The Shikai Family and Resonance Family. Together with the Yozakura Family, these three clans built Master Swordsman City from nothing.
Initially, the city was merely a simple settlement with no special features other than its reputation as a gathering place for swordsmen. Even worse, its geographical conditions were completely unsupportive—barren, rock-hard soil with an unforgiving climate unsuitable for farming. As a result, Master Swordsman City became one of the most destitute cities when it was first established.
Very few people were willing to come and join Master Swordsman City during those early days. Outsiders even predicted that the city would sooner or later be taken over by evil Hunter groups or other criminal organizations waiting to exploit their weakness.
However, as time passed, an unexpected miracle began to unfold at Master Swordsman City. For unknown reasons, the once barren and desolate city suddenly became filled with abundant life energy. The soil that had been hard as stone gradually became fertile, and trees grew lush and healthy. Even more surprising, the plants growing in Master Swordsman City provided extraordinary benefits to anyone who consumed them—boosting stamina, accelerating wound healing, and even strengthening spiritual abilities.
News of this miracle spread quickly, but it also aroused deep suspicion. Many investigators and experts from various kingdoms were sent to investigate this strange phenomenon, but all their efforts led to dead ends. They could only conclude that some Transcendent being with a specific Talent had blessed Master Swordsman City with mysterious power.
From that moment on, Master Swordsman City began attracting attention. Waves of visitors came from all directions, bringing prosperity and opportunities. The Shikai Family and Resonance Family successfully capitalized on this momentum—becoming the backbone of the city's defense and making Master Swordsman City one of the safest places in the region.
But what about the Yozakura Family? While the Yozakura Family was indeed quite famous in certain circles, compared to the prestige and influence of the Shikai Family and Resonance Family, their presence seemed overshadowed by these two great houses.
This dismissive attitude was further reinforced when people learned that the Yozakura Family was led by a young girl named Yozakura Tsubomi.
However, contrary to this general perception, the founders of the Shikai Family and Resonance Family held the opposite view.
In truth, they had long harbored suspicions that Yozakura Tsubomi was the true cause behind Master Swordsman City's fertility and prosperity. They simply had no way to prove this theory—until they realized one disturbing fact: Yozakura Tsubomi never showed signs of aging.
While they aged and drew closer to death, Yozakura Tsubomi still looked exactly the same as she had decades ago—strolling leisurely with a gentle smile, waving to children playing in the streets.
This reality drove both founding patriarchs to obsession and the brink of madness. They tried various methods to pressure and force Yozakura Tsubomi to reveal her secret, but all their efforts failed. Who would have thought that the seemingly gentle girl had a loyal Darkness Spirit as her protector?
Eventually, both founders died carrying deep curiosity and resentment, leaving Yozakura Tsubomi still alive and eternally youthful.
What they hadn't anticipated was that before death claimed them, both patriarchs had passed this obsession and secret information to their descendants. As a result, all members of the Shikai Family and Resonance Family knew about Yozakura Tsubomi's existence and the mystery surrounding her.
Unfortunately, as time passed and both families' power grew, they could no longer act openly against the Yozakura Family. The presence of international organizations like the World Organization meant every aggressive action had to be carefully considered.
But fortune came in the form of a foolish organization called Black Mamba, which could serve as the perfect scapegoat. Their plan was simple yet brilliant: use this organization to attack the Yozakura Family first, then after the assault ended, both families would act as "saviors" who captured the attackers while exposing Yozakura Tsubomi's secrets. This strategy was like killing two birds with one stone!
Their plan seemed flawless, but unfortunately...
It would only succeed if their power was truly adequate to face what was coming.
KABOOOOOOM!!
An earth-shattering explosion like a devastating earthquake shook the entire Master Swordsman City, which was as vast as a large nation.
Citizens sleeping peacefully were jolted awake in shock. Sturdy houses built with the finest materials instantly collapsed. People who had been enjoying casual evening conversations now wore expressions of undisguised terror and horror.
From the distance, they witnessed a sight they would never forget for the rest of their lives: a giant dragon—or more precisely, a serpentine dragon—roaring toward the sky with power that created deadly shockwaves.
