Chapter 222: 222 True Type Thirteen
"Bang!"
In the midst of the fiercely burning Red Lotus Fire, two figures constantly battling each other finally sprang apart, as if propelled by an explosion, creating distance between them.
Tsukigui Yoriichi finally landed. After hitting the ground, he stepped back two or three steps before stabilizing his stance.
Reiger, on the other hand, kept his feet plowing the earth, screeching to a halt after a few meters.
It was not until this moment that there was time to catch their breath from the intense offense and defense.
"You truly deserve your reputation for defeating Kibutsuji Muzan," Tsukigui Yoriichi said as he watched Reiger across from him, holding his sword and exclaimed, "You are much stronger than I was in my lifetime."
"...No." Reiger was silent for a while, then sighed and said, "In some ways, I am far inferior to you."
These were Reiger’s heartfelt words.
In the just concluded bout of offense and defense, there was no doubt that Reiger was almost entirely at a disadvantage.
Why?
Was it because Tsukigui Yoriichi’s strength now exceeded his?
Not exactly.
If talking about over all capabilities, Reiger and Tsukigui Yoriichi were almost on par.
Whether it was strength or speed, the differences between them were minimal, and it was difficult to determine who was superior.
However, beyond their abilities, Tsukigui Yoriichi could be said to have completely surpassed Reiger.
For example, in terms of sword skills, Tsukigui Yoriichi was stronger than Reiger.
Even when using any type of the "Sun’s Breathing" technique, the effects implemented by both were similar, but Tsukigui Yoriichi’s transitions between techniques were smoother and swifter than Reiger’s, which made his overall battle skills and rhythm better handled and stronger than Reiger’s.
There is also the understanding of the world; Tsukigui Yoriichi had adapted to this realm for many years and thus saw things more intricately and clearly than Reiger. Even the reflections to predict enemy movements and react accordingly were faster than Reiger’s, along with some better control over details, causing Reiger to sometimes fail to keep up with his movements and reactions.
Besides, Tsukigui Yoriichi’s application of the "Sun’s Breathing" was also more exquisite than Reiger could match.
You see, Reiger’s weapon was not just any Sun Wheel Blade, but a top-tier special armament that constantly radiated high temperatures and could easily melt steel.
The Sun Wheel Blade in the hands of Tsukigui Yoriichi was merely an ordinary blade, not reaching the level of a special armament.
With such a blade, when clashing with Reiger’s weapon, there should have only been one outcome.
That is, it would be cut by the former.
However, not only was Tsukigui Yoriichi’s blade not cut, but it also collided with Reiger’s weapon multiple times with no damage whatsoever.
This was because Tsukigui Yoriichi kept the flames of the "Sun’s Breathing" wrapped around his blade. When it collided with Reiger’s weapon, he immediately detonated the flames on the blade, turning another blast of high temperature into a hot wind, neutralizing the heat emanated by Reiger’s weapon and mitigating the speed and power of Reiger’s slashes.
Thus, Reiger’s blade failed to cut Tsukigui Yoriichi’s.
This miraculous maneuver, coupled with various factors, allowed Tsukigui Yoriichi to overpower Reiger.
Whether it was sword skills or understanding the world, these were qualities Tsukigui Yoriichi possessed before he advanced his "Sun’s Breathing" techniques.
What does this tell us?
It shows that before stepping into the Lv.7 rank and evolving his "Sun’s Breathing," Tsukigui Yoriichi was already stronger than Reiger in terms of sword skills and understanding the world.
Even though Reiger had evolved his "Sun’s Breathing," his sword skills and understanding of the world still could not match those of Tsukigui Yoriichi before he had evolved his "Sun’s Breathing."
Therefore, this is why Reiger made such a statement.
This also served as a reminder to Reiger.
"The improvement of strength is not just about ability value or brute force; it’s also about the experience in battle, skills, and tactics taken during the conflict."
In his pursuit of power, Reiger had recently been focusing on enhancing his ability values. Though it’s not to say he completely overlooked accumulating combat skills, there had been a slight shift in focus.
Fortunately, he hadn’t completely neglected the craftsmanship of combat; otherwise, he wouldn’t have mastered all sword forms of "Sun’s Breathing" nor would he have sustained this long under Tsukigui Yoriichi’s assault.
Moreover, Tsukigui Yoriichi wasn’t the only person from whom one could steal secrets and learn.
Reiger then memorized the rhythm, angle, and timing of Tsukigui Yoriichi’s every swing captured during their recent combat, as well as the movements when Tsukigui Yoriichi used the "Sun’s Breathing" sword forms.
Contemplating the fluid strikes and the natural and swift connections of the sword skills, Reiger closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, Reiger’s eyes had become somewhat transparent, just like Tsukigui Yoriichi’s.
"Hmm?"
Tsukigui Yoriichi was initially startled, then he understood.
"You absorbed the experience from the recent battle and grew from it?"
While Tsukigui Yoriichi felt enlightened, he was also amazed.
