I became the Lord of the Eternal World in Tokyo.

Or rather, it's already done.

Tick.

The intact raindrops flowed over Uesugi Tetsuya's still-cool fingertips and fell into the incredibly sticky mud at his feet.

Just like the countless raindrops falling from the sky in Edo Castle.

Uesugi Tetsu didn't turn his head to look any further. Instead, he calmly released his hands, put them in his pockets, and walked towards the mansion of the nameless swordsman from his memory.

pat pat pat.

Just as he was about to reach the end of the short street, two eerie white bolts of lightning finally appeared, emerging from the twisted head amidst the two clusters of primordial flames...

Exploded!

Countless streaks of blue-purple lightning surged wildly from the long, narrow crack, illuminating the deep sky of Edo Castle in the rainy night.

[You have killed Cong Yuanhuo (2.5 stars) and gained 272 Soul Ashes!]

[You have killed Cong Yuanhuo (2.5 stars) and gained 251 Soul Ashes!]

[You have obtained the essence of Congyuanhuo!]

Proficiency level hints are almost negligible.

"call……"

The dragon-like aura was gently exhaled by Uesugi Tetsuya, and then dispersed completely with a wave of his hand.

He played with the small red bead in his hand, placing it in front of him with a touch of nostalgia.

"This essence is of much lower quality than the one Nanjo-nee gave me."

Stroking the glass-bead-like surface of the spirit, Uesugi Tetsuya didn't intend to use it to enhance Kaga Kiyomitsu this time.

Even without a bug-level talent skill like "Soul Enhancement" to strengthen itself, a mere high-quality spirit essence wouldn't bring much improvement to Kaga Kiyomitsu now.

Uesugi Tetsu walked straight in the middle of the road.

This time, even though he didn't deliberately walk in the shadows to hide himself, no foolish demons approached him, trying to devour him.

The wandering samurai who roamed the streets and alleys would instinctively change direction as soon as they sensed his presence, and from time to time, hungry eyes, both greedy and terrified, would emanate from the thatched huts.

When Uesugi Tetsu looked up again, he suddenly saw at the end of his line of sight a powerful demon with an exquisitely beautiful upper body, but with eight long, arthropod legs covered in thick, black bristles.

——【Jorogumo (3.5 stars)】.

The woman dressed in silk clothes happened to turn her head and look at him.

Neither of them stopped walking; their eyes simply met.

Uesugi Tetsu's gaze remained indifferent.

Jorogumo bowed her head slightly to him, revealing a pitiful expression.

"This Jorogumo has also grown much stronger during this time."

After confirming that the other party had not followed, Uesugi Tetsu thought to himself.

This is the best thing that could happen.

A three-and-a-half-star Jorogumo is not weak in any aspect.

His purpose in coming here was to find the nameless swordsman, not to sweep away demons and obtain soul ash.

Not only that.

Uesugi Tetsu could also sense that, apart from those few demon warriors, there was another extremely terrifying being in Edo Castle that had not yet shown itself.

Therefore, even though he was strong enough, he did not go out of his way to hunt down the demons within his perception range and commit massacres.

……

Since there were no obstacles in his path, Uesugi Tetsuya, having deactivated his avatar, arrived at the entrance of the nameless swordsman's mansion in just twenty minutes.

Passing over the stone sculpture of a small cat guarding the gate, Uesugi Tetsu gently pulled the doorbell twice.

Boom, boom.

Soon, the door opened.

With a creak, the wooden door opened to both sides, and an even stronger stench of decay rushed into Uesugi Tetsuya's room...

He sniffed it and found that there was no difference in smell.

So, was this stench of decay something he perceived through the clear mirror of his mind?

Sick and aged.

Uesugi Tetsu felt this way upon "smelling" this scent.

Uesugi Tetsu stepped into the courtyard and, just like last time, walked to the wide-open entrance of the dojo.

The empty dojo looked especially desolate in the reflection of the torrential rain.

If you squint again, you can see the nameless swordsman still sitting in the center of the dojo, motionless.

He was still wearing that straw hat.

Just as Uesugi Tetsu was about to step into the dojo, he inexplicably felt a vague and unclear sensation.

It seems that as soon as you step into this dojo, you will be plunged into some unknown terror.

No, that's not right.

Uesugi Tetsuya, grasping this feeling, was startled.

This feeling shouldn't be confined to this small dojo.

Instead, it's the entire courtyard... no!

It has already extended countless miles from the courtyard into Edo Castle!

