章 41: The Soul Scalpel
Leaving behind the three dumbfounded individuals, Minamoto Sōjun returned to his quarters.
Reversed Curse Technique and Black Flash are such phenomena: those who can master them will do so in an instant, while those who cannot will remain forever incapable.
He belonged to the former group.
...
Ever since Minamoto Sōjun mastered the Reversed Curse Technique, he had accelerated his research into Tengen's soul.
If modifying his own soul could be likened to a delicate surgical operation, then he was akin to a seasoned surgeon with decades of experience. However, when operating on Tengen's soul, he reverted to being a rookie intern fresh out of medical school.
This marked his first surgery. Coincidentally, it was also Tengen's first.
Before the Sacred Tree, the two novices engaged in a harmonious and friendly exchange, devoid of any conflict between doctor and patient. The atmosphere was surprisingly cooperative.
Minamoto Sōjun wielded his soul scalpel, also referred to as a spiritual scalpel, invisible to ordinary eyes, including Tengen's.
Those with talent for souls were exceedingly rare.
After warning Tengen to prepare himself, the stars within Minamoto Sōjun's eyes brightened, twinkling rapidly.
He was identifying Tengen's soul structure.
Which parts represented memory, which consciousness, and which thought? Or perhaps all parts represented all of these aspects simultaneously, with no clear boundaries?
He swiftly cut off a piece of Tengen's soul, equivalent to a finger. Tengen's expression remained calm—not because he endured the pain but because Minamoto Sōjun's techniques were so refined.
In his eyes, the severed finger shone brightly in red, yellow, blue, and green—a vivid kaleidoscope. However, it was as though he suffered from colorblindness; he could not distinguish red from green.
He split the finger in half and tossed one portion away. From within his body, another Minamoto Sōjun emerged, caught the fragment, and immediately sat cross-legged to analyze it—the soul could not persist long outside its host.
Every second counted.
Minamoto Sōjun wrapped the remaining half with cursed energy, using a cursed energy marking technique to make it visible to Tengen.
Together, they designed barriers that could safely sustain a soul outside its host.
Each time inspiration struck, they would immediately construct the barrier, and Minamoto Sōjun would place the soul fragment within.
The behavior of cursed energy served as an excellent feedback mechanism for the soul's state.
They watched helplessly as the cursed energy dissipated...
Failure, yet again.
But unlike Tengen, Minamoto Sōjun could keenly detect that as the soul disappeared, its structure grew looser, offering greater maneuverability.
He cut off another finger and repeated the process.
After exhausting ten fingers, Tengen could no longer endure. Minamoto Sōjun began using the Reversed Curse Technique to heal him, moving on to the next set of ten, and then the next...
Thus passed the days. Two Minamoto Sōjuns permanently stationed themselves in the palace of the Sacred Star, tirelessly researching before the Sacred Tree without rest or sleep.
Outside the palace.
In the dormitory attic, another Minamoto Sōjun remained.
He continued his personal training to grow stronger, maintaining his own schedule.
Inspired by Tengen's case, he had many new ideas.
The Reversed Curse Technique had also greatly enlightened him.
Previously, his technique could only convert his body, soul, and cursed energy into one another. But now, through the Reversed Curse Technique, he could expend cursed energy to heal others' bodies and souls—
This was the beginning of influencing the external world.
Another morning.
Minamoto Sōjun refined his cursed energy.
From his body emerged another Minamoto Sōjun, who went straight to Training Field No. 5 for martial arts practice. The original stayed home, developing the Reversed Curse Technique and researching Fly Heads.
One more remained resting, rotating responsibilities with the others.
With five Minamoto Sōjuns working cooperatively, their schedules were tightly packed.
Yet, as always, plans never went smoothly…
"I want to become a jujutsu sorcerer!" Riko Amanai declared loudly early in the morning.
"Then go learn," Minamoto Sōjun replied without looking up, engrossed in his work.
The strands of hair attached to the Fly Head glimmered red.
The Fly Head's current form appeared perfect, yet its wings—symbolizing its essence—were overly large and clumsy, a byproduct of its increased strength.
Minamoto Sōjun pinched a spiritual blade between his fingers, delicately cutting into the Fly Head's back while injecting cursed energy.
The interplay of crimson and azure worked upon its form.
Soon, a second pair of grayish-white wings emerged.
The Fly Head's appearance underwent a dramatic transformation…
Minamoto Sōjun released his control, and the creature immediately zipped off. Despite its sleazy demeanor, it now bore a certain sharp, metallic elegance.
Watching it dart through the air at incredible speed, he noted the effects of his modifications on its soul and body.
Among the assimilated cursed spirits, the Fly Head was unique—the only one to retain its soul's will. It could be said to have received special "favor."
Minamoto Sōjun subtly moved his fingers, and the spiritual blade dissolved into nothingness.
"Teach me!" Riko Amanai suddenly shouted, leaning in close as he finished.
Minamoto Sōjun's hand trembled:
"…Lower your voice."
"…"
"Go find Geto or Gojo," he said impatiently, unable to bear her gaze.
"They said the same thing! Then told me to find you," Riko Amanai slammed the table. "Are you guys treating me like a ball to kick around?!"
"Of course not…"
Her face lit up.
"Balls bring people joy," Minamoto Sōjun glanced at her. "You only bring annoyance."
Riko Amanai flopped dramatically to the ground, rolling around.
While rolling, she chanted, "Teach me! Teach me! Teach—teach—me—! Teach—me!"
Annoying to no end!
Minamoto Sōjun had no choice but to assign one of his copies to deal with her.
The Star Plasma Vessel incident was mostly resolved, but as long as Tengen's matter remained unsettled, Riko Amanai couldn't openly appear before the higher-ups.
Everyone knew of her existence, waiting for results from Tengen's side.
Lifting Riko Amanai by the collar, Minamoto Sōjun's form twisted and vanished into a flash of dark light.
This was a combination of Black Flash and a spatial technique, crossing…
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