Ryuzaki Kenji had heard the rumors. The elders whispered that the infant born in the Ten-no-Kura possessed the Kongo-Seitai (Indestructible Sacred Body).
Kenji had scoffed at the time. In the current Age of Mana-Drought, the Sacred Body was cursed by the Ten Heavenly Shackles. It was a "trash physique," incapable of cultivation. Even if Haruto possessed it, he should be a useless cripple.
'Would the Eighteenth Ancestor really dote on a cripple?' Kenji wondered, watching the golden Ki radiating from Haruto's small form.
"Cousin Haruto," Kenji asked, unable to suppress his curiosity. "Is it true? Do you really possess the legendary Sacred Body?"
"Indeed," Haruto nodded calmly, sipping his tea. He saw no reason to hide it.
Kenji's eyes widened. Beside him, the kneeling Ayaka felt a surge of renewed resentment. 'A trash body? Why is Master so afraid of a useless cripple? I suffered this humiliation for nothing!'
"In that case," Kenji bowed slightly, eager to escape. He had paid his blood price—the Amatsu Token—and wanted to leave before his dignity eroded further. "I shall take my leave."
"Wait a minute," Haruto set down his tea cup.
Kenji froze. 'Is he insatiable? Does he want more treasures?'
"Ahem... Brother Kenji, you misunderstand," Haruto coughed dryly. "I've been itching to test my skills. Since you're here, why don't we have a friendly spar?"
Kenji's eyes flashed with a strange light. He shook his head and smiled condescendingly. "Brother Haruto, you are only three years old. I am in the Divine Palace Realm. If I were to injure you, I couldn't face the Ancestors. Let us spar when you are older."
"It's just a friendly exchange," Haruto insisted, standing up. His small stature belied the ocean of power swirling within him. "I hope Cousin won't refuse."
Kenji sighed. He felt cornered. "Very well. But I hope Cousin understands the difference in our cultivation. I will restrict my power to avoid hurting you."
A few moments later, they stood in the white-stone courtyard outside the Ten-no-Kura.
News traveled fast in the Ryuzaki Clan. A crowd of disciples had already gathered at the gates, eager to see the drama unfold.
"What's happening? weren't they apologizing?" "The Divine Son challenged the Sword-Master to a spar!" "This is going to be good. One is the clan's treasure, the other is a veteran Sequence. Who do you think will win?" "Kenji, obviously. He's fourteen and a Sword Master. Haruto is... well, three."
Hearing the chatter, Kenji's lips curled into a faint, confident smile. 'Although I lost the Token, this is a chance to re-establish my dominance. I'll defeat him gently, showing the clan my benevolence and skill.'
"Brother Haruto, be careful!"
Kenji moved. He didn't draw his sword; instead, he pointed his index and middle fingers, condensing his Ki into a sharp Sword Finger. He aimed a precise, controlled strike at Haruto's shoulder.
Haruto watched the attack coming. It looked... slow.
'Is he going easy on me?' Haruto wondered. 'I better use a little strength so I don't disrespect him.'
Haruto clenched his small fist. Inside his body, 1,000 Giant Elephant Particles trumpeted in unison. Ten Million Kin of raw physical force surged through his meridians.
He punched.
BOOM!
The air in front of Haruto's fist compressed instantly, forming a visible cannonball of atmospheric pressure. The void distorted.
Sensing the terrifying power, Kenji's confident smile vanished. His pupils shrank to pinpricks. 'What the—?!'
He tried to pull his hand back, but it was too late.
CRACK!
The sound of breaking bone echoed across the courtyard. Kenji was blasted backward like a ragdoll, his fingers twisted at unnatural angles. He crashed into a stone lantern, shattering it.
"Gah!" Kenji gasped, clutching his mangled hand. He looked at Haruto with pure horror. 'That was pure physical strength! How?!'
The crowd went silent. The disciples rubbed their eyes. "Did... did the Divine Son just break the Sword-Master's fingers?" "With one punch?"
Haruto frowned. He looked at his fist, then at Kenji.
"Brother Kenji," Haruto said, his voice darkening. "You cannot be so deferential to me just because I am young. Going easy on me to this extent... is an insult."
Kenji nearly coughed up blood. 'Going easy?! My fingers are broken!'
"That's it? That's all?" Haruto shook his head. "Come on. Show me the power of the Tenth Sequence!"
Haruto charged.
Kenji panicked. He drew his sword with his left hand. "Damn it! Nine Swords of the Rising Sun!"
Nine beams of solar sword-light tore through the air, aimed squarely at Haruto. This time, Kenji held nothing back.
"Armor of the Dark God!"
Haruto didn't dodge. A translucent, dark armor—formed from the Divine Elephant Force—enveloped him. The nine sword beams struck the armor and shattered into harmless sparks.
"What defense is that?!" Kenji screamed.
Haruto's back erupted with black energy. Wings of the Tengu (Devil Wings) unfurled, beating once.
Whoosh!
He vanished, reappearing instantly in front of Kenji.
"Spear of Yomi!"
Haruto grabbed the air. Boundless spiritual energy condensed into a purple-black spear, burning with the fires of hell. He thrust it forward.
"Purple Emperor Sword Technique!"
Desperate, Kenji unleashed his strongest trump card. A massive purple sword shadow slashed down to meet the spear.
BOOM!
The collision shook the palace foundations. But the result was brutal. The Spear of Yomi, backed by ten million kin of force, smashed through the sword shadow like glass. It continued downward, slamming into Kenji's chest.
BANG!
Kenji's sword flew out of his hand. He was launched into the air, crashing heavily into the palace wall, sliding down in a heap of dust and bruised ego.
The courtyard was dead silent.
"Three moves..." a disciple whispered. "The Tenth Sequence... defeated in three moves?" "And the Divine Son didn't even break a sweat."
Haruto landed softly, the demon wings dissipating. He looked at the groaning Kenji and scratched his head.
'Wait... was he actually trying?' Haruto realized with a start. 'I thought he was just being polite and letting me win. But... he really is that weak?'
A wave of guilt washed over him. He had misunderstood his cousin's capabilities.
Haruto walked over to the rubble where Kenji lay, covered in dust. He offered a hand, his face full of sincere apology.
"I'm sorry, Brother Kenji," Haruto said earnestly. "I misunderstood you. I thought you were holding back out of politeness, so I used a bit more force. I didn't realize... you were actually doing your best."
"Pfft!"
Hearing this, Kenji finally vomited the mouthful of blood he had been holding back.
He looked at Haruto's innocent face and wanted to scream. The physical beating was painful, but that apology? That was a critical hit to his soul.