Chapter 145: 'I clearly know how to do it, so how are we supposed to play this now?
「 "Blade and Yanqing were locked in a fierce battle. Looking at Dan Heng, who was merely putting up a slight resistance, Blade sneered, "What's wrong? Can't bring yourself to strike hard against this kid?"
Dan Heng frowned, pondering, "I wonder how March and the others are doing… I must finish this quickly."
A look of determination flashed in his eyes—
He slightly lifted the Orb of Abysm in his hand, and immediately, countless raging waves surged towards Yanqing, engulfing the young man.
Dan Heng had underestimated Yanqing's skill. The young man's figure shifted several positions in an instant, and he defended every critical point with his sword, not suffering much damage. But Yanqing also realized that if he continued to be entangled like this, the situation would be quite unfavorable for him.
"You two just won't give up.. It seems to keep you here, I'll have to use this move!"
He soared into the air, brandishing his long sword, and behind him, a massive surge of extreme cold sword energy condensed, smashing towards the two with unparalleled might!
"This sword… looks familiar." Blade's voice was full of killing intent, "Did she teach you? Then you deserve no mercy!" 」
「 .....」
〜Demon Slayer World〜
"Tch, this kid…"
Seeing Yanqing unleash the sword technique he had comprehended on the light screen, Sanemi Shinazugawa felt completely off.
After witnessing Jingliu's divine swordsmanship in the Demon Slayer Corps, several Hashira often secretly practiced swordsmanship together in the mountains behind the estate late at night, attempting to replicate Jingliu's sword technique.
For this, they even asked the swordsmiths to forge a new batch of swords—trying to match the light sword Jingliu used on the screen.
To master that sword, they changed their long-held sword grip and adjusted their existing breathing techniques… But even so, only Muichiro Tokito, the most talented among them, had made any progress.
Now, his sword technique had four or five parts of Jingliu's divine charm. Although the power of his strikes was still miles behind, this good start gave the other Hashira considerable confidence.
As long as they diligently practiced, in another three to five years, perhaps they could reach a higher level and make great progress?
At least, Sanemi Shinazugawa had thought so just now.
But now, seeing Yanqing's sword…
"This kid has been busy investigating Blade's whereabouts these past few days, constantly traveling, and hasn't specifically practiced, has he?"
Sanemi Shinazugawa couldn't help but exclaim,
"These Xianzhou people are too much, aren't they? Living long is one thing, but being so talented?!"
The realm he had hoped to achieve in three to five years, Yanqing had reached effortlessly in two nights. And the power of that one sword alone… he probably wouldn't achieve it in his entire life.
"Shinazugawa, calm down."
Gyomei Himejima's deep voice sounded behind him,
"Although Yanqing's talent is high, the enemies he faces are also more troublesome than ours."
"Demons at least die when their heads are cut off—but have you seen those 『 Abundance 』 abominations? Even with their heads severed, the skin on their bodies still writhes."
"Yanqing's starting point might be higher than ours, but his destination is also more distant than ours."
Gyomei paused, then continued,
"We just need to find Muzan's whereabouts and kill him, and all problems will be solved. But Yanqing and his companions' goal is to hunt the Star God of 『 Abundance 』… Their destination is even more unreachable than ours."
—
「 "Cannot delay any longer…"
"I didn't wish to harm anyone... But there's no other way. Forgive me."
Though Dan Heng felt reluctant, he still channeled the power of the Orb of Abysm to its maximum. In the blink of an eye, several water dragons coiled around him, ready to strike.
"Azure's Aqua Ablutes All—!"
Dan Heng brought her fingers together, and a blue water dragon soared into the sky, instantly shattering Yanqing's protective flying sword. The surging water current, with irresistible force, heavily smashed into Yanqing!
A deafening "boom" echoed, sending debris flying. A crater the size of a meteorite was forcefully gouged into the ground.
"Cough, cough…" Yanqing wiped the blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. The power of that move was like a hundred-thousand-ton high-speed starship crashing head-on. At the last moment, he had tried his best to defend, but he was still seriously injured.
"I can still… fight," Yanqing grunted, leaning on his sword, kneeling on one knee, unable to push himself any further.
"Alright, all of you, listen to me— stop." Kafka, seeing that the situation was almost resolved, finally spoke to intervene.
Upon hearing this, Dan Heng, Blade, and Yanqing all felt a shock to their minds and their bodies, as if by agreement, submitted to Kafka's will. 」
「 .....」
〜Genshin Impact World〜
In Fontaine's Opera Epiclese, many spectators watching the light screen began chatting among themselves.
"Kafka's Spirit Whisper even works on Dan Heng in his Imbibitor Lunae form. That move is too unsolvable…"
"And Blade's Mara-Struck state seems to be dispelled, too."
"But look, the key to Kafka activating Spirit Whisper is: 'listen to me.' What if the target is deaf? Would Kafka's Spirit Whisper be ineffective then?"
"Heh, you're a genius! But have you ever thought: why would Kafka use Spirit Whisper on a deaf person?"
"…That's true."
Listening to the discussions behind her, Furina poked the certain Hydro Dragon Sovereign she had finally caught on his day off:
"Neuvillette, Dan Heng is the Dragon Lord, and you are the Hydro Dragon Sovereign. You should be more powerful than him, right?"
Upon hearing this, Navia, beside Furina, unconsciously leaned her ear closer.
"…Lady Furina."
Neuvillette sighed helplessly,
"Where does this baseless competitive spirit of yours come from?"
"Haha… Haven't I been reading a few more Inazuman light novels recently? Comparing combat power between different works is a very popular topic nowadays."
Furina's eyes widened, her heterochromatic blue pupils sparkling with curiosity,
"So, I really want to know…"
"There's often a common solution to this kind of problem."
Clorinde, sitting next to Neuvillette, interjected,
"Comparing character combat power is meaningless. It's better to compare the combat power of the two authors. They can agree to have a fight, and whoever wins, their protagonist will be stronger."
"However, it's best not to fight in Fontaine; otherwise, you might end up in Meropide Fortress, comparing combat power with the Duke."
—
「 "Well, how was it, Bladie? Are you satisfied?" Kafka asked with a light laugh.
"Hoo… hoo…" Blade breathed continuously, and the emotions brought by his Mara-Struck state finally calmed down.
Dan Heng glanced at him, not wanting to pay him much mind. But Kafka… he frowned and questioned, "What did you just do?"
"I'm just clearing the stage for the grand entrance," Kafka chuckled, "We can't have you three misbehaving in front of the Luofu's hotshot general."
"Hahaha."
Before her words faded, a familiar and cheerful laugh came from not far away.
Jing Yuan appeared at some unknown moment. After two soft laughs, he walked in front of Yanqing, subtly shielding him behind him. 」
「 .....」