Chapter 89: A Hundred Years Later: Jingle, Fuzhu, and Shitan

Day Four…

Araki altered the training for Jingle, Fuzhu, and Shitan again; this time he drilled their body techniques and taught them the half‑finished "Araki Six Forms," so, simply put, the three were Araki's experimental lab rats.

''Shave', 'Iron Block', 'Moon Step' are all fine…'

What the heck are 'Storm Foot', 'Finger Gun', and 'Finger Paint'?!

Jingle was momentarily confused; he grasped that 'Shave' works with Instant Step to make the step faster, that 'Iron Block' coats the body with spirit particles to harden it, and that 'Moon Step' releases spirit particles from the toe or stomps the air at extreme speed to soar into the sky…

But what on earth is this ability that releases a slash via the foot, shoots spirit particles from the fingers, and makes the body dodge cuts as if it were paper?!

'Finger Gun' can be combined with Bai Lei! You can even broaden your thinking—attacks need not be released only with the fingers; 'toes', 'fists', any part of your body can serve as a point of attack. The key is surprise…

At this moment Araki handed the three—a brand‑new technique he had devised by merging with Ghost Island.

Imagine when you're dueling with someone's blade; while they're unaware, you raise the other hand and fire straight at their face, or when you kick, you combine a wind‑attribute Ghost Dao to cut a hole in the opponent's abdomen…

Remember, combat is about using any means; no matter how 'dirty' the tactic, as long as it wins, it's a good thing…

By integrating Ghost Dao, Araki successfully reproduced 'Finger Gun' and 'Storm Foot', and moreover could emit attacks of varying elements depending on the Ghost Dao attached to the foot or finger. Araki notes that his body‑technique was inspired by the 'Instant Hype' theory developed by Si Feng Yuan Ye Yi of the Four Maple Institute.

It was precisely because Araki devised such disgusting tactics that, in later times, when Araki and Shanben wagered the 'Chief Commander' position and fought, Araki unleashed a 'One‑Slash Cremation' with his middle finger, smearing Shanben's face—a famous scene…

That's too dirty! But it's so cool!

After hearing Araki's theory, Jingle's eyes widened; he admired his teacher's wild imagination, able to devise such disgusting tactics.

I like it!

Shitan's mouth curled upward; this filthy style fit his taste perfectly.

This… sigh…

Fuzhu, after hearing Araki, looked at the excited Jingle and Shitan and let out a long sigh; although he felt a bit ashamed of such tactics, as Araki said, any method that can defeat the enemy is a good method…

Then let's begin training!

Next came the three youngsters' training on the 'Araki Combat Method', while Araki stood aside to correct them and refine every flaw in his own tactics.

Day Five…

Araki led Fuzhu and the other two to the Fourth Squad's cultivation return path; as Araki said, the return path need not be strong—just enough to stop one's own bleeding in an emergency.

Day Six…

Araki focused on training the three in 'Instant Step'; after all, Jingle and the others lack the 'Spatial Shift' ability, so Instant Step is essential…

Day Seven…

Araki assigned Jingle and the others to train in 'Break Dao' and 'Bind Dao'; this time he invited Deputy Ghost Dao Master Wai Ling Tiezhai over.

Then back to the beginning…

Araki tossed two wooden swords to each person.

Today, it's still duel training!

While saying that, Araki swung the two wooden swords in his hands, producing a fierce slash once more.

Block it for me!

Jingle stared at the sky‑filled slashes, his internal spirit pressure rising; he mimicked Araki, attaching spirit pressure to his weapon, attempting to meet Araki's strike head‑on.

Boom!!

The moment Jingle's wooden sword met Araki's slash, he realized his mistake—Araki's cut was clearly beyond what he could currently withstand.

Block!!

Just as Jingle was about to be knocked over by the sword, Fuzhu and Shitan rushed to his side, simultaneously copying his stance, trying to block the blade together.

You…

Jingle, seeing Fuzhu and Shitan arrive in time, felt deeply moved; his eyes glittered as he recalled a week of training, a surge of power roiling in his chest.

If it were the current me, I could definitely block it!!

Jingle roared, veins tightening all over his body.

