This time, Tengen came out ahead from the evolution.
Not only did he rid himself of the Immortality Technique, he also gained an extended lifespan.
Though only his soul remained, the Barrier had become his new body. He had fused with all of Japan—he was the world, and the world was him.
He hadn't just sat around doing nothing.
After a thousand years of groundwork, almost all of Japan was his home turf. The Barrier, with him as its core, had evolved bit by bit, becoming what it was now—
No one understood the Ten Great Barriers better than he did.
That's exactly why he proposed using Barrier Techniques to maintain his identity in the first place.
To think he left no contingencies behind was laughable. Sōjun Minamoto hadn't believed that either, but Tengen had acted so normal the whole time that he'd failed to notice anything in advance.
He had to hand it to him—truly a master of long-term strategy.
The older, the wiser.
Old ginger is the spiciest.
Aged wine is the finest.
An old horse knows the way.
An old blade still cuts.
Old, but not out of the game—that's a thief.
Tch.
Once fully recovered, Tengen stood happily beneath the Sacred Tree, marveling at his new state. Now just a soul, he could vaguely perceive the souls of others.
His Omniscience ability had further evolved. Maybe someone could resist it, but the moment they tried, he'd already know.
All in all, everything had gone just as he hoped.
Sōjun Minamoto had also made a massive gain from this evolution.
His mastery of Barrier Techniques took a qualitative leap, he obtained the Immortality Technique, and he made huge progress in developing his own abilities. Inspiration flowed like a spring.
The results were set, and even after realizing that Tengen had been hiding things, Sōjun Minamoto didn't really mind.
The guy had been a clam, and now he was a conscious shell. Fair enough.
Even after being played, he didn't feel much resentment. Looking at that wrinkly soul-face grinning back at him, sensing the fluorescent white spots along Tengen's spiritual limbs and organs, and that crimson vertical mark between his brows...
Sōjun Minamoto strolled over to the Sacred Tree, smiling.
"Congratulations."
"All thanks to you," Tengen replied, taking a small step back.
"Heh." Sōjun Minamoto looked at him.
"...Haha." Tengen just brushed it off with a laugh.
...
After parting ways with Tengen, Sōjun Minamoto walked up the shrine path.
There, leaning casually against the wall outside the lift, stood a woman.
She had long brown hair draped loosely behind her, golden irises, and a tall, striking figure. Her looks were sharp and confident. She wore high-top women's boots, jeans, and a cropped black vest that showed off her well-toned abs—graceful and defined.
One hand was on her hip, the other holding her jacket by the collar, slung over her shoulder. She exuded a heroic aura.
She was easy on the eyes, and when Sōjun Minamoto saw her...
She saw him too.
"What kind of woman do you like?"
…??
Caught off guard, Sōjun Minamoto suddenly recalled an ex from another world who had asked him that same question. Back then, he'd gotten carried away, weaving poetic praise for a dreamlike woman who only existed in fantasy. Sadly, she bore no resemblance to his girlfriend at the time—hence, ex.
"What kind of woman do you like?" she asked again.
Just as he was about to get creative with his answer, she waved her hand and cut him off.
"Alright, I get it."
"…?"
He'd heard of people identifying women by scent. Now, apparently, someone could size you up just by asking your type.
"I'm Yuki Tsukumo. Special Grade Sorcerer." She extended a hand.
Sōjun Minamoto shook it.
"You're Sōjun Minamoto?!"
She already knew what had happened. As one of the top sorcerers, she wasn't here for entertainment. Jujutsu High had been trying to recall her, likely as a last resort.
She'd been waiting outside the Tombs of the Star all night.
Sōjun Minamoto sensed a familiar energy from her... similar to Riko Amanai.
A Star Plasma Vessel?
She was one too?!
The value of Star Plasma Vessels just kept going up.
Thinking on it—one appears every 500 years, while Six Eyes appear every 400. So the Vessel might actually be rarer?
Still, while multiple Vessels can exist at once, there's only one Six Eyes per generation.
No wonder Riko Amanai's cursed technique talent was off the charts. She really was a once-in-a-century genius.
Sōjun Minamoto couldn't help but reflect—it's like ginseng. The older it is, the more valuable.
"Not bad!" Yuki Tsukumo patted his shoulder. "I thought the world was falling apart, and I'd be the lone hero, Yuki Tsukumo, making a brilliant entrance to save the day and soak up the applause!"
Her confidence radiated.
All Special Grade Sorcerers shared one trait: an overwhelming sense of will. She didn't take orders from the higher-ups. She hadn't come to promote assimilation. She was simply following her instincts—to observe Tengen's evolution. If things went south...
As she said, she'd clean up the mess.
If Tengen had lost control, it could've brought the entire nation to its knees. But to be classified as Special Grade? You need the power to wipe out a country on your own.
If it came to a head-on clash, it was anyone's game.
Sōjun Minamoto just smiled.
She added, "You saved me a lot of trouble. If you ever need something, come find me—I'll do you a favor."
"For free!"
She patted his shoulder again.
After a brief greeting, they passed one another—Sōjun Minamoto ascending, Yuki Tsukumo descending into the underground.
...
Back at the lodgings, Masamichi Yaga and his crew were still around.
Sōjun Minamoto looked at Riko Amanai and said with an easy smile, "Congrats."
"Knew you could do it!" she replied cheerfully.
The others relaxed at her words.
Sōjun Minamoto gave a quick rundown of what happened. Like most things—while you're living through it, it feels overwhelming, like the world's ending. But looking back, it's just another chapter. Eat when you can, drink when you want—it's all fine.
He also mentioned Yuki Tsukumo.
"You mean Yuki Tsukumo?" Masamichi Yaga nodded. "She's a Special Grade, but never takes missions. She's been drifting overseas for years—no one knows what she's up to. The higher-ups can't control her."
"Didn't think we'd actually get her to come back this time."
"She's got a powerful technique—Mass Manipulation. Combined with her Special Grade cursed energy, she really might be able to stabilize things."
Sōjun Minamoto perked up at that. Mass Manipulation?
His Star Eyes lacked mass... Maybe her technique could help.
...
Not long after Sōjun Minamoto returned to his room, Yuki Tsukumo arrived at the main hall of the Tombs of the Star.
She gave the door a gentle push—it didn't budge.
Next moment, she drew her right fist back, gathered strength, and slammed it hard against the door.
The mountain walls rumbled, the Sacred Tree rustled.
She pulled back and muttered,
"Tch, open up already!"
Tengen was ignoring her, giving no response.
The Barrier over the Tombs had been reinforced. Unless someone's Barrier Technique surpassed Tengen's and they had time to carefully unravel it, entering without permission was near impossible.
Yuki Tsukumo kicked the door twice more, shaking the surrounding cliffs.
In the end, she left—clearly annoyed.