Chapter 82

The intense fight inside the dojo lasted a full hour before gradually coming to a stop.

Neither wore face armor, but Shizuku, aside from being drenched in sweat, was surprisingly unharmed on her head; apart from some faint pain in the flesh beneath her chest and arm guards, she was fine.

Only Uesugi Toru was beaten up again.

【Your skill, Corona Breathing Technique proficiency +178!】

【Your skill, Tennen Rishin-ryu proficiency +112!】

But looking at the two surging proficiencies, Uesugi Toru felt Shizuku's earlier words were not empty, and he had gained much.

To suppress his own strength to her level, Uesugi Toru needed not only precise control of his own power but also careful observation of exactly what level of power Shizuku could currently exert.

Shizuku's strikes were extremely exquisite, often producing the effect of two or even more units of force from one unit; if it were the usual Uesugi Toru, he would surely be helpless.

But after using String Hun Xiang Hui, it was different.

With his physical attribute far exceeding hers, Uesugi Toru could clearly observe Shizuku's force trajectories and techniques.

After doing it many times, he could roughly estimate her physical attribute at around 10 points, then steadily maintain his own strength at the same level as hers.

—And then get beaten up to gain experience.

"What I want is the effect that no matter how you're beaten, you can keep your power output at a steady level."

Shizuku tossed him a clean towel and said: "Uesugi-kun, this isn't something achievable by willpower alone; you have to make your body remember this feeling."

"That way, even if your emotions run wild in a life-and-death struggle, you can maintain your strongest combat power."

Saying this, Shizuku trembled all over and bit her lower lip with her canine tooth.

Uesugi Toru knew—this was her being killed once more by the object of contemplation in her mind.

During the hour-long sparring, they talked about everything; these small matters were no longer secrets to him.

He wiped away his sweat, curled his lip: "But sparring with me while also slaughtering others in your mind—that's really looking down on people."

"—Then Uesugi-kun, quickly improve your swordsmanship to the point where I can't be distracted, otherwise my training efficiency can't be maximized."

Shizuku spread her hands carelessly, speaking in the tone of a mischievous little girl.

This woman...

Not arguing with Shizuku, Uesugi Toru leaned against a bench to the side, lowered his eyes pretending to rest while browsing the prompt about his Tennen Rishin-ryu breakthrough just now—

【Your skill, Tian Ran Li Xin Liu has risen to Proficient Level!】

【Tian Ran Li Xin Liu (Proficient 100/1000)】

【Effect: Solid foundation, flexible and changeable, naturally harmonized.】

【Because your Tian Ran Li Xin Liu rose to Proficient Level, your physique +2!】

【Because your Tian Ran Li Xin Liu rose to Proficient Level, you learned a new stance: Three-Stage Thrust!】

【Because your Tian Ran Li Xin Liu rose to Proficient Level, you learned Ju Ci-related techniques!】

No wonder his head felt swollen right after the fight.

Uesugi Toru rubbed his temples; he still hadn't fully figured out the techniques of Corona Breathing Technique, and now a whole bunch of Ju Ci-related knowledge had come.

The Three-Stage Thrust stance wasn't hard; it could almost be called an upgraded version of Heijougan, and using it a few more times should let him master it.

But this Ju Ci... who should he find to practice with?

Shizuku definitely wouldn't do; Ju Ci emphasizes surprise and speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness—if he struck her with a full-power slash, Uesugi Toru simply didn't dare imagine the scene.

"I guess I'll have to make Chi suffer."

Speaking of sparring partners, Chi in Kisaragi Station was indeed not bad.

Poor perception, wouldn't move around randomly, low aggression but not nonexistent—simply the best target for early Ju Ci practice!

While Shizuku changed clothes, Uesugi Toru glanced again at his increasingly luxurious Attribute Panel—

【Uesugi Toru】

【Physique: 20】

【Will: 9】

【Charm: 9】

【Spirit Arts: 1】

Although the "1" in Spirit Arts was still glaring, this situation should improve after drawing the Three-Tailed Fox Incarnation...

Speaking of gacha pulls, Uesugi Toru thought his Soul Ash was almost approaching five hundred points, enough for a Ten-Pull.

"Let's enter Kisaragi Station later."

—Shizuku, having changed clothes, stood at the doorway, silently sizing up the youth leaning against the bench, who looked like a Greek goddess.

Those white muscles, rising and falling with his breath, carved like marble, truly made Shizuku envious.

You ask why Shizuku could see so many muscles through his clothes?

—Because she established a mathematical model in her mind, of course!

"Uesugi-kun has become much stronger after training by himself, not just in swordsmanship, but in physique as well."

In contrast, she herself was only passable in swordsmanship because she had dawdled for a long time; even the crucial Sword Heart Penetration was a lucky breakthrough, incomparable to Uesugi Toru who caught up step by step.

She must work harder...

No, she must give it her all.

Shizuku sighed out hot white breath wearily, silently adding in her mind a version of herself who ascetic-trained in various extreme environments, and a version who fought enemies in real combat, as complements.

"Tired?"

Shizuku raised her head somewhat dazedly and saw the exquisite white Omamori with the characters "Clear Heart" engraved on the front being held before her eyes, and the handsome youth handing it over.

"It has the effect of nourishing the spirit; if there are yokai nearby, it will probably heat up to remind you." Uesugi Toru smiled at her, "I think this is probably the most suitable for you."

Dazedly taking the Clear Heart Omamori, almost instantly Shizuku felt her thoughts lighten, and the world before her eyes became bright.

Her thoughts circulated without pause, and her breathing became smooth!

The same faint spiritual nourishment effect was better than nothing for Uesugi Toru, but for Shizuku it was a godsend, a great help!

Shizuku held the light omamori in her hand, feeling tears nearly welling up in her eyes.

But she suppressed that fluttering in an instant, merely showing a gentle smile and saying: "This is indeed very useful to me, thanks."

"I can't not show some appreciation, can I?" She hooked her finger at Uesugi Toru: "So, why not a little small... reward?"

"What reward?"

Uesugi Toru was stunned—could it be that to thank him, Shizuku would take out the Bamboo Sword and beat him up again to gain experience?

Such thanks were better kept to a minimum.

Shizuku blinked at him playfully: "Need you ask? It's just the literal meaning of welfare..."

Uesugi Toru wasn't completely Wood, so he immediately reacted.

But he still stepped back half a step: "No, no need."

—Just kidding! Who would have such thoughts about a brother!

Shizuku pouted: "Uesugi-kun, not being honest."

"No, I'm being honest, speaking from the heart; instead, why are you, Shizuku, speaking like that classic character type?"

Shizuku put the omamori into her Pocket, zipped it tight, and hummed twice.

She stepped forward, cornering the latter against the wall, smiling with narrowed eyes: "Uesugi-kun... how did you know I learned that?"

End of Chapter