I became the Lord of the Eternal World in Tokyo.

Uesugi Tetsu stared at the keywords "long" and "slow" for a while, realizing that he was probably not suitable for this prop.

Normally, the panel would use the modifier "gradually," but this time it used two straightforward words that indicate a particularly long time to take effect.

It might take several years before these bandages have a significant effect.

"But these bandages would have been quite good for people in the Warring States period..."

Uesugi Tetsu thought to himself.

After all, the Warring States period is a full five hundred years away from the present day.

With five hundred years of accumulated experience, this binding is estimated to be more powerful in enhancing cultivation than similar epic or even legendary items.

Who to give it to is an important question.

An ordinary person's lifespan is only a few decades, and if it were a demon—the Mountain Whale King doesn't seem like it could be bound by these straps for very long.

Moreover, there's the issue of trust...

"Forget it, there's no rush. We can think about it later."

Uesugi Tetsu shifted his gaze from the somewhat useless straps to the prompts behind him.

You have obtained the Refined Steel Pestle!

Uesugi Tetsuya was taken aback when he saw the name of the dropped item.

Because this iron pestle is the very weapon that the scabies keeper was holding just now.

The same.

【Refined Steel Pestle】

【Quality: Rare+】

[Effect: Extremely durable.]

—Heavy, sturdy, reliable.

Countless weapons have turned to dust in the rust of time, but this one remains as new as ever.

The effect... is simple, direct, and brutal.

But that's absolutely true.

Even Kaga Kiyomitsu, whose face was covered with the sorrow of parting, could only scratch the surface of this iron pestle for a time.

"It was Uesugi Tetsuya who had his jaw half-shattered by an iron pestle not long ago," he pondered.

But it still doesn't quite suit me.

Regardless of how heavy or difficult to wield this iron pestle is, or whether it fits one's body type.

If I were to use this iron pestle, I would have to put my swordsmanship and spearmanship aside.

"Such a sturdy iron pestle should be a very good forging base material. It can be fully adapted to secondary or tertiary forging with any spirit or metal."

The owner of the scabies workshop was foolish; he only used a blank blacksmith's stick.

Uesugi Tetsu blinked as he thought—if he sold this iron pestle to Katsumi, he should be able to get a good offer, after all, the other party has many connections.

Such a massive iron pestle, with its immeasurable future potential, would definitely be in demand by those with exceptionally strong physiques.

However, no matter how much support is provided for the future, the fact remains that the equipment and items dropped by the Bitter Bond and the Scabbard Master are not satisfactory.

Uesugi Tetsu sighed inwardly.

Hopefully, the Grand Master, whose strength surpasses that of his two ailing relatives combined, will drop two items that satisfy him.

You have obtained the Mountain God's Rock Heart!

Ok?

The deep purple light made Uesugi Tetsuya's eyes widen slightly.

Epic.

The items dropped by the Grand Master were indeed commensurate with his strength.

【Mountain God Rock Heart】

[Quality: Epic]

[Effect 1: Upon direct consumption, it greatly increases skin strength, significantly enhances physical strength, and substantially increases fire element resistance and earth element affinity.]

[Effect 2: When forged together with the weapon, it greatly increases the weapon's durability and toughness.]

[Effect 3: When forged together with other armor pieces, it greatly increases the armor's strength and defensive capabilities.]

The giants have fallen into eternal slumber, but the mountains still breathe.

Before Uesugi Tetsuya's eyes, a fist-sized, reddish-brown crystalline phantom floated in mid-air, its rough stone surface covered with fine, vein-like gilded patterns.

Even more so, the crystal was still slowly pulsating, and the patterns on its surface still emitted a glow that flickered between light and shadow, as if there was still hot blood flowing within it.

It's as if he's still alive.

Shipped.

These three words flashed through Uesugi Tetsuya's mind.

Leaving aside the effects of the second and third effects, Uesugi Tetsuya himself had no armor other than two pieces of cold steel arm armor.

Now that Kaga Kiyomitsu can evolve on his own using Soul Points, there's no need for him to steal the resources his master uses.

Therefore, he focused his attention on effect one.

Leaving aside the latter two elements for now, the effects of the first two will definitely be of great help to the training of the Breathing Technique in the Flesh Palace stage...

As Uesugi Tetsu was pondering when to eat the seemingly chewy mountain god's heart, a brand new prompt suddenly appeared before his eyes.

Uesugi Tetsuya, who had experience with this, was taken aback.

What hidden effect did he trigger when he met the conditions?

He quickly flipped through the prompts—

[Detection indicates you have practiced the Corona Breathing Technique and reached the "Palace of Flesh" stage...]

[Detected that you have cultivated the Spirit Control Technique: Qi, giving you a unique perception of life's breath and natural pulse...]

You have triggered the special effect of "Mountain God's Heart"!

Sure enough, it was a hidden special effect.

Moreover, it's the special effect of the already powerful Mountain God Rock Core!

Uesugi Tetsu held his breath slightly and looked down.

