I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 1193 Talent Awakening! Qing Deng's Eternal Talent: [The One Who Connects Generations]!
Suddenly seeing someone who looks exactly like you... anyone would feel terrified.

However, Qing Deng's reaction was calm. After a brief moment of surprise, he regained his composure.

This was not the first time he had encountered "Qingdeng".

"…Long time no see."

Qing Deng was the first to speak, breaking the silence.

"Qingdeng" turned around at the sound, looking at Qingdeng with a smile, and their eyes met.

"It really has been a long time. Don't just stand there, have a seat."

After saying that, he gestured "please" to the empty seat next to him.

Not only his appearance, but even his voice is exactly the same as Qingdeng's.

The only difference between the two is probably their clothing.

Aoto wore a light blue haori, a symbol of the Shinsengumi, while "Aoto" wore a burgundy haori—the clothing Aoto wore most often before forming the Shinsengumi.

Qingdeng had no suspicions and walked over quickly, sitting cross-legged next to "Qingdeng".

At the same time, "Qingdeng" turned its gaze away from Qingdeng and continued to admire the exquisite courtyard landscape.

The duel with Ōtakemaru is not over yet… Qingdeng, focused on the battle, skipped all pleasantries and asked directly:
"Where exactly is this place? Why am I here?"

"Qingdeng" said softly and unhurriedly:
"That's a question you have to ask yourself. Whether you can get here depends entirely on your own abilities; no one else can help you."

"Could you put it more simply?"

"Simply put, it's because deep down you crave greater power, and the 'world' responded to you, so you naturally ended up here."

A more powerful force... Upon hearing this word, Qing Deng unconsciously narrowed his eyes.

"If you don't explain, fine, but if you do, I'll only get more confused. So tell me first, who are you? And why do you look exactly like me?"

“I have no specific appearance. To put it simply... I am both you and the ‘world’.”

Qingdeng paused for a moment, then changed to a half-joking tone:
"Are you trying to tell me that you are actually some kind of mystical thing like the 'Will of the World'?"

Qingdeng smiled without saying a word.

Neither admitting nor denying... this appearance made Qing Deng shudder.

The "world will" materialized in his likeness and spoke with him side by side... If such a scene were told to others, it would most likely be regarded as the incomprehensible ramblings of a madman.

Although it seemed unbelievable, Qingdeng's emotions remained relatively stable.

Now that things have come to this, having experienced the baptism of extraordinary powers such as "immortality" and "transparency," he would not be surprised at all if he were to encounter the "Will of the World."

After calming himself down a bit, Qingdeng pressed on in a deep voice:
"Since I came here because I crave greater power, does this place possess some kind of magic? Can I grow stronger quickly by cultivating here? Or are you going to transfer your power to me?"

"Tachibana no Aoto, don't be so impatient. We have plenty of time, let's talk slowly. Let's start by talking about your battle with Ōtakemaru. What are your thoughts on Ōtakemaru?"

Qingdeng was focused on finding a way to defeat Ōtakemaru as soon as possible and had no interest in chatting.

However, the other party held overwhelming dominance, and he had no choice but to obediently submit.

After a moment's thought, Qing Deng said, slowly and deliberately, with a serious expression:
"...Ootakemaru is incredibly strong. Despite being born deaf and mute, he is unbelievably strong. Apart from Mr. Ogata, he is the strongest opponent I have ever encountered."

Qingdeng shrugged.

“Ootakemaru has already reached the threshold of the ‘Transcendent Realm’. There is an insurmountable gap between you and him in terms of realm, so it is only natural that you are suppressed by him.”

—So this really is the "realm of perfect clarity"...

Before Qingdeng could finish speaking:
"Although Ōtakemaru was born deaf, his heart can hear the 'voice of all things,' so he has a more acute sense of perception than ordinary people."

"At the same time, because he can hear the 'voice of all things,' he can get the help of all things and kill top-level experts as easily as cutting melons and vegetables."

“Tachibana no Aoto, you have the same talent as Ōtakemaru.”

When talking about the word "talent," Qingdeng emphasized it.

“Since he can hear the ‘voice of all things,’ you can certainly hear it too.”

“When you can hear the voice of all things, you will have a chance to defeat Ōtakemaru.”

Upon hearing this, Qingdeng stood there stunned, unable to recover for a long time.

As the owner of the "Copy Talent System", Qing Deng is particularly sensitive to the word "talent".

