Slash!
A piercing screech, sharp as a blade slicing through eardrums, erupted suddenly.
The terrifying force of several thousand pounds pressed down on the nano-blade, causing it to groan under the strain. The immense power drove the several-meter-long sword, slicing through the air with a deafening roar.
White sonic clouds exploded in succession before Tong Gu as the sword moved.
The blade tore through the air, trailing white-hot flames, descending in an instant.
A massive white sword arc appeared, cutting through the streets of Osaka with thunderous force.
The humanoid Nurarihyon, usually composed and indifferent, suddenly had its pupils constrict. It couldn't believe a human could generate such overwhelming power. Its body tensed, and it stepped forward with its right foot. With its bone blade drawn back to its left hip, the muscles in its right arm bulged as immense force gathered in its grip.
Shing!
Iaido.
A flash of grayish-white sword energy burst forth, mirroring the same sword technique Tong Gu had used to decapitate the beast-form Nurarihyon earlier.
But in the blink of an eye, that two-meter-long gray sword light shattered against the colossal, ten-meter-long sword arc, bursting apart like glittering fragments in the sky. The enormous sword arc, unstoppable, continued its trajectory.
Inugami, renowned for its reflexes and speed, instantly sensed the devastating power of the strike. The once-calm creature lost its priestly composure. Its fangs bared, muscles tensed, and its three-meter-tall form instinctively lunged forward, grabbing hold of Nurarihyon.
The sword arc flashed past. Inugami froze mid-motion.
Boom!
The earth cracked open under the overwhelming force, leaving a fissure several dozen meters long and a few fingers wide across the concrete road.
The enormous arc of white sword energy loomed like a massive Ferris wheel in the sky, its ghostly trail slowly dissipating.
Tengu, initially caught off guard, immediately grabbed Nurarihyon from Inugami's hands.
Slash!
With just a tug, Nurarihyon's severed right arm fell away, along with half of Inugami's torso.
The wounds were scorched black, with not a single drop of blood spilling out.
Nurarihyon's pupils trembled. Only now did it fully comprehend the strike's sheer power. Gazing at its own severed arm, it seemed unable to process what had just occurred.
"What... what kind of power is this?"
Buzz!
A muffled sound reverberated. Nurarihyon's body convulsed, swelling grotesquely before exploding into pieces.
Tengu howled in fury, leaping toward a distant skyscraper.
Boom!
A violent impact revealed a hidden figure: Nishi Joichiro, who stumbled as his invisibility faded. The cold, stoic young man panted heavily, but his eyes sparkled with unconcealed joy.
"I did it. I killed a 100-point monster!"
Roar!
Though wingless, Tengu's sheer strength allowed it to claw through the concrete structure, pursuing Joichiro with terrifying speed.
Panic flickered in Joichiro's eyes as he mounted his motorbike and sped off.
Meanwhile, the viewers in the live stream finally noticed something was off with Tong Gu.
"Wait, what's going on? What was that sword strike? Is that sword pressure?"
"Did the Exploiter just break into Silver rank with one move?"
"Hold on—why isn't the streamer moving? Shouldn't he be pressing the advantage now?"
Guo Dengyuan, still exclaiming over the incredible sword arc and asking if anyone had taken screenshots, suddenly felt a pit of dread in his stomach. His excitement evaporated, leaving him silent and uneasy.
Yang Yuanping's brows furrowed deeply.
Wu Zhengyang sent a highlighted comment (CNY 100): That sword strike far surpassed Silver-level standards. Tong Gu might be experiencing some backlash.
Wu Zhengyang's comment confirmed Yang Yuanping's suspicion. He took a sip of tea, only to realize his cup had been empty for some time.
Tong Gu gasped for air, feeling as though his entire body was on fire. Each breath felt like stoking a blazing inferno within.
[Talent ??? has entered the manifestation phase. Please check your status.]
Something was wrong. The power in that strike… something wasn't right. His condition wasn't right.
Tong Gu's skin glowed red-hot, and his breath, far from steady, had become chaotic and scorching.
Cough.
A sudden cough escaped him. Wiping his mouth, he found his palm stained with charred, blackened blood.
So it wasn't an illusion—his insides really were burning.
Instinctively, he tried to summon his interface to check his status, but the shattered remains of Nurarihyon's body stirred once more.
From the scattered flesh, several larger chunks began rolling together, fusing as if alive. In mere moments, a small elderly figure emerged from the bloody remnants.
The old man-like Nurarihyon clasped his hands inside his wide sleeves and took light, deliberate steps. In the blink of an eye, he was standing before Tong Gu.
He tilted his head, curiously observing the swordsman whose breath now came as visible plumes of steam.
"Burning, are you?"
Nurarihyon's tone was detached, as though it had already deduced Tong Gu's condition. Its pose radiated an air of unshakable confidence.
The nauseating stench wafting from Nurarihyon's body ignited the smoldering flame within Tong Gu, causing it to flare violently once more.
Boom!
A white sword arc reappeared, sweeping across with a flash. The upper half of the old Nurarihyon was instantly severed.
Yet it showed no reaction. As its upper body fell, its form suddenly expanded, and from the charred, bloodless waist, a new torso emerged.
Similarly, the discarded lower body sprouted a fresh upper half.
Now, two identical old Nurarihyons stood on either side of Tong Gu, still regarding him with curiosity.
"You're not from this world, are you?"
"Such power… truly unprecedented."
Tong Gu clicked his tongue. Nurarihyon had abandoned mimicking his combat techniques, adopting a state that rendered slashing attacks ineffective. It had become a lump of malleable flesh—impossible to cut apart.
Yet, despite the inferno raging within him, Tong Gu felt no despair. On the contrary, he sensed untapped reserves of strength—beneath him, within the very earth itself.
He lowered his gaze to the two Nurarihyons and let out a cold chuckle.
The creatures looked at him in puzzlement.
"My condition isn't right, I admit. But…"
"I'm not getting weaker."
"I'm getting… ridiculously strong!"
Tong Gu plunged his nano-blade into the ground. With a thunderous roar, he gripped the sword tightly and dragged it sideways, slashing diagonally.
The Nurarihyons didn't dodge. Blades no longer posed a threat to them.
But then, from the fissures in the earth, a crimson glow emerged.
The two Nurarihyons' expressions shifted, their knees bending instinctively.
Bang!
Despite their frail appearances, they unleashed tremendous force, leaping into the air with a ground-shattering stomp.
Tong Gu, his face slick with sweat that evaporated in an instant, gripped his rapidly melting yet regenerating blade. He leapt into the sky, slashing upward.
Boom!
Crimson earthfire erupted like a blazing lotus, surging into the heavens with Tong Gu at its core.
The airborne Nurarihyons barely had time to turn before being engulfed by the searing inferno.
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