Multiverse: Why does the world show a health bar? !

The news brought by Kamaiichiro left Li Mo deep in thought. The Takatsukasa family was the second most prominent family within the Tenryou Commission, existing since the establishment of the Tri-Commission during the early days of Inazuma. They were a family tasked by the Shogun to assist the Kujou family.

For such a family to be recruiting a private army was quite intriguing.

Li Mo decided not to dwell on this matter for now. Perhaps during this journey, he wouldn't even set foot in Inazuma City.

The next morning, Li Mo prepared to leave. However, Kamaiichiro approached him.

"Where are you heading, sir?"

"To the abandoned shrine in the northeast... or possibly to the Grand Narukami Shrine."

"If you're going to the Grand Narukami Shrine... please be careful," Kamaiichiro whispered to Li Mo. "I've received more news. The ronin being recruited are gathering near Chinju Forest, close to the Kamisato Estate."

"I understand."

Kamaiichiro's message was clear.

A family from the Tenryou Commission was recruiting a private army near the territory of the Yashiro Commission's head. Their ultimate destination was unknown. This alone spoke volumes, directly implicating both the Tenryou and Yashiro Commissions.

Thinking back to last night's events, Kamaiichiro had almost immediately consulted his former comrades after speaking with Li Mo. Li Mo's attitude, Kamaiichiro's stance, and the delicate nature of the situation were enough to scare off many.

"So annoying."

With these thoughts weighing on him, Li Mo left the village. At the Heavenly Fox statue, he saw Miss Hana Saruri standing there, just as she had been during their first meeting.

"Is something troubling you?" Hana Saruri asked with concern.

"Sort of. It probably involves internal strife within the Tenryou Commission. Sigh... the Shogun really underestimates human nature, doesn't she?"

In Inazuma, Li Mo felt that almost anything could be traced back to the Shogun. Many of the current issues could be resolved if the Shogun simply stepped out of her Plane of Euthymia.

The Raiden Shogun, secluded in her Plane of Euthymia, was trapped in an information bubble.

"Alright, let's not blame everything on the Shogun," Hana Saruri said. "Shall we go?"

"Sure."

The two walked side by side, with Hana Saruri slightly ahead. She noticed that Li Mo wasn't entirely familiar with the surrounding paths.

Li Mo had been in the world of Teyvat for less than a week, yet his progress had been rapid. Compared to his slow start in the Demon Slayer world, this was a significant improvement.

As they followed the path from Konda Village toward Mt. Yougou, Li Mo spotted some Nobushi in the distance. However, upon seeing the sword at his waist, they quickly left.

Of course, it might have also been due to Hana Saruri's presence. Even with her mask, her shrine maiden attire was unmistakable. Everyone knew that shrine maidens on Narukami Island were associated with the Grand Narukami Shrine.

The Grand Narukami Shrine held a transcendent status across Narukami Island. As for why it wasn't extended to all of Inazuma, it was because the shrine maidens of Watatsumi Island didn't belong to the same system.

This was just a small episode during their journey. As the two passed through the torii gate, they saw a faint shadow in front of the shrine.

"What's that?" Li Mo asked. "What's its connection to Miss Hana Saruri?"

He asked this because the shadow was almost identical to Hana Saruri in height, posture, and even her short hair and attire. The only difference was that the shadow didn't wear a mask, though its face was blurred—essentially the same as wearing one.

"A shikigami, or you could call it a spirit," Hana Saruri explained.

"A shikigami? What happens if I touch it?"

"It was left here to guide those who come after. I think I know where the ward is," Hana Saruri said.

—So I can skip the puzzle-solving part.

That was Li Mo's first thought. In his memories of the quest, there were numerous puzzles. Although solving them provided a lot of information, Li Mo simply didn't enjoy puzzles.

The essence of puzzles was to follow the designer's logic, and Li Mo was just too lazy for that.

"Then let's not waste any time. Let's go get the ward!" Li Mo said.

If there was a way to skip the hard part, why not take it? In his previous mission, what frustrated him the most was the lack of shortcuts. Kibutsuji Muzan was mediocre in many areas, but he excelled at one thing: hiding.

Damn it, he was thinking about the past again.

Following Hana Saruri, Li Mo saw more of those shadowy figures, both in front of and above the abandoned shrine. They were spirits—shikigami.

Who would have thought that the first shikigami he'd encounter in Teyvat would be here?

As they continued, their final destination was the Heavenly Fox statue, identical to the one where they had first met.

Beside the Heavenly Fox statue were two smaller fox statues. Li Mo recognized them; they were called Earth Fox statues.

"Is the ward here, Miss Hana Saruri?" A familiar feeling washed over him. Even though the map proportions in reality and the game were different, when it came to specific scenes, they felt incredibly real.

Hana Saruri said, "It's here. According to the instructions, do we need a mantra?"

She fell silent, lost in thought.

Li Mo stepped closer to Hana Saruri, peering at the words carved into the stone in front of the Heavenly Fox statue. The carvings were deep, likely made by someone who knew it would be a long time before anyone read them, hence the choice of stone as the medium.

Thanks to the system's built-in translation feature, Li Mo could understand the text.

*'The ward is sealed here with a mantra.'*

That was the first line. Beside it were more words, like annotations. They roughly said, *'Although I hope the day never comes when this seal is broken, and though you are no longer here, if the seal must be undone to complete the purification, I hope it is you who does it. The third mantra is something you often said.'*

Li Mo glanced at Hana Saruri. His intuition told him that these words were meant for her... or perhaps for Lady Saiguu. To some, Miss Hana Saruri might be seen as an extension of Lady Saiguu.

He continued reading.

*'If it is my successor who seeks to undo the mantra, there is one more step.*

*The spirit has a soul, and the tomoe has three layers. I have left three shikigami to guard this place. Only when they are gathered can you proceed.'*

**Shikigami?**

Li Mo thought of the three shadowy figures. If they were shikigami, could he somehow control them? Too bad he didn't know any onmyōjutsu.

"By the decree of Narukami."

"By the bloodline of Hakuzōsu."

"Fried tofu, come quickly!"

As Hana Saruri chanted, a faint light flashed, and something appeared at the base of the Heavenly Fox statue.

The ward had been revealed.