Note: So, when I was trying to revise my story, a reader just noticed the 'unfairness' of my story in two different places. They asked me privately on Watt**d, saying:
"Author, why does your Indonesian version have complete information about all the template characters' abilities while the English version (on Webnovel) doesn't? Please, also provide the 'Power & Ability Data' related to those templates on Webnovel. I want to read it too🥲🥲"
And yeah, something like that. Honestly, I thought you guys wouldn't need stuff like that because you could look it up on wikis or other websites. (You Webnovel readers are so smart. Your brains can probably remember it in a flash)
And another reason... I'm quite embarrassed. The ability data for each template I only explain in broad strokes (which I think you know better than me, unlike my readers on Watt**d who actually enjoy reading the information). Besides, not everything is 100% accurate—some parts I've added or modified.
But to be fair, I'll update the ability information for every template character in Volume 0. You're also welcome to help or provide images/gifs in the paragraph comments (for example, if there's an explanation about the Rasengan jutsu, you can help provide a Rasengan image in that explanation to make it more visual).
I also accept suggestions from you all that I think should indeed be added. I'll edit it promptly to make it appropriate.
However, once again REMEMBER! The information in this fanfic shouldn't be equated with the original information. (Please, I don't want to be criticized).
But conversely, if you want to use the character information I created for writing your own fanfic, you can use it freely😊😊
***
Time has a strange way of flowing—for some, seconds pass like a lightning strike, while for others, every minute feels like an eternity that chokes the soul..
𝙆𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂! 𝙆𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂! 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙈!
"Guhak!"
Sparks set the afternoon air ablaze, born from the violent clash of two blades hungry for victory.
On one side, an ordinary steel sword, dulled by time; on the other, a katana gleaming with a killing aura, calm yet deadly.
But the fight ended quickly.
The owner of the steel sword was brutally thrown backward, his body airborne for a moment before slamming hard into the ground.
His blade was now cracked and nearly broken—unable to withstand the barrage of the katana that danced with lethal grace.
A black-haired young man with blue eyes now lay sprawled on the dusty ground.
His white training clothes were stained with sweat and dust, his chest rising and falling in ragged, gasping breaths.
His face was bruised and weary—clear proof of the intensity of the sparring he had just endured.
"Not bad for a beginner," a calm voice broke the silence.
"Even though you've only trained for a few weeks, your foundation is starting to strengthen. At least you're no longer like a newly hatched chick."
Hearing that comment, which sounded like praise and mockery at once, the young man named Chen Ye lifted his heavy head.
His blue eyes looked at the petite figure standing before him with a calm posture.
Before him stood a small girl wearing a sleeveless white-and-red kimono, showing off arms that, though slender, were full of strength from years of training.
Her hair, white as winter snow, was tied in twin ponytails that swayed gently in the afternoon breeze.
In her small right hand, she held an ordinary katana.
The most striking thing about her was her two eyes, always closed…
Chen Ye drew a deep breath, feeling the cold air fill his burning lungs.
"Thank you very much for... the compliment, Master Inaba," he said in a slightly sarcastic tone.
Hearing the title "Master," which sounded sincere yet laden with frustration, the petite girl looked pleased for a moment.
But to preserve her pride and dignity as a teacher, she merely coughed softly and turned her face away.
"Hmph, don't get proud so quickly. There's still a lot you need to master."
The corner of Chen Ye's lip twitched.
What? She had just praised him and now she was crushing his morale?
As if not noticing—or perhaps deliberately ignoring—her disciple's dissatisfied expression, the girl continued in a flat tone, "Rest for now. We'll continue later."
Chen Ye could only nod weakly, his body too tired to protest.
He chose to remain lying on the cool ground, gazing at the evening sky that was beginning to shift from blue to golden orange.
This view, at least, could soothe a soul wounded by a battered ego.
It had been nearly a month since he arrived in this legendary city—Master Swordsman City—and joined the mysterious family known as the Yozakura Family.
And Chen Ye had to admit honestly... apart from a few individuals who still retained a trace of mercy in their teaching methods, most of the members of this family were sadists disguised as teachers!
Every time he recalled the faces of those "trainers" who were in truth torturous demons in disguise, Chen Ye's body shuddered.
Yet at the same time, he couldn't help being amazed by the power and skill the Yozakura Family possessed.
Although the family was behind in numbers compared to the two other families of Master Swordsman City—its members could even be counted on one's fingers—strangely they still had abundant wealth and influence that could not be underestimated.
And most importantly...
They were strong.
Very strong.
Chen Ye couldn't help recalling the "painful" yet "blessed" journey of his life during his stay in this place...
***
On the first day, which he had thought would be friendly training, Chen Ye was trained directly by Inaba Tsukuyo—the blind girl who was now looking at him with an empty yet soul-piercing gaze.
Instead of immediately teaching cool and glamorous sword techniques, Inaba Tsukuyo forced the young man to master the boring but essential basics.
This decision was not without reason. Chen Ye's Rank SS Talent—the Emperor of Sword Talent—only revealed its potential once its owner absorbed sword knowledge and theory instantly, then applied it directly with a staggering level of mastery.
The Sword King, of course, knew this extraordinary potential.
But precisely because of that, the old spirit felt overwhelmed. As a "genius" who had mastered the sword through instinct and combat experience, he was terrible at explaining theory and basic concepts in words.
Otherwise, he would not have humbly asked the Yozakura Family to train his "foolish disciple" seriously.
Fortunately, the Sword King's decision proved right.
In a very short time, Chen Ye had transformed from an awkward beginner into a true swordsman!
But that was only the beginning of the real hell.
When he entered the intensive training phase with the other members of the Yozakura Family, Chen Ye could only feel as if his brain would explode.
How could it not?
Besides their training methods, which could be called "insane" and "inhumane," each member of this family had their own unique and distinctive sword techniques that even the Emperor of Sword had to struggle hard to understand and master!
Of course, not all techniques were that difficult.
Some were relatively easier for Chen Ye to digest thanks to his extraordinary Talent. One example was Inaba Tsukuyo's swordsmanship.
Yakumaru Jigen-Ryu Style Iai—that was the name of the sword technique that was Inaba Tsukuyo's main specialty.
This technique basically focused on two things… lightning-fast movement and sword swings.
This was why Inaba Tsukuyo could move at a speed almost invisible to the naked eye.
Every slash of her katana, even when using a blunted blade for training, still produced a terrifying pressure that could cut dry leaves fluttering in the air.
Chen Ye could master this basic technique without much difficulty, thanks to the Emperor of Sword.
But Inaba Tsukuyo actually had a far broader and deeper arsenal of sword knowledge.
It was just that the girl chose to focus on Yakumaru Jigen-Ryu Style Iai because it suited her fighting style best.
Added to her loss of sight since birth, Inaba Tsukuyo preferred to end every fight with a single strike that ended everything at once—both the opponent's life and the fight itself.
But the Yakumaru Jigen-Ryu Style Iai had an advanced form called "Yakumaru Jigen-Ryu: Unyou Shuyunkou"—a technique that even now Chen Ye had not fully mastered…
***
Konno Yūki.
Among all the Yozakura Family members Chen Ye had met, without a doubt this girl was one of the ones he liked best.
Unlike some other family members who tended to be cold, indifferent, or even wore fake smiles, this girl radiated clear sincerity and kindness.
Besides her interesting personality, her racial origin also attracted a great deal of attention—not only Chen Ye, but even the Sword King was intrigued and curious.
Fairy race—that was Konno Yūki's identity.
This race was one of the hidden races that had historically always avoided direct contact with humans.
But in Konno Yūki's special case, she had undergone a mutation that turned her into a sub-species known as an "Imp."
The question that immediately arose in Chen Ye's mind was: wasn't an Imp a kind of Demon?
Fortunately, Konno Yūki patiently and generously explained it to the curious Chen Ye.
"All right, listen carefully," said Konno Yūki, taking a pose like a teacher.
