In the barriers used against Spiritual Disasters, there exists a technique known as Eight Trigram Barrier, which is said to be absolutely unbreakable from the inside.
This is a technique derived from Tenkijutsu Heavenly Secret Arts.
In truth, Tenkijutsu belongs to one of the three great secret arts collectively known as Three Styles, with its full name being Kimon Tonko. It is also referred to as Kimon or simply Tonko.
The other two great secret arts within the Three Styles are Rokujin and Taiitsu.
Kimon, Rokujin, and Taiitsu.
These are the three famous esoteric arts, which also hold significant importance in the practice of Onmyodo the Way of Yin and Yang.
The legendary Abe no Seimei was highly skilled in Rokujin, using it for divination. He was renowned for his vast knowledge, understanding both celestial and terrestrial affairs, making him seemingly omniscient and omnipotent. His work, Senji Ryakketsu, is a compendium of Rokujin divination techniques and was invaluable to him throughout his life.
At present, Rozen is utilizing Taiitsu—or to be more precise, the incantation arts within Taiitsu.
Within the Three Styles, each secret art aligns with one of the three cosmic origins Heaven, Earth, and Man.
- Taiitsu governs the Heavenly Origin.
- Kimon governs the Earthly Origin.
- Rokujin governs the Human Origin.
Thus, among the Three Styles, Kimon primarily deals with formation techniques and barriers, Rokujin specializes in divination and foresight, and Taiitsu is closely tied to spiritual arts—capable of subjugating divine spirits, exorcising malevolent spirits, purifying vengeful spirits, and sealing away wicked entities. In a broader sense, it encompasses exorcism-related incantations, making it a formidable tool against Spiritual Disasters. Demon slaying and spirit purification are well within its domain.
For this reason, Rozen has devoted great effort to mastering the Three Styles. Although he lacks the necessary Shinkan Divine Priest qualifications to freely wield Rokujin, he has rigorously trained in Kimon and Taiitsu.
At this moment, the barrier Rozen has deployed is a Taiitsu exorcism technique, potent enough to repel even Phase 3-level Spiritual Disasters and dispel the curses cast by Ashiya Douman, who himself remains at Phase 3. The effectiveness is extraordinary.
Of course, Rozen is not one to rely solely on defense.
Taiitsu techniques are not just for exorcism—they serve a vast array of functions against Spiritual Disasters.
"—————"
Rozen chants a sacred incantation as numerous talismans appear in his hands. They transform into radiant spirit charms, taking flight like living creatures. They circle in the air like birds, forming a brilliant rainbow aura around Ashiya Douman.
The luminous charms radiate jutsuryoku, exuding a purifying presence akin to an intoxicating fragrance.
Ashiya Douman reacts immediately.
Because he recognizes the technique Rozen is about to unleash.
"Is this the Taiitsu Shinjin Mantra…!?"
Taiitsu Shinjin Mantra
This is an extremely powerful purification incantation within Taiitsu arts.
In terms of raw destructive power, it may not surpass other mantra, but when it comes to exorcising Spiritual Disasters, its effectiveness far exceeds that of any other mantras.
And Rozen has now invoked it.
"In the name of the Supreme Heavenly Deity, purge all miasma and evil from this land—"
Rozen forms a blade mudra with his hands, unleashing a surge of jutsuryoku.
"Order!"
With an imposing gesture, Rozen swings down his blade mudra.
"Ooooom—!!"
In that instant, the spirit charms surrounding Ashiya Douman burst forth, transforming into rolling streams of radiance imbued with dazzling light and purifying spiritual energy, surging toward Ashiya Douman.
"Lord Douman!"
Gozu and Mezu, who had been locked in combat with their respective alter ego, sensed their master's peril through their spiritual link. Their faces turned pale, and they immediately tried to retreat back to Ashiya Douman's side.
"Damn it!"
Gozu snarled in frustration, while Mezu turned sharply, abandoning their respective enemies to rush toward Ashiya Douman.
As his guardian spirits, they had to return to protect him, even if it meant taking the attack themselves.
But…
"You're not getting past!"
"We won't let you interfere with our master!"
The Gozu Enforcer and Mezu Enforcer simultaneously threw their chains, one wrapping around Gozu's neck, the other coiling around Mezu's waist, restraining them.
Gozu and Mezu roared in fury, their demonic energy erupting like a storm as they struggled to break free.
However, these were chains meant for binding spirits, and as beings of the spiritual realm, escaping from them was far from easy.
Despite this, Ashiya Douman merely sneered.
"Did you really think you could exorcise me with this alone? Not so easily!"
He quickly formed a series of hand seals and began chanting an incantation.
This was an external sorcery, distinct from any existing jutsuryoku system—Ashiya Douman's own brand of forbidden jujutsu.
As he did so, his robes billowed violently, and a thick black mist erupted around him, forming a whirling vortex that shielded him from the incoming spiritual radiance.
"Ssshhhh—sssshhhsshh—!"
The luminous currents collided with the black mist, hissing as if burning away some unknown impurity.
The mist barrier visibly weakened under the relentless purification.
"Ha!"
Ashiya Douman completed the Nine Syllable Seal, thrusting his hands outward. A surge of intense jutsuryoku burst forth, reinvigorating the black mist.
"Come forth!"
At the same time, he commanded the colossal serpent-like Spiritual Disaster floating in the sky, ordering it to descend and strike the spirit charms trapping him.
Yet…
"Bind!"
Rozen's cold voice rang out.
In an instant, the giant serpent stiffened, completely immobilized.
"A Rank Jinjutsu!?"
Ashiya Douman's eyes widened, his expression twisting in shock.
"That's right."
Rozen's expression remained calm as he smirked.
"So, what will you do now, Douma Hoshi?"
Ashiya Douman burst into laughter.
"Naturally— I will dispel the incantation!"
He raised his hands high.
"Boom!"
A terrifying surge of jutsuryoku erupted, unleashing a hurricane-like shockwave.
Its magnitude was beyond human limits.
Rozen immediately saw through Ashiya Douman's intent.
"Trying to break free by brute force?"
Rozen's smile deepened.
"Unfortunate, Hoshi—you've chosen the wrong method."
At that moment, Rozen unleashed his full jutsuryoku.
"What…!?"
Ashiya Douman's face finally changed.
"Hmph!"
Rozen clenched his hand, amplifying the radiance of his talismans.
"Boom!"
The black mist shattered.
"Aaaaaaahhhhh!!"
Ashiya Douman let out a tormented howl as the light engulfed him.