Thinking of this, Lin Guang headed for the top of Narrow Mist Mountain. The higher he ascended, the thinner the air became, but this posed no problem for Lin Guang, who had already mastered the breathing technique.
Soon, Lin Guang arrived at the summit of Narrow Mist Mountain. Snowflakes were falling one by one, but Lin Guang did not feel cold; in fact, he felt quite comfortable.
"It is winter now, and the temperature at the top of the mountain is low enough, which will allow me to better develop the power of the Ice Fruit. Let's see if I can integrate the power of the Ice Fruit into the breathing technique over these next few months."
Lin Guang opened his mouth slightly and took a breath into his body. "Water Breathing! Form 1! Water Slash!" While using Water Breathing, Lin Guang also activated the power of the Ice Fruit. Pieces of light blue ice crystals appeared on the handle of the knife, and the water splashing on the blade diminished significantly.
Then, Lin Guang adjusted his breathing and continued to use Water Breathing. "Water Breathing! Second Form! Waterwheel!"
As Lin Guang continued to practice, he gradually discovered the key point for fusing Water Breathing with the power of the Ice Fruit. "The characteristics of Water Breathing are excellent defense and versatility. It can be said to be a very comprehensive sword skill. Although the stronger attacking forms are the second type—Waterwheel, the eighth type—Takitsubo, and the tenth type—Life Flow."
"Ice can be considered an extreme form of water. It is sharper and harder."
"If I inject the power of the Ice Fruit into the knife and then use the sword techniques, maybe I can succeed."
With this thought, Lin Guang closed his eyes, opened his mouth slightly, took a breath into his body, slowly raised the knife in his hand, and slashed forward. The light blue ice blade passed by, emitting a trace of cold air.
"Sure enough, this is the breathing method I created that suits me best—Ice Breathing!"
Time flew by, and a year passed. Perhaps because Tanjiro always asked Lin Guang for tips after each training session, and because Lin Guang served as a sparring partner, Tanjiro actually mastered Water Breathing in just one year.
Lin Guang also continuously honed his sword skills and Ice Breathing during this time. "Ice Breathing! Form One! Ice Blade Slash!" White frost condensed on the blade, releasing wisps of cold air. As Lin Guang's blade fell, the boulder split into two, and the blade continued to emit a trace of cold air.
This was not the first time Lin Guang had chopped a boulder. After his first attempt, he turned chopping the boulder into a training project to refine his unique Ice Breathing.
Lin Guang sheathed his knife and looked elsewhere. "I wonder if Tanjiro has managed to chop the boulder. Let's go take a look."
Passing through a forest, Lin Guang reached another open space. There stood a boulder nearly three meters high, similar to the one he had just split. Tanjiro stood in front of the boulder, appearing to be engaged in a struggle with someone.
Lin Guang had known about this situation for three months. "Xantu and Makomo, really... don't they worry about me?" Lin Guang shook his head in distress.
When Lin Guang discovered this situation, he had attempted to contact Xantu and Makomo, but to no avail. This made Lin Guang feel downcast for a long time, and he envied Tanjiro's progress.
Suddenly, Makomo's voice sounded in Lin Guang's ears. "We have been worried about you, but when we saw Lin Guang create his own breathing method, we were all genuinely happy for you. Besides, couldn't Lin Guang have cut that big, hard rock in half a long time ago?"
Lin Guang turned his head to look around, but he didn't see Zhengumo's figure. He smiled helplessly. "I really can't hide anything from you, Zhengumo. You have always been so observant." As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Guang thought he heard Zhengumo laugh.
At this moment, Tanjiro suddenly swung the knife in his hand, splitting the boulder in two. A smile appeared on his face, which gradually morphed into astonishment. "Wasn't it the mask of the rabbit that I cut off? How did it turn into a rock?"
"Yes, this knife is very clean and sharp, without any unnecessary movements," Lin Guang applauded.
Tanjiro then noticed Lin Guang. "Senior Lin Guang, when did you get here? I didn't even notice you."
"I just arrived and I'm relieved to see you cut the huge rock."
That day, both Tanjiro and Hayashi managed to split their respective boulders. Urokodaki Sakonji approached, examining the shattered rock before him.
"I didn't plan to let you go to the final selection, even though I knew that you, Lin Guang, had mastered Water Breathing. I didn't want to see my child die anymore."
Lin Guang looked at the old man who had raised him for seventeen years and said in an extremely serious tone, "We will definitely come back alive!"
Tanjiro also responded, "Yes, we will definitely come back alive!"
Over the year, Tanjiro had learned from Lin Guang what the final selection might entail and why Urokodaki Sakonji asked them to cut the three-meter-high boulder. It was out of concern that they might encounter a powerful demon during the final selection and ultimately perish.
Urokodaki Sakonji, filled with worry, nodded in relief. That night, Urokodaki Sakonji prepared a sumptuous meal for Lin Guang and Tanjiro to enjoy.