She used the tip of her sword to draw various silhouettes on the dusty ground.
"The Fairy race can fly like the Angel race, right? But the difference between the two races lies in their elements."
Konno Yūki drew several Fairy figures in various shapes and sizes.
"The Angel race generally has holy and light elements. So what about the Fairy race?"
She looked at Chen Ye with sparkling eyes like a child excitedly explaining her favorite hobby.
"There are Fairies who master the fire element," she continued as she drew a figure with blazing wings. "There are ones who master the water element. There are also ones who specialize in crafting and become Blacksmiths."
Konno Yūki then pointed at herself with a smile.
"As for me? I'm a Fairy who focuses on mastering the dark element, which in our classification is called an 'Imp.'"
She raised her index finger like a teacher about to emphasize an important point.
"So the conclusion: there are Imps that come from the Fairy race and Imps that come from the Demon race. They are different entities even though they share the same name. Do you get it now?"
"Oh..."
Chen Ye nodded slowly, his eyes shining with wonder at the new knowledge he had just gained.
Even the Sword King, who was normally not easily impressed, was surprised.
In his long journey as a Transcendent being, this was the first time he had learned that the Fairy race had such a complex and diverse classification system.
"Then you can use Dark Magic?" asked Chen Ye.
"Of course I can," replied Konno Yūki with an enthusiastic smile.
"There are several characteristics of the Imp type of Fairy that distinguish us from other sub-species. First, our dominant color is dark purple and we are known as Lords of the Night. Our bodies are naturally very flexible and light, allowing acrobatic movements almost impossible for other sub-species."
Konno Yūki then held up five fingers.
"And there are five special abilities that are hallmarks of Imp physiology."
First: "Flight."
Like the Fairy race in general, Imps can grow wings that allow them to fly freely. But their wings are more like bat wings.
Second: "Dark Magic." As mentioned, Imps have a very high natural affinity for Dark Magic and can use it with extraordinary efficiency.
Third: "Underground Flight." Imps can dramatically increase their flying speed when in places not exposed to direct sunlight, such as caves, underground rooms, or dense forests at night.
Fourth: "Wall Run." True to its name, this ability allows Imps to run along vertical surfaces such as walls or cliffs for a certain period of time.
And last… "Night Vision." Imps have perfect night vision, allowing them to see clearly even in total, light-proof darkness.
Konno Yūki explained each point with infectious enthusiasm, but suddenly her expression turned a little shy and awkward.
"But... although I can use Dark Magic well, I actually rarely use it in battle."
"Eh? Why?" Chen Ye asked curiously.
"Because I prefer and focus more on using the sword!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with enthusiasm.
"Now, let's get to the real main topic."
Konno Yūki raised her dark purple sword—the "Obsidian Sword."
"Actually," continued Konno Yūki, scratching her cheek awkwardly, "when it comes to the foundations and basic theory of swordsmanship, I admit I'm not the best teacher. I more often rely on the agility and flexibility of the Imp body to defeat my opponents."
Chen Ye furrowed his brow.
Then what makes her confident enough to teach me?
As if she could read the question written plainly on Chen Ye's face, Konno Yūki smiled with a sudden radiating confidence.
"I'll teach you an original sword technique I created myself: Mother's Rosario."
"Mother's Rosario..." Chen Ye repeated the name of the technique slowly.
"Yep! And the best way to understand a technique is to see a live demonstration," said Konno Yūki as she looked around for a suitable target.
Her eyes stopped on a large rock not far from them. "Oh! We'll use that rock as a training target."
She walked lightly toward the rock, then turned to face Chen Ye.
"So, watch carefully, okay? Don't blink."
Chen Ye straightened his body and focused all his attention on Konno Yūki, who was now readying her sword.
And then... the atmosphere around them changed completely.
Konno Yūki, normally cheerful and innocent, suddenly radiated a very different aura.
The blade of the Obsidian Sword began to glow with an intense purple shimmer, as if the sword itself were alive.
Then—
𝙎𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝! 𝙎𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝! 𝙎𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝! 𝙎𝙡𝙖𝙨𝙝! 𝘽𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙊𝙈!
Chen Ye blinked as a barrage of lightning-fast thrusts from Konno Yūki destroyed the large rock in an instant.
All that remained were tiny fragments fluttering in the air.
"Can you count how many thrusts I made just now?" asked Konno Yūki with a pleased smile, as if she had just performed an amazing magic trick.
Chen Ye fell silent for a moment, replaying the movements he had just witnessed.
"...Eleven?" he answered, slightly hesitant.
The reason he felt hesitant was not that his count was wrong.
On the contrary, he was quite confident the number was indeed eleven.
What confused him was... Mother's Rosario looked like a rather... ordinary technique?
There was nothing too spectacular or astonishing about the movement, apart from the speed of its execution.
But the explanation Konno Yūki gave soon left him stunned and made him realize how wrong his perception had been.
"You're absolutely right!" Konno Yūki applauded with a satisfied expression. "Exactly eleven thrusts!"
"From an ordinary observer's perspective, it does look like eleven fast thrusts performed in succession. But there's actually something else behind those eleven thrusts."
Konno Yūki held her chin, thinking for a moment to find the best way to explain this complex concept.
"Normally, when someone thrusts with a sword, they have to thrust repeatedly at the same point if they want to increase the damage dealt, right? But Mother's Rosario is different."
Konno Yūki's eyes shone.
"Even if you thrust at different locations, and even if the individual force of each thrust is weaker than the one before, each subsequent thrust will automatically become far stronger and more destructive than the previous one."
"In addition," Konno Yūki continued, "the thrusts of Mother's Rosario cause damage that directly attacks the opponent's entire internal organ system, even if the attack is blocked or held off by their armor or weapon."
She raised her index finger with a dramatic gesture.
"Hmm… if I had to explain it in game terms, Mother's Rosario produces consecutive critical hits whose damage keeps increasing with each hit."
Konno Yūki suddenly laughed happily.
"The only weakness of Mother's Rosario is that this technique is only effective in one-on-one fights. But on the other hand, it's extremely effective for solo hunting giant-type boss monsters! If you aspire to be a mysterious lone swordsman who always fights dungeon bosses alone, this technique suits you perfectly!"
After explaining with infectious enthusiasm, Konno Yūki looked at Chen Ye with a sweet smile.
"So how about it? I hope Mother's Rosario meets your expectations and becomes a choice for your main technique."
Chen Ye was silent in total amazement.
That day, Chen Ye's training session with Konno Yūki ended with Chen Ye flabbergasted…
***
The next training brought Chen Ye before a completely different figure.
Tomioka Giyū—a young man who radiated a cold, mysterious aura.
To train with him, Chen Ye had to make a journey to a remote mountain adorned with a magnificent, breathtaking waterfall.
There, the black-haired young man in a unique haori—half sea-blue—stood motionless like a statue.
His traditional black kimono fluttered in the mountain wind, while his black eyes looked at Chen Ye without the slightest emotion.
That gaze seemed able to pierce the soul, yet revealed nothing.
Silence enveloped the two of them.
Chen Ye realized that conversation between them would be minimal.
First, Tomioka Giyū was clearly not the type who enjoyed small talk or idle chatter.
Second... well, he was a man, so Chen Ye wasn't very interested in paying him much attention.
But what Tomioka Giyū then taught truly surprised him.
"There isn't much I can teach you in terms of sword technique," said Tomioka Giyū in his typical monotone voice.
"But... there is one thing I will share. A way to increase your strength without relying on [mana] or other supernatural effects. It is a method that can literally surpass the physical limits of ordinary humans."
Chen Ye raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "There's something like that?"
"Of course there is." Tomioka Giyū nodded slowly, his expression still flat.
"The human body and organs hold extraordinary potential that is rarely fully utilized. What I will teach is one of the keys to unlocking that potential. This technique is called..."
