Chapter 260: Spirituality Evolution, Dual Cultivation With Master! Bet With Memory Orbs, Restart, Speedrun Karuta Factory!
After the sound of the blade’s hum and the faint glow gradually faded, the surface of Kaga Kiyomitsu’s blade, which seemed unchanged, was revealed.
But Shangshan Che knew that the change in spirituality was deeper within, not merely on the surface.
“Little Jia, how do you feel?”
He asked softly, while looking toward Kaga Kiyomitsu’s panel.
Although the effect name had not changed, the characters had shifted from their original subdued silver to a brilliant golden glow 【Spirit】!
This change made all the other effect names above and below seem dull and lackluster.
【Effect Seven: Spirit → Spirit!
Amid the ups and downs of the mortal world for a hundred days, one beholds their true spirit.
Mundane affairs, witnessing history, slaying demons and exorcising evil… for the current Kaga Kiyomitsu, these are all indispensable components. 】
“How do I feel… Little Jia feels great, Master! Better than ever before!”
The blade trembled lightly, and a doll-like voice with a slight Kansai accent exploded in the air, drawing surprised glances from Lili Zi and Yagyu Oshi, who were still in the dojo on the first floor.
Unlike the previous “Sword Principle communication,” Kaga Kiyomitsu was now truly “speaking” out loud.
A sword that could actually talk!
And how exactly could this sword open its mouth to speak like a human?
Perceiving the puzzled gazes directed at itself, Kaga Kiyomitsu explained smugly: “If Little Jia wants to speak, it just needs to vibrate the air simply!”
This made Shangshan Che’s eyebrows twitch, and he couldn’t help but want to ask where the “simple” part was.
Kaga Kiyomitsu had no vocal cords or sound-producing organs—producing clear, fluent sounds out of thin air was far more difficult than just one-and-a-half stars.
You know, many people speak unclearly after getting stabbed in the throat, due to damage to their vocal cords.
If Kaga Kiyomitsu could truly speak fluently, the difficulty would be at least ten times that.
“An exquisite technique.” Lili Zi nodded seriously and clapped her hands.
Praised by Lili Zi, the Sword Master Great Demon King, Kaga Kiyomitsu was naturally overjoyed, flying around in the air above the dojo.
It even swish-swish-swish sliced off several of Shangshan Che’s hairs to demonstrate its precise mastery.
“Alright, Little Jia, stop fooling around.” Shangshan Che grabbed the hilt and asked it again, “Besides being able to talk, tell me about the other changes too—no need to hide them.”
After all, this effect’s description was like a summarizing riddle from a cryptic person, all about high B-grade flair.
Caught by its master and questioned, Kaga Kiyomitsu naturally answered without any temper,
“I feel like I think faster now. Before, I had to pause and think every time before speaking, but now I don’t need to.
I should even be able to try some simple cultivation methods!”
After saying this, Kaga Kiyomitsu slipped smoothly from Shangshan Che’s palm, spun in a circle, and giggled: “Also, Master, I’ve learned quite a few of your sword techniques.
Though I still can’t do that inexplicable Darkness Sword, I can do Three-stage Thrust, various stances, and some moves whose names I can’t say!”
Tamamo, who had just come downstairs after hearing the child’s voice from below and wanting to investigate, happened to hear this.
She stared blankly at Kaga Kiyomitsu steadily practicing some simple sword techniques in the air, revealing a thoughtful and puzzled expression.
Because even she couldn’t practice those basic sword techniques so steadily in one go.
—Your meaning is that my swordsmanship, after practicing for over half a year, has been surpassed by a sword?
No wonder the Apprentice Master said I have no talent.
Tamamo sighed quietly and turned to go upstairs.
Whatever, better to go watch my late-night new episode.
Shangshan Che retracted his puzzled gaze and satisfactorily examined Kaga Kiyomitsu—Little Jia’s moves bore his shadow, and the blade path was perfectly straight, without the slightest error.
In the future, using it to perform Darkness Sword more often, then after winning the Spider Cutter from the seed battle, wouldn’t he instantly make his opponent eat two identical Darkness Swords?
