Even with it activated, there was barely any change. Under Raiden's attack, Uzui Tengen could only hold on for a brief instant before his body was sent flying again.
Raiden raised an eyebrow as he looked at Tengen, who had already been knocked out of the Transparent World state.
Now he was certain of one thing. It was not because Uzui Tengen was unbelievably talented and had mastered the Transparent World instantly. It was simply because Tengen refused to let his flamboyance be ruined by looking too miserable, so he had forced himself into it.
"Cough, cough. Long time no see, Raiden. Your speed has gotten much faster."
Tengen, still sliding backward across the ground, forced himself into a kneeling position and spoke as if nothing had happened.
Raiden's mouth twitched slightly. Flamboyant, truly too flamboyant. It would have looked even more impressive if the hand holding Tengen's Nichirin blade was not trembling so badly.
"Get used to that last strike. Then come again."
As soon as he finished speaking, Raiden flashed forward and struck again. If you want to endure it, let's see how long you can last.
Clang.
A familiar counterattack. A familiar knockback. A familiar single knee on the ground.
Seeing this, Raiden almost wanted to applaud him. The so called God of Festivals really did live up to his reputation. Taking a blow like that without making a sound was impressive.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Raiden followed with three more consecutive strikes. This time he controlled the strength carefully, making sure the blows would land without seriously injuring Tengen.
All three attacks were blocked again. Even though Tengen was sent flying farther with every hit, that same kneeling posture remained unchanged.
Could it be that Uzui Tengen really had some kind of flamboyance buff?
Raiden tilted his head slightly, already preparing to increase the intensity to see how long Tengen could truly last.
Just as he stepped forward again, Tengen suddenly spoke.
"Wait."
"What?"
"I need to tell them something first."
Tengen stood up slowly. He tried his best to control the shaking in his body, but his arms and legs clearly refused to cooperate.
"Makio, Hinatsuru, Suma. Why don't you wait for me outside? I cannot fight properly with you here, and I might accidentally hurt you."
He spoke with complete seriousness.
Damn it. This kid Raiden had no sense at all. He just kept attacking again and again as if he really wanted to kill him. Five strikes. A full five strikes. If one more landed, he would not be able to keep up the act. If his wives stayed here, his reputation would be finished.
Makio and Hinatsuru exchanged a strange glance, then nodded silently.
They might not be strong fighters, but they were not stupid. Raiden had not even unsheathed his Nichirin blade, and he clearly was not using his full strength, yet Tengen was already in this state. The difference between them was obvious.
Tengen was definitely trying to protect his pride.
The two of them nodded in understanding and walked toward the courtyard exit.
"Hehe. Tengen-sama didn't mention my name, so I can stay, right? Don't worry, I will cheer for you!"
Suma spread her arms happily, completely excited.
Tengen's hand twitched.
"Suma, you go out too. What if you get hurt by accident?"
"It's fine. I believe Tengen-sama would never let me get hurt."
Tengen nearly choked. He could barely protect himself right now. How was he supposed to protect Suma too?
Fortunately, Makio and Hinatsuru understood immediately. One on each side, they grabbed Suma and dragged her out of the courtyard.
The moment the three of them left, Tengen's body instantly went limp.
"It seems the God of Festivals is not feeling very flamboyant anymore."
Raiden could not help teasing when he saw his condition.
"You really don't give me any face, do you?"
"Who told you to bring your family along? If Zenitsu were here, I would have just let him handle it."
Raiden clicked his tongue slightly.
"Get up. Continue the training."
Without the three of them watching, the training slowly returned to normal. Even so, Tengen could only enter the Transparent World once out of every ten attempts.
That made Raiden frown.
After another collision, Raiden stood opposite the exhausted Sound Pillar and said calmly, "I think calling them back in would speed this up."
"No. I am already getting the hang of it. Trust me."
Tengen straightened his back immediately.
Let them come back just to watch him get beaten again? Absolutely not. His lifelong flamboyance would end right here.
Under Raiden's pressure, Tengen's progress slowly improved.
After a day and a half, the training finally came to an end.
Although luck played a part in it, it was undeniable that Uzui Tengen really did have talent.
"They are not coming today?"
Raiden looked at Tengen lying flat on the ground and asked with a teasing smile.
"Why would they come? To watch me get beaten? That is not very flamboyant, is it?"
Tengen rolled his eyes.
Before coming here, he had already estimated Raiden's strength, but he had completely underestimated it. Raiden's power was so overwhelming that it almost did not feel human.
At first, Tengen thought that once he mastered the Transparent World, he would at least be able to match Raiden after the first few strikes.
But as the training continued, he realized how ridiculous that idea was.
No matter how long he maintained the Transparent World, Raiden could still defeat him effortlessly.
It felt like chasing the horizon. It looked close, but the moment you tried to reach it, the distance became endless.
"Your training ends here. Go back."
Raiden glanced at his panel. There was still no notification of increased intimacy, so he simply shrugged and did not force it.
Tengen did not reply. He just lay there quietly, adjusting his breathing.
After a short silence, he finally spoke.
"Thank you, Raiden."
Raiden blinked slightly.
"Not only for this training, but also for what happened in the Entertainment District. You really are more flamboyant than the God of Festivals."
Ding.
Sound Pillar Uzui Tengen's friendship with the host has increased to Close Friend. Random reward obtained.
Obtained skill, Sound Breathing Fifth Form, String Performance, Profound.
Do you wish to fuse Sound Breathing Fifth Form, String Performance, Profound now?
No.
Raiden paused for a moment, then the corner of his mouth slowly lifted.
At least the training had not been a waste. Three breathing forms were now waiting to be fused. Once they merged, his strength would definitely rise again.