Ice Breathing Prototype

Flowing Dance is a technique that uses peculiar footwork, mimicking the flow of water, and utilizing left and right movements to rapidly close the distance with the enemy.

It can be used to confuse the enemy's vision while simultaneously launching an attack, making it a well-rounded offense and defense. However, its attack power is slightly weaker compared to other moves.

Facing Aoi Kanzaki's fierce attack, Han Zhiqi's lips curled into a cold smile. Although Aoi Kanzaki's footwork was exquisite, in his eyes, it was nothing special.

Han Zhiqi lowered his body, also assuming a drawing stance. He took a deep breath, and when the distance between them was less than a meter, he suddenly drew his sword and charged at Aoi Kanzaki.

His movements were natural and fluid, no less impressive than Aoi Kanzaki, a veteran member of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Aoi Kanzaki's face showed surprise, but it quickly vanished.

Even if Han Zhiqi had practiced martial arts, she didn't believe he could defeat her, as he hadn't received systematic training.

Aoi Kanzaki held her sword with both hands and thrust it directly at Han Zhiqi's throat.

The weakness of demons lies in their necks. To kill a demon, their neck must be severed with a specially made Nichirin Blade to completely kill them.

Therefore, during their daily training, Demon Slayer Corps members consciously aim for the enemy's neck, whether it's their martial arts moves or their instinctive reactions.

"Showy. Cold Tide."

Han Zhiqi's move consisted of just two simple words: "Cold Tide."

No one knew what these two words represented, nor what kind of move it was, because no one had ever seen it.

Aoi Kanzaki's sword tip neared Han Zhiqi's throat. She didn't believe someone who didn't even know breathing techniques could dodge an attack at such close range.

Hmph, arrogant fool. I'll show you the true strength of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Aoi Kanzaki had expected to end the fight with one sword strike, but the result was somewhat unexpected.

The moment Han Zhiqi drew his sword and uttered the words "Cold Tide," she suddenly found her movements slowing down. More precisely, the surrounding temperature had plummeted.

Breathing techniques, through unique breathing methods, promote blood circulation, accelerate body temperature rise, thereby stimulating potential, enhancing perception, and strengthening one's speed and power.

However, the sudden drop in temperature caused the lungs to inhale a large amount of cold air in an instant. The cold air in the chest cavity had low activity and diffused slowly, making it difficult to fully integrate with the blood. The excess air had nowhere to go and could only be expelled through coughing.

As for the oxygen that did integrate with the blood, it not only failed to promote blood circulation but instead reduced it. Coupled with the internal and external effects of the cold air, Aoi Kanzaki's body temperature further decreased, leading to the phenomenon of slowed movements.

Han Zhiqi dodged Aoi Kanzaki's attack by sidestepping, then moved to her side and swung his sword at her back.

Aoi Kanzaki was greatly alarmed, but at this moment, inhaling too much cold air caused discomfort in her lungs.

This is bad! What kind of martial art is this? Is this even a breathing technique? Is this breathing technique meant to kill demons or to deal with the Demon Slayer Corps? It's practically the bane of the Demon Slayer Corps!

"Water Breathing, Sixth Style, Twisting Vortex."

Aoi Kanzaki forcefully twisted her body, using the rotation to swing her wooden sword and deflect Han Zhiqi's wooden sword. Taking advantage of the opening before Han Zhiqi could organize a second attack, she quickly created distance between them.

Han Zhiqi did not relentlessly pursue Aoi Kanzaki.

Aoi Kanzaki stood not far away, clutching her chest and coughing continuously. She had underestimated the young man before her and committed the grave mistake of being overconfident and reckless. If not for her extensive combat experience, she would have fallen into the young man's hands just now.

However, there was one thing she didn't understand: if they were both using breathing techniques, why was the young man unaffected by the cold air?

The three from the Butterfly Mansion under the corridor had been cheering for Aoi Kanzaki. Seeing her clutching her chest and coughing continuously, they were unsure what had happened.

They thought it was just an isolated incident, as the young man hadn't made any strange moves. However, they were still amazed that he could dodge Aoi Kanzaki's swift attack.

"Go, Aoi!"

"Aoi, teach this impolite guy a lesson!"

"Aoi, don't go easy on someone like him!"

Only Shinobu Kocho, standing nearby, saw something amiss. When Han Zhiqi uttered the words "Cold Tide," she noticed a white mist suddenly form around the two. Aoi inhaled a large amount of cold, humid air, which her lungs couldn't handle, causing her to cough.

Han Zhiqi's breathing technique was indeed unique, lowering the surrounding temperature to slow down the enemy's attack speed and enhance his own perception.

As for why he was unaffected, it was likely related to his physique and living environment.

The vicinity of Mt. Aiyue is covered in snow year-round, with temperatures maintained below zero. To adapt to such a special environment, his lungs and blood cells underwent peculiar changes, making him completely unaffected even when inhaling cold, humid air.

Additionally, his perception was very keen.

Humans receive external information through their five senses. Demon Slayer Corps members, through special training, have sharper senses than ordinary people. For example, Tanjiro has a keen sense of smell, and Zenitsu has sharp hearing. Han Zhiqi's method of perception, however, is different from everyone else's.

He perceives enemies through temperature.

The move "Cold Tide" earlier was not an offensive technique but merely created a low-temperature environment around his body. Anyone who intruded into it, he could immediately detect.

Whether it was the intruder themselves or their attack, any movement would cause changes in airflow and temperature.

"Go, Han Zhiqi! Go, Aoi! You both need to do your best!"

Shinobu Kocho shouted cheerfully, picking a grape from the fruit plate and feeding it to her sister, Kanao Tsuyuri.

"Kanao, who do you think will win between the two of them?"

Kanao first looked at her sister, then at the two in the center of the courtyard, and shook her head.

"You don't know? So, Han Zhiqi might win too?"

Kanao smiled without speaking.

"Then Han Zhiqi is quite formidable."

The Butterfly Mansion trio nearby overheard their conversation and exchanged glances. Since even Miss Shinobu and Kanao-sama thought this guy was formidable, perhaps he really did have some skills.

"Aoi, you absolutely cannot lose to this rude fellow."

"Go, Aoi!"

"..."

At this moment, Aoi Kanzaki had no mind to listen to their cheers. After coughing for a while, she finally caught her breath, let out a long sigh, and then looked at Han Zhiqi again, her gaze no longer dismissive.

If this guy had pressed his advantage just now, she would likely have been defeated already. From that perspective, he wasn't inherently malicious.

Breathing techniques stimulated physical ability through respiration. Now, this respiration had become both the method of victory and a stumbling block. She had never encountered such a situation before and didn't know how to proceed for a moment.

"Is this really a breathing technique?"

"I told you, I don't know what this 'breathing technique' you speak of is. If what you call a breathing technique involves fighting with unique breathing methods combined with martial arts, then I suppose it counts. Are you going to fight or not?"

"I'll fight. Why wouldn't I? Don't think that just because you know this strange breathing technique you can defeat me. I'm a legitimate member of the Demon Slayer Corps. If I can't even beat an outsider like you, I might as well go home and embroider."

Despite her words, Aoi Kanzaki truly had no confidence in how to deal with Han Zhiqi. The only certainty was that she couldn't engage in close combat, otherwise, her breathing technique wouldn't be usable.

After much thought, Aoi Kanzaki decided to use her breathing on the periphery and then use agile footwork for close-quarters attacks. After that, she would use her footwork to create distance and catch her breath. This way, she could counter the influence of the cold air surrounding his body.

"You talk too much."

Han Zhiqi initiated the attack first.