That would double the damage directly.
However… Little Jia now seemed even more vibrant, probably wouldn’t want to stay in the Storage Bag anymore.
Simply put, this time Little Jia’s spirituality evolution made it smarter in all aspects, with greater potential, and it would be much easier to have it handle things in the future.
Shangshan Che glanced again at 【Effect Seven: Spirit】’s next evolution, discovering it only needed 2500 Soul Spirit Points.
The Soul Spirit Points requirement had only increased by 500 points, which was surprisingly low.
“Then Little Jia, play by yourself for a bit. I need to cultivate with Lili Zi.”
Shangshan Che casually said this to Kaga Kiyomitsu, which was being wielded like by an Expert, then cleared all the proficiency prompts generated earlier from “discussing the Way.”
【Your skill, Natural Reason School proficiency +63!】
【Your skill, Corona Breathing Technique proficiency +34!】
【Your skill, Spirit Control Technique · Qi proficiency +28!】
【Your skill, Five Thunder Technique · Qi Union proficiency +99!】
—Next was the “Dan Embracing Cultivation” performed every evening in the recent period.
Shangshan Che hadn’t even spoken yet, merely shifting his gaze slightly, when Lili Zi, standing not far away, understood and walked over, sitting behind him.
“Should I take off my clothes?” he asked.
Lili Zi shook her head: “We figured it out last night, so no need.”
In the dojo corner, Yagyu Oshi, who was holding his sword in a motionless stance, flashed a look of astonishment at the first sentence.
Then he immediately turned away silently, consciously sealing his hearing with Qi Barrier.
Lili Zi extended both hands just like yesterday, interlacing her ten fingers and forcefully embracing Shangshan Che’s chest. After closing her eyes, she slowly injected her inner force into him.
Shangshan Che, like yesterday, calmed his mind and excluded the outside world from his perception.
The hot inner force flowed, guided, intertwined, and circulated through the complete cycle…
Floating in mid-air, Kaga Kiyomitsu naturally noticed the Great Demon King hugging its master—it wasn’t blind.
But the Great Demon King and Master seemed to be cultivating…
It floated closer, peering carefully to sense the essence from the thread-like qi changes, then join in to cultivate with its master.
Kaga Kiyomitsu understood the meaning of cultivating together.
—This was called Dual Cultivation!
The Great Demon King was currently Dual Cultivating with its master, so Little Jia wanted to Dual Cultivate with its master too!
No reason the Great Demon King could do something with the master that it couldn’t!
With this mindset, Kaga Kiyomitsu lightly landed on Shangshan Che’s crossed legs, slowly “sinking” all of itself into Shangshan Che’s body.
Just like fusing as one with Shangshan Che, indistinguishable.
Shangshan Che, who was sensing the inner force changes, was startled and suddenly discovered an extra layer of “accelerator” outside his body.
That’s right, accelerator—in Shangshan Che’s perception, all qi passing through his body could flow into it, then return to his body at faster speed.
The benefit of this was further improving the efficiency of cultivating all qi-related techniques.
Though puzzled by this inexplicable phenomenon, midway through cultivation Shangshan Che didn’t get distracted, instead naturally treating this accelerator as part of his body.
Over half an hour later, Shangshan Che used his back to catch the slumping Lili Zi behind him, exhaled deeply, and looked at the prompt that popped up.
【Dan Embracing: 2.5/100】
【Your skill, Corona Breathing Technique proficiency +72!】
【Your skill, Spirit Control Technique · Qi proficiency +19!】
Hmm?
The Dan Embracing progress jumping 1.5% at once was one thing, but why did the Breathing Technique proficiency suddenly surge over seventy points?
Shangshan Che’s intuition told him this bizarre efficiency was absolutely related to the “accelerator” that mysteriously appeared earlier.
So what was this accelerator…
Buzz.
He looked down and felt Kaga Kiyomitsu vibrating on his legs.
At the same time, he felt the vibration of that accelerator outside his body.
“Little Jia?” Shangshan Che tapped the clear blade, somewhat in disbelief, “How did you manage this…”
“Hehe.”