Zen Shūchū no Kokyū (Total Concentration Breathing).
At first, Chen Ye felt it was strange.
Breathing? Seriously?
As far as he knew in the world of swordsmen, breathing was merely a basic aspect for maintaining stamina during a fight.
His thinking wasn't entirely wrong, but what Tomioka Giyū taught went far beyond that simple concept.
When Chen Ye was told to inhale in a certain pattern, without warning, Tomioka Giyū suddenly struck his stomach with terrifying force!
Chen Ye's breath was thrown into chaos at once, pain spreading through his entire body like a burning fire.
He nearly fell, his eyes swimming with stars.
Anger briefly welled up in his chest, but it soon turned into admiration and awe when Tomioka Giyū began to explain.
Zen Shūchū no Kokyū… is a method in which the practitioner maximizes oxygen intake through a special, refined breathing pattern.
The purpose?
To raise physical and mental abilities to a superhuman level.
The results were astounding.
Those who mastered this technique gained dramatic increases in physical strength, reflex speed, seemingly limitless stamina, and superhuman endurance.
Even a Hunter would be amazed at the abilities it produced.
More than that, while performing Zen Shūchū no Kokyū, mental processing and concentration increased rapidly.
The technique could even stop bleeding from serious wounds and provide remarkable resistance to various kinds of poisons or toxins!
This was a technique that could truly turn an ordinary person with no Talent at all into a Hunter!
A real miracle!
Undeniably, this technique was an extremely valuable treasure, especially for those not blessed with Talent.
But from Tomioka Giyū's cold explanation, Chen Ye also realized that not everyone could perform Zen Shūchū no Kokyū.
Although natural aptitude didn't matter much, there was one absolute requirement… extraordinary mental fortitude to endure all the suffering involved.
Unlike Hunters who were accustomed to pain, ordinary people had a very high risk of death when practicing Zen Shūchū no Kokyū…
This technique required its practitioners to undergo inhuman training, forcing the lungs and the entire body system to adapt in extreme ways.
Fortunately for Chen Ye, with the Emperor of Sword Talent, mastering the basics of Zen Shūchū no Kokyū turned out not to be too difficult.
His body adapted faster than expected.
It was just that... when he thought he had passed the hardest part, Tomioka Giyū dropped another bomb.
"Now," said Tomioka Giyū calmly, as if what he was about to say were perfectly natural, "you must master Zen Shūchū Jōchū (Total Concentration - Constant). The principle is the same as before, but the difference is... you must maintain this breathing technique at all times. Eating, sleeping, bathing, even walking—you must perform Zen Shūchū no Kokyū without ever stopping."
Chen Ye stared at him with wide eyes, not believing what he had just heard.
"...Have you gone mad?!"
Performing that technique for a single hour already made his lungs feel like they were burning alive.
Now he had to maintain it every second, every minute, every day?!
If it were only a few hours or even a full day, maybe he could understand.
But every day without stopping... didn't that mean he would have to perform Zen Shūchū no Kokyū until death came for him?!
Unfortunately, no matter how hard he protested, he knew this was the path he had to take.
Moreover, there was another far more tempting technique that Tomioka Giyū taught.
Konno Yūki had not lied when she said Tomioka Giyū had extraordinary swordsmanship.
But that swordsmanship was perfectly integrated with Zen Shūchū no Kokyū, creating something called "Mizu no Kokyū" (Water Breathing).
Mizu no Kokyū was an astonishing sword technique in which every movement and slash resembled flowing water, beautiful yet deadly.
That description was not a mere metaphor.
When Chen Ye watched Tomioka Giyū demonstrate Mizu no Kokyū, he truly felt as if he were watching "water" itself dancing in its purest form.
Every movement flowed calmly, yet held terrifying destructive power.
Mizu no Kokyū had ten forms.
Actually there were eleven forms, but Tomioka Giyū did not show the eleventh form...
Chen Ye didn't think too much about it.
He already felt very lucky that Tomioka Giyū was willing to teach him a technique that must be coveted by many swordsmen around the world.
***
Then, the next training brought him before the person he had been waiting for… Tsukuyomi Tsukasa.
Honestly, Chen Ye had been looking forward to this meeting because the girl had a truly stunning beauty and an enchanting aura of elegance.
He couldn't blame himself—apart from Yozakura Tsubomi, Tsukuyomi Tsukasa was the most beautiful person he had ever seen in his life!
Red hair like fire falling softly over her shoulders, ruby eyes shimmering mysteriously, and a face as perfect as a work of art by the gods.
Her every movement radiated natural grace.
Unfortunately, his hopes were shattered to pieces...
"There is nothing I can teach you," said the girl in a melodious yet cold voice.
Her extraordinary charm shone even more as she spoke calmly, but her words were like a bolt from the blue.
Chen Ye could only gape, not believing what he had just heard.
"W-what do you mean?"
"I do fight with a sword, but..." Tsukuyomi Tsukasa shook her head slightly, strands of red hair moving gracefully.
"I am not a swordsman in the true sense. Compared to someone like Tsukuyo, I know nothing of true sword techniques."
"B-but—"
"Stop forcing it, foolish disciple."
The Sword King, who could sense whether someone was truly a swordsman or not, gave Chen Ye his own confirmation.
"She's not lying. She truly hasn't delved seriously into swordsmanship."
"...Fine, I understand."
Chen Ye sighed long, disappointment plain in his voice.
But something nagged at his mind.
If Tsukuyomi Tsukasa had no special sword skills, then how could she be part of the Yozakura Family?
He could sense that every member of the Yozakura Family had their own uniqueness or extraordinary ability.
So… did Tsukuyomi Tsukasa have some Talent?
But no matter how carefully he observed, he sensed no energy from the beautiful girl...
What confused him even more was Inaba Tsukuyo's statement that she was the weakest in the family.
Didn't that indirectly acknowledge that Tsukuyomi Tsukasa was far stronger than a Rank B Hunter?
Could it be... her Talent was related to her extraordinary beauty?
Chen Ye kept wondering in his heart, but the Sword King had a completely different line of thought.
He also felt something was off about Tsukuyomi Tsukasa.
From the outside, she looked like a very beautiful and innocent young girl.
But... there was something strange in her gaze. Her eyes seemed to have witnessed a very long life.
'Could she be...'
The Sword King considered an extraordinary possibility, but his guess could only be confirmed if he could directly sense the girl's soul.
***
Although Tsukuyomi Tsukasa couldn't train him, Chen Ye wasn't too disappointed.
He still had the chance to learn from the other members of the Yozakura Family.
It was just that... when he saw the next figure, cold sweat immediately soaked his back.
"Gulp."
Chen Ye swallowed with difficulty as he stared at the huge figure standing majestically before him like a living mountain.
Xiang Yu.
A figure that looked like a fusion of human and horse, yet with a body filled with advanced technology.
He was not just an ordinary half-beast race of the kind Chen Ye had seen in books.
His whole body was plated in mechanical armor gleaming coldly, with various circuits and high-tech components glowing.
Most terrifying were his eyes—two bright green lamps burning with a soul-piercing intensity, as if able to analyze every weakness of an opponent within seconds.
Seeing that his name seemed to come from the same place as his own, Chen Ye wanted to ask about his origins.
But the terrifying aura radiated by the mechanical being made him give up the idea.
Instead... cold sweat flowed even harder as Xiang Yu drew two sharply gleaming swords from his mechanical hands.
Those weapons looked capable of splitting a mountain in a single stroke.
"...We're going to spar?" asked Chen Ye in a trembling voice, though he tried hard to hide his fear.
Xiang Yu gave no verbal response.
But the hot aura coming from the green flames across his body and the terrifying clinking of metal from the whirring gears… gave a very clear answer.
Though he felt as if he were about to face a merciless killing machine, Chen Ye drew his sword with slightly shaking hands.
He could only hope to survive this training that would be a nightmare!
