Chapter 103: May 1st, The First Wave Arrives
What’s going on?!
As soon as Shangshan Che recalled his earlier thoughts, he felt a wave of nausea. Was this something a normal person would think of?
He turned his gaze to the brightly flashing panel—Soul Incense Ash（small）buff was still active.
No need to think about it; it was definitely caused by using this thing.
Shangshan Che calmed his mind, trying his best to keep his state of mind peaceful.
He looked at Lili Zi again and found that she was still beautiful in his current field of vision, but those bizarre thoughts from before no longer surfaced.
Shangshan Che breathed a slight sigh of relief.
If he had fallen into this state before his attributes improved or before learning “Technique·Afterimage,” he wouldn’t dare guarantee how long it would take to escape that eerie condition.
What Lili Zi would become, whether she would break… that was hard to say.
Fortunately, Lili Zi stepped up at the critical moment, changing his breathing rhythm and bringing his sanity back.
At this moment, Lili Zi’s voice interrupted Shangshan Che’s thoughts,
“Shangshan Jun, did you say something just now?”
“Ah, no…”
Shangshan Che shook his head and, after confirming he was mostly normal, said: “We’ll talk about the extra stuff later. Cultivation is most important.”
Lili Zi liked this attitude.
So the displeasure from before and upon arrival dissipated together.
She cleared her throat and explained in detail to the two in the Kendo Hall the two control techniques for “Spirit, Energy, and Vitality” that she had researched,
“Essentially, the core of both techniques is to master the essence, energy, and spirit of the human body.
“Jade Heart Incantation converges the overflowing spirit, energy, and vitality, making the body nearly leak-proof. This way, Spirit Condensing Technique can use them more efficiently, whether to nourish the body long-term or to briefly deal with demons…”
At this point, Lili Zi glanced at Shangshan Che, who blinked in understanding.
This was roughly what Shangshan Che had thought, but Lili Zi had pondered it more deeply and understood the principles more clearly.
In teaching mode, the girl was expressionless, but she chuckled inwardly—this feeling of someone understanding before she even finished speaking wasn’t bad.
After a pause, Lili Zi continued: “Regarding the three aspects of spirit, energy, and vitality, they aren’t only related to my two techniques; they’re probably deeply connected to【Breathing Technique】 as well.”
She sighed regretfully: “Unfortunately, no expert has systematically taught me about this.”
Although Kondo Yuya also cultivated Corona Breathing Technique to an extremely profound and proficient realm, even to the terrifying extent where one breath could heat Lili Zi to suffocation.
But!
Kondo Yuya was just following Corona Breathing Technique blindly, a typical case of “knowing what but not why.”
Lili Zi thought this was normal, though, since Kondo Yuya held a high position with official duties every day that made deep cultivation difficult, and most of his energy only supported researching sword technique.
If he seriously studied Breathing Technique on top of that, it would probably just lead to half-hearted efforts.
In sword technique, Lili Zi still admitted she was far inferior to Great Officer Kondo.
Lili Zi organized the fragmented knowledge in her mind for a while before saying to them,
“First, look at the three separately: ‘essence’ represents the body, ‘energy’ is everywhere—I still can’t quite grasp what it is—and ‘spirit’ is human consciousness.”
Lili Zi snapped her fingers,
“From this angle, both sword technique cultivation and Breathing Technique cultivation become clear.”
“For example, my high Kendo Realm means cultivating sword technique is twice the result with half the effort—that’s typical ‘spirit’ linkage.
Breathing Technique trains energy. Using energy to drive the body is ‘essence-energy’ linkage, but at the same time, the ‘spirit’ aspect slowly falls behind.”
Lili Zi took out a bamboo sword and said to them,
“—This is why most Breathing Technique cultivators need to practice a technique: not just to boost combat power, but also to strengthen consciousness and prevent too much gap between body and consciousness.”
“At this point, we must view the complementary trinity together, without neglecting any one…”
With Soul Incense Ash’s boost, Shangshan Che nodded in understanding, looking at the prompts popping up before him and clicking his tongue in amazement.
