Curse Returns, a gamble from the start, I awaken dual spells

On the ruined plaza, lava and water mingled, and billowing white mist was torn into pieces by the gale and then reformed.

Li Ren knelt on one knee in the pile of rubble, the cuff of his left school uniform sleeve mostly charred, revealing the scalded skin underneath.

His breathing was heavy, and the flow of his magical power within his body was noticeably sluggish.

"Can you still stand up?" Dongtang's voice came from the side.

"Yes." Rito gritted his teeth and stood up, supporting himself on his knees.

His gaze passed over the East Hall and landed on the short figure not far away.

The water clock stood in the center of the square, with black smoke constantly billowing from the cracks at the top of the volcano.

Behind him, several distorted cursed spirits were poised to attack, blocking all three of their escape routes.

Tiger Staff stood at the forefront, his magical power burning into two balls of azure flames on his fist.

"This guy's spell range is too large; we have no chance of winning if we go head-to-head with him."

At this moment, Juan Suo had retreated to the outer edge of the battle circle, his hands tucked into his sleeves, a repulsive smile on his face.

"East Hall," Rihito suddenly spoke, his voice very low.

"I'll create an opening later, and you guys take Kugizaki and Fushiguro and rush out."

"No!" Itadori's expression changed. "Staying here alone is suicide!"

"Don't worry, I won't die." Rito twitched the corner of his mouth, slowly raised his right hand, and the curse power in his palm was still flowing weakly.

"We're just holding them off. Gojo-sensei should be breaking through the formation soon, as long as he gets there in time..."

"That won't work either." Itajō's voice suddenly became very calm.

He turned his head and looked at Rito, his usually bright eyes showing no hesitation.

"You gave up the chance to kill that cursed spirit to save us, now it's my turn."

He grinned, clapping his fists together in front of his chest, and azure magical energy surged up like flames.

"I am the vessel for the Su Nuo, I am very tough. You and Dongtang go first, I will hold them off."

"It's truly moving," Juan Suo's voice came from above, carrying a condescending sense of compassion.

He raised his right hand and then gently hooked it.

From the thick shadows behind them, dozens of cursed spirits roared simultaneously, their twisted bodies surging from all directions toward the three of them.

"However, none of you are leaving today."

The water clock gave a cold snort and slammed his hands together.

The ground trembled, and several columns of magma gushed out from the cracks, the scorching heat instantly evaporating the moisture in the air.

Todo grabbed Itachi's shoulder, and the Unjust Game was activated. The two switched positions with the distant rubble, barely avoiding the impact of the lava.

However, the horde of cursed spirits had already closed in.

Rito gritted his teeth, and the remaining curse power in his right palm condensed once more.

At this moment, his magical power was almost exhausted, and each invocation was like scooping out the last ladle of water from the bottom of a dried-up well.

Just then, a sharp, blood-red light pierced through the shadows on the left side of the ruins.

The streak of blood light was incredibly fast, drawing a scarlet arc in mid-air before precisely piercing through the three cursed spirits charging at the forefront.

The struck cursed spirit didn't even have time to scream before its body dissolved in the bloody light, turning into a pool of black residue scattered among the rubble.

"Oh? It seems an acquaintance has appeared." The louvered vessel's one eye narrowed sharply.

The fingers, which were tucked into his sleeve, paused slightly, and he looked with interest in the direction from which the blood was shooting out.

Soon, a tall figure emerged from behind the collapsed wall.

He wore a dark, wide robe, the half-open front revealing his chest covered in cursed patterns.

A black curse mark ran across the bridge of his nose, making his calm face appear cold, hard, and gloomy.

The blood-red curse power still lingered on the fingertips of his right hand, emitting a faint crimson glow in the dim ruins.

Expansion phase.

He walked up to Hu Zhang and stopped.

His eyes swept over the water clock, finally settling on the figure in monk's robes high above.

"...Abnormal." For the first time, a hint of surprise appeared in Juan Suo's voice, but it was quickly covered by a gentle smile.

"I never expected to see you here."

"There are many things you haven't considered." Zhang Xiang's voice was cold.

Juan Suo tilted his head, his tone carrying a scrutinizing tone.

"Is it worth it for a younger brother I've only known for less than a month?"

The swelling phase did not respond.

He turned his head and glanced at Tiger Staff behind him.

Itachi was staring at him with wide eyes, scratching his head, looking like he wanted to say something but had forgotten.

Zhang Xiang withdrew his gaze and looked back at the coiled rope.

"He is my brother, not your pawn. From the moment you told me to capture him, you no longer have the right to ask me if it was worth it."

He slowly raised his hands, crossing his fingers in front of his chest.

Crimson curse power surged from his fingertips, coiling around his arm like a living thing, emitting a strong rusty smell.

"Leave the water clock to me." He didn't turn around, but his voice clearly reached Rihito's ears. "Go protect your companions."

A plume of smoke billowed from the crater atop the water clock, and a glint of rage flashed in its single eye: "You?!"

The swelling phase did not respond.

He simply lowered his center of gravity slightly, and the blood-red light compressed into a rapidly spinning crimson sphere in his palm.

The next second, the two of them moved at the same time.

The magma beneath the water clock erupted like a fountain, and the surging blood-red light drew a scarlet trail in mid-air.

boom--!!

The two figures collided violently in the center of the ruins, and the aftershocks of the curse sent all the surrounding rubble flying.

Juan Suo stood on the high place, shifting his gaze from Zhang Xiang to Li Ren.

The smile on his lips faded slightly.

"It seems there are more surprises than I expected," he said softly, raising his finger again. "However, the ending won't change because of this."

More cursed spirits emerged from the shadows.

This time, instead of the easily broken minions from before, there were several enormous figures radiating near-level one spell power fluctuations.

They didn't roar, they just silently advanced, like a wall built of malice.

Rito took a deep breath and clenched his right fist.

Tiger Cane stood to his left, and East Hall to his right.

The shadows of the three people stretched long across the ruins, but none of them retreated.

Just then, the pitch-black sky above suddenly trembled.

A dull rumble came from deep within the black tent, growing louder and louder as it approached.

The ground of the ruins began to tremble slightly, and rubble fell from the broken concrete pillars.

Everyone's movements froze at that moment.

The water clock withdrew the flames that were about to erupt, the blood-red light in the palm of the swollen face paused slightly, and the fingers wrapped in the sleeve unconsciously tightened.

All eyes, including those of Rihito, Itsuji, and Todo, converged on one point.

Suddenly, a ripple appeared on the surface of the black hemisphere that had been looming over the area since the Shinjuku Incident began.

The ripples spread outward from the center, one ring after another, becoming denser and more intense.

The smile on Juan Suo's lips vanished completely.

He looked at the trembling black sky, and for the first time, a solemn expression appeared in his eyes.

"It's finally here."