Chapter 306: 【demon Incarnation Hundred-eyed Demon】! Hero Vs. Demon King, Half-step Ghost God Minamoto Shizuka!
A moment later, the Sword Intent belonging to Gen Shinsui dissipated.
Only in the cracks of the arena steps, a wreckage resembling a TV remote control was left behind.
The Sword Intent came quickly and left just as fast.
So fast that almost everyone present couldn’t figure out what had happened.
—What this wisp of Sword Intent did was simply to stand in for Gen Shinsui, who was far away in the sky and might not make it in time, to come here and shout a silent word of encouragement.
That was all.
But Hotarumaru, who had already been silently devouring Minamoto Shizuka, found that it could no longer swallow anything.
The disintegration of Minamoto Shizuka’s soul, which should have gradually turned into nothingness, stopped.
Then, Hotarumaru could clearly feel “Minamoto Shizuka’s” will begin to grow wildly again, recombining at a speed countless times faster than before.
Once again, charging toward the Sea of Tribulation.
Hotarumaru, forced to spit out that indigestible part of Minamoto Shizuka’s soul unwillingly, couldn’t understand it.
A soul and will that had already shattered could actually recover and heal again, even launching another impact toward Ghost God?
That greatest “tribulation,” the one that destroyed Minamoto Shizuka, just vanished without a trace like that.
In a thousand years, this was the first time.
—Could it be just because of that Sword Intent which landed outside the barrier, extinguished in an instant, helped with nothing, and accomplished nothing?
Impossible, absolutely impossible.
—What was Minamoto Shizuka’s greatest “tribulation”?
Perhaps she herself didn’t know, or perhaps she knew but absolutely refused to admit it.
Actually, the answer couldn’t be simpler—
It was that one and only “encouragement” from Gen Shinsui when she was a child, the one and only “keep going.”
It was the only ray of light that illuminated her “irrelevant” life when everyone else had their eyes on Gen Shinsui.
So, everything Minamoto Shizuka did afterward, all the hardships she endured, all the efforts she put in, all the pain she suffered.
All of it was to gain her elder sister’s recognition.
To gain Gen Shinsui’s encouragement.
And now, she heard it.
“This works too?!”
Shangshan Che was dumbfounded.
Minamoto Shizuka’s willpower and vitality were too tenacious; even with one foot in the Yellow Springs, she could pull herself back.
He glanced at the scrapped remote control panel by the arena, suddenly not knowing what to say.
What a move, Flying Immortal Beyond the Heavens!
Little sister, you’re cheating too!
He had originally wanted to respect her final moments, but this unexpected development caught everyone off guard.
At a critical moment, just because a family member shouts “keep going,” it stops predetermined death and allows a breakthrough—what kind of classic hot-blooded manga protagonist is this…
Fine.
If Minamoto Shizuka was the hot-blooded righteous hero who could break through her small universe and save the world, then only he, Shangshan Che, could be the Demon King to shatter her dreams.
Because reality is not a story.
Heroes charging forward shouting about bonds, hot blood, and ethereal things like will would only be defeated by the Demon King who had prepared a hundred contingency plans and backups.
The Demon King had no reason to lose.
Nor was it possible to lose.
Sensing Minamoto Shizuka’s aura climbing layer by layer, the well-prepared Shangshan Che opened the Edo Castle Gacha Pool.
In an instant, the Hundred-Eyed Demon loli in the Gacha Pool sensed his gaze.
Her scarlet eyes like red agate lifted, as if sensing something.
Thus, the Hundred-Eyed Demon smiled.
A faint smile, yet captivating.
【I am here】
“Good thing you’re here.”
Shangshan Che smiled back at her, without any hesitation clicking “Summon Ten Times.”
The final ten-pull gacha in the Edo Castle Gacha Pool, activate for me!
Accompanied by the consumption of 1,500 Soul Ash, the translucent Edo Castle began to vibrate slightly.
But the next instant, the Hundred-Eyed Demon loli raised her hand.
All the complicated, time-wasting gacha animations were thus halted, and she herself quickly floated up under Shangshan Che’s relieved gaze.
As the Hundred-Eyed Demon flew toward the black sky, nine beams of light from the pile of treasures floated behind her.
Among the nine beams of light, most were shades of purple varying in depth, with the worst being a very deep blue.
Holy crap!
Under the Red Hannya Mask, Shangshan Che’s expression couldn’t help but change drastically.
Bro, it can be like this too?!
This is a real good brother… not only packaging herself up and sending over, but even bringing a huge dowry far exceeding the “bride price” value!
What kind of sci-fi movie is this!
The Hundred-Eyed Demon and the nine beams of light behind her vanished into the deep space in the blink of an eye.
After the Hundred-Eyed Demon disappeared, the originally “lively” Edo Castle began to collapse, and the White Bone piles and throne she had casually built all started to shake.
