I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

These attempts... without exception, all ended in failure.

Qingdeng's movement speed could not suppress Makimura's sword speed.

Since the path of "breaking through with speed" is not feasible... then Qingdeng only has one option left.

"……hiss……"

As Qingdeng relaxed his tense body, preparing to pounce on Mucun like a cheetah, he regulated his breathing.

Then, he flipped his right wrist, twirling the Ghost-Slaying Blade in his palm with a cool flourish, and then slowly sheathed it with a reverse grip.

The last option facing Qingdeng now is to break through with brute force!

He deflected Makimura's greatsword with a sharp attack, forcibly creating an opportunity for Aoto to get close to Makimura!

The most suitable sword technique for accomplishing this important task... is none other than Qing Deng's most powerful attack, Flowing Light!

With a burst of light, they broke through the defenses of the pastoral village!

Faced with Qingdeng once again displaying his dazzling style, Makimura showed no surprise or astonishment whatsoever.

He seemed to have already anticipated that Qingdeng would use Flowing Light against him.

"Ju, don't be shy, just attack!"

Makimura gripped the greatsword in his hand even tighter.

The "momentum" emanating from him also grew considerably stronger.

"Whirring whirring……"

While adjusting his breathing, Qingdeng gathered his strength and composed himself.

Whether he could successfully deflect Makimura's greatsword... Aoto wasn't entirely confident about that.

After all... he had just had a "drawing sword technique vs. greatsword technique" duel with Makimura.

The result of this battle demonstrates that Qingdeng possesses the ability to break through the defenses of Mucun and launch attacks.

But whether he can create enough openings for Makimura to counterattack... that's hard to say.

However, if we want to win... we have no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it!

Qingdeng's breathing, strength, mind, and emotions all reached their optimal state at this moment.

Just as Qingdeng was about to launch his attack...

"Tachibana-kun! Catch!"

It was Kiryu's voice.

As soon as Kiryu finished speaking, Aoto heard something flying towards him.

He glanced to the side—it was a very slender object.

As Qingdeng looked over, the slender object was just about to land on his head.

Qingdeng instinctively reached out to take it.

Only then did Qingdeng finally see what this thing was.

"Huh...?!" Qing Deng's eyes widened in shock.

He looked at the knife in his hand with a puzzled and astonished gaze!

An ancient sword with a black and purple hue from the hilt to the scabbard, and a very curved blade!

Qing Deng recognized the knife.

It was Kiryu's sword, usually kept in a shrine deep inside the Senjiya. I remember its name was...

“The demon sword… Vairocana…” Upon seeing what Qing Deng was holding, Makimura’s expression changed slightly, then he murmured with a nostalgic look, “It’s been so long…”

"Mr. Kiryu." Aoto turned his head and cast a puzzled look at Kiryu, who was standing not far away with a faint smile on his face. "What do you mean by this?"

“Tachibana-kun,” Kiryu said, “use this sword. It’s not really a reason, but I’ve always felt that you and Vairocana would get along.”

“Vairocana…” Qingdeng lowered his head in a daze, staring intently at the ancient sword in his hand.

It's strange.

At this moment, a strange feeling welled up in Qingdeng's heart.

Qingdeng felt as if there was an invisible "thread" connecting him to the knife.

Even though it was the first time I had ever held this knife... there was an inexplicable sense of familiarity that spread from my palm as I held the knife throughout my entire body.

Without any hesitation, Qingdeng removed the Soul-Stabilizing Vessel, stuck it in the ground at his feet, and then hung the Vairocana Pendant on his waist with the knife in his hand.

Makimura's expression became inscrutable at that moment... He let out a long sigh and assumed a fighting stance.

Compared to Makimura, Aoto's expression at this moment revealed a strange indifference.

Without making a sound, the moment after he finished wearing the Vairocana amulet, he quietly assumed the posture of radiant light.

Silence enveloped the space.

In the next instant—Qingdeng began to act.

Like an arrow released from a bow, he charged straight toward Mucun, knife and all!

Almost simultaneously, Makimura swung his greatsword.

"Drink up! Ahh ...

With a furious shout, the greatsword drew a crescent moon that enveloped Aoto.

Just as the crescent moon was about to fill his vision... Qing Deng launched his attack!

Bang! !

It was just like the powerful impact of a large truck collision, which reverberated throughout the courtyard!

In the blink of an eye, Qing Deng unleashed a streak of light that sent Makimura's greatsword flying!

It was incredibly imposing! Makimura's greatsword flew through the air for more than a dozen circles before finally landing in a corner of the courtyard.

“Mr. Makimura…” Qing Deng gasped for breath as he held the cold blade to the neck of the now unarmed Makimura, “You… lost!”

Makimura seemed to still be reeling from Aoto's stunning attack.

He blinked blankly for a moment before raising his hands with a wry smile.

"Yes, that's right. I lost. I accept it wholeheartedly."

"I lost"—after hearing Makimura utter the words of surrender, Aoto breathed a sigh of relief.

However, his nerves had barely relaxed before they tensed up again.

It's not because any unexpected event has happened... Well, from a certain perspective, what is happening to Qingdeng right now can indeed be considered an unexpected event.

[Ding! Talent detected]

【Beep beep beep!】

It is not surprising that Makimura possesses extraordinary talents.

It would be strange if a monster like him didn't possess powerful talents.

What truly shocked Qingdeng was the "beep beep beep" sound effect.

He remembered that sound effect.

Although he had only heard it once, he remembered it vividly.

Because what followed immediately after that sound effect... was truly unforgettable!

[Successfully copied [Eternal Talent]: "Reversal Dragon"!]

Talent Introduction:

Those who are trapped in dire straits yet show no fear will possess a life force as resilient as a dragon.

Only those who are fearless in the face of divine might can transform into a dragon!

*******

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Today's chapter is a long one, nearly 7000 words! Given how generous the content and word count are, please be sure to vote for this book with your monthly ticket!

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets!

Some readers may have forgotten what Kiryu's eternal talent is, so the author will post it here.

【The Unfettered Hachiman】

When the mind and spirit are in perfect harmony and there is no confusion, one can unleash an extremely powerful attack as if possessed by the Great God Hachiman!

With a clear mind, the sword will not falter!

Qing Deng is now essentially possessed by both "Hachiman" and "Dragon".

Chapter 356 Inherited Demon Blade - Vairocana! [6000]

Thousand Things Shop, Garden —

After finishing their sparring match, Aoto and Makimura sat side by side with Kiryu and Kinoshita Mai on the veranda of the courtyard, enjoying drinks and conversation.

"What an exhilarating competition! Hahaha!"

Makimura boldly grabbed the bottle and drank heartily, tilting his head back to the sky.

The group sat facing the courtyard on the veranda, drinking and chatting... If only it were snowing lightly now. If it were snowing lightly now, it would be a truly elegant scene of "distinguished guests gathered to appreciate the snowy landscape."

"I haven't stretched my muscles this vigorously in ages! Ju, thank you so much for your hospitality today!"

"Not at all," Qingdeng, who was sitting next to Mucun, quickly said. "I should be thanking you. My sparring with you has benefited me greatly. Thanks to you, I can go home with a full harvest today."

"Haha, that's quite a compliment!"

Makimura laughed as he slapped his thigh hard.

Qing Deng smiled without saying a word, offering no further explanation.

He knew in his heart that he wasn't flattering Makimura. He genuinely believed that the fierce competition they had just fought had been very beneficial to him.