Ming Yu wasn't too concerned about Hiyokumaru's power. Although he was a bit surprised that she could break through the Tyrant's phasing, he imagined the cost must have been high; the little fox's face was still a bit pale.
He held Hiyokumaru in his palm and praised her, rubbing the little fox's head and taking the opportunity to pinch her small, cute fox ears. He was once again secretly amazed; the feel of these ears was truly excellent, almost addictive.
The little fox tilted her head up slightly, her eyes narrowed into a slit, seemingly enjoying Ming Yu's affection, her tails wagging happily behind her.
Seeing Hiyokumaru and Ming Yu being so close, Theresa was a little dissatisfied, pouting as she stared at the pair. This fox had no taste, not even trying to get close to the world's cutest Theresa. Still, I really want to touch those ears again~
Under Theresa's gaze, Ming Yu reluctantly withdrew his hand. This wasn't the time for playing around; resolving the anomaly in the Tenshukaku was the priority.
Although some of the power in the Sakura of the Far Shore had been consumed, Ming Yu's condition had returned to its peak. Feeling the power replenished within his body, a confident look returned to his face.
Moreover, he could already feel the tyrannical aura unique to the Herrscher of Corruption. This also indicated that the Key of Corruption was not far from them.
Placing Hiyokumaru on his shoulder, Ming Yu stood up and retrieved the Sakura Fubuki that had been scattered to the side. Even after so many battles, the spirit blade's luster remained as gentle as ever. There were no nicks on the crimson blade, truly befitting a five-star divine weapon.
Deftly sheathing Sakura Fubuki, Ming Yu said to Theresa, "Let's go to the next floor now. I can feel that we're not far from the top of the Tenshukaku."
"That's right, I can also feel that sealed power," Hiyokumaru added.
"Mm," Theresa also nodded slightly in agreement. In fact, she didn't need the two of them to say it; she could also feel the gradually heavy atmosphere, and the sense of oppression that was hard to conceal even with the seal.
As the group stepped onto the fourth floor, an aura completely different from the first three floors rushed to meet them. Gusts of sinister wind, mixed with a thick, malevolent intent, blew over, making one involuntarily tremble.
Squinting his eyes, Ming Yu surveyed the top floor of the Tenshukaku—the place where Jizo Mitama was sealed.
The entire fourth floor was not large, only about half the size of a football field. Although it was called a "pavilion," it was decorated like a shrine. At the far end, where a shrine altar should have been, a sword was enshrined instead.
Or rather, according to legend, there was originally supposed to be a suit of armor there, one stained by vengeful spirits. But now, there was a sword filled with an endless, murderous aura.
Influenced by this aura, the room appeared very dark, and even the light had a gloomy, dark red hue, as if to complement the sword.
As an extremely eerie aura permeated the room, Theresa nervously hid behind Ming Yu, her blue eyes cautiously watching the sword enshrined at the far end, afraid that a vengeful spirit would suddenly pop out.
"Oh~ Is the Principal scared?" Ming Yu said with a smile, looking at the flustered Theresa, his tone teasing.
"N-No way!" Theresa retorted with a serious face, but the small hand tightly gripping the hem of Ming Yu's clothes was not convincing at all.
"How could the great Principal be scared!" Saying so, Theresa gave Ming Yu a firm push on his lower back, urging, "Hurry up, the thing we're looking for is right ahead!"
Smiling slightly, Ming Yu said no more. If he kept teasing her, the Principal would hold a grudge again. This forty-something-year-old kid was extremely petty.
Slowly, he walked toward the far end of the Tenshukaku, his shoes making a "shh, shh" sound as they rubbed against the wooden floorboards. The sound was light and muffled, but to Ming Yu's ears, it was more pleasant than any music. Now, there were no more Honkai Zombies to block his way.
Stopping in front of Jizo Mitama, Ming Yu carefully examined this weapon of extraordinary origin.
Fifty thousand years ago, the Herrscher of Corruption brought ruin to the Previous Era's industry and was eventually designed to be sealed in a Black Box by Dr. MEI, with the intention of turning it into the 12th Divine Key. However, the Herrscher's consciousness within the Black Box refused to submit, instead accumulating endless hatred over fifty thousand years.
But regardless, now, fifty thousand years later, this Divine Key had finally been successfully created.
Jizo Mitama was predominantly black, with red decorations at the end of the hilt and on the sheath near the guard. Perhaps the Herrscher of Corruption's resentment was too strong; even after being made into a Divine Key, that malevolent aura could not be completely concealed. Just being near it gave one an ominous feeling.
Looking at this black Divine Key, Ming Yu inexplicably felt a sense of disdain. Comparing it to other Divine Keys, he immediately felt that its aesthetic value was a major step down, dragging down the average score for Divine Key appearances.
Think of the First Divine Key. Although it was a golden box, it could simulate other forms, transforming into whatever it wanted.
The Sixth Divine Key, Abyss Flower, was exquisitely beautiful. The white lance was covered in carved patterns, all sorts of fancy details; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a work of art.
The Judgment of Shamash was wreathed in flames, giving it a high-class feel. Even in its dual-pistol form, it was quite extraordinary, and the black and red color scheme was also very nice.
Not to mention the Tenth Divine Key. Although its original golden form was a bit monotonous, after changing forms, it went down the road of being cool and never looked back—Grips of Taixu, Ruoshui, Wu Shuang, Chijueying, and so on. Its level of flashiness was arguably the highest among the Divine Keys.
With this thought, Ming Yu's opinion of Jizo Mitama dropped a few more notches.
Hiyokumaru looked at the black tachi before her, a trace of confusion in her eyes. She could feel the will attached to this weapon, a will that was a mixture of hatred, resentment, unwillingness, and various other negative emotions. It was pure evil!
Was I... this kind of existence originally?
Pressing her small lips together, the little fox looked worriedly at the boy beside her. Did he know about her past? After seeing this sword, what would he think? Would he regret bringing her here?
Looking at the sword exuding an ominous aura, Theresa's mind was also racing. She quickly connected the dots from their journey so far: the Herrscher, most of its power sealed, Hiyokumaru's attack that broke the boundary of reality and virtuality, an extraordinary weapon.
The result was obvious. This was a Divine Key!
And, it was a newly forged Divine Key!
At this thought, Theresa was shocked by her own conclusion. Although it was hard to believe, this was undoubtedly the truth. The black tachi before her was a Divine Key, a newly forged, unrecorded Divine Key.