It was still that same gravel slope, but the wind seemed stronger than usual, whipping up sand and gravel that lashed against the rocks, making a fine, rapid rustling sound, like countless tiny files polishing the heavens and earth.
Shira held his sword, standing in his usual spot. The blade reflected the dim sunlight, illuminating his serene face.
Teacher Kenmei had arrived, standing quietly in the wind, one arm in hand, dressed in gray, as if he were part of the gravel slope.
His only remaining right hand gripped his seemingly ordinary yet well-maintained longsword, its tip pointing diagonally to the ground. His gaze fell upon Shira, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.
Without further ado, I signaled to begin.
Shira took a deep breath, calmed her mind, and the Seven Heavens Breathing Method flowed naturally, but it did not activate.
He strode forward, his longsword transforming into a streak of cold light, piercing straight through the center of the Kenmei.
This sword strike was more refined in speed, power, and angle than ever before, carrying a weighty quality.
Master Kenmei subtly flicked his wrist, raising his sword at a precise angle, preparing to parry, guide, and counterattack as usual. However, just as the two swords were about to collide—
"Buzz--"
A faint, almost imperceptible, tremolo, like the rapid plucking of a string, rang out. It didn't sound like the clinking of metal, but rather... the strange sound of a sword cutting through something viscous.
Teacher Kenmei's usually calm and collected gaze suddenly flickered.
His previously fluid blocking motion suddenly faltered, almost imperceptibly, as if a current had suddenly been encountered beneath the calm surface of water.
The blade of Shira grazed his sword, and although it still deflected his direction, the feeling of "cutting" resistance and the slight vibration from the blade were different from usual.
Shira's heart skipped a beat. When he drew his sword just now, he didn't do anything intentionally. He just subconsciously incorporated his recent perception of "wind" and the subtle sensation of "cutting airflow" into his intention when drawing the sword.
Could it be... that it really works?
Before he could think it through, Master Kenmei's counterattack arrived. It was still a simple and deadly sword path, directly targeting the opening he had revealed due to the thrust.
Shira quickly parried with her sword.
"Clang!"
The two swords clashed, sparks flying. But amidst the heavy metallic clang, Master Kenmei keenly sensed that a very faint, unstable layer of "qi" seemed to be wrapped around Shira's sword.
This "qi" is not Chakra, but rather a thin, turbulent layer of airflow formed by the natural disturbance and even temporary "binding" of the surrounding air due to the speed of the sword and a certain special way of exerting force.
This layer of airflow meant that when his sword made contact with Violet, in addition to having to contend with Shira's own power, he also had to expend a little more effort to "break through" that invisible disturbance.
In the ensuing exchanges, this feeling appeared and disappeared intermittently. Not every sword strike from Shira could produce this effect, but in some of his full-force thrusts or wide slashes, that faint feeling, as if the sword had "thickened" or "cut through" more things, would vaguely emerge.
He seemed to have stirred up the flow of air even more, and the whistling sound of the wind circling his sword blade was slightly different.
This change is extremely subtle; unless one is someone like Kenmei, whose perception of the sword, the body, and the combat environment has reached an extreme level, one would not be able to detect it at all. But it does exist.
They crossed paths again and separated, now a few steps apart. Shira was slightly out of breath, staring intently at Teacher Kenmei.
Kenmei slowly lowered his sword, ceasing his attack. Instead, he used his calm eyes to scrutinize Shira, his gaze lingering for a moment on the sword-wielding hand, the slight rise and fall of his chest with each breath, and the steady feet on the ground.
The wind howled, whipping up the hems of their clothes.
After a long pause, Kenmei finally spoke, his voice still calm, yet carrying a rare hint of inquiry. "Something's wrong with your sword."
What?
Shira was taken aback, thinking she had practiced something wrong, and was about to ask for guidance.
But Kenmei continued, "It's not wrong. It's just that there's something extra."
He seemed to be carefully choosing his words, which was quite rare for someone as taciturn as him. "Wind? Not entirely. Did your 'strength' create the wind? Or did the wind follow your 'strength'?"
He raised his one arm and pointed the tip of his sword at Shira: "You mentioned before, a breathing technique that can make you faster and stronger."
Shira nodded. "Yes, it's called ' Seven Heavens Breathing Method '."
Kenmei looked at him. "Use it. Now. Let me see."