The 'Secret Techniques of Miss Fox' that resonated with readers was a setup left by Yae Miko. It was not a spell that could grant wishes, but rather a ritual to appease the memories of the Ley Lines.
"I've already found an excuse to send all the shrine maidens down the mountain. During the Hyakki Yagyō, the memories of numerous yokai lingered above Narukami Shrine. If anyone were to accidentally become possessed, it would be troublesome..."
"Feng Yi, after I initiate the ritual and gather the yokai's memories, it will take some time. During this period, the abundant spiritual energy here will attract some impudent demons. I'll need you to clear them out."
Yae Miko took out her Kagura Suzu. Everything was ready for the ritual.
"No problem, these are the formation flags I prepared for this purpose."
Feng Yi took down the small flags from his waist. When inactive, they were merely ordinary ornaments. Once activated with spiritual power, they could confine nearby demons.
Moreover, the formation flags could absorb the demons' power to fuel the formation's operation, eliminating the need for Feng Yi to constantly supply spiritual power. It was very user-friendly.
"Mhm, I believe those fellows are already impatient. Let's begin!"
Yae Miko smiled slightly. Collaborating with Feng Yi was truly hassle-free.
Holding the Kagura Suzu in front of her, Yae Miko formed hand seals and moved with profound steps, chanting incantations.
*Rustle rustle—*
The wind picked up, rustling the leaves. A purple radiance emanated from the Kagura Suzu, spiraling upwards and soaring into the sky.
The ritual had begun. It was time for Feng Yi to get to work.
He stepped out, holding a formation flag, and in the next instant, he was already in the mid-air above Mount Yougou.
Feng Yi hurled the four formation flags in the four cardinal directions of Mount Yougou, constructing a tight formation that enveloped the entire mountain.
The formation flags were planted in the crevices of the rocks at the foot of the mountain, unmoving, as if rooted in the earth, their surfaces fluttering wildly in the strong wind.
"Rise!"
Feng Yi let out a low shout, injecting spiritual power into the flags. The ordinary formation flags suddenly radiated golden light, extending outwards and connecting with each other, finally forming a golden domain that was square on the inside and round on the outside.
From Feng Yi's perspective looking down, the golden formation resembled flowing water, with energy being recycled.
"Conceal!"
With a wave of Feng Yi's hand, the golden light emitted by the formation gradually dimmed, eventually stabilizing and blending with the night. Only the four formation flags occasionally flashed with a faint golden light.
The demons had not yet gathered, so Feng Yi had temporarily put the formation into a sensing mode, which greatly reduced spiritual power consumption while enhancing its stealth.
Once a demon entered the formation's range, the formation would immediately activate, absorbing the demon's power to sustain its operation.
This way, Feng Yi could free his hands and comfortably watch Yae Miko preside over the Hyakki Yagyō ritual.
On Yae Miko's side, the ritual incantations were nearing their end.
Instantly, clusters of black mist flew out from the Ley Lines, converging above Narukami Shrine and forming a massive black vortex.
Loud laughter, "Hohahaha," echoed from within the vortex, filled with exhilaration.
"They haven't had the chance to stretch their limbs and soar through the sky like this in a long time..."
Yae Miko looked up at the sky and smiled faintly.
The black vortex gradually spun, eventually obscuring the bright moon in the sky, completing a magnificent Hyakki Yagyō and a 'moonless night.'
"Feng Yi, do you know? Although they are noisy, they are all brave beings. Even in brutal battles, their souls were never sorrowful or lost. I wish they could continue to be this boisterous, but time is fleeting..."
Yae Miko sighed softly, the time for them to be boisterous was running out.
Holding the Kagura Suzu, she danced halfway and then stood up with a flourish, drawing a beam of golden light to the heavens, breaking the boundary between life and death with the true dance of Kagura.
A golden pillar of light rose from beneath Yae Miko's feet, shooting towards the full moon hidden by the black mist, dispersing the darkness. Golden light intertwined with the bright moonlight.
Yae Miko's shrine maiden attire fluttered in the wind, illuminated by the golden light behind her, creating a breathtaking and moving spectacle.
"All feasts must end. Hehe, allow me to send them on their final journey! [I declare to Bai Chen, for the sake of soul鎮, grant me to offer a prayer, guiding the lamp home...]"
Yae Miko crossed her arms over her chest, chanting a prayer to send off the departed souls.
A wondrous thing happened. As the prayer was recited, several bright specks of light appeared on Yae Miko and floated towards the sky.
This was the power of faith, and also blessings.
At the same time, looking down the mountain, more specks of light were seen converging into a golden torrent, flowing from the direction of Inazuma City.
"The book says that when the moonlight of the full moon intertwines with golden light, chanting the 'Secret Techniques of Miss Fox' can protect peace and grant wishes. I must be devout. I declare to Bai Chen, for the sake of soul鎮..."
A loyal reader, standing in their courtyard, watched the celestial anomaly of the moonlight and couldn't help but excitedly chant the spell from the novel.
"I declare to Bai Chen, for the sake of soul鎮..."
"Grant me to offer a prayer, guiding the lamp home..."
"Revering the divine might, with utmost respect..."
"......"
More and more citizens of Inazuma emerged from their courtyards. Seeing such a spectacular scene, they involuntarily clasped their hands together, closed their eyes, and chanted this spell.
The golden torrent converged above Narukami Shrine, forming an inverted vortex.
With the atmosphere reaching this point, Feng Yi felt it was time for him to contribute.
"Form the celestial array, and swiftly summon divine power.
All demons and wicked spirits, be dispelled by lightning.
Seize souls and capture ghosts, let true energy flow.
By imperial decree and talismanic command, you shall not linger.
— Haste, as the law dictates!"
Feng Yi formed hand seals, channeling immortal power to aid Yae Miko.
Yae Miko looked up at the sky, her eyes flickering. She murmured to herself.
"Youri-sama, you asked me if I was doing well. I truly lived happily every day...
"It's just that now, seeing you leave, I still feel a little lonely... Well, just a little bit..."
Soon, the golden light above Narukami Shrine completely dissipated, and along with it departed the content yokai.
"Miko... are you alright?"
With the ritual concluded, Feng Yi stepped forward and embraced Yae Miko, who still appeared somewhat dazed.
"I'm fine, Feng Yi, I'm fine. I just haven't fully processed it yet. I'll recover slowly..."
Yae Miko returned the embrace, smiling gently.
"Miko, now that this matter is concluded and I have some free time, I'm planning a hot spring party. Would you like to join me to relax? Of course, fried tofu will be served in abundance~"