Things turned out to be unexpectedly simple.
That very day, the village chief, along with a group of demon masters, received the teachings of Eternal Meditation passed down by Kikyo.
More than twenty young and middle-aged men and women took part.
After gaining this divine method, each manifested unique powers.
Kikyo, Kaede, and the others observed as the results unfolded.
For some, it was an overall strengthening of both body and spirit.
The villagers of Maple Village each found that their natural talents were enhanced, their existing strengths magnified to a new level.
The residents of Demon Village, however, gained something else entirely—martial enhancement.
Their bodies, once no different from ordinary humans, now rivaled demons in raw strength. Not only that, but their bodies radiated powerful true energy.
It was then that Kikyo realized: with Eternal Meditation, not everyone would gain extraordinary divine powers like herself and her sister. The results varied depending on the practitioner's nature.
A villager armed with a sickle stepped forward to test his strength.
He infused his power into the weapon—
And with a single sweep, the protective wall surrounding the cottage village collapsed.
Boom!
An entire hundred-meter-long section of the wall crumbled into dust.
Gasps filled the air.
"Wh-what… Is this really the power granted by the God of Eternity?"
"It's incredible!"
"Unimaginable… no human should wield such strength!"
The village chief's eyes shone with fanatical light.
If such power could be given to all, then subduing demons would no longer require mobilizing dozens of warriors.
A single villager could handle threats that once terrorized them.
He asked cautiously, "Lady Kikyo, can this method be passed on to other villagers as well?"
Kikyo smiled serenely. "Of course. This will become a branch of the Eternal Faith from now on. But remember this—our doctrine forbids wanton killing, even of demons. Only when you encounter those who defy order and refuse peace…"
Her words trailed off.
The demon masters clenched their fists, voices uniting as one:
"—We will smash them to pieces!"
Their reply carried conviction, fierce and unshakable.
Kaede smiled brightly. The second wave of believers had already been born. The spreading of the Eternal Faith was going smoothly.
In the distance, the Thunderbird couple crouched low, watching uneasily.
The husband and wife exchanged glances, their expressions grim. Compared to these newly empowered humans, the two of them suddenly felt like mere oversized chickens.
Good heavens…
If such a human organization truly rose, it would spell the end for countless yokai.
Thankfully, the Eternal Faith forbade needless slaughter.
Otherwise, demons would have no place left in the world.
Still, the Thunderbird pair couldn't help feeling regret.
Had they surrendered sooner, they too could have received such blessings.
Now, they could only watch in envy as humans grew stronger. Their initial resentment dissolved into admiration and longing.
Every creature yearns for a powerful backing. For the weak, it is even more necessary.
The Thunderbird clan, lacking strength or influence, stood near the bottom of the demon hierarchy.
Across the land, powerful clans dominated—
The Thunder Eagle Clan, the Hundred Ghost Bats, the Kennel Clan…
But the Thunderbird line was a minor, wandering race.
Occasionally, one or two of their number rose to power, but their brilliance faded quickly, leaving no lasting heritage.
They lacked mighty artifacts. They lacked powerful allies.
Unlike the Dragon Clan—the mightiest of all monsters.
Though few in number, every dragon was a being of overwhelming strength.
Even among demons, none dared provoke them.
Then there was the Dog Demon Clan, who established a true demon nation in the West.
Inuyasha's father, the Great Dog General, had once been worshiped by tens of thousands of yokai.
Though he had fallen, his wife, Lady Sesshōmaru's mother—known as Lady Izayoi by some, Lady Sesshōmaru by others—remained a formidable power, renowned for her brilliant strategies and loyal vassals.
The mere mention of her name made many demons tremble.
Her son, Sesshōmaru, had already proven himself, defeating the Ocelot Clan and even driving out the Thunder Eagle Clan from the Western territories.
News of these deeds spread like wildfire.
Meanwhile, back in Demon Village, reconstruction progressed swiftly. The villagers no longer needed weapons forged from lesser yokai bones.
Why? Because such weapons had become obsolete.
Ordinary human steel shattered under the might of their new power.
Still, troubles arose.
The village chief sighed as he studied reports from his subordinates.
Now that we are stronger, we must also find weapons worthy of our strength.
"If we can smelt weapons from the bones of powerful demons, we'll be able to forge arms to match our abilities. Some of you have already chosen fire-based arts, yes?"
"Yes," replied a middle-aged man, bowing respectfully. "I can wield fire. With my flames and our village's forging knowledge, we can refine such weapons."
"Good," Kikyo nodded. "Then we need only find monster bones. Do you know where such remains can be found?"
The villagers fell silent.
Monster bones did not always require slaying the living. Many powerful yokai left behind remains when they died.
At that moment, the Thunderbird couple stirred.
