Chapter 153: Third Bout Arrives! Qi Circulation, Endless Circulation Of Qi!
Caw! Caw! Caw!
Thousands upon thousands of pitch-black crow flocks surged out, emitting dry, hoarse cries at the same frequency, swallowing all the murmurs within the entire arena.
Then, the vast number of crows landed one by one on the arena’s edge railings, falling silent like guards lining the path in welcome, before raising their short beaks and heads.
Shangshan Che, who had Two-Foot Adult sitting on his lap, silently raised his gaze, his eyes reflecting that pair of cold purple pupils in the darkness.
He slowly stood up, letting Two-Foot Adult lightly step to his side, and raised his shield and “hand” gun toward the darkness.
In just a few minutes, under the dual effects of Two-Foot Adult’s enhanced healing and Awakening Spirit Mist, his consumed Internal Qi and most of his injuries had already recovered and healed.
Two-Foot Adult was the same.
Her originally semi-transparent body, which had become so from manifesting numerous “fantasy items,” solidified once more.
Among them, Two-Foot Adult’s “Two-way Healing” and his current 48-point Spiritual Arts Attribute took most of the credit.
As for the effects of Awakening Spirit Mist, they were already somewhat weak when Physique exceeded 50 points.
Soon, it would truly fall out of the meta, reduced to a rebirth time shortener.
Shangshan Che did not pick up the nearby bloodstained or broken Plain Spear, but instead placed his hand on Kaga Kiyomitsu’s hilt and walked step by step to the arena center under the crows’ gazes.
Facing the massive crow flock, the Plain Spear, which could only damage single or a few individuals, clearly did not compare to the wide-area effects of “Sorrow of Parting.”
In the gradually quieting arena, the sound of boots colliding with the cement ground gradually rose.
Pat.
Footsteps stopped, and Karatorishigure, wrapped entirely in pale bandages exposing only a pair of utterly cold purple pupils, walked out from the darkness.
On his shoulder stood a towering crow standing upright, its pupils lively like rubies.
That crow stared fixedly at Two-Foot Adult, emitting low, guttural caws, as if issuing a battle invitation.
Judging by the aura it emitted, it was at least a Two-and-a-Half Star monster shikigami, half a star higher than Two-Foot Adult.
Two-Foot Adult pouted and snorted coldly, moving closer to Shangshan Che.
—I won’t fall for your trick!
In the arena, the two silently observed each other.
Karatorishigure revealed nothing but his black robe and bandages, so his unknown weapons and hidden tools were likely concealed within the robe, exerting invisible pressure.
Shangshan Che, on the other hand, generously displayed his Cold Steel Armguards and waist ornaments, making Karatorishigure’s gaze shift repeatedly, revealing grave eyes.
Though their methods differed sharply, they achieved the same goal.
Namely, diverting part of the opponent’s attention elsewhere.
Kujo Obuya, in her high seat, sensed both were in position and slowly spoke,
“I declare, True Sword Match second match, now begi…”
“—Caw!”
Without waiting for Kujo Obuya to finish, the crow on Karatorishigure’s shoulder flapped its wings and charged straight at Two-Foot Adult.
Following it was the ordinary crow flock, merely tinged with some Spiritual Power and Demonic Energy.
Countless black feathers fell from midair, the crow flock sweeping in like a black torrent, instantly scattering Shangshan Che and Two-Foot Adult.
Popo gunshots rang out immediately, but aside from downing a dozen crows, they had no effect.
“Che Adult!”
Two-Foot Adult’s somewhat panicked call rang out, but she quickly plucked her heartstrings, calmly transmitting information amid the chaos.
—”That crow is heading for you!”
This was likely the root of Two-Foot Adult’s panic.
Because if that giant crow wasn’t with her, it meant Shangshan Che faced two opponents alone, and she could offer no help!
On the other side, Shangshan Che did not immediately draw his blade to shatter this crow flock barrier.
Because Karatorishigure, who had been standing opposite, had vanished, replaced by cold gazes swiftly roaming from all directions.
He was waiting for Shangshan Che to draw, aiming to seize the opening in that instant.
Then end the battle in one strike.
Shangshan Che sank his shoulders and exhaled, gripping Kaga Kiyomitsu’s hilt to draw it, assuming a Three-stage Thrust stance under all eyes.
