After concluding his conversation with the Spirit King of Wind, Luo Shu found himself holding a rhombus-shaped cyan gemstone.
The gem wasn't large, about the size of a thumb, with an exceptionally pure cyan hue that seemed to glow.
This was the so-called Nature Spirit Blood Essence—the final missing component for Luo Shu's advancement to Child of Apocalypse.
"Big Brother~"
Accompanied by a girl's soft call, Mukuro Hoshimiya, with her radiant golden hair, descended from the sky and approached with concern:
"Are you alright?"
At the same time, Origami Tobiichi also landed nearby, her gaze fixed intently on Luo Shu's face as if unwilling to look away for even a moment.
"Ara ara, I thought there would be a battle, but it seems you resolved things through conversation, Luo Shu."
Last to appear was Serafall, dressed in a short-sleeved top with her hair in a high ponytail, apparently already prepared for combat but now looking somewhat surprised by the unexpected turn of events.
Surrounded by three girls, Luo Shu showed no signs of nervousness. He turned and patted Mukuro's head, smiling as he said:
"Don't worry, I didn't encounter any trouble."
As he ruffled Mukuro's hair, Luo Shu suddenly felt a piercing gaze. Turning, he saw Origami staring fixedly at his hand.
Noticing this, Luo Shu chuckled and used his other hand to pat Origami's head too.
Of course, this hand could only use three fingers, as his thumb and index finger were still holding the Nature Spirit Blood Essence.
After comforting both girls, Luo Shu took a deep breath and addressed all three:
"I plan to begin my advancement now, so I'll need you to handle security."
Hearing this, Serafall expressed surprise:
"Starting the advancement now? Is that possible?"
Beside her, Origami frowned: "I recall the Calamity Jade Seal hasn't completed its transfer yet. And Luo Shu, have you finished your ritual?"
Facing their questions, Luo Shu replied with relative ease:
"The ritual was completed during the Akihabara incident when we sealed the body of the demon viscount."
The advancement ritual for a Demigod Child of Apocalypse of the Calamity Class: Predict a calamity that disrupts the natural order, then contain that calamity within oneself when it erupts.
A demon viscount crossing worlds to attack entities within the present world from beyond clearly constituted a calamity disrupting the natural order.
Before the calamity occurred, Luo Shu had indeed warned his Familia about its potential occurrence.
Given the presence of multiple Demigods within the Familia, this could indeed be considered a prophecy.
Finally, by containing the calamity within himself, Luo Shu had directly accomplished this by sealing the severed body of the demon viscount inside his own.
Thus, from that moment on, Luo Shu was only lacking two materials: the Calamity Jade Seal and the Nature Spirit Blood Essence.
Currently, among these two materials, the Nature Spirit Blood Essence has already been obtained.
As for the Calamity Jade Seal still being transferred from Conan...
At this thought, Luo Shu couldn't help but smile:
"Before leaving, the Spirit King of Wind used its power to help me absorb the Calamity Jade Seal."
"So now, I've actually completed two-thirds of the advancement conditions. All that's left is to ingest the Nature Spirit Blood Essence, and the advancement will begin immediately."
Hearing this, Mukuro Hoshimiya immediately shrank her neck, asking nervously:
"Starting immediately... won't there be any problems?"
Origami Tobiichi's gaze snapped over, as if warning Mukuro not to speak carelessly.
Seeing the two like this, Serafall quickly laughed it off:
"With little Luo Shu's situation, a mere advancement definitely won't be a problem~"
"After all, last time, my situation was much more dangerous than this~"
"If I could complete it with your help, Luo Shu, then now, with three people assisting you, you'll definitely succeed too."
Hearing Serafall say this, Origami proudly puffed out her chest.
Amused, Luo Shu patted Origami's head and said with a smile:
"Then I'll be counting on you all to keep things stable for me."
"I understand, Big Brother."
Mukuro took a deep breath, feeling that the seals previously used to prevent the Spirit King of Wind from escaping weren't secure enough and needed further reinforcement.
Meanwhile, Origami thought for a moment before spreading Metatron's Wings of Radiance throughout the surroundings of Atago Shrine, as if ready to annihilate any enemies into dust on sight.
Among the three, only Serafall remained idle, appearing completely confident in Luo Shu's ability to complete the advancement.
Facing these three, Luo Shu smiled and then turned to enter the shrine's main hall.
Beneath Atago Shrine's offerings, Luo Shu found Suzuka Dairenji collapsed on the ground, completely drained.
Startled by Luo Shu's arrival, Suzuka—exhausted from conducting the ritual—asked weakly:
"Why are you here? Where's the nature spirit? Did my summoning fail just now?"
'But that couldn't be right. Earlier, it had felt like all the Wind Concepts in the world were rushing here. It should have succeeded...'
Luo Shu replied, "Through negotiation, I obtained the Nature Spirit Blood Essence. Next, I'll be conducting the advancement ritual."
"What?" Suzuka gaped, clearly not expecting this turn of events.
Amused, Luo Shu teased:
"Well, Suzuka, aren't I good to you? I'm even letting you accompany me in advancing to Demigod."
"Tch." Suzuka spat, her face reddening as she muttered, "Who knows if you're just planning to drag me down with you if you fail?"
Luo Shu feigned surprise: "So you're saying we should be a pair of doomed lovers?"
"Who wants to be a doomed lovebird with you?" Suzuka Dairenji's face turned even redder, but considering Luo Shu's imminent promotion, she didn't dare say anything too harsh, only muttering softly: "My brother wants to meet you."
"Eh?" Luo Shu was momentarily stunned.
"Anyway, my brother wants to meet my boyfriend, got it?"
Suzuka Dairenji grew slightly impatient, huffing angrily:
"So if you die, I'll be in big trouble!"
Hearing this, Luo Shu laughed heartily:
"Don't worry! Death is the furthest thing from me!"
As he spoke, without much preparation, he placed the cyan gemstone in his mouth and swallowed it whole.
The next second, his promotion began!