Although the Great Monk surpassed the other Nine Hashira in physique.
That did not mean he was a brute who knew only how to use raw strength.
Perhaps, in the past.
When fighting demons, he had relied more on his formidable physique than on Stone Breathing.
But after gaining a companion like Xia Xi, whose strength far exceeded his own.
And learning in advance about monsters like Kokushibo and Muzan, whose sheer physical prowess he could hardly surpass no matter how much he trained his body.
Gyomei naturally sought other paths to greater strength to gain more of an advantage in battle.
So, during his time in the Northern Region.
He had not only sparred intensely with Xia Xi, constantly improving his technical skills.
He had also received personal instruction in theory from the Dawn Hashira, who had helped him modify his Stone Breathing.
And over the past year.
Not only had his eyes recovered to the point that they were no different from an ordinary person's.
He had also kept becoming that [Peerless Under Heaven] Dawn Hashira's favorite target... sparring partner.
It was not just his skills that had improved.
Compared to his former self, who always had Buddhist invocations on his lips but was actually deeply wary of others.
Gyomei's attitude and state of mind had changed considerably as well.
In his daily interactions with Xia Xi, the latter's optimistic yet serious attitude.
Combined with the strange but very reasonable theories he occasionally came out with.
Had greatly benefited Gyomei, who had read nothing but Buddhist scriptures since childhood.
Most important of all, however, had been his old inner demon.
That incident... with Sayo at the Temple, with Xia Xi's mediation.
Gyomei had made peace with himself.
So much so that, even setting aside the Great Monk's outrageously