Qintiansi Time 07
The Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu College, located at the foot of Mount Setsan in the outer suburbs of Tokyo, claims to be a religious school. Many solemn temples, shrines, and pavilions are located on campus. However, these temples, shrines, and pavilions are all illusions.
You can also use spells to achieve similar illusion effects. However, these phantom images... are the product of barrier magic.
The essence of a barrier is a kind of "anchoring" of space. Its core mechanism stems from the influence of mana on the local space. The barrier is not static; it can be stretched, twisted, and folded. As the barrier changes, it also affects the local space it "anchors."
These temples, shrines and Buddhist pavilions are virtual images, but they really exist in the world.
Tianyuan is a worshipped god, so he naturally has his own temple.
Simply put, the word "mirage" can explain it. However, these virtual images are far more complex than mirages, requiring a great deal of precise calculations to establish the channel, allowing the barrier to refract and reflect light just right to form virtual images within the high school.
All these virtual images are collectively called "Hongxing Palace".
The virtual image shifts position daily. Rumor has it it's the result of Tian Yuan's daily use of barrier techniques. Tian Yuan is just too idle. The image's position changes with the weather. The technical college is so large, as long as the virtual image is within it, it's fine.
Even if it was to live up to its reputation as a religious school, why go to such lengths when illusions could solve the problem? These virtual images weren't just visual illusions; they were folded spaces in reality.
Lay a piece of paper flat and mark the left and right ends. Then fold the paper in half so that the marks overlap to transmit.
Tian Yuan could appear in any virtual image. Tian Yuan only knew which virtual image he was heading to, and he had no idea where it was. Even he himself couldn't know, let alone others.
As long as Tianyuan doesn't want to, no one can find Tianyuan in this huge barrier.
And you have to challenge the impossible.
"Hongxing Palace"
The astral plasma moves towards the palace of death.
"The death of an emperor is called 'beng'; the death of a duke is called 'hong'; the death of a minister is called 'zu'; and the death of a scholar is called 'bu lu'." This sentence stems from a memory from a past life. Even in Japan, 'hong' is a respectful term for the death of a person of very high status.
hypocritically.
Like the main hall of the Shinboku Shrine, the Jiku is a physical structure, hidden within a dense web of illusions. The illusions contain over 1,000 doors. These doors are the "teleportation points" marked by Tengen. Only one door leads to the Jiku, where highly dangerous cursed items are stored. All the illusions are identical, and only Tengen knows which door it is.
You stand in front of the steps.
rabbit?
Well, this is a suburban area, so critters are common. The lush greenery here dispels the heat on a scorching summer day. Finally reaching the top, you see a moss-covered stone tablet. The red lettering is so faded that others wouldn't be able to read it.
【Ten Thousand Mantras Return to the Vajra】
All spells will return here and be sealed forever.
"Myriad Curses Return to the Void..." you mutter to yourself. Whose wish is this? Even after a thousand years, such strong emotions still linger.
Is it...Tianyuan?
Looking down from the top of the steps, one can see the artificial surface that divides the majestic mountains into two, the Jujutsu High School, and the solemn and majestic temples, shrines and Buddhist pavilions within the high school.
So quiet.
Someone is coming.
"Miss." The blind woman in a shrine maiden costume greets you.
"You know me."
"I'm Qian. Miss, don't you remember me? Well, so many years have passed." She said with emotion.
"Qian? I remember Qian wasn't blind before. Qian had very beautiful eyes. You were assigned here after leaving Zenin's house? Eight years, or nine years? Are you alone?"
The woman was stunned for a moment, as if she didn't expect you to actually remember who she was.
"Miss, this is a necessary sacrifice." You can't hear whether her voice rises or falls, but you can hear the voice in her heart.
【Why was I the one who was sacrificed? 】
She wants to come over and put a white blindfold on you.
"I can do it myself."
"I forgot that the young lady never liked to be served."
"I didn't recognize Qian..." You were depressed, "Why could Qian recognize me?" After you tied the white cloth, she held your hand and led the way in front.
"Are you joking, miss? I can't see. I just know that it's the miss who will come today."
"sorry."
"Young lady, you haven't changed at all. Master Naoya... I don't want to mention this devil. Young lady, you don't have to apologize. I've been here for so many years, I'm used to it. Few people come here. I'm very happy to see you today."
Qian's emotions were as calm as the ripples caused by raindrops falling into a puddle.
"Even with our eyes open, we wouldn't know which door it is. All doors are the same, so why should we be blind?"
"Because the main hall and the kiku are real buildings. Their locations will not change."
"What does it matter? We still have to go to several other places before we go to Jiku."
"Miss, you are smart." She knew she couldn't fool you. "Everyone used to think blindfolding was a very normal thing. Only Miss asked why."
Because no one would question Tianyuan in the past.
"Why is that?"
Qian was thinking, and then she seemed to smile: "There is no reason, it's just that mortals cannot look directly at gods."
Is that the only reason?!
Just because of such a ridiculous reason! ?
"Is this what Master Tianyuan meant?"