***
After surviving the "training" with Xiang Yu, which was more like torture, Chen Ye found himself sitting face to face with another young man.
The atmosphere between them was very awkward and tense.
The young man across from him had an annoyingly indifferent expression, with short blue-green hair that looked neat.
He wore a black coat layered with gray that looked formal yet practical for fighting.
But the most irritating thing was the way he squinted as he looked at Chen Ye.
"So... you want me to train you?" asked the young man in an indifferent tone.
Gritting his teeth as he swallowed his pride, Chen Ye answered reluctantly, "Yes. I heard from Master Inaba that you have a very powerful technique."
"From Inaba Tsukuyo?"
Aoi Sui seemed to think for a moment, then nodded with a still-flat expression.
"I see... but I think the technique I have wouldn't suit you."
The corner of Chen Ye's lip twitched in annoyance, but he forced himself to stay calm and asked, "Why is that?"
"Simple."
Without bothering to glance at Chen Ye, Aoi Sui answered in an emotionless tone.
"Your emotions are too unstable and uncontrolled. If you force yourself to learn this technique, the result will only be flawed and useless."
Hearing that heartless remark, the vein on Chen Ye's forehead began to throb hard.
He badly wanted to punch the indifferent face of the annoying young man before him until it was battered, but he managed to restrain himself with great difficulty.
'Stepping on Flowers'—that was one of Aoi Sui's techniques that Chen Ye wanted very much.
This technique was not swordsmanship, but an incredibly sophisticated movement technique.
From the explanation he got from Inaba Tsukuyo, Stepping on Flowers was a high-speed movement technique that made not the slightest sound.
The technique involved a special manner of walking that could perfectly absorb sound and reduce air resistance.
This was why Aoi Sui's every step was silent and still like a floating ghost.
No trace, no sound… as if he had never been there.
And if this terrifying technique were combined with Inaba Tsukuyo's swordsmanship, Yakumaru Jigen-Ryu Style Iai, the combination would be truly frightening.
That was the reason Chen Ye was willing to swallow his pride and ask this annoying Aoi Sui for help.
Unfortunately...
"First learn and master all forms of Tomioka Giyū's Mizu no Kokyū," said Aoi Sui in a belittling tone.
"After that, maybe you can come here again."
"...You want to fight?"
***
How infuriating!
Chen Ye had completely failed to get approval from that "boastful" Aoi Sui.
He also couldn't force the stubborn person to train him because that would only create bigger problems.
Of course, Chen Ye knew he might win a fight if he relied on his Rank SS Talent, Flame of Abyss.
But if it were purely sword technique without supernatural power...
He would surely be crushed without mercy.
That was why, with a heavy heart and a wounded ego, he had no choice but to visit the next person on his list...
Cecilus Segmunt.
The moment he saw him, Chen Ye felt a strange and disturbing contradiction.
The young man before him had brilliant blue eyes that sparkled like sapphires, radiating a cheerful and relaxed aura.
His long, dark blue hair like the night sea was tied in a messy style into a ponytail that gave an impression both mysterious and very dangerous.
There was something in the way he moved that made anyone who saw him uncomfortable.
His clothing was very unique and eye-catching.
He wore an elegant peach-pink kimono with a pattern of purple mist flowing beautifully like a traditional painting along its hem. Over it, a bright blue haori covered the kimono perfectly.
A pair of handmade wooden sandals that looked of very high quality completed his highly traditional appearance.
At a glance, he seemed friendly and approachable, like a kind older brother.
But Chen Ye shivered with fear the moment their gazes met.
His honed instincts screamed in his ears: behind that seemingly normal human form lurked a mad monster who knew no mercy.
"Sword training?" The young man looked confused as if hearing the concept for the first time.
"Oh, I remember now. Aren't you the one from yesterday? Sorry, I almost forgot because... well, you're too weak to be remembered." He smiled as if he had just said something perfectly ordinary.
Chen Ye took a deep breath, trying to calm the anger boiling in his chest.
Although he felt very angry and insulted, he was also very aware of how terrifying the figure before him was.
Even Inaba Tsukuyo had personally warned him to be careful.
"But training a disciple, huh?"
Cecilus held his chin in a theatrical thinking pose, then said in an annoyingly casual tone.
"Honestly, I've never had a disciple I could actually train to the end. Either they were too weak and died along the way or they had no talent and gave up first."
He sighed with a feigned ironic expression.
"Well, what do you expect from one of the strongest people in the entire world? Even gods can die miserably if they fight me directly."
Not only was Chen Ye stunned to hear that crazy statement, even the Sword King, who had been watching from within Chen Ye's soul, fell silent in disbelief.
This guy... was far too arrogant, wasn't he?
Even the Sword King, with his long combat experience, would not dare claim that he could defeat a fellow Transcendent being unless assisted by several other Transcendents.
"But as for teaching you a special technique?" Cecilus continued in a belittling tone.
"Hmm, not much comes to mind, since almost all my enemies always die from the very first attack. So I rarely need complicated techniques."
'Can you stop boasting for one second?!' Chen Ye was extremely annoyed.
"Oh, wait. I have one." Cecilus Segmunt suddenly remembered.
"I have a technique that might help a weakling like you survive a little longer."
He smiled very casually, as if he had just given the greatest gift in the world.
Chen Ye gritted his teeth but forced himself to say politely, "...Please teach me."
"Wrong." Cecilus shook his head dramatically.
"You should say, 'I beg you to bestow your honorable great art.'"
The vein at Chen Ye's temple throbbed hard. Rage peaked in his chest, but he forced himself to swallow his pride and say through chattering teeth…
"I beg... bestow your honorable great art."
"Pffft... HAHAHA!" Cecilus Segmunt suddenly burst into very loud laughter, tears running down his face.
"I was just joking! You actually said it seriously! This is too funny!"
Chen Ye's face flushed red, whether from extreme embarrassment or anger that had reached its peak.
But in the next moment, his expression turned to total astonishment.
Not for any other reason—the sky above them was suddenly split instantly as Cecilus Segmunt swung the simple wooden sword he held!
𝙎𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙃!!
The echoing sound was followed by a sight that made no sense at all.
The blue sky, once calm and peaceful, was literally split apart tremendously, creating a terrifying vortex of wind that could kill an ordinary person with air pressure alone.
The clouds that had been drifting lazily were cleanly cut, as if sliced by an invisible giant knife!
"Kumokiri (Cloud Cutting)," Cecilus said casually.
"That's the technique I'll teach you."
Chen Ye could only stare with his mouth open, not believing what he had just witnessed.
How could someone split the sky with just a swing of a wooden sword?!
"Basically," Cecilus explained in a tone as if discussing the weather, "this technique was created specifically to split the sky by moving the wrist at an extremely, extremely extreme speed. The theory does sound simple, but applying it... well, that's a different story."
He scratched his head casually.
"Anyway, there are people who spent their entire lives creating this technique. But for someone of my caliber…" He smiled indifferently.
"This technique is just trash that doesn't even deserve to be called a warm-up."
Then, with a playful smile, he added, "But this technique is perfect for the circus act you'll be doing, right? At the very least, you can entertain the audience before you die a miserable death."
***
"What the hell is with that damn guy?"
Chen Ye growled in annoyance, his jaw tightening as Cecilus Segmunt's image flashed again in his mind.
Anger burned in his chest like a fire that would not go out.
That arrogant youth always casually spouted belittling words, as if life were merely a game to him.
And that annoying fake smile! A smile that looked so sincere yet hid poison behind it.
If Chen Ye were given the chance—just one chance—he would make sure his hard fist landed right on that smug face until the smile was gone forever!
But of course, that was only a fantasy.
The bitter reality struck him like an ice cube—Cecilus Segmunt was not an opponent he could underestimate.
The young man's power was still a great mystery that made Chen Ye shiver every time he thought about it.
Even the Sword King, who was usually calm, seemed to be pondering with a serious face.
