Dual Souls, The Other Half is Bronya

Faintly, a flash of sword light streaked past. Just like before, the Platinum Sword blocked the blade, even isolating the lightning. "You're already close."

"As I thought, you did it on purpose."

As their blades clashed, Byakuya met Edelweiss's gaze, her eyes quite beautiful. "That's why I said... (Ding--)"

"You're a very kind person, little Ai."

Pushing away the Platinum Sword, Byakuya launched another fierce assault. Myriad Phenomena unleashed countless afterimages, covering the sky and earth.

"Ding, ding ding--"

Sparks flew.

Edelweiss was as strong as ever, blocking it steadily with just one sword! This also made Byakuya sigh, "Seriously, you're being way too obvious about holding back."

Rather than a clash, it was more like guidance, showcasing the core of the Winged Sword to Byakuya.

"At least... (Ding--)"

With another collision, Byakuya elementalized, retreating from Edelweiss's attack range. The high-intensity battle had taken a toll on his energy. "Could you use your other sword a bit too? Give me some face."

"And also..."

Gradually catching his breath, Byakuya lowered his stance slightly, Myriad Phenomena held level at his chest. He brushed his sword blade with his left index and middle fingers. "You guiding me like this makes me feel a little embarrassed."

—Byakuya had originally planned to suddenly unleash a Hundred Paces Flying Sword during the fight, but he ultimately gave up. "Although this might be a bit unnecessary..." (After all, that was the Winged Sword!)

"But still, be careful, little Ai."

A specific warning? Edelweiss also perked up slightly. The next instant, a stream of light flashed past her vision...

"...What was that?"

"Hundred Paces Flying Sword."

Byakuya stood behind Edelweiss, his cold blade still bearing traces of blood. "The supreme sword of the Vertical Sword Technique, it was once considered the Supreme Sword Dao..."

Even so, Byakuya sighed inwardly: It was a sword skill from a wuxia world, after all... As the world grew more absurd, it was becoming harder and harder to keep up.

"Once?"

Edelweiss's fair, tender hand brushed her shoulder, a trace of blood appearing on her slender fingertips...

—With layers upon layers of buffs, combined with the Hundred Paces Flying Sword, Byakuya had finally managed to touch upon it, even if it was just a scratch.

38. Sitting Forgetfulness Containing Light, Harmony of Light and Dust

"Little Ai, do I have the right to prove myself?"

Byakuya turned around, one hand caressing his sword blade (a classic Decade-style sword wipe.jpg). "Could you be a bit more serious? I want to see the true Winged Sword."

"...Alright, as you wish."

The other, previously unused sword finally moved! A terrifying sense of pressure descended.

—It was a primal warning from life itself. You can't win. You will undoubtedly die!

However, for Byakuya, death was an everyday occurrence. Facing the warning of death, he instead smiled. "That's right, it has to be like this."

「Here it comes!!!」

His vision couldn't keep up; with Edelweiss's strength, even air currents were negligible; sound couldn't match the opponent's speed...

"Ding--"

But even so, Byakuya blocked the Winged Sword's blade by holding Myriad Phenomena horizontally. Veins bulged on his arm, trembling slightly. "It's so heavy..."

"Is it because no power is being wasted?" Locked in a stalemate, Byakuya was actually at a disadvantage.

!!!

Without any warning, Byakuya suddenly burst with power, using all his might to barely push the blade away and quickly retreat.

—For true powerhouses, intuition is often more reliable. After all, after countless battles, some things are already ingrained in their instincts.

The other sword tore through the atmosphere, its terrifying sword energy running rampant, carving a ferocious gash across the land.

This was truly dangerous... But before Byakuya could catch his breath, the Platinum Sword followed closely.

[Miracle of Life!]

At this moment, strong luck in a desperate situation took effect. Or perhaps... it was life's instinct for survival? As if divinely inspired, Byakuya took a silent step, retreating gracefully.

He had successfully integrated the power of the Winged Sword into his footwork, his speed almost matching Edelweiss's!

Because of this, the attack ultimately missed... Byakuya vaguely saw a sword mark tear through heaven and earth, as if imprinted in the void?

「This is truly absurd.」

While regulating his breathing, he communicated with Bronya, using their dual-core advantage to comprehend that moment.

「...Not enough, I need to experience it further. Byakuya, do you remember Sitting Forgetfulness Containing Light?」

「Ermmm... Sitting Forgetfulness Heart Method?」

Byakuya pondered for a moment, immediately locking onto the corresponding memory. 「That doesn't suit my personality; it's hard to bring out its essence.」

「Then should Bronya try?」

"No, I can still manage,"

Byakuya refused Bronya. He recalled the Sitting Forgetfulness Heart Method, and his entire demeanor changed.

"Also... Byakuya, how long has it been since Master (Old Heavenly Master) gave that to you? Have you already forgotten? If you really can't remember, should Bronya help Byakuya recall it?"

"Master..."

Although the will of the world also looked out for him, Zhang Zhiwei genuinely treated Byakuya well! The Golden Light Spell, Heaven Communicating Talisman Art, Wudang Tai Chi... and so on, he passed them down to him almost without reservation.

He even found Feng Hou Qi Men and Divine Machine Hundred Refinements, and even specifically modified Lightning Magic, allowing Byakuya to cultivate both Yin and Yang.

Although, most of these were banned in the other world, they undeniably laid a solid foundation for Byakuya.

"Young man, you seem to have changed."

