My Apocalypse System Arrives 10 Years Early

Chapter 419: Chapter 273: Second Shikigami, Hot Spring Afterglow

”Thank you, Master.”

”Thank you, Godfather.”

Chiba Yuki and her two daughters were extremely grateful to Li Xiang. The two cherubic little girls, one on his left and one on his right, each gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Chiba Yuki hadn’t fully recovered from her injuries, so Li Xiang stood up. ”Get some rest. We can talk about everything else in the morning.”

Now that Asatsuyu and Yukigiri were Tier One Transcendent, they were capable of protecting their mother.

”Master...” Chiba Yuki wanted him to stay, but Li Xiang just waved his hand and gently closed the wooden door on his way out.

He walked around the hot spring inn, using his Earth Superpower to repair the damaged floors.

The Earth Pivot World Record made this work incredibly convenient. Everywhere Li Xiang passed, the damage was restored in minutes. He even used the Rock Armor Technique to reinforce some areas.

The night passed without incident. The next morning, Chiba Yuki was stunned to see the floors restored to their original condition. She naturally knew it was Li Xiang’s handiwork and was deeply moved.

”Thank you, Master.” Chiba Yuki bowed. She wanted to go up and hug Li Xiang but didn’t quite dare to.

”I have some lumber here. You can find someone to repair the floors and the roof.” With a wave of his hand, Li Xiang produced a large quantity of precious wood. It was all pre-processed timber from a lumber mill, ready for immediate use.

”Is this... rosewood? Yellow Flower Pear Wood? Oh, my heavens... is that golden teak?” Chiba Yuki knew her materials. After just a brief glance, she covered her mouth in astonishment. ”Master, this is far too precious.”

”It’s nothing,” Li Xiang said with a wave.

He had no idea how much lumber was in his system’s warehouse. The warehouse was now seven times its original size and could hold even more supplies. To call this a drop in the bucket would be an understatement.

Chiba Yuki accepted it with peace of mind. It was a gift from her Master. Besides, no matter how precious the wood was, it was still a mundane item. How could it compare to the value of Spiritual Medicine and Breathing Techniques?

Chiba Yuki made a call and had a familiar construction company come over to help repair the building.

When she finished her business and returned to the room, she saw Li Xiang playing with her two daughters.

”Mama, Godfather gave us lots of yummy Spirit Fruits again.” Chiba Asatsuyu and Chiba Yukigiri were nestled against Li Xiang on either side, happily munching away.

Li Xiang beckoned for Chiba Yuki to come and sit down. He then began to guide them in their training, answering some of the questions they had encountered during their Cultivation.

Li Xiang’s Realm was high, and he often exchanged ideas with cultivation geniuses like Luo Feifei, so guiding these three novices was a simple matter.

Chiba Yuki mentioned that because Aoi Monshou was a Buddhist nun, she had recently started studying some Buddhist scriptures. While healing last night, she had a new insight: perhaps Aoi Monshou hadn’t vanished completely but had simply gone dormant. Maybe, one day, she could return.

Since Aoi Monshou was fond of Buddhist scriptures, if she actively studied this knowledge, she might be able to awaken her sooner.

Li Xiang pondered for a moment before recommending several widely known Buddhist scriptures from China, such as the Heart Sutra, the Diamond Sutra, the Lotus Sutra, the Infinite Life Sutra, the Sutra of Ksitigarbha, and the Mahavairocana Sutra.

These scriptures were all available online. Chiba Yuki quickly searched for and downloaded them.

However, the scriptures were quite profound. Although she understood Chinese, her proficiency was naturally no match for Li Xiang’s. Therefore, she bowed and asked if Li Xiang could stay for a few more days to guide her in chanting them.

Li Xiang: ”...” He reluctantly agreed and began to explain the meaning of some of the scriptures to her.

Fortunately, he was fast, and the trip home only took an hour. So, he would sneak over late every night to Chiba Yuki’s bedroom to teach her how to chant the Buddhist scriptures.

However, Li Xiang never stayed for long, leaving in a hurry after just an hour or two.

Because having such a beautiful young woman chant scriptures... even the Buddha wouldn’t be able to take it. Li Xiang felt that if he stayed too long, he might make a ”mistake.”