'In my glory days, I might have been able to defeat him.'
But when he remembered glancing at the two katanas sheathed neatly at Cecilus's waist.
There was a terrifying aura emanating from those weapons, making him feel like he was staring into the mouth of a venomous snake ready to strike at any moment.
'Could it be... the fact that he can kill Transcendent beings is really true...'
Shaking his head to dispel the dark thoughts, Chen Ye decided to focus on the next training.
His targets this time were two figures who always made him both curious and wary… Kurome and Kurogane Ouma.
Unlike the other Yozakura Family members who preferred solitude, these two were always seen together like inseparable shadows.
That made Chen Ye curious about the true relationship between them.
But whatever it was, one thing was certain—especially Kurogane Ouma—they both had the power Chen Ye badly needed to grow!
Unfortunately, Chen Ye soon regretted his decision the moment the first word left the sailor-uniformed girl's small lips.
"No."
That cold, indifferent answer slid from Kurome's lips like a knife slicing Chen Ye's hopes to shreds.
The small girl didn't even bother to lift her head from the snack she was chewing.
Her appearance contrasted sharply with her terrifying attitude.
A black sailor uniform with a red belt and red accents at the side of her skirt made her look like an ordinary schoolgirl. Her long black socks and glossy shoes looked perfectly maintained.
Her slightly short blouse—almost revealing her small navel—gave a misleadingly innocent impression.
"I hold a sword to kill, not to show off or for other trivial things."
Kurome chewed her snack calmly, her black eyes not even flinching to glance at Chen Ye.
"If you want to learn ordinary sword techniques, ask Ouma to teach you."
Then, in the same flat tone as if talking about the weather, she added, "But if you want to learn how to kill people efficiently... I can teach you 'a little.'"
No!
He was here to train in sword technique, not to become a cold-blooded killer!
True, sword technique and the art of killing were two inseparable things, but Chen Ye's intention was far from wanting to take another's life!
While Chen Ye was still frozen at Kurome's shocking answer, a voice cold as winter wind came from another direction.
"As I recall, outsiders are not allowed in this place."
Kurogane Ouma.
The long-haired black-haired young man stood with an upright posture, his light brown eyes, almost golden yellow, looking at Chen Ye with a cold, piercing gaze.
The X-shaped scar on his face added to the already considerable intimidation of his aura.
Without the slightest guilt, Kurome answered in an annoyingly innocent tone, "He came in on his own."
"No! Don't lie so casually!" Chen Ye immediately defended himself.
"You yourself opened the door for me!"
Kurome narrowed her eyes at him, her expression changing like a small child whose mood was ruined because her toy was taken.
Kurogane Ouma frowned, his gaze growing sharper.
"So what exactly is your purpose in coming here?"
"...I want to train," answered Chen Ye.
"Ha!" Kurogane Ouma laughed in amusement.
"What kind of joke is this?" His eyes turned into dark pits full of fearsome aura.
"Did you hit your head on something and break your brain? Haven't I told you many times, I'm not interested in training a weakling like you because it's just a waste of precious time?"
"..."
The Sword King, watching from inside Chen Ye's body, was already ready to step in.
He didn't much like Kurogane Ouma's arrogant attitude either. However, the next words from the scarred young man made him hold back.
"But..." Kurogane Ouma looked at him, "I will train you if you can pass a little test I give you."
"A test?"
Chen Ye raised an eyebrow, wary of the changed tone.
"Yes." Kurogane Ouma nodded, narrowing his eyes dangerously.
"If you can withstand the burden I'm about to give you..."
"Burden? What do you mean—"
"<<𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐲𝐮 𝐆𝐮𝐬𝐨𝐤𝐮>>"
As Kurogane Ouma spoke the name of the technique in a low voice full of power, the air around Chen Ye suddenly turned into a ferocious whirlwind.
The wind spun at a terrifying speed, compressing and compressing until it formed an invisible grip that coiled around Chen Ye's entire body.
Pressure after pressure struck him in rapid succession like a merciless giant hammer!
Damn! What kind of terrifying pressure was this?!
"What the hell is this?!"
Chen Ye screamed in horror before his body was slammed to the ground with a force that made every bone tremble in pain.
𝘽𝙍𝘼𝙆!
"Cough!"
Fresh blood gushed from his lips, trickling at the corner of his mouth.
With great difficulty and eyes full of stars, he looked at Kurogane Ouma with a mixture of horror and disbelief.
"Perhaps the Sword King has already explained a little about me," said Kurogane Ouma in a careless tone, as if the tortured Chen Ye before him were of no importance.
"I always wrap my body in a layer of wind pressure that not only serves as protection, but also strengthens my every movement and attack. This technique is called Tenryu Gusoku."
He glanced at the half-dead young man before him with a belittling look.
"And the pressure you are feeling right now... is only one-tenth of the true power of Tenryu Gusoku."
"If you can't even withstand something trivial like this," Kurogane Ouma continued coldly, "you'd better forget your dream of being trained by me."
"D-damn..."
Chen Ye could only curse as he felt the wind pressure continue to choke and torment him.
***
Night fell with its thick darkness.
Chen Ye prepared for a training session with one of the Yozakura Family members who made him shudder the most—Kokushibo.
Under the full moon shining with silvery light, Kokushibo's figure looked like a being from another world.
His appearance was so contrasting and dignified, as if he were a nobleman from an era long past.
His long, spiky black hair with blood-red tips was tied in a high ponytail that fell like a dark waterfall.
His skin was extremely pale, as if it had never been touched by sunlight, creating a striking contrast with his dark clothing.
He wore a nagagi kimono with a purple-black hexagonal pattern that seemed to move and change shape when viewed from different angles, like a living optical illusion.
Black umanori-style hakama trousers were tied with a white uwa-obi that encircled his waist perfectly. His feet were clad in zōri with purple straps and spotless white tabi socks.
If only he did not have three pairs of eyes glowing in the dark, Chen Ye was sure Kokushibo's figure would have been an inspiration for many artists and poets.
But on the other hand… Chen Ye was also puzzled by this unusual training pattern.
Unlike the other Yozakura Family members who trained him in the morning or afternoon when the sun shone brightly, only Kokushibo chose nighttime to give lessons.
The reason was still a mystery to Chen Ye, but he respected the decision anyway.
After all, Kokushibo was as serious as Inaba Tsukuyo when it came to sharing knowledge—there was no playing around in any of the movements and explanations he gave.
From the various training sessions they had gone through, Chen Ye also knew that Kokushibo's sword style had similarities with Tomioka Giyū's.
But… the difference in power between the two was like heaven and earth.
Kokushibo was many times stronger than Tomioka Giyū.
That was even acknowledged directly by Tomioka Giyū—no matter from which aspect, Kokushibo had surpassed him in every respect.
One thing Chen Ye greatly regretted was the fact that Kokushibo's technique did not suit him.
Yes, Kokushibo also had an extraordinary breathing technique, just like Tomioka Giyū with his Mizu no Kokyū (Water Breathing).
Kokushibo's technique was called Tsuki no Kokyū (Moon Breathing).
Honestly, compared to Mizu no Kokyū, Chen Ye felt Tsuki no Kokyū sounded far cooler and deadlier.
He reached this conclusion after watching Kokushibo demonstrate his technique firsthand in a truly astonishing yet terrifying display.
But precisely after seeing that brilliance, Chen Ye immediately realized that Tsuki no Kokyū did not suit him at all.
The technique was specialized for controlling many invisible slashes that moved like crescent moons in the darkness of the night.
Chen Ye wasn't entirely sure of his theory, but one thing was certain: Kokushibo possessed a terrifying Rank S Talent called "Kekkijutsu (Blood Demon Art) - Crescent Moon Blades."
That Talent allowed Kokushibo to create and control invisible and visible blades in chaotic, irregular patterns, like a dance of death both beautiful and deadly.
To make it even more dangerous and perfect, Tsuki no Kokyū served as its complement.
