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Qiong turned the book cover over to show him—it was an illustrated encyclopedia of ancient Greek mythology. “Maki recommended it,” she said. “She said that understanding the mythological systems of different cultures helps in understanding the formation of cursed spirits.”

Yuuto raised an eyebrow. That was definitely something Maki would say. Although that girl from the Zenin family was always sharp-tongued, she was always very dedicated to guiding her juniors.

"What did you learn?" Yuuto asked.

“The Greek gods were all chaotic,” Qiong said expressionlessly. “Zeus, in particular.”

Yu Ren chuckled. He ruffled Qiong's hair: "Have you had dinner?"

"I ate instant noodles," Qiong said. "My brother isn't here, so I don't want to cook."

"This girl..." Yuuto sighed and stood up, heading towards the kitchen. There weren't many ingredients in the refrigerator, but he still managed to find eggs and vegetables and quickly made a simple fried rice. The aroma of the food filled the air. Sora put down her book, walked barefoot to the dining table, and sat down.

The two sat facing each other, eating quietly. The night outside the window was deep, and the shadows of the maple trees in the courtyard swayed in the moonlight.

“Senior Nishimiya,” Qiong suddenly spoke, her voice very soft, “she likes you, doesn’t she?”

Yuuto paused. This wasn't the first time Sora had asked this question. He looked up at his sister's clear eyes: "Why do you ask that?"

“The way she looks at you is different.” Qiong poked at the fried rice on her plate with her spoon. “And she specifically asked you out to dinner today.”

Yuuto was silent for a few seconds. "Nishimiya and I are friends," he finally said. "Very good friends."

Qiong stared at him for a few seconds, then said "Oh," and lowered her head to continue eating. But Yuuto could see a tiny curve appear at the corner of her mouth—an expression that said, "I already knew, but I still have to ask."

This kid… Yuuto smiled bitterly to himself. Sometimes he really didn’t know if Kyō was worried about him or teasing him.

After dinner, Sora voluntarily cleared the dishes and went to wash them. Yuuto didn't stop her, and went to the study to turn on his computer. There were several new emails in his inbox, one of which was from Kamo Noriyuki, confirming the specific arrangements for the handover next Monday. Another was from Gojo Satoru, and its content was very brief:

Are you free next week? I'd like to take you somewhere.

Yuuto replied: "Where?"

A few minutes later, Gojo Satoru replied: "Tengen, there are some things that need to be discussed in person."

Tengen… Yuuto’s eyes narrowed slightly. That master of barrier techniques who had lived for over a thousand years, the cornerstone of the sorcery world, had lived a secluded life since the Stardust Incident, rarely seeing outsiders. Gojo Satoru’s sudden offer to take him to see Tengen must mean something important.

He replied, "Okay, you decide the time."

After finishing his emails, Yuu leaned back in his chair and brought up the system panel. The points were still considerable, but he was still hesitant about his next redemption strategy.

The Six Treasures Immortal Thief's "perfect digestion" greatly enhances endurance, giving it a clear advantage in prolonged battles; the Great Luo Cave Observation's "foresight" is invincible in intelligence warfare and tactical planning; and the Qi Body Source Flow is the legendary origin of the Eight Extraordinary Techniques, hailed as the ultimate realm of "all laws returning to oneness"...

Each one has its irreplaceable value. But with limited points, he must make a choice.

Yuuto closed the panel and walked to the window. Kyoto was quiet and peaceful in the night, with the outlines of the Thirty-Six Peaks of Higashiyama faintly visible in the moonlight in the distance. This city carried too many grudges and histories of the sorcery world, and he was now deeply entangled in them.

He knew this calm wouldn't last long. He knew that the calm wouldn't last long.

My phone vibrated. It was a message from Miwa Kasumi:

"Mr. Kasuga, Daisuke's meditation training went very well today. He said he can feel the 'river channel' becoming clearer. Thank you so much."

Yuuto replied: "Tell him to keep going. I will teach him his first technique in a month."

"Okay! Also... I've finished the initial compilation of the Kamo family's catalog of ancient books, and I'll send it to you tomorrow."

"Thanks for your hard work."

After finishing these chores, Yuuto returned to the living room. Kyō had already showered and changed into her familiar white slip dress, and was sitting on the sofa watching TV. An old movie was playing on the screen; the visuals were warm, and the music was soothing.

Yuuto sat down next to her. Sora leaned in naturally and rested her head on his shoulder. Her long, milky-white hair was still damp and smelled faintly of strawberry shampoo.

“Brother,” Qiong suddenly spoke.

"Ok?"

"For the next mission... if it's really necessary, take me with you." Her voice was soft, but firm. "I don't want to be protected forever. I want to protect you too."

Yuuto looked down at her. The girl leaned on his shoulder, her reddish-brown eyes gleaming with unwavering determination in the light from the television screen. He knew that Sora was serious.

