Chapter 277: The Strength Of Spirit Control Technique! Sword Saint Kamizumi’s “forbidden Hand,” Huijue Appears, Ksitigarbha Statue Returns!
Using the juvenile form of Sword Saint Kamizumi Nobutsuna as a whetstone, tsk tsk, it seems only I could come up with such a luxurious move.
Sword Saint sparring partner, absolutely able to stimulate all of my current potential.
But before that, I still need to thoroughly explore Master Level Spirit Control Technique first.
Accompanied by the turning of his thoughts, normal concentration Spiritual Energy was rapidly compressed in Shangshan Che, purified, and in a short zero point few seconds transformed into a pool of translucent pure liquid Spiritual Power.
Shangshan Che fiddled with the Spiritual Power, thinking silently: “Now Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy is no different from physical entities to me.”
No essential difference from water, air, or stones; as long as Shangshan Che wants, he can use it to accomplish most things.
Or rather, manipulate it freely.
Fundamentally different from the previous “mysterious power that could only be absorbed to replenish internal Spiritual Power.”
Shangshan Che glanced at Kaga Kiyomitsu beside him, who was dazed by the fragrance of the Spiritual Energy.
He hooked his finger, pulling out some of the Spiritual Power that had seeped into the blade, immediately startling Kaga Kiyomitsu awake, who made an indistinct sound.
“Mmm! Master, what happened!”
Shangshan Che didn’t reply, staring thoughtfully at the wisp of Spiritual Power on his fingertip that originally belonged to Kaga Kiyomitsu.
—Even able to manipulate others’ Spiritual Power remotely.
Whereas ordinary Onmyoji must first release Spiritual Power outside the body and construct Onmyōdō Spells either clumsily or proficiently, then release the Onmyōdō.
As such, ordinary Onmyoji facing him would be almost no different from ordinary people; even experts would likely be restrained and distracted as a result.
As for Qi Barrier…
Although Shangshan Che hadn’t tried it on anyone, he mentally simulated it and still felt it might not work.
Unlike Spiritual Energy released outside the body, Qi Barrier’s Heavenly Cycle Circulation first forms a highly complete Qi Circulation.
—The vast majority of Qi Barrier’s reactions occur within the protection of this circulation.
But that’s only for now.
Because Qi Barrier is also “Qi,” theoretically it can definitely be manipulated with Spirit Control Technique · Qi.
It’s just that he had just broken through to this realm and hadn’t figured out the method yet.
“Sister Nanjo is from the Nanjō Family, so she should have practiced Spirit Control Technique too; I just don’t know what level she is at…”
Shangshan Che stroked his chin, thinking: “Is she at the same ‘Master’ level as me, or even higher?”
He recalled the scene of Red Tide sweeping through Arakawa Ward.
At that time, Nanjo Emi had not yet broken through Ghost God’s shackles, but Shangshan Che believed he couldn’t cause such a big commotion.
The gap still existed, but it had visibly narrowed.
Shangshan Che circulated Spirit Control Technique a bit more, scanning his entire body, and found that the previous automatic absorption of Spiritual Power inside his body, leading to accumulation and blockage, was gone.
This was only natural.
Now Shangshan Che’s internal Spiritual Circulation followed his will, so effects related to Spiritual Energy naturally couldn’t be exempt.
Besides that, from Shangshan Che’s current perspective, Flame Armor indeed wasn’t a very profound Onmyōdō Spell.
So-called Flame Armor merely used Spiritual Power and some Astronomy Path runes to connect the five Flame Seeds, with rather singular changes.
However, the exquisitely intricate semi-automatic Spiritual Power structure of the “Flame Seed” was still very sophisticated, no wonder it could serve as the foundation for the subsequent “Heavenly Cycle Flame Armor.”
Unfortunately, Shangshan Che didn’t have much Astronomy Path knowledge, so even though he felt Flame Armor could be improved, he didn’t know where to start.
Shangshan Che clenched his fist, transforming all the remaining Spiritual Energy in the room into a small spinning ball.
This was currently the extent of Master Level Spirit Control Technique uses he could think of at once; more applications awaited discovery and development.
Those deeper techniques would probably only be found in special circumstances.
But in any case, Shangshan Che now felt very strong.
Very satisfying.
All the power throughout his body was under his complete control, without the slightest waste.
This feeling of complete self-mastery was great.
He exhaled: “Later, I’ll enhance the Qi Circulation too.”
And now, naturally, it was time to meet that Sword Saint he hadn’t seen in a while.
Shangshan Che subconsciously touched his neck and sat back down.
He could sense that Spiritual Energy was no longer surging into this secret room—Nanjo Emi naturally knew he had broken through, and the spell on the ground was glowing, ready to teleport back at any time.
Shangshan Che stopped thinking further, closed his eyes, pretended to enter Internal Vision, and entered the Projection Secret Realm.