—I share the same talent as Ōtakemaru… My talent…?
When you first open the "Copy Talent System" interface, there are no other talents besides the "Night Vision" talent that you just copied.

Thus, Qingdeng always believed that he was a "blank slate" with no talent whatsoever.

The phrase "your talent" uttered by "Qingdeng" both surprised and astonished Qingdeng.

A moment later, Qingdeng, without thinking twice, impatiently pressed for an answer:
"Then how can one hear the 'voice of all things'?"

Qingdeng smiled slightly:
“Ju Qingdeng, haven’t you noticed yet? From the moment you stepped into this place, everything has been eager to tell you. Now, close your eyes and listen carefully.”

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng hurriedly lowered his eyelids, letting the deep darkness surround his vision...

At first, it was completely quiet... The only sound I could hear was my own breathing.

However, the silence was only temporary.

In a short while, he suddenly realized that many unfamiliar voices were approaching him!
It was as if I were deep in the ocean and suddenly heard the sound of a school of fish approaching.

These sounds have no specific meaning and seem to be just simple white noise.

However, Qing Deng was not annoyed by this.

Surrounded by these voices, he felt an inexplicable sense of peace.

Despite the noise and confusion, he could clearly discern where each sound came from.

Some came from the wind, some from the clouds, some from the earth...

Only now did Qingdeng belatedly realize that he was in such a noisy world!
"...I heard it."

"What did you hear?"

"I heard the sound of the wind, the sound of the clouds, the sound of the earth..."

"anything else?"

"besides……"

Qingdeng strained his ears, not missing a single sound.

Following the sounds of nature, Qingdeng heard familiar human voices.

(The battle isn't over yet... I have to... get up...)
(Hey, don't lose, Tachibana-kun!)
(Orange, I wish you great success.)
The voices of Souji, Ogata, and Hijikata Toshizo... all the voices converged and surged through his mind like a torrent!
"I heard my comrades' voices...!"

After saying that, Qingdeng unconsciously clenched his fists... For some reason, he suddenly felt an invisible, surging power gathering in his chest.

"...Tachibana Aoto, what have you been fighting for all this time?"

Faced with Qingdeng's sudden question, Qingdeng, still listening to the "voice of all things," answered loudly without hesitation:

"I want to protect everyone! I want to protect everyone forever! I want to work with everyone to realize the ideal of 'universal harmony'!"

Qingdeng smiled.

Qingdeng suddenly felt a slight heaviness in his left waist and subconsciously opened his eyes to look—only to find that Vairocana had appeared in his previously empty left waist.

As if sensing something, Qingdeng resolutely raised his right hand and gripped the hilt of Vairocana's sword.

"Since you've made up your mind... then draw your sword!"

In the blink of an eye, a "Vairocana" appeared on Qingdeng's left waist.

"You are the person closest to the 'world'."

"When you draw your sword and rise up in battle, all things in the world will ride alongside you, sword in hand!"

At the very moment Qingdeng finished speaking, he had already gathered strength in his arms—and in the next instant, he drew his sword!

Clang!
The blade, drawn inch by inch, emitted a strong light that enveloped Qingdeng, "Qingdeng," and even the entire space!
……

……

"..."

After being slashed and sent flying, Qing Deng lay on his back on the ground, seemingly unconscious.

Upon seeing this, Ōtakemaru's brows furrowed with a hint of dejection and disappointment.

That being said, he did not show any mercy.

He perfectly embodied the fighting principle of "strike while the iron is hot," raising his blood-dripping silver blade and striding towards Qingdeng.

Just as he was only a few steps away from Qingdeng... Qingdeng stood up.

He used his knife as a support and slowly straightened up.

In an instant, Ōtakemaru seemed to sense something, immediately stopping in his tracks and standing still, his expression changing slightly.

At the same time, a fresh breeze blew in from afar.

It was quite different from the strong wind that blew after Ōtakemaru entered the "Transparent Realm".

Rather, it is a gentle breeze that will not yield no matter how powerful the enemy or how difficult the obstacles! In the blink of an eye, the King of Benevolence stands tall on the earth once more.

Blood was still flowing from the wound on his forehead, and he still couldn't open his eyes.

However, Qing Deng no longer cares about this—he no longer needs his eyesight!
At this moment, even with his eyes closed and everything in complete darkness, he could still see!
Just like he had just been in the "Test Guard Hall," he heard the sound of the wind, the sound of the clouds, and the sound of the earth.