Sorrow of Parting’s domain spread, instantly devouring several approaching crows.
The remaining crows immediately flapped wings, scattering to the surroundings in avoidance, allowing the audience to glimpse through the gaps.
Shangshan Che raised Kaga Kiyomitsu to eye level, letting Pale Color drip bit by bit onto the arena’s sand ground.
—In that case, let’s see whose blade is faster and sharper!
“Crows, give it some effort! Can’t so many crows beat one guy!? Why not even dare approach! A bunch of trash!”
On the notary seat, Tokugawa Hoshi, who had stood up clenching fists to cheer, deflated seeing the crows just circling without real action, and sat back uninterested.
Nearby, Huijue smiled and said: “Tokugawa Benefactor, you’re too attached.”
“You bald donkey—!”
Tokugawa Hoshi was about to raise her brows in retort, but suddenly recalled something and shut her mouth.
Because whenever she bickered with these Buddhist monks before, she’d say one thing and they’d counter with ten, and crucially, she couldn’t find logical flaws.
In the end, she’d always be so infuriated by these bald donkeys that she couldn’t utter a word, standing in the corner fuming alone.
“Too lazy to talk to you bald donkey, watch the match.”
Tokugawa Hoshi fixed her gaze on Shangshan Che in his Three-stage Thrust stance.
She could naturally see through Shangshan Che and Karatorishigure’s intentions, guessing his plan from the moment he blended into the crow flock.
But Shangshan Che’s response made her think two points higher of him.
Still, Tokugawa Hoshi couldn’t care less; she just wanted to see Shangshan Che get thoroughly beaten.
By anyone, as long as it vented her pent-up anger.
—Because she’d planned to secretly visit Little Sister sometime, but halfway, some dog of a man suddenly appeared out of nowhere and snatched Lili Zi!
And rumor had it Lili Zi threw herself at him!
That way, her most beloved Little Sister wouldn’t have her in her heart anymore.
And given Lili Zi’s personality, she’d definitely bring that Shangshan Che guy when seeing her.
Just imagining the scene made Tokugawa Hoshi’s blood pressure rise.
“But this blade… why does it look so much like Kaga Kiyomitsu?”
Tokugawa Hoshi’s gaze turned subtle as she stared at the pale blade, muttering inwardly: “It does look extraordinary. Could he be Okita Soji’s successor?”
Tokugawa Hoshi pondered.
—If this Shangshan Che’s strength could surpass “that line” in the future, and his background was decent, then he and Lili Zi might still be together openly.
Otherwise, she’d have no chance to even fight for them.
She slightly shifted her gaze, glancing with peripheral vision at the person standing behind Nanjo Emi, wearing a hood and mask, exposing only a pair of unremarkable calm eyes.
“Little Sister…”
Tokugawa Hoshi sighed inwardly.
Actually, the first time Tokugawa Hoshi scanned the whole venue, she’d already spotted Lili Zi standing there.
No matter how much disguise Lili Zi used, how could it fool her?
But Tokugawa Hoshi pretended not to see.
Because she had Great-Grandfather’s mission: if she saw Lili Zi outside, bring her back no matter what.
But after how the Tokugawa family treated Little Sister, how could they have the face to fetch her back?
Great-Grandfather wanted her back only to use Lili Zi as a high-quality marriage tool—even if her revealed potential was already very high.
But Great-Grandfather wouldn’t value that.
Because this generation already had “Tokugawa Ryuji”; his talent and current strength sufficed to keep the Tokugawa family among the Three Great Families, even claiming first place.
After all, “Could Lili Zi’s talent exceed Eldest Brother’s?”
Everyone in the family said so.
So Lili Zi returning would only bring harm.
But Tokugawa Hoshi wanted her Little Sister to be happy.
So even if she spent a lifetime with that dog of a man she’d never met before from the field, or didn’t walk the path to become the world’s best as she hoped, it didn’t matter.
Tokugawa Hoshi would support them.
But such beautiful fantasies would eventually end.
“No matter what, Little Sister. I’ll try my best to buy more time for you to make your own choice.”
Tokugawa Hoshi closed her eyes, hearing the clear blade hum from Kaga Kiyomitsu in the arena.
—Amid the crow flock, a giant crow with wingspan over three meters emitted a shrill screech, charging out from the swirling black storm.