Its size was so colossal that Master Swordsman City's tallest buildings looked like tiny toys before it.
A tremendously powerful and terrifying aura radiated from the creature's body, creating fierce tornadoes capable of hurling luxurious mansions and destroying all electronic equipment within an enormous radius.
The barrier previously created by Black Mamba to isolate the Yozakura Family's territory now shattered into pieces, allowing people to finally see the true form of the terrifying Demon Dragon Lord.
However, a backup barrier still prevented mana energy leakage to avoid detection by the World Organization's advanced satellites.
But this barrier wouldn't last long, as the Demon Dragon Lord began greedily absorbing all the abundant pure life energy from the Root!
"What the hell is that creature?!"
"A dragon?! How can there be such a massive dragon here?!"
"Quick, contact both main families! There's a high-level Magical Beast invasion!"
Panic swept across the entire city. Hunters immediately scattered in all directions without clear coordination. Emergency alarms from every corner of Master Swordsman City continued blaring with piercing tones.
They tried contacting nearby kingdoms or other allied forces for help, but all communication attempts met with complete failure!
What plunged them deeper into terror was the sight in the night sky—countless dark purple magic circles filling the heavens like demonic eyes watching over them!
And from each magic circle emerged Magical Beasts—no, Demonic Beasts in the form of terrifying serpents with glowing red eyes and venom-dripping fangs!
Seemingly endless Demonic Beasts immediately swarmed every corner of Master Swordsman City like a tsunami of darkness!!
BOOM...!! BOOM...!!
"EMERGENCY! EMERGENCY! CONTACT BOTH SSS-RANK HUNTERS NOW—ARRRGGG!"
Several communication operators moved with desperate urgency, but they were immediately torn apart and annihilated by hundreds of Demonic Beasts before they could complete their emergency calls!
It didn't stop there—the control room, which served as the heart of all communication and coordination systems in Master Swordsman City, was also overrun and destroyed to the ground!
At that critical moment—
SLASH...!!
An incredibly powerful slash split the entire night sky, creating a terrifying shockwave and illuminating the darkness with a blinding flash!
Everyone looked up with wide eyes, their expressions turning hopeful as they realized that the two SSS-Rank Hunters who were their city's protectors and pride had finally arrived at the battlefield!
However, contrary to the citizens' optimism, both SSS-Rank Hunters now wore grim faces with cold sweat streaming down.
As Master Swordsman City's protectors and insiders who knew various political secrets, they were naturally aware of Black Mamba's attack on the Yozakura Family. But due to their complex relationships and debts of gratitude to the Shikai Family and Resonance Family, they had chosen to remain passive and let the scenario unfold.
And as insiders with access to classified information, they also knew that Black Mamba had a Transcendent creature under their control. As experienced SSS-Rank Hunters, they still had confidence and belief that they could win such a battle.
But... it had never crossed their darkest nightmares that the creature would be the legendary Demon Dragon Lord!
Who didn't know the terrifying reputation of the Demon Dragon Lord? It was a Transcendent being that had dared to fight three Transcendents and four SSS-Rank Hunters simultaneously!
Moreover, they had to face this bitter reality as SSS-Rank Hunters... Though their rank sounded very high and prestigious, they were acutely aware that in a battle against the Demon Dragon Lord, they would both surely die in vain!
And even more terrifying, judging from its condition and radiating aura, the Demon Dragon Lord had completely recovered from its previous injuries!
"SHIT! This is exactly why I always wanted to leave this cursed city! Those old fools made a fatal and unforgivable mistake!" the first SSS-Rank Hunter said with overflowing rage.
Truly, if not for the debt of gratitude binding his heart to the Shikai Family and Resonance Family, he would never have agreed when Black Mamba requested permission to enter Master Swordsman City's territory!
The second SSS-Rank Hunter remained silent for quite a while, apparently seriously considering the situation, then spoke in a cold tone: "I'm leaving."
"What?! You bastard, don't you want to protect this city and its people?!"
"Protect this city? Have you lost your mind?" The second SSS-Rank Hunter glanced at him with a piercing, indifferent look. "In these circumstances, this city won't survive more than a few hours. Besides, it's impossible for us to defeat the Demon Dragon Lord."
