Chapter 656: The Immortal Imparts the Dao
The scenery of Celestial Peak Mountain is quite beautiful.
The long staircase stretches from the foot of the mountain to its peak, flanked by lush green woods. Sunlight filters through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the steps, carrying a slight coolness.
Ascending these steps, the first sight to greet one's eyes is a "tunnel" formed by layers of torii gates. As one looks up, a sea of vermilion stretches on endlessly, as if it is the entrance to another world,
inspiring awe and fear.
In Japanese culture, torii gates serve as a barrier and a passageway to the Divine Realm, isolating worldly impurities and preserving the purity of the realm.
Therefore, those wishing to worship at a shrine must first pass through these torii gates, symbolically cleansing themselves so they may present themselves to the deities in purity.
However, the once-sacred entrance to the Divine Realm is now teeming with demonic energy, as a procession of Hyakki demons brazenly walks through the sacred path, led by shrine maidens who traditionally bore the responsibility of exorcising such creatures.
Next to the torii gates, there are usually stone statues of komainu. These stone lions act as guardians of the shrine, tasked with keeping evil at bay. But now, each komainu has its head bowed; some even lie down, wagging their tails at the Hyakki, entirely lacking the majesty of shrine guardians.
Dorothy led the Hyakki behind her as they followed the Miss Witches up Celestial Peak Mountain. Whether it was just psychological, after passing through the torii gates, she indeed felt calm for a long time.
However, it might also be because the shrine is located in a remote and seldom-trodden mountain, far from the bustling world. The further one goes, the quieter it becomes, with only the sounds of birds chirping, insects buzzing, and streams babbling, making it a place of natural relaxation.
As the group reached halfway up the mountain, they stopped.
"Master, please let your followers rest here briefly. Please come with me to the main hall to receive the inheritance."
The leading Miss Divine Witch addressed the Homebody Witch in this manner.
Dorothy considered this for a moment, then turned to look at Sophia beside her.
The Pure White Witch immediately understood her lady's intent. Though her eyes showed some concern, she nodded, leading the Hyakki along with the shrine maidens to rest at the shrine's dwelling halfway up the mountain.
The Homebody Witch continued to follow the Miss Divine Witch and Miss Ghost Mask, these two special shrine maidens, further up the mountain.
Perhaps because there were fewer people this time, the atmosphere among the three was much more relaxed and cheerful.
"Teacher, are you really beyond saving?"
The Little Shrine Maiden, who had held back her questions along the way, couldn't help it any longer. Her eyes reddened as she looked at her teacher and asked.
She still found it hard to accept that her teacher, who was both a mentor and a mother figure to her, was nearing the end of her life, weak and exhausted.
"Momentarily, don't speak as if I'm about to die. I've said I can hold on for another hundred years."
Amaterasu Life Kikyo looked somewhat helplessly at her tearful disciple.
She didn't particularly care about life and death, having lived long enough. As long as she could witness the descent of a Saint before finally succumbing to exhaustion, fulfilling her mission, she would have no regrets in this life.
But the young Miss Witch was not so easily accepting of reality. She looked pitifully at Dorothy, hoping that this omnipotent leader could save her teacher.
Dorothy did not disappoint her subordinate. She reached into her pocket and pulled out an oversized jade.
This was a specialty from the Moon Rabbit World, a Moon Spar Stone.
"A Spirit Stone?"
The Miss Divine Witch looked surprised, not expecting this New Holy One to possess a Spirit Stone of such high quality—a rare commodity in the Western Universe.
She had once considered many self-help methods to ease her weakening state, purchasing Spirit Stones being one of them.
Unfortunately, with the severed connections between the Eastern and Western Universes, importing Spirit Stones from the Eastern Universe was almost impossible, and the Western Universe was depleted of Spiritual Energy. While they might exist, finding worlds rich in Spiritual Energy was like finding a needle in a haystack—extremely difficult.
Even after requesting help from the Golden Country, it was still not easy. In tens of thousands of years, they found just a couple of worlds, both sparsely infused with Spiritual Energy.
Such meager amounts couldn't solve the problem but did help her linger a little longer. Otherwise, she might not have lasted until today.
"Yes, a Spirit Stone. You should take a few breaths, or else I worry you might suddenly suffocate and die."
Dorothy tossed the giant stone to the Miss Divine Witch and said this.
The Miss Divine Witch accepted, as she needed considerable energy for the ritual to pass on the hermitage to the New Holy One. Replenishing now would ensure the ceremony went smoothly.
So, she placed her hand gently on the massive Spirit Stone, and crystal-clear white light began to flow from the stone into her palm and throughout her body. Gradually, the once vivid stone dulled to a grayish-white, while in contrast, a rosy hue returned to the Miss Divine Witch's face. Her fair skin even shimmered faintly with jade-like hues, truly resembling white jade.