"…"
Bal watched Yakumo Yukari disappear into the gap, her exquisite face expressionless, and then she withdrew her gaze to the Hyakki Yagyō below the cliff.
Although she still didn't know what kind of Youkai Yakumo Yukari was, she could infer from the respectful gazes of others.
The Youkai named Yakumo Yukari must be an incredibly powerful big shot.
Of course, she had already prepared for this, as the Yakumo Yukari she first met seemed mysterious and composed.
This… was practically screaming, "I am a big shot!"
So, since Yakumo Yukari had forcefully claimed her as her person, then presumably no one else would want her to join the Hyakki Yagyō.
Moreover, she truly had no need to join Yuki Onna's Hyakki Yagyō.
After all, didn't the One-Eyed Monster say that Yuki Onna was going to Kyoto to become the Lord of Youkai?
Then she would surely face Defeat from multiple forces.
And for a Youkai as weak as her, if she went to Kyoto, even if she could secure some leadership position,
she would likely die once the fighting started.
Therefore, the best option at the moment was to find a small place, and only consider other matters when her strength was sufficient.
With the system… her future strength should not be lacking.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
"Rejected, huh?" Yuki Onna shook her head with some regret after hearing her subordinate's report. "Since the Youkai Sage Yakumo Yukari has taken an interest, there's no need to forcefully recruit her."
She felt a little regretful but had no intention of forcing the issue.
After all, an ancient Youkai like Yakumo Yukari, who had lived for countless years, must possess unfathomable strength, and there was truly no need to become her enemy.
Furthermore, even if that young girl accepted her invitation, it would be irrelevant to her.
Even if that young girl was destined for greatness, she would require a long period of growth. Although she was willing to put in the effort to nurture her,
the time to harvest the fruits was too long.
Even if the young girl only took four or five centuries to become a top-tier Youkai,
by then, she might have already resurrected Abe no Seimei.
And then… she wouldn't need the young girl's meager power.
A while later.
The mountain path grew dim, and Yuki Onna and her Hyakki Yagyō moved away, disappearing into the winding mountain road.
The surrounding Youkai also gradually dispersed.
"…"
The young girl let out a soft sigh, feeling a sense of longing in her heart to lead a Hyakki Yagyō and become the Lord of Youkai.
However, that was merely a fleeting emotion.
In her previous life, the young girl had many such moments of passionate desire to study hard, but her enthusiasm never lasted more than a day.
She was in a state of intermittent ambition and continuous idleness.
Hehe, games are so fun.
"...Perhaps we'll meet again."
The young girl turned her head and said to the One-Eyed Monster beside her, then prepared to continue towards the human village.
To be honest, even the young girl herself found it strange.
Generally speaking, given her weak strength, it would be better to stay away from human activity areas.
It wouldn't be good if she were killed by a passing miko or mage.
"Wait, where are you going, esteemed one?"
The One-Eyed Monster called out to the young girl who was about to leave, his voice revealing a sense of urgency, as if he really didn't want her to leave.
"Does that concern you?"
The young girl stopped her steps, vigilantly staring at the One-Eyed Monster. If the One-Eyed Monster harbored ill intentions,
she would immediately summon lightning to blast him in the face and seize the opportunity to escape.
"No… how should I put this."
The One-Eyed Monster raised a hand to scratch his cheek, and under the young girl's cold gaze, he spoke his purpose to her with some trepidation and hope.
"Esteemed one, are you in need of a subordinate?"
Subordinate.
The young girl's eyes showed a hint of astonishment as she looked at the One-Eyed Monster, who seemed to be applying for a job, and a strange yet amused feeling welled up in her heart.
"Why do you have this idea?"
She couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.
To be honest, the young girl still knew her place. With her utterly weak strength, she likely couldn't defeat the One-Eyed Monster.
So, how could she possibly take the One-Eyed Monster as a subordinate?
"Esteemed one, I have always had ambition!"
The One-Eyed Monster knelt down, looking up at the purple-haired young girl, and sincerely expressed his thoughts.
"I don't want to live a mediocre life forever. I want to become a Youkai above Youkai, but I cannot do it on my own."
He earnestly bowed his head to the ground, speaking sincerely.
"Esteemed one, you will surely be an extraordinary figure in the future, so please give me a chance to follow you. I swear to be loyal to you until death!"
He was not speaking falsely. With his bloodline… it would be difficult for him to become a strong individual in the future. If he couldn't follow a powerful enough person, he would remain a small figure his entire life.
Therefore, if he could seize the opportunity to follow a strong individual who had not yet developed, he could become a Youkai above Youkai by virtue of his early association.
And such a situation was actually common in the Youkai Realm.
"Are you sure I can become strong?" the young girl asked with a clear voice, looking at the One-Eyed Monster kneeling before her. "What if I don't grow as you expect?"
"Then I can only say I'm unlucky!" The One-Eyed Monster's voice was firm and sincere. "However, I believe you will surely be extraordinary in the future!"