And even more bitter... Though they both held the impressive-sounding SSS-Rank title, in reality their power was at most equivalent to ordinary SS-Rank. The reason they could achieve SSS-Rank was due to assistance and support from the Shikai Family and Resonance Family—this was what bound them with debts of gratitude all this time.
"ARGH! DAMN IT! If those old fools were still alive, I swear I'd kill them with my own hands!"
The first SSS-Rank Hunter scratched his head in uncontrollable frustration. He had always been proud of his power and reputation, but had to admit his colleague's words were true.
No matter how they fought, no matter what strategy they used, they would both surely die in vain!
So with heavy hearts and tormented consciences... They only put up symbolic resistance against the Demonic Beasts for a few minutes, then with deep shame, they abandoned the city they had sworn to protect.
How tragic and ironic... The two SSS-Rank Hunters who had long been worshipped and idolized by all Master Swordsman City's citizens were now abandoning them in their greatest hour of need.
***
And of course, all these dramatic events were witnessed directly by Lux from behind the scenes. Though he was the one who planned this entire scenario, he had to admit that watching destruction with his own eyes provided a deeply ironic feeling.
However...
"Finally, this performance will reach its climax."
The figure of the Demon Dragon Lord roaring with unbridled ferocity. Even the pressure and threat it emanated was no less terrifying than during the attack on Cthulhu Island that shook the world.
Of course, compared to beings like True Cthulhu, which were Unknown Rank and beyond normal classification scales, the Demon Dragon Lord's power was still beneath it. But even one random attack from this creature was enough to instantly kill an S-Rank Hunter without mercy.
And since the performance was reaching its climax, it was impossible for the Son of Destiny to just sit idle and do nothing, right? But to create more epic and memorable scenes, Lux secretly controlled and activated several of his power templates.
By unleashing most of the power from his template collection, he was very confident that starting today, the Yozakura Family would be known as a force that even the World Organization wouldn't dare touch easily.
As for concerns that this would be hidden due to the barrier? Don't underestimate the capabilities of the World Organization's super-advanced satellites. In fact, their surveillance satellites were recording the battle in Master Swordsman City in high resolution, but the monitoring staff hadn't paid attention to it yet because there was no significant energy leakage.
[Ding! Template enhancement has been successfully completed]
***
"Help! Help us!"
"Waaah! Mama! Where's Mama!"
"Argh! It hurts so much! Someone please HELP ME!"
"..."
Screams of agony, desperate cries, and heartbreaking pleas for help echoed from every corner of the city. Fierce battles raged between the remaining Hunters and hordes of Demonic Beasts, but all their resistance seemed futile and hopeless against the absolutely insane quantity of enemies.
However... All this chaos and suffering was completely ignored by Chen Ye.
Not because he didn't care about the fate of innocent victims, but because his own physical condition was completely immobilized.
His entire body felt like it was burning in hellfire. His internal organs felt shattered into pieces like glass struck by a sledgehammer. It was truly an extraordinary miracle that he could still survive until now.
Fortunately, the special breathing technique he had painstakingly learned from Tomioka Giyū successfully suppressed most of the torturous pain. But even so... just moving his fingertips required tremendous effort.
Where was the Sword King? Where were the others? Had they abandoned him to die alone in this place?
These dark thoughts unconsciously plunged his heart into deep despair...
But then he heard a very gentle and soothing voice...
"I'm sorry... You're really suffering, aren't you?"
'Huh?'
At that moment, he felt his body beginning to heal little by little as a very warm and healing energy flowed throughout his body. He still couldn't move freely, but he was able to slowly open his eyes...
And there was that familiar figure. The girl who had previously asked him to devour her to save everyone.
Yozakura Tsubomi was carefully cradling Chen Ye's wounded head in her lap, then gently stroking the young man's hair with slow, loving movements.
The girl was clearly severely injured. This was evident from the left side of her body, which appeared destroyed and blackened, unable to regenerate normally as usual.
But this pitiful condition didn't diminish the natural beauty she possessed at all. The right side of her body, which remained intact, was blooming with beautiful cherry blossoms and still emanated a soothing, fragrant aroma...