【Tokugawa Ririko is teaching you Technique·Jade Heart Incantation…】
【Tokugawa Ririko is teaching you Technique·Spirit Condensing Technique…】
【Tokugawa Ririko is teaching you basic knowledge·Spirit, Energy, and Vitality, Trinity…】
【Your skill, Corona Breathing Technique’s proficiency is rising…】
【Your Kendo state of mind is slightly rising…】
Just sitting obediently and listening to the lesson yielded a bunch of prompts—Lili Zi truly lived up to her treasure girl reputation.
Shangshan Che could hardly imagine how Lili Zi came up with these without Soul Incense Ash’s help, and even taught them to others.
He glanced at Shizuma Mafuyu beside him and saw that although she was seriously taking notes, her face was clearly full of confusion.
Half an hour later.
Shizuma Mafuyu’s face was pale; even as University of Tokyo’s top student, she was dizzy from listening.
She felt Lili Zi was only talking about theoretical foundations, with no practical techniques—just telling “what to do” without “how or when.”
It was like being asked to play an incredibly complex strategy game with no beginner tutorials—utterly bewildering.
After this spiel, it was like a glittering but empty shell: all show and no substance.
Shizuma Mafuyu looked at the boy on the other side: “Shangshan Jun must think the same…”
Lili Zi: “Shangshan Jun, did you understand?”
【You have learned Technique·Jade Heart Incantation.】
【You have learned Technique·Spirit Condensing Technique.】
【Your Kendo state of mind has slightly risen.】
【Your skill, Corona Breathing Technique’s proficiency +100!】
【Your understanding of basic knowledge·Spirit, Energy, and Vitality, Trinity has deepened.】
Shangshan Che glanced at the series of prompts and unreservedly gave her a thumbs up,
“Completely understood. As expected of Teacher Lili Zi—concise words, clear logic, moderate pace! Please do another one next time.”
Lili Zi crossed her arms: “Hmph, of course.”
This scene stuffed Shizuma Mafuyu’s next words right back down.
She pondered with her head down for a moment, then stood up with a gentle smile: “I’ll go get some water for Miss Tokugawa. You’ve been talking so long; you must be thirsty.”
Lili Zi interlaced her fingers and said in a pinched voice: “Sister Mafuyu, so considerate, love~”
Shangshan Che didn’t think Shizuma Mafuyu really wanted to fetch water.
But whatever; she was an adult mixing in the workplace—this setback probably wasn’t as bad as half an hour of delayed overtime.
Better to check the gains from his CPU running at full speed and learning a lesson from Lili Zi—
【Jade Heart Incantation】
【Effect: Converges all spirit, energy, and vitality that differs from ordinary people, making the cultivator’s appearance tend toward unremarkable.】
【—Being too self-centered means no friends.】
Jade Heart Incantation’s effect was very obvious; after learning it, Shangshan Che took out his mobile phone for a selfie and doubted if the person inside was him.
Its rough effect turned Shangshan Che from “extremely handsome brooding muscle high school boy” into “decent everywhere but completely unremarkable muscle male passerby.”
Though the charm attribute on the panel didn’t change, the external manifestation dropped at least 2-3 points.
Shangshan Che sighed: “This technique is really powerful…”
Turning a highly noticeable powerhouse into an unremarkable passerby—essential god skill for backstab ambushes. Lili Zi’s original intent in creating it seemed secondary.
Looking down.
【Spirit Condensing Technique】
【Effect: Gradually accumulates spirit, energy, and vitality over time; can slowly nourish the body or burst out in an instant.】
【—Some battles end with one sword.】
Previously, Lili Zi, with only about One-and-a-Half Star strength, repelled and even injured the Two-and-a-Half Star Nue using Spirit Condensing Technique.
And this technique, even when not fighting, made Shangshan Che feel his body becoming more… rounded, smoother nonstop?
Anyway, like【body strength +1】 popping up every second—wonderful.
Shangshan Che checked the proficiency of his three grindable skills—
【Corona Breathing Technique（Beginner 670/1400）】
【Natural Reason School（Proficient 420/1000）】
【Spirit Control Technique（Not Started 80/100）】
Among them, Corona Breathing Technique’s proficiency was high but still far from the next level; Natural Reason School and Spirit Control Technique were both about to break through.
Spirit Control Technique previously couldn’t be cultivated due to low Spiritual Arts attribute; now with it raised, a bit of practice should break through.