"There is no need to feel disappointed or despair," said Kokushibo in a soothing tone.
"I will teach you something else that is no less valuable."
"Y-yes!"
Chen Ye nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining with hope.
"You may have heard these words from Tomioka Giyū before—the human body is always full of hidden potential."
Kokushibo began his explanation in a deep, authoritative voice.
"Besides the breathing technique you've already learned, there is another method that can strengthen ordinary humans into something extraordinary."
"There's another one?!"
Hearing that statement, Chen Ye's eyes widened.
The breathing technique alone was already amazing because it could be learned and used by almost anyone, but there turned out to be another secret?!
If this information spread to the outside world, Chen Ye was sure many people would be willing to spend their fortunes to learn it!
"Don't misunderstand yet," Kokushibo raised a hand to calm Chen Ye's excitement.
"Unlike the breathing technique, which anyone can learn with inhumane training, this method can only emerge in certain humans because of differences in their physical and mental conditions."
His six eyes looked at Chen Ye. "But with the Emperor of Sword within you… your body is surely adapted to meet all the necessary requirements."
Of course... for that to truly happen, Kokushibo had to explain everything in detail.
"This method is called Kisatsu Aza (Demon Slayer Mark). In essence, you manifest a special mark or tattoo on a certain part of your body. The effects of this mark are extraordinary—besides your physical strength increasing drastically, you will also gain access to two abilities that have always been the highest dream of every martial artist in this world."
𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 and 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲.
Transparent World allows its user to see the muscles, blood flow, joint movements, and even the heartbeat of every living being around them. This ability lets the user predict and react with perfect accuracy to every opponent's movement, as well as monitor the health and well-being of others. More than that, the user gains a super perception that lets them see the world around them at a far faster speed, as if the world moved in slow motion.
As for Selfless State… it is the highest peak of spiritual mastery, where those who reach it have entered the pure essence of combat itself. In this state, they become as calm as nature itself—like a flower swaying gently in the wind, they move without malice and fight purely on instincts honed to perfection. As a result, their every action becomes unreadable and unpredictable, like the delicate movements of leaves dancing in a gentle breeze.
"...This... isn't this basically a Talent?"
Chen Ye asked in a trembling voice, unable to hide his shock.
"A Talent, huh... you are not wrong in your thinking." Kokushibo nodded slowly.
"In some senses and classifications, Kisatsu Aza can indeed be categorized as a Talent. The fundamental difference is... it is something you can learn and master."
Chen Ye felt his mouth go dry.
"What... what must I do to get it?"
"Simple," replied Kokushibo as he slowly drew his katana from its sheath.
Moonlight reflected off the blade, creating a frightening gleam.
"Generally, to awaken the Kisatsu Aza, a person must have a heart rate of over 200 bpm and a body temperature above 39° Celsius. But those requirements only apply to ordinary humans..."
Kokushibo's six eyes gazed at Chen Ye intensely.
"As for you... you are a Hunter who has successfully awakened two Rank SS Talents at once. Your condition is far beyond that of ordinary humans, so we can only use another way to awaken it, namely..."
A life-threatening fight.
Hearing that statement, Chen Ye's head went numb again.
Seriously?! How many more times did he have to dance on the brink of death?!
"Don't worry too much," the Sword King's voice sounded soothing from within his mind, though it did nothing to help the situation.
"You have rather good luck, so you will most likely not actually die."
And so that night, the training session was closed with Chen Ye battered, covered in wounds, and once again feeling how close he was to the gates of death.
***
Of all the mentors who had ever trained Chen Ye, if asked who owned the most complex and astonishing sword technique, he would answer without hesitation... Ji Xianyuan.
The petite woman looked captivating in her shimmering orange silk gown, woven with pure gold thread and adorned with small gems that caught every ray of light and reflected it like falling stars.
Her jet-black hair was styled with the elegance of a noblewoman—gold-plated hairpins, strands of pearls flowing like water, and beautiful ornaments that glittered whenever she moved.
But the most enchanting thing was her golden-yellow eyes.
A pair of eyes radiating deep wisdom and a calm possessed only by those who had been through life-and-death battles.
Although her smile was warm and friendly, the aura emanating from her body was like the presence of a wise ancient queen.
"Art of Taixuan Sword?"
Chen Ye frowned in confusion at the name of the technique to be taught. The name sounded unfamiliar to his ears.
"Ah, actually it's not just an ordinary sword technique," Ji Xianyuan explained in a voice soft as silk.
"The Art of Taixuan Sword is a martial system so complex and deep. This technique combines physical, mental, and spiritual aspects to enable its user to master any energy perfectly and safely."
Chen Ye's eyes widened.
A martial system combining three aspects at once? That sounded... incredible.
"To master the Art of Taixuan Sword," continued Ji Xianyuan as she caressed the hilt of her golden sword, "there are five essences that must be mastered in stages."
The five essences were:
First, Heart/Mantra.
Second, Form.
Third, Meaning/Sanction.
Fourth, Soul/Ascension.
And the last... Divinity/Eminence.
"When someone reaches the last essence," she continued in a voice that was almost a whisper, "they have merged perfectly with their own will. They can forge swords with their thoughts, strengthen swords with their heart, and fully understand the entire Art of Taixuan Sword. In simple words... those who reach Divinity/Eminence can form thousands of swords with their mind alone."
Chen Ye swallowed.
Thousands of swords... with only the mind?
"In addition," Ji Xianyuan continued, "once one reaches the level of Divinity, one can access a special attack called 'Edge of Taixuan.'"
Then was that all?
Of course not.
The Art of Taixuan Sword was far more complicated than could be imagined because... there was still a follow-up attack to the Edge of Taixuan.
An attack that was the highest pinnacle of this technique, and almost impossible for any entity to block…
"Edge of Taixuan - Eminence. A level far higher than the ordinary Edge of Taixuan. Although the name differs by only one word, it is the only type of attack capable of killing a being of any strength... with only an ordinary human body."
She fell silent for a moment, then smiled.
"Yes… whether a Rank SSS monster or even a legendary Transcendent Being... all can be killed with a single attack."
"..."
Chen Ye's brain truly stopped functioning.
This... wasn't this too fantastic?
A technique that allowed an ordinary human to kill a Transcendent being—didn't that already exceed the power of a Rank SSS Talent?!
The Sword King, floating beside them, was also extraordinarily shocked.
After all, wasn't this too unreasonable?!
Even a Rank Unknown being like True Cthulhu could not kill a Rank SSS monster or a Transcendent being in a single attack!
Could the Art of Taixuan Sword truly be that strong?
Chen Ye began to feel that Ji Xianyuan's explanation sounded like a mere fairy tale!
"Of course," Ji Xianyuan continued in a quiet tone, "using Edge of Taixuan - Eminence has extremely strict requirements. I myself have only reached the fourth essence, Soul/Ascension. So even using the Edge of Taixuan has never crossed my dreams, because reaching the fifth essence... is very, very difficult."
However... that did not mean Ji Xuanyuan could not use the Edge of Taixuan at all.
If she forced herself, she could still use it even without reaching the essence of Divinity/Eminence.
It was just that… the consequences were terrifying.
Besides the absurd energy consumption and power far below the true Edge of Taixuan, Ji Xuanyuan might have to sacrifice her "memories" and her weapon.
In the worst case... she would "die."
But Ji Xianyuan would not bother to explain these terrifying details to Chen Ye.
"W-wait a moment," Chen Ye stammered, "does this mean you're not the creator of this technique?"
"Me?" Ji Xianyuan blinked and then laughed softly and gracefully like silver bells.
"No, of course not. I am merely a disciple still learning."
"That's very surprising," the Sword King commented in a disbelieving tone.
"A technique that formidable... why has this old man never heard of it even once?"
Logically, with how extraordinary the Art of Taixuan Sword was, it was impossible to hide it from the world.
