From then on, the journey continued in this manner, as the path was treacherous and winding, twisted and turned with extreme complexity. Coupled with a sheer cliff on one side, a single misstep would mean another story altogether. Therefore, Gu Mo did not manage to seize the spotlight. Realizing there was no room for him here, he naturally did not ask Hidechika to give up the opportunity to fight.

In such circumstances, the efficiency of their progress became incredibly high.

Be it the Wet Woman coiled around the stalactites above or the Demon Ghost hidden in the Mortal World, whether Gu Mo sensed them or not, Ah Xiu could always pinpoint them accurately and eliminate them effortlessly.

They forged ahead like a hot knife through butter, as if encountering no obstacles whatsoever.

"Ah Xiu, look over there, there's a shrine... It should have been built by your father, right?"

Walking past a dangerous and steep downhill path, Gu Mo finally saw the scene below, and it seemed they had nearly reached the bottom. Some strange lights flickered, faintly illuminating the entire underground space with the glow of pale golden essence.

For reasons unknown, numerous fragmented Spirit Stones were scattered around. These crystals of various sizes were imbued with strange energy, and their radiance was the primary light source in the underground space.

A small river crisscrossed their path, with countless branches spreading like a spider's web...

However, it wasn't underground water but a viscous green liquid that kept bubbling on the surface, emitting a green mist visible to the naked eye. From the visual alone, it seemed corrosive, reminiscent of some chemical reagent.

This must be the poison of the Night Blade God, having formed this small-scale underground river over the years. Gu Mo knew well that the poison from that giant snake was also a part of the defenses here. On the river formed by the toxic liquid, signs of construction appeared again, with boardwalks connecting to form pathways not leading to a dead end.

At the end of that road, faintly appeared a structure hidden behind clusters of stalactites, bearing a Bird House, a Pathway, and Shimenawa... Amazingly, it was a shrine built in this subterranean space of the mountain, never graced by sunlight.

Hidechika retracted her gaze, lightly nodded, and let out a soft "mm," agreeing with this sentiment, as her vision was sharper. She saw not just the outline, but many details.

This shrine looked quite new, not some ancient ruins left from times past. It was likely built in the past couple of years, perhaps part of the same project as the splendid mansion above, and undoubtedly the handiwork of her own father.

The nature of what was hidden seemed to have an answer now...

This intense fluctuation of Spirit Stone power...

Her gaze moved from the scattered, chaotic pieces of golden crystals on the ground back toward the shrine, where an extremely strong and chaotic Demon Qi gathered. Numerous Demon Ghosts assembled there, along with a strong scent of blood.

......

"Lord Dao San, they're here, just above..."

"Mm, I know."

Inside the secret passage, Saito Dosan listened to the report from his most trusted confidant, slightly raising his hand, expression somewhat complex. His trial was about to begin, leaving him with mixed feelings. Though he greatly despised the fellow who whisked away his precious daughter's heart, he hoped the person would pass this trial.

It wasn't about testing combat prowess; Demon Ghosts were never the focus.

The focus lay on all the Spirit Stones he had collected over the years, all placed above, their vast quantity beyond ordinary imagination.

"Boy, don't let me down..." He murmured to himself, sighing, then turned his gaze to the black-haired girl beside him. "Yoshitaka, you too, take a good look, just like Oda Nobunaga, I sought your opinion, and this boy is no exception."

Black long hair, tear-shaped moles at the corners of her eyes, deep pink eyes clear and beautiful like rubies...

A girl exactly like Hidechika.

She calmly nodded, lowering her gaze: "Yes, father."

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