Kanru Vs. Daaren

Since I had also begun training in Dragon Qi Sword Art, I understood that Dragon Wing could become a powerful weapon depending on how it was used. However, it was said to be a secret technique that was difficult to control, and that long training was needed before one could completely master it.

Even Daaren probably had not reached the level of being able to completely master it. There seemed to be an opening there. To exploit that opening, I would need speed and an attack method that could catch him off guard.

The attack most likely to catch him off guard was Dragon Wing, but learning it in a short period would be difficult. In that case, I had to think of the next-best plan. I headed to the library in the Main Hall.

When I entered the library, I approached the bookshelf lined with manuals on throwing techniques. I checked all the manuals there and found one that caught my interest. It was called Dragon Qi Throwing Art. Apparently, it was a throwing technique that used dragon qi to throw projectile weapons. When I looked into various things, I learned that the person who developed this Dragon Qi Throwing Art was the same person who developed Dragon Qi Sword Art.

Why did he develop Dragon Qi Throwing Art when Dragon Wing existed? No, was it the other way around? He developed Dragon Qi Throwing Art first, then developed Dragon Qi Sword Art. If that was the case, since Dragon Qi Throwing Art existed, Dragon Wing should not have been necessary.

The question remained, but I began training in Dragon Qi Throwing Art. The first stage of this technique was to enhance physical ability with dragon qi and throw, while the second stage was to repel the projectile with dragon qi and launch it.

I became able to do the first stage immediately. Since I had already become able to use dragon qi, strengthening my physical ability with dragon qi was simple. Compared to enhancement with ordinary qi, it strengthened me by about fifty percent more.

When I used that power for throwing, I could throw at tremendous speed. The power was also high, and when I threw a pebble, it embedded itself into a tree trunk. However, mastering the second stage seemed like it would take time.

I wanted an attack method I could use even one day sooner, so I thoroughly practiced the first stage of Dragon Qi Throwing Art. This was training to improve my accuracy.

Dragon Qi Throwing Art had several key principles for improving accuracy. I studied them and raised my accuracy. While I was spending my days in that kind of training, Seiran told me that after Kanru and Daaren had a shouting argument, they had ended up fighting at the training ground.

“If we don’t hurry, it will start.”

“Got it.”

At the time, I had been practicing Dragon Qi Throwing Art in Old Immortal Cave, so I was late arriving at the training ground. When I got there, a large number of Taoist practitioners had gathered, and Kanru and Daaren were facing each other at the center.

“Haoxuen is over there.”

Seiran found Haoxuen and raised his voice. We lined up beside Haoxuen.

“Is this a match?”

When I asked, Haoxuen nodded.

“They decided to settle which of them is stronger through a mock battle.”

Kanru and Daaren were facing each other with practice swords in hand. It would probably become a battle between users of Dragon Qi Sword Art.

“Senior Brother Daaren, there is no meaning in doing this.”

“Hmph, are you frightened?”

Kanru looked annoyed.

“There is no way I would be frightened by a senior brother who neglects his training just because he is a high disciple.”

“What did you say!”

Daaren began running toward Kanru. Since both of them were using dragon qi to raise their physical ability, their movements were astonishingly quick and powerful.

When Kanru’s slash tore through the air and swung down toward Daaren’s shoulder, Daaren parried it with his practice sword, which he had poured dragon qi into. If he did not pour dragon qi into it, the practice sword probably would not be able to endure the slash.

The moment their practice swords collided, a sharp metallic sound rang out. Why did a sound like that come from wood striking wood?

It was probably because two weapons filled with dragon qi had collided, but they seemed to have the same level of power as ordinary swords. Was there even any meaning in using practice swords?

Daaren grinned and counterattacked. A sharp slash extended toward Kanru’s chest as if scraping upward from below. Kanru blocked it with his practice sword, but his whole body was sent flying. Daaren leaped after him.

The moment Kanru landed, Daaren unleashed Dragon Wing. Kanru threw himself to the ground and avoided it. Daaren jumped in there and swung his practice sword down. Kanru rolled across the ground to dodge it, then stood up in an instant.

Kanru shouted to rouse his spirit and attacked Daaren. Daaren parried it. After that, a rapid offense and defense continued.

“This is an incredible battle. Dragon Qi Sword Art really is good.”

When Seiran said that, Haoxuen nodded.

“But you have to reach the Tenth Tier, right? Why the Tenth Tier?”

Haoxuen asked.

“To handle the dragon qi used in Dragon Qi Sword Art, you need a large amount of qi. For that, it’s impossible unless you reach around the Tenth Tier.”

“I see. So reaching the Tenth Tier really is the minimum condition.”

Even while we were talking, Kanru and Daaren’s battle continued. However, Kanru gradually began to be pushed back. Then Kanru changed his attacks into a barrage of Dragon Wing strikes.

Kanru jumped backward and released Dragon Wing in rapid succession. They headed toward Daaren, but Daaren dodged them easily, as if he had expected it.

“Idiot. You don’t seem to know how to use Dragon Wing.”

When Daaren said that, he released Dragon Wing three times in succession. Kanru jumped left to avoid the first one. The second shot was fired as if to cut off his path, and the third hit Kanru when he stopped.

Kanru was sent flying and rolled across the ground, apparently unconscious.