I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Despite his physical injuries, Chiba Eijiro didn't utter a sound—partly because of his extraordinary willpower, and partly because he was used to it.

Upon closer inspection, his entire body was covered in fresh wounds!

Shuten-dōji's sword cut deep crimson streaks into his body.

On the other hand, Shuten-dōji... unfortunately, Chiba Eijiro has not yet inflicted any wounds on him.

He braced his knife, preparing to counterattack.

However, Shuten-dōji moved faster, unleashing a new slash that forced Chiba Eijiro to switch from offense to defense, making the situation increasingly precarious.

After losing to Aoto in a fair duel, the title of "Strongest in Edo" fell to Aoto.

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that Chiba Eijiro was one of the strongest swordsmen in Edo.

The renowned Chiba Eijiro was actually beaten... If anyone else saw this scene, they would probably be shocked.

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Sukuna: "I am truly sorry that I did not allow Lord Chiba Michizaburo to have his fill of fun."

Chapter 960 Qing Deng Arrives! [5600]

To be honest, Chiba Eijiro was also taken aback after personally experiencing Shuten-dōji's overwhelming strength.

He was completely suppressed, only able to parry but not retaliate... He had never experienced anything like this, not even when he fought Qing Deng back then.

Of course, as shocked as he was, as a swordsman determined to explore the mysteries of swordsmanship, how could he back down because of a strong opponent?

From the moment he arrived, Shuten-dōji gave him a strange feeling.

He gritted his teeth and struggled against Shuten-dōji's fierce attacks while trying to find the essence of this "strange feeling".

He quickly uncovered the truth and discovered the specific reason why Shuten-dōji was so powerful.

This "unusual feeling" is an extraordinary level of focus.

With careful observation, one can discover that Shuten-dōji's level of concentration is incredibly astonishing.

His eyes were fixed on Chiba Eijiro, without even blinking.

Even more frightening was that his eyes seemed unfocused, resembling a "calm lake".

It's hard to pinpoint where his gaze will land.

It was as if I wasn't seeing anything, yet it was also as if I was seeing everything.

If you look closely, you can see a strange light flickering in his eyes.

This state of affairs is not unfamiliar to Chiba Eijiro.

After all, he had been through it before.

This is the highest realm of martial arts – the "realm of selflessness"!

The opponent before him had entered the legendary "state of no-self"... Chiba Eijiro felt a sense of relief welling up within him.

No wonder the opponent was so strong, no wonder I was beaten so badly.

It is perfectly normal to be suppressed by the "state of no-self".

It would be strange if one could contend with the "state of no-self" in an ordinary state.

However, after feeling "relieved", his feelings became extremely complicated.

"The state of selflessness"... the highest realm that countless martial artists have painstakingly pursued but could not attain—Chiba Eijiro is also among them.

Several years ago, Chiba Eijiro briefly experienced the state of "selflessness" while fighting a black bear.

To be fair, it is still unknown whether the state he entered at that time was the "state of no-self".

But the power I experienced at that time was undeniable!

Chiba Eijiro was deeply moved by this and has remembered it ever since!

It's no exaggeration to say that this incredibly powerful state is addictive once you experience it! You can't wait to experience it a second, a third time...

In recent years, Chiba Eijiro has never slacked off in his training, all for the purpose of re-entering the "state of no-self" and then completely mastering the "state of no-self"!

As far as he knew, "Eternal Sword Saint" Ogata Ittosai was a formidable figure who could freely enter the "state of no-self".

What my predecessors could do, I can do too—and so, Chiba Eijiro set off toward a new goal.

However... perhaps this is what they mean by "the flowers you plant with care may not bloom, while the willows you plant without intention may thrive."

When he was fighting the bear, he had no expectations, but he unintentionally entered a state of "selflessness".

But now, he intends to master the "state of selflessness," yet he has been unable to achieve his goal.

The supreme realm that he had been striving for but could not attain was now easily mastered by his opponent... The complex emotions that Chiba Eijiro felt were truly indescribable.

Although it was hard to believe, Chiba Eijiro had to admit the fact that the other party was probably like Ogata Ittosai, possessing the ability to freely enter the "state of no-self"!

