Forest King

The moment Yamakaze's blade pierced the gigantic rock palm beneath him, a massive amount of demonic power poured in. Unlike the destructive demonic power of other yokai, Yamakaze's demonic power was brimming with vibrant life force. Beneath the dazzling green light emanating from his blade, countless tree roots and vines snaked through the rock, twisting and spreading outwards like serpents. In an instant, the rock palm beneath Yamakaze was nearly shattered by the continuously erupting roots and stems.

This was not the end. As Yamakaze's demonic power spread across the surrounding land, roots began to sprout from the ground over an even wider area. The second pair of rock palms, which had been closing in on Yamakaze, were entangled and pulverized by these roots, completely losing their ability to attack.

"What... life demonic power?"

Ao Andon's voice, filled with surprise, echoed through the space. Yet, this astonishing situation continued to spread. With Yamakaze at the center, the vines and roots rapidly proliferated like mad. On this rocky ground, infused with demonic power, tree trunks shot up, growing wildly in all directions, their branches clawing at the air. Green leaves quickly covered them. In this manner, with Yamakaze as the epicenter, these wild plants growing from underground swiftly spread across the entire island. Before everyone's eyes, the barren island was being covered by a dense jungle.

"Is this the power of the Forest King? Heh, not bad, he can even terraform a place like this?" From the distant reef, the Lord of Arakawa couldn't help but chuckle as he watched the desolate island rapidly transform into a jungle. One must remember, this was an island composed purely of rock!

Finally, after the entire desolate island was covered in rampant vegetation, deep within the dense jungle, Yamakaze pulled his sword from the ground and stood up, surveying the dim, dense forest. Ao Andon's voice continued to drift through the space.

"Oh my, this is truly an astonishing miracle, Forest King. But what good is it to turn this island into a jungle? You only needed to break my confinement just now, didn't you? Creating such a vast forest seems like a waste of demonic power..."

"It seems you still don't understand..." Yamakaze replied to Ao Andon, his expression unchanging. He stood his ground, responding with his usual indifferent demeanor.

"Since you call me the Forest King, don't you understand? The forest is my territory, my domain, an extension of my will. In this forest, no one can escape my eyes, including you, hidden as you are."

Hearing Yamakaze's words, Ao Andon's heart jolted. Using her yokai arts to observe the distant area, she discovered that Yamakaze's figure had vanished immediately after entering the jungle, and a sense of crisis assailed her from all directions.

Somewhere in the forest, near a seemingly ordinary giant rock, countless branches and vines wrapped around it. The rock instantly burst into a puff of smoke and vanished, revealing Ao Andon, who had shed her disguise. In her hand, she already held a new card.

"Secret Lore Summoning, Yamawaro!"

Under a blue light, a one-eyed yokai wielding a giant rock hammer appeared before Ao Andon. It swung its massive hammer, smashing the approaching vines and felling several large trees nearby, clearing the view to some extent. This was not the end; Ao Andon consecutively drew several more cards, summoning numerous yokai.

"tree spirit, tree spirit, Shanmei, Mountain Ape, Yamabushi Tengu!"

Innumerable different yokai appeared around Ao Andon, forming a protective circle around her. These yokai all possessed the characteristics of mountain and forest dwellers. Ao Andon hoped to use them as scouts to locate Yamakaze's hidden position.

However, it was ineffective. They could not perceive the Forest King's concealment.

"Roar!" Accompanied by a realistic beast's roar, a swift shadow burst from the forest's gloom, heading straight for Ao Andon. Yamawaro, one of the yokai guarding Ao Andon, blocked its path, only to be instantly torn to shreds. Before the other yokai could react, the swift shadow retreated into another patch of forest shadows.

"Meat shields, are they? Then let me see how many such meat shields you have..." As Yamakaze murmured softly, the swift shadow flashed out again. This time, it was the Mountain Ape that was torn to shreds. Seeing another subordinate gone, the worry on Ao Andon's brow deepened.

