"its name"

"Yamata!"

Upon hearing this, Uesugi Kiyoshi glanced sideways, his eyes revealing a hint of surprise and apprehension.

Indeed, this name is famous throughout the world.

Of course, it is famous throughout the world as a "villain," "disaster," "monster," and "god of calamity."

In the Collectors Association's secret scrolls, "Yamata no Orochi" is described in a separate scroll.

The name of Yamata no Orochi is usually referred to as "orochi". In ancient times, the name of a certain being was usually described using very intuitive words to describe its characteristics.

The name Yamata no Orochi consists of three characters, which respectively represent "mountain", "link", and "spiritual power".

It can be interpreted as "something that can shake mountains and seas" or "something that connects to spiritual power".

Each of them possesses formidable capabilities.

Similarly, as a demon, Yamata no Orochi is mentioned in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, and countless Japanese films and television dramas mention it. In this country, its fame is indeed very high. In dreams, it is probably just as these monks said, extremely difficult to slay.

Uesugi Kiyoshi was somewhat surprised, not because he was intimidated by the name.

He just made some connections.

Yamata no Orochi is a snake-shaped creature.

He had seen quite a few serpentine, extraordinary, and evil beings.

The earliest "Jormungandr" observed in Ryunosuke Akutagawa's dream, and the "Outer God" Hydra, whose soul returned to the place he slew.

He just remembered that the rotten smell he had just caught seemed familiar.

Those "snake-shaped" deities all seem to have this kind of aura.

Is it a common trait among snakes? Or...?

I hope I'm just overthinking it.

With the name "Yaki" in his heart, Uesugi Kiyoshi had no intention of backing down.

"Master, do not worry, just watch my methods."

He took another step forward, and the figures in the monks' robes all looked worried.

They looked at each other from left to right, and the one in the lead continued to speak.

"Young layman, you may not know this, but the Yamata no Orochi has been said to have eight heads and eight tails since ancient times. It can transform into eight different forms, each with its own supernatural powers."

"The one suppressed by Daitoku-ji Temple is one of the Eight Shadows of Yamata no Hakakage. This clone is most skilled at bewitching people's hearts."

"Countless younger generations have been bewitched by this evil spirit and turned into its puppets. We have no choice but to ruthlessly kill our own disciples and followers, which is truly agonizing for us."

"Young layman, you are young but your swordsmanship is already sharp and brilliant. You are a golden talent. You must not lose your life here. It will not be too late to suppress this fiend when you have mastered the swordsmanship."

The old monk kept muttering to himself, his words full of goodwill, and he even used some roundabout language to try to persuade Uesugi Kiyoshi.

But that wasn't what Uesugi Kiyoshi was thinking about.

"To bewitch people, huh? It seems that Monk Mingkong is using the same methods to manipulate those mortal gangs."

"Yama no Orochi."

"That makes sense."

"Shuten once mentioned that he was the son of the Ibuki Mountain God, Yamata no Orochi. I remember he had a title, Ibuki Mountain Great God, so it must not be unfounded."

"That monk's indestructible divine body was probably bait thrown out by Orochi to seduce him!"

"He also has connections with Shuten-dōji."

With many questions answered, Uesugi Kiyoshi's mood improved slightly.

Compared to formidable enemies, what he hates most is the "unknown".

He looked around, gazing at the dazzling Buddha light filling the sky, raised his palms in respect, and his expression became solemn.

"Just now in the mortal world, a master led me to this pagoda without any attempt to hide from me, which must mean he has confidence in the seal of this pagoda."

"Now that all the masters have kindly advised me and have not forcibly expelled me, I suppose they have a way to deal with this Orochi."

"In that case, let me give it a try."

"If I show any abnormality, or if I am about to be bewitched by this demon, please kill me first, and I will have no complaints!"

These words were decisive and resolute, like a sword drawn from its sheath.

The six old monks were startled and stared silently into Uesugi Kiyoshi's clear eyes.

The young swordsman smiled slightly, said no more, and with a light step, stepped into the "Buddhist net" formed by the six high monks.

In that instant, the golden light was shut out from the world, and everything before our eyes was plunged into darkness.

The statue, covered in black cloth, trembled as if it were about to come to life.

Uesugi Kiyoshi tilted his head and gave a wicked smile.

He's not like the protagonist in a movie, waiting for the boss to make the first move.

He bends over to gather strength, reverses his grip on Onikiri, and steps forward with a backhand slash.

The statue, along with the black cloth, was cut in two.

The serpentine statue was shattered on the ground, its scales reflecting a ghostly, inky light, its fangs menacing, yet the serpent's cold-blooded face held an incongruous look of astonishment.

