Haganezuka had shut his eyes tightly, already bracing himself for Sanemi Shinazugawa's attack.
But the pain he expected never came.
Confused, he slowly opened his eyes.
What he saw shocked him—
Xia Feng had suddenly appeared behind Sanemi Shinazugawa, grabbing his wrist!
Xia Feng held his sword in one hand, an impatient expression on his face.
"When someone's busy, don't make a fuss."
"Didn't anyone teach you basic manners?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Sanemi's eyes.
He couldn't understand how someone had vanished right before him—then appeared behind him.
That made no sense!
With a powerful pull, he yanked his wrist free and jumped backward several meters.
The pain in his wrist told him something important.
The kid in front of him was strong.
"Interesting… very interesting."
Sanemi grinned wildly.
"To forge a Nichirin blade like that and still have this kind of strength and speed… Since when did someone like you appear in the Swordsmith Village?"
He drew his sword from his waist.
A green blade with dark emerald wave patterns.
The guard was shaped like an eight-pointed star.
Seeing it, Xia Feng's first thought was strangely unrelated.
This sword looks a lot like Hyorinmaru…
Turning his attention back to Sanemi's killing intent, Xia Feng chuckled.
"Perfect."
"I also need someone to test my newly forged sword."
He slowly raised his blade.
"Come."
A vein bulged on Sanemi's forehead.
Did this guy not know who he was?!
He was the Wind Hashira!
And this brat was actually letting him attack first?
Sanemi inhaled sharply.
Then his foot moved.
His body transformed into a violent gust of wind, rushing straight at Xia Feng.
His blade rose high before slashing down.
If it landed, the terrifying speed would split Xia Feng in half instantly.
Haganezuka watched in horror from the side.
Even though he wasn't a swordsman, he understood enough.
Sanemi was serious.
If Xia Feng failed to dodge—
He would die.
Panicking, Haganezuka looked around desperately, wanting to call for help.
But there was no one nearby.
Meanwhile, facing the incoming strike—
Xia Feng's expression remained calm.
Sanemi arrived before him in the blink of an eye and swung his blade down!
At that exact moment—
Xia Feng vanished.
Not exactly vanished.
It looked as if he had sunk into water—
Descending directly into his own shadow.
Shadow Stealth!
Sanemi's pupils shrank.
What kind of ability was this?!
The first thought in his mind was—
Blood Demon Art.
Only demons possessed such supernatural powers.
His body reacted faster than his thoughts.
He spun instantly and slashed toward his rear.
At almost the same moment—
Xia Feng emerged from the shadow behind him and swung his sword!
CLANG!!!
The two blades collided violently, sparks exploding into the air.
Sanemi gritted his teeth.
He had reacted hastily and from a lower position.
Immediately, he was suppressed in strength.
Then he noticed something.
Though evening had fallen, the last rays of sunlight still lingered.
Some sunlight landed on Xia Feng.
And Xia Feng showed no reaction.
Not a demon…
The realization hit him instantly.
Then he wanted to slap himself.
If Xia Feng were a demon, his senses would have detected it long ago!
Sanemi cleared his mind and focused.
With a sudden burst of strength, he knocked Xia Feng's blade aside.
At the same time—
He activated his breathing technique.
"Wind Breathing, Fourth Form — Rising Dust Storm!"
Sanemi roared.
A violent spiral of blade wind surged toward Xia Feng.
Xia Feng's lips curved slightly.
Among the Hashira, Sanemi was considered one of the stronger fighters.
If he had already forced him to use Breathing techniques in real combat—
This fight was already halfway won.
Xia Feng's blade flashed.
"Flower Breathing, Third Form — Crimson Hanagoromo!"
A blue blade light appeared.
Three defensive arcs formed, completely blocking Sanemi's whirlwind attack.
Then Xia Feng raised his sword, preparing to counterattack with the Sixth Form.
But suddenly—
Sanemi stopped.
He leaped backward and landed several meters away.
"Flower Breathing?!"
"You're not a swordsmith!"
"You're from the Butterfly Estate?!"
Xia Feng casually flicked his blade.
Instead of answering, he vanished into the shadows again.
Sanemi's eyes narrowed.
He carefully scanned every shadow around him.
From Xia Feng's previous move, he had already guessed something.
This disappearance ability was related to shadows.
He stared at every shadow nearby, waiting.
Suddenly—
A sword extended from his own shadow.
"Got you!"
Sanemi swung his blade instantly.
But in the next second—
He saw something shocking.
Behind him, from the shadow of a nearby building—
A foot suddenly kicked toward him!
Sanemi almost lost his mind.
This ability could be used like this?!
Attacks coming from different shadows at the same time?!
What kind of monster was this?!
He jumped upward immediately.
His body became a descending cyclone.
"Wind Breathing, Fifth Form — Cold Mountain Wind!"
A devastating slash fell downward.
Xia Feng had no intention of blocking.
Through Shadow Stealth, he slipped away and reappeared several meters away.
When he emerged, he felt a bit tired.
Even with his enhanced physique, prolonged shadow movement still consumed stamina.
Seeing Xia Feng reappear, Sanemi's expression changed slightly.
He opened his mouth as if wanting to speak.
But Xia Feng interrupted him with action.
His blade pointed forward.
"Insect Breathing — Dance of the Centipede: Hundred-Legged Serpent!"
Instantly—
Xia Feng's body turned into a lightning-like blur.
His movements zigzagged unpredictably as he dashed forward and thrust his sword.
Sanemi's eyes widened.
This guy—
Not only knew Flower Breathing…
He could also use Insect Breathing?!
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