Shangshan Che’s face was like a still pond, only widening his eyes fiercely when the giant crow neared two meters, unleashing blazing Internal Qi.
Not retreating, but advancing!
In a flash, the sharp black feathers splashing from the giant crow were swallowed by a pale flood in an instant.
Then, Kaga Kiyomitsu, having just expended Sorrow of Parting at that moment, precisely sliced through the giant crow’s left half-body.
Severing its wing entirely, yet not harming its vital life.
This was Shangshan Che’s “win with style”!
—Under True Sword Match’s brutal rules, not only do I win, but I ensure not killing a single Obscure Moon Hall disciple or their shikigami!
No better way existed to prove Shangshan Che held back.
The instant Shangshan Che’s blade ended, chill struck his nape and heart.
One front, one back!
Shangshan Che’s Clear Mirror clearly reflected two Karatorishigures wielding daggers attacking him.
“Come on!”
Shangshan Che roared.
He instinctively grinned, pure white qi waves rippling from his feet in circles.
Kaga Kiyomitsu thrust forward abruptly, shattering the front dagger and shadow-formed Karatorishigure.
Next instant, his muscles and bones crackled, Internal Qi gushing from pores like a waterfall.
Kaga Kiyomitsu twisted unnaturally behind at an extreme angle, perfectly blocking the stiletto and corroding it instantly.
As Sorrow of Parting reached Karatorishigure’s palm, he drew a dagger with his other hand and unhesitatingly severed it.
Blood hadn’t yet sprayed when Karatorishigure merged back into the crow flock.
As if gaining advantage, he leisurely regrouped, biding time.
Numerous gazes from the audience seats fell on the Corona Qi covering half the arena, erupting in heated discussion.
“Using Internal Qi so wastefully… this Shangshan Che must be at the end of his rope!”
“This way, even if Shangshan Che barely beats Karatorishigure, with scant Internal Qi left, he can directly concede against Kuzuha Chihaya.”
The audience with a camera, unable to photograph Two-Foot Adult amid the crow harassment, sighed silently and began sorting photos.
“Inhale—exhale—”
Shangshan Che poured his remaining half Corona Qi into his limbs, clearly sensing the bloody scent vanish seconds later.
“The crow flock aids his healing… just like Two-Foot Adult and me.”
In a battle of attrition, Shangshan Che admitted inferiority—now separated from Two-Foot Adult, forcing contact would expose countless openings.
“Then, end the fight with this strike!”
“Little Jia.”
He flicked Kaga Kiyomitsu’s hilt; it understood, Pale Color surging from the blade like a fountain.
“Inhale—exhale—”
Spiritual Power rapidly depleted, fine lightning surging to the blade, transforming into a frenzied Lightning Dragon moments later.
Shangshan Che assumed Three-stage Thrust stance again.
No need to find Karatorishigure’s position.
He just needed to fell the entire sky of crows; Karatorishigure would reveal himself.
Boom!
Soaring sand and dust rose, instantly torn by lightning and Qi Barrier, then carried into the crow flock.
Zap!
In a flash, azure-purple lightning triggered a chain reaction, spreading from one point to all crows overhead in an instant.
“Caw—!”
The crows’ wails lasted only a moment before the arena skies cleared.
Yet next instant, dozens of Karatorishigure figures appeared across the arena.
Ground, midair, Shangshan Che’s front and back.
—These shadow-condensed Karatorishigures replaced the fallen crows.
They wielded various weapon types.
Then, they attacked together!
“Come, on, good!”
Shangshan Che bellowed, swinging Kaga Kiyomitsu to annihilate the assaults from all directions.
Amid the stunned crow flock, Karatorishigure narrowed eyes, retracting all shadow clones, drawing two crystalline stilettos from his waist.
Stilettos crossed, sparking blinding embers.
He stared straight at airborne Shangshan Che, softly saying: “Come.”
“Good!”
Shangshan Che fully raised Kaga Kiyomitsu, lightning-clad like a meteor plummeting from the sky!
Boom boom boom!
Terrifying roars echoed successively.
At the edge, Kuzuha Chihaya raised a brow, recognizing the arena base stone cracking.
Seconds later.
Final dust cleared, revealing Shangshan Che slowly standing.