This distant relative from a long-gone era, whom he had discovered and chosen by chance, was indeed someone blessed by the gods, endowed with extraordinary talent.
In this light...
"I also must bring my utmost effort," Tsukigui Yoriichi murmured, unaware that the corners of his mouth had unconsciously turned up.
He did not know that at this moment, he had begun to enjoy the battle.
In his lifetime, no human could match Tsukigui Yoriichi, and all demons were targets to be slain, even Kibutsuji Muzan was merely considered another type of monster to be slayed, rather than an opponent to relish in combat.
Therefore, Tsukigui Yoriichi had never encountered an equal, nor had he ever experienced the exhilaration of fighting with all his might, clashing swords with another, mutually affirming each other’s strength, and progressing together.
Only now, upon meeting Reiger, did Tsukigui Yoriichi finally experience this aspect.
This was his final battle before leaving the world completely, and perhaps the most satisfying battle he had ever had.
Realizing this, Tsukigui Yoriichi gripped his sword tighter.
"Come on,"
a voice brimming with battle intent emanated from Tsukiguni Yoriichi’s mouth, unlike any he had uttered before.
Reiger didn’t respond but raised his blade, cracked the ground, and, riding on the flames, charged toward Tsukiguni Yoriichi.
The two swords, wrapped in flames, clashed again, causing the Red Lotus Fire to continue to bloom atop the mountain closest to the sun.
......
"Clang!"
The sound of the swords clashing, too numerous to count, resonated through the air.
The Red Lotus Fire had already engulfed the entire mountaintop, making it scorching hot and charred.
Reiger and Tsukiguni Yoriichi were still battling in the flames, unleashing fiery slashes that scattered dazzling sparks, seemingly tireless as they continued their attack and defense.
The sword forms of the Sun’s Breath had been unleashed countless times by both men, causing the Sun’s Fire to occasionally create intensely violent collisions, altering the landscape and gradually turning it into a sea of fire.
By this time, it had been several hours since their fight had begun.
If this were the real world, the day would have surely turned to night, and the sun hanging in the sky would no longer be in that position, having long set.
Regrettably, this was a dream realm, not the real world, so even after several hours, the sun still hung high in the sky, closest to the mountaintop, shining without moving an inch.
"Boom!"
A booming sound erupted, and the explosion once again separated the two combatants, driving them apart.
"Huff—Puff—"
Reiger and Tsukiguni Yoriichi stood facing each other, each holding their blades, looking truly tireless.
Reiger, needless to say, possessed the highest-level "Healing" ability; his stamina was nearly infinite, and he hardly felt tired.
Although Tsukiguni Yoriichi did not have abilities like Reiger, the miraculous nature of his breathing technique meant that as long as he maintained it without disruption, he hardly felt fatigue.
In the original story, Tanjirou’s father had once said a phrase.
"If one breathes correctly, one can keep dancing endlessly."
With this belief, Tanjirou’s father, despite his frail body, was able to dance the Shen Yue Dance in the snow for a whole day and night without feeling tired.
Tsukiguni Yoriichi was undoubtedly such a person too, his control over his breathing was so profound that no matter how fierce or long the battle, he barely felt fatigue.
Of course, they weren’t tired, but after battling for several hours, both Reiger and Tsukiguni Yoriichi looked much worse for wear.
They both bore marks of battle, their clothes either slashed open by sharp weapons, ragged and tattered, or scorched black by flames, their appearances so disheveled that anyone who knew them would be shocked.
Yet, despite their battered and scar-strewn appearances, their eyes glowed brilliantly.
Within them, the will to battle and fight never faded.
"You’ve caught up to me,"
Tsukiguni Yoriichi said to Reiger with a smile.
"Finally,"
Reiger responded with a smile as well.
After hours of intense fighting, Reiger had completely matched Tsukiguni Yoriichi in terms of sword skill, with techniques indistinguishable from his.
Even looking through the world, Reiger had observed Tsukiguni Yoriichi and gradually refined his use of the techniques.
Now facing Tsukiguni Yoriichi, Reiger was no longer at a disadvantage.
However...
"At most, we’re only evenly matched,"
Tsukiguni Yoriichi remarked.
"In this way, you cannot defeat me,"
Indeed, this was as far as Reiger could go.
Both having become evenly matched and neither feeling fatigue, if they continued, they would only end up in a stalemate, with no victor.
Even if they fought for three more days and nights, or ten days and nights, it would be the same.
At least, Tsukiguni Yoriichi didn’t think he would lose.
But, Reiger shook his head.
"A victor will be decided,"
he thus spoke.
"Because, I have one last strike I haven’t used yet,"
Upon hearing this, Tsukiguni Yoriichi was momentarily taken aback.
"One last strike?"
He was somewhat puzzled.
At this, Reiger faintly smiled.
"Actually, I’ve always felt that the thirteen forms you created aren’t truly a new sword style."
"So, I created a form,"
"The true Thirteenth Form."