……
Pure white heaven and earth stretched out.
The casual gaze finally landed on Shangshan Che… accurately, on that forty-meter-long cleaver.
The boy grinned provocatively: “If this blade swings down, I’d definitely die.”
Shangshan Che shook his head, tossing the cleaver that could easily destroy a Ghost God in this space into the corner, then said to the boy,
“I won’t use this blade, Kamizumi Ise-no-Kami Hidenaga.”
“Oh? You know me?”
The boy Kamizumi’s eyes widened slightly, sizing up Shangshan Che, but couldn’t recall when he had seen this face.
Shangshan Che said nothing more.
He directly transformed into Four-tailed Fox in front of Kamizumi, donned the Hannya Mask, activated Rin Character Technique, drew Kaga Kiyomitsu, and summoned the Flame Armor on his body.
Finally, using Spirit Control Technique to gather all the Spiritual Energy in this white space above his head, transforming it into a deep blue sphere flickering with electric arcs.
After completing everything in an instant, Shangshan Che, with steady breathing and movement, even took a moment to check the changes in his Attribute Panel.
【Shangshan Che】
【Physique: 74→122】
【Willpower: 54→80】
【Charm: 13→28】
【Spiritual Arts: 71→131】
Dual Attributes had long broken through a hundred, and even Willpower Attribute was approaching the three-digit threshold.
When Shangshan Che came back to his senses, he found Kamizumi not far away had already drawn that somewhat tattered Daito.
Gripping the hilt with both hands.
Shangshan Che remembered that before this, every Kamizumi Nobutsuna he encountered held the sword single-handedly, in a casual manner.
But this time was different.
The Four-tailed Fox wearing the Oni Mask looked up, meeting that grave and puzzled gaze.
This time, Kamizumi Nobutsuna was fully on guard.
Actually, just this change alone was enough for Shangshan Che to verify his strength growth.
But since he was here, he had to test whose blade was sharper compared to the boy Sword Saint.
In the brief silence, Shangshan Che heard Kamizumi Nobutsuna ask puzzledly: “Are you human or demon?”
“Does it matter? I just want to know through you, Kamizumi, who is stronger between us.”
Shangshan Che countered flatly: “Whether I’m human or demon, would it change anything?”
“First time seeing a being like you; curiosity.”
Kamizumi smacked his lips, then nodded: “You’re very strong.”
“I am Kamizumi Ise-no-Kami Hidenaga, destined to become Sword Saint, the strongest in a millennium, unparalleled in a millennium… And you, state your name.”
The future Sword Saint said thus.
The unexpected step stunned Shangshan Che for a moment—previously when fighting Kamizumi, the other always called him “seeker.”
Was it because his strength had reached that level, triggering recognition?
“Shangshan Che.” Shangshan Che said.
“Strange name… But I’ve remembered it.”
Kamizumi muttered.
The young black-haired boy silently lowered and then opened his eyes, and blazing unparalleled light poured out from his pupils like a flood.
Intense, almost tangible Spirit, Energy, and Vitality swept toward Shangshan Che overwhelmingly.
Kamizumi grinned ferociously and pleasantly, revealing a smile more terrifying than an Evil Spirit, insatiable with desire,
“Shangshan Che… let me taste just what flavor you are!”
As the last syllable fell, the blade coated in viscous pale Lightning Slurry had already probed its tip from the intertwined Lightning and fire.
Three chilling blade lights had already merged into one behind the blurry flowing fire.
Eightfold Fence!
Natural Reason School · Three-stage Thrust!
In speeds imperceptible to the ordinary retina, Kaga Kiyomitsu thrust straight toward Kamizumi’s pupils in the stillness.
But the next moment.
Surging Lightning was blown apart by the suddenly expanding Qi Circulation, and the Flame Armor that turned into flowing fire outside the body was compressed to the body surface into crystalline form.
Kaga Kiyomitsu, just about to enter the blade clash range, was fully visible in Kamizumi’s eyes.
A flicker of surprise passed at the bottom of Kamizumi’s pupils as he smiled,
“Got you.”
The tattered Daito slightly reversed and lifted upward.
Then, as if crossing space, it directly touched Kaga Kiyomitsu’s blade and deflected it upward!
Striking second but arriving first!
Fast!
Kamizumi’s sword was too fast!
Fast enough that even the Eye of Interpretation captured no afterimage!
Feeling his Inner Force forcibly guided upward, Shangshan Che narrowed his eyes and without hesitation detonated the Lightning Ball above his head that had gathered terrifying Spiritual Power.
Boom rumble!!!
Deep blue rapidly turned deep purple, then into purple-black carrying thick Destruction aura.
The suddenly exploding Lightning Slurry nearly covered the entire space’s ground.
So, the person second closest to the lightning storm center?
Unharmed Shangshan Che looked up and saw tattered scorched black cloth strips swaying in midair.