Everything began to fall downward, sinking into extremely viscous Darkness.
Clearly the ground and sky were both the same black, but this underground darkness gave Shangshan Che a chilling sensation like needles on his back, just from gazing at it from an unknown distance.
Edo Castle…
A contemplative look floated in Shangshan Che’s eyes, but he quickly put it aside.
That’s not the focus right now.
Shangshan Che looked up.
Then, the prompts popping up before his eyes surged in like an overwhelming tsunami.
But he first skipped all the irrelevant follow-up prompts, putting them in the to-do list.
Minamoto Shizuka, about to break through to Ghost God, was still right in front of him—there was no time to look at these extra prompts!
【You obtained a new Demon Incarnation·Hundred-Eyed Demon!!!】
【…】
The Hundred-Eyed Demon Incarnation Card, visible only to him, had materialized and fallen into Shangshan Che’s Sea of Qi.
The pitch-black card floated in mid-air, with blood-red agate embellishments like silk threads wrapping around the card face, encasing the unclothed Hundred-Eyed Demon lying within the card.
As Shangshan Che’s gaze fell, the attributes of the Hundred-Eyed Demon Incarnation immediately unfolded clearly.
【Demon Incarnation·Hundred-Eyed Demon】
【Physique: +10】
【Willpower: +85】
【Charm: +15】
【Spiritual Arts: +10】
【Quality: Epic+】
【Rank: Three-and-a-half Star】
【Rank Cap: Four-and-a-half Star】
【Talent: Hundred Eyes for You, All-Seeing Eye, Telekinetic Eye, Evil Eye, True Sight Eye】
This time, the attribute boosts from incarnating as Hundred-Eyed Demon were clearly listed…
The attribute panel was very concise, directly indicating that Hundred-Eyed Demon was a Demon Incarnation focused on Willpower Attribute.
Moreover, it came out as Three-and-a-half Star right away!
Directly surpassing the Three-Star Red Hannya and the soon-to-be Three-Star Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation.
Overtaking from behind!
To this, Shangshan Che could only say one thing—
As expected of you!
It wasn’t wasted feeding her the mountain of eyeballs!
Next were the five talents of Hundred-Eyed Demon.
Shangshan Che originally wanted to scan them for a rough idea, but his gaze stopped at the first talent.
【Hundred Eyes for You: Due to “Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Gift,” when you incarnate as Hundred-Eyed Demon, you won’t need to find eyeballs; you will directly obtain 100 “Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes.”
When you choose to incarnate as other Demon Incarnations, you can similarly stack Demon Incarnation·Hundred-Eyed Demon, fully gaining all talents, but attribute boosts reduced by 50%.】
【—You give Hundred Eyes, Hundred Eyes give back to you.】
It was the first time he saw an introduction on a talent.
And the instant he saw this talent, Shangshan Che felt as if someone had gently and tenderly hugged him from behind.
He didn’t turn around.
Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Gift… Hundred Eyes for You…
Shangshan Che’s thoughts flashed with that eternally bored little face, and her resolute expression shown just an instant ago.
—This gift, I absolutely won’t waste.
【All-Seeing Eye: Your dynamic vision, sight precision greatly enhanced, spiritual vision greatly enhanced, sight range expanded to a 100-meter diameter space centered on yourself.
At the same time, you can autonomously control 0-100 “Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes” to open.
The more eye pupils opened, the greater the enhancement to dynamic vision, sight precision, spiritual vision, and sight coverage range.】
【Note 1: The higher your “Willpower” and “State of Mind,” the stronger your capacity to bear “Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes.”】
【Note 2: The more Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes opened, the greater the load on the eye pupils. No load below 30 eye pupils opened simultaneously, high load above 80 eye pupils opened.】
【Note 3: Eye of Interpretation effect greatly enhanced.】
【Note 4: Consuming qualifying Demon eye pupils can enhance the strength of Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes.】
【Telekinetic Eye: Generates telekinetic force at one-tenth the strength of current “Willpower” attribute, and telekinetic force strength greatly enhanced within the range covered by “All-Seeing Eye.”】
【Note: Using this talent will bring load to “Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes.”】
【Evil Eye: When using “Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes” to continuously stare at a target, the target will be affected by curse. The longer the total “staring time” of Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes, the stronger the curse intensity that erupts.】
【Note: Can autonomously toggle this talent on/off.】
【True Sight Eye: Compared to before, you seem able to see some different “things.”】
All-Seeing Eye collects and masters information.
Practically seeing through the world, full map hack.
Telekinetic Eye can exert the effect of mastering information at a few percent to thousands of percent efficiency based on the user’s thoughts.
Evil Eye fills in Shangshan Che’s complete ignorance of curses.
No need to start from beginner stages with complex learning, nor to cast spells ultra-carefully fearing terrifying existences or backlash.
No need to master Onmyōdō Path, Astronomy Path, or even knowledge related to Calendar Path…
Curse?