"You think you can track my movements with these pathetic creatures? Don't be ridiculous! In this forest, I alone am the master!"

Amidst Yamakaze's declaration, Ao Andon's subordinates were swiftly torn apart one by one. The meat shields protecting Ao Andon grew fewer and fewer. No one could resist Yamakaze's cold and ruthless harvest. Just as her guardian yokai were about to be wiped out, Ao Andon subtly drew another card.

"Now, only you remain!"

Ao Andon's yokai were annihilated, and Yamakaze launched his final assault from the shadows. But as his blade struck towards Ao Andon, it was blocked.

"Clang!" The clash of blades was crisp and piercing. Yamakaze stared in astonishment at the yokai that had appeared before him, his eyes widening.

A beast's helmet, loose clothing, and twin blades overflowing with demonic power—it was a figure identical to Yamakaze. The one who appeared before Yamakaze and blocked his attack was himself, the Secret Lore Yamakaze!

"Indeed, Yamakaze is the master of the forest. Only you yourself could perceive your actions within this forest," Ao Andon said with a faint smile, looking at the astonished Yamakaze. A clear hint of anger appeared on his previously indifferent face.

"A mere fake, don't be ridiculous!" Yamakaze roared, drawing and swinging his sword. The Secret Lore Yamakaze also parried with his blade, but his speed was clearly a notch below the genuine article. The block wasn't entirely successful, leaving a cut on his body.

Although the Secret Lore Yamakaze was at a disadvantage, he wasn't instantly killed like the previous yokai. For Ao Andon, this was already enough.

Seeing Yamakaze entangled by his Secret Lore yokai, Ao Andon seized the opportunity, riding her lamp staff directly into the air, soaring above the treetops. From there, she drew another card, hovering in mid-air.

"Legend says that in Kanto, a strange fire appears every few decades, burning forests for a thousand li and incinerating a hundred yokai. Secret Lore Manifestation, Mount Fuji Calamity Fire!"

In the forest, Yamakaze had just finished off his Secret Lore yokai and turned to continue pursuing Ao Andon when he saw a thick pillar of fire descending directly towards him from the sky. The surrounding temperature abruptly soared. The pillar of fire plunged into the dense forest, igniting a raging inferno. The forest, which had only recently sprouted on the desolate island, was consumed by a massive blaze in an instant.

This secret lore, originating from a certain immortal, clearly had a special effect against forests. The surging flames spread with unnatural speed. With the enhancement of the secret lore's special effects, it quickly engulfed the entire island, burning exceptionally fast. For a time, the entire desolate island was ablaze with fire, shrouded in black smoke. Miketsu couldn't help but comment that it was fortunate this was in the sea, otherwise, a forest fire of this magnitude would have spread uncontrollably.

Above the raging fire, Ao Andon shifted her gaze from the scene before her to her hand. There, lay a long, sharp spike, its end neatly cut. Looking at this spike, Ao Andon revealed a meaningful smile.

Soon, at the center of the fire, where the pillar of fire first landed, the trees had been completely burned away. Ao Andon drew a card and slowly descended, landing on the charred ground, surveying the still-burning trees around her, and said,

"Oh dear, wasn't that a bit excessive... No one could survive a fire of this magnitude, could they? I hope nothing happened to you, Forest King..."

Just as Ao Andon was lamenting, the ground behind her suddenly burst open. From within, a disheveled Yamakaze, bearing clear burn marks and charring, rushed out, slashing directly at Ao Andon. At the same time, Ao Andon, her back to him, curved her lips into a smile, and the card she had already gripped in her hand emitted a blue light.

Before Yamakaze's eyes, with a flash of blue light, a small girl with short purple hair appeared. She looked at the attacking Yamakaze with innocent eyes, and Yamakaze, at that moment, widened his own eyes.

"Kaoru..."