[Special Effect - Second Breath: Upon direct consumption, it will activate the primordial energy that even the Mountain God himself had not yet unearthed, creating an expandable "Sea of ​​Emptiness" within the body!]

Qi Hai (CV6)?

The familiar words unlocked Uesugi Tetsu's memories, reminding him of the hints he had encountered not long ago while browsing through the nine breathing techniques in the quiet room of the Imagawa-kan.

——“【Sea of ​​Qi (60% incomplete)】”

In other words, the Qi Sea should be the final form of the first major stage of breathing exercises.

Uesugi Tetsu's pupils contracted.

But now, this Mountain God Rock Heart has actually bypassed the natural barrier that was 60% incomplete in the breathing technique and the countless small stages within it.

Once ingested, it can open up a sea of ​​qi for you!

Currently, Uesugi Tetsu hasn't even fully completed the Flesh Palace stage.

Who knows how long it will take to complete the "Sea of ​​Qi" stage?

The effect of "opening up the Qi Sea" alone is already completely worth it, even more valuable than the thousands of Soul Ash and Soul Spirit Points.

How long has it been since I've had this much luck?

Uesugi Tetsu glanced at the inconspicuous little golden bell in the lining... Was it its effect?

After taking a while to calm himself down, Uesugi Tetsuya used his mind to click on the faintly glowing "Empty Sea of ​​Qi" to check its specific effects.

[Empty Qi Sea: A Qi Sea that is completely empty, awaiting filling.]

I don't know how serious it is.

Is it strange that there is nothing in the Qi Sea?

Uesugi Tetsu kept this question to himself, planning to ask Ririko or Nanjo when he returned to the real world.

After all, his understanding of Qi Hai was limited to this taboo name.

—Once the demons in the city have been exorcised and the situation has stabilized, then we should consume the Mountain God Rock Heart directly.

Having made this decision, Uesugi Tetsuya closed the storage backpack panel.

He glanced again at the Soul Ashes he now had enough for two more ten-pulls, and the Soul Points that were rapidly increasing.

【Soul Ash: 3149】

Soul Points: 421

The reason why the Soul Points are rising at such a rapid pace is because Uesugi Tetsu has just communicated with Kaga Kiyomitsu using his Heartstrings.

He used lightning to guide Kaga, then electrocuted the sick and suffering relatives, and finally had Kaga Kiyomitsu slit their throats.

Although Xiao Jia wasn't very happy about this, the efficiency of acquiring Soul Points had indeed increased significantly.

Within his perception range, achieving this level of precise control over lightning was not difficult for Uesugi Tetsuya, who was still in a state of "rage".

In addition, the Natural Mind Flow is only about a hundred points away from breaking through to the expert level.

Uesugi Tetsuya let out a soft breath.

I imagine that in the next day or two, my strength should see a significant increase.

Turning off all the prompts and panels, Uesugi Tetsu listened to the discussions that first grew heated and then gradually quieted down.

Countless eyes peered out from among the gaps and landed on him.

Uesugi Tetsu could sense that even though he was behind Imagawa Yoshimoto, he was receiving far more attention than the latter.

It's about time to speak.

"Residents of Yoshida Castle."

This time, Uesugi Tetsuya didn't let his voice appear in everyone's ears. Instead, he directly incorporated the volume into his qi, causing it to bloom in mid-air before falling down.

"I am here on the orders of Imagawa Yoshimoto, the head of the Imagawa family and the lord of Mikawa Province. I am Onmyoji Che."

He paused, then continued.

"Perhaps many of you heard the thunder that erupted outside the city just now, and you also believe that I exorcised those terrifying demons."

Under the watchful eyes of many residents, Uesugi Tetsu shook his head and denied it, saying, "But that's not the case."

In an instant, Uesugi Tetsu clearly sensed the doubts, astonishment, and confusion coming from near and far.

He deliberately waited a moment to let these emotions ferment before loudly proclaiming, "It was Lord Imagawa Yoshimoto, the ruler of Suruga, Totomi, and Mikawa provinces before me, who personally slew them."

The lightning bolts just now only played a negligible supporting role.

"Even without me, this lord could still easily wipe out all those demons and liberate Yoshida Castle!"

Uesugi Tetsu pointed to Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was enveloped in a dark and imposing guise, his face indifferent and full of dignity.

The surrounding residents were stunned, and once they looked in the direction he was pointing, they couldn't look away.

Uesugi Tetsu raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly.

He only used the power of his Four-Tailed Fox Soul Seal talent to subtly guide these ordinary people, but the effect was unexpectedly good.

It seems that his current combined spiritual power and charm attributes are too high.

If they exerted a little more effort, these residents might be instantly brainwashed and turned into fanatical followers of Imagawa Yoshimoto.

In Yoshida Castle, the residents who heard these words almost gave up thinking and instead showed various expressions of shock and even worship.

At Matsudaira's house, Honda Tadakatsu, who had also heard these words, frowned.

He knew that there was probably not a single true word in the Onmyoji's words.

Because he had spent a considerable amount of time with Imagawa Yoshimoto, he was well aware that his lord had never demonstrated any significant personal strength.