But Tang Sui, who was suddenly thrown out, was not slow to react. The moment she touched the edge of the barrier, her black and red demon power erupted, rapidly expanding to form another independent barrier.
"Little one, withdraw the barrier and try to sense its existence with your demon power."
The voice of the Slaughter King passed through the thick lava and entered her ears.
Like Fox Mask and the others, they all asked her to use her demon power to observe.
Tang Sui paused slightly and withdrew the barrier.
The high temperature that could melt bones enveloped her, like being thrown into an overly hot spring, feeling uncomfortable as if she were about to be steamed.
Black and red demon power bloomed like flowers on the clear blue lake water. Another streak of crimson gold fiercely broke into her vision, relighting the dark lake surface.
"This is—"
Tang Sui, almost losing her voice, looked at the woman with long, star-blue hair, naked but surrounded by a circle of flowing fire, and leaning against a miniature sun.
Beneath the viscous lava all around, the woman, no bigger than a pigeon's egg, was like a sleeping mural brought to life. She seemed as if she could open her eyes from the mural and meet your gaze at any moment.
An ordinary person might be confused whether this was a living person or an illusion. But Tang Sui, who was extremely familiar with the game Onmyoji in her previous life, and who would diligently farm for spirit essences for her shikigami teams every week to gather a set of output soul gear for her Mannenriki child, was incredibly familiar with this.
Because this was the output soul gear that best matched Mannenriki: the Sea Moon Fire Jade!
"This world also has soul gear?"
Tang Sui's composed little face finally broke upon seeing the 3D version of the soul gear, Sea Moon Fire Jade.
Soul gear and the soul bones of this world had the same role and effects. Different soul gear could enhance different attributes. Even better than soul bones was the fact that when the number of soul gear reached 2 or 4, each soul gear could obtain different effects in addition to the enhanced attributes it carried. This was similar to soul bone skills but better than soul bone skills.
Because as long as a fixed number was equipped, the two maximum effects provided by the soul gear would be eternal!
Even if there was only one Sea Moon Fire Jade, as long as its additional attribute was top-tier, the enhanced effect attribute would be permanent!
This was indeed the "soul bone" most suitable for demons!
And it was also the most suitable for her, a Mannenriki!
Without further hesitation, Tang Sui reached out her hand towards the Sea Moon Fire Jade.
The moment she grasped the soul gear, the first sensation was that it was scalding hot.
But as it became extremely hot, an icy chill permeated her skin.
Immense pressure washed over her, and the Slaughter King's voice could no longer reach her ears.
Tang Sui gritted her teeth and, under the murmurs of the masks, injected her demon power into the Sea Moon Fire Jade.
"Boom—!"
A flash of white light spread before her eyes, and a burst echoed in her brain. Even the voices of Fox Mask and the others were blocked.
Tang Sui maintained her posture of reaching out to grasp, her eyes unfocused, staring ahead. The depths of her eyes, still swaying with the black and red flower of demon power, gradually lit up with red and blue lights.
The red was the vast expanse of starlight.
The blue was the spreading sea.
The graceful woman danced amidst the flying starlight and on the sea surface, as smooth as a mirror yet rippling with ripples as she moved. It reminded one of another legendary great demon in Onmyoji – Shiranui.
Then, as the woman bent down, her eyes glanced sideways, and her red-glowing eyes smiled at her.
—She would offer all her strength to her new master.
"Hum—"
Layered energy, like the roar of a tide, rippled at the edge of the enormous energy core.
The Slaughter King stood with his hands behind his back, watching as red and blue light began to flicker from Tang Sui, who was grasping the Sea Moon Fire Jade.
The light was like fireworks in the night sky, gathering strength, waiting for their brilliant detonation at the highest point, bringing stunning visuals to people.
The magnificent energy cocoon was exceptionally conspicuous in the orange-red lava. The Slaughter King watched the surging, immense energy. He raised his hand, and dark demon power materialized. However, another crimson demon power preceded him, enveloping the entire lower level of the Hell Road, preventing the energy from flowing out.
The Slaughter King paused, then turned sideways to face another pair of massive snake eyes.
The colossal body of the Ten-Headed Sun Snake fully unfurled in the deep underground lava. It met the gaze of the Slaughter King, and everything was understood without words.
One day, two days... for five consecutive days and nights, the energy cocoon, guarded by the two, finally began to peel away inch by inch.
"Buzz buzz!"
Purple, purple, purple, black, black, red!
Six rings of luminous soul rings emerged, enveloping Tang Sui, who had curled up, hugging her knees, her head buried in her bent legs. Three familiar masks flew out from the void, but soon, the gazes of the Ten-Headed Sun Snake and the Slaughter King fixed.
With characteristic large earlobes and golden grinning patterns, a benevolent elder gazed at you, like a smiling Maitreya Buddha, and a strange mask with a cheerful smile appeared.
"One of the Seven Masks, the God of Fortune."
The Slaughter King narrowed his eyes, familiarly calling out the name of this new mask, the God of Fortune, which symbolized joy.
The God of Fortune mask's smiling, narrowed eyes spewed red mist, which slowly flew towards Tang Sui.
The child's small body began to lengthen, and in just a few seconds, she transformed back into the slender, graceful maiden form that the Slaughter King had first seen Tang Sui in.
—Author's Notes—
It's a double surprise! Didn't expect it, did you!
Also, why would our great Onmyoji's Mannenriki child want soul bones from soul beasts? She should have soul gear!
Speaking of which, even after all this time, Mo Li has never been lucky enough to gamble for soul gear attributes, it's too difficult.