"Uncle, please open the door!"

"I am begging you! Do not do anything foolish!"

Thoughts were pulled back by the heartbreaking cries outside the door.

Omiya Yoto slowly opened his eyes.

The reminiscence in the eyes of Omiya Yoto dissipated, leaving behind only the calmness of an ancient, undisturbed well.

He ignored the commotion outside the door, simply turning around to walk back toward the scorching forging platform.

He picked up the long saber that had just finished quenching and was still radiating a faint heat.

The blade was straight and its lines were smooth, flashing with a grim, chilling light under the reflection of the furnace fire.

Omiya Yoto extended calloused fingers and gently stroked the cold blade.

"This newly forged saber has not even been given a name yet—"

He felt the weight of this saber, feeling the sharpness and spirituality uniquely belonging to a Divine Artifact and sharp weapon radiating from it.

"Let us call it 'Farewell'."

He murmured softly.

"Today, let this saber bid me farewell."

Having said that, he no longer hesitated.

He walked to the exact center of the forging room and slowly knelt down.

Both knees knelt on the ground, his clothes spread out flat.

With both hands, he tightly gripped the hilt of 'Farewell', pointing the tip of the blade at his own abdomen.

Nakamura Shinichiro cried out in despair.

"Teacher—"

"Pfft."

The sound of a sharp blade piercing flesh was so faint it was almost inaudible.

Yet it was as clear as a thunderclap, exploding deafeningly within the dead-silent forging room.

The body of Omiya Yoto trembled violently, and all the color instantly drained from his face.

Fresh blood slowly flowed down the blade, dripping onto the cold stone slab and blooming into one enchanting red lotus after another.

He loosened his hand, letting the long saber named 'Farewell' remain quietly embedded in his body.

A relieved and satisfied smile slowly curled up at the corners of the mouth of the old man.

"Nakamura! Do it!"

...

Not knowing how long he had slept, Zhou Huai slowly woke up.

Fatigue surged from the depths of his soul like a tide, instantly engulfing his entire body.

He braced himself against the head of the bed and sat up with difficulty, feeling as though his head was filled with lead and exceptionally heavy.

The brows of Zhou Huai knitted into a knot.

The soul power replenished this time dissipated even faster than anticipated.

"The Pendulum of Life!"

Thinking of that golden Divine Artifact, Zhou Huai could not help raising his hand and fiercely punching the soft mattress.

Just a little bit more!

Just that tiny bit!

If that old fellow Soma Kosuke could have stalled Kujo Koji and the others for just a few more minutes, he would have truly had a chance to succeed.

Now the opportunity had been missed.

Next time he wanted to snatch the Pendulum of Life from the hands of Kujo Koji, the difficulty would be several or even dozens of times greater than before.

"Creak—"

The bedroom door was gently pushed open.

Old Butler Fu Bo walked in cautiously carrying a tray.

Seeing the paper-white face of Zhou Huai and the uncontrollable fatigue hidden deep within his eyes, the turbid eyes of Fu Bo were instantly filled with worry.

"Young Master, you are awake."

Fu Bo placed the tray on the bedside table, which contained warm rice porridge and side dishes.

"Your complexion looks very poor."

Zhou Huai waved his hand and squeezed out a smile on his face.

"Fu Bo, I am fine."

"I am just a little tired, resting for a bit will do."

"Do not worry."

Fu Bo opened his mouth as if to speak, stopping himself, and ultimately turning it into a sigh as he silently retreated.

Zhou Huai did not delay, quickly sweeping away the food.

With the warm food in his stomach, his body finally recovered a trace of strength.

Without a moment of rest, he quickly lay back down on the bed and closed his eyes.

His consciousness once again returned to the body of Caesar.

...

At this moment, Caesar was lying on an unfamiliar bed. The room was sparsely decorated, with only a bed and a table.

Recently, the situation in Takamagahara was tense. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Zhou Huai simply had Caesar enter standby mode as well, pretending to be unconscious.

"Master!"

A pleasantly surprised young girl's voice carrying a crying tone rang out beside the bed.

Seeing Caesar open his eyes, Natsume Rinku hurriedly rushed to the bedside, her clear, large eyes brimming with tears while stubbornly holding them back from falling.

"You... You are finally awake!"

"Are you alright? You have been unconscious for a full three days, really... you really scared me to death."

Three days?

Zhou Huai was startled inwardly.

He had originally thought he had only been asleep for a day, but he did not expect that so much time had already passed.

It seemed that the overdraft of soul power this time was far more severe than he had imagined.

Controlling Caesar, Zhou Huai calmly shook his head to signal that he was fine.

Right at that moment, the room door was pushed open.

Another figure walked in briskly; it was none other than Tang Qi.

Seeing Caesar, who had already opened his eyes on the bed, he visibly let out a sigh of relief.

"Your Excellency Ever-changing Star Lord, you are finally awake."

Without any nonsense, Zhou Huai spoke directly and bluntly.

"Has anything happened in Takamagahara these past few days?"

The expression of Tang Qi turned solemn.

He sighed.

"More than just something happening."

"It is simply... changed dramatically."

"After Lord Soma Kosuke failed to assassinate Kujo Koji, the Kujo Family organized an extremely fierce retaliation."

"Not only in Tokyo, but all forces subordinate to the Omiya Family across the country suffered devastating attacks at the exact same time."

"Aside from a very few core members who managed to escape, the rest of the Omiya Family... met their demise almost entirely."

"In Sakura Country today, the Omiya Family no longer exists."

"Only the Kujo Family remains, covering the sky with one hand."

Hearing this, Zhou Huai also sighed silently.

Sure enough, matters were running all the way toward the worst-case scenario he had anticipated.

The fists of Tang Qi tightened unconsciously, and seemingly thinking of something, he continued:

"However, there is also good news!"

"In recent days, rumors have already begun circulating in major cities about the scandal that the Kujo Family spared no expense in sacrificing the lives of hundreds of thousands of civilians in order to resurrect those two SS-Rank Experts!"

"Although the Kujo Family used thunderous methods at the very first moment to suppress anyone who dared discuss this matter, the news spread like wildfire and simply could not be suppressed."

"Now, civilian grievances are growing heavier and heavier, and the sentiment of rebellion against the Kujo Family is becoming increasingly intense."

"Among the families of the deceased, there were already quite a few Classer. They have now spontaneously united, accumulating strength in secret and clamoring to avenge their loved ones!"

After listening, Zhou Huai just thought for a moment before calmly shaking his head.

"It is useless."

"In the face of absolute power, no matter how fierce the rebellion is, it is all in vain."

"Today the Kujo Family has already gained control of the entire military and administrative power of Sakura Country, becoming an overwhelmingly dominant existence."

"In their eyes, those so-called resistance organizations are nothing more than a group of ants that can be crushed at any time."

The eyes of Tang Qi dimmed bit by bit.

His mood was heavier than ever before.

"Could it be... that we truly have no chance left?"

"If Kujo Koji really resurrects that legendary Amaterasu just as he planned..."

"With his lunatic-like personality, the next one to suffer will definitely be our Daxia."

Zhou Huai opened his mouth.

Just about to say something.

Suddenly.

A cold System prompt suddenly and without warning exploded within his mind.

【Ding! Detected that the host is facing a major choice, triggering a hidden challenge task!】

【Task Name: Amaterasu Slays God】

【Task Objective: Successfully stop or kill Amaterasu!】

【Task Reward: Top-grade Professional Orb Draw Chance X1 (Guaranteed SSS-Rank)!】