"I don't know, young lady. I've been here for eight years and have never met Lord Tianyuan. I'm only responsible for occasionally escorting people like you to the Jiku."
It doesn’t mean Tianyuan.
"Actually, we don't need Qian here. Just touch any door and let Master Tianyuan lead you there."
"No, miss. Although I have never met Master Tianyuan, he knows of my existence. Only those following me are guests."
You know you were just saying that in anger. If you could just touch any door and get to the Jiku directly, then the Jiku's defenses would be too weak. Tianyuan wouldn't bother with such a thing.
The connection between the sorcerers and Tianyuan is close yet not close. Tianyuan does not see anyone and does not care about the secular world, but Tianyuan is closely related to the entire sorcery world and needs a messenger.
Qian exists in this way.
"Besides... Lord Tianyuan will probably be lonely too."
Tian Yuan...would be lonely? You had never thought of this before.
"Will Master Tianyuan speak to Qian?"
"Master Tianyuan's voice is very gentle."
So...
Space is constantly fluctuating.
“Miss, Jiku is behind this door.” She placed your hand on the door.
"Don't go in?"
"I'm just an ordinary person, miss."
If you go in, you will be cursed.
"Miss is not in good health, please don't stay too long."
"I know. Thank you for your concern, Chi."
Most of the information humans get from the outside world comes from their eyes. But when we cover our eyes, the senses of other parts of our body become clearer.
I should be surrounded by tiny stars of light.
[I offer my body, my strength, and my wisdom here, and all the mantras will be hidden.]
【The one who binds is Tian Yuan.】
The Jiku is very big, very big.
The High Expert in Curse Magic is a foreigner to the Yanshan Mountains. Yanshan is the domain of Lord Tengen. The Tengen barrier dates back a thousand years to the Heian Period. The Hongxing Palace community also gradually formed over this millennium. Long ago, the Jiku was a place where highly dangerous cursed objects were stored.
Later generations established the School of Spells on this basis.
This is the safest place.
You take off the tape.
The Ryoumen Sukuna in the bag was incredibly obedient. You couldn't imagine how powerful the Curse King was a thousand years ago. After all, it was just a finger now, so what could it possibly do?
You meet unexpected "people".
"Lord Tianyuan." You couldn't explain what was going on in your mind. You hadn't expected to see her right now.
You can't see Tianyuan's image clearly, you can only vaguely tell from her clothes that she is a woman.
There is no such coincidence in the world.
"Since you've come to see me, why don't you show your true face?"
"I'm just worried about scaring you. My body is breaking down, and the next assimilation will begin soon."
"You mean next year?"
"Is that a very distant time for you, young friend?"
"It takes up one sixteenth of my life." You said seriously.
Lord Tianyuan smiled softly, "That only occupied a moment of my life. Immortal and indestructible, time means nothing to me."
Lord Tianyuan is not proud of his "immortality".
Master Tianyuan is not a bad person, perhaps she...
"Is your evolution really inevitable?" You still ask. The matter of astral plasma is very important to you.
"If I were certain that evolution was a good thing, then I wouldn't need assimilation."
"What will you evolve into?"
"Young man, you speak so directly, but not everyone will answer your questions honestly."
"A cursed spirit?"
"How did you find out?"
You took out two of Sukuna's fingers from the bag and held them in front of you, saying calmly, "They're all curses."
You couldn’t see Tian Yuan’s smile clearly, but you could sense its incomparable innocence: “Maybe you really are a variable, an outsider.”
Your eyes widened.
Your surprised expression made Tianyuan even more pleased. She continued to ponder, "The Zenyuan family shouldn't have a fourth son."
The fourth son of the Zenin family...mother?
"I heard that Master Tianyuan is also good at fortune-telling." You said strangely, "But you shouldn't care about such a small matter."
"The three great families share a common bond with the art of spellcasting."
"That's also..."
Do old people like to tease children?
"I was observing with my six eyes. And then I discovered your presence."
Gojo-san was indeed born in the same year as you, but you still didn't understand what Tengen said. Tengen seemed reluctant to discuss the matter further, saying something even more difficult to understand: "The two most important chess pieces have been created. The chess game today is exactly the same as it was a thousand years ago. The long-dormant chess game may begin anew."
"I don't understand what you're saying."
Tian Yuan said softly, "Time is of great significance to you, my friend. This is not something you need to consider right now. Am I being a little sentimental?"
"Your emotions are very mixed."
"I see... What do you think about the astral plasma?"
"I still haven't figured out why astral plasma exists."
"Your idea is correct. Perhaps you really do have a solution."
Does this mean I should think for myself?
Meeting with Master Tianyuan was unexpected. It wasn't like I didn't get other valuable information. There was another important question: "Is 'Returning the Ten Thousand Curses' your wish?"
Lady Tianyuan was silent for a long time. After a long while, she finally said a word.
"yes."
With such a powerful voice and determination, she waved her hand and said to you, "I'm tired. Let's stop here today."
This is a pain that Lord Tianyuan cannot touch, and you realized it in an instant.
"I have offended you."
"Don't worry. Once you put Sukuna's finger down, you can leave."
