---
While Yae Miko and Ganyu were happily playing mahjong.
Under the Sacred Sakura Tree.
Jack and Kujou Sara were also diligently performing the ritual.
Everything started out perfectly normal.
Kujou Sara, as promised, changed into a translucent, reduced version of a shiromuku in a contrasting color, the light gauze covering her body only serving to enhance her allure.
Her usual calm and serious general image transformed.
She became a seductive yet pure enchantress.
Jack, on the other hand, had no such elaborate equipment and attacked in the most unadorned manner.
His fingers gently traced every inch of her skin, then touched her shoulders, elbows, waist, knees, and ankles at each joint.
A pale green glow permeated within, activating the sensation of every nerve ending on Kujou Sara's body.
Even the slightest touch.
Could create an electrifying, irresistible pleasure.
This state did not last too long.
After all, physical intimacy alone was not enough to fulfill the ritual conditions of the Sacred Sakura Tree.
So the two of them shifted the battlefield to the virtual mental space.
There, they became free wind and mist.
Unconstrained by the limitations of human form, they embraced, they merged.
Allowing every molecule of each other to overlap and align.
Every breath, every pore could sense the other's existence.
Gradually, both spirit and flesh ascended to heaven.
...
Half an hour passed.
The two completed their duet once more.
They embraced for a few minutes, slowly separating after the afterglow faded.
But very quickly, Kujou Sara hugged him again, tightly clinging to the chest she was so infatuated with.
"Eh?"
Jack let out a sound of confusion.
"What's wrong?"
"Strange, the ritual doesn't seem to have been completed."
Jack carefully sensed it; the authority over Electro did not increase, and there was no corresponding achievement completion in the system's log.
But he was very sure that the most difficult part, soul synchronization, had definitely been achieved.
After all, although he was a scoundrel, two successful experiences in a row proved that he could wholeheartedly focus on whoever he was with.
So the problem wasn't with him.
Of course, Kujou Sara should also be fine; he, who could communicate telepathically with her, could guarantee that.
Thus, Jack once again reviewed the description of the Sacred Sakura Tree ritual.
[Sacred Sakura Tree Ritual]
[The executor and the person with a fated connection shall complete the act of procreation and conception within the Sacred Sakura Tree's enveloped area, and achieve spiritual recognition and fusion.]
Comparing this to the two previous successful experiences,
Jack felt that the latter two sentences might be the influencing factor.
Firstly, as a half-tengu half-youkai, Kujou Sara's procreative activities differ from humans, so his conventional method was incorrect.
Secondly, while the spiritual fusion was complete, recognition is multifaceted; Kujou Sara still had other emotional shortcomings, preventing full recognition.
Therefore, regarding these two issues, Jack asked Kujou Sara for her opinion.
"Procreative activity?" Kujou Sara instinctively touched her lower abdomen, her face, which had just cooled down, warmed up again: "This, tengu are a humanoid type of youkai, and procreation is similar to humans, so the first situation you mentioned should not exist."
"Meaning, you haven't fully recognized me yet? Or I haven't recognized you?"
"This… it doesn't feel like that either, after all, in my heart, besides Raiden Shogun, there's only…"
Kujou Sara was stunned.
Jack also suddenly realized.
Raiden Shogun.
This was the distinguishing factor between Kujou Sara and Kamisato Ayaka, as well as Yoimiya.
Due to their racial characteristics, tengu youkai are known for their loyalty and bravery.
And Raiden Shogun was the deity Kujou Sara had once served with her entire life.
Like a shrine maiden who dedicates her whole heart and soul to a god, such beings often remain pure maidens their entire lives.
However, the favorability system was an unreasonable thing.
The feelings between Jack and Kujou Sara, in a trend that only increased and never decreased, directly skyrocketed to the level of unwavering devotion.
Both love and faith were things Kujou Sara, with her loyalty and bravery, would exchange her life for; in her subconscious mind, neither was superior.
This was the ultimate reason for the ritual's failure.
"I apologize, Mr. Qu, I… I didn't know my subconscious thoughts would affect the ritual's progress. Let's try again! This time I'll forget, forget Raiden Shogun!"
"No need."
Jack held Kujou Sara and kissed her.
"Since in your heart, both I and Raiden Ei are worth giving your life for, then I will not let you sacrifice your 'second life' for me; that would be a sign of my incompetence as a partner!"
"Please don't say that, Mr. Qu! It's already amazing that you can wholeheartedly care for all of us at the same time!"
"But it's not enough."
Jack massaged Kujou Sara's hair, which was soaked with fragrant sweat. Under her exhaustion, the valiant Valkyrie also showed a hint of the delicate vulnerability a girl her age should possess.
"Call me stubborn, or promiscuous, if you wish. You are all the karma I created in my previous life, and wholeheartedly caring for each of you who suffer from lovesickness is the fruit of my repayment."
A maiden's love is too heavy.
Only by giving his all could he accept this twisted love without burden.
"Mr. Qu!!"
Kujou Sara passionately embraced Jack, loudly calling out his nickname.
"Hmm, I'm here, Sara-chan."
The two embraced again.
Not for the ritual, nor for procreation.
Just tenderly, enjoying each other's warmth, feeling each other's heartbeat.
...
More than ten minutes later,
Jack brought Kujou Sara to Yae Miko's door.
Kujou Sara didn't know how to face Raiden Shogun, so she waited to the side, and only Jack went in alone.
As soon as he opened the door,
He heard Kamisato Ayaka's clear and melodious shout.
"Kokushi Musou 13-sided, Double Yakuman!!"
"Pfft!"
Yae Miko's pupils dilated, and a mouthful of frustration spewed from her chest.
Kamisato Ayaka's 64,000-point direct hit had completely shattered her dao heart.
Even if she wanted to pluck fox fur, why did she always target her? When would she ever hit Yoimiya or Ganyu?
Kamisato Ayaka, Keqing's senior disciple, expressed that she just hadn't found the chance yet.
"Not bad, you can even deal a Kokushi Musou 13-sided. Miko, don't you look at Ayaka's discard pile?"
"Husband!"
"Gong Qu!"
"Gong Qu!"
The three who were playing cards immediately looked over.
Jack patted each of their heads, then pulled Raiden Ei out.
"There was a slight problem with the ritual, and Raiden Ei needs to cooperate. Since she wasn't playing cards, I took her with me, alright?"
Everyone looked at him strangely, but said nothing.
After all, Jack said he would solve it, so they wouldn't have any extra worries.
"Continue, continue, whose turn is it to be dealer this time?"
"I'll do it."
Yae Miko took the tile marking the East Wind dealer.
In this round, she was determined to regain the upper hand and let her sisters know that her five centuries of scheming as High Priestess were by no means an empty reputation!
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