The past six months of training at the vocational high school have significantly improved her Void Technique, and her combat abilities are not to be underestimated. Gojo Satoru privately commented that if properly developed, Sora's future will not be worse than Fushiguro's ten Shadow Arts.

but……

"When you get a little stronger," Yuuto said.

Qiong's lips curved into a small smile: "Okay."

The movie continued. Yuuto leaned back on the sofa, feeling his sister's weight on his shoulder, listening to the soothing music from the film.

This is his reason for fighting—not for any lofty ideals, not for the future of the sorcery world, but simply to protect these ordinary moments.

His daily routine of watching TV with Sora, his daily meals and chats with friends, and his daily mentoring of younger generations—these seemingly insignificant moments constitute everything he wants to protect.

It was late at night. After the movie ended, Sora had fallen asleep on his shoulder, her breathing steady and soft. Yuuto carefully picked her up and carried her upstairs to the bedroom. Sora snuggled against him, like a cat that had found a comfortable spot, but didn't wake up.

He placed Sora on the bed, covered her with the blanket, and gently closed the door before returning to his own room. Standing by the window, gazing at Kyoto in the night, countless images flashed through his mind—Hana-no-Mori's Eternal Rest Garden in the Aomori Forest, the Judgment murals of Yama-ba in the Hida Mountains, the resolute gazes of Itadori and the others at the Tokyo High School training grounds, and Nishimiya Momo's bright smile in the restaurant…

This is his world. Danger and warmth coexist, battle and daily life intertwine. And he will protect it all, until the very last moment.

Outside the window, the moon rose high in the sky, its silvery light bathing the courtyard. The shadows of the maple trees swayed gently in the moonlight, as if whispering the secrets of this night.

Yuuto turned off the light and lay down on the bed. There were still many things to deal with tomorrow—the handover of the Kamo family, Daisuke's training, the Tengen Pact mentioned by Gojo Satoru… but before that, he needed to rest.

He closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep.

Meanwhile, in another part of the city, Momo Nishimiya sat alone by the window of her dormitory, holding a cup of tea that had gone cold. She gazed at the deep night outside the window, her mind replaying the events of the evening—Yuto's focused gaze as he listened to her, the occasional weariness he showed as he recounted his experiences in Aomori, and his departing figure at their final parting.

She knew she liked him; she'd known it since their first battle side-by-side in Songjiang. The silver-haired boy was like a thunder god on the battlefield, yet afterwards he gently cared for the wounded—that contrast moved her.

But she could also sense Yuuto's deliberate distance. It wasn't estrangement, but a form of protection—protecting her from being drawn into things that were too dangerous and heavy.

"Idiot..." Xi Gongtao muttered to herself, a smile playing on her lips. She picked up her teacup and took a sip; the cool tea slid down her throat, making her feel a little more awake.

It's okay, she can wait. Until Yuuto feels she's strong enough, until he can let go of his worries, until the day they can face everything side by side.

Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of Kyoto, Kamo Noriyuki was frowning at a pile of ancient book catalogs. These were precious materials accumulated by the Kamo family over a thousand years, involving in-depth research on Crimson Blood Manipulation, records of ancient incantations, and records of some forbidden experiments. Yuuto's request to consult these was clearly not for simple academic research.

But the constitution left them no choice. After the purge, the Kamo family was in dire straits and desperately needed external support. The protection of the fourth seat of the Sword-Wielding Institute was their only lifeline.

"I hope this decision is the right one..." Xianji murmured to himself, continuing to organize the table of contents. Outside the window, the night was deep, as if foreshadowing some unknown storm that was about to break.

And in a more distant place, the ancient city of Liao, with its myriad peaks and winding streams, was ablaze with life. The ancient city of Liao, with its countless ...

“The pieces are in place,” he said softly. “The chessboard is about to be set up. Springtime leisurely... Let me see if you can break the deadlock this time.”

A night wind blew across the ruins, raising a cloud of dust. The dust settled on the ruins.

The moonlight remains, the night is deep. Beneath the calm surface of daily life, undercurrents are surging. And the sorcerers of this era will soon face an unprecedented storm.

But at least tonight, they can enjoy a moment of peace.

Yuuto frowned slightly in his sleep, as if sensing something. But he didn't wake up; he simply turned over and continued to sleep.

Outside the window, the shadows of maple trees swayed gently in the moonlight, as if guarding this ordinary night.

Yuuto was awakened by the vibration of his phone. The sky outside the window was just beginning to lighten, and the morning light cast a thin strip of light on the floor through the gap in the curtains.

He picked up his phone; the screen displayed encrypted coordinates sent by Gojo Satoru, with a simple message: "3 PM, entrance to Ryousei-gu Shrine. Don't be late."

The Palace of Death.

Tengen's residence, the core of the Jujutsu World's barrier, is a forbidden area rarely opened to the public since the Stardust Incident. Gojo Satoru's choice to meet there signifies that the matters to be discussed involve the very foundation of the Jujutsu World.