The most obvious part of Ryomen Sukuna's fingers is the kiku. It's not that Ryomen Sukuna's fingers are obvious. No matter how many fingers there are, they're not that big. The most obvious part is the embryos placed near the fingers, from 1 to 9.
The nine phases diagram of the mantra fetus.
Works by Kenroshi Kamo.
As expected, the Kamo family has always been the villain since ancient times.
You obediently place your finger into the series of fingers.
You want to understand me.
[Are you really willing to abandon me here? ]
Is this Ryoumen Sukuna stupid?! Lord Tengen is watching over there, and now he comes out to seduce you!?
No, it's not stupid. This is its purpose. There are so many of its fingers here, and if you escape with them, it will recover its strength the fastest.
"Don't you want to know a solution other than assimilation? I can tell you. As long as you—"
"Sir Sukuna, I will seek my own answers. Most importantly, your time has passed. I doubt you will ever give me a satisfactory solution. After today, I will, like everyone else, forget your existence."
【Forgot? Then I will remind you.】
The room was bright, but evil seeped into the light in subtle ways, and Ryoumen Sukuna, trapped in the shadows, opened his eyes once again.
【You always seem to be in a daze with your eyes closed. 】
It's quiet.
The sense of oppression that Ryomen Sukuna gives you is much greater than before in the dormitory.
Is it because there are too many fingers gathered here? It will become increasingly difficult to find the remaining fingers.
Ryomen Sukuna should be sealed here forever.
"My friend, you've spent so much time... Did Ryoumen Sukuna seduce you?"
"Yeah. I also want to study Ryoumen Sukuna more."
It’s strange, why does Lord Tianyuan look so sad?
"I'm different from Ryoumen Sukuna."
"I know. It's an evil being. You're not. You think you are evil. That's not right."
"My friend's technique is the essence of cursed energy. Nothing can be hidden from you." Lord Tengen turned to face you.
"You seem to want to say something to me."
A tide of sorrow is surging.
"While you are here, I just made another fortune telling."
In your perception, Tian Yuan is the end of all sorrow. But since you met Tian Yuan, she has always maintained this mood.
"What is it?" you asked curiously.
"When the number 29 comes, it will inevitably break; hiding oneself at the bottom of the mirror, nameless above the shadow; rising at the wrong time, returning to the wrong place."
The grief had limited impact on Tianyuan.
This is fate.
Mysterious fate.
A fate that no one can resist.
It's time to accept all this, Tianyuan.
Don't let any more meaningless sacrifices be made.
"Miss Zenyuan."
Why did Lord Tianyuan suddenly change the way he addressed you?
"Can't tell? I understand—" metaphysics—"I won't see you again. I hope you take care of yourself."
Why--
Weren't we just discussing—
The overly fast teleportation made you dizzy. You had let down your guard against Tian Yuan, which was why she was able to get you out so quickly and directly.
Yes! Drive them out!
You don't understand.
"Miss, the exit is this way."
You suppressed your urge to vomit and pounded on the door desperately.
"Miss?"
“Tian Yuan!!!”
"Qian, take her away." A series of magnificent voices echoed from all directions. You don't know where Tianyuan is. Your mastery of barrier techniques is even worse than hers.
"I'm not leaving."
"Qian, cover your ears."
"Yes, Master Tianyuan."
A gentle voice came from behind the door.
"Miss Zenyuan, I don't know your previous name. You have nothing to do with all this. Since you are an outsider, don't ask about the affairs of this place. Just live your life in peace."
"Mom doesn't want you to be a sorcerer. She just wants you to live your life in peace."
Mom strokes your head.
Mom, I'm grown up and I can make my own decisions.
You raised your head and knocked on the door desperately. "You mean, I shouldn't get involved!? Why should you make the choice for me!?"
"Because your choice is meaningless, Miss Zenyuan. Many things in this world are predestined, and your participation or not will not affect their ultimate trajectory."
"You're not saying I'm a variable?"
"[Variables will be eliminated]."
Lord Tianyuan remained silent.
You bit your lip tightly, your mood has been very up and down today.
I am so happy that Tianyuan is not a bad person.
But, but...
"What about Riko?"
"Ms. Zenin, you know how I feel."
"'It's a necessary sacrifice'?"
"It's a necessary sacrifice."
"I can't change this?"
"Some things you can change, some things you can't. Forget about us."
Don't cry. Crying won't bring you sympathy, it will only bring you disgust.
All barriers are extensions of Tianyuan's will.
"Let me tell you a secret, Miss Zenin. All the astral plasmas are by my side. Will this make you feel better?"
"I know, I know this!" you roared, and then followed by weakness. Your health wasn't good, your moods were volatile, and you felt incredibly uncomfortable, cold all over, as if you'd fallen back into that winter pond of your childhood.
"What does Lord Tianyuan want me to do?"
"Be an ordinary person and enjoy your life. This is your initial trajectory in life, the beginning."
"Can I still come to see you?"
"You don't like Hongxing Palace."
"Hongxing Palace" has always buried more than just astral plasma.
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