"Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind Mountain Mist."
The gale howled as the blade swung upward, unleashing a terrifying whirlwind slash that seemed to twist the very clouds.
Lexon's execution of this breathing technique—one that usually had a low power ceiling—now displayed enough might to split mountains under the pressure of his enhanced Nichirin Sword.
"Rainy Gloom." The Blade Demon pointed the tip of Nightshade. Suddenly, a substance like black ink poured out, surging toward Lexon like a torrential rain, and effortlessly dispersed the whirlwind slash as it passed through.
"Mist Breathing, First Form: Low Clouds, Distant Haze." The breeze at Lexon's mouth and along his blade instantly transformed into a thin white mist. As he circulated his breathing, the faint vapor thickened abruptly, billowing from the blade until it completely shrouded the surrounding air.
The Blade Demon showed no hesitation, continuing to direct the black substance toward Lexon's previous position.
That black substance, possessing an annihilation property even more potent than the Truth-Seeking Orbs' power over all creation, was not fooled by the mist's direction; it pierced straight through the vapor toward its target.
'He's gone?'
But immediately, the feedback received made the Blade Demon realize his opponent was no longer there.
'Hiding in the mist?'
"Hellish Slasher." Without delay, the Blade Demon swung his black katana, leaving streaks of black blade-scars that nearly tore the mist to shreds.
"Mist Breathing, Ninth Form: Scattering Mist Splash." Lexon, revealed as the mist was torn apart, had already unleashed his next sword form.
A blurred, circular slash condensed from mist flew from his blade.
Deceptive and hazy, it felt like a dream or an illusion.
Hmm?
The Blade Demon's spirit wavered for only a fraction of a second before he regained his focus.
He frowned deeply, realizing this attack was far from simple.
"Nightshade," the Blade Demon called his black katana's name softly. "Seize."
[OK]
A hollow, eerie voice suddenly resonated from the black katana in the Blade Demon's hand.
This was...
Lexon was momentarily stunned.
'A blade spirit?'
'Something like that exists?'
While his thoughts were still racing, the Blade Demon's body flickered, charging forward as if completely ignoring Lexon's slash.
Then, Lexon witnessed a strange sight.
The Blade Demon passed right through his slash without taking any damage, as if he had moved through thin air.
'What kind of strange skill is this?'
'There was no spatial fluctuation, so it's not a spatial folding or evasion type skill...'
Lexon was puzzled.
By now, the Blade Demon had closed the distance, pressing in close.
'True Phantom.'
The whisper fell in the Blade Demon's heart.
An upward strike from the black katana came at him.
"Flame Breathing, Third Form: Blazing Universe."
With a smooth and rapid switch in breathing styles, brilliant flames bloomed on his blade. The Nichirin Sword parried downward.
Clang!
The blades met with a resounding ring.
[ABOVE]
Despite having blocked the opponent's weapon with his Nichirin Sword, his Instinct sent a warning of an attack from above.
Glancing from the corner of his eye, Lexon discovered another Blade Demon hand and black katana existing just above him.
It was slashing down toward him.
'So... the one below is an illusion?'
The thought crossed Lexon's mind.
'No... there was clear contact and force transmission, so the one below is real.'
He immediately rejected his own thought.
'So the one above is fake? But... it doesn't seem like it.'
Unable to judge for certain, Lexon flipped his Nichirin Sword in the heat of the moment, and flowing water spread across the blade.
"Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm."
Lexon unleashed the ultimate Water Breathing form created by Giyu.
The scene in the air seemed to transform into a calm, tranquil water surface without a single ripple. Even the Blade Demon's attacks seemed to sink into deep water, becoming completely still.
This was the ultimate defensive technique of Water Breathing, which emphasized harmony.
Executed by Lexon, it proved immensely effective even in a high-level battle such as this.
"Insect Breathing, Butterfly Dance: Wither."