Immediately afterwards, he heard the voice of Souji, who was far away in Otsu Castle, the voice of Sanako and the others who had just left, and the voices of everyone.

The sounds converged, making his perception of the outside world even clearer than when he had his eyes open! Just by "listening to the sounds," he could sense how many weeds and how many pebbles were at his feet!

All sorts of sounds mingled together, like a mighty torrent, like a magnificent piece of music—the "Breaking the Formation Music" that helped them defeat their powerful enemy!
The world is so vast and bustling!
Just then, a system notification, which hadn't sounded since the "Nioh Martial Arts Tournament," suddenly rang in his mind—

[Ding! Host has awakened a talent!]

[Gifted Name: "The One Who Connects the Worlds"]

[Talent Introduction: Possesses an extremely strong affinity with the 'world']

Awakening talent... This is unfamiliar content that I've never heard of before.

If Qing Deng were to open the system interface now, he would see a significant change—a brand new section has appeared directly above the "Talent List" section: [Host's Talent: A Person of the Connected Worlds]

Long-forgotten memories slowly surfaced, and Qingdeng recalled them with a slight pause—after clicking on the "small question mark" next to the name field in the system interface, the system's user manual would appear.

The last line of that long instruction manual clearly states: "When the host meets certain conditions, a new talent can awaken on its own."

More than six years later, this "hidden function" has finally been activated.

Since his transmigration, he has always relied on the talents of others to fight, never considering whether he himself possesses any talent!
—I see… This is… my talent! This is… the “Perfection Realm”!
Qingdeng took a deep breath to calm himself down, then shifted his position to face Ōtakemaru straight ahead.

He could sense that Ōtakemaru was in that direction.

He could sense that Ōtakemaru was extremely happy! So happy he was about to jump for joy!
A joyful smile spread across Ōtakemaru's cheeks, his eyes sparkling, no longer showing the dejection and disappointment he had just displayed.

He must have realized that his opponent had reached the same level as him!

"Come on, Ootengu... let's settle this once and for all!"

Qing Deng decided to use his best move to end the battle.

He deftly flipped his right wrist, changing his grip from normal to reverse, and slowly sheathed the knife. Then he lowered his waist and tightened his feet.

It is neither a flowing light nor the profound "moment," but merely the most ordinary iaido stance.

As soon as Qing Deng finished speaking, Ōtakemaru nodded knowingly, then raised his left hand and tightly gripped the fabric of his clothes on his right shoulder.

With a tearing sound, he ripped his upper body clothes, revealing his muscular torso and the hideous tattoos on his back.

With three heads and six arms, a blue face and fangs, and a towering figure like a mountain... it is none other than Ōtakemaru, the most powerful yokai in Japanese legend!
After revealing his tattoo, he raised his knife overhead, assuming the most standard upper stance—he was also preparing to use his best move!
The two, who had just fought fiercely and whose battle had shaken the very heavens, returned to the most common way of deciding a battle among samurai—a single move to decide the outcome!

A blind man versus a deaf man... Putting everything else aside, the fact that both sides in the battle lacked a sense already makes it unprecedented and likely to remain so.

Qingdeng: "..."

Otakemaru: "..."

A deathly silence descended between the two.

Their standoff brought the space back to complete silence.

The gentle breeze and strong wind that had been sweeping outwards from them gradually subsided.

To outsiders, this place and time is undoubtedly unusually quiet.

But for Aoto and Ootakemaru, the surroundings were incredibly lively.

All things in heaven and earth are eagerly anticipating and watching this once-in-a-millennium showdown!

Previously, Qingdeng believed that "having no distracting thoughts" was the strongest state.

Now, surrounded by a cacophony of noise, he felt as if he were in the strongest state of his life!
Following the "sound of all things," he gradually "saw" incredible sights—he saw the "breath of all things"!

Even with his eyes closed, he could "see" the "breathing" of the clouds, the "breathing" of the wind, the "breathing" of the earth... and the "breathing" of Ōtakemaru.

Each "breath" stretched out gracefully, much like tendrils, guiding and directing Qingdeng.

Immediately afterwards, Ōtakemaru's body gradually became "transparent," and every bone, every internal organ, every muscle texture, and even the blood flowing in his veins could be seen!

Guided by "breathing", neither muscle movement nor subtle changes in blood flow can escape Qingdeng's eyes!
In this way, no matter what move Ōtakemaru makes, Aoto can anticipate it in advance. Whether it's an attack or a defense, nothing can escape his eyes!

