UGB Chapter 119 Mastery!
Chapter 119 Mastery!
Since moving to the Butterfly House for training, Mizuko's days have been filled to the brim.
The smoke of the battle at Spider Mountain has long since dissipated, but the scene of life and death is still etched deep in her bones.
Relying on the blurry image of her brother dancing the Hinokami Kagura in her mind, she forcibly merged the Water Breathing with the Kagura dance, leaving her exhausted.
That battle made her realize that she couldn't just stick to the fixed form of Water Breathing.
She wants to completely integrate Kagura's dance with the water breathing technique she has already mastered, creating a fighting method that is uniquely her own.
From then on, without anyone's prompting, Mizuko began her almost obsessive solitary cultivation.
She would wield her sword before the morning mist dissipated, dance under the midday sun, and adjust her breathing in the evening breeze. Day after day, she silently and forcibly combined the techniques of Water Breathing with the steps of Kagura Dance.
However, the core of the two forces is contradictory, making them far more difficult to reconcile than she had imagined.
The essence of water breathing lies in its length, stability, and depth. The breath flows like a river, continuous and unbroken, emphasizing the use of gentleness to overcome strength and slowness to control speed.
The dance steps of Hinokami Kagura change abruptly, swirling and leaping, with a fiery and unrestrained quality.
The more she tried to force the two together, the more violently the energy within her body clashed.
At every crucial moment when connecting moves, my breathing would suddenly stop, my chest would feel tight, my sword momentum would suddenly dissipate, and even my forearm would feel numb due to the reverse flow of breath.
She never stopped because of this, but calmly noted down every chaotic point, corrected it again and again, and started over again and again.
No matter how she tried, she could never find the way to integrate them. The two forces were like water and fire, repelling each other in her meridians and unable to coexist. This made her realize that she lacked the most crucial foundational support. By relying solely on brute force, she could never reach the desired state.
As dusk fell, the bamboo shadows were stretched long by the setting sun. Mi Douzi stood quietly with his knife sheathed, a thin layer of sweat on his forehead, his wrist holding the knife steady and strong.
She walked slowly towards Shinobu Kocho. "Perhaps Miss Shinobu can help me!"
"Miss Shinobu, I have a question for you."
Shinobu Kocho nodded slightly, her purple eyes gently falling on her, quietly waiting for what she would say next.
Nezuko recounted the battle at Spider Mountain in a clear and organized manner, as well as the fusion of Kagura dance and Water Breathing.
She paused, then added, "Zenitsu once said that my breathing was stagnant because I wasn't suited to water breathing, so I want to find a way to make water breathing and Kagura dance truly coexist."
Looking at the girl before him, who was gentle on the outside but strong on the inside and resilient to the core, Shinobu felt a faint sense of admiration.
This time, however, Shinobu Kocho did not immediately give guidance. Instead, she frowned slightly, remained silent for a moment, and spoke with more caution and restraint in her tone.
She knew nothing about the Hinokami Kagura that Nezuko had mentioned.
It is not derived from any of the five basic breathing systems of the Demon Slayer Corps; there are no records of it, and no lineage of its transmission.
Perhaps even the lord has never delved into its origins, and no one knows what kind of breathing it belongs to.
As an instructor, she can adjust breathing rhythm and correct sword techniques, but she must never give instructions on breathing techniques she doesn't understand.
If the guidance goes astray, it will not only fail to help Nezuko integrate power, but will also destroy her foundation.
After much deliberation, Shinobu Kocho suppressed any thoughts of instructing on the fusion of techniques. With the utmost care and responsibility, she spoke softly, her tone sincere and cautious.
"Niedouzi, you want to forge your own path of breathing, and there's nothing wrong with that initial intention."
She spoke slowly, her tone revealing a frank limitation.
"However, the Kagura dance you mentioned is not a derivative of the five basic breathing techniques. I have never been exposed to it and do not know its source of power or its core breathing mechanism. I dare not casually point out the method of fusion. If I mislead you, it will only harm you."
