Chapter Nine, Tenderness

Sakura raised her head and looked towards Yae Miko.

Seeing that Hachiyouji's expression was not good, Hachiyou Sakura cautiously asked from the side

Fortunately, this strike also successfully knocked the Cherry Blossom Snow from the hands of Yaezakura

It was not as cold as the blade, yet there was no reaction at all. The disappointment in her eyes was well concealed, and Rin's small hand moved slightly, as if she wanted to forcibly lift the cherry blossom snow resting on the rack.

Unlike the cherry blossoms, when Yaezakura first wielded the cherry blossom snow, that spiritual blade actually enabled her to perform the "Falling Cherry Blossom Slash"!

Seeing Sakura's emotions gradually stabilize, Yaeji went to comfort the stunned Rin. Rin had been sitting on the mat, and Sakura was closest to her.

However, given the current physical condition of Yae Sakura, forcibly wielding the "Falling Cherry Blossom Slash" with the Cherry Blossom Snow would not only pose a significant threat to the surrounding environment, but she herself would also be bedridden for several days.

clang

Wow! Brother is truly impressive

Sister, how do you feel? Do you feel that you have become a powerful and outstanding priestess?

Um ... ...

Side slash with a knife

The cherry blossom light on the blade of the sword grew more intense, and the blade was also trembling slightly

A trace of barely perceptible anticipation glimmered in Lin's eyes, her small hand gently gripping the handle of a knife made from special materials

The shrine maiden is destined to be a guardian of a certain realm

Yae Sakura shook her head, yet tears glistened in her eyes

Successfully countering the "Rondo" emitted by the cherry blossom snow, Yae Kiri herself was not faring well; the katana in her hand was still softly humming, causing her hands to tingle with numbness.

What are you thinking about, you little fool

I... I said it. Sakura's little face turned slightly red, and her shyness made her somewhat less confident

Instant Flash

The tender voice of the cherry blossom even carried a hint of sobbing, "It, it is running with me!"

This is indeed an unprecedented event

Just as Yae Jiao raised her head to prepare to receive Sakura's praise, the little girl didn't even turn her head and directly ran towards the cherry blossom snow that emitted a faint pink light

"It's nothing, it's nothing," Yaoyue comforted Sakura softly as she held her.

Yae Miko returned the cherry blossom snow to the shrine where it was enshrined, and the two little girls no longer had any desire to see the cherry blossom snow.

How can a shrine maiden not be worthy of a spiritual sword? Sakura is destined to become a shrine maiden in the future. I remember someone saying yesterday that they wanted to surpass me and become the shrine maiden who protects everyone

The petite Sakura was also very excited, assuming a not very standard horse stance, with her small hands tightly gripping the hilt of the sword

I apologize for ... ...

Sitting at a distance, Bayouji raised her eyebrows, stood up, and intended to walk forward to assist her sister

In the hands of Yachiyo Rin, this unparalleled beauty does not reveal the slightest hint of its sharpness; instead, it evokes a faint cherry blossom glow on the blade, enhancing its splendor

When Yaeji occasionally glanced at the cherry blossoms, she smiled and said, "If you want to try, go ahead and try. It's meant for you to see."

Well

After such matters are concluded, I will begin training your physical fitness. Once your physical fitness catches up, you will be able to attempt to control the cherry blossom snow.

The palm gently rested on Ying's frail shoulder, giving it a soft pat

Hey! Hey hey hey! I, I can't control it!

During the grand sacrificial ceremony, the obedient Yaoying Sakura knelt on the floor with a slight frown: "But I heard that Brother Dazhu and Sister Liang have already... already done that. Shouldn't the offerings to the divine be pure maidens?"

It is ! ''

Bang

Sister, can you try to pick it up? Rin's voice was filled with anticipation

Among the three siblings of the Hachiyou family in this generation, excluding Rin who is naturally frail, Hachiyou Sakura is the strongest in terms of swordsmanship talent. Hachiyou Kyou merely relied on some peculiar items from his dreams to significantly enhance his strength, thereby gaining Sakura's acknowledgment

No, Ying, you should go to bed early today. Father has asked me to take you to the sacrificial ceremony tomorrow

You should know that, compared to me as a male, Sakura Hanabuki clearly prefers girls like Sakura.

Brother, is something wrong?

Hello

Yae Miko donned a layer of black clothing outside, while Yae Sakura wore the attire of a candidate shrine maiden

Brother

Do not be afraid, I am here with you.

On the other side, Hachijo Rin carefully stroked the blade of the cherry blossom sword, the entire spirit blade resting on the wooden rack

"Is it true?" Ying was initially excited, but then she lowered her head and said dejectedly, "I can't control it at all. I will never be as outstanding as my elder brother. I..."

Lin was extremely excited, while Yae Sakura replied with difficulty: "I feel it's so heavy, and, and, it seems I can't control it!"

... ...

Yaeji was speechless; she never expected that the younger sister she had raised for so many years would be taken away by a single knife.

Yaeji let out a long sigh and directly threw the katana to the ground

Yaeji wears the fox mask distributed in the shrine on one side, and will only fully don it on her face when the ceremony officially begins

... ...

The cherry blossom-colored blade light and the sword waves produced by the cherry blossom snow collided with each other

It may be due to the body's excessive weakness, the cherry blossom pattern on the knife rack remained completely still

Yae Jiri swiftly drew the sharpened katana from its sheath, executing the sixth stance of the "Falling Cherry Blossom Slash" in an instant

Not good

Uh ... ...

Clearly, it has already recognized the elder brother as the master.

Yae Sakura tightly grasped the wrist of Sakura Fubuki, the cherry blossom hue radiating brightly. The entire spirit blade trembled gently, as if guiding Yae Sakura to perform certain actions

The next morning

Yaeji recalled the scene of herself wielding the cherry blossom snow and releasing the 'Rondo', and smiled, saying: "If nothing unexpected happens, I am the master of this generation's cherry blossom snow. During normal times, there is no problem with not taking the cherry blossom snow out of the shrine."

Have a good dream

Yae Sakura, unable to contain her emotions, tightly placed her two clenched fists against her chest, seemingly to encourage herself

As for what Yae Miko said, she felt that there was nothing wrong at all

Sakura's petite body trembled slightly, her knees shifting, but she quickly composed herself again: "Um... is it really okay to take the sacred sword out of the temple? Brother... won't Father punish you?"

Glancing at my sister, who seemed to lack enthusiasm, I could not tell whether she was still brooding over yesterday's events or feeling uneasy due to the oppressive atmosphere brought about by the sacrificial ceremony

I do not know either. Yachiyo shook his head; he did not believe that Daizuke was lying. It was impossible for the village to determine another pure maiden for the sacrifice in such a short time. The trickery likely lay with the old woman who was checking whether "Ryo" was a virgin.

That is correct, from now on, I will rely entirely on Sakura for protection!

Yaeji ran to Sakura's side, took her little hand that was red from the shock, and comforted her, saying: "Does it hurt?"

Just as he was about to reach out his hand of evil towards Sakura's little head, Yaeji suddenly remembered that today was the day of the ritual to honor the deities. He could not allow Sakura to attend the ceremony with her messy hair, otherwise... the older villagers would once again say that this generation of Yaes did not know proper etiquette

Yae kissed Rin's forehead gently, helped her lie down, and then covered her with a blanket