I transformed into a demonic spider lily.

Long Luo couldn't understand. He had studied the Roaring Cauldron for decades without finding a single clue, yet now it was being used by the Other Shore Flower. Why did the power of this flame terrify him so much?

The flames pierced through the storm, ignoring the black armor, and directly attacked Long Luo's demonic body. He could only endure the scorching heat, as if his soul were being burned away. But it didn't matter, because he could feel that the power of the other shore flower was rapidly decreasing. Before long, the flames would extinguish, and he would still be able to stand here...

"...Drink it!"

Kikyo appeared on the fiery path, raising her longsword. The crimson flames of the spider lily attacked indiscriminately, but she was able to temporarily escape the flames thanks to her "Phoenix Feather Robe." Her goal was to use this sword to kill Long Luo here.

—The Sword of Purification!

A single sword pierced through Long Luo's abdomen.

That place that wasn't protected by armor.

Chapter 125 I Can't Live Without You

"Do not--!"

The purifying spiritual energy flowed into Long Luo's demonic body, causing his demonic aura to gradually dissolve, his form to crumble, and his body to annihilate in an unbelievable way.

Only that unwilling echo remained.

We won...

The sword of purification fell to the ground, and Long Luo's demonic body finally turned into smoke and vanished without a trace. The flames of the red lotus still burned around him. Kikyo's legs went weak, clearly having exhausted all the strength she could muster.

—Thump!

A sound of something falling came from the side.

Kikyo looked over there and saw that the spider lily had fallen to the ground. She quickly got up and staggered towards it, murmuring, "Flower...flower!"

Holding Higanbana's body, Kikyo could feel the evil aura spreading to her forehead, its source being the Shikon Jewel in her chest.

The jewel must be extracted, and the evil aura must be purified. The latter is relatively easy for Kikyo, but the problem lies in extracting the Shikon Jewel.

Kikyo tried to remove the Shikon Jewel using ordinary methods, but the jewel seemed to be stuck to the body of the spider lily and was difficult to remove.

Recalling how the other party always used their hand to pierce through to the heart before taking out the jewel, she could only use the same method. However, the condition of the spider lily was obviously not good, and such a method would definitely endanger the other party's life. Kikyo was at a loss and could only use her own spiritual power to suppress the evil energy of the Shikon Jewel.

However, the power of the Shikon Jewel was clearly stronger than the spiritual power within her body. Kikyo had never felt so weak when purifying the jewel before. It was as if the jewel had been activated within Higanbana's body.

The purification process couldn't keep up with the erosion. Kikyo's pupils constricted, and she immediately realized the situation was dire. She hurriedly shook the spider lily's body and cried out, "Flower, flower! Wake up! I beg you to wake up and tell me what to do! We clearly agreed to be partners forever, please don't ignore me, okay? I know I was wrong, I disobeyed you and came out on my own. I'll do whatever punishment you want, as long as you say the word, I'll do whatever you say. I'll even cook for you for the rest of my life if you want, you know I can't live without you!"

However, despite the thousands of words spoken, there was still no response. The scent of the red spider lily remained, but once the evil influence reached a certain level, it was irreversible.

Kikyo's hands trembled as she raised her longsword, wanting to imitate her predecessors and retrieve the Shikon Jewel in a bloody manner. However, the sword remained suspended for a moment, unable to fall. Her mind was filled with thoughts of what would happen if her mistake led to the death of the spider lily...

In the end, the longsword fell to the ground.

...She can't do it.

In the end, I backed down.

"what--!"

A heart-wrenching scream.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry."

It seemed that she had nothing else to say besides these things.

Kikyo lay on the chest of the spider lily, a tear welling in her eyes, wetting the other's clothes. She only hoped that the other would open its eyes and scold her.

She accepted whatever came her way.

"Thank you all..."

A pale green glow surrounded her, and numerous fireflies flew in, forming a barrier. This healing power repaired the injuries of the bellflower and suppressed the evil energy of the spider lily. It slowly plucked the jade, and the deep purple jade rose from the latter's chest.

"...Thank you for protecting our children."

They said this before the fluorescence returned to the sky.

No, I should be the one saying thank you.

Kikyo watched the fluorescent lights disappear, and then the first thing she noticed was not the Shikon Jewel, but the spider lily. The evil aura on the other side dissipated, the heartbeat became strong, and the breathing became even. The latter's eyelashes trembled slightly, and her fingers curled up. She noticed all these subtle details.

"Flower! Can you hear my voice?"

Kikyo shook the body of the spider lily once more.

"Platycodon grandiflorus..."

The red spider lily's eyes were unfocused and its spirit was listless.

Do you feel unwell anywhere in your body?

Kikyo quickly asked with concern.

"If you keep shaking my body like that, you'll shake away every last drop of blood." This witch is still the same as always, she doesn't hold back when she hits.

Even so, the red spider lily still managed a forced smile.

"...Ah! I'm sorry."

Kikyo immediately stopped moving.

"I think I just heard you calling me, and you were shouting really loudly. What are you trying to say?"

The red spider lily casually asked the bellflower a question.