Kaga Kiyomitsu rubbed its hilt against his palm, smugly saying: “How is it, Master? How does Dual Cultivating with me feel?”
Shangshan Che: ???
Since this was spoken directly, the Lili Zi behind him curiously peeked out: “What Dual Cultivation?”
Shangshan Che coughed twice, explained the relation between the accelerator earlier and Kaga Kiyomitsu, and added that it was just child’s talk.
“I don’t mind this sort of thing.” The girl shrugged indifferently, “But Kaga Kiyomitsu is impressive, even able to do this.”
Indeed, at this so-called “Dual Cultivation” efficiency, Shangshan Che felt that progress in the Muscle Refining stage would soon match the previous Skin Tempering and Bone Forging.
That way, he might even finish the major Muscle Refining stage before the seed battle elimination tournament began, and formally start on one of the Four Great Ultimate Forms, 【Palace of Flesh】.
Shangshan Che looked down at the jubilant Kaga Kiyomitsu on his lap.
Little Jia, you’ve really brought me a surprise.
……
After completing a full day of high-intensity cultivation, it was time for a refreshing cold shower.
This wouldn’t be an issue normally, but tonight Kaga Kiyomitsu’s spirituality had been enhanced.
“—Master, I want to wash together too!”
The moment the crisp doll voice sounded, Shangshan Che felt the odd gaze from Tamamo on the sofa.
Bringing a sword, especially the young Kaga Kiyomitsu, to wash together probably wasn’t appropriate.
Shangshan Che tapped the hilt: “Wait until I’m done washing you—it’s just a few minutes.”
“Oh.”
Kaga Kiyomitsu was surprisingly obedient, but as Shangshan Che turned to head to the third-floor bathroom, it strangely asked,
“By the way, Master and the Great Demon King are so close you can Dual Cultivate, so why not wash with her? Didn’t you previously wash together with that big-chested girl…”
This made Shangshan Che’s face change drastically; without a word, he grabbed the unfinished Kaga Kiyomitsu and stuffed it into the Storage Bag.
—If it said the four words “Imagawa Yoshimoto,” that would be disastrous!?
Fortunately, Lili Zi had gone downstairs to the first floor to soak in the bath.
Shangshan Che stopped Kaga Kiyomitsu, who had grown unrestrained with Heartstring Communication, from spouting wild theories, then turned his head.
He looked toward Tamamo, who was staring straight ahead at the TV.
She might seem “focused,” but Shangshan Che knew this girl had heard everything clearly.
“Elder Brother Shangshan, don’t worry!”
After being stared at for three seconds, Tamamo seriously saluted him,
“I absolutely won’t snitch to Miss Tokugawa, and I absolutely don’t know that you’ve Dual Cultivated with Miss Tokugawa, or bathed together with some definitely very pretty big-chested girl, two-timing!”
Classically, she “didn’t know” more than she knew.
Shangshan Che was momentarily at a loss for how to refute.
He could only say “Alright then” and thank her.
—Because of this little interlude, Shangshan Che roughly washed up, changed clothes, and returned to his room, then took Kaga Kiyomitsu out from the bag.
It spoke in confusion,
“Why did you suddenly stuff me in, Master? Also, my previous memories aren’t great, and I don’t like that black-haired big-chested girl… so bossy, I can’t remember her name.”
Kaga Kiyomitsu huffed: “If I have to say who I like, I’m more fond of the Great Demon King and…”
In the subtle pause of Kaga Kiyomitsu, Shangshan Che slapped it down just in time,
“What does a sword like you know.”
Shangshan Che shook his head, knowing this was purely Little Jia’s innocent remark, so he could only educate it: “In the future, when saying similar things, remember to use Heartstring Communication with me.”
“Got it, Master~”
Kaga Kiyomitsu didn’t understand but knew what was right.
Putting it back in the bag with its scabbard, Shangshan Che lay down on the bed and closed his eyes.
—Respawn point, the shrine in Karuta No. III Factory!
Quiet water pressure flowed past.
Shangshan Che opened his eyes and saw the same massive black cube standing before him as last time.