Very simple.
—Just open Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes and “stare” at others.
One, ten, or even hundreds and thousands can curse simultaneously!
Isn’t this thousands of times stronger than sticking pins in dolls, drawing talismans, or jumping Great God rituals?
True Sight Eye… due to its enigmatic description, its depth is unclear for now.
Probably some auxiliary talent?
Anyway, not very useful right now.
In the terrifying operational speed of thoughts under Overlimit State, Shangshan Che instantly understood the core of Hundred-Eyed Demon Incarnation and how to use it.
Simply put, with “Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes” as the core, paired with terrifying information collection ability, near-omnipotent telekinetic force, and highly concealed, aggressive curses.
What supports Hundred-Eyed Demon Incarnation’s combat power: first, Willpower Attribute and State of Mind.
Conveniently, his own Willpower Attribute is decent.
State of Mind not yet at Clear Sword Heart stage, but tempered by Myriad Branches, it’s among the top-tier under Sword Heart.
Second, Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes.
—All talents of Hundred-Eyed Demon Incarnation fundamentally rely on “Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes.”
Otherwise, even high attributes can’t cook without rice.
Shangshan Che’s gaze dropped, fixating on the one sentence in the incarnation description.
【—I am here, I have always been here.】
Hundred Eyes’ gift.
Finally, Shangshan Che casually calculated his attribute panel if stacking Hundred-Eyed Demon Incarnation.
【Shangshan Che（Four-Tailed Fox Incarnation+Hannya Mask·Red+Rin Character Technique+Hundred-Eyed Demon Incarnation）】
【Physique: 196+5=201】
【Willpower: 126+42=168】
【Charm: -2+7=5】
【Spiritual Arts: 131+5=136】
Under severe injuries and countless onlookers, the Physique and Willpower provided by Red Hannya talent had reached a terrifying level.
And the extra 60 attribute points from Hundred-Eyed Demon Incarnation elevated Shangshan Che’s already extremely high stats to a new realm untouchable by ordinary Three-and-a-half Stars.
If Ootama Hoshi stood before him now, probably Shangshan Che wouldn’t need to lift a finger; it would kneel willingly.
In less than a second, Shangshan Che closed all the prompts and panels before his eyes.
Shangshan Che silently stared at Minamoto Shizuka, whose consciousness was gradually returning, and slightly frowned upon sensing the powerful but somewhat strange aura on her.
Ghost God?
No, not Ghost God.
Although very similar to Ghost God aura, and similar to when he directly incarnated as Red Hannya.
Essentially different, ultimately not true Ghost God.
So… Half-step Ghost God?
But neither in Mortal Realm nor Eternal World is there such a thing as Half-step Ghost God.
The path to Ghost God is success or death.
Either rebirth or Destruction.
No middle option of hesitation.
But Minamoto Shizuka was like this…
Whatever, doesn’t matter.
Better to strike first.
Shangshan Che cut off his meaningless thoughts, silently reciting in his mind.
—Incarnation stacking, Hundred-Eyed Demon.
“I am here.”
That familiar, illusion-like response rang in Shangshan Che’s ear.
He closed his eyes, then opened them.
Select number of Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes to open: all.
Thus, a New World bloomed before Shangshan Che’s “eyes.”
Thus, all the Ghost Gods unanimously turned their gazes, landing on Shangshan Che.
Shangshan Che’s exterior remained unchanged under Thousand Faces’ disguise.
—It was just that in the instant of opening all Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes, Shangshan Che failed to control his sight and scanned the entire Sky Castle.
But with just that one glance, Shangshan Che compressed his “sight range” back to the arena.
Thus, sight precision geometrically increased.
Like the previous second, Shangshan Che maintained the silent staring pose.
But he could see every strand of Spiritual Energy, Qi Barrier, air, mastering all their movement trajectories from this moment onward.
Every quiver of Minamoto Shizuka’s muscles was crystal clear.
Even the faint subtle fluctuations where Minamoto Shizuka had teleported in before were clearly presented in Shangshan Che’s “eyes.”
Fully one hundred Hundred-Eyed Demon’s Eyes opened, all gazes landing entirely on Minamoto Shizuka.
Curse, timing begins.
Minamoto Shizuka, who had her eyes half-open, suddenly looked up, her near-Ghost God aura stabbing straight into the sky like a sword, meeting the gaze of the deep-eyed Shangshan Che.
Shangshan Che, who had originally wanted to manipulate telekinetic force a bit, retracted his thoughts and casually exhaled.
Forget it.
In this short time, he still couldn’t fully grasp this thing.
Anyway, compress it all onto Minamoto Shizuka.
The next instant.
Mirror-smooth black Sword Light sprinkled toward the sky like silk threads, wrapping around Shangshan Che.
Willpower capable of easily crushing a dozen Great Demons surged forth, precisely landing on Minamoto Shizuka.
