They were, of course, very puzzled.

Beichuan Si and Four Directions Huixue could only come up with a random excuse and offered a brief explanation.

After walking another hour along the mountain path, they finally returned to the inn.

Regarding the matter of payment, Four Directions Huixue didn't decline; instead, she added another five million yen to the original twenty million yen.

After all, it was the Four Directions Family's money, and Four Directions Huixue wasn't bothered by it.

With that answer, Master Yutian and Master Onotera left contentedly.

Even though they knew something must have happened between Beichuan Si and Four Directions Huixue, it was none of their concern.

After all, since Beichuan Si and Four Directions Huixue weren't willing to share the details, it indicated that they didn't want them to know.

Why bother to probe further? Master Yutian and Master Onotera were adults, too; they knew this bit of worldly wisdom.

After exchanging greetings, they each returned to their own rooms.

Beichuan Si was no exception in this regard.

Now, Four Directions Huixue was not in good spirits, so Beichuan Si naturally planned to ask her to take him to meet the Four Directions Family Head after she had rested sufficiently.

Of course, this was not the main reason.

After re-entering his own room, Beichuan Si put down his backpack and reached in to take out an object.

It was a sleek stone.

This stone was round in shape and about the size of half a girl's palm.

The crimson color was as if it had been steeped in blood. Just upon taking it out, one could smell the strong scent of blood lingering around it.

Calamity Stone.

Just hearing the name made it clear that it was closely related to the Yellow Springs Evil.

Beichuan Si still remembered the scene where he and Nishijou Kurenai attacked the Calamity Spirit, only to be repelled by the underlying layer of blood-red resentment.

According to the other Huixue, that was the so-called "Calamity."

Able to effortlessly resist Jian Ding's power...

Beichuan Si pondered as he picked up the Calamity Stone.

The next moment—

A system prompt sounded in his ear.

"System prompt: You have discovered a new aberration, 'Calamity Stone.'"

"Calamity Stone: Originating from the depths of Yellow Springs, a stone imbued with the ominous power of 'Calamity.' No one may know its use... But perhaps you should try it with a spiritual tool?"

Try it with a spiritual tool?

Beichuan Si frowned.

That phrase was somewhat vague, not specifying exactly how to experiment.

But after thinking about it, Beichuan Si decided to take out his often-used Jian Ding.

This short dagger had been with Beichuan Si for quite a while, having exorcised many resentful spirits. Now that the seal had been lifted, in terms of rank, it should be comparable to the Moon Obscuring Mirror owned solely by the Four Directions Family.

However, its side effect was also obvious. As its description stated, it was a murderous blade capable of turning on its master.

With that thought, Beichuan Si glanced at the Jian Ding in his hand.

Jian Ding, as if sensing his gaze, vibrated its blade as if trying to please him.

Beichuan Si shook his head.

Aside from all this nonsense, Jian Ding truly was the spiritual tool that Beichuan Si felt most comfortable using, not only was it sharp, but it also had the ability to prevent the healing of the spiritual bodies of resentful spirits.

Even so, Jian Ding still had a flaw.

Beichuan Si stroked his chin, muttering to himself, "Too bad it's not a hammer."

Compared to the small-scale stabbing and slicing of a dagger, smashing with a hammer felt more straightforward, and the damage covered a larger area. Just one hammer blow would solve anything.

Hearing Beichuan Si's words, Jian Ding quivered slightly, as if feeling aggrieved.

Beichuan Si paid no attention to the emotions that Jian Ding seemed to exhibit. He gripped Jian Ding in his right hand and picked up the Calamity Stone with his left.

The next moment, the system's cold prompt flashed by his ear:

'System prompt: The host's Spiritual Dagger Jian Ding has a high degree of compatibility with the Calamity Stone. Do you wish to absorb the Calamity Stone with Jian Ding?'

So this was what it meant to "give it a try."

Beichuan Si's eyes twinkled.

That is to say, the Calamity Stone was an item needed to enhance spiritual tools.

Jian Ding, as one of his main means of attack, indeed needed enhancement.

He pondered for a moment and chose 'Yes.'

