Bear School Astartes

Facing Lann, who had put his entire body weight into the sword strike.

Even though Iwami Yixin chose the most effective method to block, placing his entire weight on the blade, blocking downward.

He was still lifted off the ground by that enormous force by at least ten centimeters!

Finally, his straw sandals touched down again, scraping two glaring marks on the ground of the Buddhist Hall, with soil accumulated at the ends, finally coming to a stop.

"Well done! Lann!"

Iwami Yixin couldn't help but laugh heartily.

In battles, one must be bold yet meticulous, a saying celebrated in every martial arts school.

But to perfectly react under the pressure of Iwami Yixin... this kid... is interesting!

And Lann's offensive wasn't finished.

Those cat-like eyes scanned Iwami Yixin's posture in a fleeting moment.

Mentos synchronized with the eye movements, marking each piece of data directly, and ultimately, Lann made his decision—

Continue the attack!

Having forced a stance with the body weight pressed into the strike, Iwami Yixin's Golden Iron Dragon-Slaying Blade was sent flying to his right side.

The left side defense created an opening, even though this gap could be rectified in less than a tenth of a second, but... Lann could seize it!

With a series of clanging sounds, Iwami Yixin lifted his blade from the right side to block on the left.

The distance of arm and blade movement determined his efficiency shouldn't surpass Lann's.

Thus, with each clash, Lann would scatter the setup Iwami Yixin was just about to stabilize!

In Western swordsmanship, the advantage side should keep pressing the opponent's weaker side, not only hoping the opponent makes mistakes under pressure, but also as a self-protection measure.

The opponent who is overwhelmed by attacks cannot exert offense.

Therefore, the relentless assault by the advantage side may seem reckless and wild, but it is essentially safe and stable strategy.

Iwami Yixin's swordsmanship foundation is unquestionable, his solitary eye shines ever brighter amid the fierce swordplay.

With his foundation and experience, he can easily discern the opponent's tactics amidst seemingly reckless clashes.

Even this fresh sensation render him feeling like he is joyfully drinking strong wine.

"So that's it! The essence of Southern Barbarian swordsmanship!?"

This emaciated old man keenly sensed the difference between battling with Lann compared to duels with local East Japan swordsmen.

Beyond his superior physical abilities, the thinking in swordsmanship between Southern Barbarian and Eastern approaches is quite distinct.

"For you, the battle is actually an inducement operation!? Haha!"

Though he was temporarily suppressed on the surface, Iwami Yixin still laughed heartily with satisfaction.

This is a fusion of cunning deception and logical tactics.

Feints, real moves, reality becomes illusion, illusion becomes reality... These are common strategies among swordsmen.

But the difference in Southern Barbarian swordsmanship is they analyze the sword fighting situation with logical thinking.

When should one forcefully attack, what effect the offensive should achieve, how to deal with sudden changes in the situation...

These fleeting things amidst battles are all analyzed logically, comparing them based on probability, risk, and reward. The swordsman then decides which strategy to apply.

This unique thinking makes Southern Barbarian swordsmen not necessarily great generals, but on a one-on-one battlefield, they are all tactical masters!

Iwami Yixin still laughed heartily, but his situation wasn't optimistic.

Lann has made no mistakes on the tactical level, his strategy of striking the weak with strength and continuously suppressing has been constantly forcing Iwami Yixin to reposition.

Drawn over, the light from the blade blocked by his left side, another clash sends it back to the right side.

There's no gap to reset the stance.

Having a tactical advantage signifies that as long as execution is flawless, one will almost always maintain the upper hand.

And Lann's execution remains as terrifying as ever.

His sword quick yet steady, the seemingly fierce assault never once overextended, exposing his flanks to the opponent.

Beside them, Owl watches as the young Demon Hunter pressures the Sword Saint, almost driving him back against the wall lined with statues in the Buddhist Hall.

His bushy face expands with an expression of shock, resembling a startled owl.

And when Lann finally drives the old Sword Saint to a position with nowhere left to retreat...

The wind began to change.

In the sealed subterranean hidden Buddhist Hall, sudden gusts of wind arose.

The Demon Hunter's eyes slightly narrowed.

"Thank you, Lann."

Amidst the dazzling sparks from clashing blades, the emaciated old man's smile grew broader.

"For showing me the intriguing Southern Barbarian swordplay, as a reward... let me show you the 'sword' of the East!"

As soon as his words ended, the pupils of the Demon Hunter suddenly contracted!

The Lady of the Lake's Sword, meant to press forward according to strategy, abruptly recoiled, defending the front.

And not only that, Lann felt a sharp chill hovering along his side face.

There was no time to ponder further; he let go of the sword hilt with his left hand, raising the arm guard on his left in the direction of the chill.

"Dang!!" *2

Sparks erupted; the stance pressure Iwami Yixin was in seemed out of sync like a frame drop.

Suddenly adopting the stance of Iaido.

And it wasn't the stance of drawing the blade... but the position after the sword had been drawn and resheathed!

Lann's eyes widened in astonishment!

On the outer side of the arm guard protecting his face, a deep sword mark appeared abruptly!

And the Aron Dite in his right hand had been swiftly knocked 30 degrees off angle with sudden force.

Most crucial was—his dynamic vision didn't catch the strike made by the opponent at all!

...Are you kidding me?!

Is this a martial arts novel?!

A single sword strike landing on two distinct paths!

The torrential force lifted Lann off his feet, sending him flying over a meter backward!

He stared in disbelief at the emaciated old man, who had resumed standing from the Iaido stance.

"So peculiar, isn't it, compared to Southern Barbarian swordsmanship?"

The old man chuckled merrily.

"While idling at Iwami Castle, I taught a batch of swordsmen. This is what a guy named Sasai Shinsuke specialized and improved—the Iwami Cross Slash... although the Qi Blade's trajectory appears as a tilted 'two', I must say, it is indeed fast."

Iwami Yixin resheathed the Golden Iron Dragon-Slaying Blade at his waist, not intending to continue fighting.

Lann tilted his head to look at the old man and sheathed the Lady of the Lake's Sword.

He started to pant, although mildly, a peculiar breathing method maintained control, but the noise from his lungs couldn't be silenced.

After all, Iwami Yixin was getting old.

"Quick to such extent... that Sasai Shinsuke's swing speed could almost crush people in armor, though his hands might not survive afterward."

Lann nodded in admiration, gritting his teeth slightly.

"I feel I somewhat understand what East Japan swordsmanship is about."

Upon hearing this, Iwami Yixin's eyes brightened.

"Oh? I didn't expect you to have such keen insight, I'm even more optimistic about you, Lann."