I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

A bitter smile appeared on Qing Deng's face...

Losing to a peerless master who has grasped the "Transcendence Realm" doesn't seem like a shameful thing. Qing Deng couldn't help but think.

……

……

"……Um?"

Qingdeng blinked a few times, looking around blankly.

—His eyes can open... No, that's not right, even the wound on his forehead has disappeared.

Qing Deng raised his hand and touched his smooth forehead, then looked down at the light blue haori he was wearing, which was free of any bloodstains.

After observing himself, he began to look around—the surroundings were shrouded in mist, so thick that he couldn't see his hand in front of his face, and he couldn't see anything clearly.

Just as he was thinking, "Where am I?", "How did I end up here?", "Where is Ōtakemaru?", the surrounding mist slowly dissipated as if responding to his expectations.

Soon, Qingdeng's vision cleared, and he finally saw where he was.

"Shieikan...?"

Qing Deng turned his gaze in astonishment, looking at the familiar floor, then at the familiar walls and ceiling.

There's no mistake, this is the Shieikan dojo! It's the place he knows best!

In this most familiar place, he quickly spotted the most familiar person—on the east side of the dojo, a young man who looked exactly like Qingdeng was sitting cross-legged, sipping warm tea and looking at the scenery of the courtyard with great interest.

*******

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New book countdown... 1 day!

My new book is launching tomorrow! I'm so nervous! (crying leopard head.jpg)

Leopard gave it his all today! Although he didn't reach his goal of 10,000 words, he still managed around 8,000 words. He really tried his best! (Leopard crying.jpg)

That being said, even if the new book is released tomorrow, you might not be able to see it immediately...

Because the backend needs to review the submissions, the books can only appear on the Qidian website after approval. It might be approved on the same day if things go smoothly, but it could take until the 7th... Hopefully, the reviewers will be efficient! (Like a leopard crying.jpg)

New book release!!! "America: John Wick 1924"!!!

As the title suggests, the new book has been released!

The final installment of the "Sword Trilogy"—"America: John Wick 1924"!

The protagonist of the new work is a battle priest known as "Like a Dragon".

On the surface, he is a harmless pastor, but in reality, he is John Wick/Kiryu Kazuma/Amamiya Ren/Nishiki Chizuka/Alucard, who is proficient in "New Era Dual-Sword Style" (lever-handed lever rifle and right-hand Qi family knife).

The following is a synopsis of the novel—

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Location: San Francisco

Time: 23:47

……

He can load a Winchester lever-action rifle with one hand.

He is an expert in American Iaijutsu.

His Mozambique shooting technique was simply superb.

He could use the Qi Family Sword to cleave bullets flying in his face.

He instilled deep fear in the villains.

……

This is an era of extravagance and debauchery, an era of jazz, an era of Prohibition, an era of suit-wearing thugs, an era of ambitious men, an era of Lee Yuk-san, the "Like a Dragon" saga.

……

"Young men, remember this! Never mess with a Chinese man wearing a long black trench coat and a black suit, with an M1911 pistol tucked under his left leg and right armpit, a Winchester lever-action rifle in his left hand, and a Qi family sword in his right! He is 'Like a Dragon'!"

Why is he called "Like a Dragon"?

"Because he alone could destroy an entire Mafia family! He's practically the embodiment of a dragon!"

*******

Please be sure to bookmark this and read it again! (Crying leopard head.jpg)

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.