Then—

Under Beichuan Si's gaze, the Calamity Stone he was holding in his hand was attracted to Jian Ding.

The Crimson bloodlines on the surface of the Calamity Stone were drawn out by Jian Ding, merging...

After maintaining this state for about three minutes, the entire surface of the Calamity Stone turned white, while the Jian Ding in Beichuan Si's hand shimmered with strands of light.

Even around the sleek, bright silver blade, one could see the constant, fine crimson bloodlines.

That was perhaps the Power of Calamity mentioned by the system.

'Ding! Spiritual Dagger Jian Ding has undergone a change!'

Underwent a change?

Beichuan Si put down the transformed Calamity Stone and turned to look at Jian Ding.

Setting aside the lengthy explanation for Jian Ding, Beichuan Si could clearly see that an additional line of description had been added to the 'Sharpness' trait of Spiritual Dagger Jian Ding.

Trait 'Sharpness' (Yellow Springs Evil State): Jian Ding in its complete form possesses a terrifying cutting effect, making it difficult for the Spiritual Bodies it cuts to reassemble completely. Moreover, since Jian Ding has been bathed in the Power of Yellow Springs Evil, it possesses the same nature of power, making it difficult for a Calamity Spirit's body to resist.

"Oh?" Beichuan Si was somewhat surprised.

The enhanced Jian Ding even had such an effect?

That was indeed beyond Beichuan Si's expectations.

Being able to pierce through the body of a Calamity Spirit... The level of enhancement was indeed too high.

It was known that it was very difficult to inflict wounds on malevolent spirits combined with the forces of the Yellow Springs Evil. Neither Jian Ding nor the Death Aura Hammer Beichuan Si owned before could shake the opponent.

He nodded with satisfaction.

Just as Beichuan Si was about to stow away Jian Ding into his sleeve.

A tiny figure appeared on the table where only the empty shell of the Calamity Stone rested.

She carefully glanced at Beichuan Si, then reached out her plump hand toward the Calamity Stone—

Then she was picked up by Beichuan Si.

"What are you trying to do, Kelian?" Beichuan Si asked, looking at Nishijou Kurenai, who was wriggling in his hand, expressionless.

Just when he wasn't paying attention, this little one was trying to do something strange.

Nishijou Kurenai struggled for a while longer, then realizing it was futile, she stopped her useless movements and stretched out her plump arms, pointing at the Calamity Stone, then at herself.

"...You mean... you can use it as a new 'spiritual residence'?" Beichuan Si had been with Nishijou Kurenai for quite a while, so he could understand what she was trying to convey.

But... taking the Calamity Stone as a new 'spiritual residence'?

Indeed, the Calamity Stone, able to withstand the erosion of the Power of Calamity from the Yellow Springs, was definitely of a higher quality than the pale white sphere Beichuan Si found beside Tsukishima Risa back in the day. If it were successful, Kelian's body would no longer be so weak as to allow a drill to penetrate.

Now came the question.

Could the Calamity Stone accommodate good spirits?

Beichuan Si didn't rush to analyze it blindly by himself but chose to call upon Magong Yongshi and Shenzhu Shihui.

As someone who had dealt with Calamity for years as one of the Shenzhu Village people, they would certainly know about the situation concerning Calamity.

"Kelian wants to use the Calamity Stone as a new 'spiritual residence'?" Magong Yongshi floated over, her gaze flickering: "I have heard of the name of the Calamity Stone before... but only in ancient texts, which mentioned that at the moment when the Yellow Springs were restless, the Calamity Stone would be spewed from the ground... entirely crimson, with a strong scent of blood... but this is indeed the first time I've seen it in reality. A Calamity Stone that has been tainted by Calamity is an exceptional spiritual residence for housing a Spiritual Body."

She then turned to Kelian and asked seriously, "But even so, I still need to ask Kelian."

"Do you have the confidence to change the nature of the Calamity Stone? There are risks involved."

Magong Yongshi was rarely so serious.

After all, as she said,

Transforming the nature of the Calamity Stone into a spiritual residence suitable for one's Spiritual Body did have risks.

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