Judging from his demeanor, Shuten-dōji doesn't seem like the kind of person who would be willing to dedicate his life to martial arts.

Chiba Eijiro found it hard to imagine that someone who had no martial arts temperament could reach a level that even he had never achieved.

—Is he the kind of person who is born with extremely high concentration?

To put it simply, the essence of the "state of selflessness" is an unparalleled level of focus.

When focus is maximized, the full potential within the body is unleashed.

Chiba Eijiro had once heard that there were people who were born with extremely high concentration.

These kinds of people can easily enter the "state of no-self" simply by moving their minds.

Chiba Eijiro did not doubt these claims.

Because he himself is a person with a high level of focus.

If there really are people with an incredibly high level of innate focus, it's not impossible.

After a brief period of shock and confusion, Chiba Eijiro gradually calmed down.

No matter what kind of person the other party is or what talents they possess, none of that should be a reason for him to be timid!

"call……"

He regulated his breathing slightly and stared intently at the other person without blinking.

Shuten-dōji strode forward like a giant, displaying the spirit of one against a thousand, and his treasured sword flew towards Chiba Eijiro with a "whoosh".

If it had happened just now, that blow would have at least left new wounds on him.

But this time, Shuten-dōji's slash failed.

Chiba Eijiro swiftly and skillfully raised his sword, holding it diagonally above his head, and with a "crack," deflected the opponent's strike to the side.

Although his parry was somewhat forced, he did manage to successfully deflect Shuten-dōji's slash.

Such a swift and beautiful move surprised even Shuten-dōji, his opponent, a look of astonishment flashing in his eyes.

A few minutes earlier, Chiba Eijiro would not have been able to make such a clean and efficient move.

In other words, within those few short minutes, Chiba Eijiro's techniques had become even more refined!

—Good, I'm getting used to it.

Chiba Eijiro slightly moved his fingers, giving the sword in his hand a lighter, more rhythmic movement.

Immediately afterwards, he slightly increased the distance between them, continuing to keep a close eye on the other party's every move, wary of any new attacks.

To his shame, at this moment, he had completely forgotten the grand words he had just uttered—to protect Tokugawa Iemochi and maintain peace in the land.

He now has only one thought in his mind: defeat the opponent! And then use that as a foundation to achieve a complete transformation!

Since becoming famous, Chiba Eijiro has rarely encountered an opponent who could crush him—he is basically the one crushing others.

Martial arts is the path of Asura; only by walking on the edge of life and death can one have the chance to reach a higher realm.

Now that he has such an incredibly powerful swordsman as his opponent... there is no doubt that this is both a danger and an opportunity!

It's either victory, taking another step forward in the world of martial arts, or immediate death!

With this thought in mind, Chiba Eijiro roused himself, his eyes burning with fighting spirit!

His innate "Focus" ability was pushed to its limit, and his entire body was on edge!

In the blink of an eye, under the sunlight, the two were locked in combat again.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The incredibly terrifying clanging of metal seemed intent on destroying the blade in his hand.

Chiba Eijiro countered each move, maintaining a tight defense while waiting for an opportunity to launch a counterattack.

—Just a little bit more…

Although he was still at a disadvantage, every now and then he could unleash a very threatening move, forcing Shuten-dōji to sheathe his sword and defend.

Seeing that he couldn't defeat Chiba Eijiro, Shuten-dōji lowered his eyelids, and a serious expression appeared on his face.

In the next instant, he suddenly spread his arms wide, unleashing an even more fierce and terrifying attack!

One slash after another, the speed of the blade as fast as thunder, the power as heavy as Mount Tai.

Chiba Eijiro gritted his teeth and tried his best to withstand the opponent's fierce attack.

—Just a little bit more…!

Suddenly, Shuten-dōji lunged forward, his sword flashing at a tricky angle as he slashed at Chiba Eijiro's head.

The instant Shuten-dōji made his move, Chiba Eijiro, as if by reflex, also made his move!

The sword in his right hand flashed silver light from under his left armpit, sweeping towards Shuten-dōji's neck.

Two streaks of cold light flashed past, disappearing in an instant between heaven and earth.

As he made his move, Chiba Eijiro strained to look up.

Thus, they successfully avoided Shuten-dōji's direct attack.