Edelweiss walked over step by step, not rushing to attack. After all, while she said she was serious, she was still holding back. "Your name is Byakuya, right?"

"...Did I not say?"

Byakuya thought back and realized he hadn't mentioned it, and Edelweiss might have overheard it during their conversation. "Ah, sorry, perhaps it was my first confession, I was a bit nervous."

At this moment, Byakuya's reaction truly resembled that of a young man. "As for the change you mentioned, Little Ai..."

"Perhaps I remembered something precious... Ah, sorry, if possible, please forget it."

"Why?"

It was rare to see Byakuya flustered, and Edelweiss couldn't help but feel like teasing him. She had been confessed to, after all! She couldn't be the only one troubled.

"No reason."

Byakuya stood with his sword, his state of mind gradually calming. His eyes were deep and serene, no longer possessing their previous sharpness. "Little Ai, our battle is not over yet."

"So sly..." (She actually changed the subject)

Edelweiss complained a little but didn't say anything more. It was clear that Byakuya had made up his mind. Then, all she could do was...

—Respond to him with her sword!

In an instant, Edelweiss appeared before Byakuya. She didn't use Drawn Foot, it was purely speed. Immediately after, a sword light flashed towards him.

Completely opposite to Winged Sword, Byakuya's movements were slow, but they possessed a peculiar rhythm.

"Clang—"

Metal clashed against metal, but this time it wasn't fierce. Byakuya's sword seemed to stick to the platinum sword... the blades rubbed, using a "soft" intent to deflect and neutralize the attack.

◆A gentleman does not contend, light is formless, sitting in forgetfulness, the mind is still.

What is this...?

Another sword technique he had never seen before. Edelweiss's interest was piqued, after all, she was a swordswoman! Her other sword swung out silently...

However, Byakuya seemed to have anticipated it. He used the force to leap up, his entire body like a light leaf, brushing past the swinging blade in mid-air.

The extreme "speed" of Winged Sword and the "slowness" of the Sitting Forgetfulness Heart Method, the two complemented and intertwined, forming a harmonious picture.

At the same time, Byakuya and Bronya quietly observed, like sponges madly absorbing experience.

Gradually, Byakuya's footwork began to show traces of Edelweiss.

"Ding—"

A crisp sound.

The Sitting Forgetfulness Heart Method ultimately didn't suit Byakuya's personality; he personally leaned more towards offense.

Moreover... at Edelweiss's level, even with a sword from another world, she would have seen through it after a few exchanges.

Byakuya had to take the initiative.

He had basically learned Winged Sword and imitated Edelweiss, incorporating it into his footwork. However... his footwork was still slightly different.

◆Harmonize its light, mingle with its dust, profound and pure, as if it exists.

—Harmony of Light and Dust!

Although it felt a bit out of place, it could still be used! At this moment, Byakuya seemed to merge with heaven and earth. With one step, he shifted his position.

This was more bizarre than Elementalization. At least Elementalization still had a flash of lightning, while Harmony of Light and Dust... was almost like teleportation.

He would often slash down with his sword, then immediately shift his position to dodge Edelweiss's counterattack. After a while, he would attack again from a different direction.

"Ding, ding—"

A series of exchanges.

Byakuya blended Winged Sword, his movements becoming unpredictable, almost creating afterimages.

At this point, the naked eye could no longer capture them. For a time, only the collisions between them revealed their forms. All that remained was the sky filled with sword energy, tearing the ground apart.

Although the destruction seemed minimal, in reality... these two had reached the pinnacle of power control!

Even so, a small portion still leaked out, demonstrating the intensity of the battle.

39. Synchronization Rate 100%

Sword energy crisscrossed, leaving the battlefield ravaged and scarred. After a long time, the battle finally reached its conclusion.

Edelweiss wore a suit of pure white light armor. Although it appeared slightly revealing, her transcendent aura—holy and flawless—made it impossible for one to bear desecrating it.

After a battle, she remained as immaculate as ever. Except… on her waist, a small cut was stained with blood, marring that beauty.

—She was actually injured!

Then, looking at Byakuya, emmm… a ghastly sword mark started from his left shoulder and spread all the way to his right abdomen, almost revealing bone!

Large amounts of bright red blood flowed down, soaking his clothes, and even forming a "small puddle" at his feet.

Aside from this most severe injury, Byakuya had countless other wounds, big and small, making one wonder how he could still stand at all!!!

"This is truly… quite something…"

Byakuya leaned on his Tang Saber, slowly running a hand over his wounds. The Life Chronicle switched, and various self-healing factors began to take effect.

◆The Life Chronicle has recorded too much. Subjectively, Byakuya cannot fully control it, only calling upon parts of it.

"Byakuya, that's enough now." Injured to this extent, Edelweiss didn't want Byakuya to continue.

"No can do, little Ai…"

Byakuya shook his head, a slight tremor in his voice. Accompanied by flashes of Lightning, he forcibly stopped the bleeding from his wounds. "I've waited for this day… for a very long time."

"At that time, I also went to… Sword Peak Edelberg. Unfortunately, I had bad luck and didn't encounter it that time."

Edelweiss had held back and hadn't left any residual sword energy. With the self-healing factors, Byakuya managed to recover somewhat. "Moreover, for a swordsman, facing the culmination of the Way of the Sword…"

—It's impossible to back down, right!

Byakuya didn't say it explicitly, but Edelweiss understood. "I see… Then, to respond to this will…"