Hearing Ming Yu's nonchalant tone, Theresa frowned and scolded, "You should care about your own life a little more! Don't treat your life so carelessly, there are people outside waiting for you to come back!"
Seeing the boy fight so desperately, although the enemy's strength was certainly a factor, it still reminded Theresa of a certain red-headed bombshell, and she couldn't help but sigh internally.
"Oh~" Ming Yu responded softly, his expression unchanging, but he still felt a warmth in his heart.
The dust gradually settled, and Ming Yu's body had recovered slightly. He took Theresa's outstretched hand and stood up, then went to check on Jizo Mitama's condition.
Seeing the boy's calm expression, Theresa didn't know if her words had gotten through, but she didn't say anything more. After all, their relationship was...
The visibility in the Tenshukaku gradually improved, and Ming Yu could already see Jizo Mitama from a distance.
Its crimson armor had been cut in two at the chest. The purple flames within the scattered upper half of the armor were completely extinguished, leaving only some metal parts. The remaining lower half only had some flames burning where the Divine Key's body was.
Although the blade aura Ming Yu had unleashed was not as powerful as Jizo Mitama's, the sword will imbued within it had allowed it to break through Jizo Mitama's attack and even shatter its crimson armor.
Thinking about that last strike, Ming Yu still couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.
If this wasn't Yae Sakura's Stigmata Space, if Sakura of the Far Shore wasn't formed from Yae Sakura, if Jizo Mitama hadn't been unable to properly control its own power... If it weren't for all these 'ifs', the outcome of the battle would have been completely different.
Even with Sakura of the Far Shore and Sakura Fubuki, Ming Yu was still a considerable distance away from an Emperor-class Honkai Beast. As for that final strike, the Honkai Energy he had accumulated at the end played a huge role. But if this were outside the Stigmata Space, Ming Yu would never have been able to gather such a large amount of Honkai Energy.
Slowly walking over to Jizo Mitama, Ming Yu took a deep breath, reached out his right hand, and placed it on the Divine Key, forcefully pulling it out from the crimson armor.
Purple flames climbed up the blade, as if still trying to struggle, but it was ultimately a spent force. With just a slight exertion of force, Ming Yu completely pulled the black tachi from the crimson armor.
Theresa watched quietly without interfering. This was what Ming Yu deserved. As the person in charge of the Far East Branch, she wouldn't lack this much magnanimity. If she wanted to retrieve the Divine Key, they could negotiate later; there was no need to rush.
As the Divine Key was pulled out, the remaining crimson armor dissipated into red motes of light and vanished into nothingness. And as these motes of light scattered, a humanoid creature with four fox tails appeared in the air. The moment it appeared, it was grabbed by Ming Yu.
Blinking its still somewhat dazed large eyes and looking at the surrounding ruined Tenshukaku and the numerous wounds on Ming Yu's body, Hiyokumaru also remembered what had happened before. With a hint of tears in its eyes, it said, "Big Bro Yu, I... I did something very bad just now~"
"You did," Ming Yu didn't deny it, a smile playing on his lips. "But, that's all in the past, and it wasn't your intention. Anyway, welcome back!"
Stroking the little fox's head, Ming Yu continued, "That's all over now, it has nothing to do with you. All you need to do is live happily as Hiyokumaru."
After this fusion with the Divine Key, Hiyokumaru had completely lost everything it had as a Herrscher. Its status in this space was not much better than that of Yae Rin. If not for the special nature of the Stigmata Space, it would have already dissipated by now.
And after all this, the Divine Key could be considered finally complete, becoming the veritable 12th Divine Key—Jizo Mitama!
Hiyokumaru nodded, a brilliant smile on its face, its eyes crinkling into two crescent moons.
Looking at the black tachi in his hand, Ming Yu smiled with relief. After all this trouble, I finally have you.
This time, Jizo Mitama no longer struggled, lying quietly in Ming Yu's palm. The red metal scabbard gleamed with a cold light, yet it felt warm to the touch.
Ming Yu swung the sheathed tachi, and the ruined Tenshukaku instantly transformed into a field of green grass. Next to the three of them stood a tall cherry blossom tree, its light red petals drifting slowly with the gentle breeze.
Holding the Divine Key Jizo Mitama and empowered by Sakura of the Far Shore, Ming Yu was equivalent to having the highest authority in this Stigmata Space. Here, he was no less than a god.
Ming Yu even took the liberty of refreshing his own appearance. Although it did nothing for his body's weakness, it made him look much more spirited.
"Next up is Yae Sakura's matter..." Ming Yu murmured, closing his eyes and holding Jizo Mitama level with his chest. He focused his entire mind on stimulating the resonance between the Divine Key and Sakura of the Far Shore, striving to project the power within Sakura of the Far Shore.
Theresa watched this scene intently. Schicksal's research on native Stigmata was also limited. Although Ming Yu's actions had little reference value, it was still precious data.
Jizo Mitama glowed with a faint red light, and Sakura of the Far Shore flickered with the same frequency. Gradually, the three magatama of Sakura of the Far Shore began to break away from Ming Yu's forehead as red motes of light, coalescing into a human-shaped phantom on the grass in front of them.
As the last red mote entered the phantom, the pink-haired shrine maiden appeared once again in this Stigmata Space.
With a thought, Ming Yu opened his eyes and met that joyful gaze. He slowly said, "Long time no see, Sakura."
Yae Sakura's smile was like a blooming flower. She looked around, then affectionately patted the little fox's head. Finally, she turned her gaze back to the boy before her. Her blue eyes were filled with relief and joy, and her calm tone carried a hint of excitement, "Long time no see. And, you really did it!"
Although it was initially out of gratitude, entrusting everything to Ming Yu was still a bit of a risk for her, tantamount to a gamble. Even though she believed Ming Yu could do it, when he faced powerful enemies, Yae Sakura, within Sakura of the Far Shore, was still very worried.
Having become Sakura of the Far Shore, Yae Sakura could only vaguely perceive the outside world. But she knew what powerful enemies Ming Yu was facing at the time, and she knew how difficult it was to achieve all this.
Even if Yae Sakura were to do it herself, she wouldn't have been completely confident. But Ming Yu had done it!
This boy, who seemed so young and naive in her eyes, had, with only a little help from her, cut down one powerful enemy after another, completing this difficult task. Even when he was on the brink of life and death several times, he never gave up, stubbornly walking to the very end.
"It's all thanks to your help, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to make it this far," Ming Yu said with a smile. To be honest, both Sakura of the Far Shore and Sakura Fubuki had been a great help to Ming Yu. If he had relied solely on his own strength, he might not have even made it past the second floor.
"Next, I'll leave it to you." With that, Ming Yu handed the two tachi to Yae Sakura. Summoning Kallen was a matter that would be more ceremonial if left to Yae Sakura. He wasn't foolish enough to take on this task as well.
"Mmm~" Yae Sakura didn't refuse. She took the two tachi, tied Sakura Fubuki back to her waist, and at the same time, took off the cross necklace from her neck, stimulating the resonance between the cross and Jizo Mitama.
Perhaps because she had once been a Pseudo-Herrscher who shared a core with Higokumaru, coupled with having personally experienced Ming Yu using this Divine Key, this operation was not difficult for her. Soon, the cross transformed into specks of golden light, coalescing into two human figures.
The moment the white-haired nun with a French braid appeared, she immediately knelt on one knee before Yae Sakura, took one of Yae Sakura's delicate hands, and while gently kissing it, asked affectionately, "I have come in response to your summons. I ask of you, are you my Master?"
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Translator's Note:
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