But Shangshan Che wasn’t too hopeful.
Spirit Control Technique boiled down to “manipulating spirits,” but Nanjo Doll didn’t need manipulation—it came out to protect him in danger.
Even if strong later, Beginner Level wouldn’t help Shangshan Che much.
Natural Reason School was different.
Currently, Natural Reason School just needed 80 proficiency to use “Spell Scroll” to reach Mastery Level; after resting, spar with Lili Zi and done.
Shangshan Che looked at the girl who just finished teaching, eyes closed resting with faint steam rising from her head, and didn’t disturb her.
He closed his eyes to rest too; too much knowledge poured in earlier, and Soul Incense Ash’s buff was fading.
Soon he’d spar with Lili Zi or explore Eternal World; recovering energy timely was key.
Minutes later, Shizuma Mafuyu entered with three chilled mineral water bottles.
Seeing both in the dojo resting with eyes closed, she stayed quiet, tiptoeing to place the uncapped-then-recapped mineral water bottles gently beside them.
“Thanks.” ×2
Shizuma Mafuyu was about to sit nearby and study her notes when thanks came in unison.
She smiled helplessly; perhaps only such tacit understanding let Shangshan Jun grasp Miss Tokugawa’s teaching so easily.
Since both were awake, Shizuma Mafuyu took out her mobile phone, opened pictures, and said to them,
“Lately, a four-headed JK has been appearing unpredictably at train station platforms late at night. Also, the number of lunatics and mentally ill in Arakawa Ward has increased a lot—be careful.”
Four-headed JK?
Hearing the keyword, Shangshan Che’s brow twitched—this was the thing he beheaded on that train; unexpectedly, it moved from the train to the Mortal Realm.
And mentally ill… so Shizuma Mafuyu didn’t know those were Ai Bieli’s seeds.
In that case, no need for Shangshan Che to say extra—Nanjo Emi chose this for her or Special Affairs Office high-level reasons.
After nodding acknowledgment, Shangshan Che gulped down half a bottle of water, used Soul Incense Ash（tiny）, and raised his bamboo sword to Lili Zi.
No Soul Incense Ash（small） because its mental burden was too heavy, and issues just happened.
Just dozens of proficiency away; Shangshan Che didn’t want extra trouble.
The girl twisted her neck, dropped Jade Heart Incantation’s disguise, and pointed her bamboo sword’s tip at his face: “Come!”
The two bamboo swords clashed fiercely, making a crisp sound.
Shizuma Mafuyu watched the pair with faint envy for a bit, then sat quietly aside, struggling with her half-baked Breathing Technique while biting her steel pen cap to study notes.
—How to cultivate Breathing Technique, converging spirit, energy, and vitality—these challenges seemed very difficult now, hard to start, but time would reveal openings.
Like thousands of times before, she’d conquer them alone.
Then summarize, grade, explain from shallow to deep, unraveling everything about Breathing Technique cultivation.
Then, Shizuma Mafuyu would ensure ordinary people like her wouldn’t be barred by the “talent” threshold.
Shizuma Mafuyu knew it was hard, harder alone.
But she wanted to try.
……
Half an hour later.
After Lili Zi knocked him down like spinning a top with one sword, Shangshan Che showed a harvest smile.
—Natural Reason School, breakthrough!
As he exhaled long, reaching back for the mineral water bottle, a chilled cola was stuffed into his hand.
Shangshan Che looked up to see Shizuma Mafuyu winking: “Tired from training? Replenish some sugar.”
Opposite, Lili Zi happily drank happy water, letting out a beer-like refreshing shout: “Whew! Felt great—Sister Mafuyu, why don’t you be my mom!”
Taking the cola, Shangshan Che scratched his head: “Feels bad making you, Ms. Shizuma with your condition, run around.”
“What’s there to be embarrassed about, Shangshan Jun?” Shizuma Mafuyu smiled. “I have no Onmyōdō talent, Breathing Technique’s mediocre—another Junior Officer said I’m ‘born to run errands.'”
“Ahead, you might face life-risking horrors head-on, but I can’t help on the front lines.”
Shizuma Mafuyu met his eyes seriously and said,
“So don’t feel bad—leave these trivial things to me.”
