I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

The two men swung their knives three more times.

The first time, both sides' attacks missed.

The second time, blood splattered from both of their bodies.

The third time, as if they were bounced back, Qingdeng and Luosha retreated simultaneously, creating space between them.

"Huff...huff...huff...huff...uh...uh...huff...huff..."

"Haa...haa...haa...haa...glug! Cough cough cough! Haa...ha..."

The two men adopted similar postures—using their knives as a support for their bodies.

"You're...really tough..."

Upon hearing this, Rakshasa grinned.

"Hmph... You're not far behind either... How about it? Do you still have the strength to swing your knife?"

"You don't need to worry about that."

Qingdeng raised his sword in response to the Rakshasa.

"Very good... tonight is indeed a pleasant night...!"

As she spoke, Rakshasa took a deep breath, suppressed the pain, stood up, faced Qingdeng, and slowly changed her position.

Upon seeing this, Qingdeng immediately understood Luosha's intention.

He silently shifted his feet to the side, keeping a certain distance from the other party, and walked with Rakshasa to the center of the room.

To their west was a viewing platform with walls hollowed out specifically to allow the Rakshasa to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

The moonlight shone unobstructed from the west, casting their faces in shifting light and shadow.

The deep night, the sparse stars, and the crescent moon hanging high in the sky all became the backdrop for the two swordsmen!

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

Rakshasa lowered her waist, and the silver blade of the Changyang Orthodox Sword returned to its sheath.

"Bring it on!"

As Qingdeng spoke, he flipped his right wrist and, in a reverse grip, also sheathed Vairocana.

The hilt and the scabbard tapped lightly together, making a crisp "click" sound.

The moment the two sides assumed their iaido stances, their "power" uncontrollably emanated from them!

The two forces clashed again, each occupying one end of the room, locked in a stalemate!

This decisive battle has finally come to an end.

The moment for the cannibalistic demon and the wrathful Vajra to fight to the death has finally arrived!

********

********

To highlight the intensity of the battle between Qingdeng and Luosha, the author put a lot of thought into writing today's chapter. For example, detailed battle descriptions were minimized, and more abstract words were used to help readers fill in the blanks, such as "dancing blade light. Disordered moon shadows" at the beginning of this chapter.

Because I spent a lot of time thinking, this chapter is a little shorter than usual.

However, considering the high quality of today's chapter, please continue to vote for this book with your monthly tickets! (Crying leopard head.jpg)

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 481

The two, standing just a few steps apart, assumed similar iaido stances.

The motionless man and the knife both exuded a terrifyingly sharp aura!

"...Your knife is quite good."

Rakshasa suddenly said softly.

"Your Majesty, it's only been a little over an hour. Where did you get such a fine sword?"

Qingdeng remained silent.

Rakshasa continued the conversation on his own.

"The sword-drawing technique is a deadly skill that uses the back of the sword to slash across the scabbard to generate speed and explosive power."

"The sword in your hand is not only longer than a regular katana, which suits your tall stature perfectly, but the blade also has a great curve... It is truly a fine sword that is very suitable for performing iaido."

"However... I can tell that this is probably the first time you've used this sword to kill someone, isn't it?"

At this point, Luosha cast a mocking glance at Qingdeng.

"Can you unleash the full power of this knife?"

Qing Deng, who had remained silent since assuming the starting stance for Liu Guang, finally spoke up.

"Whether I can handle it or not—you'll have to experience it for yourself later," he said.

Rakshasa chuckled and said nothing more.

A sharp gaze swept across the air.

Even though neither side had drawn their swords yet, their eyes were like unsheathed swords, piercing the air and making it rustle.

The swordsmanship used by Rakshasa is the famous Hayashi-Saki Myojin Musou-ryu.

This is a school founded by Hayashizaki Jinsuke, the founder of the sword-drawing technique.

To put it bluntly, Hayashizaki Myojin Musou-ryu is the founder of all Iaido schools in Japan.

Although the status of "founding master" does not mean the strongest, its power is certainly beyond doubt.

Qing Deng had already personally experienced firsthand how exquisite and powerful Rakshasa's sword-drawing technique, which had been honed to the pinnacle of Hayashizaki Myojin's Dream Style, was during the previous "Factory Battle".

Qingdeng tried his best to keep his lips calm in sync with his breathing.

In reality, however, his entire body was already as hot as magma in a volcano.

To onlookers, Qing Deng and Luo Sha, covered in wounds, did not appear to be able to move again or continue to launch powerful attacks.

But Qingdeng clearly sensed that... Rakshasa's concentration had reached an unparalleled level!

He exuded a strong sense of oppression.

If Qing Deng doesn't tense up all his nerves and muscles and fight back against this pressure, he will feel completely suppressed by the other party.

Without a doubt—Rakshasa's legs and his long yang orthopedic weapon hidden in its sheath possess astonishing explosive power!

Rakshasa's next Iaijutsu slash... will be the strongest attack Qing Deng has never seen before!

"call……!"

A semi-transparent, murky breath escaped from between Qing Deng's teeth.

When he said goodbye to Sanako, he told her: I have thought of a way to defeat the Rasetsu—and this is not a lie.

In terms of power and speed alone, his sword-drawing skills are roughly equal to those of Rakshasa.

What truly makes Rakshasa so formidable is his reaction speed and sharp eyesight.

The instant he saw through Qing Deng's sword technique, he changed his starting stance with lightning speed, switching from a "normal grip" to a "reverse grip," leaping to Qing Deng's side, deflecting most of Qing Deng's force, and then breaking Qing Deng's sword in one strike.

Therefore... all you need to do is unleash a strike that the Rakshasa won't even have time to react to!

To reach a new level of speed in a short period of time, the only way is to concentrate your mind and strength and unleash all your potential in one go!

Qingdeng stared intently at the Rakshasa in front of him, his eyes unblinking, holding his breath and concentrating fully.

The talent "Gathering Spirit" has already been activated.

A familiar sense of tranquility enveloped Qingdeng's mind.

However, Qingdeng gritted his teeth, still not satisfied.

not enough!

This level of focus is not enough to take my strikes to the next level!

Qingdeng's breathing became heavy.

Focus...and need to focus even more!

Concentrate all the remaining strength and emotion in your body into this next strike!

Concentrate...concentrate...!

Perhaps this is what they mean by "haste makes waste".

The more Qingdeng tried to concentrate, the more and more random thoughts surfaced in his mind.

From which direction will the Rakshasa's blade strike? Will my legs still be able to move smoothly? Will the Rakshasa target my physical body this time, or will it aim at my blade like last time?

His thoughts even drifted unconsciously to distant places, to Sanako and the others who weren't there.

It's obvious that in this state, it's impossible to unleash a strike that surpasses one's own abilities!

Amidst this anxiety... for some reason, Kiryu's voice suddenly echoed in Qing Deng's mind:

……

(Do not be confused. If the sword is not drawn, all is well; but if the sword is drawn, one must be in complete harmony with the mind and spirit.)

……

This happened not long ago.

……

(What I mean by "unity of mind and spirit" is not just about being highly focused, but more importantly, maintaining a high degree of unity between will and emotion, reaching a state where one does not think about anything except "cutting off what is in front of one's eyes".)

That day, he sat side by side with Mr. Kiryu on the veranda of the Senjiya, humbly seeking his advice on how to reach the level of "being able to cut things that ordinary people cannot cut".

……

(If you find it troublesome, you can forget everything I just said and just remember this one sentence—"Control your emotions." A fighting will more unshakable than a rock, and a steadfast purpose to never give up until something is severed—with these two powers, you can cut through anything your sword can reach.)

……