Chapter 105: The Final Cleansing

Yae Miko had her own agenda.

Li Mo noticed this but chose not to point it out. If she had her own goals, so be it. As long as she was clearly on his side, that was enough.

When it came to matters of magic, Li Mo didn't understand much. And right now, he didn't need to. What he needed was a "black box"—something that worked as intended. The internal mechanics didn't matter to him.

"This is all I can do for now. Young man, do your best. After the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual is over, you can come back here. I might even have a surprise for you," Yae Miko said with a smile.

A surprise? Hopefully, it wouldn't be a shock.

Li Mo couldn't quite grasp Yae Miko's intentions, so he decided to take his leave.

"Can he really do it?"

Watching Li Mo leave, Yae Miko frowned. This outsider could become an anomaly in the concept of "eternity." But the problem was, his strength was lacking.

What if her old friend decided to cut him down with a single strike?

"Ah, my old friend, for your sake, I've really gone through a lot of trouble."

At least she could share in Ei's complicated feelings. But who would understand her own struggles?

With no one to comfort her, only light novels could keep her company.

Yae Miko stopped pondering the complex issues. While she still had this leisurely time, it was better to enjoy some light novels. Who knows? That young man might return to the Grand Narukami Shrine soon.

And then, she wouldn't have any free time.

Li Mo didn't know that Yae Miko saw him as an "anomaly." But even if he did, it wouldn't matter.

He acknowledged that his strength was inferior to the Traveler's. Back then, the blonde-haired Traveler had awakened three elements and experienced major events in Mondstadt and Liyue, making their strength extraordinary—enough to defeat La Signora.

As for himself, he might not even be a match for Kujou Sara. The power granted by a Vision was too significant.

Yet, it was he who was conducting the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual.

Descending the mountain path, Li Mo saw the masked shrine maiden standing at the torii gate halfway up the mountain.

"You're here?"

"I'm here. I've found a solution."

Li Mo explained the concept of "possession" in detail. However, he didn't mention the attempt to preserve Hanachirusato's consciousness.

After Li Mo finished speaking, Hanachirusato said, "Possession? It's worth a try."

Her existence was "inhuman," but her will was "close to human."

Hanachirusato felt the proposal was feasible. The only issue was that she didn't know how to perform possession, but Yae Miko had already resolved that.

"Then, please use this mask as a medium to possess me."

The medium Li Mo chose was his fox mask, a talisman given to him by his teacher, Urokodaki. It was meant to ward off disasters.

He had immediately thought of the mask and decided to use it.

Using a fox mask as a medium for a fox's possession seemed perfectly reasonable, didn't it?

What followed was something Li Mo couldn't comprehend. Yokai were naturally skilled in magic, and both Hanachirusato and Yae Miko, as continuations of Lady Saiguu, were no exception. As a human, Li Mo had no such abilities.

—If he had mastered the Yatsugashira Yin-Yang arts, perhaps he could have understood.

But alas... Inazuma didn't have a profession like "Onmyoji" for people to transition into.

"It's done. Now, when you wear the mask, you can borrow my power," Hanachirusato said, handing the mask to Li Mo.

"Understood."

"When you descend, the Sacred Sakura Tree will sense that you're the one conducting the Sacred Sakura Cleansing Ritual and will assist you."

"Got it."

"Then, I'll begin dismantling the barrier," Hanachirusato said.

She began to chant.

"...From the east to the Whale Sea, to the west as far as the Sea of Ash, to the south as far as the Flaming Light, to the north as far as the Weak Water.

...A thousand branches, ten thousand veins, please remove this calamity."

Li Mo was currently halfway up Mt. Yougou. What should have been a steep cliff was instead a hollow cavity. The core of Mt. Yougou was empty.

At the bottom of the cavity was a sea of purple—a barrier formed by Electro energy. At its center was a hole. As Hanachirusato's spell took effect, the hole seemed to undergo a subtle transformation.

"You can descend now. Li Mo, please jump down."

"Understood."

Li Mo put on the fox-shaped talisman mask.

The disaster-warding mask given to him by Urokodaki had always been a collectible, never worn. This was the first time he had put it on.

Then, he could feel a connection with Hanachirusato.

"Safe travels, Li Mo."

"Thank you."

Li Mo leaped from the torii gate.

The pull of gravity immediately dragged him downward. His potential energy began to decrease, converting into kinetic energy. His speed increased rapidly.

The howling wind roared in his ears, scraping against his cheeks, causing a faint sting.

With the mask on, Li Mo closed his eyes. The world plunged into darkness, but the mysterious connection grew stronger.

Then...

His descent slowed.

A subtle force from below lifted him, countering gravity—this was Hanachirusato's magic.

He didn't need to resist; he only needed to use it. Li Mo moved toward the hole at the bottom. If he had to describe the sensation, it was like swimming.

He "dove" downward.

"Li Mo, once you enter the hole, I won't be able to communicate with you. But the mask contains remnants of my power, allowing you to fly briefly during combat.

The bottom is filled with the power of filth. You can obtain Thunder Sakura Seeds to protect yourself with the Sacred Sakura's power.

The final purification is up to you.

Please be careful."

"Understood."

This was Li Mo's first time communicating through thought, yet it felt strangely natural. Hanachirusato seemed to lean gently against his back, guiding him step by step on how to proceed.

Li Mo entered the hole.

What greeted him were massive, intertwined tree roots. If the roots at the previous five barrier sites were branches, then these were the main trunk.

At the intersection of the roots was a massive purple orb—or something resembling a heart.

The dark purple hue radiated an ominous aura. Li Mo could already feel an indescribable pressure.

Thunder Sakura Seeds...

Li Mo continued to "descend." As he fell, he felt another force protecting him, ensuring he landed safely.

The power of the Sacred Sakura?

Upon landing, the protective force dissipated. Li Mo found a Thunder Sakura Seed nearby.

From above, it hadn't been obvious. But now, standing on the ground, the sheer size of the Filth Tumor was staggering.

This was what he needed to purify.

Then, Li Mo noticed a fallen samurai beneath the Filth Tumor. The samurai had the appearance of a Kairagi, but black energy swirled around him.

—It was extremely ominous.

But...

Li Mo gripped the Amenoma Kageuchi in his hand and muttered, "When it comes to humanoid enemies, I have plenty of experience."

With the Thunder Sakura Seed hovering around him, Li Mo stepped forward and charged.