Winter of the third year

"Does it require a lot of talent? Can't the average player learn it?"

Teiichi was genuinely a little puzzled by this.

I didn't have this feeling when I was practicing it myself, and when I taught it to the Butterfly Mansion members, they were all able to learn it.

Therefore, Teiichi, who was surrounded by geniuses, did not realize the difficulty of this method.

"Yes! Basically, only those who have mastered the Total Concentration: Constant can learn this method!" Tengen Uzui replied.

Teiichi nodded. "That's fine! At least it can improve the Pillar's combat power a little!"

Tengen Uzui grinned and said, "Yes, because of this, plus the Hashira Battles, our strength has improved a lot in the past two years! If you come again, it won't be easy for you to defeat us as easily as before!"

Teiichi's lips curled slightly. "What? Want to go out and practice?"

Upon hearing this, the corners of Tengen Uzui's mouth also turned up.

"Let's practice then!"

"Whoosh--!"

A crisp and sharp sound of something cutting through the air suddenly rang out in the courtyard of the Uzui Family.

The Nichirin Blade traced a dazzling silver trail in the air, like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, heading straight Teiichi Dingyi with astonishing speed.

Teiichi fixed his gaze on the Nichirin Blade that was rapidly returning to him.

Just as the Nichirin Blade was about to strike, he leaned back slightly, narrowly avoiding the powerful blow.

Upon seeing this, Tengen Uzui's pupils contracted slightly.

He didn't believe that the slight difference was caused by the person in front of him barely dodging his sword move.

Although I had already anticipated that the person in front of me was not one to slack off or enjoy life, after two years apart, he was probably even stronger.

But I still didn't expect that, despite not slacking off for the past two years, the gap between us had widened to a level far exceeding that of the last time.

He murmured something under his breath.

"Sound Breathing - First Form - Boom!"

Teiichi remained calm upon seeing this, and spoke serenely.

"Third Form: Clean Storm Wind Tree"

Clang!

The flashes of sword light danced continuously in the courtyard of the Uzui Family, creating a series of dazzling and mesmerizing scenes of light and shadow.

After a long while, Teiichi gently placed the Nichirin Blade at Tengen Uzui's neck.

Tonight's battle has come to an end.

After the match was decided, the two stopped sparring, since that wasn't their main objective for the night.

They returned to their seats and continued eating and drinking.

The recent battle brought Teiichi pleasant surprise.

The blind spots that the Musical Score targets are still useful.

Even if Tengen Uzui were to complete the Musical Score now, it wouldn't put any pressure on Teiichi.

By simply increasing Teiichi's speed slightly, one can easily neutralize Tengen Uzui's attacks.

However, there are indeed blind spots in my own techniques.

This discovery led Teiichi decide to stay at the Uzui Family for a few more days.

In the following days, Ding Teiichi would have Tengen Uzui assist him in his cultivation whenever he had the chance.

Only when Tengen Uzui said that he couldn't find a Teiichi flaw in his Musical Score did he give up on continuing the sparring match.

Regarding Teiichi's progress over the past few days, Tengen Uzui could only utter two words.

"Monster!"

He had always believed himself to be a genius, a person with extraordinary talent.

For the first time, I had this thought: perhaps I am just an ordinary person.

Of course, not only did Teiichi benefit from the Teiichi session, but Tengen Uzui also gained new insights.

After staying at the Uzui Family for two more days, Teiichi to continue his journey.

He then continued traveling for another year.

The third winter.

Forests of Hokkaido.

The silent snowfield was utterly still, yet to the naked eye, one could see a figure wielding a long sword, waving it incessantly across the snow.

The blade spun and cleaved nimbly in his hand, leaving dazzling silver trails in the air; every movement was so fluid and natural.

After a long while, Teiichi slowly sheathed his sword and stood up.

As he experienced this training, Teiichi's brows furrowed slightly.

My swordsmanship seems to have reached a bottleneck. In the past month of practicing swordsmanship, I can hardly feel any progress.

Furthermore, once one reaches the age of 19, physical development is complete, and the growth of physical fitness slows down.

Fortunately, it hasn't reached the point where my swordsmanship has almost stopped improving, but compared to before, it's like heaven and earth.

Previously, my body was in its growth period, with a sufficient supply of food. I also used Breathing Style to aid digestion and engaged in ample exercise, which resulted in an almost explosive increase in my physical fitness.

Although I wasn't at the stage where I could make significant progress every day, I could clearly feel that I was much better than the previous month after just one month.

Otherwise, I wouldn't have felt no pressure facing Tengen Uzui last year.

However, there was some good news as well.

Teiichi lightly swung the Nichirin Blade in his hand. This weapon, which weighed over a hundred pounds, seemed to lose its weight in his hands. He could easily wield it as if it were nothing.

"Wielding the Heavy as Light..." Teiichi murmured softly.

He gently sheathed his Nichirin Blade, Teiichi step, and slowly walked towards the town at the foot of the Yamashita.

Feeling the weight on his body, Teiichi frowned slightly.

The current load isn't enough, but adding more would hinder my movement.

What should we do?

Should we try a different cultivation method?

Images of underwater combat from many years ago flashed through my mind.

How about we try training underwater later...?

We arrived at a small town at the Yamashita.

This small town was not unfamiliar to him; he had already stayed here for more than ten days.

The town is having a winter festival in a few days, so Teiichi planning to stay a few more days.

After attending this celebration, we can go to another town and then return to the Butterfly Mansion to celebrate the New Year.

We arrived at the familiar noodle shop.

"Squeak!"

The sound of the door opening attracted the attention of the owner behind the bar.

Upon seeing the familiar figure, the boss greeted him warmly.

"Hey! You're here early today!"

Teiichi firmly, "Yes!"

The shopkeeper looked at Teiichi, "Young man! It's so cold, why aren't you wearing more layers? Be careful not to catch a cold!"

Teiichi looked down at his clothes.

Inside, she wore simple black clothes, and on top, she wore a white haori with a wind pattern woven by Kanae.

Because he was no longer a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, he no longer wore the Demon Slayer Corps uniform.

Moreover, the protective features provided by the team uniform are barely adequate for Teiichi now.

An attack capable of harming Teiichi is beyond what the team uniform can withstand.

"It's okay, I'm not afraid of the cold!"

Teiichi smiled in response to her boss's concern, then turned to close the door.

Looking at the scene of heavy snow falling outside, Teiichi couldn't help but take a deep breath.

The icy air rushed into my lungs, bringing a bone-chilling cold, and an inexplicable itching sensation rose to my nose.

Achoo!