Uesugi Tetsuya suddenly realized—this was the reason why there were no demons around.

Once they step into this "range," the demons will face an unknown and terrifying attack.

But what is this?

Sword Domain?

However, Uesugi Tetsu had experienced Ririko's sword domain up close, and the sword domain didn't feel like that to him.

Not sure.

But one thing is certain: as a fellow swordsman of the Natural Rishin-ryu school, the nameless swordsman is far stronger than him and Ririko in both strength and swordsmanship.

Thinking of this, Uesugi Tetsu couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle to himself.

That's only natural, isn't it?

This nameless swordsman is so old, I wonder how many years he has lived.

How old is Ririko?

He's almost eighteen.

Without giving it any further thought, he stepped into the dojo, causing the edge of the nameless swordsman's hat to tremble slightly.

The hoarse breathing echoed once again in the temple after a long time.

Uesugi Tetsu could clearly feel his waist being looked at, and then he heard a hoarse voice.

"It's only been a few days, and he's already truly embarked on the path of skill and reason..."

The surprise in his voice flashed by, replaced by a smile: "However, as expected of Uesugi Tetsuya..."

The nameless swordsman struggled to lift his head.

"Come on, sit down."

Uesugi Tetsuya didn't say much, and sat cross-legged opposite the swordsman whose skin was dark brown and whose muscles had almost completely disappeared, leaving only drooping bones.

The nameless swordsman said softly,

"Since you have chosen the path of skill versus reason, I am no longer qualified to instruct you."

Uesugi Tetsuya was taken aback.

What does this mean?

As if he had read Uesugi Tetsuya's mind, the nameless swordsman continued speaking without any abruptness, echoing Uesugi Tetsuya's thoughts.

"Because everyone embarks on a completely different path in terms of skills and principles."

Surrounded by like-minded people, the path to enlightenment is fraught with hardship, and one must walk alone...

"The words of others are like the light of fireflies, both real and illusory."

The nameless swordsman's rough veil swayed.

“From now on, no one will be here to help you.”

Uesugi Tetsu nodded silently.

—This might be one of the reasons why Ririko only taught him the general methods earlier.

After letting the downpour continue for a while, the nameless swordsman changed the subject: "However, there is still some profound secret."

He asked, "Uesugi Tetsuya, could you demonstrate the Triple Thrust for me?"

"it is good."

Uesugi Tetsu immediately stood up, reached out, and grasped the invisible "Kaga Kiyomitsu" brought by skill and reason in his hand, casually assuming a starting stance.

For him now, the use of the Three-Stage Strike has become as instinctive as eating and drinking; he can easily unleash it in the blink of an eye without any special technique.

Under the silent gaze of the nameless swordsman, three invisible sword lights emerged from the void and disappeared at the same time and in the same spot.

He couldn't help but exclaim, "An impeccable foundation."

Uesugi Tetsu shrugged: "Every swordsman who dares to embark on the path of skill and reason should have this foundation."

"Ha ha……"

The nameless swordsman suddenly chuckled for no apparent reason: "Uesugi Tetsu, do you know about the Nameless Sword?"

The Sword of No Ignorance is a higher level of profound mystery within the Natural Principles of Mind.

Even when he broke through to the expert level, Uesugi Tetsuya still did not gain any memories related to it.

This demonstrates just how valuable it is.

Uesugi Tetsu nodded: "I've seen people use it before."

—During sparring, Ririko used it in front of him more than once.

The nameless swordsman asked again, "So, what does it feel like?"

"quick."

Without hesitation, Uesugi Tetsu answered, "Unparalleled speed."

The Unknown Sword that Ririko used was much faster than the sword light that appeared out of nowhere in her sword domain.

"That one must be very straightforward."

Upon hearing this, Uesugi Tetsu blinked.

In a sense, that is indeed the case.

The nameless swordsman ignored Uesugi Tetsuya's thoughts. He slowly raised his withered finger, a hint of smugness surfacing in his hoarse voice.

"What I'm going to teach you is based on nothingness."

"—The strongest Unknown Sword."

The nameless swordsman flicked his finger, and two faint sword lights collided before Uesugi Tetsu's eyes.

Then disappear.

"Quickly, we just need to be even faster to counterattack."

“But ‘no’ is different,” he said. “If you can’t even feel it, how can you talk about countermeasures?”

Having said that, the nameless swordsman paused deliberately and asked Uesugi Tetsuya,

"Want to learn?"