Facing the serious Shizuma Mafuyu, Shangshan Che recalled first seeing her at the school doorway.
—Compared to then, Shizuma Mafuyu’s muscle lines were much sharper, her aura fundamentally improved; she’d fully transformed from newbie grad intern to qualified Special Affairs Office agent.
But only days since she started?
A week? Maybe not even.
Shangshan Che couldn’t help sighing: “Sister Mafuyu, you’re amazing.”
Shizuma Mafuyu shook her head: “Just small things from effort—not amazing. Save that for praising Lord Nanjo.”
Total Sister Nanjo stan.
Watching her sit aside alone doing something, Shangshan Che drank cola and checked Natural Reason School breakthrough prompts—
【Your skill, Sword Technique·Natural Reason School has reached Mastery Level!】
【Natural Reason School（Mastery 0/3000）】
【Effect: A towering building rises from flat ground—this is the first and most important cornerstone toward Sword Saint.】
【Due to Natural Reason School reaching Mastery Level, your physique +3!】
【Due to Natural Reason School reaching Mastery Level, all your sword techniques’ damage increased!】
【Due to Natural Reason School reaching Mastery Level, your willpower +2, Kendo state of mind moderately increased!】
No new stances or moves flooded Shangshan Che’s mind; he just felt deeper understanding of all mastered moves.
At the same time, closer connection to the bamboo sword in hand—swinging felt more natural, surely a key symbol toward “Unity of Man and Sword.”
“Grasp of power is more exquisite too…”
With full 3 physique boost, Shangshan Che instantly felt vigorous again, wanting to grab his sword for 300 more rounds with Lili Zi.
But seeing the tired girl sitting meditating, he decided to spare her first.
Couldn’t drain this precious sword technique teacher dry; sustainable development key.
He recalled a demon at Kisaragi Station that once mechanic killed him helplessly.
Now, time to show it what “three days apart changes a man” means.
Shangshan Che rubbed his chin, smiling: “High-Speed Grandpa, huh. Interesting.”
He sat aside, closed his eyes.
Water pressure brushed past like a breeze.
Three-tailed Fox in white tabi socks, wearing tall wooden clogs, landed on the dusty platform, buckling the lifelike pale Oni Mask over her waist onto her face.
“These wooden clogs feel weird…”
Shangshan Che walked two steps, awkwardly twisting his ankle.
But the Three-tailed Fox’s wooden clogs slightly boosted running speed; even the plain tabi automatically repelled filth, keeping feet dry and fresh.
Between comfort and strength, Shangshan Che chose the latter without doubt.
After checking the convenience store and confirming Kisaragi Station unchanged, Shangshan Che headed to High-Speed Grandpa’s spot.
En route, he didn’t switch to White Hannya incarnation for speed but used travel time to get used to the still-clunky Three-tailed Fox incarnation.
“Looks like I need to learn some Onmyōdō later.”
After releasing “Bewitchment” talent on a Zero-Star demon and seeing it just wander confused without obeying, Shangshan Che sighed.
Bewitchment talent best as instant control skill, but combined with Hannya Mask’s passive control, effect decent.
Even with folding fan and Koma-inu Bell, he only had four “Onmyōdō” usable now.
Lili Zi said normal Four Paths and Five Elements Onmyoji mastered at least seven or eight Onmyōdō.
Compared, though his were strong and instant-cast, too few options, lacking variety.
Soon, Three-tailed Fox with 41 physique reached the familiar yet strange railroad tracks.
Shangshan Che didn’t approach or hear High-Speed Grandpa’s shouts but sensed abnormal yet steady Spiritual Power Fluctuation from afar.
“Hasn’t noticed me yet.”
Shangshan Che released Hundred-Eyed Ghost Eyeball, took out Koma-inu Bell: “In that case, don’t blame me for using you as a test subject.”
Ding-a-ling~
Faint bell sound rang.
Two massive, sturdy-limbed, deep black-armored Koma-inu Soldiers with sharp, fierce gazes emerged from void, landing lightly beside Shangshan Che.
Seeing him, they immediately made friendly “woof woof” sounds, squatting on either side.
Seeing these majestic beasts nearly thigh-high, Shangshan Che “ah”ed.
These the previous forearm-sized straw-woven small Koma-inu?
