Ice Breathing

After Langping's systematic training, Han Zhiqi gained a deeper understanding of breathing techniques. He used his spare rest time to refine his martial skills, dividing them into a total of seven forms.

Ice Breathing: First Form: Cold Tide.

Cold Tide, as the name suggests, involves releasing a large amount of cold air from the body to expand the perception of the enemy's attack vectors.

In addition, the resulting mist and ice crystals can interfere with the enemy's vision. Similarly, a low-temperature environment will lower the enemy's body temperature and blood flow rate, thereby affecting the speed and power of their attacks.

Ice Breathing: Second Form: Falling Snow.

Condensing cold air onto the blade, combined with ordinary martial arts and swordsmanship, inflicts wounds on the enemy while simultaneously freezing them.

This technique is remarkably effective against demons. Not only does it prevent wounds from healing quickly, but the cold air penetrates the wounds into the body, causing localized frostbite. Especially if the wound is at a joint, it can also reduce mobility and restrict movement.

Ice Breathing: Third Form: Shattering Timed Rain.

By condensing ice cones in the air and combining them with ordinary martial arts and swordsmanship, the ice cones are shot at the enemy as the sword is swung, making it a long-range attack.

It has the same effect as the Second Form, Falling Snow; as long as the enemy is injured, the ice cone will instantly freeze together with the wound.

Ice Breathing: Fourth Form: Icefall.

Falling rapidly from a high altitude, cold air is condensed onto the blade. By utilizing the momentum of the fall, it generates crushing power. Simultaneously, if the enemy receives the blow, the blade will release a large amount of cold air to freeze the enemy's body.

If they narrowly dodge it, the moment the blade hits the ground, it will form several rings of ice cones, which can both extend the attack and force the enemy back.

Ice Breathing: Fifth Form: Swift Ice Thorn.

This form was secretly learned by Han Zhiqi during his spar with Aoi Kanzaki. It is the fastest and sharpest of all his forms.

By twisting his waist and driving his entire body, he concentrates all his strength and cold air to a single point at the tip of his blade, executing a swift thrust that is remarkably effective in critical moments.

Earlier, when he encountered a demon in the mountains, he used this technique to thrust a wooden stick into the demon's throat, not only forcing it to scream but also buying himself time to escape.

Ice Breathing: Sixth Form: Phantom.

Breathing techniques can fill the gaps in the muscles with air, making the body lighter.

This form involves condensing a layer of ice under the feet to reduce friction with the ground. Combined with a lighter body, it can elevate movement speed to a higher level, making one appear like a phantom.

This form itself does not possess strong offensive capabilities; it is primarily used to complement other forms. Similarly, the derivative technique "Phantom: Falling Snow" from his earlier battle with a demon is a fusion technique of "Sixth Style: Phantom" and "Second Form: Falling Snow."

It was this skill that helped Han Zhiqi simultaneously embed seven or eight wooden ice cones into the joints of a demon's body in an instant.

Ice Breathing: Seventh Form: Ice Dragon Coil.

By rapidly twisting his body and repeatedly whirling his Nichirin Blade, each rotation enhances the power of the technique. The trajectory of the Nichirin Blade transforms into an ice dragon, which is Han Zhiqi's strongest technique to date.

Ice Breathing is a derivative of Water Breathing, so many of its martial skill forms can be traced back to Water Breathing.

For example, "Fourth Form: Icefall" is very similar to Water Breathing's "Eighth Form: Stagnant Water," and "Seventh Form: Ice Dragon Coil" is very similar to "Tenth Form: Flowing Life."

In fact, Han Zhiqi also has an eighth form, "Ice Breathing: Eighth Form: Thousand Mile Ice Seal: True Gale."

This technique involves instantly releasing a massive amount of cold air to freeze everything in the vicinity, followed by using "Sixth Style: Phantom" to shrink the distance and swiftly decapitate the enemy.

It is remarkably effective whether fighting alone or against multiple opponents. However, with his current strength, he cannot release such a vast amount of cold air instantaneously. Therefore, it remains a nascent concept in his mind for now. Perhaps when he gains new insights into breathing techniques in the future, this "Thousand Mile Ice Seal: True Gale" will truly manifest in the world.

With two days left until the selection on Mount Fujikasane, as dusk approached one day, Shinobu Kocho, clad in her butterfly haori, passed through the woods and followed a secluded path to White Dragon Pool in the back of the mountain.

The snow-white waterfall cascaded down from a height of over ten meters, truly resembling a white dragon plunging into the pool with a roaring sound.

Shinobu Kocho saw a neatly folded set of rough linen clothes placed on a bluestone slab by the water's edge and guessed that this was likely where Han Zhiqi usually entered and exited the water.

According to the information provided by Langping, he should be coming out of the water around this time to return to the mountain for dinner.

Shinobu Kocho hopped across the round stones by the bank, carefully approaching the stone slab, and crouched down, smiling as she peered at the water's surface.

She wanted to see Han Zhiqi's expression when he emerged from the water and suddenly saw her.

Before long, a dark figure swam towards them from underwater.

Shinobu Kocho thought to herself, "He's finally here."

Han Zhiqi emerged from the water as usual, but as soon as he looked up, he saw a blurry figure crouching on the bank.

The water had blocked his senses, and he hadn't expected anyone to be there at this time. Startled, he instinctively retreated towards the center of the pool, treading water. At the same time, he released cold air, and in an instant, a layer of ice formed on the water's surface, spreading towards Shinobu Kocho's feet.

"Oh dear, you're still so rude after two months, no improvement at all. Not cute at all."

Upon recognizing Shinobu Kocho, Han Zhiqi's vigilant heart gradually relaxed. The ice on the water's surface receded like a tide back into his body.

Shinobu Kocho's sudden appearance there made him feel both annoyed and inexplicably happy. Additionally, he felt a bit shy, as he was currently naked, albeit only from the waist up.

Han Zhiqi submerged himself again and returned to the shore, thinking that since he was naked, Shinobu Kocho might be a bit reserved.

However, to his surprise, Shinobu Kocho remained crouched on the bank, smiling and staring at him, showing no signs of reserve.

Having no other choice, Han Zhiqi braced himself and emerged from the water. Despite feeling happy inside, he put on a cool facade and said indifferently, "Why are you here?"

Shinobu Kocho, with her hands behind her back, bent down and leaned in front of Han Zhiqi, boldly gazing at his handsome face, adorned with water droplets.

"Why so cold? Didn't we get along quite well before? Or are you blaming me for not escorting you up the mountain that day, which almost got you killed?"

Compared to his previous sickly and desperate state at the Butterfly Mansion, Han Zhiqi's complexion was now ruddy, his eyes resolute, and his entire being exuded a vibrant life force.

Coupled with his handsome face and snow-white hair, he looked as if he had stepped out of a painting.