"I...I...I..."

Upon hearing this, Kikyo was immediately torn. She had just said so much, yet she dared not let the spider lily hear her. Finally, she took a deep breath, deciding to frankly accept her inner thoughts, and said, "I cannot live without..."

"So, I understand."

The spider lily slowly closed her eyes. This was the side effect of overdrawing her demon power; she felt her soul was drying up and wanted to fall into a deep sleep. However, even so, she still managed to let Kikyo know she was safe and sound, saying, "I want to take a nap. I'm afraid I won't be able to wake up until everything is back to normal. I'm entrusting everything to you. Goodnight."

"Idiot, you have no idea, I haven't even finished speaking yet." Kikyo gently stroked the hair of the spider lily and said with a smile, "Anyway, goodnight."

……

"...Lord Sesshomaru! Are you alright?"

Jaken, who had fallen into the sea, climbed back up and dragged his staff of human heads to Sesshomaru's side. Sesshomaru, who had returned to human form, noticed Kikyo's sobbing reaction and drew his sword from his waist. However, he put the sword away again after Higanbana woke up.

"Jiejian, let's go."

The marks on his back had all been removed, and Sesshomaru had no reason to linger there. The tail draped over his shoulders was still silver-white, but it was now slightly curly.

"Then, Lord Sesshomaru, don't you want the Shikon Jewel anymore?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Jian gently reminded him.

"Only weak monsters rely on such strange objects to improve their cultivation. Who do you think I am?"

When the spider lily exuded a strong evil aura, Sesshomaru lost interest in the Shikon Jewel. He felt a physical aversion to something that he couldn't even maintain his own self.

Having said that, Sesshomaru leaped into the air. The dark clouds that filled the sky had long since dissipated like smoke, revealing the bright moonlight that complemented his silver figure.

"Lord Sesshomaru, wait for me!"

Jaken followed with small, quick steps. Sesshomaru's tail slid down from his shoulder, and he seized the opportunity to jump up and hug the fluffy tail.

The two demons, master and servant, left Penglai Island one after the other.

……

Deep in the island's forest, the group of half-demon children huddled together. There had been no sound from outside for quite some time; the battle seemed to be over, but who had ultimately won remained a mystery to them.

If the priestess wins, they will be freed; but if the Four War Gods triumph, the consequences are unimaginable…

"Sister, the mark on your back seems to have disappeared?"

Hugging the blue-eyed creature tightly, her peripheral vision fell on the asparagus and she suddenly noticed that the creature's back had become smooth, and the ugly scar was gone.

"……what?"

Upon hearing this, Asagi was startled and quickly put her hands behind her back. Sure enough, there were no marks left. Then she pulled open Orange and Green's clothes, and sure enough, the marks on their backs had also disappeared.

"The shrine maiden won!"

After realizing what was happening, Asagi shouted.

Chapter 126 Kikyo, I love you to death!

……

On December 7th, heavy snow fell.

When the other shore flower awoke again, seven days had passed. She opened her eyes, looked at the familiar ceiling, and her consciousness gradually returned from chaos to clarity.

The sunlight was warm and diffused into the room like dappled sunlight through the oil-paper window. It seemed to be noon. With her hand on her forehead, Biyanhua slowly sat up. Apart from feeling a little dizzy, she didn't seem to have any other bad feelings.

The room was empty, and the desolate atmosphere made her feel a little lonely. The other shore flower threw off the covers, revealing that she was only wearing a variegated dress, making her look like a flower girl, which could be described as very old-fashioned.

The coat was hanging to the side. Higanbana got up to get it, and there were a lot more stitches on the coat. So that witch must have something wrong with her brain. I told her not to do anything unnecessary. How is she going to fix it now?

Once it's repaired, these stitches will be gone, and if the priestess shows a disappointed expression, the spider lily really won't be able to handle it.

As Higanbana took off her multicolored dress and was about to put on her coat, the door to the room was suddenly and gently pulled open. Kikyo appeared in the doorway, and their eyes met...

"...Platycodon grandiflorus."

Seeing this, the spider lily tilted its head slightly.

"Hua...you're awake?"

Kikyo's eyes clearly showed a hint of surprise, and she immediately rushed into the arms of the other flower. During this time, she had been hoping every minute and every second that the other would wake up, and even worried about what she would do if the other continued to sleep like this.

What a yokai’s “one time” might be a lifetime for a human like Kikyo, so she was very afraid that the other flower’s “one time” would be three, five, or even ten years. Now that the other flower has finally awakened, even if it’s only for seven days, she has experienced the pain of waiting.

"Wait a minute, Kikyo, I haven't changed my clothes yet. Speaking of which, who changed my clothes? They're so tacky..."

Higanbana, who was about to tell the truth, noticed that Kikyo's gaze shifted slightly to the side. Hmm~ It seems that the only person who would dare to lay a hand on her is Kikyo.

Then, the red spider lily continued, "There are many patterns on the flowers, and I like them very much."

"...Then shall I make two more for you?"

Upon hearing this, Kikyo was overjoyed.

Please don't repay kindness with enmity.