Why is my anime art style so weird?

Xu Ming had no other thoughts besides being a little curious.

However, deep within the pitch-black shrine stood a headless statue, which did look rather eerie.

Xu Ming slowly walked to the front of the statue and stood still.

On the table in front of the statue are Kagura bells, ancient books, paintings and calligraphy.

Xu Ming noticed that the top of the Kagura Bell was missing a bell, which seemed to be the one that Snow Mother had given him and guided him to Starfall Island.

The pillars around the temple were also covered with numerous blood-written talismans.

The walls on both sides are lined with shelves, each holding a hexagonal paper tube that looks a bit like a lantern.

Xu Ming walked around the table and came to the statue.

He soon discovered that there was a stone pillar on each of the three sides of the statue, and a stone plate was carved on the top of the pillar, which seemed to be used to hold something.

Xu Ming turned around and picked up the ancient book on the table, trying to find clues in it.

Sure enough, after reading a long passage of exaggerated praise (boasting) of Yan Luoshan, a passage was written at the back of the ancient book—

To open the Gate of Rashomon and proceed to the Palace of Dark Flame.

You need to find three offerings in the Forest of Lost Paths, the Ancestral Shrine, and the Cave of the Underworld, and offer them before the God's throne.

Xu Ming had just finished reading when a system notification suddenly sounded in his mind.

Ding!

Before the first rays of dawn, go to the Forest of Lost Souls, the Ancestral Shrine, and the Cave of the Underworld to find the ritual offerings and return them to the statue of the Goddess of Flame. Only then can you open the gate to the Palace of Dark Flame.

—Note: These three locations will only reveal their true appearance and the offerings will only appear after midnight.

Xu Ming sighed. It seemed impossible to find clues during the day to complete the mission by taking a shortcut.

He opened his phone again and brought up the map.

The Forest of Lost Paths is located on the road from the village to Yanluo Mountain.

The ancestral shrine is located in a valley next to the shrine.

Both locations are marked on the map, but the location of the 'Yellow Springs Cave' is not shown on the map.

It seems we need to think of another way.

Chapter 384 Split Up

Xu Ming didn't go anywhere all day; he stayed on Yanluo Mountain, looking around everywhere.

All clues indicate that Yukino Yukinoshita was abducted to Starfall Island, on Mount Yanluo.

Xu Ming's intuition told him that Yukino Yukinoshita was most likely in that Dark Flame Palace.

As seen on the map, the location of the Dark Flame Palace is in the central area of ​​Flamefall Mountain, near the crater.

Strangely, Xu Ming wandered around Yanluo Mountain for most of the day but still couldn't find the way to the Mingyan Palace.

After passing the halfway point, the slope of the mountain suddenly became very steep, and Xu Ming still could not find the mountain path built by the Yukinoshita clan.

Are we supposed to wait until tonight and have Haruyuki Arita fly him up?

Xu Ming instinctively sensed that things were not that simple.

However, while searching for the way to the Netherflame Palace, Xu Ming also went to explore the ancestral sacrificial site.

The name is quite elegant, but unfortunately, this so-called ancestral shrine is actually just a large cemetery.

Xu Ming guessed that this might be the place where the Yukinoshita clan buried their deceased.

As for the Yellow Springs Cave, Xu Ming already had a general idea and was just waiting for nightfall.

Time flew by, and soon the sun slowly set below the horizon.

Xu Ming had a simple dinner of dry rations outside the shrine, then summoned all the shikigami and explained the general situation to them.

"...That's how it is. We only have time from midnight to before the first rays of dawn. We need to find three offerings and then open the road to the Palace of Dark Flame."

Because of the time constraint, Xu Ming wanted everyone to discuss and come up with a more efficient solution.

Erina and Asagami Fujino are both sheltered young ladies who have never played puzzle games, while Arita Haruyuki is a seasoned game enthusiast.

So the little piglet immediately raised its little hoof.

"Does Xu Ming intend to go to the Netherflame Palace tonight and resolve all of this?"

Xu Ming nodded.

"We already wasted a whole night yesterday. To avoid any unforeseen complications, it would be best if we could resolve everything today."

