When Rozen and Miyachi Iwao's jutsuryoku simultaneously transformed into a storm and soared along the corridor, the first to react to this signal for battle was Hokuto.
Hokuto seemed as if he couldn't contain himself any longer, emitting a deafening dragon's roar, and in an instant, his slender body shot out like a spring, carrying an unprecedented hostility, attacking in Miyachi Iwao's direction.
It appeared that while this dragon might be simple and carefree, its extraordinary instincts made it aware of Miyachi Iwao's threat, prompting it to go all out.
Following right after Hokuto was Enenra, like a gust of smoke, rushing towards Miyachi Iwao. The piercing cries kept emanating from the occasional faces appearing in the smoke, making it extremely eerie.
Naturally, the ten Valkyries guarding Rozen also launched their assaults.
"Haaaaaaah!"
The Valkyries collectively shouted, wielding their weapons and armor, spreading out to the surroundings. They attacked Miyachi Iwao in curving trajectories, like an expanding net ready to engulf him.
Miyachi Iwao then faced the siege of a total of twelve Shikigami. There was a true dragon above, Youkai below, and all around were the formidable Valkyries, making it seem like he was in a precarious situation.
However, in the face of this overwhelming encirclement, Miyachi Iwao not only did not panic but instead picked up a prayer bead, closed his eyes, and began chanting slowly, resembling a monk reciting scripture.
"————————"
———<Fire Realm Incantation>.
Due to its excellent ability to harm the spiritual aspect, it became a well-known spell used by every exorcist to purify spiritual disasters, one of the most commonly used spells in the Common-Style.
Miyachi Iwao, as the head of the Exorcism Division, the true highest authority, was now chanting the incantation of this fire technique.
However...
"————————"
With a solemn tone, Miyachi Iwao chanted a lengthy mantra, wholeheartedly reciting the incantation of this pyrokinetic spell.
In that moment, unimaginably vast jutsuryoku burst forth from Miyachi Iwao's entire body, invoking an incredibly intense fire aura, causing the flames to swirl around its center.
This is the sacred fire that can burn away all calamities.
This is the demonic flame that can incinerate all things.
Legend has it that the subjugation method of Fudou Myouou, which burned three thousand worlds and an endless demonic army, was unleashed by Miyachi Iwao's chanting.
In the presence of this fire, whether it's spells, curses, or demons, none can survive.
Under this fire, whether it's the floor, walls, or ceiling, everything is engulfed.
This is the true essence of Fudou Myouou, a technique that can only be utilized after truly understanding Fudou Myouou, a jutsu known as "Fire Realm Incantation." It's a technique that takes decades of refinement for individuals blessed with extraordinary talent to comprehend.
In the past, Rozen had also used the "Fire Realm Incantation" with such power.
Now, Miyachi Iwao, known as the "Fire Demon," displayed the true essence of Fudou Myouou, allowing the flames to rage all around.
In an instant, the flames consumed the floor, scorching the air, plunging the entire corridor into a sea of fire.
Hokuto and Enenra, advancing towards Miyachi Iwao, were the first to be struck by the surging divine flames. Their bodies were instantly ignited, causing them to not only halt their attack but also scream in pain.
"Ah...!"
"Yah...!"
The Valkyries, who had surrounded Miyachi Iwao, were likewise directly burned. Each one of them emitted cries of pain, bringing their advance to a halt.
The terrifying flames engulfed one Shikigami after another, blowing in all directions like a storm.
"...!?"
Rozen's expression changed. His Kinu's cloak immediately rose, transforming into a cape, shielding him within it and blocking the assaulting flames.
"This is bad!"
"Barrier!"
"Quick... activate the barrier!"
The Exorcism officers stationed nearby were even more alarmed, watching the terrifying flames approach. They immediately shouted and formed hand seals, creating a barrier.
The barrier they used was the highest-level one, considered unbreakable from within - the "Eight Array Barrier."
In units of eight, ten squads simultaneously deployed the "Eight Array Barrier." Eight-sided prism-shaped barriers rose one after another, overlapping like merging blocks, totaling ten layers, enclosing the battlefield ahead.
"Boom!"
The fearsome flames collided with the "Eight Array Barrier," shaking it.
The so-called highest-level barrier, deemed impenetrable from within and ten layers thick, was actually shaken.
Amidst the inferno, Hokuto, Enenra, and the Valkyries were all burning. Their spiritual entities were taking immense damage, just like the Chimera swallowed by Rozen's "Fire Realm Incantation" before. They had no resistance, and frequent nuclear fissions were manifesting on their bodies, making it seem like they could disappear at any moment.
Even Rozen, protected by Kinu, could feel the inhuman high temperature, causing him to perspire profusely.
"This is the 'Fire Demon'...!"
Rozen finally witnessed Miyachi Iwao's power.
Although Rozen could also use the same essence, in terms of scale, power, and effect, it was far inferior to Miyachi Iwao.
After all, even though they both understood the true essence of Fudou Myouou, Rozen had learned this technique at most a few years ago. Miyachi Iwao, on the other hand, had honed it for decades. Additionally, when using the "Fire Realm Incantation," Rozen wouldn't squander all of his jutsuryoku at once. He would release it bit by bit.
Miyachi Iwao, on the other hand, disregarded everything and squandered all his jutsuryoku, burning it all at once, immediately replenishing it, and then continuing to burn it, continuously utilizing this astonishing power. Naturally, the effects he achieved far surpassed what Rozen could.
As a result, even though the "Fire Realm Incantation" in the Common-Style generates flames that enhance burning towards spirituality, strongly suppressing its effects on physical bodies, Miyachi Iwao's "Fire Realm Incantation" not only burned the atmosphere but also melted the floor and ceiling. Everything around began to burn, turning red like magma.
The damage endured by spiritual entities like Hokuto, Enenra, and the Valkyries when faced with such terrifying flames can be imagined.
"If I hadn't attached 'Magic Defence' psychic power to everyone in advance, protecting them, they might have already been burned to ashes."
Rozen wiped the copious sweat under the high-temperature evaporation while leaving the protection to Kinu. He urgently formed hand seals and chanted a spell.
"————————"
The technique that had previously crushed Kagami Reiji and even instantly injured Kogure Zenjirou, the Taoism technique of striking the mountain from afar was once again executed by Rozen.
"Clap!"
Rozen swiftly clapped, allowing his jutsuryoku to instantly traverse through space and reach Miyachi Iwao's location.
"Boom!"
Tremendous power erupted around Miyachi Iwao.
However, it didn't explode on Miyachi Iwao's body; it was blocked by the flames surrounding him. Along with the jutsuryoku, it was burned to ashes.
Rozen's eyes widened in realization.
Miyachi Iwao's "Fire Realm Incantation" truly burned the very essence of the spell. It was incredibly terrifying.
At this moment, Rozen remembered another title of Miyachi Iwao.
"Fudou Myouou's Chosen..."
This contemporary strongest Onmyouji was regarded as the chosen one of Fudou Myouou, a terrifying talent that even Ashiya Douman had to marvel at.
"————————"
Miyachi Iwao wholeheartedly chanted the incantation of the "Fire Realm Incantation," turning the surrounding area into a scorched earth, just as described in the text.
"Ugh..."
Feeling the continuously rising temperature, Rozen's breathing finally became hurried.