Moments later, identifiers popped above the two—
【Koma-inu Soldier（One-and-a-Half Star）】
One-and-a-Half Star!
Summoned in Three-tailed Fox incarnation, so powerful.
Three-tailed Fox incarnation only One-and-a-Half Star itself; even if Shangshan Che’s combat power beyond stars, summoning two same-star Koma-inu was big boost.
“Go, attack that marked old man.”
Guiding the two Koma-inu Soldiers with Spiritual Power, Shangshan Che went to a higher slope overlooking High-Speed Grandpa.
The two Koma-inu agile and fast, traversing mountain forest effortlessly; under 10 seconds after Shangshan Che positioned, they neared High-Speed Grandpa, drawing notice.
“Hmph, want to teleport?”
Watching High-Speed Grandpa stir and mutter, Shangshan Che lightly fanned, spending two-thirds Spiritual Power instantly.
Boom—!
Next instant, blue-purple Lightning Slurry poured like a waterfall from sky, striking before High-Speed Grandpa could move.
Arm-thick Lightning Dragon roared, paralyzing High-Speed Grandpa; surrounding trees and grass ignited by stray Lightning, quickly becoming raging fire.
Two Koma-inu leaped from flames, black armor reflecting firelight, charging High-Speed Grandpa from left-right, low-high.
Bronze fangs and iron teeth clamped, drawing demon pain shrieks from the cane-wielding one-legged elder.
“Bewitchment.”
Seeing High-Speed Grandpa’s cane move, Shangshan Che smiled lightly, spending remaining one-third Spiritual Power.
High-Speed Grandpa’s head snapped toward the Three-tailed Fox on opposite slope 100 meters away, like drawn by strong magnet.
Naturally, saw the pale stern Hannya Mask.
Thus, immobile, letting two vicious Koma-inu joyfully tear and devour his charred, mangled flesh.
Snap.
Shangshan Che yawned, turned, tapped folding fan on palm casually: “Done.”
Demon slaying so unexpectedly pleasant.
Under two minutes, kill prompts for High-Speed Grandpa popped up.
—Main Quest Three, complete.
Soon, two Koma-inu bounded back happily, bloody maws with black blood lolling tongues.
Shangshan Che petted their heads, smiling.
Last time, High-Speed Grandpa mechanic killed him on first sight; this time, he hard-controlled to death with skill combo.
Unnoticed, he’d become the mechanic gimmick he once hated.
Shangshan Che wanted to stay longer at Kisaragi Station to check Koma-inu duration, but his heart’s “string” suddenly fluctuated.
Two-Foot Adult calling him.
Something big in Mortal Realm?
Ai Bieli here?
No delay, Shangshan Che returned to Mortal Realm immediately.
Opening eyes, he asked seriously: “Ai Bieli appeared?”
Shizuma Mafuyu, Lili Zi, and Two-Foot Adult who emerged from Ksitigarbha Statue all shook heads, faces still grave.
Shangshan Che relaxed, smiling: “Good, then what could be more serious?”
Shizuma Mafuyu silently held up her mobile phone; red warning page clearly read—
【Astronomy Path reports: First Wave confirmed arriving May 1, 2024.】
Shangshan Che’s face stiffened, glancing at current time—
April 28, 2024, 17:49 PM.
54 hours 11 minutes until First Wave.
Kendo Hall fell silent, gradually filled by joyful laughter from outside students.
Shangshan Che silent seconds, raised bamboo sword at girl, accelerating Corona Breathing Technique.
Lili Zi deep breath, shaking off fatigue and sweat.
She shouted,
“Come!”
Shizuma Mafuyu said little, quietly handling logistics beside, letting them focus solely on strength gains.
……
Time passed surprisingly peacefully.
Over two day-night cycles, Shangshan Che sparred Lili Zi non-stop.
In breaks, he explored Eternal World, aiming to complete two more Kisaragi Station main/side quests before First Wave for further strength rewards.
Unfortunately, no Mountain Inn found, no main story driver encountered—just some soul ash gained.
In a blink, date reached April 30—one day before First Wave—
Ai Bieli prematurely triggered【Red Tide】 this day.
Because of Shizuma Mafuyu.
End of month, brothers—cast those monthly votes if you haven’t!