Midouzi listened quietly, without the slightest surprise or disappointment, simply nodding slightly to show her understanding.
Seeing that her expression remained firm, Shinobu Kocho continued, offering the only reliable and common core path for all breathing techniques, which was also the most responsible advice she could give.
"I cannot teach you to combine Kagura dance with Water Breathing, but all breathing techniques, regardless of their origin or style, share a common foundation—Total Concentration, Constant Concentration."
Shinobu's voice was soft yet firm, and she looked solemnly at Nezuko.
"The Complete Concentration - Constant Concentration is about making breathing an instinct, regardless of day or night, movement or stillness, or technique. The breath flows steadily within the body, like a heartbeat, like blood vessels. You can breathe at will without conscious control."
Shinobu Kocho knew that she did not understand Kagura, so she would never speak carelessly. The best guidance for Nezuko would be to prioritize the cultivation of the most core foundation of the Kagura.
Midouzi's eyes lit up slightly, and the long-standing predicament in her heart was instantly pierced by a ray of light.
She was obsessed with the integration of moves and dance steps, but neglected the most fundamental foundation of breathing.
Her water breathing technique is only at the initial stage of total concentration; it can only be activated temporarily and cannot be maintained continuously.
The complete collection of the novel, "Changzhong," is her only key to breaking the deadlock and the only way to integrate water breathing and Kagura dance.
"I understand, Miss Shinobu."
Mi Douzi bowed respectfully, his tone firm and steady, without the slightest hesitation.
"Thank you for your guidance. I will put aside the fusion of techniques for now and focus on practicing the Complete Concentration Technique: Constant Technique to solidify my breath foundation. Once I have truly mastered the Constant Technique, I will continue to explore the fusion of Kagura dance and Water Breathing."
"very good."
Shinobu Kocho smiled gently, her eyes full of approval.
From then on, Midouzi's training completely shifted to the refinement of the Complete Collection of Essays and the Regular Collection.
There are no fancy sword techniques, only the most monotonous and resilient breathing exercises.
At dawn, she sat cross-legged facing the stream mist, clearing her mind of all distractions. Following Shinobu's guidance, she slowly inhaled, letting her breath sink in, and then exhaled.
I repeatedly refined the length, stability, and evenness of my breathing, forcing myself to maintain full concentration even when still, without letting my breath relax even slightly.
During the day, she walks, steps, and leaps through the bamboo forest, maintaining a steady breathing rhythm no matter what she does, even when crossing stream stones or climbing bamboo stalks.
The state of complete concentration is extended from sitting meditation to dynamic activity, and from deliberate control to gradually transforming into subconscious instinct.
The practice was tedious and repetitive, day after day, with no shortcuts, but Ni Douzi never felt the slightest bit weary.
She remained silent and resolute, without complaining, without anxiety, without giving up. Every breath she took was taken with all her might, every adjustment was meticulous, and a determined fire always burned in her eyes.
Shinobu Kocho always stayed by her side, only correcting her breathing and polishing her foundation.
She watched as Mi Douzi's breathing changed from intermittent to long and steady, from being deliberately urged to flowing naturally.
Watching the girl's aura grow stronger, more stable, and more abundant day by day.
Watching as a continuous layer of aura gradually enveloped her.
It was then known that Mizuko was approaching the threshold of the Complete Collection - Regular Level with amazing talent and perseverance.
Late that night, the moonlight bathed the valley, spreading silver light across the ground.
Mi Douzi sat cross-legged on the bluestone, closed his eyes and began to breathe. He did not consciously regulate his breathing, but the airflow in his body continued to flow slowly, like a clear mountain spring, endless and uninterrupted, regardless of movement or time.
She stood up, took a step casually, her breathing remained steady, and gently swung her sword. Without needing to urge it, the energy from her breath flowed naturally without any stagnation.
She stopped moving and quietly sensed everything within her body. She clearly perceived that the energy concentrated in her fist had completely merged into her bones and blood. It required no thought or control; it was always with her, endlessly.
She finally achieved the "Standard" level in the complete collection.
"Miss Shinobu... I... I did it!"