Xia Feng wiped a hand across his wound. As the light of his healing ability flared, the bleeding gash began to close at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Under normal circumstances, he would never do something as stupid as blocking sword energy with his body.
Whether by dodging with Bullet Time or ignoring damage with Intangibility, he could easily avoid such attacks.
But to save Kanao, he didn't have many choices.
After all…
Upper Rank One wasn't some ordinary opponent.
If not for the newly learned "Dead Calm", which neutralized most of the incoming slashes, combined with the incredible defense of Iron Body, Xia Feng would probably be missing an arm or leg by now.
Kokushibo made no move.
He simply stared at Xia Feng.
"So… you are Xia Feng?"
He had heard Kanao call out Xia Feng's name earlier.
Xia Feng grinned.
"What? Don't tell me you came here looking for me."
Kokushibo nodded.
"You killed the Lower Rank demons. Before they died, they passed your information to that Lord."
"Of course, killing two Lower Ranks alone wouldn't make that Lord send me personally."
"The reason I came for you is because a Demon Slayer once lost to me in battle. In exchange for his life, he told me everything he knew about the Hashira."
"That included you… Xia Feng. Special Advisor of the Demon Slayer Corps, capable of instantly healing others."
"If your ability is left unchecked…"
"…it will cause trouble for that Lord."
"So that Lord sent me here to take your life."
Hearing this, Xia Feng chuckled.
"For something this small, sending Upper Rank One? Muzan really gives me face."
"But I'm curious about one thing."
"Why did you come to Mount Fujikasane to find me? The news about me serving as an examiner here shouldn't have leaked out."
Kokushibo nodded.
"Correct. I did not know you were an examiner here."
"I only knew that several candidates familiar with you would be participating in the selection on this mountain."
"So long as I captured them… or killed them… you would inevitably appear."
His tone was calm, as if discussing something trivial.
But Xia Feng's expression gradually turned cold.
"As expected of a demon. Your methods really are impressive."
Kokushibo ignored the sarcasm and continued calmly.
"Facts have proven this strategy effective against you."
"A normal person—even with your extraordinary healing ability—would not risk their life to block my sword energy."
"Your weakness has already been exposed."
His voice suddenly became heavy with pressure.
Standing behind Xia Feng, Kanao felt her chest tighten under the oppressive aura.
Xia Feng looked at Kokushibo.
Then he slowly shook his head.
Kokushibo frowned slightly.
"What? Am I wrong?"
Xia Feng smiled faintly.
"No."
"I'm just pitying you."
"When a swordsman stops focusing on how to win with his sword… and instead relies on underhanded tricks…"
"…it means he has already lost the pride of a swordsman."
"Against someone as third-rate as you, even if my entire body were full of weaknesses, there'd still be nothing to worry about."
With that, Xia Feng raised his Nichirin blade and charged!
Kokushibo's expression turned icy.
Xia Feng's words stabbed straight into his heart.
A cold light flashed across his eyes.
Xia Feng would pay for those words.
In an instant, the two clashed more than a dozen times.
Sparks exploded in the air as their blades collided repeatedly.
At the same moment—
A figure suddenly landed beside Kanao, wrapped an arm around her waist, and leapt away.
It was Mitsuri Kanroji!
Seeing Upper Rank One, Mitsuri was filled with shock.
An Upper Rank…
And Upper Rank One at that!
Aside from Muzan Kibutsuji, the strongest demon alive!
For over a hundred years, the Demon Slayer Corps had never won against the Upper Ranks.
How long could Xia Feng hold out?
Mitsuri's heart was in turmoil.
But the most important thing right now was to get Kanao away!
Kanao said urgently,
"Lady Kanroji, please call for reinforcements immediately! Upper Rank One learned about Mr. Xia Feng's ability from captured Demon Slayers. He came here specifically to assassinate Mr. Xia Feng!"
Hearing this, Mitsuri's pupils shrank.
She nodded firmly.
"Don't worry! Even though I look like this, I'm very reliable in critical moments!"
Just as she finished speaking—
She nearly tripped over a tree root.
Kanao: "..."
After sensing the two of them leave, Xia Feng spoke again.
"Before we continue… let me ask one thing."
"What was the name of that Demon Slayer who surrendered to you?"
Kokushibo shook his head slightly.
"I did not record his name."
"I only know that he was a swordsman who used Thunder Breathing."
Xia Feng clicked his tongue.
A dog really can't stop eating filth.
He lightly swung his Nichirin blade—
Then his entire body suddenly sank into the ground!
It was as if the earth beneath his feet had turned into a swamp, swallowing him whole.
Kokushibo was momentarily stunned.
That ability…
It looked very similar to a Blood Demon Art!
Was Xia Feng a demon?
Impossible!
Without hesitation, Kokushibo slashed downward with sword energy!
Boom!
The strike blasted apart the soil, sending dirt flying everywhere.
But Xia Feng was nowhere to be seen.
Kokushibo immediately realized that Xia Feng's abilities might exceed his expectations.
He could not treat Xia Feng like an ordinary human swordsman.
Kokushibo expanded his perception.
No matter where Xia Feng emerged, he would sense it instantly.
But the moment he extended his senses—
Kokushibo looked down in surprise.
From the ground between his legs, a Nichirin blade suddenly burst out, stabbing straight upward!
Kokushibo kicked off the ground and leapt high into the air.
Like a fish bursting from water, Xia Feng shot out of the earth with his sword, pursuing him!
Kokushibo gripped his sword with both hands and slashed downward—
Moon Breathing, First Form — Dark Moon, Evening Palace!
A crescent-shaped slash shot forward, surrounded by countless spinning half-moon blades!
If struck by this attack, even with Iron Body, Xia Feng would likely be shredded into pieces instantly.
But Xia Feng merely let out a cold laugh.
Under Kokushibo's shocked gaze—
Xia Feng's entire body passed straight through the attack, as if the sword energy didn't exist at all.
Kokushibo was absolutely certain that the Xia Feng before him was real.
Not an illusion.
Even if Xia Feng had unleashed overwhelming power to shatter the attack head-on, Kokushibo wouldn't have been this shocked.
But what was happening right now?
Was this some kind of ghost trick?
Before he could process the thought, Xia Feng had already moved.
A wild grin spread across his face.
Like a bolt of lightning, he dashed in front of Kokushibo.
Insect Breathing — Dance of the Bee Fang: True Strike!
A silver flash cut through the air.
Xia Feng's blade pierced straight through Kokushibo's shoulder.
Blood burst outward.
🌟 The story is already written… waiting to be unleashed.
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