it seemed Yae Sakura's sword skill was less difficult than the Inch-Heart Fist Technique. As expected, the Celestial was stronger.
"It's not really a Stigmata," Ming Yu shook his head. "If I had to explain, it's something like a soul inhabiting me, but its function is similar to a Stigmata."
"Oh, I see," Theresa mumbled. *That makes sense. After all, this place is inside a Stigmata, so how could another Stigmata appear?*
Taking a deep breath, Ming Yu gently placed his hand on the door and said, "Everyone get ready, the battle is about to begin."
Theresa and Hiyokumaru couldn't help but tense up, staring at the closed door. The sealed power was about to be unleashed?
After a moment, the door remained tightly shut.
Ming Yu took a step back and laughed awkwardly, explaining, "Um, there seems to be a seal on the door. I can't open it."
Theresa shot Ming Yu a dissatisfied glance and said to the little fox, "Let Hiyokumaru try. Since it's her power, she should be able to open it."
"Okay." Hiyokumaru nodded without objection and obediently flew from Ming Yu's shoulder to the door, giving it a gentle push.
With a long *creak*, the door swung open, revealing the scene inside.
Ming Yu gave Hiyokumaru a thoughtful look. If he wasn't mistaken, something from the door seemed to have entered Hiyokumaru's body just now, and the little fox's aura immediately grew stronger.
But Ming Yu didn't pay it too much mind. After all, the current Hiyokumaru could at most spit a little fire; she couldn't be that strong. He stepped into the Tenshukaku first, placed his right hand on Sakura Fubuki, and said without turning back, "Non-combat personnel, get ready. I'm pulling the boss!"