Yu Ren sat up and rubbed his temples. The radiant white light of the Reverse Life Triple Cycle circulated within his body, dispelling the last trace of sleepiness. He walked to the window and drew back the curtains. The maple trees in the courtyard swayed gently in the morning breeze, dewdrops still clinging to their leaves.

Such a peaceful morning is considered a luxury in the world of sorcery.

A slight noise came from downstairs. When Yuuto came down, Sora was already in the kitchen.

She was wearing that light pink apron.

That was a birthday gift from Yuuto last year. Although she said it was "childish," she would wear it every time she cooked. She was standing in front of the stove frying eggs. The pan was sizzling, and the aroma of food filled the air.

"Awake?" Qiong didn't turn around, her voice still muffled from just waking up. "The coffee's in the pot."

Yuuto walked to the coffee machine and poured himself a cup. Black coffee, no sugar, no milk; it was so bitter it made him frown slightly, but it was definitely invigorating. "Why are you up so early today?"

"There's an early class." Qiong plated the fried eggs and stuffed two slices of bread into the toaster. "Maki-sensei said that today we'll be testing the practical application of the Void Technique."

Chapter 172 Warmth

Yuuto sat down at the table with his coffee, watching Sora busy in the kitchen. Just over six months ago, she was a girl who would burn even instant noodles, but now she could prepare breakfast quite well. Time flies.

"Are you confident about the assessment?" Yu Ren asked.

Qiong placed the fried eggs and toasted bread on the table and sat down opposite him: "It's alright. The stability of teleportation has increased to ninety percent, and the control range of 'lines' has also been extended to seventy meters." She paused, looked up at him, "It's just that the barrier strength is not enough. Maki-sensei can shatter it with one slash."

“Take your time,” Yuuto said. “The Void Technique is a rare technique, and there is no precedent to refer to. You’ve already done a great job by figuring it out on your own.”

Qiong hummed in agreement and lowered her head to eat her breakfast. The two sat quietly facing each other, the only sound the soft clinking of their cutlery. Morning light streamed through the window, bathing everything in a warm hue.

After breakfast, Kyō cleared the dishes, while Yūto returned to his study. He had several new emails to process. The first was a draft catalog of the Kamo family's rare books, sent by Miwa Kasumi. The attachment was a large Excel file listing thousands of entries, each labeled with the book's name, date, summary, and condition.

Yu Ren quickly browsed through the materials, highlighting several categories that particularly interested him: records about the ancient cursed spirit "Great Cursed Spirit", research notes involving spatial techniques, and records of forbidden experiments on Crimson Blood Manipulation.

He replied to the email: "Directory received. Prioritize the highlighted items; I need to see the originals. Also, does the Kamo family have any early records regarding the 'Tengen Barrier'?"

The second email, from Supervisor Kobayashi, was the second training report from the Hida FART Special Task Force. The report showed that after two weeks of intensive training, the team members' average scores in "perceiving concealed targets" and "dealing with spatial cursed spirits" improved by forty percent.

There were also several training videos in the attachment. Yu Ren watched them for a few minutes and saw that the team members' teamwork was obviously better and their tactical execution was more decisive.

In his reply, he wrote: "The results are good. A live-fire exercise is scheduled for next week in that abandoned mine in northern Gifu Prefecture, where there is a natural underground labyrinth structure, suitable for simulating a nest environment. I will be there to observe in person."

The third email was from the Kyoto campus's academic affairs office, seeking feedback on the course arrangements for the next semester. As the fourth seat of the Sword Academy, Yuuto occasionally needs to give special lectures or serve as a special training instructor at the Kyoto campus.

He glanced at the schedule, checked "available" for several advanced practical courses and technique theory courses, and then replied to confirm.

After processing the emails, Youren brought up the system panel. The points were still considerable, but he was still hesitant. Six Treasures Immortal Thief, Great Luo Cave Observation, Qi Body Source Flow... each choice could affect the future direction of development. He needed more information, more judgment on the current situation.

My phone vibrated again. This time it was Noriyuki Kamo calling.

"Lord Kasuga," Kenji's voice came through the receiver, tinged with weariness, "Did you receive the catalog of ancient books?"

"Just finished reading it," Yu Ren said. "It's very detailed, thank you for your hard work."

“Of course.” Xianji paused. “Regarding the records of the ‘Tianyuan Barrier’ that you asked about… the Kamo family does have some. They are handwritten notes left by an ancestor three hundred years ago, when he participated in the initial construction of the national barrier. However, those materials are top secret and are stored in the family’s forbidden library. Access to them requires the joint approval of all the elders.”

Yu Ren narrowed his eyes: "How many elders can you mobilize right now?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone. "...Of the six elders, three explicitly support me, two are neutral, and one opposes me." Xianji's voice lowered. "The one who opposes me is the Third Elder, Kamo Shuuen. He's the First Elder's younger brother and wields considerable influence within the family. Moreover... he might be involved with the clan!"

“Keeping it is a potential problem,” Yuuto said bluntly.

“I know,” Xianji sighed, “but the family has only just stabilized. If internal conflicts break out again, I’m afraid…”