Moreover, the Sword King had lived for centuries, yet the name of that technique was completely foreign to him.
"The answer is actually quite simple..."
Ji Xianyuan caressed her golden sword with a longing expression.
In her mind, the figure of a beautiful gray-haired woman with a cold, emotionless expression appeared faintly like a shadow of the past.
"Everyone who has ever seen the Art of Taixuan Sword... is dead. In addition, the creator of this technique is a very humble person who dislikes showing off. That's why only a handful of people in this world know of the existence of the Art of Taixuan Sword."
"I-is that so..."
Chen Ye fell slightly silent, seeing the nostalgic and sorrowful expression that suddenly appeared on Ji Xianyuan's face.
It seemed... the one who created the Art of Taixuan Sword was no individual to be taken lightly.
The Sword King himself was lost in deep thought.
Honestly, a figure capable of creating a technique of the Art of Taixuan Sword's caliber must still be alive and roaming somewhere in this world.
It was just that, no matter how humble that person was, it was impossible for the Sword King never to have heard even a hint of their existence...
"So, how shall we begin?" Chen Ye swallowed.
Truly, of all the sword techniques he had learned from the Yozakura Family members, he felt the Art of Taixuan Sword might be the most frightening and at the same time most fascinating one.
Yet... he could not hide the burning enthusiasm within him.
Who wouldn't be excited?
After all, the Art of Taixuan Sword sounded so incredible!
He was even sure that the Sword King had no technique that could match it!
If the Sword King knew what his disciple was thinking, the old spirit would surely give him a lesson on respecting teachers.
But unfortunately... he couldn't argue either, because that was in fact the case.
All the techniques he wanted to teach Chen Ye felt so lowly compared to the astonishing explanation of the Art of Taixuan Sword!
Damn it, even the Sword King himself was very tempted to learn this miraculous technique!
"We'll start with the first essence, namely Heart or Mantra," Ji Xianyuan explained patiently.
"Actually, once you succeed in mastering the first essence, mastering the following essences—except Divinity—will be relatively easy. But precisely for that reason, Heart is the most complicated and crucial part of the entire Art of Taixuan Sword."
Because of its extraordinary difficulty, the creator of the Art of Taixuan Sword even created a special sub-technique to attain the Heart essence, namely the Taixuan Blade Heart, also known as the Taixuan Blade Mantra.
"In simple terms for you both," Ji Xianyuan looked at Chen Ye and the Sword King in turn, "we can think of the Taixuan Blade Mantra as your 'Dao' or the deepest core of yourself as a swordsman. Once that 'Dao' is destroyed or damaged, your entire swordsmanship will collapse instantly. Most terrifying of all... you will never be able to hold a sword again for the rest of your life."
In other words, Chen Ye had to form his own Taixuan Blade Mantra.
And to do so...
"Within the Art of Taixuan Sword, there are four stages that must be passed to form the Taixuan Blade Mantra. If you succeed in passing all four, the Taixuan Blade Mantra will be perfectly formed and officially... you will have mastered the Heart essence."
Ji Xianyuan looked at Chen Ye with eyes glinting serious yet hopeful.
"So... are you ready?" Ji Xuanyuan asked gently.
"Yes!"
Chen Ye answered in a loud voice, though his heart pounded with a mix of fear and excitement.
"I'm ready!"
"Then let's begin…"
***
"Truly... the people of the Yozakura Family cannot be underestimated in the slightest."
The Sword King sighed with a feeling of helplessness as he gazed at the evening sky that was beginning to change color. The complexity of his feelings was clear in his voice.
"That's very true. Every member of the Yozakura Family is like a monster in human form," Chen Ye agreed with a nod, wincing in pain.
At that moment the two of them were walking slowly toward Chen Ye's residence.
The young man's body was covered in bruises and wounds from the brutal training of Kurogane Ouma, who knew no mercy.
"So now you no longer regret choosing to join the Yozakura Family, do you?"
An indifferent girl's voice suddenly broke the silence.
Startled, Chen Ye turned and found Inaba Tsukuyo standing upright before him with her usual cold expression.
"M-Master Inaba?!" Chen Ye looked a little awkward. "Why are you here?"
"Just passing by," answered Inaba Tsukuyo in a flat tone.
"Besides, aren't you being too careless? Have you forgotten my warning never to let your guard down in this place?"
Her tone sounded quite irritated yet contained veiled concern.
"Eh? What do you mean?" Chen Ye frowned in confusion.
"Haah," Inaba Tsukuyo sighed long with a weary expression, "now I understand how the Sword King feels dealing with you."
Then in a still-indifferent voice, she said, "How long are you going to hide this time, Yoruka?"
"Huh?!"
Hearing Inaba Tsukuyo suddenly mention another person's name, Chen Ye became alert at once and looked around with sharp eyes while his hand reflexively gripped the hilt of his sword.
Then—
"Fufu, the timing was very bad, Miss Tsukuyo~" A soft and charming girl's voice, like birdsong, came from the darkness.
"My intention was actually to surprise him~"
In an instant, Chen Ye found a slender girl standing perfectly gracefully right beside Inaba Tsukuyo—as if she had been there all along.
Jet-black hair like a waterfall flowed beautifully over her shoulders.
She wore an elegant black yukata tied with a blood-red obi at her waist.
Her skin was pale white with a soft blush that made her look like a living porcelain doll.
But what drew the most attention were her heterochromatic eyes—her right eye was blue as clear as the sky, while her left eye was purple as deep as night.
"It is a great honor to meet you," she said as she bowed with a movement so graceful and perfect. "My name is Kirihime Yoruka~"
A beautiful smile adorned her face, but something terrifying was hidden behind that smile.
Seeing this girl, Chen Ye's head immediately went numb and the danger alarm within him rang loudly.
She was indeed very beautiful and charming—perhaps one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen.
It was just that...
It felt like facing a beautiful red rose, yet full of deadly poisonous thorns.
The Sword King also felt an extremely strong bad premonition when looking at the girl.
The reason was none other than... the girl had a killing aura so thick and terrifying! Even the air around her felt colder.
"You've returned sooner than expected," Inaba Tsukuyo remarked as she looked at Yoruka with narrowed eyes.
"But... where is Flashy Flash? Didn't you leave together?"
"I'm here."
Another voice suddenly sounded from a completely different direction—right beside Chen Ye.
Because of the sudden shock, Chen Ye, already in full alert mode, reacted immediately according to his fighting instincts.
He launched a sword swing at full speed but—
KRING!
His sword was blocked easily by the hilt of a katana moving like lightning.
Only then could Chen Ye clearly see the figure who had stopped him.
He was a slender yet muscular young man of average height with a rather androgynous appearance—almost beautiful for a man.
His blue eyes were sharp as shards of ice, while his long ice-blond hair was styled with bangs neatly combed to the right side of his face.
Uniquely, he wore a tight dark blue bodysuit with shiny metallic arm guards on both arms, plus upper chest armor and a long white cape that fluttered dramatically behind him.
"Not bad," he commented in a flat voice but with an air of assessment.
"Reacting immediately without hesitation—you have quite promising talent. But still..." his blue eyes looked at Chen Ye with a belittling expression, "you are still very, very slow in my eyes."
"..."
What was with the men of this Yozakura Family?!
Did they all have a bad habit of boasting while belittling others?!
"Ahem," Inaba Tsukuyo cleared her throat to draw attention, "Chen Ye, let me introduce you—this is Flashy Flash. Don't think too much about his... unique name. He..."
She fell silent for a moment, seeming to think, "...really is a little different from the others."
"What do you mean 'strange'?" Flashy Flash looked at Inaba Tsukuyo with narrowed eyes.
"It's their fault if they can't comprehend the philosophical power contained behind my name."
"You've come back earlier than the planned schedule," Inaba Tsukuyo changed the subject in a more serious tone.
"Does this mean you're bringing important information?"