As the Blade Demon's attack was blocked, Lexon switched his breathing style again. He instantly unleashed the terrifyingly lethal sword form Shinobu Kocho once used to shatter Gyokko's defense.
Illusory butterflies fluttered and beautiful flowers bloomed, creating a vibrant, gorgeous scene.
Then, the fluttering butterflies suddenly fell in swaths, the brilliant flowers withered, and the colorful scene turned grey and desolate, filled with the feeling of decay.
'I can't take this head-on.'
Vaguely, the Blade Demon had such a feeling.
Thus, he kicked the air, shooting backward until he was out of the technique's range.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash." Lexon naturally wouldn't give up the chance to attack, transforming into a bolt of lightning as he charged at the Blade Demon.
Flame Breathing.
Wind Breathing.
Insect Breathing.
Beast Breathing.
Sun Breathing.
Stone Breathing.
...
Every breathing style he had ever signed in for was displayed by Lexon, clashing blades with the Blade Demon thousands... hundreds of thousands... millions, even hundreds of millions of times.
Lexon relied on his flight ability to switch breathing styles with ease, using the most appropriate sword form for every moment. The Blade Demon used a skill similar to Moonwalk, stepping on the air to launch attacks or defend with his own sword techniques. They went back and forth, seemingly evenly matched.
Even the violent booms and invisible shockwaves from their collisions in mid-air caused the ground below to tremble.
It was like an earthquake had arrived.
...
"Their strengths seem to be on par with each other!" Puri-Puri Prisoner, who had been watching from below for a long time, remarked.
"Indeed," Bang, the martial arts master who could only be a spectator, agreed. "Unless there are other factors at play, I'm afraid this stalemate will continue. The 'Mist Swordsman' doesn't seem to have a way to finish the other guy off."
"Both are ultimate experts in this field... it's definitely going to be hard to determine a winner," Atomic Samurai judged, wearing a look that said 'I know exactly what's happening.'
"'Demon Cyborg'! Watchdog Man! Can you go and help?" Child Emperor looked toward the four people who had been sitting there.
Hearing Child Emperor's voice, Watchdog Man didn't react, continuing to eat popcorn while sitting in his chair.
Genos shook his head at Child Emperor and said, "I cannot interfere in Mr. Lexon's battle."
"That's true..." Child Emperor then remembered that even though his group of S-Class heroes had been taken out in seconds, the remaining two S-Class heroes probably wouldn't be of much help either.
"By the way, doesn't the S-Class Rank 1 intend to come and help?" Tanktop Master looked at Child Emperor.
"Mr. 'Blast's' whereabouts are unknown..."
"Heh... and he still counts as S-Class Rank 1?" Sweet Mask, who had also become a spectator, sneered.
"Perhaps Mr. 'Blast' has his own matters to attend to..." Child Emperor defended the hero he admired.
"What matter could be more urgent than the current situation?" Sweet Mask retorted. "If he's always missing like this, the S-Class Rank 1 position might as well be given to the one up there."
Unexpectedly, Sweet Mask, who had been taught a lesson by Lexon before, seemed to be speaking on Lexon's behalf, as if trying to help him secure the position he deserved instead of remaining in B-Class.
"This..."
"I believe this is open to discussion," Bang actually spoke up in agreement.
While the S-Class heroes were still arguing about these miscellaneous matters.
The battle above seemed to have reached a new stage.
Clang!
After another clash of blades, both Lexon and the Blade Demon pulled back to opposite sides in the air.
"If that's all you've got... I've about had enough fun for now, okay?" Lexon looked at the Blade Demon, his casual expression unhidden.
"You are truly impressive," the Blade Demon muttered heavily, gazing at Lexon.
Then, he slowly raised Nightshade in his hand.
Hmm?
Lexon's expression suddenly turned to one of surprise.
Because in Lexon's sight, a familiar thin white mist began to gradually drift from the Blade Demon's mouth and the blade of his black katana.
"Mist Breathing..."
The heavy words fell.
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