The energy within it had been absorbed quite significantly.
The puppet shattered to pieces and fell to the ground.
Hu Qiandai clearly knew more.
The Uesugi Family heiress, now possessing memories of her past life, frowned.
She looked at the puppet before her and couldn’t shake the feeling that something major was about to happen.
"I just have a bad premonition.”
"I feel totally energized!”
"The more I fight, the better I feel!”
"It’s as though I have endless strength!”
Hui Lijing shook her head, and to prove she wasn’t lying, she swung her dandelion once more.
A burst of fierce wind roared through the surroundings.
Seeing the state of her friend, Hu Qiandai lightly sighed in relief.
"That’s good to hear.”
"If anything feels off, let me know immediately.”
"Also, can you communicate with ‘Firefly Grass’?”
Hu Qiandai continued to ask.
Firefly Grass’ was crying fearfully just now, but even so, ‘Firefly Grass’ didn’t stop swinging the dandelion — even with tears streaming down, it’s determined to fight until the end.”
Firefly Grass’ is truly a qualified warrior.”
Hui Lijing couldn’t help but recall her own beginnings on the battlefield.
Wasn’t she the same back then?
Crying while pulling the trigger.
Turns out, there’s someone just like me!
Hui Lijing thought silently.
Such thoughts were clearly conveyed to ‘Firefly Grass’.
"I… I’ll stay by your side, Jing!”
"I won’t be a burden!”
‘Firefly Grass’ responded to Hui Lijing.
This wasn’t mere words; under Hui Lijing’s gaze, a magatama suddenly appeared on the sides of ‘Firefly Grass” skirt, and beneath each magatama began to emerge a character.
From blurry to distinct.
It resembled the roar of a primal beast, or the bellow of a monster.
But soon, only ‘Firefly Grass” serene smile remained.
Not understanding what had just occurred, Hui Lijing simply nodded her head.
"Let’s do our best together!”
Hui Lijing responded in this way.
‘Firefly Grass’ replied.
Standing nearby, Hu Qiandai instinctively narrowed her eyes.
Why does it feel like Jing’s aura just grew stronger?
It’s ‘Firefly Grass’!
After the recent battle, has it evolved?
Could such a powerful Shikigami evolve so easily?
Hu Qiandai was floored.
According to the memories she had gained, the stronger a Shikigami is, the harder it is to fulfill the conditions for evolution.
For a Shikigami like ‘Firefly Grass’, wouldn’t it have to single-handedly challenge Orochi to evolve?
How could it be this simple?
What shocked Hu Qiandai even more was her friend Hui Lijing’s reaction.
Hui Lijing seemed not at all surprised by this evolution.
But how could that be?
Hui Lijing must have felt this evolution!
Such a surge in power — as the host, she must’ve sensed it more acutely.
But why wasn’t she surprised?
Isn’t gaining strength a good thing?
"Jing, why aren’t you surprised?”
Between friends, the Uesugi Family heiress spoke without hesitation.
And Hui Lijing was just as candid.
"Why should I be surprised?”
"I trust ‘Firefly Grass’!”
Firefly Grass’ trusts me too!”
"It’s merely incidental!”
Hui Lijing answered as though it was the most natural thing in the world, leaving Hu Qiandai speechless.
She felt something was off, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.
"Thank you… thank you, Jing!”
The voice of ‘Firefly Grass’ echoed in Hui Lijing’s heart, and soon, two more magatama appeared on the left and right sides of its skirt. Beneath the previous ‘Claw’ characters, two additional ones emerged.
It grew even stronger!
Hu Qiandai’s eyes widened in astonishment.
This time, however, the Uesugi Family heiress chose not to question further.
The bond between companions!
Her heart had already provided the answer.
"To have you as a friend is truly wonderful!”
Hu Qiandai said this as her gaze turned to the depths of the fog, where the sounds of battle had reached the heavens.
Blinding flashes pierced through the black mist.
Genuinely sharp gales swept across the ground.
Though far away, both Hu Qiandai and Hui Lijing could clearly see the battle unfolding there.
Hanakaiin Haru, Hanakaiin Itsuki, and Tsuchimikado Motoharu were battling Hanakaiin Rō.
The genuine Hanakaiin Rō.
Not far from them, Komichi Yabee was slumped on the ground, her chest stained with large swaths of blood — clearly severely injured.
Hui Lijing said, charging toward them.
These people had entered the fray all because of Jason.
And as Jason’s assistant, she couldn’t stand idly by.
Especially Komichi Yabee — she needed immediate treatment.
Hu Qiandai followed closely behind, rushing ahead.
Within two minutes, Hui Lijing and Hu Qiandai reached the battlefield.
But in just those two minutes, Hanakaiin Haru, Hanakaiin Itsuki, and Tsuchimikado Motoharu were already looking quite battered.
Hanakaiin Haru’s lips were slightly bruised.
Hanakaiin Itsuki’s sweatshirt was completely torn, baring his torso.
Tsuchimikado Motoharu’s ever-present smile had vanished, replaced with a grave expression.
"He’s used a ritual to merge his power with this ‘fog’.”
"If we don’t dispel this ‘fog
Tsuchimikado Motoharu said solemnly.