"Ara~" Kirihime Yoruka smiled sweetly but her heterochromatic eyes flashed dangerously, "you guessed very accurately, Miss Tsukuyo. And..."
She looked at Chen Ye with an inquisitive gaze, "the latest information we bring is very closely related to the young man standing there~"
"Eh?"
Chen Ye was shocked to hear himself mentioned, while the Sword King began to feel an ever-stronger bad premonition.
"This is not the right place to discuss it," Flashy Flash said in a calm tone.
"We must gather with the other members immediately. So contact the Family Head right now."
"I see..." Inaba Tsukuyo frowned with an unhappy expression, but nodded without resistance. "Understood."
"As for you two..."
Flashy Flash looked at Chen Ye and then shifted to the Sword King floating like a ghost beside them.
Though he seemed slightly interested in the existence of the old spirit, he still said in a tone that could not be refused, "Because this information concerns you directly, you must come with us. Now."
"Y-yes..."
***
"Is everything ready?"
Dean's voice broke the silence of the night.
The leader of the notoriously cruel Black Mamba organization stood upright with the pressing aura of a Rank SSS Hunter.
His sharp eyes swept over the subordinates gathered behind him—all Rank A Hunters.
"Everything is ready, Chief," answered one respectfully, though cold sweat ran down his temples.
"How have the Shikai Family and Resonance Family responded?"
"Those two great families agreed not to interfere while our attack on Master Swordsman City is underway," his subordinate reported cautiously.
"However, they set one absolute condition—we are strictly forbidden from harming innocent civilians."
"Tsk, how hypocritical."
The scarred Rank S Hunter clicked his tongue in annoyance.
Another Rank S Hunter, known for his realistic attitude, shrugged casually.
"Well, what do you expect from those noble families? It's already lucky they won't meddle in our affairs. Besides, don't forget that those two families have ties to the two Rank SSS Hunters in that city. Not to mention the Rank S and A Hunters scattered across that whole city."
But a big question still hung in the air.
Why were the Shikai Family and Resonance Family—two of the three founding families of Master Swordsman City—allowing the Yozakura Family to be attacked?
Shouldn't they protect one another as fellow founders?
The answer to that question was actually not too hard to understand.
Unlike the Shikai Family or the Resonance Family, the Yozakura Family was shrouded in too much mystery.
The oddities surrounding them had planted seeds of deep suspicion in the hearts of the other two families.
The most suspicious was the figure of Yozakura Tsubomi—the founder of the Yozakura Family, who was still alive today.
While the founders of the other two families had long since passed away and been replaced by successor generations, Yozakura Tsubomi lived on in perfect physical condition… with no signs of aging although hundreds of years had passed.
Yet everyone knew Yozakura Tsubomi was not a Hunter.
So where had she gained such an unnatural lifespan?
Even a Rank SS Hunter would undergo physical changes after living for hundreds of years.
Because of this strangeness, the Shikai Family and Resonance Family had sent their spies many times to infiltrate the Yozakura Family.
The result? Not one returned alive. Not even their corpses were ever found.
One thing was certain… the Yozakura Family hid a great secret that allowed them to remain one of the main powers in Master Swordsman City even though their family members did not even number twenty.
That secret was what made the two other great families greedy and kept them trying to find out what the Yozakura Family was really hiding.
Unfortunately, they could not attack directly because of the presence of the Hunter Association and the World Organization, which would immediately intervene if internal conflict broke out among the great families.
But the presence of the Black Mamba solved all those problems.
Because this organization, regarded as evil, had the goal of attacking the Yozakura Family, then let them do the dirty work.
If the Black Mamba succeeded, the two great families could seize the Yozakura Family's secret from the ruins. If they failed, there would be no loss to them.
Dean, though no fool, fully realized that his organization was being used.
But he did not care about the cheap political games.
As long as he could achieve his main goal—killing the Sword King—that was more than enough.
Moreover, with a Transcendent being of the Demon Dragon Lord's caliber on their side, there was nothing to fear from any Rank SSS Hunters.
"The night sky looks so beautiful tonight~"
A soft yet teasing girl's voice suddenly broke the silence.
All the Black Mamba members stiffened at once and turned their gazes to the sky.
A girl with silvery-white hair shimmering like silk under the moonlight and a pair of golden eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
Her very skimpy outfit—like a black bikini showing off her perfect pale skin—gave a contrasting impression of fragility and danger.
The girl sat leisurely upon some sort of futuristic wheeled chair filled with mechanical tentacles and rows of high-tech cannons.
The blend of captivating beauty and alien technology created a deeply unsettling aura.
"You've arrived," Dean looked at her with a cold stare that could freeze blood.
"Have you finished your business?"
"Of course~ Do you still doubt me? That hurts me so much, you know~"
Even though she said so in a sulky tone, the sweet smile on her face never faded.
"Don't misunderstand," Dean replied in an even colder tone.
"I still don't completely trust you. If it weren't for His Majesty's direct order, your head would have been separated from your body long ago."
"Fufu~ What a distrustful person. But haven't I proven myself many times?" the girl laughed softly in a tone like silver bells.
Hearing that answer, Dean chose not to continue the argument.
Though he was very reluctant to admit it, he had to thank this being who called herself Observer α (Alpha).
This mysterious girl had not only provided extraordinary combat support, but also... unlimited funding.
Dean never understood how, but Observer α or the organization behind her had a practically unlimited fortune.
How rich?
Just name any figure with however many zeros behind it, and Observer α would easily transfer that sum into their organization's account.
The amount of funds flowing to the Black Mamba's treasurer was so fantastic that it nearly equaled the World Organization's annual income.
And that was an extraordinary feat, considering the World Organization's income came from the contributions of thousands of guilds, dozens of kingdoms, and even the legendary Holy Spirit Empire.
One could imagine how tremendous the wealth possessed by Observer α or the organization behind her was...
However, that did not mean Dean let down his guard and trusted the girl fully.
Although Observer α always said she was present as an "observer" in the literal sense, it could not be that simple.
There must be hidden things that had not yet been revealed…
"What is that?"
Dean frowned as his eyes caught a strange object in Observer α's hand.
From its outward appearance, the object looked like an ordinary cube with a smooth surface.
But the energy flowing within it... felt so pure and clean that it made Dean uncomfortable.
"Ah? You're curious?" Observer α smiled with eyes glinting teasingly.
"No need to be so wary. You can think of this object as a recording device for research purposes~"
"I hope you don't intend to do anything that could harm our mission," Dean warned in a threatening tone.
"Fufu~ I'm curious about that too~ Let's just see what happens later~"
Dean only responded with a freezing cold stare.
Quietly, he signaled several of his members to watch Observer α more closely.
His intuition told him that the girl would become something uncontrollable.
Now, Dean and all the Black Mamba members stood on a hill overlooking Master Swordsman City from afar.
The city known as a paradise for swordsmen looked so peaceful under the moonlight, unaware of the calamity about to befall it.
Suddenly, the calm night sky began to churn.
A giant magic circle formed in the heavens, so large it covered most of the city.
The magic circle began to suck in all the [mana] in the surrounding area with extraordinary power, creating a terrifying energy vortex.
"Then, let's begin."
What happened next was an explosion of dark light that enveloped the entire area, swallowing Master Swordsman City in an oppressive, gloomy shadow.
***
In a place very far from the bustle of the battle that was about to begin...
"..."
"Lord Morax?"
Seeing the steps of the majestic white-robed figure before her suddenly stop, Silvana felt a little confused.
Without responding to her call, the figure merely looked at the sky with a pair of golden eyes radiating an inhuman light from beneath the hood of his white cloak.
'It seems... this is going to be a bit troublesome.'
Along with that thought, a familiar system notification appeared before him with a flickering blue light.
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 '𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿-𝘂𝗽'!]
[𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆...]
[𝗗𝗶𝗻𝗴! 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱...]
[𝗧𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘂𝗽𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗻𝘀...]