Then…

Boom!

Accompanied by a booming sound, Jingle, Fuzhu, and Shitan were all flung backward.

Idiot, how could you possibly block that.

Araki looked at the trio he had sent flying and said lightly.

What lay ahead for Jingle and the others was still Araki's gale‑like slash…

When the training ended, Jingle and the others were, without doubt, once again covered in wounds.

Only this time, Araki took the three to the Fourth Squad, to the Qilin Temple to soak in the opponent's healing hot springs.

Immediately followed by a new week of training: Day 1 dueling, Day 2 slashing, Day 3 endurance, Day 4 body technique, Day 5 return path, Day 6 Instant Step, Day 7 Break Dao and Bind Dao… repeating endlessly.

Time flew by…

A hundred years slipped by silently.

The Eleventh Squad's swordsmanship arrived at the venue; Jingle Chunshui, Fuzhu Shisilang, and Gang Yidai Shitan were already present. The three, who once still wore a hint of youthful air, had become mature after a hundred years of honing; Jingle even grew a few stubble on his chin, saying it made him look more manly and would attract many girls who favor mature men~

And today was Araki's final assessment of the three…

Indeed, a regular curriculum at the Mao Spiritual Arts Institute lasts only six short years, but Araki extended it to a full hundred years…

As for today, it is the so‑called 'Graduation Exam'.

Jingle, you actually arrived early today.

Fuzhu looked at Jingle and teased.

Haha, we've already postponed graduation for over ninety years; if we don't graduate soon, the girls who were in our cohort will all be old by then~

Jingle touched his chin, wearing a pure‑white expression.

You really haven't changed at all~

"But I heard that the conflict between you and your own brother has been eased quite a bit; that's really rare~"

Fubu first let out a helpless chuckle, then seemed to think of something and said with great satisfaction.

"Haha, people always have to grow up~"

Jingyue heard that and gave a light smile, seeming unwilling to discuss it further.

"Hehe, what do you mean by 'people always have to grow up'? Saying it so nicely, what's the point?!"

"In the end you're just scheming against your own 'sister‑in‑law'! Jingyue, if I were you I'd find a night opportunity to slaughter your simple, honest brother, or openly duel your brother—defeating him isn't a problem for you now! Then I'd take his place and claim her!"

Shitan's words were extremely blunt; between his light chuckle he uttered a chilling remark.

"You guy really are, as Teacher Araki said, a born bad seed!"

Jingyue, after hearing Shitan's words, said speechlessly.

Jingyue seems already accustomed to Shitan's wickedness; this guy, every so often, can utter words like "immoral" and "inhumane"…

"Hehe, I've already told you the technique; whether you use it is your own problem."

Shitan was too lazy to bother Jingyue; how could a mere swordsman like Jingyue possibly grasp his high‑grade techniques?!

"You three have arrived…"

Just as Jingyue and the others were chatting idly, Araki walked into the Eleventh Squad's 'Swordsmanship Dojo'.

"Teacher Araki!"

Jingyue and the two others, seeing Araki entering the dojo, stopped their idle talk and respectfully bowed to him.

Even the born‑bad Shitan gave a deferential bow to Araki.

"Then let's begin! The rules are the same as before; you may use any ability—'Slash Fist Ghost Walk' or 'Release of the Soul‑Cutting Blade'—it doesn't matter, and I only know 'Slash Fist Ghost Walk'! As long as you can touch me, or strike me! then you've passed the test."

Araki gave Jingyue and the others a faint smile and spoke softly.

"Blossom wind swirling, flower deity wailing, heavenly wind in chaos, celestial demon sneering, flower‑heaven wild bone."

As Araki's words fell, Jingyue said nothing and instantly released the Soul‑Cutting Blade at his waist.

"All flowing waves, become my shield; all lightning, become my blade! Pisces Principle!"

"Clear wind without shadow, shadow hides within; clear wind with shadow, shadow confuses the trail! Capture wind, seize shadow."

At the very moment Jingyue released his Soul‑Cutting Blade, Fubu and Shitan exchanged glances, simultaneously drew their own Soul‑Cutting Blades from their waists and released them.

