I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Ugaki Goro's attack wasn't particularly swift.

If Qingdeng wanted to dodge, he could easily avoid it.

However… Qing Deng didn’t dodge or flinch! He suddenly took a step forward and ran to meet him! The distance between the two instantly shortened.

This time, Goro Ugaki's pupils contracted slightly.

As if they were glued together, their figures overlapped.

Qing Deng spread his elbows, and the bamboo sword made a loud noise—

Bang!

Bang!

The two men, their strength was immense, brushed past each other.

In the instant their sleeves met, Ugaki Goro's bamboo sword, like a supple whip with barbs, struck Aoto's left shoulder with pinpoint accuracy.

Qingdeng felt as if he had been bitten by a tiger; his entire left shoulder was hot, burning, and painful.

However, at the same time, Qing Deng's bamboo sword suddenly slashed upwards, the tip of the bamboo sword slicing from Ugaki Goro's collarbone to his side in one breath.

Judging from the results... Goro Ugaki's injuries were much more severe than Aoto's.

"Well……!"

Even with his incredibly resilient body and strong will, Ugaki Goro couldn't help but let out a low cry of pain.

As if they had agreed beforehand, they both turned around at the same time and stared straight at each other.

"Niou, you..."

Surprise, hesitation, and joy—three distinct emotions—were all displayed on Goro Ugaki's face.

Ultimately, these emotions blended into surprise.

"Niou, have you finally abandoned that reserved fighting style?"

"I want to end this battle as soon as possible."

Qing Deng said calmly.

"If we don't take some radical measures, I really don't know when we'll be fighting you."

Abandoning defense and launching a frenzied attack—this is Qingdeng's new strategy and tactics.

Unless it's an extremely threatening move, just take the hits of Ugaki Goro's bamboo sword head-on and give him a chance to seriously injure him!

With the "Berserker", "Steel Bones", "Skin Tenderness" which strengthens the toughness of internal organs and "Body Softness" which strengthens the toughness and elasticity of skin, Qing Deng is not afraid to "exchange blood" with others!

"Hehe, just what I wanted!"

Ugaki Goro shouted.

In an instant, two sounds of bamboo swords clashing rang out.

Ugaki Goro's left wrist was hit, and the skin swelled up slightly, but he also left a large, visible red mark on Aoto's left collarbone.

The two then leaped away, and then engaged in close combat once again.

This time, Qing Deng's sword was a little faster, striking Ugaki Goro's left thigh squarely.

Ugaki Goro staggered backward, but quickly regained his composure.

Aoto's bamboo sword pierced Ugaki Goro's waist and abdomen.

Ugaki Goro's bamboo sword slashed at Aoto's arm.

……

……

The rivalry between Aoto and Ugaki Goro... has already lost its original flavor.

Ignoring evasion and defense, attacking relentlessly... This fighting style is less like a duel between swordsmen and more like two wild beasts tearing each other apart!

You make a move, and I'll make a move in response.

If you strike me once, I'll strike you twice in return.

The attacks were conducted alternately.

Sometimes it slashes horizontally, sometimes it cuts vertically.

Swords flashed, moving left and right.

The location where the two fought also kept changing.

From the east side of the bedroom to the north side of the bedroom.

Then they attacked from the north to the west.

The books that were originally neatly stacked on the tatami mats are now completely messed up.

The tatami mats were covered with scattered books, and there wasn't a single place to step in the entire bedroom.

Both sides sustained numerous injuries during the long fight.

In terms of the number and severity of injuries, Goro Ugaki undoubtedly suffered the most.

But he was like a zombie; no matter how Qingdeng attacked or slashed him, he remained standing.

As the battle progressed to this point, even the slowest of them, Qing Deng, realized that Ugaki Goro's strength increased slightly each time he was injured—and so did Qing Deng's.

Each time Goro Ugaki attacks him and each additional wound he sustains, the "Berserker's" power boost increases by one point!