"Lady Kikyo," the husband said hesitantly, "my wife and I know of such a place. But… it lies far away."
"Oh?" Kikyo tilted her head. "Where is it?"
"In the west lies Dragon Canyon. Hundreds of years ago, the Great Dog General fought a terrible battle there against the Dragon Bone Spirit. The remains should still linger."
The words sent a ripple of unease through the group.
Dragon Bone Spirit.
Even the name spoke of terror.
A monster born from dragon remains, strong enough to clash with the Great Dog General himself.
The village chief paled.
"Another dragon? And it fought Lord Dog General himself? Isn't that far too dangerous for us?"
But Kikyo only smiled faintly, taking Kaede's hand.
"Take us there. It will be a good chance to test my current strength."
For some time now, she had practiced Eternal Meditation. Ordinary yokai fell before her with a wave of her hand. Only a monster of this level could serve as a true test.
It would also give her new followers in Demon Village a chance to witness her power as the envoy of the Eternal God.
"Village chief, you and another Thunderbird will accompany us," she instructed.
"Understood, Lady Kikyo."
The Thunderbird's vast wings could carry several people easily. Their endurance allowed them to fly without rest for days.
So, that very day, the group set out for Dragon Canyon.
Dragon Canyon was a colossal range shrouded in poisonous miasma.
The landscape bore countless scars of ancient battle.
Without the ability to fly, one could not even approach the outer rim.
Riding atop the Thunderbird's neck, Kaede frowned as oppressive energy pressed upon her chest.
"Such suffocating malice… It must be near. Veer left."
"Yes, my lady," the Thunderbird obeyed instantly.
Soon, a horrifying sight emerged.
There, sprawled across a mountain peak, lay a colossal figure—over a thousand meters tall. Its monstrous form was twisted and grotesque, its body radiating dreadful malice like an endless tide.
The village chief's knees shook uncontrollably.
That thing… it hasn't even moved, and yet I feel crushed by its hatred…
Kikyo's eyes narrowed. "Stay here. Kaede and I will go."
The chief bowed quickly. "I'm ashamed to be such a burden, Lady Kikyo."
"It's fine. I intended for you to see this," Kikyo said with a faint smile. Her gaze fixed on the massive spike protruding from the creature's chest.
"That… must be the seal."
She drew her bow. A sacred arrow, glowing with violet light, shot forth and struck the nail pinning the monster.
Crack!
A deafening sound followed.
Thump… thump… thump!
A colossal heartbeat boomed, shaking the earth.
Dark clouds churned, lightning split the sky.
The Dragon Bone Spirit stirred.
It was no mere dragon. It was a corpse demon—born from a dragon's body, manipulated by the eerie human face embedded in its forehead.
Though impure, it still wielded all the power of a true dragon.
Otherwise, how could it have battled the Great Dog General to the death?
"Who dares wake me…"
Its roar shook the heavens. The ground cracked, rocks split apart.
The Dragon Bone Spirit had awakened!
But before it could unleash its fury—
Two radiant arrows pierced its body in quick succession.
"???"
The monster blinked.
What's happening? I just woke up, and already I'm under attack?
Looking up, it spotted two women calmly standing atop a Thunderbird, bows still drawn.
"You insolent human ants! Dare you attack me?! You must be seeking death!"
Kaede waved dismissively. "Stop shouting. We revived you only because your bones will make fine weapons. Now, kindly be quiet."
The Dragon Bone Spirit froze.
WHAT did she just say?
It gathered demonic energy to unleash a massive blast—
But another sacred arrow struck, shattering the attack like glass.
From there, the sisters began target practice.
Head. Chest. Tail. Limbs.
Within minutes, the once-terrifying Dragon Bone Spirit collapsed motionless, pinned like an oversized specimen.
Kikyo lowered her bow, her voice calm.
"Now we can check its value. Village chief, please collect some samples. Test whether its bones can be forged."
The man swallowed hard but obeyed. He ran forward, hammering against the corpse's body.
The Dragon Bone Spirit's eyes burned with silent fury, but it could not move.
The chief panted in frustration. The bones were impossibly tough—he couldn't break off a single piece.
Finally, Kaede sighed, walked forward, and with one sharp kick snapped a fragment free.
Inspection revealed the bones' worth was immeasurable. Weapons forged from such material would rival legendary artifacts.
Kikyo surveyed the canyon thoughtfully.
"This place has potential. Chuyao Village could build a town here. With the Dragon Bone Spirit's remains, we could craft tens of thousands of weapons for future believers. Once the miasma is cleared, this land could thrive."
The Dragon Bone Spirit's eyes bulged red with rage.
What kind of words are these?!
Are you priestesses or demons yourselves?!
End of Chapter