"And the spiritual energy from that world will spread along this hole into our world."

As Duanmu Huai spoke, sand in the hourglass started cascading down, and silence hung around, with only the soft sound of sand dripping.

"Of course, if it were only like this, then it wouldn’t be much of a problem. After all, Curse Masters will die; once they’re dead, the pathway gets blocked. However, unfortunately, an exception has emerged."

"You mean...?"

Otonashi Youta looked towards Tianyuan with a grave expression.

"Exactly, Tianyuan, you’ve just mentioned, Tianyuan’s strength has been guarding Japan. It is precisely due to the assistance from his strength that Japanese Curse Masters have been empowered with powerful Barrier Techniques———and coincidentally, this answers my initial inquiry, why is it that only in Japan there is an extraordinary number of Curse Masters?"

Duanmu Huai flicked his left hand, retrieving the hourglass, and snapped his fingers.

"The reason is simple, as you should well know, from a scientific perspective, when an area is exposed to radiation for long periods, its ecosystem undergoes various changes, and creatures mutate as a result———in fact, you Curse Masters are individuals who have mutated due to bathing in that energy. Of course, it’s not that there aren’t natural mutations, but you surely know, pure natural mutations are seldom found, but if one were to artificially create mutants, that’s another matter entirely, isn’t it?" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"......"

Nobody spoke; everyone was sweating profusely. Duanmu Huai’s metaphor was straightforward, and they naturally understood his point. Tianyuan’s barrier covers all of Japan, which means the entire country is under Tianyuan’s influence, and living long-term in this radiation-like environment vastly increases the probability of mutations.

"The reason Curse Spirits run rampant all over Japan is similar; for example, Curse Spirits are like marine fish unable to survive in fresh water. But Tianyuan’s approach is akin to continuously pouring seawater into a pond, gradually adjusting the environment to suit marine fish, predictably attracting them here, isn’t it easy to understand?"

"..."

"If this continues, the two worlds will grow closer, hence the necessity to eliminate this guy first and stop this process completely."

"You, you can’t do that!"

At that moment, Yegao Zhengdao realized, hurriedly shouting to stop.

"If you do this, the Magic Inspection Department will..."

"Magic Inspection Department?"

Facing Yegao Zhengdao’s warning, Duanmu Huai merely yawned in boredom.

"What can they do to me? Send people to hunt me down? I’m not some nameless figure; I’m a famous film star. I’d like to see which idiot Curse Master dares hunt me in broad daylight. Besides...... do you genuinely think the Magic World’s status is as stable as Mount Taishan?"

"What do you mean?"

Hearing this, Gojo Satoru curiously glanced at Duanmu Huai, querying.

Duanmu Huai chuckled softly.

"Actually, today, I plan to deliver a very surprising Christmas gift to the Magic World...... as you mentioned earlier, Tianyuan’s strength bolstered Curse Masters, so if I kill Tianyuan, the Curse Masters will lose their enhanced power, and the remaining ones... hmm, no, revealing the Christmas gift prematurely spoils the surprise."

Duanmu Huai resolutely shut his mouth, then once more glanced at the crowd.

"Alright, now I offer you a choice: either stand with Tianyuan and be killed by me, or join me to resolve everything once and for all!"

"......... Gojo Sensei......"

The students from Curse High faced with this sudden turn of events were totally at a loss, looking towards Gojo Satoru for help. Yet Gojo Satoru said nothing, merely lowering his head silently.

Finally, after a brief moment......

"I withdraw."

Otonashi Youta’s voice rang out, as he planted the Japanese sword in the ground and retreated.

"Due to my mistake, Rikka became a Curse Spirit. I became a Curse Master and hunted Curse Spirits so there would be fewer people like me. So, if Curse Spirits could entirely vanish...... I see no need to stop it."

"Me as well."

Jiushiji Youji followed suit, standing aside.

"Eradicating all Curse Spirits has always been my goal. Frankly, I’ve always wondered why such extreme anomalies occur only in Japan. But now, I finally understand the cause......"

Jiushiji Youji glanced at Yegao Zhengdao.

"I even suspect, have those elders known about this all along? After all, without Curse Spirits, Curse Masters would be unnecessary, and their power and status precarious wouldn’t it?"

"I don’t know."

Principal Yegao Zhengdao did not answer directly.

Perhaps he truly did not know.

At this point, Tianyuan spoke.

"Do you truly understand what you’re saying?"

It stared at Duanmu Huai, voice rasping.

"I’ve already abandoned assimilation. In fact, now I’ve basically become an entity akin to a Curse Spirit, my soul is everywhere, I am the world......"

"That world indeed is everywhere, but if you think evolving into a Curse Spirit means I can’t eradicate you, then you’re underestimating me."

Duanmu Huai gripped the sword hilt tightly.

"Do you truly wish to proceed? Although as you stated, I and that world are connected, your actions might bring greater disaster to the world!"

"We’ll discuss that when the time comes."

To Tianyuan’s words, Duanmu Huai was unmoved.

"I do as I please. At least, I’ll deal with you first as the root of this, then we’ll discuss the aftermath."

"........."

Gojo Satoru moved forward, positioning himself beside Tianyuan, turning his head to gaze at Duanmu Huai.

"I acknowledge your reasoning, but Tianyuan’s words also hold merit; perhaps killing it would merely bring greater devastation to the world."

"So?"

"So, ultimately, it’s about proving through strength."

Gojo Satoru raised his hand, aiming at Duanmu Huai.

"I do feel the current Magic World indeed requires reform, but destroying it is another matter. Moreover, I’m uncertain if your approach is right; maybe Tianyuan’s method is correct. But that doesn’t matter, I won’t make a foolish choice leading to regret, thus...... fight me!"

"Are you serious?"

Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow.

"Was last time’s lesson insufficient?"

"This time, I’ll be serious from the start."

Gojo Satoru said, revealing a slight smile.

"Hope it brings you satisfaction."