The Almighty Martial Arts System - Chapter 271

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The most exquisite technique of the Two-Sword Style, the “Reincarnation Slash,” once unleashed, was like the relentless flow of a mighty river—wave after wave of unending offense, its ferocious power undiminished, refusing to cease until the enemy was reduced to mincemeat!

The pavilion, already half-destroyed, was now completely shattered into fragments. Even the glazed tiles on the courtyard roof had been pierced countless times by the two combatants, sending shards and debris flying in all directions.

The martial artists watching from the northwest corner tower were utterly stunned. While most of them were furious at Miyamoto Kazuma’s aggressive invasion, clearly intent on slaughtering his way through the Chinese martial world, they couldn’t deny that Japan’s top Two-Sword Style master lived up to his reputation—he was truly a terrifying force to behold.

“The Reincarnation Slash! Not only does the technique cycle endlessly, but each strike feels like it could send a man straight into the cycle of reincarnation!”

“I was fortunate enough to witness Miyamoto Kazuma’s battle with Senior Wang Haoran last time. At first, Senior Wang had the upper hand. But the moment Miyamoto unleashed this move, the tide of the fight reversed instantly! In the end, Senior Wang was cut down right then and there!”

“Exactly. The situation today is eerily similar to that day. Just moments ago, Jiang Fei was dominating, even leaving wounds on Miyamoto. But now, it seems Jiang Fei can only frantically dodge.”

With the pavilion’s roof nearly torn off, the spectators on the northwest tower finally had a clear view of the duel. Their eyes were glued to the courtyard as they commented in hushed voices.

———

On the “VIP seats,” Liu Yunduo’s heart was clenched in tension. Even after all this time, seeing Miyamoto Kazuma execute the Reincarnation Slash again, she still couldn’t think of a way to counter it. If her right hand hadn’t been crippled, and she were to face Miyamoto again, she would still lose.

“Truly worthy of the legendary Two-Sword Style master who swept through Japan’s swordsmanship world fourteen years ago. I’d heard before that the Reincarnation Slash was overwhelmingly powerful, and today, I see it’s no exaggeration. An ordinary person would stand no chance,” Yanagi Chika said, her eyes burning with intensity.

She had only heard her uncle mention that Miyamoto’s Reincarnation Slash was already formidable fourteen years ago. Now, after more than a decade, it must be nearing perfection, with no flaws left. Even her uncle would find it much harder to break than before.

Only now, witnessing the sheer power and finesse of the technique, did she truly believe. No wonder her uncle had kept this move in mind.

Yanagi Chika turned to Liu Yunduo and asked, “Alliance Leader Liu, who do you think will win now?”

Liu Yunduo’s eyes burned with urgency, but her voice was firm and resolute. “Jiang Fei will win!”

“Damn right! Of course, it’ll be Hero Jiang! You think this old Japanese dog stands a chance?!” Su Mengnan, now the most visibly agitated of them all, slammed his fist on the table, rattling the teacups. He no longer cared about maintaining decorum in front of the ladies—especially since he now knew Yanagi Chika was Japanese, and any goodwill he might have had for her was gone.

Yet, both Liu Yunduo and Su Mengnan could see that once Miyamoto successfully executed the Reincarnation Slash, Jiang Fei had been forced onto the defensive. Though he was holding on for now, uninjured, if this continued, it was only a matter of time before he faltered. A prolonged defense would inevitably crack.

Surprisingly, Yanagi Chika—the Japanese swordswoman—nodded in agreement. “I also believe Jiang Fei is still more likely to win.”

This was her first time seeing Jiang Fei in action. She had only heard of his reputation in the capital, but now, witnessing his swordsmanship, she felt something inexplicable.

The Yanagi family had been a swordmaster lineage for centuries, with no bias against teaching women. Every descendant, regardless of gender, learned swordsmanship to some degree, with their ultimate achievements depending on talent and fate.

Like most of her kin, Yanagi Chika had trained in swordsmanship since childhood. As a direct descendant, she had often received guidance from her uncle and watched him demonstrate techniques countless times. While her own skills weren’t the strongest among the younger generation, her discernment was undoubtedly the sharpest.

And so, she could see something different in Jiang Fei’s swordsmanship.

Or rather, in his sword intent.