Only then did Chen Ye realize... that just before he lost consciousness, his body had been protected by someone, and that person was none other than...
Chen Ye's lips trembled with emotion difficult to express, then he spoke in a hoarse voice: "S-sorry... This is all my fault... If only I had agreed to follow the plan you suggested..."
"This isn't your fault at all... It's my fault for forcing you to do something you didn't want from the bottom of your heart..."
Yozakura Tsubomi continued stroking his hair with infinite tenderness. She extended her finger to lift the strand of Chen Ye's hair that was blocking her view of the young man's face. A beautiful, truly sincere smile graced her face despite her very pitiful condition.
Chen Ye's eyes widened with very complex and slightly confused feelings. With a trembling voice, he asked: "Why...?"
"Hm?"
"Why can you still smile even in a situation like this... Why don't you feel afraid of facing death... And why...?" Chen Ye's voice became increasingly choked, and he no longer knew what else he wanted to ask.
"You're asking why?" Yozakura Tsubomi gazed at the scene before her, filled with chaos and destruction. But that gentle, sincere smile still hadn't disappeared from her beautiful face. "I don't know... I want to know the real reason too... Maybe it's because I've lived for such a very long time?"
"But you're different from me... Your life is still very long compared to mine, as I'm already tired of this immortality. Haven't I told you this many times?" The eye on the left side of her body, which had severe burn wounds, looked at him with full attention. "Sooner or later, something like this was bound to happen... so never think that all this is your fault."
"..." Chen Ye fell silent, but his gaze began to water as he felt Yozakura Tsubomi's caresses that never stopped and always provided warmth.
"Does it hurt very much?"
"..." Tears gathered more and more in his tear ducts and finally... He couldn't hold them back any longer...
The young man who was usually steadfast and full of determination was now sobbing uncontrollably in Yozakura Tsubomi's lap, unable to control his emotions.
However, Yozakura Tsubomi only gazed at him with eyes full of tenderness and affection, then wiped the young man's tears with her beautiful, delicate fingers.
After remaining silent in prolonged quietude... Chen Ye finally asked in an extremely weak voice.
"What should we do now...? Wait for death to come for us like this?" He asked, but his voice sounded very weak and desperate.
He deeply hated himself for having to admit this, but... He truly wasn't ready and didn't want to die in this place. So, unconsciously, he asked Yozakura Tsubomi with a thread of hope.
"There's another way we might be able to try..."
"A-another way?" Chen Ye was slightly surprised and there was a glimmer of hope in his eyes.
"Yes..." Yozakura Tsubomi nodded slowly. "The Demon Dragon Lord is currently in the process of absorbing all the life energy from the Root, so he can't move or attack actively. We still have a chance to attack him so that absorption process stops... It's just..."
How would they do it?
The Demon Dragon Lord was surrounded by countless Demonic Beasts like an ocean of darkness, and currently there wasn't a single ally who could help them in this impossible mission.
Even just getting close seemed like suicide, let alone attacking effectively.
Chen Ye also fell silent thinking about this but...
"I'll do it."
"..." Yozakura Tsubomi was quiet for a moment then asked. "Are you sure? You don't need to force yourself to fight in a condition like this."
"No, only I can and must do this." Chen Ye forced his body to stand even though every movement felt like torture.
Honestly, he was truly terrified at this moment, but when thinking about all the sacrifices that Yozakura Tsubomi had made up to this second... Chen Ye knew that he couldn't and wouldn't just sit idly. Besides...
"I can't and won't let you die. No... I definitely won't let that happen by any means. Therefore, please keep supporting me and giving me strength so I stay brave facing anything."
"..."
Those emotion-filled words sounded like a sincere confession of feelings, but Yozakura Tsubomi apparently didn't think of it in such a romantic direction. Instead, the girl only returned Chen Ye's gaze full of resolve and determination with her beautiful sakura eyes.
"I see... I understand completely. For the last time in my long life, I'll help you with everything I have. Open your lips..."
Chen Ye was confused by that strange request, but he complied without asking much. Then suddenly he saw Yozakura Tsubomi deliberately injure her finger with sharp nails, then slowly drip the slightly pink-colored blood onto the young man's open lips.
