When he caught the scent of this unusual presence, Sakonji Urokodaki's thoughts drifted back to over a year ago, the day Kurozawa first saw the gray panel.
An unprecedented aura enveloped the entire Mount Sagiri, deeply unsettling Sakonji Urokodaki. On the surface, it smelled of despair, but it was also laced with chaos, evil, distortion, and ill fortune. No negative scent Sakonji Urokodaki had ever known could describe it.
That day, he mistakenly thought the legendary Demon King had arrived at Mount Sagiri, and he rushed into Kurozawa's room without hesitation.
That was also the day Sakonji Urokodaki knew something inexplicable had happened to his senior disciple. However, the vast aura that shot skyward only lasted for a moment before quickly dissipating and merging into Kurozawa's body, leaving only a faint scent.
As the highly respected Water Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Sakonji Urokodaki could never bring himself to attack Kurozawa.
Over the past year, Sakonji Urokodaki had watched firsthand as Kurozawa's once unremarkable strength grew by leaps and bounds with each passing day. At the same time, that unique aura was also strengthening. He had stood by Kurozawa's bedside many times at night, his breathing calm and steady, but his Nichirin Blade at his waist simply would not leave its sheath.
Sakonji Urokodaki was always strict and ruthless when slaying Demons, but deep down he knew that even if he saw Kurozawa turn into a Demon and eat people, he couldn't bring himself to deliver a fatal blow. Having raised him from infancy to adulthood, the emotional bond was not only a chain for Kurozawa but also firmly bound Sakonji Urokodaki.
Today, the scent emanating from the distance was not the same as the massive aura from a year ago, but it was very similar. It was something akin to a Demon, yet more complex and indescribable than the aura of a Demon.
In just a few breaths, the aura became clearer, indicating that the other party was getting closer and closer to Mount Sagiri, and they were moving very fast.
Taking a deep breath, Sakonji Urokodaki stomped his foot and agilely moved to the tallest tree nearby. Balancing on the slender branch tips, Sakonji Urokodaki stood atop the canopy, gazing outwards under the cold moonlight.
In his view, the land was silent. The bright moonlight covered the towering mountains and ridges, and dense tree shadows filled the forest, leaving dappled fragments of moonlight on the ground.
At the same time, the source of the aura, a fiery red shadow, vaguely appeared at the edge of Sakonji Urokodaki's vision.
It was like a straight line of fire burning on the surface, trailing a red afterimage dozens of meters long. It sped through the forest at a speed that would be considered teleportation in the eyes of ordinary people. Seconds after the red shadow passed, a strong wind followed, blowing the trees along its path askew.
On the tree canopy, Sakonji Urokodaki's pupils visibly contracted, startled by the speed of the fiery red shadow.
He had sparred with the Flame Pillar. The Flame Pillar could achieve explosive speed boosts by compressing and then releasing flames, a speed beyond ordinary imagination. But compared to this red shadow, it was still inferior. Furthermore, the Flame Pillar's movement was a series of explosive bursts, whereas the red shadow in Sakonji Urokodaki's eyes was moving steadily, its speed neither increasing nor decreasing.
"Their target is clearly Mount Sagiri."
In just about a minute, the red shadow went from the edge of Sakonji Urokodaki's vision to the foot of Mount Sagiri. It was then that its speed suddenly dropped sharply, revealing its true appearance within.
A tall, exquisite dark red armor first appeared in Sakonji Urokodaki's eyes, seemingly crafted from transparent, crystalline rubies. It included a faceplate covering the face, not revealing even an inch of skin.
Taking a step forward, the dark red armor began to turn ethereal. The faceplate was the first to recede and disappear like flowing water. In the blink of an eye, a figure that dimmed the moonlight and overshadowed the flowers stepped out from the armor. The armor then completely dissolved into scattered dark red specks that merged into its body.