“Dual Cultivation of Spirit and Martial Arts… Though ancient texts mention it, this is the first time I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”
Gripping the broken sword, the equally unharmed boy didn’t hide the admiration in his words.
His gaze darkly fixed on Shangshan Che: “Your Excellency Shangshan… you’re the first of your generation to force me to use ‘Forbidden Hand’ in the first move.”
So-called Forbidden Hand was a series of moves that experts, due to their overwhelming strength, forbade themselves from using normally to accommodate ordinary people.
Otherwise, the battle would end too quickly and lack fun.
Take sumo wrestlers for example—in the Edo period, there was a sumo wrestler named “Raiden for Yemon,” who was so strong they banned him from using common moves like “open hand,” “cannon,” “door bolt,” etc.; using them was a foul.
And Kamizumi Nobutsuna’s Forbidden Hand in his youth…
“Is Sword Domain.”
It was precisely because of Sword Domain that Kamizumi wasn’t seriously injured in the Lightning Slurry baptism.
Shangshan Che subconsciously contracted Flame Armor and Qi Circulation to his body surface, guarding against possible blades attacking from all directions.
But after waiting several seconds, the anticipated assault didn’t come.
Seeing this, Kamizumi curiously tilted his head: “Your Excellency Shangshan, you’ve seen other Sword Domains, so you’re guarding against that Sword Domain’s moves?”
“Yes.”
“Then you might be disappointed.” Kamizumi said, “Because everyone’s Sword Domain is completely different.”
Shangshan Che subconsciously asked back: “Just like Sword Heart?”
Kamizumi’s eyes filled with curiosity: “Yes, just like Sword Heart… Can you tell me about the Sword Domain and Sword Heart of that person you’ve seen?”
Shangshan Che naturally wouldn’t dampen the selfless Sword Saint sparring partner’s enthusiasm.
He spent a dozen seconds briefly summarizing Lili Zi’s situation to Kamizumi.
“I see, Clear Sword Heart at an age similar to mine, complete flawless Sword Domain, and that Sword Heart like a brilliant sun… Really want to see it in person.”
Kamizumi swallowed hard, then sighed softly,
“Unfortunately, can’t see it anymore.”
Moments later, he looked straight at Shangshan Che and said: “My Sword Domain is god-penetrating perception. Everything within Sword Domain range can be fully perceived by me.”
The boy happily raised the broken sword, and from a distant Distance, it landed on Shangshan Che’s throat,
“Including your thoughts, Your Excellency Shangshan.”
“In that case… let’s settle it head-on.”
Shangshan Che breathed deeply, squeezing out all utilizable Spiritual Energy inside his body into Lightning, blocking all possible retreats for Kamizumi.
Forcing him into a direct hard clash.
Seconds later, Shangshan Che silently shifted his toes forward an inch.
—Natural Reason School Secret Technique · Darkness Sword!
Without any warning, Shangshan Che’s current strongest Secret Technique, along with endless Lightning, locked onto that lone figure.
“Come well!!!”
Kamizumi’s eyes widened, excitedly receiving the Death aura pouring into every part of his flesh from all directions.
……
Within the secret room.
Seated Shangshan Che opened his eyes.
He first touched his chest, then his neck.
“Unfortunately…”
In the final moment, Kamizumi’s chest had been split open by Little Jia, heart exposed to the air.
Just a tiny imperceptible bit short of shattering the heart and lower neck while his own head fell.
But considering Kamizumi’s previously mentioned “god-penetrating perception” Sword Domain, that tiny bit might be an uncrossable chasm.
It was the result Kamizumi anticipated.
So how did Kamizumi’s sword manage to be even faster than his Darkness Sword? Some shady flow Secret Technique?
And one sword consecutively finding the weakest points in Flame Armor, Qi Circulation, and Physical Body’s triple defenses… Thanks for helping me eliminate hidden dangers.
After inwardly complaining twice more, Shangshan Che thought,
“But if I activate ‘Rage’ Attribute doubling, I could definitely win easily, even against two or three juvenile Kamizumi no problem.”
Sparring once more with juvenile Kamizumi Nobutsuna, though only two or three exchanges, benefited Shangshan Che greatly.
At the same time, he fully understood his current strength’s position.
Now, he could be considered prominent below Ghost God; not daring to claim first tier, but absolutely in the forefront.
Casual Three-Star or Three-and-a-half Star, even a dozen would be cut down like chopping vegetables.
Shangshan Che exhaled.
—But while he was progressing, others were surely progressing too.
This couldn’t be ignored.
……
Inside Special Affairs Office Building.
Nanjo Emi had just driven away a sneaky rat when she saw a bald monk in tattered clothes with gore-flipped flesh jumping in from the window,
“Huijue? How did you end up like this?”
She frowned slightly, then looked at the unharmed Ksitigarbha Statue in Huijue’s arms, enveloped by dense glowing Sanskrit runes.