His bizarre, seemingly formless techniques—unlike anything she had ever seen—gave her the impression that they shared the same essence as her uncle’s “No-Sword Taking” principle.

Even though Jiang Fei was currently at a disadvantage, suppressed by Miyamoto’s Reincarnation Slash, she inexplicably felt confident that he would emerge victorious in the end.

———

Jiang Fei hadn’t expected Miyamoto Kazuma to be so decisive. When cornered, the man had willingly taken a grievous wound—allowing Jiang Fei to stab him deeply in the thigh—just to create an opening to unleash his ultimate technique.

Now, blood gushed from the hole in Miyamoto’s leg, slightly hindering his speed, but his goal had been achieved. The Reincarnation Slash had broken Jiang Fei’s foresight and speed-based swordsmanship, forcing him onto the back foot.

Jiang Fei’s Nine Swords of Dugu was indeed formidable, capable of countering attacks before they even fully formed. Had Miyamoto hesitated, unwilling to sacrifice, he would have remained suppressed until exhaustion led to his defeat.

Bang!

Jiang Fei activated his Threefold Cloud lightness skill, scaling the pavilion’s pillar like a gecko, trying to shake Miyamoto off with sheer speed. But the Reincarnation Slash wasn’t so easily interrupted—Miyamoto followed closely, his twin swords slashing upward in a deadly cross.

Crash!

Jiang Fei’s sword cleaved a gap in the roof, sending crimson glazed tiles raining down. He leapt through the opening, landing lightly on the rooftop, only for Miyamoto to lunge at him, blades aimed at his torso.

Jiang Fei tilted sideways, his feet shattering the roof tiles beneath him as Miyamoto’s swords sliced a long gash in his robe.

When Miyamoto twisted his wrists, bringing the blades down in a reverse slash, Jiang Fei slammed his palm onto the roof beam with all his might. Crack! The beam snapped, and Jiang Fei dropped back into the pavilion.

Yet Miyamoto pursued without pause, his swords still locked onto Jiang Fei as if bound to him by fate—unyielding, relentless.

His twin blades moved with a terrifying harmony, ferocious yet fluid, like a lover’s embrace that refused to let go.

“This Reincarnation Slash is as terrifying as Liu Yunduo said—almost flawless. The only opening might very well be a deliberate trap!” Jiang Fei thought.

The Two-Sword Style was already an unorthodox path, and Miyamoto had been Japan’s top master for years. Now, his skill had reached unfathomable heights—perhaps even surpassing his legendary ancestor, Miyamoto Musashi.

Thus, Jiang Fei’s Nine Swords of Dugu, still in its early stages, struggled to find a weakness.

Had he reached the second layer of mastery, his understanding of sword principles would have deepened, his strikes closer to the essence of the art. Then, perhaps, he wouldn’t see just one flaw—but three, five, or more.

And the more flaws he saw, the easier victory would be.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

In the blink of an eye, Jiang Fei had been forced to defend against nearly fifty strikes. Were it not for the sheer unpredictability of his formless swordsmanship—which made Miyamoto’s attacks feel sluggish and awkward—anyone else would have been overwhelmed long ago.

“Let’s see how long you can last!” Miyamoto sneered inwardly. Having cultivated internal energy for over a decade, his reserves were vast. He could afford to drag this out.

Jiang Fei’s expression remained calm, but a fiery intensity slowly ignited in his eyes.

“I think… I understand now!” A glint of realization flashed in Jiang Fei’s gaze as his speed abruptly doubled. Instead of retreating, he lunged forward, his sword moving even faster.

And the timing of his strike?

The same fleeting opening—less than 0.1 seconds—when Miyamoto switched to a reverse grip, just as Liu Yunduo had tried to exploit before.

Seeing this, Miyamoto smiled silently.

“Trying the same move again? You haven’t learned your lesson.”

“But then again… you have no choice, do you?”

“In that case, it’s time for your defeat!”

Taking a deep breath, Miyamoto channeled his internal energy, his arms twisting into an impossible stance. Instead of retracting his blades, he crossed them in a reverse slash aimed straight at Jiang Fei!

And then—

Clang!

The swords collided.

Two katana spiraled into the sky, wrenched from Miyamoto’s grasp.

A single longsword pierced through his chest.