Yukino Yukinoshita was captured to be a sacrifice, so there was no time for him to delay.

At this time, Xu Ming was unaware that Yukinoshita Haruno had also been arrested.

Perhaps considering that Xu Mingren had already gone to sea and couldn't receive a signal, the Yukinoshita family didn't call him for help. Instead, they began to use their connections to find help on their own, hoping to find and rescue their two daughters.

"Three locations, and we may also need to deal with the final boss. One night is really tight, so... we'll have to split up."

The little piglet seriously propped its chin on its hooves, making the signature move of a certain perpetual elementary school detective.

"Chunxue, your analysis is correct. You are indeed smart!"

Xu Ming gave a thumbs up.

"It's alright~"

The little piglet immediately scratched the back of its head with its hooves, twisting its chubby waist with an embarrassed expression.

"Therefore, I have decided that you will go to the Forest of Lost Souls alone."

Xu Ming patted the little piglet on the shoulder with a kind smile.

"Ah! This!?"

The little piglet was instantly dumbfounded.

It stared at Xu Ming with wide eyes, its face saying, "You tricked me!"

Xu Ming spread his hands.

"The Forest of Lost Paths is located at the foot of the mountain, the furthest from here, and among us, only you are the fastest."

Or do you want to go to the ancestral shrine?

Xu Ming's face revealed a malicious expression.

"Don't blame me for not reminding you, the ancestral shrine is the burial ground of the Yukinoshita clan..."

Before Xu Ming could finish speaking, the little piglet immediately stood at attention and gave a military salute.

"Leave the Forest of Lost Souls to me! I can fly, so I'm the perfect person to take care of the farthest place!"

"Then I'll leave it to you, Haruyuki."

Xu Ming then looked at Asagami Fujino.

"Miss Fujino, could you please make a trip to the ancestral shrine?"

Asagami Fujino nodded, her blood-red eyes remaining completely calm.

Xu Ming had asked her, a young girl, to go to the cemetery alone at midnight, but she didn't show the slightest objection.

She was like a robot, only passively accepting the commands given by her master.

Xu Ming sighed inwardly.

The trauma of her childhood shaped Asagami Fujino's submissive personality. After experiencing a dramatic change and dying as a 'monster,' it's unlikely that her personality will be able to change.

Fortunately, Asagami Fujino's master is him.

If it were any other man, he might have just ordered her to warm his bed.

In comparison, Xu Ming only asked her to go to the cemetery alone at night.

Xu Ming felt that he was too kind.

At this moment, Xu Ming noticed that the blonde Erina had her arms crossed, her face slightly turned to the side, and her little mouth pouting, as if the words "Baby is very unhappy" were written all over her face.

Xu Ming quickly realized what Erina was angry about.

So Xu Ming pretended not to notice her emotional outburst and said directly to her:

"Erina, the most important task is entrusted to you."

I suspect the Gate of the Underworld is located within the shrine, and this location is likely the most dangerous of the three. I'll need your protection then.

Erina immediately raised her head slightly and snorted coldly.

"Hmph! You have good taste!"

"With me here, those chickens and dogs have absolutely no chance of hurting you."

"Mmm, Erina is so reliable~"

Xu Ming smiled and praised.

Erina then raised her head even higher.

Xu Ming felt ashamed in his heart.

This child is just too...naive.

A timid and insecure girl with a pig-like waist, a submissive girl with long, straight black hair, a proud blonde heiress, and an incredibly domineering ghost sister...

Leading this group of 'people' is too difficult for Xu Ming.

After assigning tasks, everyone patiently waited for midnight to fall.

Around 11:55, Xu Ming closed all the apps on his phone, then turned on the digital clock and watched the second hand on the screen tick by tick.

Finally, the hour, minute, and second hands all overlapped and pointed to 'XII'.

In that instant, Xu Ming felt the atmosphere around him change, and the entire Yanluo Mountain underwent a tremendous transformation without anyone noticing.

This feeling is like a flame that had been extinguished suddenly reigniting, and burning brighter and brighter!

Yan Luoshan is alive!

Xu Ming noticed that the expressions of his three shikigami had also changed at this moment, indicating that they had also sensed the dramatic changes in Yanluo Mountain.