For a moment, three powerful spiritual pressures burst from the three bodies, the terrifying oppression causing the Eleventh Squad soldiers secretly watching from outside the dojo to feel their stress multiply.

"Those three kids, in just a hundred years, their spiritual pressure is almost reaching the Death God level of a squad leader (Spirit Might Tier 3), right?"

"Truly worthy of being Captain Araki's direct disciples; each one is like a monster!"

"We old ones can't compare~ the future belongs to them…"

The Eleventh Squad soldiers, feeling the spiritual pressure inside the dojo, murmured to themselves.

"Hehe…" Araki glanced at the three who had each released their Soul‑Cutting Blades, let out a light laugh and praised: "It seems the three of you have already mastered a decent release~"

"Since that's so, I'll also be a bit more serious!"

Araki said this as he drew his Soul‑Cutting Blade from his waist.

"Teacher, the blade is drawn!"

Jingyue, watching Araki draw his blade, warned the two beside him while already swinging his own blade out.

"Unrefined Solo Joy!"

Jingyue said this as a slash surged toward Araki.

"Not bad…"

Araki, seeing this, also slashed out a strike.

Facing Araki's slash, Jingyue's 'Unrefined Solo Joy' proved too immature; at the instant the two slashes collided, Jingyue's strike was shattered…

"Capture Wind!"

Shitan didn't simply let Araki's slash hit Jingyue; he used his Soul‑Cutting Blade to seize the surrounding 'air', then swung fiercely at Araki's slash.

With Shitan and Jingyue combined, they completely nullified Araki's blade…

"Huge help~"

Jingyue, watching Shitan act, gave a wry smile.

"It's not over!"

Shitan's eyes still stared intently at Araki; facing their Teacher Araki, he hasn't dared to be careless enough to look elsewhere during battle.

"Boom!"

Sure enough, just as Shitan said, Araki's second slash came out immediately.

"Hey hey hey! Even if I team up with you, we couldn't block this one, right?!"

Jingyue, staring at Araki's exaggerated slash, muttered.

"Don't be foolish, dodge quickly…"

Sweat beads sprang on Shitan's forehead as he shouted nervously.

"Too late!"

Before Shitan and Jingyue could move, Araki had already unleashed countless slashes, the sky filled with blade light that blocked all directions for the two.

"Ah, so exhausted, what should we do?!"

Jingyue, seeing the successive slashes, lifted the corner of his mouth slightly, as if portraying that Araki had been fooled.

"Pisces Principle!"

Just as Jingyue and Shitan were about to be hit by the sweeping slash, half‑gray‑haired Fubu stood before them, extending his left‑handed sword forward.

"Boom!"

With a light sound, Fubu instantly absorbed Araki's slash.

"Oh~"

Huangmu saw this and slightly squinted his eyes.

"All together!"

Fuzhu, after giving Jingle and Shitan a reminder, pointed his right hand at Huangmu.

In the next second, slashes filled the sky and instantly surged between heaven and earth…

"No finesse, just fun!"

Jingle swung his Zanpodo again, a slash even stronger than the previous one already slashing toward Huangmu. Hmm, that kid Jingle had been holding back…

"Wind Slash!"

At that moment, Shitan also swung his Zanpodo fiercely, and a violent gale immediately surged forward…

Yes, he too had been holding back; the two of them have fully learned Huangmu's fighting style.

"It seems you both can now deliver decent slashes!"

"But… it's still too feeble!"

At that moment, the spiritual pressure inside Huangmu erupted like boiling water, the spirit particles in his hand continuously released, and an overwhelmingly strong slash instantly cut out, completely nullifying everything before his eyes.

"Can't block it…"

Fuzhu could sense that Huangmu's slash seemed to be mixed with something beyond spirit particles; if he tried to hard‑block it, he would surely be injured, so he could only forcefully dodge.

"Run!"

Seeing his expression change sharply, Shitan grabbed Fuzhu and immediately fled into the shadows to 'Capture Shadow'.

Boom!!!