The Berserker's amplification effect is no less than that of the Lone Warrior!

This feeling of constantly improving physical functions and martial arts skills... is simply irresistible!

Strangely enough, at this moment, Qingdeng, immersed in the feeling of "being constantly getting stronger," couldn't help but think: Quick! Hit me harder! Hit me even harder!

The change in expression brought about by this thought was automatically reflected on Qing Deng's face.

Aoto's lips, like Ugaki Goro's, were wide open and upturned.

Both sides were wielding their swords...

Both sides are launching fierce offensives...

Both of them were laughing...

Such a scene, such a setting, is indescribably eerie and terrifying...

Both Aoto and Ugaki Goro possess the characteristic of becoming stronger the more they are beaten, and it's easy to imagine what kind of result this will lead to—their fights will become increasingly intense and brutal.

They were like ferocious beasts locked in combat.

Snapped!

The two bamboo swords collided in mid-air countless times.

As if bounced back, Aoto and Ugaki Goro both took large steps backward.

Both Aoto and Ugaki Goro were now drenched in sweat.

The warm winter sun that had streamed into the room through the window had vanished without a trace—the two sides of the sun shone obliquely all the way up to the very top of the sky.

Even in the dim light, you could clearly see sweat dripping from Ugaki Goro's face onto the ground, like a trickle of sweat flowing down his arms from inside his sleeves to his wrists.

Steaming hot air wafted from its head, making it look just like a steam engine.

Although Goro Ugaki tried his best to keep his lips calm in sync with his breathing, his body was actually burning as hot as a raging furnace.

In terms of physical exertion, Aoto and Ugaki Goro are about equal.

However, Qingdeng is a cheat code!

"Body Strengthening +1", "Muscle Strengthening +1", "Sperm Strengthening +1", "Iron Lungs +2"... Qing Deng's talents for enhancing physical strength and endurance are simply too numerous to count.

Therefore, Aoto's physical condition was much better than Ugaki Goro's.

"As expected... slashing with bamboo swords is still the most fun! Even if you get hit a hundred or more times, you can still keep fighting!"

Even though he was already panting heavily, Goro Ugaki's voice remained loud and powerful.

Qingdeng smiled but remained silent.

Although on the surface, Ugaki Goro still seemed to be full of energy, everyone present, including Sanako and Souji who were watching from the sidelines, knew very well that the outcome was about to be decided!

Qingdeng remained completely at ease.

On the other hand, Goro Ugaki... his physical abilities have clearly reached their limit.

Despite knowing he was doomed to lose, Goro Ugaki showed no sign of dejection or frustration on his face.

He regulated his breathing while moving his feet, circling around Qingdeng.

His body was already very tired. If he remained still, the blood and fatigue would stagnate in his legs, causing his movements to become stiff.

By circling, you can maintain the flexibility of your legs and feet and find a suitable angle to attack.

Qing Deng assumed a stance, calmly gazing at Yu Qian Wulang, letting the other man circle around him.

Aoto's defense was as solid as a rock. No matter how Ugaki Goro moved, circled around, or looked for an opportunity to attack, Aoto had no weaknesses.

Perhaps he was getting impatient... Come to think of it, Goro Ugaki doesn't seem like the kind of patient person.

He let out a long breath, then pressed his blade closer and closer to Qingdeng.

In an instant, Ugaki Goro let out a "Ya!" and without a running start, leaped up and jumped toward Aoto, using the momentum of gravity to bring down the bamboo sword he had raised above his head.

Just as his body was suspended in mid-air, Qing Deng swung his sword like a wheel—

Bang!

Ugaki Goro was hit hard and rolled onto the tatami mat covered with books.

"Ugh...! Ugh...!"

Ugaki Goro, who had fallen face down, struggled to get up, supporting himself with his hands on the ground.

However... Qing Deng's sword strike was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Ugaki Goro squeezed out the last bit of strength left in his body, struggled to lift his upper body, and met Aoto's eyes.

"That was so satisfying..."