Shangshan Che raised hand to slowly withdraw the stiletto half an inch from his heart, then sheathed Kaga Kiyomitsu.
He grinned at Karatorishigure below, chest cavity fully collapsed, more intake than outtake,
“That last move, not bad.”
Then Shangshan Che lifted foot, dragging his Internal Qi-depleted exhausted body to the arena center, caught by hastily arriving Two-Foot Adult before collapsing.
“Che Adult.” The girl couldn’t help showing a self-blaming expression, “It’s because I didn’t react at first that you…”
“No.”
Shangshan Che ruffled Two-Foot Adult’s head, smiling: “I spotted that giant crow first thanks to you, Two-Foot Adult.”
Two-Foot Adult said nothing, just hugged Shangshan Che tighter to help him recover faster.
Then, Shangshan Che looked toward Kujo Obuya, closing eyes as if listening.
“Second match, Special Affairs Office Shangshan Che, wins.”
Kujo Obuya’s voice remained unhurried.
As if the gravely injured, near-death Akatsuki Ran and Karatorishigure weren’t her disciples.
“—Good! Shangshan Jun wins brilliantly!”
Hattori Ayako’s applause broke the silent arena first, unleashing shocked and incredulous voices.
The authentic Dojo Master gaped: “He can win like this!? Is Shangshan Che really fearless of death? Why go all-out knowing he can’t win the third?!”
Nearby Three-Star onmyoji frowned: “That lightning… Onmyōdō? His Onmyōdō mastery isn’t weak?”
Makiya Hitomi said little, borrowing Shangshan Che’s Line from Hattori Ayako beside her, sending a friend request.
Lili Zi closed eyes, recalling Shangshan Che’s every detail, setting him as imaginary foe for a mental fierce battle.
Moments later, she opened eyes, pleasantly sighing,
“In just this short time, Shangshan Jun has grown so much stronger.”
Wonder how many kan of force a full-power slash on Zan Maru would have now.
—Before the inevitable third match, sidelines discussion continued.
“Pity, after two matches’ probing, Shangshan Che’s moves are figured out.”
The Three-Star onmyoji eyed Shangshan Che’s waist ornaments, saying: “Not necessarily. This Shangshan Jun holds several spirit-infused objects; he might be a qualified onmyoji.”
Someone immediately retorted: “Onmyoji? Don’t joke! He’s a post-Tide rising star, Breathing Technique so masterful—how could he also learn Onmyōdō…”
“Wait, wait! Look at that Shangshan Che!”
Audience gazes converged on central arena Shangshan Che, Internal Qi emanating from his body.
Nanjo Emi blinked in slight surprise: “Attempting Corona Breathing Technique breakthrough at this moment?”
She then smiled and shook head.
—At this point, why be surprised by such things.
But surrounding audience saw this for the first time; even the two notaries hadn’t seen someone in such poor state dare on-field Breathing Technique breakthrough.
Later breakthroughs involved every body part.
A half-step error mid-breakthrough caused anything from messed meridians and damaged organs to instant death.
Usually, before breakthrough, one sought a quiet chamber.
With a senior farther along the same Breathing Technique guarding behind for timely correction.
Moreover, in minutes or seconds, far stronger Kuzuha Chihaya would enter.
Kuzuha Chihaya needn’t even act; slight noise could easily kill him on-field.
Yet this Shangshan Che dared…
“Inhale—exhale—”
Shangshan Che breathed deeply, eyes down on the panel popped after battling Karatorishigure, showing serene joy.
【After intense life-death combat, your skill Corona Breathing Technique proficiency +372!】
【Your skill Corona Breathing Technique advanced to Mastery Level!】
【Corona Breathing Technique（Mastery 272/10000）】
【Effect: Fortifies five organs inwardly, Qi reaches four limbs, Circulation of Qi endless!
Thus, you’ve completed foundational “Qi Circulation,” truly achieving initial success in Breathing Technique!
From now, you’re among the masses climbing Breathing Technique’s first towering peak “Palace of Flesh”!】
But slightly differing from audience thoughts, he wasn’t seeking breakthrough in such danger.
He’d already completed it.
Sorry for less today, meow
Roommate too noisy while writing; tomorrow I’ll adjust schedule for big update!
Finally, monthly votes and subscriptions please, meow!