When the endless gale swept over, the ceiling of the Eleven Squad Dojo was instantly shattered, a massive sword pressure surged straight into the heavens, crushing countless clouds into powder, forming a towering 'Waterfall' that linked sky and earth before dissipating into the horizon…

"Whew…"

When the sword pressure had almost vanished, the swordsmanship dojo revealed the battered figures of Shitan and Fuzhu; even though they hid within shadows, the powerful spiritual pressure still struck their bodies, leaving only minor injuries.

"Is that it?!"

Huangmu looked at the defeated Shitan and Fuzhu and said calmly.

"Teacher Huangmu, do you know why my Zanpodo is called 'Capture Wind, Capture Shadow'?"

Shitan rose from the ruins at that moment and asked Huangmu.

"Hm?!"

Huangmu frowned at the words.

"My Zanpodo can turn the wind I capture into a slash, and it can also splice the shadows I capture together with other shadows at will!" Without waiting for Huangmu's reply, Shitan continued speaking to Huangmu, explaining his Zanpodo's ability while simultaneously asking, "Now the question is, since Fuzhu and I are here, where the idiot Jingle went?!"

"Jingle?"

Huangmu's brows twitched slightly at the words; there was no sign of Jingle in front of him.

"Sorry! Teacher Huangmu, you're truly overwhelming; I didn't want to use this method…"

"But I did succeed!"

Just as Huangmu was puzzled, a hoarse voice sounded behind him…

The voice turned out to be Jingle's; looking closely at the shadows of the ruins on the ground, they were now linked with Huangmu's shadow, and Jingle was wielding—'Shadow Ghost'!

"Charge!"

At this moment, Fuzhu and Shitan also moved, and the three formed a triangle that instantly surrounded Huangmu.

"Heh…"

Seeing this, Huangmu finally smiled, then he swapped positions with Shitan…

"Hm?!"

Jingle, watching the person in front swap places with Shitan, had his pupils flash; he instantly tossed his sword aside and shouted toward Huangmu, "Piercing Finger!!"

This was Jingle's ability, derived from Huangmu's pointing spear, gathering spirit particles at his fingertips and launching them…

"Whoosh!"

The spirit particles, faster than bullets, instantly flew toward Huangmu.

"Ding!"

With a light ring, they were instantly sliced apart by Huangmu's blade.

"Teacher, you're too cunning; we agreed you wouldn't use any abilities!"

Jingle, watching Huangmu cut the spirit particles he had launched with Piercing Finger, said angrily.

"You almost cut me to death…"

"Teacher Huangmu, that just now definitely wasn't 'Slash Fist, Run Ghost', right?"

Shitan wiped the sweat from his forehead; being a 'Born Bad Seed' didn't mean he wasn't afraid of death.

"You almost cut Shitan to death…"

Fuzhu said this while sheathing his Zanpodo.

"That… is actually—"

"…Fine, you win!"

Huangmu scratched his cheek, thinking that, having dubbed himself 'Perception' and refusing to use Zanpodo abilities or 'Perfect Manifestation', relying only on swordsmanship and bare‑handed strikes, he would indeed get hit? Young people nowadays are all monsters~

Huangmu suddenly felt that he was already old.

Just now, the combo of Jingle, Fuzhu, and Shitan—if a later‑era 'Six‑Wheeler' tried it, they'd probably be cut into mush by the three…

"So… we passed the assessment?!"

Jingle's face showed disbelief at the words.

"Finally won…"

Shi Tan then sat down on the dojo in one go.

"We actually beat that teacher Araki?! I can hardly believe it..."

"But this must be the result of cultivation the teacher mentioned, right? I have learned my lesson!"

Fu Zhu clenched his fist, and a joy he could barely restrain sprang from deep within his heart.

"Then, from now on, consider this the final cultivation I, as your master, give you!"

"Go to the Spirit King Palace and master each of your own Bankai!"

Just as the three were rejoicing, teacher Araki's voice continued to echo.

"Go to the Spirit King Palace?!"

Shi Tan's complexion changed sharply at the words; he seemed to recall something ominous, for a hundred years had taught him many secrets.

"Bankai of the Zanpakutō?!"

Jing Le and Fu Zhu were even more focused on what lay behind.

Sangeng: thirteen thousand, and then! Also, could I get some wave tickets~

(End of chapter)