Dressed in a red and white kimono, somewhat resembling a shrine maiden's attire, Hongyue raised her head, her gaze suddenly shifting to Sakonji Urokodaki's location. However, she only saw some slightly trembling leaves and branches in the tree canopy.
Sakonji Urokodaki was very experienced and knew his gaze would attract the other party's attention. So, after a simple glance, he quickly left the tree canopy.
Afterward, Hongyue withdrew her gaze and stood still, her figure not moving for a long time.
She unconsciously bit her fingernails lightly, seemingly thinking about something.
Two or three seconds later, her eyes lit up, and she reached out to tuck some messy black hair behind her ear. She also rubbed her cheek, her snow-white skin seeming to illuminate the surroundings slightly.
Resuming her steps, no longer with the breakneck speed of before, Hongyue walked towards Mount Sagiri with an elegant posture.
Mid-mountain.
Amidst rustling sounds, Sakonji Urokodaki leaped down from the tree and said in a deep voice, "Iguro Obanai, Hanada Shizuka, you two go to the mountaintop."
Iguro Obanai stopped his Sword Form practice, and Hanada Shizuka opened her eyes and tumbled down from the treetop.
Both of them looked at Sakonji Urokodaki with confused eyes. "What happened, Master?"
Sakonji Urokodaki didn't have time to explain. He just gave them a stern look. "Hurry up, hide your presence on the mountaintop. Don't come down without my orders."
Under Sakonji Urokodaki's oppressive gaze, Hanada Shizuka instinctively shrank back. Before Iguro Obanai could react, she grabbed him and started running up the mountain, moving very quickly.
Hanada Shizuka knew her brain wasn't sharp enough, so she didn't even think about the reason. As soon as Sakonji Urokodaki spoke, she intended to do as he said. No matter what happened, she felt it was better to listen to her master.
However, because Iguro Obanai had been practicing Sword Forms and Breathing Techniques all day, his body was nearing its limit. When Hanada Shizuka suddenly pulled him, the Breathing Technique he was still using went awry, and his energy surged within him.
He immediately gave a muffled groan, and blood flowed from the corner of his mouth. Then his body went limp, and he fell to the ground.
Hanada Shizuka panicked and knelt down, shaking Iguro Obanai. "Junior Disciple, I didn't mean to. Are you okay? Can you stand up?"
"Senior Disciple Shizuka, I'm fine..." But if you keep shaking me, I won't be. Iguro Obanai felt a headache coming on. With Hanada Shizuka's help, Iguro Obanai managed to stand up.
His muscles were sore and weak, making it impossible to perform any significant movements at this time.
Hanada Shizuka was at a loss and looked up at Sakonji Urokodaki for help. "Master..."
Looking at the clumsy Hanada Shizuka and the immobile Iguro Obanai, Sakonji Urokodaki let out an almost imperceptible sigh, then shook his head and said, "It's too late. Retreat behind me."
"A powerful Demon is attacking. Be careful."
Mount Sagiri was not particularly tall, and Hongyue's speed was very fast. After only a moment's delay, Sakonji Urokodaki had already smelled the dangerous aura that was almost within reach.
Therefore, Sakonji Urokodaki activated Total Concentration Breathing, his pupils constricted, staring intently in a certain direction. His right hand was already on the hilt of his Nichirin Blade, accumulating strength.
Ten seconds later, Hongyue's figure appeared before the three of them. She looked behind Sakonji Urokodaki, her eyes lighting up, revealing a faint smile.
The moment he saw Hongyue, Sakonji Urokodaki took a sharp breath. His internal energy surged, and his blood pounded. The guard of his Nichirin Blade had already been pushed aside, revealing a section of the gleaming blade.
But behind Sakonji Urokodaki, Iguro Obanai's bewildered voice interrupted Sakonji Urokodaki's movement.
"Master, did you misunderstand? She's not a Demon. She's Senior Disciple Kurozawa's wife from Asakusa."
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