flstandardbreds Chapter 104 The Divine Sakura (1)
Chapter 104 The Divine Sakura (1)
Kage watched Mei's departing figure silently, not even hearing Kujo Sara's cries that had been startled by the thunder.
At this moment, all she could think about was Mei's complicated look before she left. What kind of look was that?
Heartbroken? Disappointed? Or all of the above? Ying didn't know. She only knew that she might never be able to uphold her eternity as steadfastly as before.
Mei, who eventually reunited with Kiana and the others, recounted everything that had happened at Tenshukaku. Although it was a pity that she hadn't been able to persuade Kage to give up her current Eternal Path, it was enough to create a rift in her mind, and one day she would surely be able to change her mind.
Kiana had a premonition that day would come soon, but before that, they needed to leave Inazuma Castle as soon as possible, since the whole city was now filled with rumors about Mei and General Raiden.
Perhaps joining the resistance like Sora would be a good choice, but Mei's appearance is another problem, and Kiana is racking her brains for a solution.
"Perhaps, we can go to Narukami Shrine."
Fu Hua offered her opinion, and indeed, they were able to deduce that the Thunder God was a twin demon god thanks to Yae no Miko of Narukami Shrine. In any case, Yae no Miko also knew Mei's physical characteristics, and perhaps that was the safest place.
"So this is why you came here?"
Yae no Miko looked at the crowd before her with a strange smile on her lips. At this moment, Yae no Miko had dismissed all the priestesses and strictly forbade them from speaking of what she had seen today.
"Yes, after all, this is the only place that can accommodate us now."
"But I never expected that there would still be a trace of Masahiro's consciousness left in that knife. I'm afraid that if my friend knew that the person she was talking to in the castle tower was her beloved older sister, she would be heartbroken and cry and make a scene again."
As they spoke, Yae no Miko had transformed into a petite pink fox and lay in Mei's arms. Mei had also handed her body over to Makoto's control at some point. Makoto gently stroked Yae no Miko's body as he spoke.
"After all, I am just a remnant consciousness. I originally only planned to appear and say a final goodbye to Shadow after she truly understood my beliefs. Who knew that among these visitors from other worlds, there was one who looked very much like Shadow and me? More importantly, my consciousness could coexist within her body."
"In any case, it's only a matter of time before Ying comes to me after seeing you. In the meantime, why don't you do me a favor?"
"You silly child, you're not trying to slack off again, are you?"
Shin gently tapped Yae no Miko's head and said, "Tell me, what kind of favor is it?"
Yae no Miko covered the spot where she had been hit and looked at Shin with a wronged expression before saying, "It's nothing, it's just that the Great Purification of the Divine Cherry Blossoms hasn't been held for a long time, and the filth accumulated in the Thunder Cherry Blossom Tree is already enough. If it's not cleaned up soon, it will endanger Inazuma."
"The Great Purification of the Divine Cherry Blossom?" Shin looked at Yae no Miko in his arms with a puzzled expression, then seemed to remember something and said, "You mean the ritual needed to purify the Thunder Cherry Blossom Tree, right? You've been following Fox Palace for so many years and haven't learned anything, but you've mastered her laziness!"
"So what is the Divine Cherry Blossom Great Exorcism?" Kiana asked.
He sighed, put the Eightfold Divine Child down from his arms, and got up to walk towards the door.
"Come with me, I'll explain everything to you on the way."
On the way, Shin began to explain the so-called Divine Sakura Great Exorcism. According to Shin's original plan, after Kage fully matured, her consciousness would emerge from the heart of Dream One, guiding Kage to plant a seed in her consciousness space. Then, with the help of a certain being in the heavens, that seed would take root and sprout in Inazuma's past, eventually growing into a great tree called Divine Sakura.
That is the special tree that everyone saw at Narukami Taisha. The Rai-oakura tree will protect Inazuma and Kage in place of the true one. All the filth that happens in Inazuma will be absorbed by the roots of the Rai-oakura tree and then gathered at the roots of the Rai-oakura tree through the flow of the earth's veins.
However, the Thunder Cherry Tree only has the ability to absorb filth, not the power to purify it. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a purification ritual on the Thunder Cherry Tree regularly, and the name of this ritual is the Divine Cherry Blossom Great Purification.
The specific procedure involves going to the largest root systems of the Thunder Cherry Tree within the earth's veins to purify the accumulated impurities there. Finally, returning to the foot of Shadow Mountain and going to the base of the Thunder Cherry Tree to purify the remaining impurities, thus completing the Divine Cherry Blossom Purification.
Their first stop is a village called Konta Village, located not far from the foot of Mount Kageyo, where they will find the talisman needed for their ritual.
Upon arriving at Konta Village, Makoto led Kiana and the others directly to a fox statue. At the same time, Kiana and the others discovered that a shrine maiden wearing a fox mask was standing in front of the statue.
The shrine maiden was taken aback when she saw the real person, and then asked, "Are you from Narukami Taisha, here to help with the sacred cherry blossom purification ritual?"
Shin looked at the black-haired shrine maiden before him and remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Yes, we are the ones who have come to perform the Divine Cherry Blossom Great Purification."
"I see. Then please demonstrate your power as divine messengers to this statue. Only then will the instruments needed for the Divine Cherry Blossom Great Exorcism appear."
Without saying a word, Zhen stepped forward and unleashed a bolt of lightning at the statue. Then, lines lit up on the statue, and a somewhat dilapidated talisman appeared below it.
"It seems you are indeed divine messengers. I am Hana Sanri. I will now lead you to the ritual site for the Great Purification of the Divine Cherry Blossom. First, please proceed to the well in Konta Village. We will meet again there."
After saying that, Hana Sanri disappeared from everyone's sight. Kiana and the others looked at Makoto, hoping to get a real explanation from her.
"Hanasanari... Five hundred years have passed, I never imagined you would have passed away too!"
After calming herself down, Zhen began to explain to everyone: "Although she said her name was Hana Sanri, her true identity is the embodiment of the filth we need to remove, but this embodiment of filth is somewhat special."
"special?"
"I think her identity might be that of my former familiar, the filthy incarnation of the memories of Fox Palace. I just never expected that this filth, which has always only had the desire to destroy, would want to purify itself after obtaining her memories. What a cruel twist of fate!"
"Fox Abode Palace, does that mean she might have already figured out your identity?"
"She is very clever and knows what to say and what not to say. Since she calls herself Hana-sanori, let's call her Hana-sanori! Alright, we should set off now."
After saying that, he walked in the direction Hana Sanri had indicated, and Kiana and the others followed.
Before long, the group arrived at the well in Konta Village. Unexpectedly, there was a hidden world beneath the dry well. Guided by the ritual objects, the group finally arrived at the location of the ritual, where Hana Sanri had been waiting for a long time.