"W-what is this?" Chen Ye was extremely surprised and stunned when he felt an extraordinary change. His entire body instantly healed in the blink of an eye, even healthier than before.
But more than that miraculous healing process... He felt something warm and powerful that seemed to be strengthening his entire core of existence from within!
*'What's actually happening to me?'*
"Blooming - Power Up All Abilities."
"Huh?"
"That's the name of the Blooming you just obtained. When someone drinks my blood, they have a small possibility of awakening a unique ability that reflects the deepest personality, beliefs, or nature of that individual... That rare ability is called Blooming."
However, the possibility of someone successfully awakening Blooming was very low, only about one percent, and the mortality rate was very high because ordinary human bodies couldn't withstand the power of blood containing pure life essence. That's why Yozakura Tsubomi very rarely did this.
Chen Ye was stunned hearing that surprising explanation, but he quickly regained his focus. Although the fact that Yozakura Tsubomi was capable of giving new Talents to others clearly violated all laws of common sense that he knew, he realized this wasn't the time to be fixated on theoretical matters.
So...
BOOOOOM!!
A blinding mana explosion enveloped Chen Ye's entire body like a raging storm! Utilizing every technique that had been taught by all members of the Yozakura Family perfectly, Chen Ye's power soared high until it reached Rank A+!
And when combined with his amazing new Talent—'Blooming - Power up All Abilities'—Chen Ye's power immediately rocketed to Rank S+ level!
Feeling the tremendous wave of power flowing through every vein, Chen Ye was stunned in deep amazement!
'A-amazing... Is this the effect of Blooming?'
But even though his heart was roaring with this new power, Chen Ye understood perfectly that all of this wasn't enough to face the threat ahead!
But it didn't matter! He would use all the speed he possessed to break through the enemy lines blocking his way!
It turned out Chen Ye's brave action succeeded in attracting the attention of all the Demonic Beasts around the area, making them swarm to attack the two young people viciously!
However, Chen Ye wasn't intimidated at all because... Yozakura Tsubomi was by his side to provide support!
"Come at me, all of you!" Chen Ye shouted with a thunderous voice, full of anger and unwavering determination.
His body, enveloped in black flames, blazed even more intensely with frightening intensity. In an instant, his figure shot forward like a meteor crashing into earth!
KABOOOOM...!!!
The black flames from his Flame of Abyss Talent transformed into a terrifying vortex, instantly bombarding and devastating the approaching Demonic Beasts with tremendous power!
But that wasn't enough!
With fluid and calculated movements, Chen Ye swung his sword while using the legendary sword art from Inaba Tsukuyo—Yakumaru Jigen-Ryu Style Iai!
With precise swings and lightning speed that was almost invisible to the eye, his sword mercilessly cut and tore through all the Demonic Beasts that dared approach him!
But there were too many of them! Even though Flame of Abyss continuously bombarded with full power, these Demonic Beasts weren't afraid of death at all!
Right at that critical moment, giant roots suddenly grew from the ground and quickly bound the Demonic Beasts that were surrounding him!
Chen Ye was surprised and reflexively looked toward Yozakura Tsubomi who was helping him from a distance. Seeing that unexpected support, the black-haired young man immediately smiled with deep gratitude.
Taking a deep breath to gather his concentration, Chen Ye cleverly utilized every root created by Yozakura Tsubomi as footing to avoid direct confrontation with the countless army of Demonic Beasts!
With speed that couldn't be caught by normal human eyes, Chen Ye moved positions nimbly among the elongated roots like natural bridges!
Unfortunately, although the roots created by Yozakura Tsubomi were quite strong and durable, compared to the true power of the Root, all of that still meant nothing before the fury of the Demonic Beasts.
One by one they brutally destroyed every root that blocked them, and some even began to look toward Yozakura Tsubomi with greedy gazes before finally attacking her viciously!
Seeing this increasingly dangerous situation, Chen Ye began to panic and unconsciously wanted to return to protect Tsubomi, but—
'Continue. Don't stop.'
That familiar melodious voice entered his mind gently again. Chen Ye gritted his teeth in frustration and with forced determination, he continued to push forward!