In this way, no matter who the opponent is—even a top expert who has entered the "selfless state"—they can only be suppressed and beaten!
However, both sides in the current battle are peerless experts who have comprehended the "Transparent Realm"!
They see right through each other... giving the impression that "no one can break their moves" and "they will be locked in a long standoff."

In reality, only a few seconds have passed since the two men took their stances.

Without any warning, two loud explosions erupted simultaneously, shattering the standoff and the deathly silence!

The two men kicked their hind feet so hard that their figures merged into one.

*Clang*—Qing Deng drew his sword from its sheath.

Whoosh—Ōtakemaru swung down the sword he had raised above his head.

In that instant, Qingdeng sensed that the "breath" of heaven and earth split in two, one half surging toward Ōtakemaru, and the other half gathering toward him!

At the same time, the gentle breeze and strong wind that had just subsided came howling in again!

A gentle breeze entangled the black blade.

A strong wind enveloped the silver blade.

The two figures, walking on the wind, seemed like gods descending to earth!

This scene...it's as if the wind is helping them in their battle!
In a daze, Qingdeng recalled the words spoken by "Qingdeng": When you draw your sword and rise up, all things in the world will ride alongside you, sword in hand.

And so, the two knives, one black and one silver, and the two gusts of wind, one soft and one hard, crashed heavily into each other!
……

……

……

……

The familiar sensation of weakening broken bones traveled to Qing Deng's palm.

"Huff...! Huff...! Huff...! Huff...! Huff...!"

Qingdeng, panting heavily, used his left hand to wipe the blood from his eyelids, then slowly opened his eyes... The first thing he saw was bright red blood.

It wasn't his blood, but Ōtakemaru's blood.

Vairocana's blade slashed fiercely into Ōtakemaru's chest, severing all his ribs and lungs!
The gushing blood instantly stained his clothes, a shocking sight.

The clash just now occurred in milliseconds, imperceptible to the naked eye—Qingdeng's drawn sword collided with Ootakemaru's descending sword in mid-air.

If Ōtakemaru had been stronger, he could have parried Aoto's sword; if Aoto had been stronger, he could have parried Ōtakemaru's sword... In the end, the latter was the outcome.

Ōtakemaru's strength was just a hair's breadth away... truly only a fraction of a second, and he was no match for him, causing his sword path to deviate, failing to strike Aoto's body and only shaving off a few strands of his hair.

Meanwhile, Qingdeng's black blade, still brimming with power, struck Ōtakemaru squarely in the chest...

With a slight effort, Qingdeng pulled Vairochana out of Ootakemaru's body and back to his side.

But Ōtakemaru's body swayed and staggered like a puppet with its strings cut...

He seemed to still want to fight, still want to wield his sword.

Unfortunately... his broken body could no longer support his will.

After struggling for only a moment, he lowered his arms and then lay on his back facing the sky, stirring up a thin layer of dust.

[Ding! Talent detected]

[Successfully replicated the talent "The One Who Connects Worlds"]

[Detection indicates the host already possesses a talent of the same type]

[Ding! Another person with the talent "Connected to Another World" has died.]

[The host's "Celestial Being" talent has been upgraded to Eternal Talent!]

—So that's how it is. So this is what "Qingdeng" meant by "I share the same talent as Ōtakemaru"...

—Now… am I the only one left who possesses the title of "One Who Connects the World"?

Looking at Ōtakemaru, who had already collapsed and was about to pass away, Aoto suddenly felt an indescribable emotion welling up in his heart.

Suddenly, he sensed the presence of humans.

He instinctively turned his head to look and saw a young woman he had never seen before standing in the distance.

"who are you?"

“I am this man’s sister, Ah Ling.”

As Ah Ling spoke, she shifted her gaze, staring intently at Ōtakemaru, whose breath was growing weaker and weaker, her face devoid of joy or sorrow.

*******
*******
When this book was first released, when Aoto and Saito fought against the Exile Group, he first touched the threshold of the "Transcendent Realm". The title of that chapter was "The Music of the King of Niou"... Near the end, it was finally revealed what "The Music of the King of Niou" meant.

New book released!!! (Leopard super excited.jpg)

The final installment of the "Sword Trilogy"—"America: John Wick 1924"!
This time, it's the story of Li Yu, the battle priest and "Like a Dragon"!

Be sure to bookmark this and read it regularly! (Crying leopard head.jpg)