Looking around, it was still desolate, completely unchanged.
He took out Kaga Kiyomitsu and wore it at his waist, warning via Heartstring Communication: “In front of outsiders, remember to only use Heartstring Communication.”
“Little Jia obeys!”
After entering the factory through the small door, a prompt popped up before Shangshan Che after just a couple steps.
【Great Blacksmith Sequence · Type II Remains】
Not only that, the white Memory Orb he had absorbed last time was still floating above this Great Blacksmith remains.
【You discovered, “Shattered Great Blacksmith Sequence Type II’s Memory Orb.”】
“The factory interior has reset, huh.”
Shangshan Che guessed—but this guess would be verified once he touched the orb again.
He didn’t proceed into the sticky darkness filled with dangerous aura, instead reaching out to touch the white orb.
Splash.
The exact same scene from last time flowed through Shangshan Che’s mind, unskippable like a game’s cutscene CG.
“Care to play a round, sir?”
Before him, the familiar Fox-faced Woman was smiling and beckoning to Shangshan Che.
He turned his head and found everything around the same as last time he entered.
Even the passersby he had seen and their walking paths were identical.
As expected, reading that Memory Orb was the “key” to triggering this Edo Period scene.
So next…
“Play a round—what exactly do you mean?”
Shangshan Che arrived at the 【Hanafuda Market】 entrance, showing interest toward the Fox-faced Woman.
Only now did he notice the mask she wore covered only the upper half of her face; to see her appearance, he could just use Qi Barrier to lift the mask.
But for now, better wait—doing something so outrageous might still end this exploration prematurely.
“Karuta.” The Fox-faced Woman didn’t repeat, but replied with a coquettish laugh, “Sir, our Hanafuda Market has produced more than one Number One Under Heaven, you know.”
“And right now is during the 【Number One Karuta Tournament Under Heaven】 match period—top three all have big prizes, and chip exchanges are double!”
The Fox-faced Woman promoted, then grabbed Shangshan Che’s wrist to lead him into the bustling Hanafuda Market,
“As for the rules, sir, come in and watch a bit and you’ll get it.”
Shangshan Che didn’t resist, knowing this was the event cutscene trigger.
He mentally sorted the earlier information:
First, this “opportunely” happening tournament’s top three had big prizes, so taking first place would likely yield one of the map’s Super Epic Items.
Second, the matches here weren’t about fighting and killing, but simply playing Karuta—participants had to quickly find hand cards printed with the matching second line of short poems after the reader “recites” the first line.
The one who grabs fastest and most cards wins.
However, this was the “competitive Karuta” originating from the Meiji Period, focused on memory and reaction—unclear what the Edo Period version was like…
Shangshan Che’s thoughts suddenly halted here.
He realized the rules didn’t actually matter.
For him, entering the factory reset everything each time, and all characters’ action logic wouldn’t change—so snagging first in this tournament wasn’t effortless?
Shangshan Che immediately asked the Fox-faced Woman about the format and learned it was a single-elimination tournament—winning just seven or eight rounds would secure first.
Even with trash skills, wouldn’t he speedrun this 【Number One Karuta Tournament Under Heaven】 in at most a week?
Thus, Shangshan Che withdrew his gaze from the attendants wearing various animal masks around him and asked, without even checking the rules,
“What do I need to do to enter this Number One Karuta Tournament Under Heaven?”
The Fox-faced Woman seemed accustomed to such people and answered deftly: “Normally, just put up chips of value equal to what your opponent deems matching their stake.”
“Stake?” Shangshan Che pressed, “Stake what?”
If it was Soul Ash, that might hurt a bit…
“Please look, sir.”
The Fox-faced Woman led him to the front of a packed venue, pointing at the lopsided Scale and laughing: “This is it.”
Shangshan Che looked closely and saw two Memory Orbs prominently on the two ends of the Scale!
One deep blue, the other a shiny purple!
【Astronomy Path Nameless Onmyoji’s Memory Orb】.
【Sword Master · Tokugawa Yugoro’s Memory Orb】!
Still 5k today, begging for monthly votes!