However, Chen Ye began to feel somewhat desperate because he realized that his power was slowly beginning to weaken due to overuse!
Even with the steel determination given by Emperor of Sword, he began to be pressed very hard by the relentless wave of attacks!
When he began to feel his limits, suddenly—
"Look at the protagonist's struggle, truly touching indeed."
"?!!"
The voice of a young man that sounded casual and slightly joking entered Chen Ye's hearing, making him widen his eyes in extraordinary surprise.
Unconsciously he looked up and then—
—The dark night sky was suddenly filled with beautiful lights that captivated the eyes.
No, those weren't ordinary lights but a series of deadly energy slashes in dazzling blue flashes!
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! BOOOOOM...!!!
Slash after terrifying slash with destructive impact no less than high-powered missiles, instantly annihilated and burned up the Demonic Beasts that surrounded and troubled Chen Ye!
And that display of power wasn't over yet! Yozakura Tsubomi, who was about to be torn apart alive by the bloodthirsty pack of Demonic Beasts, now saw all those monsters immediately cut to pieces by a terrifying tornado wind full of destructive power!
WOSSSH...!! BOOOOM...!!
At the same time, Yozakura Tsubomi opened her eyes that had been closed due to tension and found herself in the grasp of a mechanical hand that resembled an elegant black mecha.
"Ara~ Are you alright, Miss Tsubomi? You look somewhat unwell," asked the figure of a girl with a charming and caring voice.
Kirihime Yoruka, a beautiful girl with jet-black hair like night and a pair of mesmerizing heterochromia eyes, was controlling an advanced device resembling a blue-black mecha with herself as the main pilot.
But she wasn't the only one who came! On the shoulder of that magnificent mecha, several familiar figures appeared like Inaba Tsukuyo with a calm but deadly aura, Tsukuyomi Tsukasa radiating elegance, Tomioka Giyū with cold eyes full of focus, and Aoi Sui with unwavering loyalty.
Of course, among them were also those who appeared with their own spectacular styles. Like Flashy Flash who appeared at terrifying speed while slashing Demonic Beasts to pieces in an instant, Konno Yūki who appeared with glittering transparent bat wings, Ji Xuanyuan who appeared while shooting a rain of swords formed from various elements, and Xiang Yu who appeared like a war monster with six sharp mechanical swords that slaughtered Demonic Beasts mercilessly.
There was also Kurogane Ouma who appeared like a wind king with tremendous whirlwinds that tore enemies into fragments, as well as Kurome and Kokushibo who didn't hesitate to break through thousands of Demonic Beasts with perfect fighting techniques!
And the most amazing appearance was the figure of Restia Ashdoll who confidently launched high-level Darkness Magic to shoot directly at the Demon Dragon Lord who was absorbing the life force of the Root!
BOOOOOOOM...!!
Of course, that attack was successfully blocked by the Demonic Beasts protecting their master, but everything that happened in an instant was enough to leave Chen Ye amazed and awestruck.
"A-all of you... are still alive?" Chen Ye asked with a trembling voice from being moved.
"A meaningless question," said Flashy Flash with a flat tone. "We're not so weak as to die easily."
"By the way, if the family head is still alive and safe, does this mean our initial plan failed completely?" Kurome asked in an indifferent tone while tilting her head innocently.
"Hey! Don't talk like that! We should be happy and grateful that Tsubomi is still alive and safe!" Konno Yūki exclaimed loudly with full enthusiasm.
"An unproductive fight. Better to just focus on the battle ahead of us," said Tomioka Giyū with a calm but authoritative voice.
"Completely agree, because we've come this far and are already soaked, we have to do our best," Tsukuyomi Tsukasa nodded.
Aoi Sui carefully approached Yozakura Tsubomi and was about to say something.
"I'm sorry, Family Head, I left you—"
"It's alright, Sui. I'm fine and uninjured," Yozakura Tsubomi gently interrupted.
"...Understood, but from now on I promise I'll never leave you again," said Aoi Sui with a calm tone.
Yozakura Tsubomi smiled warmly hearing that promise. She looked at all the Yozakura Family members gathered in the same place without exception—even Cecilus Segmunt who appeared relaxed with a mysterious smile on his face.
