This was the change brought about when Blade Mastery reached Lv. 4.
A Lv. 4 skill was more or less the limit a human could reach—not just in technique, but also in the fusion and application of strength and spirit.
His battle with Okita Soshi had truly pushed Zhang Heng into an unprecedented realm.
His understanding of the blade, and the unity of his body and mind, had both entered a brand-new world. That was why Zhang Heng could control his muscles so perfectly.
Although Jörmungandr moved quickly, it was still impossible for it to completely seal off Zhang Heng's routes of escape. Worse still, its overly fierce pounce had exposed an opening in its own movements.
Zhang Heng, who had been waiting for this chance, naturally would not let it pass. He not only dodged the snake's descending head, but also used the remaining time to circle around to Jörmungandr's left cheek.
Just then, Jörmungandr had slammed its head into the ground, and the immense gust it raised sent petals swirling through the air like rain.
Hidden Sheath bared its fangs amid that rain of petals and slashed without hesitation across Jörmungandr's cheek!
Yet Hidden Sheath, which had previously been able to cut through concrete and steel reinforcement bars, had finally met its match. The hardness of those black scales exceeded Zhang Heng's expectations. Even with all his strength behind the strike, he failed to cleave through the scale, leaving only a cut half a finger deep.
But that strike completely ignited Jörmungandr's fury. It had never expected to actually be struck by a mere mortal. Though it had not been injured, the scar on its scale would remain until its next shedding period, becoming a mark of humiliation.
Jörmungandr no longer cared about the flowers in the garden.