Anime Collector: Starting With the Malevolent Shrine

"I see. One practice (or rotation) of the Yin-Yang Primordial Method produces one strand of Spiritual Power — far purer than what the Art of Breathing Method yields."

Daiki walked along the empty road, silently contemplating the technique.

The cultivation speed of the Dual Cultivation was astounding. He knew he would never return to the other technique in this lifetime — its cultivation speed was too slow, its Spiritual Power too impure. Or rather, the Spiritual Power refined by the Yin-Yang method possessed exceptional purity.

A stream of inverted black and white Spiritual Power rose from Daiki's fingertips, shattering the energy between heaven and earth as it circulated.

This Yin-Yang Spiritual Power could enhance other techniques, most notably the Ghost Hand and Spirit Devouring talent.

Until now, his Ghost Hand had inflicted damage primarily on the physical plane. In truth, it could strike both soul and physical planes simultaneously.

Daiki had rarely displayed attacks on the soul plane, but with a strand of Yin-Yang Spiritual Power enhancing the Ghost Hand, it could directly capture souls.

Combined with the close-range Spirit Devouring talent, it could silently capture targets. The enhanced talent possessed even stronger absorption force.

Best of all, the cultivation process required no effort whatsoever.

'There's also the Primal Fear, Decay, which could be enhanced.'

The black and white Spiritual Power at his fingertips transformed into a gray stream, circling his fingertip as space itself decayed into nothingness.

Daiki contained the Decay aura, a smile tugging at his lips. Anyone caught off guard would likely be forced to their knees.

Of course, he wasn't the only one pleased.

Still in the small shrine.

Mrs. Yukinoshita lay collapsed on the ground, gently wiping dark hair from her cheeks. Her jade-white face bore an indelible blush as her gaze shifted to the delicate bell dominating the scene.

Nine strands of Spiritual Power emanating black and white light swirled gently inside the bell, suppressing all other Cursed Object powers. The weaker artifacts simply disintegrated into powder.

Had she awakened Spirit Sight, she would have noticed the clear skies stretching thousands of miles around the Yukinoshita estate. Both fierce Evil Spirits and strange Cursed Spirits avoided this place entirely.

Mrs. Yukinoshita lifted the hem of her kimono to wipe the water from the floor.

"Thank goodness Haruno isn't here — I wouldn't know how to explain. At my age, to actually be..." She spat quietly twice, continuing to clean the floor carefully.

The face reflected in the water puddle made her pause slightly.

Did she somehow look more radiant and beautiful than before? Could it be her imagination?

Mrs. Yukinoshita shook her head, thinking her mind must be unclear. How could doing that sort of thing make one younger?

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In the room, Ichika stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Wasn't Daiki-kun supposed to be viewing the Cursed Objects with Mrs. Yukinoshita? If he doesn't return soon, it'll be dawn."

She knew she would have dark circles under her eyes tomorrow.

The thought of Haruno rushing to Daiki's room made her angry. Perhaps she had miscalculated and he got straight there!

Creak—

The wooden door opened.

Ichika sat up sharply.

"Daiki-kun, you're quite late. Did you miss your own room so much?" Her resentful gaze fixed on his figure.

"As I said, I was viewing the Cursed Objects collection with Mrs. Yukinoshita. I'll prepare protective amulets for everyone in a few days." Daiki said unhurriedly, stretching.

"Eh? For us too?" Ichika pointed at herself, surprised.

"Everyone gets one — and don't forget to bring one for Miku. Strange things might happen frequently in the coming days."

Daiki sat on the edge of the bed while explaining, as Ichika inched closer.

Her face flushed at his words. She knew exactly that his words were hinting about the lunchbox incident.

"I'm sorry! It was my fault for being greedy!" Confronted with reality, she could only think about making amends with Miku.

The room fell quiet in the night.

Ichika suddenly asked, "Daiki-kun, you and Nino..."

The abrupt topic made his mood tense.

"Never mind, let's not discuss this." She immediately regretted bringing it up, wanting to slap herself.

How could she doubt Daiki?

After all, he had always been respectful while dating Miku. Even when he was alone with her in her bedroom before, he hadn't been like other eager boys. He had simply spent a quiet hour with his girlfriend.

The incident with Nino must have been her pervert sister's doing!

When they stole the lunch, she and Itsuki had only cared about the taste. But Nino had enjoyed the act of stealing itself.

Piecing together these clues, Ichika reached her "conclusion".

Though Daiki couldn't follow her thoughts, she continued, "Daiki-kun, is it easy to be a Jujutsu Sorcerer?"

"Easy!"

His direct response startled her.

After recovering from her shock, she smiled wryly, "Maybe it's just easy for you, Daiki-kun. Nino said the two Sorcerers she met were Grade 3, yet you're already Special Grade at the same age. How do Sorcerers cultivate?"

"Do you want to become a Sorcerer?"

"No, I'm just curious how you reached Special Grade at this age." Sharing a pillow with him, Ichika's heart pounded.

She tried to distract herself with talk of Sorcerers.

"Sorcerers... it completely depends on innate talent. Innate Techniques determine about eighty percent of a Sorcerer's strength. My situation is special — others can't copy it."

Ichika pondered thoughtfully, "Then Daiki-kun's Innate Technique must be very strong, right? Even your casual moves can cut through trees."

"No, I actually haven't used my Innate Technique yet."

Daiki's words left her shocked.

Could his Innate Technique be weak?

"..."

"No need to apologize. My Innate Technique isn't weak — it's just special." A smile played at the corners of Daiki's mouth.

"Oh, can I know what it is?" Ichika turned her face, her warm breath brushing his ear.

He whispered two sentences to her.

Hearing this, her face flushed crimson, her beautiful eyes widening in disbelief.

"Really? How can there be such an improper Innate Technique? Daiki-kun, are you just saying these things because you're interested in big sister?"

Ichika held back her embarrassment, fixing him with a pointed stare.

"Hmph. Miku and the others were all fooled by your proper act." She turned away with a huff.

Daiki offered no explanation, simply pulling up the covers to prepare for an Embryonic Breathing.

His silence only made Ichika more restless.

"Daiki-kun, what you said was fake, right?"

"..."

"Daiki-kun, if you admit it now, big sister won't tell Miku."

"..."

"Daiki-kun, could there really be that kind of Innate Technique?"

"..."

"Daiki-kun, did you do that with Nino because Miku wouldn't, and you face danger every day, so you had no choice?"

"..."

"Daiki-kun… Daiki-kun... Daiki-kun...…"

Her persistent chatter made one's scalp tingle.

All these words condensed into one final question.

"Daiki-kun, why don't we give it a try?"

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