Miaka and the Suzaku Seven all grieving for Nuriko's death continues on their journey for the Shinzaho. They enter to the cavern of Genbu, where they encounter Tomite and Hikitsu, two warriors of the Genbu Seven. They are both the protectors of the Shinzaho and will not give it to anybody. Miaka, the Priestess of Suzaku, is put to a test to see if she really is the Priestess. Tomite and Hikitsu kills Miaka by freezing her. She is saved by her powers of Suzaku. Tomite and Hikitsu apologize to the Priestess and gives her the Shinzaho. Tomite tells them that it is not enough to summon Suzaku and they must get the Shinzaho from the west, Byakko. On their way out, Miaka thinks about the devotion of the Genbu Seven for their Priestess even after they had passed on. She is happy knowing that Nuriko will watch over her as well.
柳宿の死を無駄にしないため、美朱は神座宝がある山の扉を開ける。そこで一行を待ち受けていたのは、200年前に死んだはずの玄武七星士・斗宿（ひきつ）と虚宿（とみて）。彼らは残留思念となり玄武の神座宝を守り続けていたのだ。肉体を失った斗宿と虚宿に鬼宿たちの攻撃は効かず、討つ手がないかと思われたが、美朱の必死な懇願に、斗宿と虚宿は彼女にある試練を与える。巫女の力を示すことができれば、神座宝への道を開いてくれるというのだが……。
