211 Ryo Otake Felt Bitter (1/2)

Incense crystals were also known as Land Spirit crystals.

This substance can only be created by Land Spirits. Previously, these crystals had been monopolized by the Land Spirit Alliance. They were partly the reason why the Alliance became one of the most powerful forces around the globe.

During the Dharma Ending Age, Land Spirit crystals had been called incense crystals because of the severe shortage of reiki during that time. Instead, they had used large amounts of incense to make incense crystals. However, when the era of recuperation of reiki came about, reiki had been plentiful in the world. The sheer abundance of reiki had aided the Land Spirits in the creation of Land Spirit crystals easily with small amounts of incense and large amounts of reiki.

On its own, Land Spirit crystals offered a wide range of uses. They helped to keep one's inner peace in check to prevent overly quick cultivation, which could lead to deviant practice. Furthermore, long term usage could enhance comprehension of practice during training. In contrast, simple absorption of essence from a crushed crystal could clear the mind and improve focus during research and deduction of spells. Back then, these Land Spirit crystals had been a contributor to his research in creating the Spirit Immobilizing Talisman as well.

In a way, it could be said that the many uses of Land Spirit crystals were simply endless.

The Land Spirit crystals were also the key to casting the 'Initial Desire Spell.'

After receiving confirmation, the Usui Spirit said with a sullen expression, ”Master Kimura, I would if I could... but my only piece of incense crystal has already been taken.”

Incense crystals created during the Dharma Ending Age were almost entirely made of incense and were extremely pure. A single piece of incense crystal itself would be considered an absolute treasure. On the other hand, Land Spirit crystals made during the recuperation of reiki were created with small amounts of incense, compensated with large amounts of reiki. In regards to the effects of the crystals, they were simply incomparable.

”Who?” Kimura Kazuki frowned.

”Hiroshi Takeda,” the Usui Land Spirit huffed, ”That fellow found me a year ago and demanded the incense crystal. Of course I was unwilling to do so, but then I got beaten up. After that, I had no choice but to hand it over to protect myself. He said that he wanted to gift the incense crystal to his heir...”

So it was him. Kimura Kazuki frowned. Yagyu Yasutake's obsessiveness had been to kill off the Sword Saint Takeda. When he had first walked through Mount Tobiuo in Yamagata City, he had found that Sword Saint Takeda had left to travel overseas. Disposing of him would have to wait until at least the end of the year then.

It seemed like they would have to wait until the end of the year to recover Kumoko's memories.

As to whether there were other existing Land Spirits currently in Japan, he had no idea. He only knew of the Usui Spirit, and that was only it had been the strongest Land Spirit in Japan during the recuperation of reiki. This fellow would have its own share of fate.

Moreover, the other Land Spirits would not necessarily have incense crystals with them either. This substance was a rare commodity during the Dharma Ending Age.

As he thought about this, Kimura Kazuki took a glance at the Usui Spirit and said directly, ”If that's the case, I can take care of Kumoko for another half a year. Just wait until I get the incense crystal from Hiroshi Takeda, and I'll send it over after recovering Kumoko's memories.”

The Usui Spirit gazed at Kumoko, reluctant to part with her, but he knew that there was no other way. Out of the blue, he suddenly remembered, ”Master Kimura, you have to be careful. That Hiroshi Takeda is one to watch out for.”

”How strong?” Kimura Kazuki was curious. If he could find out more about Hiroshi Takeda's capabilities, at least he could prepare accordingly at the end of the year.

The Usui Spirit scratched his head. In the end, he spouted dryly, ”He's as unpredictable as you are.” In any event, with their capabilities, either one of them could beat him up easily.

So it would seem that Hiroshi Takeda had not entered the Metamorphosis State yet. Kimura Kazuki smiled. It was just as he had predicted.

After that, Kimura Kazuki did not linger at Usui Shrine for long. He gave instructions to the Usui Spirit to give Mitsue Natsume's body a proper burial so that when Kumoko's memories were recovered, she could pay her respects to her father properly.