Since the damaged parts of the inn were all wooden structures, the repairs only took three days. Snow’s Inn was back in business.

Li Xiang observed for a few days. Business was good, and no one came to cause trouble.

On the sixth night, not only had Chiba Yuki’s injuries fully healed, but she also had a breakthrough in her Realm.

The new crimson mark below her collarbone suddenly lit up. ”Second Shikigami, Red Wisdom, appear!”

A Flame Folding Fan opened with a SWISH. A young female Shikigami in a scarlet kimono stepped out on a path of fire. Pointed red horns, somewhat like a goat’s yet also resembling a Deer Antler’s, grew from her hair.

Li Xiang asked what abilities this Shikigami possessed.

Chiba Yuki didn’t dare to hide anything and immediately explained in detail, demonstrating as she spoke.

Red Wisdom was a Fire Attribute combat Shikigami. She could summon the Karma Fire Red Lotus Barrier, and the Folding Fan she held was the ”Heaven-Burning Seven Bone Fan,” which could break down all things into fire elements.

Furthermore, hidden in Red Wisdom’s hair was a ”Karma Fire Silver Bell.” When shaken, it would release sparks that condensed into the petals of the Other Shore Flower.

Li Xiang carefully considered it and felt that there were distinct differences between the fire of Chiba Yuki, Chiba Asatsuyu, and Lei Xiaohui.

Lei Xiaohui’s fire was a Taoist Fire, full of Daoist rhythm and spirituality. Chiba Asatsuyu’s fire came from the fumes of volcanic magma deep within the earth—tyrannical, vicious, fierce, and filled with toxic miasma. As for Chiba Yuki, her fire was somewhat sinister, a type of ”Ghost Fire.”

The Red Lotus Karmic Fire, according to myths and legends, originated from the eighteenth level of Avici Hell. It used Sinful Karmic Force as fuel. Once touched, it was impossible to extinguish; one could only wait for the karmic fire to burn away all sin, a process of pain beyond what an ordinary person could endure.

However, whether it was Aoi Monshou or Red Wisdom, both were stunningly beautiful, with figures that were to die for.

It was worth mentioning that after her breakthrough, Chiba Yuki could sense Aoi Monshou again. This time, the ”connection” was even stronger than before. Just as she had expected, Aoi Monshou hadn’t completely dissipated but had fallen into a deep slumber. Chiba Yuki estimated it would take at least a hundred days, perhaps even longer, before she could be summoned again.

Although her first Shikigami, Aoi Monshou, was temporarily dormant, with this second Shikigami and her new status as a Second Tier Transcendent, Chiba Yuki’s strength had not receded but advanced. She was even more powerful than before.

With her two daughters also having broken through to a new realm, Chiba Yuki was moved to tears with gratitude for Li Xiang.

To thank Li Xiang, the beautiful young woman personally prepared a medicinal Hinoki cypress bath for him late at night, attending to him as he bathed and changed.

She removed her outer robe, leaving only a plain white under-kimono, and knelt by the side of the pool, using a wooden ladle to pour water over Li Xiang’s shoulders and back. Red Wisdom knelt on the other side, performing a tea ceremony and feeding the brewed, fragrant tea to Li Xiang’s lips.

Li Xiang took a sip. It had a unique flavor all its own.

The private hot spring steamed with the fragrance of Hinoki cypress in the dead of night. Chiba Yuki knelt amidst the mist, her fingertips brushing across the muscles of Li Xiang’s back.

”Master, do you know the story behind this Hinoki bath?”

She massaged Li Xiang, her voice as soft as falling snow.

”Before a warrior of the Warring States period went to battle, his wife would prepare a bath with hundred-year-old Hinoki wood to purify his body, praying for her husband’s...”

Li Xiang closed his eyes and enjoyed it. He had to admit, Chiba Yuki’s massage technique was excellent, and Red Wisdom’s tea ceremony skills were first-class.

”If you ever grow tired, Master, Yuki’s lap will always be here for you to rest on.” Amidst the swirling steam, Yuki lowered her gaze and whispered softly.