He seemed to have never expected that he would be so cleanly and efficiently cut in two by the newcomer.

The fragments of the statue turned into black mist, coalesced, and slowly formed a human shape.

Uesugi Kiyoshi didn't expect to behead the legendary "Yamata" with a single strike. He watched with interest as the black mist solidified, eventually transforming into an effeminate man dressed in brocade robes.

He was pale-faced, with vertical pupils like a reptile. Although his face was somewhat gloomy, he was still a first-rate handsome man. His long hair was loose, and his gorgeous kimono was set off by the black mist, giving him an imposing presence.

The effeminate man stared at Uesugi Kiyoshi, hesitated for half a second, and then spoke in a hoarse voice.

"Ha Boy"

Is power what you crave?

Before he finished speaking, a flash of sword light appeared.

From his right shoulder to his left abdomen, under the incredulous gaze of the effeminate man, he was once again split in two.

Uesugi Kiyoshi swept past diagonally, sheathed his sword, turned around, and raised an eyebrow.

"Did you see through my desires? Or were you just guessing?"

"It's true that I crave power."

"But... is this all the legendary Orochi is capable of?"

"Then you don't have enough power to make a deal with me."

Uesugi Kiyoshi brandished his sword, his words dripping with sarcasm, showing no sign of wavering.

There was no bloodshed, nor any gruesome sight of internal organs scattered everywhere.

The sword flashed, and the effeminate man's body was indeed split in two. But then, the wound quickly healed, as if the sword had never been there.

The effeminate man also turned around, his eyes already containing a hint of anger as he looked at Uesugi Kiyoshi.

“I have a heart that appreciates talent. Your abilities far surpass those of those big and small bald monks. If you are willing to help me, I will assist you in ascending to godhood. What do you say?”

The words were very straightforward, but to Uesugi Kiyoshi they sounded like the whispers of a demon from the abyss, incredibly alluring—not by their own words, but by a kind of spiritual magic, a means to sway the mind.

A low, inexplicable murmur sounded in her ear, her eyelids drooped, and the effeminate man in front of her became increasingly gentle.

Those with weak wills would probably have already fallen into the trap set by Orochi.

Uesugi Kiyoya almost fell for the trap, but it was the image of himself in the Mirage Tower, connected to his inner self, that provided him with a cool breeze, which jolted him awake and prevented him from losing his mind.

"An attack that targets the soul, a suppression at the spiritual level."

"Phew, if it weren't for the Godhood Steps of the Lord of a Hundred Ghosts protecting my mind, I'm afraid I would have lost my mind too."

"Just a single sentence can have such power?"

"No wonder these monks are so nervous. If this thing is allowed to escape its cage, it won't be long before this country becomes its puppet."

"It's too dangerous, he has to die!"

A fleeting look of confusion crossed Uesugi Kiyoshi's eyes, followed by an overwhelming surge of killing intent that made even the Orochi avatar opposite him feel a chill.

Of course, what this effeminate man felt most was astonishment.

"The Mind-Stealing Demon couldn't even shake his mind?!"

"Impossible! Even those old monks who have been practicing Buddhism for many years would have to retreat in the face of this move!"

"Why does this kid possess such a resilient mind?"

Before he could find the answer, Onikiri was about to strike his neck.

With a sudden thrust, followed by a flat cut, then a turn of the robe, and after the body has passed, another backflip thrust follows, a double attack.

In an instant, Uesugi Kiyoshi drew five swords.

He used the Inugami's "Evil Slash," and the Onikiri shone with a dazzling red light. However, after the snake demon incarnation was torn to pieces, the red light on the Onikiri quickly dimmed and lost its luster, as if it had been polluted.

"Useless? As expected."

"As expected, the Inugami's power level is still somewhat insufficient compared to the so-called Yamata no Orochi?"

"However, it wasn't a complete waste of time. We roughly figured out the nature of his resurrection ability."

"It's not rebirth or healing; it's not a physical entity!"

"A mere sword is useless to him, and its power to slay evil is insufficient."

A thick, dark fog began to form, and a pale, effeminate man's brows revealed obvious anger.

He grinned, revealing sharp, bone-like teeth. He stuck out his tongue, licked his lips, and his golden vertical pupils narrowed into slits.

As his expression changed, it was as if even the air froze, and the golden Buddhist light around him dimmed, like a candle flickering in the wind, on its last legs.

Thick fog filled the air, and a nauseating stench of decay rose from nowhere, permeating the sealed space.

Uesugi Kiyoshi bent over slightly, as if he were carrying a load of several hundred pounds.

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