"I'm very happy and moved that you all came for me this far."
"Don't misunderstand. I didn't come specifically for you. I came here only because I wanted to repay the kindness that was given," said Kurogane Ouma with a cold tone but there was hidden emotional vibration.
Chen Ye, hearing that annoying statement, really wanted to punch that arrogant person, but held back because of the too-great difference in power.
"Very dishonest as usual, Ouma," Ji Xuanyuan interrupted with a gentle but meaningful voice. "But regardless of your statement, we'll all just say one thing—this should naturally be our duty and responsibility."
On the other side, Inaba Tsukuyo slowly approached Chen Ye and only said, "Good work, you..." She paused for a moment then smiled sincerely. "Really tried hard this far."
Chen Ye felt his heart warm and moved hearing that sincere praise, but then his face became slightly gloomy because he remembered something. "Master Inaba, my teacher Sword King—"
"Is this necklace what you mean?" someone interrupted.
"...Eh?" Chen Ye was surprised when Kokushibo suddenly showed a necklace with a gem that sparkled under the moonlight.
Although the color and shape of the necklace had changed drastically due to damage, there was no doubt that inside that gem was stored the precious soul of Sword King!
"Foolish student! How could you try to break through alone like that?! That's the most foolish and reckless action I've ever seen in my lifetime!"
Sword King immediately manifested himself in soul form while scolding Chen Ye with a thousand harsh words, but Chen Ye only felt moved and grateful then expressed sincere thanks to Kokushibo.
"Truly a beautiful and heartwarming reunion that almost made me cry with emotion, but could we continue this warm conversation later? It seems we still have big business that needs to be settled first," said Cecilus Segmunt with a casual but calculating tone.
Upon hearing those words, Chen Ye's body became tense and alert. Everyone simultaneously looked toward the Demon Dragon Lord who was still in the state of greedily absorbing the power of the 'Root'.
But what was more worrying than that was... The fact that all the surviving members of Black Mamba began to gather around that area, forming a defensive formation to protect their Demon Dragon Lord figure.
Not only that, two giant Darkness Dragons also appeared menacingly!
ROAAAAR...!!
That thunderous roar shook every corner of the battlefield to the bone, but strangely Chen Ye didn't feel afraid or intimidated but... instead felt excited and full of fighting spirit.
Yes... Excited because this time, the people who would fight alongside him were the outstanding members of the Yozakura Family!
"Now... Since our initial plan has failed completely, we have to change strategy. The Demon Dragon Lord is in a state where he can't attack because he's busy absorbing power, and they're definitely also targeting our cute Family Head. So the strategy will be divided into two big teams. Some are tasked with protecting and some are tasked with attacking relentlessly."
Well... As for who was tasked with protecting and who was tasked with attacking... That didn't need to be determined or discussed anymore because—
They all had already moved with their fighting instincts!
Literally, they began to break through with full power!
One by one, the Yozakura Family members began to shoot forward like meteors crashing into earth!
BOOOOOM...!!
Chen Ye's eyes widened with deep admiration and awe. For some reason that couldn't be explained, he felt that every Yozakura Family member was much stronger than before!
Yes, his feeling wasn't wrong because—
[Ding! Template Inaba Tsukuyo (✯✯) >>> Inaba Tsukuyo (✯✯✯✯)!]
[Ding! Template Tomioka Giyū (✯✯✯) >>> Tomioka Giyū (✯✯✯✯)!]
[Ding! Template Tsukuyomi Tsukasa (✯✯✯) >>> Tsukuyomi Tsukasa (✯✯✯✯)!]
[Ding! Template Aoi Sui (✯✯) >>> Aoi Sui (✯✯✯✯)!]
[Ding! Template Konno Yūki (✯✯✯) >>> Konno Yūki (✯✯✯✯)!]
[Ding! Template Kirihime Yoruka (✯✯✯) >>> Kirihime Yoruka (✯✯✯✯)!]
[Ding! Template Kurome (✯✯✯) >>> Kurome (✯✯✯✯)!]
All the template characters that had been summoned by Lux successfully upgraded permanently to much higher levels, and because of that, their power increased drastically!